One of the first old blog posts that a few of you read after I relaunched was On Running Solo. Gosh, how things have changed since then. I laugh when I say that running with The Exchange Running Collective has made me less strong but a better runner and happier person, I’m actually pretty serious.

I used to do all of my runs solo so I’d come home and immediately do strength work, stretch or yoga and then get ready for work. Now I do 3 of my 4 runs a week with the crew when I’m not traveling and am only occasionally getting in a long strength class (this is a topic for a whole different post).

But what I’ve lost in muscle strength, I’ve gained in speed because I’ll often try to keep up with the faster folks, although during training I’ve been running a bit more with my more typical speed folks.

And I’ve definitely gained community. One of the things I love about running with this crew is that no one really cares what pace you ran. They want to know how your run went, what race you’re training for, how you’re feeling overall. They get as excited about your goals as you do about theirs. They celebrate your wins, and are a shoulder if you need it for your losses.

When I say the people I get to call friends now have big goals, they have BIG GOALS. Whether it’s the ultra trail races Alex just completed, absolutely crushing them despite their difficulty. The majors which several folks are taking on Berlin, or Chicago or NYC. Or the big group running Indy with the Fast Boys (my name for the group who regularly are running literally twice as fast as me yet cheer me on every lap on the track or at the Airpark) trying to break a big time barrier. Or Cody who’s been training like crazy for a big goal at the Last Mamba Standing race in a few weeks.

Then there are two of the people who light up my world with their positive energy who are taking on a HUGE race, the Rebecca Mountain 50 miler in AL on Saturday: Jen and Autumn.

Jen was one of my first Exchange “friends” as we shared some walking miles as she was injured and I was coming back from being sick, and got to know each other, and that opened up to more chats and hugs and check-ins. Her persistence and flexibility in her training has been truly incredible as she balanced a nagging injury with knowing she can do this race. She did 33 miles a few weeks ago with Cody and a few others, and she is READY!!!

Autumn is wise and disciplined beyond her years. She has put in the WORK, mostly before sunrise, often with AGT biking alongside her to chat and make sure she’s not alone. She casually ran an unsupported marathon for her birthday a few weeks ago, and of course, several folks joined in to run with her and it was so awesome to see. She has learned from prior training cycles to make sure this one left her strong and ready, and that she is. I’m so in awe of her, and so excited to see her crush this goal.

So, while running solo was my jam for a long time, and I still love my solo runs, this year has taught me that it’s truly the community that makes running so great. And while I knew the virtual running community was wonderful, having a crew I can see several times a week is even better. People to chat with before and after, to do book clubs with, to go freeze and sweat at Lolu together, to do the occasional Rook Running in person strength class, to gab over coffee from El Gato Negro, to eat my baked goods when I bring them so I don’t have to eat them all, and to just exist with, together.

It’s just the best, and makes me want to work harder and take on scary new things.

Do you have a community that helps you show up as your favorite version of yourself?

Do you prefer group runs or workouts or solo?

What advice do you have for all of these friends who are taking on big goals?