I have been running marathons since 2006 and I have been looking for a true group of running buddies since then. I ran with the DC Roadrunners when I was in Northern Virginia and the Virginia Happy Trails Running Club when I started running ultras. But when I moved to Madison, I expected to find a bunch of running groups and I didn’t find one. So I created a group, Madison Ultra Distance Runners (MUDRS (https://www.facebook.com/groups/303869722963958/) and struggled meeting people to come run with me (although I have met a core group of friends from the group). Then I heard about the Berkeley group runs from BJ at a mutual friend’s wedding. I was intrigued and started running with him and the redsocks pretty regularly.
What I love about the redsocks is the diversity of the people. We have pure marathoners, ultramarathoners, triathletes (world class ones to boot) and xc skiers. The diversity also is represented in what we do: teachers, professors, it workers, bankers, contractors and electricians. Some of us have run super-fast marathons; some like me are still puttering around.
But what I love is that we have each other’s back. We support each other when each other are having a rough period or injury. We wait for each other at finish lines. It is what I have been missing in my running and it makes me a much stronger runner. Thanks guys!
Reminder, I am still running 10 miles each Monday from Berkeley East (Olbrich parking lot) and would love to meet some new running buddies!
UPDATE: I haven't made a 100 mile week yet. I hit 72 last week (I was sick on the day of my long run) and 70 the week before. Things are going well this week and I should hit 99 miles and I am still injury free and feeling strong. My weight hasn't dropped and I am feeling a little bit more tired (been going to bed super early at night). I can really feel the difference in my running when I eat well and when I eat poorly.
