Running Sisterhood

Running is the most natural of human impulses – babies crawl, walk and then run.  Once they know about running, they never stop – buzzing everywhere at breakneck speed until some adult says “Careful” “Stop” or “Don’t”!  And that’s the beginning of the end of the joy of running for most of us.  Heard enough times and we gradually slow down so that by the time we are adults, we are barely sedentary.   And barely joyous.

 

10 years ago, I rediscovered running.  Distance running to be precise.  I ran my first marathon in October 2001 and I was HOOKED!  The running itself has been a joy – feeling fit, being toned and best of all, being able to eat the most divine meals GUILT FREE (anything is guilt-free after a 20 mile run!).   But I discovered that the best part of running, the thing that really keeps me hooked is the sisterhood!

 

Here’s how it works – the girls run (minimum 5k) and we talk.   About EVERYTHING!  When you are running  pre-dawn at 5.00 a.m. in the morning,  barely awake, no makeup, hair any which way as long as it’s out of your face, sweaty and in clothes that are built for comfort not fashion, then any topic is fair game.  You are at your most vulnerable, your most exposed.  And so we talk – children, husbands, boyfriends, breakups, make-ups, politics, sex, careers – anything and everything.  My running sisterhood in Jamaica knows things about me that well ….. very few people know.  They are fonts of advice and unconditional love.   And there is our unspoken commitment that what is said on a run, stays on the run.  Confidentiality guaranteed.  The first e-mail after I book my flight to Jamaica is to my running sisterhood to arrange our runs.

 

Since moving to Canada, I have not run much. I tried to run alone, I tried the gym.  But I just wasn’t motivated to run. I miss my running sisterhood.

 

Joy of joys!  A few months ago, the most wonderful thing happened – I found a running sisterhood right in my neighbourhood!  Prayer answered – a wonderful group of ladies who run every Saturday morning (and I mean every Saturday morning – through sunshine, heat, rain, hail, snow and whatever else the elements serve us).   The sisters are different, but the sisterhood is the same – the camaraderie, the sharing, the long talks, the advice, the love, concern – all there!   My Canadian running sisterhood.  Oh how I love them!

 

As I count my blessings – two groups of running sisters – I muse on the importance of community.  Human beings are truly social animals.  We are born into a community and we go through many communities in our lifetimes.  We do our best when we are in communities that support us and share our purpose (hence why I am now motivated to run a half marathon in October!).

 

The place where we spend much of our waking hours and yet where many of us feel the absence of community most is at work.  Ask yourself:

 

1. Do you feel a sense of community at work?
2. Are you comfortable being vulnerable at work?  Being vulnerable means we are open to risk taking, doing things differently, being creative and innovative – all behaviours that progressive workplaces value
3. Do you look forward to seeing your team members each Monday?
4. Do you genuinely care for your team members AND your team leader (aka “boss”)?
5. Do you feel cared for and loved by your team members and your team leader (aka “boss”)?
6. Are you motivated to do great things, knowing you have the support of your team?
7. Are you really and truly happy at work?

 

If you answered “no” for most of these, then something needs to change – you OR your environment!  If you answered “YES” – then give bountiful thanks everyday for your beautiful community, as I do for my running sisterhoods!