Runners Tell All: My Running Fans

11.21.2014

"Runner's Tell All" is a monthly linkup for runners of all ages, skill levels, and experience hosted by Sunshine to the Square Inch and The Lady Okie. Each month we'll have a different topic, and you can find all the topics listed here. We are accepting two sponsorship spots for each month, who will receive a sidebar ad on both blogs as well as entry links in the giveaway. 100% of your sponsorship money will go directly toward running-related giveaways. Email me if you're interested! We have 2 spots available for December!
________________________________________________________

Welcome to the second-to-last Runners Tell All! Next month will be the last linkup. Beka and I want to thank all of you who played along this year. We've had a lot of fun, and we hope you have too. The final linkup will go live on December 21, and the prompt is: Reflect on your 2014 running share your running goals for 2015. We hope you will join us for the last linkup and our final giveaway, which will have three winners!

This month we're talking about our running fans.

It should go without saying (even though I'm obviously still saying it) that Jordan is my biggest running fan. He's the one who has to listen to me talk about how my training runs went, what my pace was, how far I ran, and what I listened to. I know he doesn't really care, but he still asks and listens, and I appreciate it so, so much.

My family are also big fans of mine, and I do not take it for granted that they've been there to cheer me on for both marathons and as many other races as they could come out for. Anyone who makes signs and stands outside cheering for over four hours deserves a pat on the back. Spectating is not easy, and I often think they have a right to be more tired than I am.

After I finished my first marathon, my college girlfriends sent me flowers, and I felt so loved and special even though they couldn't be there in person.

Finally, I can't not mention all of you--my online running community. Not many of my real-life friends are runners, and sometimes it's hard to find people who get it. Sometimes I feel all alone. But you guys get it. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the running community is amazing. No matter how slow or fast you are, everyone crosses the same finish line. You really won't find more encouraging people that your fellow runners, and I love talking to you guys about it. That's why this linkup has been so much fun! I'm going to miss it.

It's so fun to have my family waiting for me at the finish to congratulate me, and then it's fun to go online and share my story with all of you. Running wouldn't be at all the same without my fans.

**No giveaway this month, but next month there will be a final giveaway with three winners, so be sure and come back! If you want to be part of our giveaway with 3 links and a sidebar button on both Beka's and my blogs, email me! <theladyokie@gmail.com>

Runners Tell All Linkup Rules
  1. You MUST leave a comment on the person’s blog who linked up directly before you. This is not a linkup for the sake of linking up. This is a linkup to build community and spread the love and encouragement to your fellow runners! Don't be lame.
  2. Link back to either Beka or Amanda in your post so others can come here and join in! Or grab the button below and add it to your post. 
  3. Have fun!



Beka @ Sunshine to the Square Inch said...

Yay for a good husband and family! I'm in the same boat as you and I think the support is super important. I don't know if I could of completed some of my races without the support there.

Meagan said...

I think our spouses end up being our biggest fan whether they want to or not :) It's such a great feeling when you're running a race to know someone is out there waiting for you at X mile marker. I hadn't thought about the online running community as a biggest fan, but you're totally right! The friends you make through blogging, most that you've never met, provide so much support, encouragement, advice, etc.

Miss Nutralicious said...

Three cheers for family, friends and the online community! I'm really happy that I found the Runners Tell All linkup this year (thank you very much!) because you and Beka have introduced me to so many other runners online. Having online support is so great when I feel like I need to give my family and friends a break from my constant running stories. Fans are encouraging, that's for sure!

Tracy said...

I don't think I realized I had so many running fans until this prompt! I mentioned a lot of people but there are still so many I left off the list. I hope they realize how important all their support is to us! I gotta say, since Ben has run my past couple halfs there has been no one waiting for me at the finish line and it was a little anti-climactic to finish and have no one to celebrate with!
Totally agree about the online running community! This linkup has been especially awesome for that and I'm so thankful to have found it (and you!).

Andrea H. said...

Aw...so sweet that your friends sent flowers! That is amazing! My husband and family are a huge support for me as well. Always listening (to the endless drone of running/race talk) and encouraging me! And thanks for hosting the link up...it has been SO fun each month!

Sarah @ Sometimes Photojenik said...

I love all the pictures!! I don't think I've mentioned this before but I was actually way into running about 6 years ago. I ran a marathon when I was a freshman in college (my training was largely motivated by the fear of gaining the "freshman 15") but have only done sporadic running since. That marathon was actually the only organized race I've ever run in my life (other than track meets in high school) and it was one of the best things I've ever done. Anyway, within the past month I've started running consistently again and it's seriously changing my life... I'll be writing on it sometime soon.

All that to say, I've loved all of these series even though I haven't personally contributed and I love all your running posts. Those are also some beautiful flowers your friends sent you! :)

Kerry @ Till Then Smile Often said...

The people cheering can totally make a run more bearable. My Dad once tried to run the last part of one of my triathlons and it totally made it more memorable.

Angela said...

I want to be a runner!! I had just started running when I got pregnant... and then I was so sick all the time I lost whatever stamina I had built up. Looking forward to starting again from scratch after baby comes. :)

Debbie said...

I love that your college friends sent flowers to you after your first marathon! Two of my girlfriends who live nearby, brought flowers to me after my first marathon. So sweet!

My husband is one of my biggest fans, too. Since we run most of our races together, which ever one of us finishes first cheers in the other one.

Tamara said...

The online running community has honestly been the biggest supporter in terms of my own motivation. I mean, I can talk till I'm blue in the face with my husband but he'll never know how to respond since he's not a runner himself. Unless it calls for him making me a sandwich or helping me waddle my way into the bathroom after a marathon - he's pretty useless for questions. Although, he is currently wearing a pair of Mizuno's...so maybe some day I'll convince him to actually RUN in them. I'll be sad too once this link-up is over - it's been wonderful!

Rach said...

Aww so great that you have such a great support system! :)

・ DESIGNED BY ECLAIR DESIGNS