16 Comments
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jennifer's avatar

I do not run and didn’t know a pace person existed but kudos to you! A running encouragement mentor. Love it !! Thanks for sharing . I learned something today ! Jennifer

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Jay Wilcox's avatar

This is magnificent. So glad I subscribed

Funnily enough, I am actually in the middle of one of my long runs on the basement treadmill. Literally running right now, reading this on my phone! Feel like I've got good company 😎

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Jenn Collins's avatar

That's awesome. If you are still running: YOU ARE DOING GREAT! KEEP IT UP! YOUR FORM IS AMAZING!

Also: I think that long runs done on a treadmill should count as double mileage.

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Jay Wilcox's avatar

Great idea lol

Thanks for the encouragement!

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Reverend Hope's avatar

I love this! It's the epitome of the journey, not the destination with a perfect balance of setting goals and accomplishing them. The journey needs just enough friction and structure to be made worthwhile, but it's not so rigid that it looses sight of its purpose: enjoyment. Thanks for sharing.

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just mud by Ron's avatar

I love your vibe, and used to run when my odometer had less miles! When people show up--a win, absolutely! I would get in trouble with my coach during a 'race', back in the day, chatting with my opponents as if I were their support team! But you know we are each other's support team, so there's that. Keep it going, my friend!

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TechnicallyGoats Eats It All's avatar

I have a personal marathon right now and I didn't know how much I needed to read this until it happened across me. Thank you so much for being you! This is great.

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May Chen's avatar

What a wonderful post. Thank you for sharing this! I can almost feel your warmth through your words.

Just lovely 💌

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Rohit Trivedi's avatar

Great idea and you will be really serving those around you!

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Jamie Clark's avatar

Thank you for being a pacer! I ran my first marathon and stuck like glue to my pacer. If he had run off course into the woods, I would have followed. He's the reason I hit my goal finish time. Anytime I get the chance, I like to send huge thank yous to all the pacers out there because what you do is absolutely amazing to the running community.

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Jenn Collins's avatar

I found a wonderful group of pacers at my first road marathon, and when I was suffering terribly, they did an amazing job of keeping my spirits up. And when we were a half a mile from the finish line, they did an amazing thing for me - they told me I was doing too well to stay with them and that I had to run ahead and beat their planned finish time.

It was totally a lie - I was barely keeping up at that point - but the mental boost that gave me was amazing. That was ten years ago and it remains my best marathon time.

It definitely encouraged me to look into pacing a few years later. :)

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Susan Kuenzi's avatar

I loved reading this. I ran cross country and distance track in high school, but I have multiple sclerosis so running isn’t possible now. But pacing and encouragement matter just as much as ever. Thanks for what you do.

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Dr Priyanka Upadhyai's avatar

I love this. I found running much later in life and fell in love with it. I am not fast but just being out there is enough. Best wishes for next week and I am excited to read more from you 🙂

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Jenn Collins's avatar

Thank you! I've never been a fast runner and for years I was so down on myself for it. Now I embrace it and I love cheering for the back of the pack. I just wish it didn't take me so long to get to owning my pace. :)

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Dr Priyanka Upadhyai's avatar

Yay to running for the sheer joy of it! Happy to connect here!

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Marty (KC) Kanter-Cronin's avatar

Jenn, I am so with you! I have paced a few road races (mostly half's) and they are so much fun. Great piece of writing here, and I am glad you are back from the side lines.

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