New Friends and The Scenic Tour

I joined a trail running group a few weeks ago.  This was a good thing.  I am a treadmill runner for the most part, but on the seldom "nice days" I will go trekking through our neighborhood.  But, like Goldilocks, I don't like too hot, too cold, or too windy.  So I get out like three times a year.  Just kidding.  But you get the idea.

The trail group forces me out of my comfort zone and straight up a cliff.  Coach called it, "steep incline" but I think he will get a visual dictionary for Christmas.  Here are a few other things that I didn't know when I started trail running:

1. "Jog up the hill/ mountain"  This means walk at about 3.2 miles an hour for the rest of human kind.  The coach goes a lot faster because he is some sort of mutant.  Seriously, don't try to run.

2. "The trail is narrow."  Translation, dirt trail used by deer.  This is very narrow, and usually has loose rock and dirt.  And whatever you do, DO NOT look down.

3. "Bring plenty of hydration."  We went on a 500+ elevation climb (which wouldn't sound like much), but I guzzled down over 38 oz of water.  Next time, I will fill up my Camelback (c) because I don't like running out of water.  If you don't own a hydration pack, get one.

4.  "Watch your footing."  This means do not divert your eyes from the ground unless you are 100% sure you are not going to die/fall.  If you want to see the deer someone pointed out, stop running.  Or fall down.  Your choice. 

5. "I marked the trail with flour."  *Sigh* This means he/she probably marked the trail, but stay with the leader just in case.  If you are in a little group a bit further back, you might get lost.  I mean, take the scenic route.  We had more distance than the rest of the group, and found our way back (because someone found us, but you know, whatever). That flour dusting was about 20 paces further than the trail crossing.  We could have probably seen it, but all four of us managed to miss it.  Okay, three of us.  One person said, "I think we went the wrong way."  Her father may have taken pictures to document the group.  At least I wasn't alone.


Making friends as an adult is more difficult than I anticipated.  I have lived in the same area for 12 years.  I am friends with my neighbors and I consider myself friends with the parents of my kids friends.  But doing things outside my family, and neighbors was a BIG step.  I had to join a group at church, and this trail group.  Now, I have friends of my own.  Which sounds weird.

I used to have a lot of friends.  I wasn't "popular" but I had people I hung out with.  I am still in touch with friends I made in Middle School.  Once I consider you a friend, you are in for life.

My kids are both in new schools this year.  We are all three in the same boat.  Trying to find people that can relate to us, share our interests, and like coffee.  I keep telling my kids to get out there and join people and if one group isn't right, then go do something else. 

It takes work to meet new people but just remember, be yourself, and give everyone the same grace you want for yourself.  In the end, you might find a person or two you will learn to appreciate and grow with.  Good friends are out there, you just have to look.

 DUE TO "SCRAPER" SCUM IN OTHER COUNTRIES, THE FOLLOWING NOTICE IS FOR YOU: (C) August 12, 2014 United States of America.  H.Jennings.  Any misuse or illegal scrapping of content constitutes copyright infringement.  Please email contact the web administrator for written authorization to re-post or quote any information on these pages.