I promise that I talk about things other than my running class. But in light of my last post, I thought an update was in order.

When we had our next class, the coach pointedly looked my way as she explained what we were doing (at least this was progress from the usual “Just run.”)

She instructed us to run around the Great Lawn in Central Park, a route we’ve taken many times before (the same route of the earlier incident). If someone was too far ahead of the rest, she should run to the back of the line in order to keep the group together. If there was a small group at the front, they could run a little ahead but still had to turn around once they were four lampposts ahead of the group.

This way, the faster people in the group could still run the entire time and our instructor could still call out to everyone, regardless of pace.

As my group steadily made our way back to the end of the line, we chatted with other people in our class about whether we were wearing enough layers and how much time we had left. Normally we wouldn’t be running by each other, but the new system helped the group bond.

I also noticed a woman — who is recovering from a knee injury and runs carefully — at the front. She looked like she was struggling or in pain, but she kept going. It was her turn to be in front. All by herself. The rest of us a significant amount behind. She was able to feel what it was like to be the line leader. To lead the way.

And that was the moment I didn’t care that I felt like I was going in circles or that turning around didn’t seem so efficient or that I wasn’t in front. That was when I didn’t care what my speed was.

Because we all deserve a turn to be the leader of the pack.

One Response to “The leaders of the pack”

1. Alice Hill Says:
   December 18th, 2008 at 9:22 pm

   Good Job!

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