You can't make old friends

Good morning Runners! This morning I am blessed to be sharing a cup of coffee with you all while sitting on the deck of a beautiful house on Cape Code. This week we have been vacationing with our former neighbors and good friends Chris and Alyssa and we have been truly blessed by good weather and lot's of laughter! The plan today is for a short run, followed by golf for the guys and the beach for the women. Sounds like the perfect day! Our week has been great not because of the weather or location (though they have helped), but more so because of the friendship we built while being neighbors, which enables us to laugh often and enjoy each others company. It will be sad to say goodbye when we depart this week because we truly enjoy our friendship, but no doubt we will discuss future plans of getting together. Having Chris and Alyssa as neighbors for the past 7 years or so has been a true blessing as they became a large part of our lives' and it is weird not seeing them daily. Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton recently released a song that I am sure none of you have heard that aptly describes the sentiment that fits our relationship and no doubt many that each of you share with friends in your life. The songs title is absolutely perfect, though you have to think about it for a second, but after you think about it you will hopefully nod and think; ;Yeah, I get it and can relate a particular (or possibly more than one) relationship to it. The title of the song is: "You can't make old friends". Here is the Youtube video and while you may not care for Country music check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chBNBzE35EI Running has many benefits from health to mental, but one of the more significant ones for me are the friendships I have been bless with through running. Chris and Alyssa came to Kathy I by pure chance and proximity, but the many friends that I am truly blessed with have mostly come by way of running. Beginning in the early days of training groups I joined through the groups and people I have coached, all opportunities have brought amazing people into my life. Naturally we get closer to some more than others, but running has definitely opened the door to realizing some of the nicest friendships. I am very blessed to have friends from long ago and I value those greatly, but to be able to make new friendships that are fostered by running together is truly a blessing. Unlike other friendships where we have to schedule opportunities to hang out or get together, running makes it easy to find the time. In many cases a run can be tied to a follow on social time as well and how great is that! I have no doubt that the tremendous growth of running today is due in part to the social aspect that can come with it. I have seen many that have joined a particular training group who are now great friends and at the center of their time together is "running"! I have used the word "blessing" a lot in my description of my friendships and to me that's what they are. Life to me is about the blessings that God sees fit to give me and the blessing of friendship is like none other. "You can't make old friends" Enjoy your day friends. Mike