FLARP

I first met Tobey last March, when my friend Mego (my usual race buddy) introduced me to her on the morning of the Ras na hEireann U.S.A. 5K last year…here are the three of us getting ready to race (Tobey is in the middle).

Tobey (who has the most endearing dimples way up high on her cheeks) almost immediately declared herself to be ‘the most unfun person in America’, but I charmed her with my absurdly inappropriate humor and decided she would be an excellent work-in-progress at the very least.

SO ANYWAY, cut to a year later and Tobey has become a friend. She’s also a great motivator and supporter of my running and fitness goals. When she read about my mileage goal this year of 350 miles (after she scoffed at the small number), she asked if I’d like to start meeting her one or two nights a week to run at the office park where she works to run a few miles. Anyone else who wanted to run would be invited as well.

I’ve always been a solitary runner for the most part, so I was curious to try out running with a partner. I see women running together and chatting, and I always think it looks awesome. However, I was worried that Tobey (who runs fast) would be miles ahead of me and I would be left behind, all

However, Tobey was a true gentlewoman and kept her pace to match mine (thank you again, Tobey) and it was fab.u.lous. We decided that our running group, even if it was just two people, obviously needed a name, and Tobey suggested FLARP*:

Fabulous Ladies’ Awesome Running Practice

Done.

First FLARP meeting in the books last night, 3 miles run in icy slush. It was a completely different experience than running alone, namely in that all of the little issues you seem to hone in on with your body/legs are much more muted with conversation. I’m also terrible about running or walking in a straight line (I typically use whoever is next to me like a bumper to keep me on track), so I felt like my core had a good workout trying to balance and not to knock poor Tobey off her feet with an unintentional shoulder check.

*FLARP was absolutely named after the goo in the plastic can that makes farty noises.