Running for many, myself included, is about so much more than the actual act of running.

Yes, I run to run. I run for the peace of mind it brings me. I run for the calories it burns. I run because when I’m not complaining about it, I do actually like it. (If your a runner, you get that).

One of the best parts of running are the friends you meet along the way. When running with friends, you tend to talk about anything and everything. You get up early for races together. You log the miles together and you show up for each other.

I started the race with one of these friends from my running circle. We took the early morning van together and were both in the same wave and corral. We didn’t plan to run together, but meetup when we were done. Then find our way home.

As we were waiting for the corral to open, we get a text.

While NY has massive crowds that are amazing, this was even better. It also was the perfect spot, because by that time in the half you just want to be done. Your close, but not that close.

Anyway, it was a goal. Not to get to finish, but to get to mile 11 and find them.

Pure joy.

Funny thing about this too…… they were just as excited. That is the beauty of running friends.

Then after they saw me and shortly after Jen, they made their way to the finish area to meet up after we were done.

Besides the absolute joy of seeing them, it also was a relief to Jen and I who are not experts on subways and trains. So we followed the experts who found a place for us to go for late lunch which was heartedly devoured.

After lunch we made our way to the train station to make our way home.

I am not lying when I say having them come into the city for the race was actually the highlight of the day for me.

The only thing that we forgot to do is to take a group photo!

Next time!