Running is very much a team sport. Yes, we usually run races and train alone and our times are unique to us. But it’s still a team sport.

The running community is so supportive and motivating. Think about the times you’ve struggled at a race or parkrun and someone has cheered you on. Believed in you.

Or when you’re having an off day and find yourself at the back of your running club, only to find a friend hang back and run beside you. You protest, ‘Oh no, you go ahead I’m too slow’, ‘I’m too slow at the minute, I don’t want to hold you back’. The protests and excuses pour out, but your friend sticks beside you.

As I’ve bored you all to death recently with my struggles, today I’m writing about the most positive. The wonderful friends and cheer squad I’ve found in fellow runners.

I was recently on holiday in Scotland and met up with my Twitter friend, Craig. One of the first things I did was apologise for how ‘slow’ I was. He shook it off and we ended up having a lovely run. He’s actually a really good tour guide if you’re ever up Aberdeen way! He even invited me out for a second run, so I wasn’t that terrible!

This is why running can be a team sport. We support each other. No one gets left behind.

Yes, there might be some elitist dickheads out there but you can find people like that in all walks of life. The majority truly want you to succeed and will cheer for you along the way. We all make an effort to support each other.

A few weeks ago, I went to a grass track (ouch!) session with a running club. I was by far the slowest one there, but I loved it.

Not because I’m back of the pack, but because running with them pushed me. It hurt. I didn’t give up as we all cheered each other on to continue going. It was a very difficult session and knowing I put myself out of my comfort zone was motivating. I have a lot to work on, but that’s the good thing – it’s something I CAN do. If you don’t push yourself, you’re never going to improve.

When running alone I don’t always realise what I’m doing right or wrong. I might be focusing on my breathing but then don’t realise that my shoulders are tensing up.

There are so many things to think about when it comes to running form, it’s easy to forget something! And that’s alright, we’re only human. So it’s great when you have people looking out for you.

It’s incredibly difficult to not think that 2 or 3 months ago I was stronger and quicker than what I am now. It can be demoralising at times, but when I see my friends running alongside me as we slog up an annoying hill I don’t feel so bad.

I know some prefer to run alone and never race, and that’s great. Running really helps us understand our strengths.

Another aspect is the online community which is great for support. I frequently take part on the #ukrunchat tag on twitter. Here we give each other encouragement and share stories. It’s helped me get involved in the running community more and meet up with some great friends like Craig.

Part of the community includes fun online challenges for good causes like Runr’s Miles for Mind. It’s all about getting out and running as many miles as you can. I joined the #TwittaRunrs team and although the challenge has now ended, we still keep the group chat open and speak most days. And yes it’s usually about food or pictures of our pets, but it is a supportive and private group where you can share your running woes without judgement. And the successes too, of course!

So for me, running is definitely a team sport. Is it for you?