I've been running a couple times a week for a few months. But I just signed up for a half-marathon in August because my friends are doing it and it'll be in Hawaii and I've been wanting to challenge myself and did I mention it's in Hawaii? I run slower than I did in high school, and it's disappointing - my goal is to finish the race in under two hours, so I'm starting to think about a training routine.

So I need to take running more seriously. But for now I run around a reservoir near me that's a 2 mile lap. When I finish a lap and can see my car I always have a choice - do I do another lap, or call it quits? You can guess what I usually decide in the moment. Sometimes I tell myself I'll do two laps but change my mind. Not great.

Meanwhile, my mom runs marathons. Like a lot, I think she's done at least ten. She's 57 and started in her 40's. She always finishes them, regardless of time. She's always running.

She was visiting me and invited me to join her for a structured run, 1 mile at a chill pace, then 1 mile at 9:50 pace, 1 mile at 9:30 pace, 1 mile at 9:50 pace, etc.. For a total of 5 miles. I thought I'd join for part of it.

We start, and the pace is really chill - I tend to start faster (maybe around a 10:00 pace) and finish slow, tired. I'm a bit bored.

Then we pick up the pace, and there's a hill, then we pick up the pace some more, and we're at the first lap around the reservoir. But I say, I'll keep going and if I can't keep up, I'll walk back to the car while she finishes. I wasn't sure I would finish. But then, I just sort of.. kept going.

Despite the speed, and my lack of practice (I've run twice in the last three weeks), I could just keep up. At some point, it was just as simple as staying alive, but doing it alongside a partner made it much more bearable.

There's definitely an element of social motivation - I don't want to give up on my running buddy, I don't want to lose (I'm competitive for no reason), I want to do what this person thinks I can do.

It's silly and obvious, but after running by myself forever, I'm realizing how much better it can be with a buddy. Ideally someone who can run longer than me. Training starts soon. Need to run with a buddy.