I have many reflections of running in groups. First of all, running groups are usually composed of distance runners. To relieve the monotony of the oval track, the distance gang will head out to the hills, park or beach for a long run.
Cross-country and marathon athletes spend the majority of their training time in packs of these running cliques. Group running takes your mind off of the mileage.

The most memorable running group reflection, has to be the one at Rancho Park, CA.
My high school cross-country team was competing in a meet for the first time. There were about 50 athletes on the starting line when the gun went off. Coach had given me the strategy of laying back in the middle of the pack, since this was two miles of hilly grass terrain. Into the first quarter mile, a small terrier breed of dog, chose me from the pack to attack. To avoid this canines snipping chops, I took off running in high gear. Coming around the pond, my adrenaline had subsided enough to look around and listen.

To my amazement, I was now alone in the race by several yards. Fido had been re-harnessed, and spectators were yelling for me to relax and that I had a big lead.
First place was all mine, and that is how the race ended, thanks to man's best friend.

Learn more about this author, Meredith Seals.
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