After posting earlier this week about the media manosphere pile-on where I linked to some humorists poking fun of manosphere influencers, I thought I should offer a little more than criticism.
My entire reason for starting Warm Current was to show that another way of going through the world is productive. In these early days, I’ve tried to show my efforts at developing more healthy relationships with other men. It’s a really vulnerable thing to put yourself out there as someone who acknowledges a deficit and a desire to change that.
For myself, I’ve tried joining a local running group, and I’ve connected with people I met there. And I’ve made myself more aware and open when other people offer connection.
Putting some of my Warm Current posts on LinkedIn led one connection there to suggest we meet up for a run. So, this weekend, I’m going to meet a new person in my professional circle for a trail run. I’ve got a lot more connection on LinkedIn than people I’ve actually met, but Sunday those two numbers will come closer together.
We’re going to run Tiger Mountain east of Seattle. About an 8.5-mile loop that will hit three peaks. It feels great to have someone reach out after identifying with the experiences I’ve shared. He said he, too, has found himself running alone a lot lately and he finds that lacking.
I’m looking forward to it. I think he’s going to slay me; I am a terrible hill runner, despite doing some 50-milers in the Swan Range and Lewis & Clark Range in western Montana.
This reminded me, I need some trail shoes! My New Balance 1080s are fine on pavement, but they have zero traction for dirt and mud and it’s going to rain this weekend!
So, for fun, here’s one more suggestion for getting affordable running gear: Join your local running club. If it sounds counterintuitive to spend money to join a club, here’s the rationale: Most running clubs have pretty low membership rates (and will let you join free if you are financially qualified for that). And you can use your membership to get a discount at many, if not most, locally-owned running shops. Your run club membership will save you at least the cost of joining in discounts on shoes and apparel. I have worked at running shops in three states and visited running shops in at least a dozen. All of them offered at least a 10% discount to members of local clubs. Just ask, it’s totally worth it!
Here are places to find running clubs near you:
Road Runners Clubs of America search.
National Running Club Database.
RunClubSearch.com
Yearroundrunning.com
I don’t plan to make Warm Current some kind of running gear discount email, but I do want to help remove a barrier to participation for readers who aren’t enthused about the cost of getting started.