Written By Steve Jackson
2026 is coming to an end, club members have seen their share of success and disappointment. Success may have been hitting a goal PR, a new distance achieved, a Boston Qualifier, or a unique goal, say running all the streets in Hudson over a weekend! Disappointment may have been missing that goal PR, struggling to hit a specified time for the 5K, Half Marathon, Marathon, 100 miler, or maybe it was dealing with a new injury and/or a recurring injury. Whatever you may have experienced the one thing this club continues to supply is support. I’d just like to quickly look at a couple of terms that help explain how this club provides that support. Here’s where I’m going to “Google” these terms and kinda let the internet do the work for me!
ENCOURAGEMENT is the act of giving support, confidence, or hope to someone through positive words or actions.
Meaning and Etymology
• Root word: Derived from “courage,” which means the ability to face fear or difficulty.
• Definition: According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, it includes words or behaviors that give someone confidence to do something or make an event more likely to happen.
Why Encouragement Matters
• Brain response: Positive reinforcement activates pleasure and reward centers in the brain, which builds self-esteem and motivates future effort.
• Mental health: Scientific studies show that sincere support reduces stress and helps people navigate difficult life transitions.
• Resilience: It reminds people that they are not alone and that tough moments do not last forever.
Examples of Words of Encouragement
• General: “You’ve got this,” “I believe in you,” and “One step at a time”.
• Partner: “We’re in this together,” or “I’m with you every step of the way”.
TEAMMATE (TRAINING PARTNER) is someone who regularly works out alongside you—in a gym, outdoors, or virtually—to share the same fitness journey, build accountability, and help each other hit specific goals.
Fitness and Sports
- Workout companion: Someone you regularly meet to run together.
- Accountability booster: A person who helps you stay motivated, shows up on time, and pushes you to hit your personal goals.
- Feedback: Someone who can critique your form, push and/or pull back on the overall intensity of a training session.
If you have been with this club for at least a couple of runs you can plainly see why I chose to “explore” these two terms. The club and the unique individual members are an outstanding source of ENCOURAGEMENT and every TEAMMATE is there to celebrate your successes and to comfort you in your disappointments.
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