NatNews

Many runners choose to knock out some or all of their miles while running with others, which creates ample time for conversation. A common misconception is that runners only talk about running, but that’s not always the case.

“When I run with other people, I ask about how their week is going,” White Rock Running Co-op member and Brooks Run Happy Team member Carolyn Macduff said. “From there, it can branch off to life updates, work, etc. Runners have whole lives outside of running, and I find I connect with people more by asking about more than just, well, running.”

And for some individuals, no topic is off limits. WRRC member Ryan Herington said that conversations become much more personal once an individual gets to know those around him or her a bit more.

“Personally, I will talk about anything to anybody,” Herington said. “I am not shocked or offended by any conversation anyone has initiated.”

Someone new to running or new to running with a group might notice that runners often ask about and discuss their upcoming races and how their current training is going. As Macduff points out, these topics are inevitable because of the similar interests that runners share.

“I think runners tend to talk about running because that’s the main thing we have in common,” Macduff said. “There are so many aspects of running—like races, training plans, past race experiences—that only a runner can relate to. Running excites us all. Plus, finding other people training for your same race can help establish a training group and accountability."

Talking about running initially can also be an effective way to get to know a little more about a person who is new to the group and make him or her feel a bit more comfortable before immediately delving into other aspects of life.

“Small groups typically have a leader who may start the conversation as a friendly social gesture, and the topic of running is an easy go-to conversation,” Herington said. “In larger groups, there may be more than one conversation going at a time, and there will often be a few listeners who are just along for the company.”

For Macduff, logging miles while engaging in meaningful conversations with runners has allowed her to develop lasting relationships that go far beyond training and racing together.

“I prefer to talk about everything,” she said. “I think running is a great starter, but the person sharing those miles with you is more than just a runner. They have a family, hobbies, work, and fun facts that they may be excited to share and connect on. I’ve kept my friendships with runners not because we’re runners but because we’ve been able to dig deeper and build genuine life connections.”

With more than 1,900 stores in the United States, Target has become a staple in many people’s lives. And it certainly isn’t helping them practice saving money—the retail giant makes more than $92 billion in annual sales.

Nearly 80% of U.S. shoppers are Target customers, with visitors spending an average of nearly $50 per trip at the seventh-largest retailer in the world.

Many individuals struggle to exhibit self-control when they enter Target, walking in for one item and leaving with several more than intended. On occasion, they even make it home with the actual items for which they went there in the first place.

“The flow and setup of the store makes it easy to venture from one section to another,” Frisco resident Megan England, who spends an average of $100 each time she shops at Target, said. “Also, the overhaul of target merchandising and quality over the past 10 years have appealed to people who shop there regularly.”

White Rock Running Co-op member David Recker, who recently began shopping for his groceries at Target, said that the structure of the store is certainly not by mistake.

“Stores like Target are laid out with intention and designed around accessibility,” he said. “So, you go in for cake mix, but the food aisle is near the toilet paper, and you remember you’re almost out, so you grab some, and you start thinking about what else you’re out of while you’re already out. And then you remember a PlayStation game came out recently that

you wanted to get, so you head to electronics and get distracted by the game-themed tchotchkes that would make a great birthday gift for your nephew. Slippery slope.”

And the temptations that eventually wreck your wallet begin as soon as you step foot in the store. Middle school teacher Stephanie Hone knows this dilemma all too well.

“That damn Dollar Spot is what sets you up for success or failure,” she said.

The excessive spending doesn’t seem to be deterring faithful shoppers, though—Target has higher-than-average customer loyalty than most other retailers, ranking third behind Walmart and Amazon.

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

WRRC enjoyed another RMH event at the Manis household

Monday, August 15: National Relaxation Day
Wednesday, August 17: Incubus with Sublime at Dos Equis Pavilion
Thursday, August 18: Yoga with Black Swan Yoga at Klyde Warren Park
Saturday, August 20: WRRC Saturday run at Taco Joint