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At some point in time, you may have witnessed or may eventually witness an individual running circles in parking lots or back and forth in front of his or her residence while likely frequently looking at his or her watch. What might seem like strange behavior is simply a runner who is not capable of finishing a run even a hundredth of a mile short. To some runners, an 8-mile run must be an 8-mile run exactly; 7.92 is simply preposterous.

White Rock Running Co-op member Becca Finke, who recently ran a personal best in the Berlin Marathon, said that she goes out on each run with a goal mileage in mind, and she makes sure to run the full distance so that her goal is fully achieved.

“I think most runners are goal-driven people, and that’s why they are neurotic about hitting a set mileage,” she said. “Nobody leaves their house for a run thinking, I’m going to run a solid 5.94 miles today.”

Not every runner is so strict when it comes to exact mileage, though. Dallas resident and running coach Keith Jensen believes that running a particular distance is not always necessary for success.

“Specific mileage is not an indicator for anything, unless you need the mental benefit of having a ‘round’ number,” Jensen said. “Lots of top programs in the country don’t even do mileage; they do timed runs. But I guess you could get into the same problem of running around in circles to hit the time. The point is that effort is what you are looking for, not a specific number.”

For Finke, though, it’s important to be precise in her running aspirations and habits so that they are reflected in other areas of her life, as well.

“It doesn’t really make a difference physically or fitness-wise, but mentally, if you start half-assing your runs and shorting your goals, that could carry over to race goals, life goals, etc.,” Finke said.

And while Jensen said he understands the desire of many runners to feel more fulfilled and prepared by hitting certain prescribed distances, the numbers are not what matter most.

“Once you start getting really good at running, you are able to divorce meaningless metrics and are able to go off perceived effort,” he said. “For example, running a 5-mile tempo in a strong wind could be 3–4 minutes slower in your overall time, but your effort level may be higher than running on a still day. So, this is why factors like 5.98 versus 6 miles don’t drive the difference. What makes the difference for good or for bad is effort.”

Jensen, who was a two-time Division I NCAA All-American middle distance runner and placed 19th in the Olympic distance at the World Triathlon Championships, also said that being a few tenths of a mile or even a few miles off likely isn’t going to hurt a person’s fitness level significantly.

“I may have actually hit my prescribed weekly mileage about four times in my entire career,” he said. “It was not something I needed mentally, but I have also seen some of the top guys in the world who have to hit it. The bottom line is that I don’t feel there is an advantage or disadvantage physically—only mentally.”

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When you become an adult, it’s not always as easy to make friends as it was when you were in school and formed bonds over secret crushes, recess games, and loathed homework assignments.

In 2019, researchers at SnapChat conducted a study that revealed that the average age at which individuals meet their best friends is 21—a time in life when people are able to connect because of similar experiences and emotions. It’s also a time when individuals generally have more time to devote to their relationships.

University of Kansas communication studies professor Jeffrey Hall noted that it generally takes more than 200 hours, ideally over six weeks, for a stranger to become a close friend; however, Americans only spend an average of 41 minutes a day socializing—one-third of the time spent watching TV or commuting. Thus, developing deeper friendships requires more devoted time, which many adults often feel they don’t have.

“I think when you’re older, there’s more of a routine with work and adult responsibilities, and if you have kids, I’d assume that’s even more the case, so there’s less opportunity to get out and about to socialize,” Dallas resident Dan Sullivan said.

Sullivan, who is part of the White Rock Running Co-op, knows that devoting time and energy to building his relationships provides significant benefits for him personally.

“Making and keeping friendships is something I prioritize because I’d say socializing with people I enjoy being around and respect is good for my overall health,” he said.

Individuals looking for new connections can become involved in different groups that meet regularly. There are a variety of options available—such as recreational sports leagues, common interest groups, religious communities, and alumni associations—for individuals of all walks of life. Dallas resident Alexis Derrow moved to the area from Chicago more than two years ago and quickly realized it would take some concerted efforts on her part to form new relationships.

“Join some activities that you have interest in, or pick up a totally new hobby,” Derrow advised. “I have one friend who is super into running, and after meeting her running friends, I decided I liked runners, so now I am getting into running, even though it is really hard for me. The crowd is fun.”

And, if all else fails, Derrow said the best thing to do is simply to show a little obvious boldness.

“I’d say kind of invite yourself to things (tactfully), or find one person who thinks you are cool who will introduce you to others,” she said. “Or just really put yourself out there and say to someone you like, ‘I’m trying to make friends, and I’d like to get to know you more.’ People are really nice and generally responsive to that kind of thing."

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