Introverted running

I ran across this blog post the other day, from a blog called the Introverted Church:
http://www.introvertedchurch.com/2012/05/introvert-saturday-top-5-things.html

Being rather introverted myself, especially in larger social situations, this really struck home to me.  I cannot count the number of times I have either snuck out of the service right before the meet and greet phase, or busied myself with something vitally important at my seat.  Similar situations arise at work; if I am in a meeting, there is an expectation that I actually participate.  This is not a big deal if it is a smaller group of colleagues I work with on a regular basis.  However, the pressure is higher if it is a larger group--i feel a need to contribute and to say something smart.  Conferences are the worst--hundreds of people I do not know and feel a need to impress with my impressive PowerPoint skills and knowledge is daunting and simply exhausting.

This is where running saves me, at least psychologically.  Whether it is by myself (which it usually is) or with others, there is no pressure to be something I am not comfortable being.  It is hard to pass yourself off as smarter than you are (or, in this case, faster than you are) when you are sweating, panting, and wearing running shorts.  It's also hard not to get to know folks when running; at least for me, it is a much more natural way of getting to know someone than going up to them in the middle of a Sunday service.  Maybe next time we do a meet and greet during the service, I will ask the person I've just met if they would like to go for a run...