Sustaining my ability to continue running, day in and day out, requires a surprising amount of support. In order to run well, train hard, and race occasionally, I need a lot of help… Motivation comes in many forms; lately mine resides in the bodies of my running buddies. In the 18 years I have been a runner, I have gone for long stretches fueled by an internal fire that kept me excited about lacing up my shoes and getting out the door. Lately I've needed an extra push, someone to email me at 5 a.m. and expect--no, demand--that I get my lazy self out the door to meet them in half an hour. When my fire to train is reduced to embers, I rely on my training partners to fan the flames.