It’s Friday. It’s a special Friday – the fnal Friday Five Linkup. I don’t have a running, triathlon, or fitness-themed topic today. I don’t have this post packaged up in a bow with a fancy, pinnable image. I’m just going to talk honestly about blogging, friendship, and fitness. You see, as I mentioned in last Friday’s post, today is the Final Friday Five. I’ve been co-hosting this linkup with Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC and Mar from Mar on the Run for three years. And it’s changed my life in many ways.

That might sound silly or overstated – it’s just a blog linkup every Friday with a list of 5 things, right?

Or so I thought when it started.

But the linkup has taught me things, and made me a better blogger and person. Here’s why:

1. Stretching the writing. We didn’t start out with themes, we first linked up with our own individual Friday Five posts. Courtney had put out a call for co-hosts and we responded. We were all three in the DC area and ended up called the DC Trifecta.

Then Courtney, Mar, and I started to coordinate a theme once in a while. Others asked if they could join in on the theme, and a thing was born! We met over lunch to talk new themes, and published them on the blog’s linkup page.

Having the themes prescribed inspired me to write posts I might not have ever published, such as:

Five Racecation Packing Tips

Five Ways to Work Out With Kids Around

Five Healthy Halloween Tips

Five Cold Weather Running Tips

I had to stretch my writing skills, and challenged myself.

Later, we decided to do more general themes like “Fitness” or “Food” or “Favorites. That gave some flexibility, but I was stumped sometimes for topics.

2. Making new friends. Through this linkup, we got to know other bloggers. We met local bloggers, bloggers who were passing through DC, we hosted a blogger brunch. I became friends with so many people and really value those friendships.

We haven’t met everyone in person who linked up with us, but it’s a definite bond when I meet someone. We’re in this endeavor together.

The three of us have coordinated for lunches, happy hours, running, and more. And we have met up at races, coordinated to run together, and with others whom we have met through our blogs.

3. Fitness and other adventures. The DC Trifecta existed outside the blogging and fitness world – I’ve seen each of my co-hosts while I’m at work.

And at play. Mar and I meet up for fitness activities like hot power yoga…

We go to cycling classes… We SUP (stand up paddleboard).

And sometimes we just drink wine.

Having fitness buddies in DC who “get me” has immeasurably enriched my life.

5. Being a better person. Knowing these two ladies and becoming friends with them, as well as with so many of you reading, writing comments, and linking up, has made me a better person. I love meeting new people and expanding my perspective on life, but the fact that Courtney and Mar are such quality people has made me a better person as well.

(That’s my absolute favorite picture of us!)

I had another linkup I co-hosted, Tri Talk Tuesday. It was for triathlon blogs and I loved it too – but it ran its course for topics and participation. The Friday Five had endless possibilities, but the time has come to part ways for the reasons I explained last week.

So this is it for this linkup, but we’ll all still be connected.

So let’s raise a glass to how awesome the internet is. How through writing, fitness, and the internet we can connect with one another, inspire one another, and support one another.

CHEERS TO THE FRIDAY FIVE!

Have you met friends through the internet? Through fitness or running? How has it changed your life?

For the final time, please join our linkup below with your “Five” post! Love you all!

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