Bethany recently shared the benefits of running clubs, but what about a jogging partner closer to home? Your future jogging buddy may be staring at you over their breakfast bowl of corn flakes.

This morning I invited my six-year-old son, Frank, along on my walk/jog. He can ride a two-wheeler now, and stops at 95 percent of the crosswalks. I can trust him in the neighborhood -- within reason. He was thrilled to be asked, and had his helmet strap snapped and bike out of the garage in the next two minutes. Of course, he forgot his jacket.

Frank was familiar with the route since we had just clocked the mileage in the car the other day. Off we went and he was in the lead nearly the entire 25 minute workout. I had to push his back a couple times when he faltered up a long, gradual incline, but other than that, he smoked me. The best part was witnessing his obvious sense of accomplishment at the finish line. Post-route, he enthusiastically joined me for a few stretches (per a kindergartener's attention span) and a brief stint with the dumbbells. Additional benefits -- I definitely ran faster, and watching him kept my mind off the pain during those added fartleks.

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At best, I'm a clumsy runner. So I feel best when I'm running alone, mp3 player turned up high enough to cover the sound of my gasping lungs. But if you're an accomplished runner, have you ever thought about joining a social running club? According to this article from the NYT, having a partner or a group to run with can help you build the speed of distance of your runs. More importantly, though, may be the close intimacy felt between members of a social running group.

The author of that particular article found that running clubs are often small and very close-knit, and that once you're a member, you may find yourself belong to a split society -- those who run and those who don't. I know I'm not ready to share my running workouts with anyone, but if you run just for the sheer joy of it, having someone who shares that passion might be kind of nice.

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