The Benefits of Group Running

Running is generally thought of as a solo sport but I think there are many benefits that can be had by joining a running group.  Aside from the obvious things like safety in numbers and the social aspect, running with a group can also help improve your performance.

For the majority of my early running years, I was a solo runner.  That changed when I started doing longer distances and I started training with a group from a certain chain running store.  We had 2 group runs a week which was a new experience for me.  I found that I looked forward to these runs more than the runs I did on my own.  Especially the Sunday long runs, despite the fact that they started at 8:00 am, which generally meant I would get very little sleep on Saturday nights.  Back in those days I was still going out to bars and dancing the night away.  Even after staying out late on a Saturday,  I never felt like I could bail on the group so I’d drag my sorry, hungover butt out of bed and go meet the group.  The odd time I did sleep in, I got grief from my running partners.   I didn’t like to miss a workout because it meant that I was doing it on my own, which generally meant I’d bail early.  Given that this was before the time of Garmins and Map My Run apps, I always had a tough time trying to figure out how far I should go.   Running with the group made it easier because we had predetermined routes and distances and I had people that were expecting to see me there.  I ended up training with that group for 2 years.  My last year with them got me a Boston Qualifier.

Accountability leads to consistency, which (generally) leads to overall improvement.

A couple of years ago, after many years of running solo, I decided that I wanted to get faster.  I knew that I had to run faster in training to do that but I never seemed to be able to push myself hard enough on my own.  I figured it was time to up the ante so I joined a local running club that seemed to offer the sort of workouts I was looking for.  I knew a few people there from the triathlon scene and I knew they were fast runners.  My first outing with them did not disappoint.  It was a 10km tempo run.  I worked a lot harder than I ever had.  Those first few runs with them were about just surviving.  The group is a large one with people of varying speeds so I always had someone to chase which is helpful when you are trying to work hard and stay motivated during a tough run.  The faster folks would often do their workout and then come back and pace us slower folks.  Eventually, I became one of those faster folks so now it’s my turn to give back.

Working hard is hard work.  Sometimes it makes it easier when you have someone to push you that little bit harder.  You may be surprised at how much more you had in the tank.

Running with a group is also a great opportunity to get to know people that have similar interests that live in your area.   Most of my friends are people I have met through various training groups.   If I didn’t join that first group way back when, chances are I would never have met my husband either.  I can thank my love of running for hooking me up with my running love and for introducing me to a whole new circle of friends that are just as crazy as I am.

The big question:  How do you find a group to run with?  You could start with your local running store.  Visit www.runningfree.com/content/newsandevents for free workshops and running groups happening at a Running Free location near you. Happy Running!