Running in a group?

corsayre8

So I just started running a few months back, and by all accounts seem to be doing pretty well. Was talking with a co-worker, and she invited me to go on a trail run with her and some of her friends tomorrow.

We talked about pace and distance, and it seems like I should be able to fit in with their group...

But I'm still intimidated. Don't want to be the one holding others up, or forcing walk breaks.

Any of you thar run with others, how was the transition? Did it help motivate you?

arc918

Go give it a try and see what you think. I enjoy running alone and I also enjoying running with other people.

When I run with slower runners, I go at their pace.

srp2011

I personally love running in a group and found one through a local running store. It really helps to keep me disciplined because I have to meet them to run twice a week. It's really important to make sure the group runs at a similar pace and distance to what you're doing, though - it can be really discouraging if you're trailing behind, and it won't help you improve if you're faster than everyone else. Go and try it one time and see how it goes - that's the only way you'll know if it's a good fit, and if it isn't, one run with them won't kill you :-)

Mamapengu

Try it out. I run with a group. Met them at a larger group hosted by a running store and then the 3-4 of us clicked. Since we all have improved at different rates we no longer run at the same pace, but we still go out together. Some runs the faster will circle back for the slowest, other times we just meet at the beg and end. When I was the slowest I really appreciated when they came back to check on me- helped me push through some bad days. When I was the fast one I made a point to go back (why not? I got extra mileage and they got encouraged!). Now I'm in the middle and some days I push to try and catch the front, others I take it easy and run with the slowest. I also enjoy going on my own some days. I did meet with another group once and they were NOT a fit for me. Try it out, what's the worst that can happen? You'll still get a run in and meet some people and you might just click with one or two others.

corsayre8

Yeah, I am going to give it a try - assuming I can crawl out of bed that early.

Just have a thing about having to do things well. Can be competitive. So far the running has been low stress, and want it to stay that way. But at the same time I could use new friends to go with my new lifestyle :-)

corsayre8

Guess I didn't need to be afraid of holding them up, barely even broke a sweat :-(

Did learn some cool things though. I'm faster than I though, and have been running further than I thought. That is pretty cool.

Was also nice to shut off the music and socialize a bit.