RUNNERS - Run alone or with a group?

jjlibunao

When I run, 99% percent of the time I do it alone. Mainly because I simply can't talk and run at the same time. Also, I breathe loud! LOL I only feel comfortable running with my brother or my husband, because we can have a comfortable silence AND we usually had our iPod/music on. And when I've done it with a group of good friends (about 4 of us), we're all staggered out because everyone runs at their own place.

Just curious - do you run alone or with a group of people?

HonusWagner

I pretty much always run alone. My girlfriend and I do go for REALLY long walks together every weekend, though. She also runs--maybe at some point we'll do that together as well.

PrettyandPolished

I'm very focused when I run and I use that time to think a lot. I don't think I'd enjoy running with someone else.

ValerieMomof2

Most of the time alone. I am a member of a running group, but after a few miles, we get staggered out and I am alone anyway. There are 2 friends that I run with on occasion and we actually stay together and chat the whole time

majope

I currently do about half and half. I run with a group or running buddy 3 times a week, and the other 2-3 runs are solo. I like the "me" time of a solo run, but I also find chatting helps make the time go quicker. Makes me go quicker, too, when I run with a couple of people who are faster than I am.

donrdon

I like running alone. I work retail all day, so running gives me that time to clear my head and rejuvenate. Also this way when i have time I just go. I'm running a number of 1/2 marathons a year, so that definitely gives me the group feeling.

AmyRhubarb

I'm a loner. Mostly because my hubby doesn't run (although he used to, can't get him back into it), and I don't have any close friends who do either. Which is fine - it's kind of nice to be able to get out there on my own and to go whenever I'm ready.

I have thought about joining a group as a couple of the local running stores have monthly or weekly runs, but they're always in the evening right about family dinner time, so it doesn't work for me to go at this point.

So I guess my only group runs are when I do the occasional race.

bluefox9er

I always run alone..I have ran with other people before and enjoyed it, but it felt like sharing a car journey with someone when you'd rather be on your own.

I entertained the idea of joining a local running club, but figured that they were snobby and elitist when they say on their website that " beginners are very welcome as long as they can run for an hour without stopping, as we don't wait on our runs for people to catch up"....

I can run like that but the sort of people who have that attitude are the last people on earth i would want to run with.

litatura

I enjoy running alone because I consider it my 'me' time (I turn on my iPod and ignore the world), but I do like to run with a buddy as well especially when training for races. Except for races, I haven't run with a group since high school, although I've contemplated joining the Running Room.

RunReadEat

Alone. I like the solitude and opportunity to spend time lost in my own mind. Does that make me anti-social?

JustJennie1

I usually run alone with the occasional run with my husband.

I wouldn't want to run as part of a group because if the majority of the people running were slow runners it would frustrate me because I would feel like I had to stay with them. Also I'm in no mood or shape to chit chat when I'm running and that would annoy me.

lanzaroteblue

I used to run on my own but koined a running club which I run with once a week. They are all shapes and sizes and abilities and everyone is really friendly. So in reply - both :-)
Nicola xxx

Mokey41

I like running alone. I go my speed, listen to my music, think, take in the scenery, relax my mind. I find when I run with other people I'm either trying to keep up or slowing down for them and feel like you need to be somewhat engaged with them. I cycle alone too. I don't know how people can ride in those huge packs.

Happylady123

I run alone. That gives me time to think and destress. I can also think more about my pace, my form, and my stride if I am not trying to "accomodate" someone else. Running is definately a mental experience for me as I do a lot of thinking during my run. I like to listen to my ipod, too. I would worry that it would be rude to do that when someone else was along. What would be the point? I also MUST run at my own pace. Even if I try to run slower to match someone else's pace it seems to make me more tired!

LoosingMyLast15

99% of the time i run alone. occasionally i'll run with friends but that's rare. prefer to run alone - it's me time.

swaymyway

I have been running for three years and have always run alone - except for during the four races I entered in 2012 - but just recently started going to a running club, I am not sure how I feel about it yet....it seems to make the runs go faster/easier, the last few weeks when someone told me we'd done 5 miles I was surprised BUT they are a pretty slow group and being a newbie I don't really know how to go faster/if I am 'allowed' to go faster etc so I feel like it's holding me back a little rather than improving.

I need to decide if I am going to get better or if I am just going for the social aspect of it I guess.

KANGOOJUMPS

i run only alone, i like to gather my thoughts,,

jamers3111

Alone. Every now and then a friend will join me on my long runs which helps the time fly, but on my 3-7 milers I have to be alone. It's my "me" time

perfectionisntme

Alone. It's my "me" time

stetienne

I like running alone. I love not having any outside distractions. My wife, however, likes to run together. So I usually run with my wife

tammymusic1

Alone I like my time. I like to keep my own pace and can't talk when I run anyway.

BlessedandBeautifulBrown

I am 50/50 Wtih a group black girls run ( and no you don't just have to be black to join lol) and alone when i can't meet up with the Diva's

MinnieInMaine

I'm mostly a lone wolf runner. I don't wear headphones or any of that, I just go and let my mind and feet wander. However, if I'm getting ready for a race, I'll do some practice runs with a buddy of mine. I had to laugh at one of the PP's comments about not being able to talk. When I go with my buddy, she can talk almost the whole time but if I try to tell a story, I get winded and start getting a side stitch.

fittertanme

I run alone but did join or started a club but my hours at work made it hard at times and I told them that after christmas I wouldbe back as I could work around them but as I was going to join back with them I was told that the running group on days would be or ladys only but was free to join the nighttime runners so no thank you I will go it on my owm and if I need advise then I have a great group of friends on here to ask

Ibarra951

Depends on your style of training. Are you comfortable with running with people? (are you self conscious of your pace, form, etc?) if not I find that running with people can do two things for people.

One, it can motivate you to keep pace with somebody. If you can find a running partner that can motivate you, or one of similar fitness level, it can really amp up the workout!

Two, it can challenge you if your a competetive individual. If you like one upping your friend (AND if they don't mind OR are the same way) than you can use this competitive attitude to push you to the limit.

Otherwise, running alone is nice because you can jam out to your tunes if your listening to music, focus on PR's (running faster mile times) and generally make like a honey badger and not care about anyone else but you and your run (while remaining safe and observant to traffic/hazards).

The cons of running in a group is if your not a naturally competetive type, and it is generally sometimes hard to meet up with other people unless planned out in advance.

EDITED ADDITION: When I used to run with people, I always tried to run faster than certain people (as sad as that is). I used this as a measurement of my progress. If people are catching up to me, I try to speed up! All while using Nike+ GPS to pace and motivate myself. But I generally like running by myself because I can listen to my body and if I need to stop, slow down or I get a cramp, I know i'm not holding anyone up.

ThickMcRunFast

I like my alone time on long runs, though for speed work, I find a group setting makes me run faster.

brittamh

I run alone because I am very insecure. It took me years before I could even take my running outside where people could see. I signed up for a couple races coming up. I guess that means it is time to push those insecurities aside. But I love running alone. It is like my free therapy!

clspwagner

I run alone and enjoy the time to myself but after a long run I enjoy drinking and talking to other runners

moustache_flavored_lube

Almost always alone!! I like it that way.
I cycle and hike with others

GiddyupTim

I run alone, generally. I go when it is convenient for me. My wife almost always runs with others, five times a week. She has a group of women. Sometimes, it is two or three of them. Sometimes, it is as many as five or six.

sevsmom

Loner here. I have tried to run with my hubby and my now 14 year old son. Neither of them are at my level so it ends up being somewhat tedious for me until we swing back by the house and I "drop them off" and keep on running some more. I've occasionally run with others and it's fine for the once in a great while occasion that it is. But, as a rule, I'm a loner.