Running a race by yourself
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I run by myself...Just me and my headphones...Find a good station on pandora or create your own playlist...You'll do great!!0
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I run races by myself all the time. I have done up to a half marathon without anyone beside me. Even if I start the race in the same corrall as a friend we just have a place to meet at the end of the race and do our own thing during the run.0
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I've done it both ways. I run the fun races goofy races, mud runs with friends. Serious races, I prefer to run on my own. My most nerve wracking race was my first half last fall, I drove myself, ran by myself and drove home. Believe me, even though I knew no one there I still had plenty of people to talk to. Runners are some of the friendliest people I've ever met! You will be fine and you will have fun even if by yourself!0
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Where are these races??? I've never seen picture-taking during a race. lol Silliness.i noticed something, the people who run in big groups 3 or more and stay together throughout the whole race...they all come in after I do. lol. they always stop and take pictures at the mile markers and just take pictures in general. I have no time for taking pictures during a run. some people can continue to run and instagram during, i'm not that coordinated to do such things. so I race myself, keep my pace and enjoy the scenery. just have fun. remember its your victory lap from all the miles of training you put yourself through preparing for your race.
I've started with larger groups (four or five of us) but we break off into our own paces.
I ran the pole to pole race at sea world this past sunday and we ran through the park so people were taking pictures.
I see. I just do local races. I see my friends (even the truly serious runners) stop and take pictures when they do park races, like Disney and such. At a local race through a park or streets or whatever, you don't see that.
Did the cooper river bridge 10k this weekend and a lot of people stop on the way up the bridge to take a picture with it in the back ground. I had to walk it this year since I am recovering from a broken ankle so I took more time then I have in the past to take some pictures.
For those who don't know the bridge run this is what it looks like from a distance you can get some pretty cool pictures while running under it.
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I always run races by myself. It's great because you can run at your own pace. Don't worry! The only thing is to be careful of not going out full throttle. The atmosphere of the race will have you so excited and pumped so just start out slow. Remember to take your time and have fun!0
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I've gone to races alone but met up with friends and I've also carpooled but then ran alone. Something you could try is finding someone on MFP who is doing the same race and see if they'd like to carpool or meet up at the race. The last half I did I ended up carpooling with an MFP freind and her running group. It was awesome and a great opportunity to meet new people. I've also had times during runs where I end up in conversations with other runners during the course. Going to a run alone can seem daunting but if you throw caution to the wind and start talking to strangers it can be a lot of fun.0
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Even when I did run with friends, we only started out together. Our paces were very different.0
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I did a 10K by myself last spring. I was also a little nervous when I was on my way there, but once I started running, it didn't matter. I was able to set my own pace, and it's not like I would've been able to talk to anyone anyway :laugh: There were no friends or family that were interested in doing a run, so I knew if I wanted to I'd have to do it on my own.
You should definitely go for it, even if you're by yourself :drinker:0 -
Thank you for posting this. Unlike all of the other commenters - I have NEVER run a race alone. I've run two with my husband (my husband who ran track in high school and spent 8 years in the military) I feel like I am dragging him down. I am more of a Phoebe runner (you know, from Friends) lol, but he does motivate me to keep going which I love. The other race I ran was a glow race with my bestie, she actually didn't run as much as I did and like someone else mentioned (anchor) but it was fun to have someone finish a goal with you. On the other hand, I have signed up for 3 this year. One may be alone and this is my first time. I kind of suffer from social anxiety and I don't do well in large crowds without support (crazy, I know). One race I will be running with my 13 year old, which will be interesting. LOL!0
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I prefer to run my races alone. I do longer races (half marathons and marathons) and I prefer to be in my own world, and not worrying about keeping someone elses pace. I used to run wtih my ex boyfriend and it usually just eneded up in one of us holding back when we could have done better. You truly aren't really alone in any race. There are so many runners. I'd say a majority of runners are alone.0
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I'm so glad I found this! I am going to be running a 5K by myself later this month. My husband and running friend have to work and I have no one else to come with me so I'm doing it alone!0
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I always run by myself and there are lots of other people that do too. The nervousness will go away as soon as you start running.0
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Most of the races I've done, I've run alone. I might have started out with friends, but our paces differ. My husband and I almost never run together because he's so much faster than me. I want him to get his best time while I try for mine. "Run your own race" - I'm a big fan of that.0
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I've done two by myself on purpose and ended up on my own in two other races - started with a friend but they were faster so I told them to go ahead.
While it can be a bit intimidating when you're on your own, it can also be fun if you're into small talk with strangers and people watching. I've heard hilarious snippets of conversations and ended up becoming temporary running buddies with people who were about my same level. I sometimes pass the time by competing with people in my head - like I'll see someone who passed me and is now walking so I'll pass them and try to stay ahead of them.
I know it's easier said than done but don't worry about it. Just have fun and do your best!0 -
Try running one where you're the only one that shows up, and you run anyway.
You're not alone. There will be lots of people there. I've made good friends at the post race food parties.0 -
I've done it several times. Good place to meet new people-you already share an interest.
BTW, if you've never run a road race before, get ready for a surprise. In my first, I ran :30 secs per mile faster than my training pace. Must have been the excitement or something.0 -
I run them by myself. I even like training by myself. I like the ability to zone out, focus on my time, my speed, my path, whatever. Running is a time for me to clear my head and de-stress. I don't want to have to worry about someone else's pace, etc. I've had friends run the same race as me, but we all lined up on our own and ran our own race. We saw each other before and after.0
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I ran a half marathon by myself this weekend. In fact, I think every race I've ever run as an adult has been without a running partner. I think of running as a solo activity, anyway. Listen to music that gets you pumped up and just pound the pavement. Nobody will look at you funny. I promise. Even though I run races alone, I usually end up chatting with people before and during the race. Have fun!0
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Out of dozens of races, I've only run "with" a friend a few times, when we both had similar goals, or when they were slower than me and I was just pacing for them. One time I had a faster friend pace for me, which led to a huge PR!
But normally, even if I show up with a friend, the rule is that each of us runs his / her own race. There's plenty of time for chitchat before and after the race.0 -
I've done it several times. Good place to meet new people-you already share an interest.
BTW, if you've never run a road race before, get ready for a surprise. In my first, I ran :30 secs per mile faster than my training pace. Must have been the excitement or something.
I generally run faster in a race than in training. I do think it's the adrenaline from racing that causes it. I always push myself in training to at least match my last race time/pace because then I know I'm likely to see improvement in the next race!
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I've done it several times. Good place to meet new people-you already share an interest.
BTW, if you've never run a road race before, get ready for a surprise. In my first, I ran :30 secs per mile faster than my training pace. Must have been the excitement or something.
That's a good thing. If your training pace is faster than your race pace, you're doing it wrong.0 -
I have not run a race by myself on purpose. Meaning that there have been some races that I did with my husband but ended up taking off on him mid-race lol.
However I am thinking of doing a half marathon this year (I did one in 2009) which if I do it I will be participating alone since my husband doesn't want to do another one. I am also doing a Du in May and if I like there is another one I want to do in July which I might be doing alone as well.0 -
I run every one alone.
It's the only way I can win.0 -
Thank you for posting this. Unlike all of the other commenters - I have NEVER run a race alone. I've run two with my husband (my husband who ran track in high school and spent 8 years in the military) I feel like I am dragging him down. I am more of a Phoebe runner (you know, from Friends) lol, but he does motivate me to keep going which I love. The other race I ran was a glow race with my bestie, she actually didn't run as much as I did and like someone else mentioned (anchor) but it was fun to have someone finish a goal with you. On the other hand, I have signed up for 3 this year. One may be alone and this is my first time. I kind of suffer from social anxiety and I don't do well in large crowds without support (crazy, I know). One race I will be running with my 13 year old, which will be interesting. LOL!
Haha I feel you on the Phoebe runner! I am always wondering if I'm running "right" lol. A few of my fb friends run and they're always posting pictures with friends at the end of the race. I don't mind running alone (I do it everyday to train), but I might feel funny if the race ends and I just get in my car and drive off while everyone else celebrates with friends/family.0 -
I've done it a bunch of times. Even when I'm at a race where my team has a bunch of members, I often end up running alone, if I'm trying to hit a time. I wouldn't stress it. Just have fun!0
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I've run 5ks and half marathons by myself many, many times. There are tons of people around, so you can "buddy up" (silently or you can ask). But I also train by myself, so it's like my regular runs... just with a lot of people I can try to pass! Running alone in a race pumps me up, because I'm the only one who can hold myself back, so I get mentally competitive with the clock, and being around so many other runners keeps me from walking. Just go to the race, have fun, and run run run!0
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