I'm a solo artist. I run alone. I don't want to compromise my workout to be social.

I can do either, though I prefer a group. That's kind of odd for an introvert like me; but my first half marathon training program put me into a pace group full of marathon runners. I learned a lot just listening to them chat.

These days, I pace 8:30 per mile for a local training program. I find that I'm better at keeping the long run slow if I'm responsible for more people than just myself. Last Saturday, only one other guy showed up for the 8:30 pace. He and I know each other well, and we gravitated more toward an 8:15 pace. That's okay for him and me, but I should hold closer to 8:30 for newer runners training for their first half marathon. (If the new runner should be running faster than 8:30, the coaches would have asked me to pace 8:00. I could do that, but trainees needing that pace are not common in this program.)

When there is no group run scheduled, I tend to run closer to an 8:00 pace; and if I don't watch myself closely, I can push it faster without thinking and end up running 7:30 per mile after the first 3 miles or so. That would be okay for 10 miles, but not so good for 18 or 20. The group really helps me keep it as slow as a long run should be, even when I'm the one responsible for holding the pace.

I like company but it can be hard because as you say you are either holding someone back or vice versa. I have a great friend who came out for a few long runs with me earlier in the year.

We had great craic it was like a three hour counselling session lol we never stopping chatting and putting the world to right.

My last marathon a few weeks ago was laps she came out with me for the first four laps ( one short one, then three five miles) those laps flew by, the last two were so much tougher by myself. I find having a bit of company distracts me from the blerch in my head asking me what on earth am I doing out running these crazy miles..

Always alone. One of the things I love most about running is the solitary nature of it.

i love running alone with the dog. it's just me in the morning and a few other runners and bikers. a few drunks and homeless but mostly the streets are clear and it's almost like a meditation. have a thought and exhale it away. have a thought, exhale it away.

I never run with a group unless it's a leisurely recovery run. I usually have an agenda for my workouts and I am going to be concentrating on doing the work I am supposed to be doing, not chatting with people.

My agenda for a long slow run is a long run well within my aerobic capacity which means chit chat is possible, and welcome. In my 20's and 30's I did my Sunday long runs with a marathon training group -- we had great discussions and the distraction was welcome, especially in the cold Vancouver rain during the dead of winter.

I'd run with such a group today if I could make my long runs fit a regular schedule but at the moment I can't, so I run those, and most other runs alone. I do get one shorter run in a week with company -- my wife -- as we have "Date Run Fridays" as a tradition. More chit chat.

Chit chat is nice for distraction and sure makes the time pass. I've tried podcasts and music but more often than not run without as I like to hear my footfalls, especially for the first 5km while I'm getting warmed up and ensuring I'm hitting the cadence I want to be at.

I've tried talking to my dog but she's the silent type unless squirrels are around. On the other hand she quietly agrees with everything I have to say and there's something to be said for that!

I've done some long runs with groups, but I prefer to do them alone for a few reasons. 1) It's good practice for race day when I'm not gonna be yakking with someone the whole time. 2) I like long runs to be personal challenges, and I don't want someone else keeping me from the pace I want, or vice versa. 3) I find that after about an hour, I cannot keep up a conversation, so it's awkward to be running with a group for longer than that. I can "fake it til I make it" for maybe 10-12 miles but after that my brain is dead. 4) Long runs iare my Nerdist podcast time and I cherish it

Edit to add #5: People around here love to run the canal trail, but I can't do more than 2 miles on it without my knees aching; I like to run convoluted routes looping around various neighborhoods, keeping to pavement the whole way, and other people aren't quite so keen on that.

That all being said, people also think it's weird/unfathomable that I like to do 2.5-3 hour runs solo.

michellemybelll wrote: »

Always alone. One of the things I love most about running is the solitary nature of it.

^^ This. When I started running I would run to music, but after a few weeks I shed the ear buds and now just get immersed inside my own head. I love it seeing where my thoughts take me.

If I were to join someone else on a long run I would make it very clear up front that if they had to quit early or go slower than I want, I'll meet them later, and I'd expect no less from then.

@valentine4 lol.

@7lenny7 I hope i get to that point. i still need music to keep going. Otherwise my brain wins.