Long runs...alone or group?
lporter229
Posts: 4,907 Member
Wondering what is everyone's preference for doing their long training runs. I usually do mine alone and I have talked to several people recently who find this odd. I have met up with groups in the past, but sometimes I find it hard to find somebody that is running at my pace the entire way.
If you run with a group, do you tend to run with the same person every time? Do you stay with the same person/people throughout the run or just fall into stride with anyone close to you? I have found that when I have run with groups in the past, either I feel like I am holding somebody back or, conversely, I feel obligated to stay with somebody that I started with, even if they slow up or take breaks and this ends up affecting my over-all run. Often I just end up running the route by myself.
Maybe it's just a matter of running more routinely with the same people and getting to find somebody that likes to run as I do. I am thinking of joining up with the local running group for a 20 miler this weekend.
If you run with a group, do you tend to run with the same person every time? Do you stay with the same person/people throughout the run or just fall into stride with anyone close to you? I have found that when I have run with groups in the past, either I feel like I am holding somebody back or, conversely, I feel obligated to stay with somebody that I started with, even if they slow up or take breaks and this ends up affecting my over-all run. Often I just end up running the route by myself.
Maybe it's just a matter of running more routinely with the same people and getting to find somebody that likes to run as I do. I am thinking of joining up with the local running group for a 20 miler this weekend.
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I'm a solo artist. I run alone. I don't want to compromise my workout to be social.0
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I do sessions with a group of women who are a similar standard to me. We sometimes do our long runs together, but because we run more or less the same pace, no-one is holding anyone back and as we're doing those at easy pace we can chat without compromising our training. In the past I've done long runs with one or two friends who were also training for marathons around the same pace as me. But I'm also very happy to run alone.
Maybe the trick is to find other people who have similar training targets to you. That way you aren't choosing between optimising your workout and being sociable as you can do both at the same time.0 -
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.0 -
Alone or with a friend who's a similar pace as me and training for the same marathon. I'm not keen on a bigger group for my long run as I find I'm either having to run harder than I want to keep up or slow down so people don't drop off the back. I love my training nights with my running club but long runs for me are all about getting the meils in my legs just a bit slower than my intended race pace.0
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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..0 -
I run alone and am happy to most of the time.
last race I did I followed 2 girls (sounds creepier than it actually was) who were having a right good chit chat all the way round and thought it would be nice to have a running partner for some long runs and races, but I haven't found anyone local who's the same pace and wants to run on the same days as me.0 -
Always alone. One of the things I love most about running is the solitary nature of it.0
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I mostly run with a running group and only do 1 run a week on my own. I get in my own head too much, especially when I started so I "couldn't" complete more than 3 miles without giving up. The group helped me get out my of my head and increase my distance comfortably.
It's a relatively large group and at first I did my runs with them but never ran directly with anyone, I wasn't fast enough to keep a comfortable pace with them. As time passed, I found a few people I could run with depending on how each of us were feeling for the day but generally I still run solo and keep my own pace and just run the same route as everyone else.1 -
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.0
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Its a Mix and Match with me. I have 2 Group runs during the week, usually trail runs and always have someone who is at the same pace as me. I enjoy the solitary runs as I can throw in Pace Changes, Hill Climbs etc without having a negative effect on anyone else. Nothing like a 10km run with a 1km sprint finish.0
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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.0
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I had a friend who is a very experienced runner help me train for my first marathon. We ran long runs together and a few runs during the week. I've done most of my running alone though. Most of the time I like being alone but there are times, especially when the run is especially tough for whatever reason, that it's nice to have someone with you to help take your mind off the whatever it is that's making it tough. I've pretty much run alone for the past almost year and it's been fine though.
A couple of months ago I was doing my long run on a Saturday morning and I had about three or four miles to go and was just struggling. I was about to just call it a day and head for home when I happened to see the dad of one of my daughter's friends out running. We talked for a second and he asked how much further I had to go. My original route was actually right past his house where he was planning to end up. I told him I was moving slow and he said that wasn't a problem. So we ran together and those last three or four miles ended up being the fastest and most enjoyable of my run.
So.... anywho....
TL;DR: I generally prefer running alone but sometimes I like some company.0 -
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!
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I've run a couple of times with a buddy, and I enjoyed the company, but most of the time I go solo. Running with someone else requires schedule and route coordination, pace compromise, and most of the time I just want to step out the door and get it done.0
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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.0 -
@kristinegift- I also like to meander on my long runs. When I set out, I have a loose idea of where I'm going to go, but I usually just make it up as I go along. I think it helps me mentally to break the run up into little segments. When there is a pre-planned course, I tend to visualize the whole route in my head and it seams dreadfully long. I pretty much know how long every little path, extension, road, etc. is in my area because I have run just about everywhere I can!0
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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.
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I had a friend who is a very experienced runner help me train for my first marathon. We ran long runs together and a few runs during the week. I've done most of my running alone though. Most of the time I like being alone but there are times, especially when the run is especially tough for whatever reason, that it's nice to have someone with you to help take your mind off the whatever it is that's making it tough. I've pretty much run alone for the past almost year and it's been fine though.
A couple of months ago I was doing my long run on a Saturday morning and I had about three or four miles to go and was just struggling. I was about to just call it a day and head for home when I happened to see the dad of one of my daughter's friends out running. We talked for a second and he asked how much further I had to go. My original route was actually right past his house where he was planning to end up. I told him I was moving slow and he said that wasn't a problem. So we ran together and those last three or four miles ended up being the fastest and most enjoyable of my run.
So.... anywho....
TL;DR: I generally prefer running alone but sometimes I like some company.
I had a similar experience on my second marathon!!! my brother rang I was at mile 23 I had a good old gossip with him, it passed those scary high miles for me, I bounced up to the finish line in great form
( course he thought I was nuts)
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@valentine4 lol.
@7lenny7 I hope i get to that point. i still need music to keep going. Otherwise my brain wins.0 -
it depends...if its strictly a long, easy run...i like to go it alone. if its a run where Im trying to improve my time or want to throw in a couple of faster miles in the middle, i like a partner to compete with. it has to be someone with similar goals though.0
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Alone. I have a runner friend who runs with a group. I have run with them a few times. Not only is the pace not completely compatible, they like to run at times when I'd rather be sleeping. I do not like getting up to run at 5 am in the cold. Sometimes if they run later I may go, but not when I am looking to get want of my serious workouts in.0
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I have done both. The last few times I just so happen to have 1 or 2 people from my group that were going a very good pace for me and I pushed midrun to keep up.
If I run by myself, I tend to slow down when it starts to get tough. Which may not be a bad thing on a cutback week or when I am boosting mileage.0 -
Always alone for the long runs. Rarely run with anyone on shorter runs.0
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lporter229 wrote: »@kristinegift- I also like to meander on my long runs. When I set out, I have a loose idea of where I'm going to go, but I usually just make it up as I go along. I think it helps me mentally to break the run up into little segments. When there is a pre-planned course, I tend to visualize the whole route in my head and it seams dreadfully long. I pretty much know how long every little path, extension, road, etc. is in my area because I have run just about everywhere I can!
I map out my runs strictly (for water fountain stops, primarily), but I definitely map them in segments. I have a segment I'll do at the beginning that's like a "prologue" because it's an out and back, and then some 5-7 mile segments. It definitely makes it so much easier mentally not to think of it as a 20 miler, but as a 6 miler plus a 7 miler plus a 7 miler.0 -
I have done both. The last few times I just so happen to have 1 or 2 people from my group that were going a very good pace for me and I pushed midrun to keep up.
If I run by myself, I tend to slow down when it starts to get tough. Which may not be a bad thing on a cutback week or when I am boosting mileage.
This weekend most of my usual running group was racing at a half marathon that I didn't sign up for in time. So I ran my long run by myself. Since I knew I had no one to push me, I ended up doing my 20 miler on 2 mountains for a 1266 foot elevation gain. If I had no one to push me speedwise, I countered it with the elevation and guaranteed a hard workout.
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I have done both. The last few times I just so happen to have 1 or 2 people from my group that were going a very good pace for me and I pushed midrun to keep up.
If I run by myself, I tend to slow down when it starts to get tough. Which may not be a bad thing on a cutback week or when I am boosting mileage.
This weekend most of my usual running group was racing at a half marathon that I didn't sign up for in time. So I ran my long run by myself. Since I knew I had no one to push me, I ended up doing my 20 miler on 2 mountains for a 1266 foot elevation gain. If I had no one to push me speedwise, I countered it with the elevation and guaranteed a hard workout.
"Mountains"
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I have done both. The last few times I just so happen to have 1 or 2 people from my group that were going a very good pace for me and I pushed midrun to keep up.
If I run by myself, I tend to slow down when it starts to get tough. Which may not be a bad thing on a cutback week or when I am boosting mileage.
This weekend most of my usual running group was racing at a half marathon that I didn't sign up for in time. So I ran my long run by myself. Since I knew I had no one to push me, I ended up doing my 20 miler on 2 mountains for a 1266 foot elevation gain. If I had no one to push me speedwise, I countered it with the elevation and guaranteed a hard workout.
Do you need to be 'pushed' for pace on a long run, or make sure it's a 'hard workout'? I'd see a long run more as background - spending lots of time at an easy aerobic pace to improve overall fitness and endurance, not trying to push as hard as possible. If I don't feel like I could happily do it all day I assume I am doing it wrong.0 -
I have done both. The last few times I just so happen to have 1 or 2 people from my group that were going a very good pace for me and I pushed midrun to keep up.
If I run by myself, I tend to slow down when it starts to get tough. Which may not be a bad thing on a cutback week or when I am boosting mileage.
This weekend most of my usual running group was racing at a half marathon that I didn't sign up for in time. So I ran my long run by myself. Since I knew I had no one to push me, I ended up doing my 20 miler on 2 mountains for a 1266 foot elevation gain. If I had no one to push me speedwise, I countered it with the elevation and guaranteed a hard workout.
Do you need to be 'pushed' for pace on a long run, or make sure it's a 'hard workout'? I'd see a long run more as background - spending lots of time at an easy aerobic pace to improve overall fitness and endurance, not trying to push as hard as possible. If I don't feel like I could happily do it all day I assume I am doing it wrong.
I don't know about "happily do it all day", but, yeah, I agree. I actually think I would benefit by having somebody to slow me down. I always start off at a pretty nice pace, but by the end of the run I just want to get done so I end up picking up the pace, sometimes maybe too much.0 -
I have done both. The last few times I just so happen to have 1 or 2 people from my group that were going a very good pace for me and I pushed midrun to keep up.
If I run by myself, I tend to slow down when it starts to get tough. Which may not be a bad thing on a cutback week or when I am boosting mileage.
This weekend most of my usual running group was racing at a half marathon that I didn't sign up for in time. So I ran my long run by myself. Since I knew I had no one to push me, I ended up doing my 20 miler on 2 mountains for a 1266 foot elevation gain. If I had no one to push me speedwise, I countered it with the elevation and guaranteed a hard workout.
Do you need to be 'pushed' for pace on a long run, or make sure it's a 'hard workout'? I'd see a long run more as background - spending lots of time at an easy aerobic pace to improve overall fitness and endurance, not trying to push as hard as possible. If I don't feel like I could happily do it all day I assume I am doing it wrong.
I often use the later portion of a long run for a fast finish. I'll do the first 3/4's at my normal easy conversation pace, then push the last 1/4 at closer to Half or Marathon Pace but stay under my threshold. I think some call them fast finish long runs or 3/1 long runs. My current plan has me doing something like this every 3rd week, with this weeks final 20 mile run doing 15 easy & the last 5 at goal pace.
I know some say you can't run a long run too slow, but I think there are some benefits to keeping your heart rate just below that high aerobic area. I've run long with a group that took 2-3 minute breaks every 3-4 miles for water and didn't feel like I had a great workout. I guess for me I'd rather have some heavy legs the next day for my recovery run vs being able to push the pace because my legs were fresh.
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Well, okay, but a deliberately planned and executed fast-finish long run with only a small proportion at a 'hard' pace is a different thing from going out with faster runners in the hope that that will make you do the whole run at a pace you don't find comfortable. It is the latter approach I am sceptical about.0
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