Confession time: I love my running buddies, but I don't always love running with them. I've never reacted well to not being able to set my own pace, and I really don't like feeling like I'm holding people back. I thought this would get better as I became a more experienced runner, but so far it really hasn't, probably because I'm still self-conscious about my (lack of) speed and not all that confident in my running ability. I run alone as much as possible, but my running Miyagi,
Mc L, says running with other people is good for me, so I'm trying.
As some of you know, I'm a graduate student and a "resident tutor". I live in a "house" with about 400 undergrads and 17 other "tutors," fellow grad students who basically act as RAs. A few years ago, before I came to the house, another tutor started a house running group that meets once a week for an easy three miles before breakfast in the dining hall. I join them whenever my injury status/training plan allow. We try to get undergraduates to run with us, but most of the time it's just a few tutors.
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| My running group doing what we do best -- eating breakfast! |
I've had two really fun group/partner running experiences that I can remember. One was a 7 mile training run with my friend Diane. We run about the same pace over longer distances -- at least when I'm in good shape. She also spurred me to a 5K PR at the Tavern to Tavern 5K by going out pretty quickly in the first two miles and taking me with her.
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| Not sure whether I was happier about the PR or the excuse to drink beer at 9:30am |
Another was the North Shore Half Marathon with my mom. It was her first half marathon and my third, so I knew I could cover the distance and that we would be running slower and walking more than I had in the first two. We ended up finishing in 2:27, under our 2:30 goal and only ten minutes off my then-PR. I felt great at the end and it was probably the most enjoyable run I've had on a race course.
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| Rocking our matching hats and medals |
I think I'll always love being using a run to get some alone time with an audio book, but I really would like to enjoy running with a partner/group, both to help me get faster and to make running a more social activity for me.
Do you prefer running alone or with a partner/group? Any tips for becoming more comfortable running in a group?
It depends on the sport. I'm like you with running, and prefer to run solo to my own beat. But with swimming, I must have a group to train with otherwise I won't get in the pool. I have tried and I just get right back out!
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