So what’s better? Running Solo Vs. Running With A Group?

It’s so fun that this topic just came up for today’s Tuesday’s On The Run! I’m so grateful that those girls keep coming up with such great topics! April, Patty, and Erika are all awesome bloggers so you should definitely check them out as well as the other bloggers who do the link up! We’re a varied bunch but we all share one basic trait . . .we are all incredibly good looking (what did you think I was going to say?)

This question just came up in last Sunday’s Twitter Run Chat, and the responses were interesting. A lot of people say they couldn’t imagine running with a group and just as many said they couldn’t imagine going it alone!

I’m a hybrid of sorts. For my regular training runs, I always prefer to be alone. Here’s why:

• It’s my time to think without interruption – 3 kids + 3 dogs + 1 husband = LOTS of CHAOS! I love my chaos – embrace it even! – but I also love the silence and solitude of a great run. Or, if I’m in a different kind of mood, rocking out the tunes and pounding the pavement to work through frustration of excess anxiety.
• I never know what pace I’m going to want to go! If I’m with somebody faster, I’ll feel like I have to keep up and if I’m with somebody slightly less fast I’ll be frustrated if I want to rev my engine.
• I have a weird schedule and like to control it. I know that accountability is a good thing, but I’m honestly pretty disciplined and like knowing that if I leave earlier or later for a run I’m not harming anyone else’s busy schedule.

On the other hand . . . (any The King and I fans??)

When I do races, I LOVE running with friends! Here why:

• I typically am not racing for a PR. If I am, I’ll go solo, but for a great, fun race in a great place like Disney World or, as was the cast this  past weekend, gorgeous Boulder, CO, a friend can celebrate the run with you like no other!
• Friends make the time FLY BY! I’ve run with someone maybe 6 times and I’m always STUNNED how much quicker the time goes. What? We’re at mile 9? How did that happen! THAT’S a great feeling to have during a race.
• You can celebrate together before, during and after! Walk to the corrals together, run together, post-run party together. It’s like one big lone party that starts at o’dark thirty and lasts until you need a nap!

  

So I love BOTH and need BOTH. I like the balance I’ve found in my running social interactions! Because if I was always alone, I’d have no one to say random things too and if I was always in a group, I might hurt my family.

It makes sense if you don’t think about it.

Happy Running!

Jen