Running with a Friend
When I started this blog I ran most of my runs alone. That is great sometimes. Because running, at least for me, is an opportunity to clear my head and get away from the noisy craziness my house can sometimes be. If you’ve been following my blog for a while you know I also joined a running group. Running group is great but it doesn’t always match up to my running schedule. Recently I have really gotten joy of having just one friend along while running. Running with someone else is a great way to get to know people better. When else do you get a chance to just talk and listen to someone for 60-90 minutes and having good conversation make the run go very quickly. Running with someone of similar running speed as you is great because you can encourage each other to stay on pace. Most of this time it happens naturally, without a word being spoken. One of you notices the pace is slowing a bit and picks it up and the other just follows along to keep up. I’ve been running once a week with someone who is a way faster runner than me as well, but she will slow her pace to whatever I want to run for that day. This is awesome because running with her is like a speed workout:). Doing the reverse of this is also very nice, finding a newbie runner and running with them and encouraging them can be a great experience for you both. I’ve experienced this joy when running with my kids and pacing them during their 5k races. I am thankful for the new friends I have made through running.. Just another reason I love running!!
Filed under: Running Blog
I totally agree with you. I run after work with a colleague and we push & encourage each other (and a fair amount of male banter). There’s no way I would run Half’s on the spur of the moment with out Angelo. And I know the same for him about me.
Solo, Pairs and Group work all have their place and create a rich training mix
This was just the post I needed to read! I’m such a solo runner but just this afternoon a neighbor asked me if I would call her next time I go for a run. Ack! I guess it might turn out to be a good thing. I hope so!
That is so funny. I run once a week with someone is who faster than me. Thankfully they are on my short runs. I try not to look like it is a big deal that I just ran really fast (for me).
I am running the San Antonio Marathon too!
I have the best work out buddy around. We run on average of two times a week and she is super reliable. Since we live in Sacramento, CA where it is 100+, we run at 5am, so that’s dedication.
Glad you found a partner. Good luck in your running.
Kai
Felice, You never know until you try
. I hope you call and you two have a great run together.
I have been running for years with some of the same peeps and we know each other so well it is so natural for us to just run and talk and chill and have so much fun. Running with friends is da bomb for sure!!
I just today ran with a new friend and it was a lot of fun. Sort of figuring out each others pace and talking and it was a whole learning experience.
Having someone to run with can really make the miles go by.
Glad you have found someone to run with. That is very cool.
Great post. I totally agree. Running with friends is the best.
A run with a friend is much more than just a run + catching up. It’s usually a great morning or afternoon.
I have exactly the same outlook on running as you do. I usualy run in the PM and use it as time to unwind from the day’s stresses.
And just like you I belong to a running club, but my schedule is a little different that everyone else’s, so other than meeting and socializing for a few minutes Saturday morning I’m pretty much on my own on long runs too!
I don’t think it’s as bad a some make it out to be.
I agree with all of the above!! I love my solo runs – gives me time to just think and zone out. I run with one girl who is a little faster than me. She really challenges me to stay the course and pushes me each run – like you said – without anything ever being said. And now I’m running with my husband on Sundays. He’s just starting out in distance running and we run a slower pace. I love running with all three – oh, and I have a Thurs and Sat group I run with on occasion. It’s fun to mix things up and try something new with running!