Welcome to our Wild Workout Wednesday link up! Each week I link up with Annmarie from The Fit Foodie Mama, Angelena Marie from Angelena Marie: Happy, Healthy & Balanced, and Nicole at Fitful Focus to bring you workout ideas, motivation, inspiration and recipes to try. Join us for a wild workout each week by reading along or grab the button and link up if you have a fitness or healthy living post to share!
Remember my statless run? Well, this weekend’s run actually happened–and I have 2 ways to prove it:
1) STATS
2) I ran with my group!
This past weekend started our group’s ‘yearbook’ photos. The Selden Hills Warriors have grown in bounds since 2010 (I am class of 2011), and our group leader decided as we approach almost 800 members, now would be a good time to document our ‘classes’ of members over the years.
I knew I had to make it out to support my class of 2010 buddies (and I of course need to get my routine back on track too!). Usually I’m a lone wolf when it comes to running. There could be a mob of runners, and I’ll always find myself alone. Not because I want to be, and it’s not that I don’t want to be–I just always find myself that way. I like to stay in my head when I run, and almost never run at a conversational pace anyway…
Last week was different though, since I met up with a good running friend who I haven’t seen in too, too long. With ran together and talked the entire time. We passed friends, friends passed us. We barely noticed, and it was great! I had Map My Run going so I could gauge my current natural pace, but didn’t even worry about it until we were done.
But on the other hand, this week I’ve been talking with a friend who is a beginning runner, and she was having a tough time with her group. I finally had to give her the advice of taking a break from her group so she could rediscover her personal motivation and love for running.
That got me thinking, there are definitely times and situations where you should and shouldn’t run in a group:
Run in a group if:
1. You need to get in a long run and are looking for company and motivation to get you through the long haul
2. You know you wont have the willpower to complete a workout without other people around you
3. You’re running time doubles as your social time
Run solo if:
1. You’re very specific about your workouts and can’t worry about other people while your getting it done
2. You’re self conscious about running
3. Running is your ‘me’ time and you enjoy being alone with your thoughts and the road
This is definitely not all-inclusive, but just some tips to think about if you’re getting caught up either way. Most runners prefer a mix of solo during the week and a group run on the weekends. Find a balance that works for you and be sure to always assess your motivation and happiness!
What’s your preference?
Do you change things up based on how you feel?
Linkup below if you have a workout, fitness find or healthy recipe to share! Just make sure to link back or grab the badge and we will make sure to spread the inspiration around 🙂
Also linking up with Jill Conyers for Fitness Friday!
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I’m definitely a running solo kind of girl for the same reasons you mentioned plus I cannot stand when people talk to me while I run. ☺️
Me too! This run was so out of the ordinary for me, but it was just what I needed right now while I’m getting back into the swing of things!
Great tips! I’m kind of a running loner– but I love the idea of group runs. Great for the decision making progress.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats
Thanks! There’s definitely a time and place for both, but it should be a conscious decision!
I am sure you have seen me gush about my group! Running with them has changed my life and now I can’t really bear to run on my own for more than a few miles. Thanks for the linkup!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…FOMO -it’s real very real
Yes! I thought of you! Your group looks like such a positive, supportive environment!
I always run by myself. I’m not self conscious about my running but I do like to run my own pace. I don’t want to talk when I run either. When I run, it is the only time of day that I’m alone. That’s kind of nice.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Sarasota Half Marathon Race Recap
I’m the same way Wendy…with the exception if a once in a while group run. At heart I’m a solo runner!
I could not agree with you more on all of your reasons. Running with a group definitely helps with long runs but I prefer to do my shorter runs and my speed work solo!
Annmarie recently posted…How to Progress the Pistol Squat Using the Ultimate Sandbag
Agreed!
Yep. I totally agree with all of those. I like my long runs with friends and short ones for “me” time. Best of both worlds.
Rachel recently posted…Race Recap: Kiss Me I’m Irish 10K
Definitely!
Totally agree with your points for each. I love running with friends for long, slow runs, but I need to be in my own zone for shorter speed runs and anything early in the morning haha.
Definitely need the zone!
I like to run my long runs with a friend but my shorter runs during the week, it is just me and mother nature!
Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…Could it be the Beets? Spring Hop #Giveaway!
Sounds perfect!
Hi dear Michelle, what a lovely blog! Joined your link up party and hope to meet new bloggers this way. I am currently not allowed to run (plantar fascitis) and stick to strength training only. However, when I was running I was always doing intervals of sprints in between. That can be tough if you are in a group. I love jogging just for fun in a group but if I want to work on my performance, I am rather alone. I miss my sprints! 🙂
Looking forward to future posts and link up parties!
xoxo
Deniza
Deniza recently posted…Workout anywhere – Resistance band exercises for the lower body
So happy to have you join us! I miss sprints too! My groups track workout starts up soon…we have comfort I’m knowing we are all on the track at the same time, but obviously not sprinting together! Hope your plantar fasciitis heals soon!!
I loved it when I trained for marathons with a group. Unfortunately scheduling became too difficult and the group just dwindled. Great post! Happily pinned 🙂
jill conyers recently posted…Spring Break Travel Workout – No Equipment Needed
Thanks Jill! Groups sure do help with marathon training!