Running alone can be a lovely thing. It can allow you to focus and fine tune any stride or form issues you might be concerned with. It’s also a great opportunity to work out any stress or issues you might be having. Nothing like going for a 1-2 hour run and just thinking through a problem.
But sometimes you want to run with friends.
Coming up with a distance (or pace) can always be a concern. Not everyone is comfortable enough to head out for a 10 mile run on any given Saturday.
This past weekend, I was looking to get around 15 miles and wanted to run with some friends. Our plan was to get a 9 mile run in as a group. We would meet at a Golden Gate Park at 8 am for a 9 mile out and back. I showed up at 7 to get in a few miles before to get my desired distance.
Tip: having fresh legs introduced to the group for your later miles can keep the energy high.
As the group gathered at 8 a.m. and 5.5 miles already logged, it seemed like the group was leaning towards a 6 mile distance. It sounded fine with me as I just wanted to run with some friends I hadn’t seen in a while.
We did an out-and-back and my watch had just 12.5 miles. I was feeling okay and was fine with stopping, but a buddy asked if I wanted to log a few more. “I could do another 3.” We headed out for some more miles and I ended up with close to 16 miles.
I’m glad there was someone in the group that was looking to run some extra as I was ready to call it a day short of my original plan.
Here are some tips to organize a group run with various distances:
- Choose a central meeting point.
- Plan several out-and-back (or loops) to the meeting spot, allowing people to jump in or out.
- Change the route. Just because you are circling back, doesn’t mean the route has to be the same each time.
- Encourage others to jump in throughout the run. If someone wants to do a 3-mile run of a 12 mile run, ask people to show up later in the run to have fresh legs at various points in the run.
- Coordinate an “after run gathering.” If you meet at coffee spot, or have one close by, it’s a great way to encourage people to run the later miles and fun to celebrate a weekend run with friends.
Here is how my Saturday looked:
5.5 miles alone
6.5 miles with group of 5+
1.25 miles with group of 3
2.5 miles with group of 2
15.75 total miles (coffee with 3 after wards)
All while meeting back at a central location where we had all parked. Thankfully, Golden Gate Park is big enough that the route was always something different.
I get by with a little help from my friends.
Do you prefer to run alone or with a group? Or both?
Advertisment:
Running with friends is a welcome break. Even if changing paces with different groups
Great tips, Brian! I lean heavily on running partners for my long marathon training runs. But I also agree that solitary miles can be very beneficial. During my last marathon training cycle I found myself running the last 14 of a 22-miler alone, as my training partner was sick. I was worried I wouldn’t make it, but actually did fine and felt mentally stronger for it!
I really love running with a group because I feel like I get the push I need. With that said, I do 90% of my long runs alone! I really need to work on that. At least once a month I should join up with the running group on the weekends!
It sounds like you had a fun day of running on Saturday!
I usually run alone but I’ve recently found a couple of running friends. Running with others definitely helps the miles go by more quickly!
Thanks for the tips. I like running with a group, they help me push harder in time I feel lazy. I make sure though I run with a group that doesn’t go crazy fast. :)
I would love to run with friends but I find it difficult to organize and coordinate so I almost always run by myself.
I like running with friends, but it is nice to have some solo “me” time
i tend to run faster with a group and it seems more fun when not pounding the miles by yourself all the freaking time. that being said, i should join a run group.
I like running with friends who are faster than me. It leads me to push myself more than usual!
Great run for you! My running club has a fantastic model: every Saturday we gather at same place, usually around 100 strong. We head out for distances from 8 to 22 miles, all supported by 3 water stops. With that many people you can always find someone matching your pace/distance. I love it!
Sometimes I need that lonesome run to wrangle some of the day’s stresses or handle some anger, but I love my Saturday morning group run. It’s nice to catch up with friends, know that there is almost always someone who needs to run more and willing to push or go the distance with you and relax at breakfast after!
I love both! I usually run alone but love it when some friends join me.
I usually run alone so when I am able to run with friends, I jump at the chance. It’s always nice to catch up with good friends.
My long runs on the weekend tend to look similar to yours. I’ll run before meeting with the running group, get in miles with them and then finish by myself or with another friend for a few more. Definitely makes it more interesting!
I used to love running alone…now, I enjoy running with friends and…my puppy :)
LOVE the tip about how introducing a fresh set of legs at a later point in the run can breathe fresh air into your run! Never thought of that! Good stuff. :)
I just recently (a month ago today!) got my hubby to quit smoking AND take up running. Guess who’s begging to run EVERY day…him. lol I never thought I’d enjoy running with someone…let alone my competitive husband…but this has been AMAZING. For me as a runner and for us as a couple.
i used to “run” a run club with people of all different paces. I learned the hard way about the loop course idea. haha
It is fun to be with friends BUT I love the planning to get in what you want too! :)
I had the coolest experience of running/cycling with others last year. I was in the midst of training for my first IM and I wanted to go down to NC to ride and run a good portion of the course. I asked my sister if she knew someone who could help me. She introduced me to her trainer who said, “I’ve got you covered.” I show up to NC for the weekend and she calls and tells me there is a tri the day before my practice bike and run and the swim is the same course I will be swimming. She set me up to swim it. Awesome surprise. The next day she arranged for people to meet me every 40 miles or so and tag team my ride so I was never alone. She rode the last 50 or so and then got off the bike and ran 13.1 with me. It was the nicest thing anyone could have done for me. I had a phenomenal Ironman and I know a huge part of that is because of that weekend. What a great testament to the power of this sport.
I am usually a lone runner. Mostly because I am always a little insecure about my pace and my ticker, so I just like to focus what works for me and not be influenced. I am slowly but surely starting to change my tune though…
Love! Being still relatively new to my area… I haven’t met any running friends yet. I see them. But haven’t braved asking to run with me. ;)
Although, I must admit… I DO love running alone because it seems to be my ONE time I am alone with my own thoughts. ;)
Great tips Brian! To be honest, most of my runs are done solo because I get up really early and most of my friends aren’t even thinking about waking up at those hours, let alone putting their body through any sort of physical activities! I really like the me time, and like you said, there’s nothing like a 1-2 hour run to sort out a problem. Having said that, I think I’d enjoy the company from time to time so I’m planning to ask some of my other running buddies that are local if they’d be up for it on the weekends as the weather warms up.
Good to run with a friend sometimes, I can’t say I’d got for a group run though. Good post.