I joined a running group
and I liked it 🙂
I have PR dreams for my next half marathon, so my friend Monica hooked me up with a training plan, which I’ve been loosely following according to my schedule. This week, I also went to the running store to get fitted for new shoes to last me the fall/winter season since my sad Brooks are around a year old. (Still trying to get used to the new sneaks but I like to think I’ve been taking some of the right steps to succeed!)
When I was at the running store, I was talking to a few of the fit specialists about my running plan for the half marathon. Monica put 3 runs each week on the plan, but I was only thinking about doing 1 or 2 as I have in the past, since I teach so many active classes. Everyone working that day said I need to run more than one or two times a week, no matter what else I’m doing. One of the guys working there said that he also teaches fitness and had the same mentality, but for the races that he trained more often throughout the week, he did much better than the ones where he could only squeeze in one or two training runs.
Hmmm. This “training” thing they speak of. Apparently it works if you do it correctly 😉
The way they made it seem non-negotiable made me realize that it’s probably the trick to getting in a solid training base, since my body will be very used to the mode of running. So, I joined a running group. The mileage corresponds well with the plan Monica gave me, and they meet twice weekly for runs (which is awesome, since I need all the motivation I can get!). The times work with my schedule and teaching days, so I decided to go for it. Athletes training for an event make extra training days happen. I’m by NO means an elite runner (Average Jane at best), but I’m training for an event, so it’s going to take more time and dedication. I just need to make sure to fuel myself adequately and get in enough strength training + foam rolling.
I did my first track workout with the group and loved it! There were running coaches there to watch and give feedback, and the group atmosphere inspired me to PUSH myself. It was also a nice bonus that I ended up without any active teaching classes yesterday, so my legs were nice and fresh. We stretched, did a two-lap warmup, and then did 800m overlaps. We got into teams of two according to our race pace, and for the overlaps, one person would do 400m, the second person would join them for the next 400m, and then the first person would rest while their partner did 400m. You ran 800m each time. It was awesome to run in group with my similar race pace and to be honest, I never would have done that workout on my own. I feel like a hamster running around a track, and while I used to do it often, I find it so boring alone now.
I still have a little over two full months to train, so I think that having a group working towards a similar goal, plus coaches at hand to run with us and give tips is going to be extremely beneficial. My November races will tell 🙂
My weekly fitness schedule is changing a little bit, but I’m glad there are still two off days on there:
Sunday: OFF
Monday: Easy run
Tuesday: Weights (no cardio) or yoga
Wednesday: Teaching day + track work
Thursday: Teaching day + weights (on my lunch break or if a private doesn’t book)
Friday: OFF
Saturday: Teaching day + long run
Sundays are going to be that much sweeter, for sure.
(Sunday aka Crepeday)
Do you love working out alone, or thrive in a group atmosphere? I’m a sucker for group fitness, but I love lifting weights by myself.
Have you ever joined a running group or something similar?
Hope you all have a wonderful day <3
xoxo
Gina
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I joined a local running group to help with my marathon build-up runs on Saturday mornings. It’s nice to workout with a group of people who are working toward a common goal 🙂 I ran my 4th half marathon a few weeks ago and I earned a new PR and shaved 15 minutes off my time!! There’s something to be said about properly training and having people around you to stay motivated. You can do it!
I just joined my first running group last week! There are about 10 of us in the group – all different running experience, all different ages, but with one goal in mind to run 10K!
I love it! Everyone encourages one another. It’s so easy when you are running alone to stop if you think it’s too hot, but the leader of the group is always encouraging us to keep going, say we are doing awesome, etc! It is a nice atmosphere and I always leave with a smile.
When I was training for my half running with a group definitely helped so much! I was so nervous to join, but once I did, it was such a great tool. Now I’m finding the group atmosphere at CrossFit very motivating and I love having a coach!
Happy Friday <3
To tell you the truth, every time you’ve written about your half plans and training runs I thought about how I could not run once or twice a week and rely on other classes/activities as a substitute for running. But then again, to each their own – when I first started running I trained for months for my first 5k, while my friend (equally unfit) ran it faster than me with only 3 (!) training runs under her belt. That just goes to show how different we all are when it comes to our fitness needs.
I am currently 4 weeks into my marathon training (my first!) and I know for a fact that if it weren’t for my training plan and the sharpie I use to check off every run I would be a world class slacker. I am using Hal Higdon’s Novice 1 program and so far it’s going great. (I’ve also used his half marathon plan multiple times). I run by myself (doggie comes with me on my 3 and 4 milers)and I absolutely love having that time all to myself. However, as my long runs get longer I know I could use the support of a running group. I’ve thought about joining the local running group a few times , but my busy schedule always gets in the way. Maybe I’ll finally get around to do it this fall…
Good luck with your training and that PR!
I find that I workout much better in a class or with a buddy. I need that extra motivation for sure.
Congrats on joining a running group! I meet up with a few of my friends every tuesday and thursday morning. Gossiping makes the run go by so much quicker, and also ensure i actually get out of bed to run. I am WAY less likely to bail knowing there are a few girls (and a pup) waiting for me. We are all super supportive and encouraging and I love running with friends !
I won’t lie to you – when I read this article the other day, I thought to myself “Well, there’s no way I’m joining a running group”, even though I’m training for my first half marathon. But that very evening, I went to football training, where we had a session focused solely on fitness with lots of sprinting, shuttle runs and so on (basically, lots of speed and endurance for an hour and a half, to shake out the post-summer cobwebs). Not only did it show me how much fitter I’ve become, it also showed me the benefit of running with others for improving my motivation to go faster. I’ll have to find a running group in Brussels.
I’ve been really working on my fitness levels for the past five years and the results are amazing: so much more energy and positivity. The only problem with such a good session like that is that my body and mind are at odds afterwards – my head is wired and my body is tired so it is really difficult to go to sleep!!