Running with a group

by - Wednesday, April 01, 2009

I usually hate running groups because I'm not fast and I'm afraid there won't be anyone running as slow as me. It doesn't so much bother me that I would be the last person to finish or that I would have to run by myself. What bothers me is that I'm afraid I'd get lost if I don't know the route really well.


But last night I decided to say to hell with all those fears and worries about running with a group and headed out to my local running store to try one of their bi-weekly fun runs. They had e-mailed the course map out during the day and while it wasn't an area I was familiar with, it was a distance I could handle.

When I got to the store everyone was talking about their super fast running times and it was like my worst fears come to life. I almost turned around and walked out the door. But I waited until the lady started calling out pace groups.

She started with the slowest, "Anyone for 10:30 to 11 minutes?"

One girl raised her hand and I was thinking praise be the sweet baby Jesus. I raised my hand too and was like sure I'll do that one. 

Our little group ended up having three people in it and we did our 4.75ish miles in 50:54ish. We had fun chatting along the way and exploring new areas that were completely new to me. 

I found myself pushing harder up a hill that if I was by myself I probably would have stopped to walk because it was huuuge. But I didn't want to punk out in front of the group. There were times when I led and times when I lagged, but the whole time it was pretty fun.

I might even consider going back tomorrow. 

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20 comments

  1. yay thats great!!!! great job for facing your fears, i know i am always scared of trying new things too.

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  2. Good for you! I've really enjoyed the running group I've been going with recently.

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  3. I have thought about joining a group but I am way too slow. It would have to be a walking group.

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  4. That's great that you went out to try the running group! The first time I ever showed up to a running group, I was terrified they'd all be speed demons too.

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  5. Anonymous5:58 PM

    that's awesome!!! glad you found a fun group; I'm hoping to find one when Im not training with TNT anymore

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  6. That is awesome. One thing I really like about running with a group or another person is the fact that I push myself harder than I would if I were alone!

    Way to go, Jess!

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  7. Way to go Jess...I was like that too with my first group run. The group I run with usually ends up with 4 or 5 different time groups. It's a nice change to the daily run.

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  8. Glad it worked out well! Group runs are a good motivator, especially for long runs.

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  9. That rocks. I *am* my own running group within my running group. I would love to have two others to run with!

    But I must add, Coach runs with me for part of the course almost every time, so I'm not entirely alone.

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  10. Anonymous8:31 PM

    I am always afraid of getting lost too! Glad you found others to run with.

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  11. Anonymous10:26 AM

    Good for you! It is scary to run with others - especially if you don't know their paces. Glad you found some like-paced runners! Enjoy the group!

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  12. sounds like a fun run! we joined the track club here but have yet to go to any of the group runs. we're just lazy like that i guess.

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  13. I was thinking praise be the sweet baby Jesus

    HAHAHAHAHAHA!

    I represent Teh Marcy's collection agency and you owe her royalties on this because "Sweet Baby Jesus™" is HER catch-phrase, which she might allow you to use for free if you can prove you are a not-for-profit runner.

    I avoid running with groups for all the reasons you list.

    Those, and because I'm a misanthrope. I'd feel the need to try to make small talk and I HATE TALKING TO PEOPLE, mostly cos I suck at it! It's part of my misanthrope mojo.

    But I'm glad you enjoyed yourself sister. I swear to Sweet Baby Jebus™ I am!

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  14. Haha I've been wondering why I've been saying/thinking sweet baby Jesus so much lately. Must be spending too much time reading Teh Marcy!

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  15. That's GREAT! I really wanted to start running with a group for extra motivation but the one at my running store requires you to have already completed a half-marathon, so maybe I'll start running with them after my half-marathon in May! I'm REALLY slow though so I think I'd be kind of nervous about it...

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  16. Glad to hear the running group went so well. I've had those same fears. But part of me wants to be nuts enough to START a running group in our little community to help others discover running and not be so afraid of it. Guess I need to get over my own fears before I can help others face theirs!! Thanks for the inspiration! :)

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  17. running with strangers is intimidating but it usually turns out to be pretty good :) glad it went well for you and you enjoyed it!!

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  18. sweet. I don't get to run with a group often, but I enjoy it when I do!

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  19. I have those same fears about running with a group - I'm super slow. Nice job facing your fears and running with the group!

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  20. Yay! Running with a group is super fun, so I'm glad it turned out to be good and you found buddies! :)

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