Why you, yes YOU, should join a run group!

Fun fact about me, I like to run alone. I have trained for 10+ marathons all by myself, just as happy as can be. I once went on a group run with my husband’s run group and got dropped halfway through and said never again. (And I never did) So, it would seem quite unlikely that I would ever start a running group or enjoy being in one.

But both of these things happened. A few years ago, I was training for my first (and only) ultra and I was going to this hill to run. (If you’re not from Houston you don’t understand about how we literally have no hills and have to drive to find one). I invited some runner friends to come to the hill with me, largely because I was afraid of being there alone in the dark, it’s a bit sketchy by the big hill, but also because I like them and several of them were training for the same race. Once a week we met out at the hill and ran repeats. And it was fun. Mostly because they are all super fun people, but there was something about all suffering together that was appealing. We did the race (worst 50K ever) but I wanted to keep doing workouts together and out of that the Spring Into Speed program was born. (And subsequently the fall Go The Distance Program).

Now maybe you’re like me, and say “I like running alone, why should I join a run group?”

Accountability. Obviously, accountability to show up when you don’t want to get out of your cozy bed at 5 AM (or earlier) but also accountability to do the workout! Maybe you like to skip the warm up, or go easy on the intervals, or run too hard on easy day, or whatever. You can’t get away with that when your squad is right next to you.
I love this saying “A rising tide lifts all boats.” This is applicable in so many ways, but basically we are better and strong TOGETHER. When you are feeling low, or unmotivated or tired or whatever, your crew is there to pull you along. And you are there for them. You also realize that everyone has bad days, good days, and everything in between and this can make you feel more normal about your own ups and downs.
It really does help the long run go by quicker. Let’s face it, 3 hours is a lot shorter when someone is telling you silly stories for most of it. It’s also a great time to talk out all kinds of things, some great conversations can happen on the long run that we would not have otherwise because when would you spend that much time with someone? You will also LEARN from those people. They have had experiences you have not and they will share with you what they know.
You will meet new people and make new friends that you would not otherwise. This has been the biggest one for me that I did not expect. I have made some GREAT friends out of this program and I have seen this with many others as well.
You will have a plan and a program to follow. If you join a program like the one I run, all the guesswork is taken out of what you should be doing each day. Plus there is access to a certified coach for any questions you may have. And you may all be training for the same goal event which can be handy for planning travel, packet pickups etc. when you have a squad.