Misery loves company – why to join a run group

Just as there are many different reasons to run; to compete in races, to drink beer, to relieve stress or to lose weight. We also join running groups for as many different reasons. The three main reasons are motivation, competition and accountability.

Motivation: Running with others provides the mental and emotional stamina that it takes to make it through a tough workout. Conversation and camaraderie goes a long way when running (especially the longer distances). A 15km training run while discussing Game of Thrones will make the run fly by!

Competition: This is a pack run phenomenon – you run faster and easier when running with others. Running with others encourages us to push the pace and go outside our comfort zones. That sense of healthy competition is what pushes everyone in the group to run a little faster and a little further.

Accountability: It is hard to fit runs into our busy schedules – the cold, dark, snowy weather often doesn’t help. So how do you convince yourself to put on lycra instead of flannel? Knowing that there is a group of runners waiting for your arrival and to share in the experience is often enough to get you out of bed in the mornings and off the couch in the evenings. When you sign up for a group, it gives you accountability, people expect you to be there and you expect yourself to be there.

I love to see the friendships that evolve in a run group made up of complete strangers. The whole group has something in common – running. Who else can you talk to about split times, chaffing, bonking and race kits? No one. Non-runners do not care about this nor does it make any sense to them. So stop hanging out with non-runners and join a Running Group!

Runners’ Choice offers a wide variety of Run Groups from beginner to elite. Here are a few of them…

I want to start Running! Let’s Start Running – It is a run/walk program that teaches you to pace yourself and provides you with the building blocks to not just start running, but to keep running. Not to mention that it is fun, social and free! Monday and Thursday at 6pm starts January 6^th.

I want to go the Distance! Marathon Group – This group coached by Michele Craddock helps you find the right balance to between distance and speed work. You will learn to train smarter to get optimal results come race day. This group is designed for runners looking to run their first (half) marathon or their fastest (half) marathon.

I want to run faster! Learn to Race Group (Mondays), the Interval Group (Wednesdays), the Speed Group (Friday). All of these groups focus on making you a faster and more efficient runner.

Please visit the Runners’ Choice website for a list of all other run groups the store offers. www.runnerschoicewat.on.ca