Sunday, July 1, 2012

My shadow's the only one that runs beside me

The latest installment of Maggie's Runner Photo Challenge!

Your running group. Who do you usually run with? A running club? A group run at a store? A buddy? Your dog? No one? Whatever, take a picture of it, even if it’s just you looking lonely.

Ladies and gentleman, without further ado, I now present to you...


To paraquote the great Green Day song, "My shadow's the only one that runs beside me."  In other words, I always run solo.


While the Boulevard of Broken Dreams song has a sad connotation to it, I actually really enjoy running by myself.  I find it therapeutic and a great chance for me to think, observe the scenery around me, and go exploring.  I used to always listen to music on my headphones while running, but in the last few months I've been working on running without music as much as I can.  (I do still "treat" myself to music once in awhile, though, especially on days when I am dragging or unmotivated.)

Admittedly, another reason that I run alone is because I'm slow.  Most seasoned runners leave me in the dust.  Therefore, it's not the easiest thing for me to find runners that match my pace.  But thankfully my shadow matches me step for step!  =D

I have heard a lot about how running with other people is great, of course.  However, after my uncomfortable experience trying to run with a group, I've gone back to enjoying my solo runs.  Maybe at a later point I'll try finding another running club to join.  But for now it's all good as just me, myself, and I!

15 comments:

  1. As soon as I read the title of this post, I started singing the song! I love Green Day!


    I am a fan of running groups and running with buddies, but I've been running almost 100% solo for the last few months. There is something really theraputic about it and it's just easier because you only have to answer to yourself.*

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    1. Yay for Green Day!!!

      Totally agree on running alone being easier because you only have to answer to yourself. That is the biggest reason I ultimately didn't join a marathon training group, because I couldn't adhere to the weekly training schedule. Plus I was worried about pacing, which for me fluctuates from week to week. It takes a lot of pressure off when you only have to answer to yourself!

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  2. I love running solo and do so about 90% of the time. Now that it's too hot for my pup I'm sad to leave him behind. But I'm happy my boyfriend is training for Chicago, so I try to do some easy runs with him which I enjoy a lot ;)

    Running solo is therapeutic. I love just being there by myself and not worrying about having to talk and just get lost in my thoughts.

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    1. It must be so hard to leave CB behind, I am sure he is so excited and so anxious to get back out there with you! But it is indeed way too hot to bring him out. And how awesome that your boyfriend is training for Chicago, too - it must be so great to share the marathon training experience together!

      Totally agree on not having to worry about having to talk when running. I know you're supposed to train at a slow enough pace that you're able to converse with ease, but it still does take some effort to talk while running! It's so much easier to not have to carry on a conversation, especially in the last few miles of those grueling long runs!

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  3. I do enjoy running with people - makes the run go by faster. I used to run pretty regularly with some local friends who also run, but they are faster than me, and since I've had to slow down due to my injury, running with them is pretty much impossible. So, lately I've been running by myself (which is fine-I enjoy that as well).

    It was really cool this weekend to run with my cousin while the extended family were all together for a funeral. We shared memories of the Grandfather we just lost and it was nice to get a chance to talk to her. We only see each other a couple times a year and it was nice to have an entire hour of just her and I and a nice quiet shaded trail :)

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    1. I've definitely noticed that the time can indeed certainly go by faster when other people are around. There's a deep-dish pizza place that I love and have walked to by myself in the past, which seemed to take forever. Then I walked there with a friend and it felt like we were there in a flash! (OK, OK, maybe that's not the best example, LOL).

      How is your knee doing? How have you been feeling during your recent runs, especially amidst the summertime heat?

      I am very, very sorry to hear about the loss of your grandfather. =( My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, as I know how much he will be missed for you! But, I am glad that you had some quality time with your cousin. What a great dual-purpose run, especially on a nice, quiet shaded trail!

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  4. I got really spoiled running so much with either the Oak Park Runners Club or with Kim last summer that this year it feels really strange to be running alone! I kind of missed it but I also miss running with someone else, too!

    I went and read your post about your experience at The Scout. If you ever want to try it again, I'd go with you. I've been interested in checking them out. I actually had a really bad experience similar to yours shortly after I joined the Oak Park Runners Club but now I'm glad I stuck around and kept going back.

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    1. Do you still run with the Oak Park Runners Club since you've moved into the city?

      I'd definitely be up for trying The Scout again, maybe when the weather calms down a bit. It would be great to have some company! You'll have to tell me more about the initial and subsequent experiences you've had with the Oak Park club, too - I would love to hear more about it. Please let me know if you hear of any local running clubs that you'd be up for trying - I'd go with you for those, too!!!

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  5. I love running alone and in groups. Being alone is nice to get lost in my thoughts, but with a group is nice for the social aspect, and to have someone to push you to go just a little bit faster or farther). Although sometimes when I'm having a bad day, I'll still go to a group run, but run solo. Which sounds odd. I guess because it's nice to be social before and after the run, but during the run (therapy time), it's nice to just have my thoughts.

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    1. Oooh, I never thought about running solo at a group run. That makes perfect sense! I would very much enjoy being social before and after, but being able to reflect during the run (and being able to go somewhat at your own pace). What a great balance! Thanks for sharing!!!!!

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  6. I love to run solo, at least I did before the injury...lol. Glad to hear your doing well sweetie.

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  7. I'm a solo runner as well. Since I'm out in the suburbs, there's no running group that I can easily join (haven't found one yet at least), so my shadow is my running partner for now! A few weeks ago I started running without music as well and it has made my runs much more peaceful and (surprisingly) interesting.

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    1. Isn't it amazing how much of a difference it makes to run without music? I thought I would hate it, but I notice so many more things about my surroundings and dare I say that I actually think more clearly without music. My current tactic on my long runs is to run without music for about 80% of the distance, then use the music to help get me through the last few gutwrenching miles (by way of distraction!)

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  8. It is great that you run so much solo without music! I only do that during long races. Sigh. I should try to run w/o it like you do!

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    1. Thanks, Kim! For me, learning to run without music was a whole training process in and of itself. And like everything we train for, I've had many ups and downs with listening to music, too. Funny how that works, eh?

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