Does anyone else prefer to run alone?

[biomaj5]

Or is it just me? Maybe I'm being selfish? I have 2 coworkers who want to train with me for the OKC Memorial Marathon. I'm planning on doing the full, they both want to do the half. They both keep asking me (separately) when I'm running, saying that they'll come run with me, etc. I'm an introvert, and I watch TV on the treadmill. When you run outside, you have to worry about the other person's pace and conversation, etc. I don't know how to politely say that I want to run alone. The guy from bootcamp asks me every time he sees me, and the girl that I lift weights with just called and left me a voicemail asking to talk about it tomorrow.

Once the spring semester starts, running is sort of my alone time. Between school, work, and running, everything has to be tightly scheduled. I feel like a snob or something, but I want to run alone. Is that horrible? WWYD?

[al320]

I do.

I mean, i will run woth others sometimes, but i couldnt do every run that way. But if these people wanted to do once a week, i could do that. As long as most of my runs were solo, id be good.

[labbie]

It's not just you. While I don't mind running with others here and there, it's usually on a weekend there is no way I could "train with" someone (this implies a much bigger commitment). I would let them know. Training is hard enough to fit into your own schedule without having to worry about coordinating with one or two others.

[Deleted]

I'd straight up tell them you prefer to run alone. You are not saying you don't like them. Offer to do something else fitness oriented with them. For example, I run alone, but I go to pump FX with a friend.

[bostonmichelle]

I am used to running alone and wouldn't want to run all my runs with people. I think running once a week with a group isn't bad though.

[biomaj5]

Dec 22, 2013 14:08:46 GMT -5 @cheshire said:

I'd straight up tell them you prefer to run alone. You are not saying you don't like them. Offer to do something else fitness oriented with them. For example, I run alone, but I go to pump FX with a friend.

I do bootcamp with one of them and lift weights with the other. So that's covered. Introvert issues aside, I'm just so strictly scheduled that it's going to stress me out to worry about someone else getting there on time, plus pace issues on outside runs. The girl that I lift with isn't incredibly good with consistency and commitment either; I lift a lot more without her than with her.

[westbeast]

I prefer to run alone as well.  I do most of my runs by myself because I enjoy zoning out listening to my music, going at my own pace, and running the distance I feel like.  I run with a friend every other week or so.  She's aware that I prefer to run alone, and since we run at different paces, there are times where we start our run together and just meet back up at a designated spot later in the run.

Don't feel horrible letting them know that you prefer to run alone.  It sounds like you have a busy schedule - just let them know that.  If you still feel bad, maybe you could plan to run some of your easy paced runs with them once a week.

[gt7301b]

Dec 22, 2013 14:20:43 GMT -5 biomaj5 said:

Dec 22, 2013 14:08:46 GMT -5 @cheshire said:

I'd straight up tell them you prefer to run alone. You are not saying you don't like them. Offer to do something else fitness oriented with them. For example, I run alone, but I go to pump FX with a friend.

I do bootcamp with one of them and lift weights with the other. So that's covered. Introvert issues aside, I'm just so strictly scheduled that it's going to stress me out to worry about someone else getting there on time, plus pace issues on outside runs. The girl that I lift with isn't incredibly good with consistency and commitment either; I lift a lot more without her than with her.

I prefer to run alone, but I also try and be supportive of my friends and their fitness goals.  If I were in your shoes I'd probably offer up one day a week that you can run with them and just tell them you have to start on time due to your schedule constraints.  Also, if you run one run a week that isn't exactly at the pace you want it isn't going to totally kill your training.

[joenali]

I run with a friend one or two times a week. We are about the sane pace, so it works.

When DH and I run together it's same route, sane time of day, completely different pace. So I'm running by myself, which I like too!

[Kore]

I'm looking forward to reaching this I'm a major introvert, but started running with a friend a couple months ago. I never would've stuck with it without her. We're very evenly paced & push each other. It's worked well.

I look forward to being a good enough runner that I push through tough spots alone, without my friend there. I tend to be all, "this sucks; I'm walking for a bit!"

Y'all are my inspiration.

[libbygrl109]

I prefer to run alone, mainly because I use that time to zone out, but I'm also pretty slow and feel self-conscious about holding anyone back. If a friend pushes, I do go, but let them know ahead of time to go ahead if they want.

If they keep pushing it, just let them know that you really prefer it that way.

[enfuego23]

I run alone for the most part and it's not selfish at all to want to run alone. I run with a running group on Sundays during the Spring and Summer - it's nice but I crave runs by myself because I like to run at whatever pace I want and not talk with anyone. Don't feel pressured to run with anyone - we have to take care our ourselves first.

[Deleted]

Dec 22, 2013 14:20:43 GMT -5 biomaj5 said:

Dec 22, 2013 14:08:46 GMT -5 @cheshire said:

I'd straight up tell them you prefer to run alone. You are not saying you don't like them. Offer to do something else fitness oriented with them. For example, I run alone, but I go to pump FX with a friend.

I do bootcamp with one of them and lift weights with the other. So that's covered. Introvert issues aside, I'm just so strictly scheduled that it's going to stress me out to worry about someone else getting there on time, plus pace issues on outside runs. The girl that I lift with isn't incredibly good with consistency and commitment either; I lift a lot more without her than with her.

In which case, just say no if it will stress you out. Your friends should respect and support your training style too. 

[kams]

I only really like to run with others for long runs. Otherwise it just seems like too much of a production, and usually I just need to get it done and move on the the next thing. Real social butterfly, here.

[zoidberg]

It can be helpful on long, tough runs to run with people (which I discovered when I joined a running group this summer), but for the most part I like to run alone. Fitness classes and lifting are fun with others, but like running to be alone time.

[skwcm80]

I used to prefer to run alone , but now I do my long runs in a group. All of mid week runs are by myself, and my normal running buddy runs at slower pace so it works out for me.

I would just explain to them that your runs are your alone time and you'd rather not run in a group.

[archaeominx]

I much, much prefer to run alone, especially long runs, so I totally get you on this. I phase out, sing out loud sometimes, change my routes at the drop of a hat, etc. I felt bad, a friend wanted to do the long training runs together for the marathon I did this fall and I begged out of running together. We are fairly close in pace but the idea of getting schedules coordinated to find time to run for a couple of hours when we already lived 30 minutes apart was too much a pain. Irony is we did end up running good portions of the race together.

[pincus]

I like to run alone as well. The main thing I don't like about running with others is the pace issue. Either they want to go faster or slower than me. I just prefer to run at whatever pace I'm comfortable with on any given day. Plus I don't like certain routes that others like to run. So if I go alone, then I get to run at my own pace on the route I prefer. It makes me happy. I really don't want to talk while running anyways.

[jamalynn]

I do almost all my runs alone, mostly because of my schedule with kids. I don't mind it. Sometimes my BIL will run with me on the weekends. I am very picky when it comes to running partners though. I need someone to push me but not too much. So I never stand running alone.

[hannahb]

I do run most of my runs alone due to scheduling, etc. My sister and I do have "vent runs" where we bitch about work, husbands, etc. Its good just to get it out on the run and not take it out on someone else

[runblondie26]

Yes, totally understand your hesitation. I prefer to run alone too. I do what I want <---said in my best Cartman voice

I try to run with our local running group every so often though. I've gotten to know many of them over the years from seeing them at races, and like talking about training, etc. as no one else in my everyday life cares about that stuff.

[biomaj5]

Dec 22, 2013 18:08:35 GMT -5 @bluesky said:

I'm probably the only one here who literally can't hold a conversation while running with someone due to panting so hard.  Yes, I realize running shouldn't be that hard for me at such a slow pace, but it is.  So no, I would not run with anyone as I'd fear being rude that I could not hold a conversation.

You're not alone. The bootcamp coworker runs faster than me, and has better endurance. I wouldn't be able to keep up.

[Deleted]

I'm a pushover--even if I preferred to run alone, I'd probably ask if they would like to meet up, run at our own pace, and regroup for coffee after. I have a group that does this and it works well--motivation to get out there + running at your own pace + socializing after is a win win.

[hungrycaterpillar]

I prefer to run alone because I don't want to worry about matching someone else's pace. There are so many things that influence a run for me - I don't want to have to worry about slowing someone down or vice versa.

[clseale]

I enjoy both equally. I love my alone time on my runs, but group runs are a lot of fun too. Maybe it's because it 's usually more than just two of us , but pace is never an issue. I'll wind up bouncing around from different people depending on people's paces. There are also plenty of runs where I speed up & run by myself. I love running with my running friends because there are never expectations. The water stops are usually the equalizers.

Sometimes I love to zone out & enjoy my quiet time though. If I'm doing a pace or tempo run, I usually run those alone. They're more of an individual effort. I'll talk for hours during a 20 miler, but I'm not saying crap during a tempo run. Lol 

[coconutbug]

I prefer to run alone most of the time, but I do enjoy running with friends or groups for long runs. I also like meeting up with people to start a run, while not necessarily running with them the whole time.

[clseale]

Dec 22, 2013 22:23:55 GMT -5 coconutbug said:

I prefer to run alone most of the time, but I do enjoy running with friends or groups for long runs. I also like meeting up with people to start a run, while not necessarily running with them the whole time.

This is what a lot of our group runs wind up being.  

[cinco]

Dec 22, 2013 18:05:28 GMT -5 jamalynn said:

I do almost all my runs alone, mostly because of my schedule with kids. I don't mind it. 

This is me. I usually can't even go to the bathroom with out a kid in tow, so I'll never complain about being by myself when I run. 

[runaways]

I run alone and without music, aside from the last 2 miles of most of my long runs when my H joins me, but he just tags along at my pace. If you don't feel like running with them is the best thing for you I would have no qualms about just telling them. It's better than stringing them along and/or you feeling uncomfortable with your training.

[jamalynn]

Dec 23, 2013 9:10:05 GMT -5 cinco said:

Dec 22, 2013 18:05:28 GMT -5 jamalynn said:

I do almost all my runs alone, mostly because of my schedule with kids. I don't mind it. 

This is me. I usually can't even go to the bathroom with out a kid in tow, so I'll never complain about being by myself when I run. 

Oh I can't wait until the day comes when I can pee alone.