It can feel lonely to start running on your own. Chances are you have left the comfortable and routine lifestyle you have to start this new hobby. The changes often include that of finding running routes that are safe and the right schedule that will suit your lifestyle. For others it might mean getting a gym membership and trying to learn how to use a highly complicated treadmill. It doesn’t matter what path you are planning to take, it will always be full of challenges. But you can be certain that you won’t be alone.
As a new runner, you are not literally alone since there are thousands of runners who have been into the sport for years. The very first step to joining their ranks is to have a commitment to get on with the sport. You also need to do some social outreach activities since this will make sure that running will become part of who you are.
As a new runner, you can find several reasons for you to shut up and not socialize with others but you should not feel shy at all. Think of it that all these runners were once a beginner. You will always find a runner who is willing to pay it forward and who is willing to share their advice on nutrition, routes, training, pacing, and other recommendations. It is critical to look for running mates since if you are new in running, you will try to focus more on doing everything the right way even if you have no information at all.
You can find an experienced runner who would like to run with you. He or she can serve as your guide through this stage. He or she will be able to help you find the right path to take for your running goals. It is possible for you to tap into all the lessons that this runner learned for you to find the right thing to do. The whole thing is on trial and error basis and when the whole thing is done with other runners transitioning to a consistent well-performing runner can be easy.
So finding a training partner is the best way for you to start. This is especially true is that running partner is part of a running group. You may not be in need of someone who will run with you every step of the way. But you may find a partner who will enjoy tackling the hills and long runs with you. There are times when just a single session per week is enough already to keep you motivated and to stay on track. Sharing your running stories and anecdotes with friends and even with local groups is a creative means of connecting with people and the community in general.
You can also find yourself a local running group. Be aware that almost every other specialty running shop has some form of running ritual every week. You can join them. As you become faster and stronger you will easily find groups that offer you options for multiple speeds and levels of ability. There are several things you can do. You may ask a local running store, do a quick online search, or perhaps stop those friendly runners you get to encounter while on the road.
You can track your runs online. You can find many sites that will let you track the running time online. There are also training logs that will let you keep track of every single aspect related to running and working out including nutrition. Today there are also sites that allow you to track your runs and compare them with the performance of other runners. When you buy an online training plan some of these sites offer many training logs as bonus though it comes with a small fee.
Today you can easily find every major event online. You can search for your race on FB. You can find their official race page and the informal training groups that are part of it. You can interact with fellow runners’ posts and ask to be connected with the training groups. Such groups may not be in the same area as you are but it is still possible to share information, training advice, and to prepare for the big day.
For those who are diehard netizens, Twitter land is another opportunity to connect with other runners. You can simply create an account and update your profile picture with a more running themed one. You can also write a short description about your being a runner. With all the personal notes you have gathered, you can search Twitter for runners you can connect with. It’s better to start with terms like #running or #marathon and perhaps the name of the next race that you plan to join in. You can follow any runner you like to befriend there and start communication with them.
It’s true that it is highly beneficial to join running groups but you have to be sure of what to look for in a running group. Running clubs may range from meetups up to social clubs and there are even those that provide coaching.
One aspect that you like to know is if there are other runners that match your own pace and distance. You have to give the contact person your run pace in minutes, your running mileage every week, the longest run you have, and your most recent race time, especially if you are targeting a certain goal or distance. All you have to do is to be honest with your own race and distance. You can be in trouble when you give the wrong details and you end up with a group that has a faster run time or a higher mileage.
You need to know also the number of days and the time the runners meet for the running group. It is also helpful to know is attendance is required or optional in the group. It can be stressful to have a running routine and then missing your own scheduled runs.