I run alone, yeah,
With nobody else.
I run alone, yeah,
With nobody else.
You know when I run alone
I prefer to be by myself.
Yesterday, just before the start of Run at the Rock, Dena and I were talking about the Umstead Marathon. She decided not to sign up because she doesn’t enjoy those long training runs in the cooler months. I signed up because of the winter runs—summer training kills me. Dena then asked, “Do you train by yourself?” “Oh yes, absolutely,” I replied. “I don’t really like to run with other people.” I continued in a lame attempt to explain my hermit nature (groups are too fast, too slow, whatever), and then just shut up. How boring I can be!
Then this morning I read a list by Jeff Galloway called “10 Things Runners Do to Mess Up Their Workouts.” Number 7? “Going solo. Your long runs and races will become more enjoyable if you have a group of runners to share them with.” Gah! That stresses me out just reading it. I don’t want to struggle with myself for 15 miles in front of witnesses. It’s time we introverts the world over demand a balanced, science-based explanation for why it’s so much better to be part of the mob. Especially when we’re doing something challenging and ultimately personal like running.
If the local greenways and Facebook are valid indicators, women, perhaps more than men, really enjoy having lots of running partners. (I recently overheard a cyclist warn his pal, “You have to watch out for the hordes of soccer mom joggers here.”) My gender is a social people. That gene must have skipped my physical building along with “must have children” and “believes in a deity.” I’ve just never been wired that way. It’s not like I’m a total misanthrope or anything. I do, in fact, enjoy the occasional greenway run with a friend, and I really, really love the social aspect of race day. (Maybe more than the actual race.)
But long runs are like therapy, and you really don’t want to sit in that room with me. I get into my head and work it all out—the running, the thinking, the whatever. Also, and this might sound all Zen and stuff, I want to experience the actual running. When someone’s along for the ride I constantly worry: “Am I too slow? Too fast? Too chatty? Too quiet?” Plus, I always worry I’ll say something stupid. (That holds true even in non-running scenarios (see intro graf).)
So if you ask me to join you in a long run and I decline, it’s not you. It’s just my introverted self channeling George Thorogood.
Footnote: Right before publishing this post, I accepted Scott‘s invitation to run at Umstead next Saturday. Just so you know you shouldn’t take me super literally.
How about you? Social butterfly or lone wolf when it comes to running?
New Balance Minimus HI-REZ
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.:Ash:.
December 2, 2012 at 7:25 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Iris, I can totally relate! The group-run concept has always baffled me. And, sure, I’ll admit that I never really gave it a chance. But, still, all your reasons for eschewing the social long run align perfectly with my thinking on the matter.
Iris
December 2, 2012 at 8:20 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thank you, Ash, I thought you might get where I’m coming from. Next Saturday might well be a convergence of introverts (except Josh, of course, that butterfly). I hope you come so we can run and then eat copious ribz!
Stephanie
December 2, 2012 at 7:28 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hm. I usually run alone, but every time I’ve run with someone else–usually my SIL K.–it’s fun, and I go faster. But it’s rarely more than 3-4 miles. I can’t really imagine doing 15-20 with someone else, though, same as you.
ac
December 3, 2012 at 1:18 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m with you. Solo is best.
If I run with Shannon it always ends bad. If she is tired she yells me like it is my fault. If she feels good she pushes the pace and tries to hurt me.
Shannon D
December 3, 2012 at 6:49 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
The best description I’ve heard of the difference between introverts and extroverts is that extroverts gain energy by interacting socially, while social interactions drain energy from introverts. Being firmly in the camp of the latter, I run solo. It’s hard enough getting through long runs at Umstead without forfeiting extra leg and brain juice.
Iris
December 3, 2012 at 12:52 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yes! There was that classic Atlantic article about introverts that I think was a revelation for a lot of people. Much of what we consider the ideal personality is based on extroverted behavior, and there’s a notion that anything else is wrong or unhealthy. This is as good a time as any to raise a flag for the introverted runner!
El Josho
December 3, 2012 at 11:10 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m not really an extrovert. I’m a showoff. Totally two different things.
Steve
December 3, 2012 at 2:11 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hey it was nice meeting you after Run at the Rock on Saturday. Great post and parts of it definitely ring true for me. I love running solo, do it a ton. I have no qualms with groups but going by myself means I can get up when I want, head out the door when I want, stop, start, go fast, go slow, all to my own choosing. By no means am I against group runs (they are great and a good way to change it up) but for now solo is the way to go for me most of the time.
D Wells
December 14, 2012 at 7:57 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m with you in solo training… Maybe we should start a group, or something!
Iris
December 28, 2012 at 12:33 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Haha, yes! Here’s a good group for us Han Solos:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/manicrunday/