by | Feb 12, 2014 | 18 comments

**Since I’m down in Brazil, I have TWO special treats for you for today’s Workout Wednesday!  First is a guest post that I wrote over at Sweet Foodie (my friend and sorority sister from college!).  And here on The Lyons’ Share … a guest post on training for a marathon with a group.  I have personally always trained for races by myself, but Jillienne from Chasing Raspberries has had huge success in training with a group, so I asked her to share a bit about her experience today.  Jillienne’s enthusiasm for trying new things, as well as the infectious smiles that she Instagrams after runs or during workouts, always inspire me to remember why I love working out and running so much!  I mean, you can’t NOT smile when you see her smiling back at you!  I hope this post motivates you to find a group to train with – whether it’s your first race or your 50th!  Take it away, Jillienne…**

Hello The Lyons’ Share readers! First I would like to say how honored I am that Megan asked me to guest post for her while she is in Brazil! Megan was one of the first bloggers I followed when I started Chasing Raspberries. She has definitely been one of my biggest inspirations in everything from blogging to marathon training.

Speaking of marathon training… I recently started training for my very first marathon with Team Nutribullet. To give you a little back history, I was never much of a runner growing up. I can remember back to high school when we were required to run a mile in PE…I dreaded those days!

375674_553896384671623_1380327925_n

Less than I year ago, I started interval running – a minute running and a minute walking until I was able to run a full mile. Gradually I increased my mileage, and before I knew it I was running the Pasadena 10k, my very first race. That’s when I discovered and joined the Pasadena Pacers, a local running group that met every weekend. Since then I have become a member of four different running groups, including Team Nutribullet. I must credit group running for getting me through my first marathon training. I could not have done it without the support of my fellow runners.

1601334_735386816472782_1003050162_n

When I first started running with a group, I was not much of a fan. During my first group run I thought to myself, “Why would anyone want to talk while they are running? Isn’t this hard enough as it is?!” I find that thought so funny now because my Team Nutribullet coach actually recommends we run slow enough during warm ups so that we can hold a conversation. I call this my “happy pace.”

1525737_728511473826983_712668604_n

I have found so many benefits from group running, including being motivated by the most inspiring runners and making lasting friendships.

1380481_579898232071438_1999101131_n

Reasons to Join a Running Group

  • Receive coaching from other runners
  • Meet other runners within your same skill set
  • Motivation and inspiration from other runners
  • Regularly scheduled (weekly) runs
  • Hill drills and interval training
  • Learn new local routes
  • Gain access to exclusive events and races

1545595_10202407964714900_220108238_nThe best part of joining a running group is that most of them are free! All of the groups I have been a part of work off of donations from members. The doubleplus best part is meeting people who are like-minded with the same passion for running!

Questions: Have you ever been part of a run group? Do you prefer social running or solo running?

18 Comments

  1. Michael Anderson

    I have never done a group, but will occasionally run with others – which I only did for the first time in 2012. For the 23 years before that I was entirely solitary for a few reasons.

    One big thing for me is I run early – 4:30 I am out the door, and on weekends I carve my runs around family schedules. That is my compromise – I get my run, but make it work with everyone.

    As for music … no way, never. I am a firm believer that running outside on roads you need your full awareness, and music definitely diminishes that.

    Plus … I love being one with nature, and appreciating the sounds of the morning and my breathing.

    Reply
    • Jillienne @ ChasingRaspberries

      You are definitely a zen runner! I wish I was more like you in some ways. I’m always plugged in when I run.

      Reply
    • Megan Lyons

      Funny how that 4:30am thing tends to scare others off … I always offered my teammates at work to come run with me while we were traveling, and very few people every took me up on it once I told them the time :). And you know I admire that dedication to “pure running” without music … but I will likely be out there tomorrow with my one earbud in anyway. Working on more unplugged runs though!

      Reply
  2. Tonya@healthy, Fit, and Frugal

    I trained mostly solo for my half because I think I was just too lazy to get around doing the group thing…which I kind of regret because the couple times I did train with a friend, it felt mentally easier.

    Reply
    • Megan Lyons

      You were still able to rock it, though, Tonya! Congrats! Maybe you can find a group or a friend for your next one 🙂

      Reply
  3. Britt@MyOwnBalance

    I can’t believe that you only began running less than a year ago! You run so much now! That’s so crazy that you are able to improve so much in such a short period of time!

    Reply
    • Jillienne @ ChasingRaspberries

      I can’t believe it either! Lol! I’m still in shock over this marathon training every single day! There is still more work to be done though…

      Reply
    • Megan Lyons

      Jillienne is pretty much incredible, right?!?

      Reply
    • Megan Lyons

      Thanks for your great guest post :). It inspired even a loner-runner like me to try to find some groups every once in a while!

      Reply
  4. Ashley @ Brocblog

    Im a weirdo because I love my running group but only because I like running around other runners but within the group I usually keep to myself until post run coffee or drinks.

    Reply
    • Megan Lyons

      That’s an interesting strategy, Ashley. Sounds like you get a little bit of the best of both worlds in being by yourself and getting the benefits of the social activities afterwards!

      Reply
  5. Meghan @ fitnesscrEATures

    So adorable, Jillienne! And HI MEGAN in South America! SO jealous!
    I love running with people too and we have such similar running stories – though I don’t run on any teams, I am now tempted to find some. I do LOVE running with others though because it makes time go by so quickly!!

    Reply
    • Megan Lyons

      Thanks for stopping by, Meghan! Sounds like it would be fun for you to try to find a group to run with – I hope it works out!

      Reply
  6. Sara @ LovingOnTheRun

    I have never trained with a group, but every so often I love to run with others. Most of the time running is a real personal thing to me and I love the time it allows with just me, but I have always looked to join a group and am hoping that the next time we move I will be able to find a running group!

    Reply
    • Jillienne @ ChasingRaspberries

      I know a lot of people who use solo running as personal time. One of my friends runs without music because she uses the time to unplug from technology. I admire people like you and her! I would die without music or someone to talk to! 🙂

      Reply
    • Megan Lyons

      I’m just like you, Sara – I use running as my personal time and time to “get away” so most of the time I prefer running alone. However, every time I run with a group, I love it! I was part of the leadership team for the “Run Bike Swim” club in business school and have done a few other group runs here or there. It always turns out to be fun, so I hope you find a group once you guys move!

      Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. California Triathlon Club | Chasing Raspberries - […] makes sense that I would join a triathlon club at some point since as you know I am very…
  2. Healthy Restaurant Tips + Fitting in Exercise | The Lyons' Share Wellness - […] at restaurants, and it’s over at Chasing Raspberries (Jillienne is the one who wrote about Training for a Marathon with…
  3. Guest Post: Motivated by Group Running | Chasing Raspberries - […] sure to check out my post about group running and how it’s getting me through LA marathon training with…

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Megan Lyons Headshot

Hi! I'm Megan Lyons,

the voice behind The Lyons’ Share. I love all things health, wellness, and fitness-related, and I hope to share some of my passion with you. Thanks for stopping by!
Boost Energy Download

Need a quick energy boost? Download this guide!