May 10th, 2010
I did it! The planets didn’t realign and I’ve no plans to become a running club groupie but I had fun. Took me a bit to warm up though, as we started the run I was thinking, “I dunno, this kind of sucks and is weird” because I wasn’t feeling a connection with anyone, but then one of the guys started talking to me which put me at ease.
About 2.5 miles in, our little group hit the water fountain but me and another girl kept going, ending up on our own for the rest of the run. It turned out to be a perfect pairing; she had just done the NJ Marathon in that 90 degree hellfire, so we had lots to discuss marathon-wise and our paces were well-matched.
I discovered a sweet perk of running with someone: you can turn to them and ask, “Is my back straight?” I’ve been trying to be more mindful about form since starting up core work so it was nice to get feedback (even if I did straighten myself up before I asked).
I also learned that the Tuesday group is almost all different people than the Saturday morning folks. It’s a short run, about 4.5mi, and a quasi-speed thing (sounds more like a tempo from what was described). Then Thursday is hill repeats, again just 4.5 mi total. The only possible hitch with these runs is that they meet at 6:30pm and I like getting out during the day, but I’ll try ‘em both eventually.
As for pacing, we ended up running the bulk of it at 8:10-8:05s with the last couple miles @ 7:50. We agreed we both ran faster than we would have solo, especially with me having done a tempo run the day before, but ’twas all good, body felt fine even if the conversation got a bit breathy.
Afterward, while waiting for the rest of the group to finish, my companion and I chatted with another girl for a long while, then a few more people joined in, then after everyone was reassembled, none of the gals wanted to go to the group coffee thing and I didn’t either, so we parted happy campers.
Total distance was 9.5mi and yesterday was a beautiful, albeit windy 13, netting me 67.5 miles for the week. So pleased about this! It means I can keep stuffing my face like a piglet. More seriously – and forgive me for repeating this sentiment – it’s such a pleasure to feel this gung-ho again.
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I am so glad you got the running group experience under your belt. I like meeting the group on Saturdays. The group I run with is fun and they really can push me along faster than I can do myself. I think just the change of pace is really nice since I do all my weekly runs alone.
Flo has her groove back and I am so happy for you. Now you know Chris and I are group run junkies, but that is because our group is small and they love to drink beer. You may not be a junkie, but once or twice a week is a nice way to break things up.
I’m excited for your new adventure….:-)
I’ve never run with a group either (my husband doesn’t count as a group does he??) but I was glad to hear that you had a good experience with it! And yay for getting your groove back – that didn’t take long!
So glad the Flo Mojo is back! I think you’re long overdue for a good dose of solid “fun”.
i’m so glad that you had fun with the group and had a great run too. whoo-hoo to having the mojo back! i’ve never run with a larger group before but i do have a semi-training partner and it’s a nice change of pace to run with her.
Group split up according to pace – check
One runner matched your pace – check
Faster than a solo run – check
Post run coffee, etc. (optional) – check
Yup, pretty good group run there, Flo. The tempo-ish thing on Thursdays sounds interesting, too. Looking good in Flo-land!
Not much to add, Flo, but Jim has it exactly right; I like to pick and choose the various things on my group runs (to be or not to be: social, that is!). Glad you did it! And, glad you have your mojo back too!
this sounds good flo – and you know i’m not a joiner. makes you run faster – this is a good thing. looking forward to hearing how it pans out…
I’m interested to see how you like the nighttime version of the track club. I will say that the #1 thing I miss about moving somewhere to nowhere is the running club. I’m glad you got to meet some nice people and get in a good workout. Most importantly, glad you got your mojo back! Yeah, you!
You gals are soft! The group coffee thing is the best part!
Yay! Nothing like getting your mojo back.
I’m wary of group stuff too as I’ve said before, but am always glad I went when I do show up to run with other people.