Destined to train for my 1st full alone??

[bounceliketigger]

Any ideas for locating a training partner? I really want to do the Disney full in 2012 but having a partner, at least for the LRs is a must! I just can't seem to find anyone in my area willing to commit.

There is a Galloway group about 30 min. from me, but a $159 fee to get in. I thought about using Galloway for the 1st attempt at a full. Other than that, a few running groups locally, all of which seem to be much faster than I am (I'm a 10-12 mm gal).

I guess I just have to commit and come what may...thoughts anyone??

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Do you have any running stores nearby? That is how I found my first running group. None of them were training for any of the Disney races, but a local race that was fairly close to the Disney races within a couple of weeks. If you really want a supportive group, I would run with one of the charities. They have running plans and groups and will give you all the encouragement you need.

 

[SAHDad]

Good luck. In part due to scheduling issues, I wind up doing a lot of my training alone (or virtually so - a lot is done on hamster pads at the Y, but I am not meeting anyone there, and there is no guarantee that I will be talking to the people next to me). I'd like to find a training group, but haven't had luck finding one that meets at a time when I can run.

 

[saysay]

Good luck. In part due to scheduling issues, I wind up doing a lot of my training alone (or virtually so - a lot is done on hamster pads at the Y, but I am not meeting anyone there, and there is no guarantee that I will be talking to the people next to me). I'd like to find a training group, but haven't had luck finding one that meets at a time when I can run.

If you really don't want to run alone then contact the Galloway group to see where they do their long runs. Might be closer to you than you think. Also I think the fee is not that bad to get you to your weekly long runs and you will have support and water along the way. I used a Galloway group for my first half and was successful and injury free.

I would also contact the local running groups to see if there are any people at your pace training for a full.

If you really think you need someone to train with, leave no stone unturned.

I trained alone for the princess 1/2 and actually liked being alone, but for a full with as slow as I am, would need someone to keep me going. Good luck...you know if you just sign up for it you will figure it out since well you need to train.

 

[stampingoddess]

I'd also suggest looking to the local running store. This is how I found my current training group.

 

[fashionista311]

I trained for my first alone and I wouldn't say it's a bad thing - because on race day, you are going to have to dig deeper than you've ever had to keep going, and no one else can do that for you. I found doing the long runs alone gave me the mental toughness I needed to get myself to that finish line

 

[SAHDad]

If you really don't want to run alone then contact the Galloway group to see where they do their long runs. Might be closer to you than you think. Also I think the fee is not that bad to get you to your weekly long runs and you will have support and water along the way. I used a Galloway group for my first half and was successful and injury free.

I would also contact the local running groups to see if there are any people at your pace training for a full.

If you really think you need someone to train with, leave no stone unturned.

I trained alone for the princess 1/2 and actually liked being alone, but for a full with as slow as I am, would need someone to keep me going. Good luck...you know if you just sign up for it you will figure it out since well you need to train.

According to the Jeff Galloway group, there is only one in Michigan, they train for 5k/10k, and their next session starts in June of last year. There are groups in the next town over (30 minutes or so away), but their long runs are either Saturday or Sunday mornings at 7 or 7:30. Saturday DW has stuff she has to do in the morning, and Sunday is church. I do the vast majority of my long runs alone - it's not always bad, but it does turn me into a Chatty Kathy on race day.

 

[FireDancer]

To be honest I prefer training alone but if that isn't in the cards I would echo what some others have said and go talk to your local running store. Even if they don't have a group they may know of one. Around here that are also some running groups on meetup.

Good luck.

 

[SKWDW]

I'll echo the local running store comments and toss in Active.com. They have lots of meetups, groups, etc. on their forums. Good luck!

 

[DrMomof3]

I trained alone for my two 1/2 marathons and I'm training alone for the full in January. I have 3 kids and a busy work schedule so I would have trouble committing to a training group anyway. I get lots of support from my DH and from here!
I just signed up for an 8 week running group for short runs on Monday evenings. I found it through our local running store.

Amanda

 

[Duanerice]

I currently train for triathlons and love the camaraderie of a training group. We swim twice a week, long bike on Saturdays and have one running session together (intervals, speed, drills etc). Love the people and the support.

But, for running, I prefer to run alone, especially the LSD. Still do even though I train with the tri team. Pretty much everyone on our team does too. I love being around people, but running alone is kind of therapeutic

We have a few running groups down here. Before I got involved with triathlons I tried the groups but they didn't really fit for me. Nice people but I never could find someone my pace. Also I'd waste 30 - 45 minutes just going to meet up with people, getting ready to run, etc.

I trained alone for all my stand alone marathons and Goofy's. Actually ALL my running was alone back then, even the shorter runs. There is something about the freedom to just go run, set you own time, place, etc.

You need to be disciplined and know you will follow through. I never missed a long run in all those years. Never cut one short either. So there is nothing wrong with running alone. But, some folks need the support, encouragement, social aspect etc. and that is OK too.

Go to a few running stores, ask when they run. Not everyone that runs with a running store is fast, you might be surprised Or maybe run around your neighborhood on a Sat morning and see who is out running. I found someone that was also doing the Goofy. Never really hooked up but made for a nice run that day.

Go get em!
Duane

 

[John VN]

Another no problem solo long distance trainer here. While not a runner, my walking times are greater than runners but it gives me lots of time to be into myself. Same thing with my bicycling where I don't mind cycling 125 miles by myself.

If you need that companionship to stay motivated find a group and enjoy.

Good luck with your training and maybe we'll meet at Disney since I'll be doing my 2nd Goofy.

 

[verticalchaos]

Glad to know I'm not the only one who likes training alone. While yes, I'm part of a running club, I am a lot slower than pretty much all of them, so even at fun runs I'm usually doing my own thing. They're great for support, socialization, and advice (though if the woman who's all into the Galloway Group doesn't stop inflicting me with that all the time things could get ugly...I'm firmly a Bingham-Hadfield girl for various reasons, not the least of which is I don't have to pay to get CJ's advice!), but as others have said, when things get tough out there on the course as they will, YOU are the one who has to pull yourself through. As my friends who just did Boston can attest, even having someone there beside you, YOU still have to do the work, and there comes a point most of the time where it's just not fair to hold someone back or make yourself stay back...you have to run your own race. Or, at least that's how I see it and how my Disney race partner (who lives in Orlando while I'm in NYC so it's not like we're ever together other than races) do it...we'll start together and then when he needs to go ahead or I need to chill a bit, we're just like "See you at the finish!" and do our own thing. Running, unless you're doing a relay, really isn't a team sport. At least imho.

 

[J3nn78]

To be honest I prefer training alone but if that isn't in the cards I would echo what some others have said and go talk to your local running store. Even if they don't have a group they may know of one. Around here that are also some running groups on meetup.

Good luck.

I prefer to train alone too.

 

[bounceliketigger]

This all such great input. I do love to train alone most of the time but also like the accountability & comraderie with another person or group occasionally. I've trained alone so far but have a few friends who all keep up w/ each other's traing one way or another. As it happens, my husband, a non-runner, but who can go out & blast a 5k anytime he wants to, has said he'l do the full in Jan. With me! Kids & jobs will prevent us from training together most of the time, but we have a plan to do LRs once or twice a month, which should work great!

 

[MouseDogMom]

I joined our local Galloway group 5 years ago to train for my first half, because I didn't want to do long runs alone. I have made life-long friends in the group, and have continued running with them each year since. One suggestion - our Galloway program welcomes people to try it out for a couple of runs, so you might go for a couple of weeks and see if you like it before you commit to spending the $159. I like knowing that 1) I've spent that much money so I pretty much have to get up on Saturday mornings, and 2) there are a whole bunch of people waiting on me to show up! And there are multiple pace groups, so no matter how I'm feeling on a particular day, there's always someone to run with. When I've been injured I've dropped back a couple of groups and still been able to train without missing anything.

Just my two cents worth!

Jackie