Running group question

[DrMomof3]

I'd love some candid opinions from people with more experience than I have... Quick background: I started running early in 2010 and finished the Disney half marathon in Jan 2911. I then did the More Magazine half in early April. I'm a big Galloway fan and generally do run/walk on my training runs. I'm nit very fast (12 min/mile pace is my fastest half and my "Magic Mile" time was around 9 min 30 sec. In my current training I did a 5.5 mile walk/run on Saturday and felt great. My pace was slow -14min/mile - but it was 90+ degrees.
My local running store has a free women's running group on Monday evenings. They have an ongoing group and then every spring they start a beginner group to get new runners. The timing is great for me as Mondays are pretty predictable at work and I rarely have to miss.
Here's the problem. This is NOT a Galloway group. They divide us into groups basically by distance. They is a run/walk group but it's more of a beginner group. I always go with the lowest run group and we go about 2.5 miles. I really struggle to keep up. This week we did the run at about 11:45 per mile pace (actually that was my pace and I was behind the group). The run leader is great about coming back to keep me company but I definitely feel that it's a struggle. 2 weeks ago it was super hot and I really couldn't keep up at all! I took some walk breaks and finished long after the group (the group leader turned back to keep me company so I didn't run alone).
I really like the group environment and the chance to meet some really cool women. We hang out at the store afterwards and drink water and catch up. I hate to give it up.
Any thoughts on what to do? Should I just keep plugging along and hope I eventually catch up? I do another mid-week run on Wed or Thurs and a long run on Saturday (I'm running a local half in October and the Disney full in January).
Is the only problem my ego? If so I'll just keep trying....

Thanks for any thoughts,
Amanda

 

[cewait]

The social aspect of a group is always a draw, especially if you have or make friends in the group. Having coached a few groups in my life and run as a participant in a few I would say that if you enjoy the company post run then continue to stay with the group as long as you feel like you are staying within your capabilities. It is perfectly ok to just drop back and run your pace if the pace is too strong for you. I would suggest that you pull back early rather than trying to hold on too long. Trying to hang on will push you too high into the aerobic zone so that you near anaerobic.

So if you enjoy the company postrun keep running with the group. You may find that you have company as distances increase or better yet, you may have others join the group who are more your pace. Another option is to head out early knowing that the group will catch you later in the run. However, if you feel like you are trying to compete and having to push too hard then you may want to bow out.

 

[DrMomof3]

Thanks Coach! You've given me a lot to think about. Thank you!
I don't feel the group is competitive. So that's not the issue. I think I'm just feeling embarrassed that I'm the slowest! I like the idea of starting sooner. We stop for a stretch break at the turn around point so maybe I'll start the 2nd half before the group...

Amanda

 

[APrunner]

You shouldn't feel embarrassed. You are outrunning everyone who went home and is sitting on the couch.

Personally, I am not big of group runs. I like to train the way I want to train, and really do not want to adjust it for anyone. However, your group run is only one day a week. So you can train the other days in a manner that suits you more. If the group helps you stay motivated and you enjoy it, stick with it. I am sure the others respect you for training. I respect all of my fellow runners, regardless of whether they are faster or slower than I am.

 

[DrMomof3]

You shouldn't feel embarrassed. You are outrunning everyone who went home and is sitting on the couch.

Personally, I am not big of group runs. I like to train the way I want to train, and really do not want to adjust it for anyone. However, your group run is only one day a week. So you can train the other days in a manner that suits you more. If the group helps you stay motivated and you enjoy it, stick with it. I am sure the others respect you for training. I respect all of my fellow runners, regardless of whether they are faster or slower than I am.

Thank you for your kind words and encouragement! I really needed to hear that! Thank you!!!

Amanda

 

[MouseDogMom]

Have you thought about trying the run/walk group? It may seem too easy, but you might want to give it a try for just one week. There's a chance that it may be just the right pace for you, or there might be other people in that group who want to run a little faster. Something to consider... I run with a Galloway group on the weekends, but during the week often train with 3-4 close friends, and I'm the slowest, so I know how it feels to be the one that everyone is waiting on!

Jackie

 

[DrMomof3]

Have you thought about trying the run/walk group? It may seem too easy, but you might want to give it a try for just one week. There's a chance that it may be just the right pace for you, or there might be other people in that group who want to run a little faster. Something to consider... I run with a Galloway group on the weekends, but during the week often train with 3-4 close friends, and I'm the slowest, so I know how it feels to be the one that everyone is waiting on!

Jackie

I have thought about the run/walk group and even talked to the group leader about joining them. It's a nice, small group of women and I know I would be welcome to join. For several weeks it was only me and one other woman in the 2.5 mile group so the pacing wasn't an issue. Recently our little group has "exploded" and gained extra members. I think these are probably the slowest ones in the 4-5 mile group who are dropping down due to the extreme heat we've had. I'm thinking/hoping they return to the longer run group in the fall and my group will become smaller again. Last winter there was often only one woman in this group and she just ran with the group leader. A few weeks it's just been the group leader and me so the pacing was fine. I do worry that dropping back to the run/walk group would be a step backwards for me. The group leader (he's got to be about 25) is super nice about keeping me company so I think I'll try to stick it out.
Thank you for sharing your story!!! It's nice to know I'm not alone!

Amanda

 

[Bookwood]

as long as the group leader has no issues with you being there and you enjoy it- stay!
Talk to the group leader telling her what you posted- as long as she doesn't care and you like it stay! (I tried to join a group this spring and it's when I started having knee trouble so once it's righted I will be back in the fall, this group is a beginning runner group and it will be just what I need to start back after not running regularly since March.)

 

[DrMomof3]

as long as the group leader has no issues with you being there and you enjoy it- stay!
Talk to the group leader telling her what you posted- as long as she doesn't care and you like it stay! (I tried to join a group this spring and it's when I started having knee trouble so once it's righted I will be back in the fall, this group is a beginning runner group and it will be just what I need to start back after not running regularly since March.)

Thanks Pam. No one seems to care that I'm slow so I'll stick it out!

Amanda