Finding Your Running Community

One of the greatest joys of running is sharing your experiences and triumphs with others. Though sometimes we find that others are not as interested in the topics we runners like to discuss. Lets face it, most people don't get excited over the newest generation of GPS watch, most people don't enjoy waking up at 6AM on a Saturday for a long run, most people don't enjoy hearing about your stomach cramps at mile 7, but runners do!

Finding the right running community for you can be a game changer! 
Besides just making friends, you have added motivation to show up to the run when you know that other people are expecting you. You are also more likely to push yourself out of your normal routine and try something more challenging to keep up with the group, improving your performance. You might also learn about new events and training methods that you may not have known about prior.

If you are convinced you need a running group but don't know where to start, here are some recommendations:  

-Start by visiting your local running store, chances are if they aren't hosting a running club themselves they will know where the closest one is.

-Next look for a group on Facebook and see if they offer a free group or if they have a member fee, yes, sometimes there is a fee to join.

-If there isn't one close enough or paying a membership fee isn't for you, consider asking your gym or local community center to help you start one. Most gyms will have at least a few dedicated runners, they will already know who they are and what times they normally come in to run. This is a great resource in starting your own group! 

-If you are not a social runner that's fine! You can still reap the benefits of running groups without the interaction. Simply adding a running group on Facebook, or other social media, can be beneficial. Local running group pages will usually post about upcoming events in the area and the members will share workouts and race tips that you can try out on your own.

So if you are a lonely runner out there, consider joining a group run and see what you can get out of it. It could change everything!

-See you on the road!