On Running: Training With Others
Dating back to my teenage years, I have always trained alone. Like most things in my life, it feels much more natural to do by myself, and I rarely find anyone that shares the same training mindset as myself anyways (especially in the realm of consistency). However, I have come to the conclusion that the only way I can truly reach my real potential as an aspiring endurance athlete is by training with others who are serious runners so that I can learn and push myself harder. As a result, I have joined two local running groups: the Lenawee trail running group and an early morning speed training group.
The trail running group meets Monday evenings at a local park, and runs through a twisted network of hilly wooded trails. I am really starting to like trail running, as it is much more challenging than road running due to all the changes in elevation and it is more interesting due to how scenic in nature it is. I think that trail running will also be very beneficial to me for becoming a complete runner and becoming accustomed to running on different terrain. This will be especially useful to me because I want to get more involved with doing Tough Mudder and Warrior Dash type races.
The speed training group meets Tuesday mornings at 6pm. I never thought I would get up that early just to train with other people, and I feel very strange about it. Yesterday, for instance, I ran with the trail running group, went and partied at a club in Ann Arbor, and stayed up all night just so I could also hit up the Tuesday group as well. The group focuses mainly on increasing overall speed for distance events, doing short bursts of speed sets. Even though it is early, it doesn't feel too bad, since it is still pitch black outside so I still register it as being night, and I like the feeling of running through the darkness with a group of speed freaks. I was intimidated by them initially, but they are very nice people. When they talk about my abilities and my potential, I cannot tell if they are just being friendly, or if they really see something in me. I'll probably never know, but I will do my best to find out via dedication.