For those of you that run races-

Do you run them by yourself or with other people?

For the most part all my races I do alone. Sometimes my dad runs too (of course not together- he's much faster than me). I don't mind the actual running part alone.

I love staying after the races for the food, awards, and raffles. It's just hard when you're by yourself. I feel so awkward- its like high school cafeteria all over again!!


I make small talk with people, but I noticed alot of people are already there with their own friends so not really up to conversing.

I was just wondering if anyone else runs races alone...do you sometimes feel a little lonely/left out?

It's not too bad when my dad runs because I'll hang out with him and his runner friends.

I just feel silly and awkward standing there by myself. But at the same time I don't want to miss out on the fun stuff.

Re: For those of you that run races-

I often run the the smaller races alone (5ks, 10ks). I've done I think all my half marathons with friends or my brother. My brother is faster than me too, so we don't run together, but I prefer to run races alone since when I try to run "with someone" it tends to throw me off.

My husband would sometimes come with our kids to the local races, but they are so young (ages 1 and 2), so it's a lot to bring them all the time to watch. So I started to just go on my own. I don't mind at all; I usually end up chatting with someone or running into someone I know. This past Sunday I met julz33! With me though, I rarely stay after the race very long because I have "mom guilt" and try to get home asap to relieve my husband; he has been very good about staying with them, so I feel that unless it's a big event, I leave. It cost me a medal the other day, but whatever :) With these races, between worrying about parking and making sure you're there before they cut-off registration/number pick-up, it turns out to be a 2-3 hour ordeal sometimes for just a 5k!! I would not feel stupid, there are PLENTY of people alone at races, they might just not come out and announce that they are. We met a woman running her first half marathon back in May and she said all her friends backed out so she was on her own - and her family could not come watch her.

Re: For those of you that run races-

I either go with my brother and make him run with me too... LOL he runs a 20 minute 5K and I make him run it in 27 with me ... or I will go alone. Like runwiththewind said, we met eachother at the 5K on sunday. It was fun hanging out with someone before and after. We should all post our races and try to meet up with eachother.

Re: For those of you that run races-

I don't sign up for races alone. I get so nervous to begin with so being there alone would just compact that.

Re: For those of you that run races-

By myself. Sometimes with DH but he always leaves me in the dust!

Re: For those of you that run races-

Almost always my husband runs the races with me. I did one race alone because it was women only. Otherwise we do them together (although we don't run at the same pace, we start together & meet afterward). I always try to get my friends to do races with me, but they always back out... I won't be doing any more until the spring though.

Re: For those of you that run races-

I'm jealous of those those whose DHs will race with them! My DH hates running and he thinks its stupid. None of my friends run either.

Re: For those of you that run races-

Re: For those of you that run races-

I usually always know someone who will be there. If not DH will come with the kids to watch. There are a few times I go on my own or I go and the people I signed up with bail In those cases I will cross the finish line, get a drink, a bite and walk straight to my car, unless I know that I won something - then I wait and just stretch next to someone who looks like they are alone and try to start a conversation.

It's great to be part of a runner club, b/c then you can find someone to talk to.

The summer parks series is a great place to get a little group together to run every monday night - people BBQ and hang out. Some go to cheer and not to race. I would say do it for the winter parks series, but I stay in my car with 2 other girls until the last minute.

Re: For those of you that run races-

I do all my races with a bunch of girls/women that I run with. We all met while training for the LI Half through my GYM and we have stuck together and run 3 days a week together. We do most races together but we all run at different speeds so we meet up at the end and enjoy the food, raffles, awards etc.... Most of the time at least one person places (sadly not me) so we stick around to cheer them on! I have done races alone though but that was when I first started running!

Re: For those of you that run races-

I do most of them by myself. Honestly, none of my local friends are runners so I kind of have no choice. The one's who do run live out of NY.

One of the women I work with is doing a 5K with me on the 18th and I'm really looking forward to it.

Re: For those of you that run races-

I like running by myself cuz I hate to feel like I am holding ppl up or them holding me up, I like to run at my own pace and be in the zone w/my music. As for the after-race events, I feel the same way as the OP. I am happy DH will be able to attend my races next year, that way he can hang out w/me after.

Re: For those of you that run races-

I like to run with others - however if we always have a mutual agreement that if someone slows down or speeds up...no feelings hurt!

I usually start out fast but then slow down at the end....so I tell people to just go ahead!

I have run a few half marathons alone and ran a few with people...they always go faster with people and help keep me strong and motivated!

Full marathons, love to do with someone. I have only done two and ran 1 entire marathon with 2 girls and then other one I ran with a few people but lost them all by mile 19. Not bad!

Re: For those of you that run races-

My DH and I sign up for the together, but we run them separately. He can run a 5K in 16:20. He usually jogs back to find me and cheers me on.

Re: For those of you that run races-

Re: For those of you that run races-

I wish my DH would run!

My brother is a good sport b/c he purposely runs slow to keep me company. I usually pay for him to do it and buy him food after as incentive.

Seriously we (we = LIF girls) should meet up at races.
I am doing the winter series. Anyone else?

Re: For those of you that run races-

Posted by julz33

I wish my DH would run!

My brother is a good sport b/c he purposely runs slow to keep me company. I usually pay for him to do it and buy him food after as incentive.

Seriously we (we = LIF girls) should meet up at races.
I am doing the winter series. Anyone else?

Re: For those of you that run races-

Posted by julz33

I wish my DH would run!

My brother is a good sport b/c he purposely runs slow to keep me company. I usually pay for him to do it and buy him food after as incentive.

Seriously we (we = LIF girls) should meet up at races.
I am doing the winter series. Anyone else?

Message edited 12/11/2010 3:03:07 PM.

Re: For those of you that run races-

I'm running the winter series.

Re: For those of you that run races-

Have you considered joining Team in Training? Its a great way to run in a group setting and train for longer runs. You should look into it--I have a friend in Massapequa that does it for all her races and has all her runner friends!