“Running is not, as it so often seems, only about what you did in your last race or how many miles you ran last week. It is, in a much more important way about community, about appreciating all the miles run by other runners too.”

Richard O’Brien

The benefits of running socially have long been recognised, but as we emerge from the covid pandemic, have we garnered a new appreciation of running with others and what it can do for us? There are times when running alone has its merits, of course. After a day in the office with its background noise in my head, I yearn for the quiet hum of the trails and their therapeutic nature. However, there’s a compelling list of reasons to hit the trails with friends, here are our top 6 reasons to get social on your runs.

1)      Get Accountable 

That 16-week marathon training plan can look a little intimidating on paper, and it’s easy to hit snooze on the alarm when you wake up feeling tired or pouring rain outside. However, pair up with a training buddy and not only have you made yourself accountable and given yourself a good reason to go and complete that run, but you have a friend relying on you. This is even better if you can train for the same event together and support each other as you log those miles.

2)      Push Yourself (Without Realizing It!)

If you’re new to running, this one’s for you. When running, we tend to over-focus on the ‘feel’ of distance. 5k seems an incredibly long way, even in those swish new trainers. But join a group, and it’s incredible how a little conversation distracts us from glancing at our watches every few minutes. Before you know it, you’ve passed the 10k mark without even noticing. Group running is magical for making those miles pass as you chat.

3)      Join The Club

The UK has an incredible mix of running clubs, from more minor, village groups, female only, town and city groups or even tri-clubs (if you swim or cycle too). Joining a local running club is a fantastic way of focusing your training, with most clubs offering a variety of sessions that incorporate intervals, social runs and track sessions. If you want to work on your speed, interval sessions with others are a great way to push yourself and soak up the encouragement of your teammates. If you’ve ever tried to do fartlek on your own, well… you’ll know it’s easier if you have a cheer squad beside you than trudging around a field solo. Think of it as a pack mentality; you get the bonus of wearing a cool club t-shirt too.

Another perk of joining a club is the knowledge you’ll gather from a collective hive of information. Chatting with other runners can give you a wealth of other people’s experiences and training tips. Many clubs have a very reasonable yearly fee or, like Blended Trails, are free and focus on social running rather than structured training.

4)      Quit Quitting

As you’re tackling that never-ending hill or wondering if it’s possible to sweat more than you already have,  you hear that voice in your head, slyly justifying that it’s ok to throw in the towel and head home. The one that grows louder with every passing mile. Well, it’s much easier to drown out that voice if you’re chatting with friends.

Not every run goes to plan, that’s a given, but it’s so much easier to quit early when you’re running solo. This can leave you feeling disappointed or missing the mark in your training plan, and as Ben Francia once said, “Great things never came from comfort zones”, so find running buddies that help you push through and gain that sense of achievement.

5)      Find Your Tribe

Diversity creates the backbone of a group, and our stories, goals and hardships are all subjects to bond over. Running together brings a sense of unity. We all know that it’s hard, it can test us, and we’ve all come to it for different reasons. Whether you find yourself in the quiet companionship of the steady-paced marathoner, a coach willing to give tips, an empathetic parent who runs to reset the day or the club speedster who talks as fast as he runs, you’ll find a little of everything sprinkled through a club. Runners are the best (ok, yes, we’re a little biased), but joining a club can give you access to a group of people from all walks of life with their own tales to tell. Listen to the stories, you’ll be amazed at what different folks running journeys look like, and you may find yourself inspired when things get tough on the trails.  

6)      Talking On The Side

One of the most significant elements of running is what it can do for our mental health, and most of us will encounter it in some form in our lives. Some of us find that a run can momentarily hit the pause button on life or take the edge off a bad day. For others, running is a tether to keep themselves balanced and stress levels down, with the bonus you get from staying physically fit. There are times when heading out the door alone to get headspace is all you need to reset the day. However, consider that when you’re out with others, you can be reminded that we all have struggles and that no one is living a picture-perfect life.

Running in a group doesn’t mean you have to share every aspect of your life. The beauty of a social run is the option to open communication if you feel comfortable with it.  It’s no secret that generally, men find it harder to open up than women, and it’s worth bearing in mind that chatting as you run alongside someone adds a less pressured element. Your ideal running buddy is someone you can feel comfortable silence with just as much as when you chat.

Running friendships can provide mutual support and camaraderie and help us achieve our goals, so finding your ‘tribe’ makes sense. Don’t shy away from running with friends. If you get the opportunity, you could be lucky enough to have running buddies for life and improved fitness.