Diary of a Slogger, issue 4

...Or why you should run with friends, at least some of the time.

I had the joy this past weekend to run with two of my fellow blogger friends, Heya Sparky AKA Lauren and Primus Libellus Digitus AKA Jen. All of us are at different levels, and have different goals, but I had a good time running with company. Why?

No iPod

This is kind of a lie because Lauren did have one on. But in general, it gives you a time to unplug. Though I believe playlists can help get you pumped and motivated to run better, you also miss what's going on around you. Sometimes it is nice just to hear the sounds of the world.

Push You

When you run with others, you often go farther than if you were by yourself. On this particular run we had the purpose of helping Lauren train for the Pittsburgh Marathon Relay. Lauren said okay "let's go to this street" and then as we got closer Jen said "let's push it out to that street". Friends also help you pace, you begin to run all the same speed or speed up when you start falling behind.

Talking

It gives you a time to talk to friends, sort of. It usually leads to very breathless conversations that have too many awkward pauses, but it's conversation nonetheless. Also, if you are able to hold a conversation, you are said to be running at a good pace.

Fun

Period. I do laugh to myself when I am running alone, but when you are running with people laughing together, you look more legit. (Or more like a fitness commercial) You joke around more, get excited about Redhead Ducks

Or something, Jen will correct me

or silly running

Overall it just makes running more pleasurable. It isn't an all the time thing, but a sometimes slog.

Do you enjoy exercising (slogging, weightlifting, biking) with others? Who do you go with?