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8/2/11 9:14 A

It's one that's on the winery tour circuit.. we're not allowed to stop and buy/drink..just have to run on by :(

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8/2/11 8:08 A

I'd love to join a running group, but the only one near me meets before I get off of work.

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8/1/11 1:18 P

Sorry for the mix-up! I'm sure you'll be running 50 in no time! ;-)
Which HM are you training for? Hope it's going well, in spite of this fierce heat!

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7/30/11 8:16 A

@Caryn:

You misread my listing.. THAT 50 miler is under my biking heading.. Furthest distance i can run right now is a 15K...gearing towards a HM and possible HIM this fall :)

I leae the Ultramarathon crown to Nicholas :) I will chase that one down in a couple more years :)

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7/29/11 1:26 P

Glad you had a good time last night. I've been wanting to go to those events, but I have a prior commitment on Thursday nights. The NCRC bunch are a nice group of people, but as you say, most of the runners I've met here are nice, welcoming people. I started running with a group and I don't think I'll ever stop. I enjoy the company on the runs (especially the really long ones) and it really takes my mind off the sheer amount of hours we're spending out there pounding the pavement. I was really surprised that a 2 hour run can feel really short if you have a fun group of people to run with. If you enjoy groups, you should also seriously consider the Raleigh Galloway program (either for this year or next) because it's a fantastic group of people. When we showed up to Omega Sports for our run last week the store manager said how when we show up we're like a small city - and we are! Among those 400-500 people, you're bound to make some life-long friends and running partners.

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7/29/11 12:33 P

How fun! I was definitely a hoover after yesterday's run, and normally I'm not! I see that you have a 50 miler listed in your races.. how was that? Two of the folks I ran with last night were training for one. I'm still hoping to make it through my fall marathon in one piece, the idea of a 50 miler seems insane to me right now!

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7/29/11 11:57 A

my triclub does group runs... they're fun.. we usually meet at a Subway after and hoover food.. And it's great for all of us no matter what Tri distance we're doing.. and i get to pick the brains of others and they're great about offering suggestions. ;)

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7/29/11 10:05 A

Soooo.. it was fantastic! I'm so glad that I did this (even though the heat nearly made me hurl). Wrote up a summary on my blog. Bottom line, if you are thinking about joining a group, just go do it. We runners are nice people, right?

wfl.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_
individual.asp?blog_id=4393737

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7/28/11 10:04 P

I haven't run with an organized group - yet - but as soon as I don't have an event on the same day as a planned run, I'll be meeting up with one of a few that I 'follow' on FB.

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7/28/11 4:27 P

ooo man, I would love a running group... sometimes being the lone ranger isnt much fun...

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7/28/11 2:09 P

I agree with the others: you will find incredible support in a running group! My husband and I belong to a large group (this is our 5th year) that is organized by our local YMCA...although you don't have to a a Y member to join. Our group averages about 250 people....all ages, sizes, and paces. We all meet at the same time but quickly split into groups: walkers, run/walkers and runners. The group trains for a local 1/2 marathon (race is in Oct) and is called Team 13 (13 weeks to 13 miles!). We train on Tues(6pm), Thurs (6pm) and Sat (7am). As our mileage increases, the size of the group increases --- many of the "faster" runners don't join the group until we get to 6 or 7 miles in our training schedule --- by the end of training we average about 400 people. It's been a great experience for us, and we've met so many new people! Good luck with your new venture!

Edited by: BEV1616 at: 7/28/2011 (14:11)

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7/28/11 1:47 P

Wow, so many great experiences with running groups, I'm even more excited about this!

Swan47, I was doing interval training earlier, but the heat makes it tough. I'm looking forward to cooler days so I can start back up again.

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7/28/11 1:03 P

I run with a small group from my gym on Saturday mornings around 6 am, to beat the Texas heat.

Edited by: ROSIE777 at: 7/28/2011 (13:04)

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7/28/11 12:52 P

I started with a group just 2 weeks ago. It's a new running year, but I missed the very first week. The group is about 80 people with at least a dozen coaches. There are 5 groups - 2 half marathon (walk & run) and 3 marathon (based on speed).

The coaches were friendly. As far as the other people, I just looked for other people who were standing by themselves, picked out one, and started talking with her! It worked. I then pulled a 3rd into our 'group.' But, we run at different paces, so we chat before & after.

On my 2nd run, I was running near another lady for the 1st 1/4 mile or so. I finally struck up a conversation with her. This is her 6th year with the group and she was very nice. We ran well together, so we stuck out the whole run together.

So, that's my advice...look for others who look new or like they need a friend! You just have to start the conversation sometimes.

Oh, and I did my first (well, 2nd, but the other was out of town) group bike ride last night. There were only 8 of us and the leader was TERRIFIC!!! He came & introduced himself to me & my friend (who was also new) and introduced everyone to each other. GREAT LEADER!!! Unfortunately, I had a fall - first time clipless - and banged myself up pretty good. But, I got back on & rode! And, 2nd unfortuantely, it was raining...& then the thunder started. We only rode 2.3 miles. But, it was still a lot of fun & I found out I can push through the pain!!!

Hope you enjoy the group!

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7/28/11 12:27 P

I run with a smallish group on Saturday mornings. I'm in Florida so we start our run at 7am to beat the heat. I didn't know any of them when I started, but everyone is really friendly. We are pretty informal though. We meet, everyone runs at their own pace with or without someone, and then we meet up at the end for breakfast.
Sheri

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7/28/11 12:15 P

I started out running alone mainly because I was worried about how slow I was compared to everyone else in the group. I finally decided to join a group run at a local running store and I have been doing it for almost a year. They are great and I only miss the runs if I must. We see each other at races, on other training runs, etc. I knew none of them before the first group run and now I don't know what my life would be like without them. Runners are some of the most supportive people in the world. No matter your pace, no one will shun you for being about there. Have fun! Let us know how it goes!

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7/28/11 11:49 A

Running groups are usually great and you will have a common interest. I think that's a great way to "spark" your running! Do you ever do interval runs? That might change it up too! Good luck with heat!

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7/28/11 11:43 A

I started running, with a group and have gone back over and again to the same group. New people come and go. Some stick around. Since it's a beginner group, we run based on time rather than distance so no matter what your pace, you start and finish with the group. There is a really nice social aspect to that.

Sometimes I have a buddy to run with, sometimes not. Since I'm slower than slow, I just hang out at the back with my music. Running with the group keeps me accountable, since someone will miss me if I don't show up.

Our group uses an app called 'Meet Up' which is great. Several members are also friends on Facebook.

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7/28/11 11:31 A

Not only is it hot here in North Carolina (many many days lately 100+ degrees!), but I am training for a fall marathon, and ... just man. That's alot of running! The dog days of summer are wearing on me, and I'm looking for some fresh motivation.

Tonight, I have finally worked out my schedule so that I can try one of our local Road Runner Club's Thursday Night Social Runs! It's a 5-6 mile run that starts at a local tri store and goes along the greenways. There are even supposed to be door prizes!

I've *never* done one of these before, even though I've wanted to. I'm hoping that trying something new will help take my mind off of the brutal heat! Anyone else run with a group? Did you know them when you started to did they start off as total strangers?

I'm hoping they don't dust me!