What are the Benefits of Running in a Group
I love the Sunday NY Times. It contains some good information in general but it usually (I am sure unintentionally) has at least one interesting perspective on the mental aspects of sports, exercise and weight loss. This Sunday was no different.
A group of teachers training
The author of Teaching in their other marathon started running as a way to lose weight. What it turned into was almost completely different. A quote in the article seemed to sum up the author’s feelings about running. “Running is not, as it so often seems, only about what you did in your last race or about 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.
Psychological benefits of running with a group
Psychologically running in a group can be very beneficial. Alongside what the article says about it providing a sense of community, camaraderie and encouragement a running group provides motivation and accountability particularly to those who are new to running. If you know that 2, 3 or 5 other people are getting up in the cold to go for a run chances are good that you won’t want to let them down. The article also mentions the practical learning that occurs in a group environment. One of the runners in this group was continuing to get injured so the group talked about ways to cross train to help stave off injury. Social support, which is one of the top predictors of exercise adherence, were also an added benefit .
The life benefits of running with a group
All of the above benefits are amazing and what’s more amazing is what’s underneath those. The psychological benefits of exercise include improved sleep, anxiety reduction, ability to more effectively deal with stress, improved mood and decreased depression. Some of these benefits are readily accessible.
All of these benefits helps to increase confidence, self esteem, motivation, etc. And not only in running but in your life: family, work and social. Running and running in a group helps provide a healthy, well rounded life.
Women in midlife crisis
In my years of coaching and now working with athletes from a mental perspective I’ve defined a common thread with women 35-65 who are joining groups to train for marathons and triathlons: they are dealing with a form of midlife crisis. They’ve raised their kids and have taken care of their husbands and are now unconsciously searching for themselves. What started out unconscious becomes a little more conscious and they find many or all of the above benefits. They become reacquainted with themselves and sort through who they want to be and what they want to do with their lives.
I’ve been fortunate enough to spend time working with this population of women, in groups and individually. Why? Because (as you can see) although there are several benefits, there are also several challenges. As per the NY Times article, a running group can help with some of these challenges.
With so many benefits of running and a running group why not try it?
Happy Monday!
Dr. Michelle
Photo credit: fromthecouchtoafullmarathon.blogspot.com
