Comments on: Racing: Solo or Shared?

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 12:56:47 +0000

I heart training partners! In a race, I like a combo. Start out together and run your own race when the time comes. If that happens to be all the way to the finish line- GREAT! I wouldn’t have had as much fun if I hadn’t run with a buddy in my last marathon.

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 01:46:38 +0000

But let me also be clear (now that I’ve reread everything) that it’s a ton of fun to work through a course with a group or a sole/soulmate. A very merit-worthy approach. Those folks are the ones coming through the finish chute all smiles and working up the crowds. My beef in an earlier comment is with ‘unofficial’ assistance (even those rabbits Mark referred are officially entered in the race) — but I now don’t think that’s what the Running Chick was referring to in her article.

By: Anne

Anne — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 23:14:22 +0000

It’s never occurred to me to ask someone — especially if that someone isn’t registered and therefore is essentially a bandit — to help “run me in” during a marathon. I definitely think there’s more personal glory in running a race all by yourself, without a fresh pair of legs to help give you a boost at the end. But that doesn’t mean you have to struggle in isolation, either. I would not have gotten to the finish of my last marathon were it not for someone also struggling on the course alongside me. A key point is that person was sanctioned to be there and was as willing to help me as I was her.

I realize I’m probably in the minority on this point, but I’ll always admire more the guy or gal who makes it on his or her own will and power.

By: Soozan

Soozan — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 22:02:34 +0000

Ususally, I like to train with a group and race solo . . . and then sometimes it just depends on the time of the month.

By: Mark Iocchelli

Mark Iocchelli — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 16:06:57 +0000

But if the other person is there strictly as a non-social pace bunny, then that’s a whole different purpose for them being there.

By: Mark Iocchelli

Mark Iocchelli — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 16:00:05 +0000

I think there are different finishing goals for marathons that can influence a person’s decision.

If the goal is more to finish than to see how fast you can run the marathon, it becomes easier to run with others.

If the goal is to race the entire marathon pushing the envelope with regard to one’s potential for covering 26.2 miles at max speed over that distance, then it’s really difficult to be social because focus on self is paramount.

I’ve done both and each are rewarding in their own way.