Running is one of those interesting sports where those who don’t run can’t understand why you do run. When I started running, I was embarrassed of how slowly I ran, how often I needed to take a walking break, and how out-of-breath I always was while running. The truth is, that is how 97% of people start running. I didn’t want ANYONE running with me Once I could get past the awful feeling, I started to fall in love with running by myself. Yes, some things are easier to do with others, but there are so many benefits to running alone that it’s worth enjoying!
7 Benefits to Running Alone
1. Confidence
When you run alone, you have to be the one to set the intention and follow through. As you start running, you go through the motions of am I running fast enough, should I stop or run to that pole or the next tree? You develop a trust in yourself as you run to know your body and what your body needs in that moment. If you chose to take your love of running to a more competitive track (a race), it becomes a you-vs-you competition. With each race (or even just run) and runners high, you show up for yourself and realize that you can truly achieve anything you set your mind to. This confidence and stature overflows over into so many other areas of your life!
2. You Control your Pace
This might be the best part about running alone. You go as fast or slow as your body feels comfortable. Sometimes when we run with other people, we are committed to keeping their pace. While this can challenge us and stretch us as runners, keeping your own pace feels good! Running a pace that feels too challenging to keep up with makes us feel bad. Running is all about feeling good!
3. You are on YOUR SCHEDULE
I don’t know about you, but I am perpetually late to just about everything. My mom jokes that I run and Krysta time and she’s not wrong about it. Coordinating a running time with your friends or running group can be challenging as last minute changes always seem to come up. The accountability is great, but sometimes you need to shift your schedule and that’s OK!
4. Alone Time
Alright this might seem lame but unless you live alone, it’s really hard to catch alone time these days. Between spending time at work with co-workers, socializing with friends, and constantly being in proximity to roommates, your partner, or kids if you have them, alone time is tough! I find myself always saying yes to other people and no to myself. The great thing about running is that I rarely say no to running which means I have that time to myself to breathe and think, which leads me to my next point…
5. Clear your Mind
You got it my friends, when you are running alone, you can actually clear your mind! This is my favorite benefit to running alone or in general. My brain completely flips a switch and all of the stress from the day melts away. If you are anything like me, meditating is REALLY HARD (I’m trying, I promise), but running gives you that brain freedom that people in our society so desperately need.
6. Relaxation
This one comes with clearing your mind and letting that stress melt away! Sometimes we don’t want to be alone with our thoughts or can’t quite get to that meditative part where we think about nothing. If that’s the case, jam out to your favorite running playlist (mine is Kygo, 10/10 recommend) or a podcast to keep your mind entertained. Be sure to check out these benefits of relaxation to get you inspired to run alone!
7. Focus on Form
It is hard to keep correct form and breathing techniques when you are trying to keep pace with other people. It’s even harder when you are trying to have a conversation with these people while running. A benefit to running alone is that you can actually take the time to think about your form and correct it as you go through the motions of your run!
Singular sports can be lonely, but the benefits of spending time with yourself outweigh what my desire to be social every time. Enjoy that alone time girl! Everyone can take advantage of the benefits of running alone.Get out there and get running!
xoxo
Krysta
