Been running for just over two years now, all my training is on my own. As others have said Karen it is great for clearing your head and generally destressing. I run home from work 3 times a week and find it a brilliant way of getting rid of the tensions and worries of the day.

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Don

I always have run on my own. Being Hard of Hearing means that I can't run with my aid in (the sweat eventually stops it working). So I have many very pleasant runs with only my ipod for company (obviously as loud as it will go)

I ran with company once, it was a nightmare. When they wern't trying to engage me in conversation, they were stopping for breath and generally holding me back.

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It's about getting out there and doing the distance, time doesn't matter apart from making it.

I ran on my own and found it a bit weird at first when I joined a club and had people running with me.

I now do all my long runs on my own at the weekend but often run with others at my club. I like the company on club nights, but there it does feel good when you have completed a hard run and you know you motivated yourself to keep going.

well my alarm is set for 6am tomorrow so will get up early and go for my run before work. Thanks everyone, for your words of encouragement

I've only ever ran on my own not sure how I'd cope with company. I'd either be annoyed at them for holding me up or struggling to keep up. I did once run with one of Mrs Squints sisters and ran 5 paces behind till she realised what I was doing!!

Squint

Well I got up at six and went out, I hadn't run for a week, and I must admit I did find it quite hard. I didn't seem to have any energy, and felt quite breathless and even Cheritons tip of holding my head up didn't seem to help much. I have been very stressed over the last few weeks so maybe that isn't helping, but at least I went out. I didn't do as much as I would have liked, my mind wanted to do it but my body didn't want to play!!! Maybe I will try one evening and see if that is any easier, if I have a good lunch and go out when I get home from work at 5pm and see if there is a difference. I need to carry on running, because I do enjoy it but also I think it will help me get through life at the moment.

Good for you Karen the hardest part is getting out and you did that today, don't be too hard on yourself, you will have better days, although you don't sound put off which is a good sign.

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In spite of the cost of living, it's still popular.

Bird in Boots

Good for you Karen. Is it possible for you to run home from work? This may help motivation as you have to do it to get home also it stops you getting home being distracted by something and not going out again.

Squint

Hi Squint, I only work around the corner from where I live, so it wouldn't be worth me running home from work, plus I work in an office and normally wear smart clothes and heels which would mean getting changed so it is easier for me to walk home and get changed and then go straight out. The park is across the road from where I live, which is where I run along by the river. I love running, just wish I could get a bit more energy to get myself going, I do have an underactive thyroid gland, which was diagnosed about five years ago, so do take thyroxine daily, dont know if this makes any difference.

Running in a business suit and high heels!! It could be the new beach volley ball. Fair point though. I work 30 miles from home and am slowly building up to running that.

Not too sure about the thyroid stuff, but general fitness and being healthier can only help, I think everyone suffers a bit with not having the energy to run to start with. For me now I don't have the energy to not run, I find I have much more energy because of it I don't know how I would cope without it now.