Why I Won’t Stop Running Alone (And Why You Shouldn’t Either)
Photos by Marques Jackson Photography.
By Marnie Kunz,
Certified trainer and run coach
When you’re a woman, running alone is dangerous, people often say. In fact, people have a lot to say about what you should and shouldn’t do and how you should do it. From how you dress to whether you smile, they seem to have strong opinions on everything. While it is an unfortunate fact that women can be targeted for violence on the run, that is also true of just about any other activity we do, and that can’t stop us from living. To me, running alone brings peace and freedom, a chance to go where I want when I want and however fast (or slow) I want. Sure, I enjoy running with people too, but sometimes I just need a solo run to clear my mind (it’s also easier to fit into a busy schedule).
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The Loneliness - or Happiness? - of the Long Distance Runner
As a running coach, I have been running for most of my life and have done most of my runs alone (or with my dogs). Sometimes, I have been lucky enough to live near a running buddy to run with. I even led my own Runstreet Brooklyn running group. But most of the time, in daily life, I run by myself. Part of this is out of convenience, as I have non-traditional work hours and can often go running while others are at work. And sometimes, I just need some solo time to pound out a speed workout or get in a meandering run to go see some local art or enjoy the beauty of the park.
For me, running offers a time to myself to think, to zone out and listen to music, or to connect with nature. Running alone makes me feel strong and physically able to conquer hard things. It’s a time when I feel most in tune with my body and the elusive emotions I usually push aside in the busyness of daily life.
If I only ran when others could run, I would be limiting myself to specific schedules and timelines based on other people. With running solo, I can just pick up and go anytime, anywhere.
Benefits of Running Alone
So you may be wondering why run alone when there are so many great local running clubs and events you can join? Well, first of all, you can do both. And running solo brings many benefits, from time to meditate to feeling more confident. Here are just a few of the rewards of running by yourself:
Running alone brings peace.
Go at your own pace. When you run alone, you choose the pace and the distance. You can go as fast or slow as you want and as far as you feel like.
Meditative benefits. Even if you’re not doing an official mediation, running by yourself offers a peaceful time to let your mind wander and relax. It’s a great chance to have a phone break and reprieve from social media and constant electronic notifications.
Better mood. As with running in general, running alone offers mental health benefits, giving you a mood boost and helping reduce anxiety.
More confidence. Running alone gives you a confidence boost and will make you feel like you can take on the world.
Flexible scheduling. If you have a busy or unpredictable schedule, running by yourself offers more flexibility than running with a group, where you have to be at a set time and place. Lots of runners enjoy the freedom of being solo runners.
Safety Tips for Running Solo
I enjoy running solo in the city.
When you’re running alone, it’s important to take some safety precautions and be aware of your surroundings. Here are some safety tips to boost your personal safety on the run:
Let someone know where you’ll be running and when. The easiest way to share your location is to use a running app like Strava, where you can share your location with a trusted contact to allow them to track your run live. This is an especially popular feature for female runners but is just as helpful for their male counterparts. Unexpected issues can arise for anyone on the run, and sharing your location will enable your contact to send help if you get stuck, lost, or incapacitated on a run.
Stick to areas with other people. In general, it’s safest to run in areas with other runners. If you’re hitting isolated trails or areas without many people, stay alert and do not use headphones so you can hear what’s going on around you.
Map out your routes in advance, especially for running in new areas. Make sure you know where you’re going. Using Google Maps is a quick way to see where you are on the run if you get lost or confused.
Run during daylight hours. In general, it’s safest to run during the time of day when there is light outside so you can see your surroundings. Running at night can be a thrilling experience, but it’s best to do it with other people.
Carry a personal safety device if you feel it can help you. Many runners carry pepper spray or a personal alarm such as a whistle or button that can make an alert in emergencies.
Go with your gut instinct. If you have a feeling someone is unsafe or threatening, or if you’re being harassed, try to get out of their proximity. Do not worry about being polite or socially acceptable. Take care of yourself foremost. Although no one deserves to be harassed or threatened while running, unfortunately, it can happen. Get away from the perpetrator as quickly as you can. Report them if you feel it will help.
A running buddy makes workouts more fun.
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Running with Others
Running solo is sublime, but social runs can also be fun and give you a boost of motivation. If you want to mix up your routine, find a running partner to log some miles together. One of my favorite parts of running is training for races with a friend and racing together. A running buddy can make even the most challenging races more fun.
The running community is very supportive, which is always on display by people cheering during races ranging from local 5Ks to the New York City Marathon. Signing up for a race is a great way to join the running community and get extra motivation and cheers from fellow runners and running fans.
Training
If you’d like to train for a race, following a training plan is the best way to perform your best while minimizing your risk of injuries. Visit the Runstreet Training Center for training plans that will help you step up to a whole new level of running.
Whether you run alone or with friends, may you have many thrilling miles ahead. Happy running to you!
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Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach based in Brooklyn, NY. Marnie likes helping people get and stay active to enjoy a better quality of life. When she’s not doing fitness things, Marnie enjoys exploring with her dog, a mischievous rescue Akita.
