All By Myself (and That’s Just Fine)

I write a lot about how often I work out with other people. I take swim classes, I go on group runs, I’ve even joined in on some group bike rides (which is a new and slightly scary experience for me). Even when I work out at home, much of the time my husband can be talked into running or doing a yoga DVD with me.

I firmly stand by my declaration that making workouts social helps to make them stick, but lately, I’ve gotten in a few solo workouts, and it reminded me of the value in those. Last night, it was cold and drizzling after a chilly, rainy day, but I needed to get in a run. I laced up my shoes, layered up, leashed up the dogs and hit the road. Well, in my neighborhood, anyway.

I ran alone (save for the canine companions, who don’t talk much), and because it was so wet out, I left my iPod at home. I just put one foot in front of the other with very little attention paid to the distance or the time or my heart rate or anything. I wasn’t trying to keep up with anyone. I wasn’t running away from anything. I just did my thing and let my mind wander, but focused on keeping my thoughts positive and uplifting.

It was kind of great.

Jogging for 45 minutes, alone with my thoughts, isn’t likely to turn into my idea of a perfect workout (or even a particularly fun time, for that matter). But for some reason, it seemed to be just what I needed (although I wouldn’t have minded a little help on doggie doo duty—really, Hollie? You have to poop three separate times on one run?).

Do you tend toward the group workouts, or are you a solo exerciser? Or do you, like me, fall somewhere in between, acknowledging the benefits of both? —Kristen