Running Clubs, Groups, and Partners: online walking/running partner

I live in a small town and I only know 1 other women who runs, but she does marathons I have just started and can't quite run a mile yet!

 I want to connect with someone on line to help keep me motivated, to challenge me, to hold me accountable!

I can't go online everyday, but want someone to connect with.

I try to walk 3-4 times a week, run 1 time a week, (i have 2 girls that I take in a running stoller) garden at least 2 times a week (right now less than that since our garden is just being planted) and do maybe 1 exercise video a week.

Anyone else from a small town and needs a online running partner?

 

Amy

Hey Amy

Well I'm not in a small town but haven't found anyone round here that walks.  I'm a walker not a runner!! lol Every time I try and run my knees and shins kill so figured I'm getting a good workout walking and not feeling intense pain.  I've only just started the last few weeks but have already felt the benefit and have entered myself for a sponsored walk at the end of the month, it's given me a great insentive to keep it up.

Keep on going!!

Steph

I have just turned 30 and I have a 2 year old daughter but I would love to start running, but like you all, I don't have anyone to go with!  Being an online buddy partner sounds like a good idea.  I live in the UK where are you all from?

Hi Amy!  I do a run/walk combo.  I started with the Crim organization here in Michigan that train with the Jeff Galloway method (see above post) and I've done it for two summers now.  I'm not a long distance runner (who has the time?) but TRY to do it enough to get into shape.  I just had my second son three months ago and it's hard to get back into the swing of things.  Right now I'm only up to 2 miles but I"m increasing each time I'm out.  I'd love to have an online group that I can be accountable to.  Count me in! 

Hi Amy,  I live in a small town as well and find it hard to stay motivated with my running.  I love how I feel after I run but to do it often enough is very hard.  Count me in for an online buddy.  I would like to keep it up so that i can loose some weight and stay in shape.  An online group sounds good as well. 

Hi people

I started walking with tiny amounts of jogging (was a great success when I first managed 3 mins!!) over a year ago. Now can jog/walk for an hour or more which I'm still amazed at. Yes, life will always get in the way and there'll always be days when it's just easier not to go. 

If it helps at all, the very best thing I ever did to get me motivated to keep going out was signing up for a short charity run with a friend. That gave me a specific date and goal to work towards, and having a friend commit too made me keep going in training, and gave me the oomph I needed on the day.  Two 5k and one 10k run behind me, I'm still shocked I've made it this far.  If i hadn't signed up for another run in late November, I wouldn't have gone out on such a cold, blustery day as today.

If you've no-one to sign up to the same race as you - perhaps some of your online buddies can agree to find a race in the same month and you can keep each other going? Just a thought.

Just remember what a good friend told me when I was regularly frustrated that I wasn't as good as I wanted to be yet.. most people can't even run for a bus and look at what you can do!

Good luck

Caroline

Hello to Amy and all:

 I wish I was a brave as Dianh and would bundle up to face the winter wind.  Truth is - I can't locate my long running pants (at least not right now).  For the past several years I have made it a point to go for a run on January 1 - just to start the year off right.  I suggest the same for you.

 Although I have seen Jeff Galloway at Grandma's Marathon, my preference is for Hal Higdon.  Go to his website and download training routines for most distances.  I used Team-in-Training for my first LONG DISTANCE race (the Indy Mini - 2002) and have been HOOKED ever since. 

It isn't easy to lace up your shoes to run (I am not even in a town now - 5 miles to the nearest town of 600).  I know it is 5 miles to the bank, because I use that route as  one of my traininng runs (5 into the bank potty stop and water and 5 back home). 

On line running buddie is a terrific idea.  Count me in.  My training log doesn't have very many running miles for the past two months, but training for the 2009 Mini starts in January.  I agree with the comments above - get a goal (like a local 5K) and training for that.  For the past two years, I have run 'The Penguin in the Park" (for John Bingham - one of my favorite non-running runners), and have won my division both times (first I was the oldest in the division and the second year I had changed divisions two days before).  My goals are modest these days - to not be last and to finish.  I usually end up in the top 25%, but after you are 60, there isn't much competition!

Let's keep the group motivated and "Waddle on" friends!