Why you need a running group and coach

Several running friends and acquaintances I know train on their own. I used to too.
Not to say "this is wrong and this is right" - who am I to judge after all.. But. 

It's just easier when you run with a group and have a coach. I don't just mean the technicalities and logistics of it - how much to run (in time or distance?), when, how much on which day, how to vary your training (with intervals, fartleks, tempo's, long goal-pace, easy recovery pace, strength training , etc), - though that's very important. How will you get support on longer runs (water, electrolytes, food)? 

A group, more a community really, nourished by good coaches and members, is something I and so many friends have been lucky enough to enjoy for many years now: I run with Runner's High in Bangalore, a brilliant example of what a good community is like and can guide us to achieve. Not just in running.

My coach, Santhosh P, furnished me with a schedule to train for the upcoming Nilgiris Ultra (50k). Without it I'd be stabbing in the dark as to how exactly to approach and train for a challenge like this. More to the point, there were so many runs on which I'm sure I would have convinced myself to just "take it easy" or even just skip. But knowing that he's watching my running log goes a long way to ensuring that I do it, stick to schedule. (That's perhaps really the most important thing: stick to schedule and it all falls into place). Consistency is key. 

Some random thoughts on the Why of Running

To be taken with a healthy dose of humour please!

Why do we run?

Ah. The never-ending question - from folks who do not (yet) run, of course.
I don't have an answer.
Or do I have too many? (Please take a peek at my Favourite Running Quotes post).

I just know that it helps in many ways - physically, mentally, spiritually. How exactly, you say (suppressing  a grin at how easily you've got me stumped)?? Just try it, I say (suppressing  the same).

(Starting to Run)
But hang on: "trying" running, for many, would mean something like running once or twice or a few times at best, feeling the discomfort and hating it.
Yes?

It's like anything else: it takes a lot of time, work and patience. Before you even start to get a glimmer of how amazing it can be!

Many people say, we started running but, y'know, got this and that injury, and decided to forget it. How can you blame me??

Right. Only,  here's the thing: don't run to get strong, get strong to run. Injuries will pretty much vanish.
Also, take it really easy - slowly, gently. Training for a marathon comes after training for and running a half-marathon, which comes after training for and running a 10k, which comes ....... you get the idea. Start with a 5k goal okay.

The How-do-the--do-I-respond-to-that Questions

Q. Do you win?    
A. No.                    :-)

Q. What's the prize? 
A. Pam Reed was asked by David Letterman what she got as a prize for winning the Badwater Ultra (135 miles in seriously hot weather etc etc). She said, a belt buckle. He was amused, to say the least.
I got a medal for finishing my marathon (or whichever event), that everyone else who finished also got. (Quizzical look - no money? My advice: let it pass).

Q. So you ran that 21k (or 42k, 50k, 100k, 100 miler, whatever) without stopping?? (WOW, now I'm impressed!)
A. Er, no. I had to eat and sit a bit. Also, I'm not an elite athlete.
(a light dawns in their eyes, Ahhh thank goodness, (s)he's not that good after all!). Annoying, man.

A friend once saw me running and later said, but you were so slow! (Yesterday's tough 25k does not enter their body or consciousness, no). :-D

Q. So, you don't even come close to winning. It's very difficult. So WHY do you run?
A. See above. And:

You know, deep inside, what that long difficult training run brings you: true happiness. Happiness is not to be confused with comfort; quite the opposite in fact. We're truly happy when we're pushing ourselves to achieve something difficult. Growth and comfort do not go together.

Declare Victory.