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Training Style Survey - alone or with Partners
Dino's comments in the Coach R departure thread (and my snarky attempt at a humorous answer) got me thinking about how most of us train. I know I do most of my training alone, Swim, Bike & run, for a number of reasons.
I am curious what others do in these situations.
the other interesting thing socially is that most of my bike groups started as different groups of people and I've actually seen the swim and bike groups collide organically out there, so the social aspect is there on strava, the pool & get togethers. when not in IM prep mode, I will do a lot of group rides, which is great and can join plenty of post ride BBQs..
- Swim - just quicker and easier to get to the pool on my own, get it done, get out. That said, there are a fair # of tri folks at the pool and I've become good friends with a number of them.
- Bike - I have three different groups to do group rides with, some are just hardcore recreational riders, others are tri-folks. I have not found any that get the idea of riding steady power and that live close enough. When I do my long rides, I like to get out 30 minutes after the sun is up (which this week is 5:30 am) so I can still do things with the kids or Jill after my ride.. Thus, I often go alone, possibly hooking up for an hour or so with the group.
- Run - Again, particularly for the daily run, I live 200 yards off of a bike path and it's easier to just go out. I also don't have to deal with my pace vs their pace and can get my legs to do what they want when they want.
I am curious what others do in these situations.
the other interesting thing socially is that most of my bike groups started as different groups of people and I've actually seen the swim and bike groups collide organically out there, so the social aspect is there on strava, the pool & get togethers. when not in IM prep mode, I will do a lot of group rides, which is great and can join plenty of post ride BBQs..
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Bike: group rides early season and post tri season, riding like a roadie. Solo long rides during tri training on the TT bike.
Run: all solo.
Swim-ex D1 swimmer so hard to find a lane that works and they usually practice when I can't.
Bike-I ride only on my Computrainer. I don't like biking alone, too many people hit by cars in my area, nobody is going to do sets with me, get a better workout on my trainer.
Run-I get it done when I can right our my front door at my speed and can do my workout.
I try to do my long runs with my husband but this hasn't worked out so far this year as we're training for two different events at different times of the year.
In the summer I swim in my local lake with my husband and attend Masters swimming in the Winter.
In general I prefer training on my own. I am in control of the session and it is my de-stress time. However it can be hard getting out of the door, but once out I love it.
I always thought I was a minority doing most of the training on my own, but it appears this is not the case. This is good to know
When I ride with friends its mostly for fun
Bike: alone 99%. occasional group rides in the fall and spring
run: alone except for occasional easy runs with SO.
I enjoy being social but its just too difficult to coordinate what I need to do (either easy or hard), and when I need to do it, with other people's agendas.
Bike - Alone, like others, I can't find anyone who wants to a) do the work, b) do the milage. Ill maybe do 1 or 2 group rides with my local tri club but these tend to be "ego fests", so don't get involved that often.
Run - Alone, last year managed to co-ordinate my long runs with my wife, but this year we're on different schedules.
To be honest, I don't mind my own company & pretty happy training on my own 99% of the time as I can go straight from my door, at time that suits me, usually very early in the morning so I can have the afternoon with my wife & dog.
OWS with a group for safety.
Rides - I've made friends with my trainer and TrainerRoad so I do the interval workouts there. For long rides, I enjoy going with a group although I have the same issues with power. I have decided to just ride with the group and treat the workout more like a long interval session. The final few weeks of race prep I do the long rides on the trainer at constant power.
The majority of cycling is done either in the early AM or late PM (into the earlier AM) when my family is sleeping. The majority of my running is done during my lunch break at work. I'll sometimes sneak in a run in while the kiddos are at dance classes on a Saturday.
Swimming is a work in progress. Pool time will be either in the morning or at home on the VASA this season.
I completed a big bike week last week: 23 hours for 395 miles all solo on the trainer (at home and in my office) or out on the road during my lunch break.
Cycling: I lead a short (25) group ride every other Saturday but I train alone. I don't mind the occasional partner but I really vary in my training depending on how I'm feeling or if/how much running follows. I don't like holding up others and I don't want to feel obligated to alter my pace to avoid dropping someone.
Running: 100% alone and I wouldn't want it any other way. I don't like chatting while running. Running is my escape from all the craziness in my life so it's "me time." Earbuds go in, pace is set and sometimes, I don't even have a defined route. I just go and I know the area well enough to turn where I need to, to add on/cut short.
I do prefer training with others but in this busy world of competing priorities I choose to focus on quality and ROI of my training time and sacrifice the social/enjoyment factor. It does make the few infusions of social training each year (e.g. Aspen Camp, occasional group rides) even more enjoyable, however.
As to the question I train pretty much alone as I like to just jump on my bike or go out for a run. My wife will come on the occasional run or she did in 2015 when we did not have a kid. Now it's 100% alone.
-inside almost always alone. I should be swimming with a group, for help and accountability, but hasn't happened yet.
-outside (OWS) with at least one other person, usually via a group/local club workout, don't think it's safe otherwise.
BIKE:
-inside both by myself and with others (ex, winter/OS).
-on-road both by myself and with others (ex, long rides and interval days).
-off-road (mtb) with at least one other person, don't think it's safe otherwise.
RUN:
-inside by myself (dreadmill).
-on-road outside mostly by myself.
-do track sometimes, usually via a group/local club workout.
-off-road with at least one other person, don't think it's safe otherwise.
Bike - 99% alone. Maybe meet someone before / after but skillset isn't there to ride with too many others.
Run - lately, with one or more others. I have found some faster folks and a friend has moved a few miles away. It sure makes the hard workouts a bit more bearable. Like the old saying goes, "misery loves company". Sometimes, I do need to run alone. I enjoy the meditative state.