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Training in Groups vs Training Alone
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Myself Swimming
Group Swimming
Myself Cycling
Group Cycling
Myself Running
Group Running
This is a multiple choice poll.

2011-04-09 9:57 PM


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Subject: Training in Groups vs Training Alone

How do you all do your training?

I enjoy training in a swimming group but am undecided about training in groups for cycling and running.

Mainly because swimming you swim up a length then back a length so it's good if you only want to train for 40 minutes but the group wants to train for an hour. It's easy to hop out early. Also, if you are a bit faster or a bit slower, it's not a big deal as you may only be doing sets of 100-200m etc.

However, in my experience with group training with running and cycling, if you want to go more or less than the group, it's more difficult, as you have to leave the group to turn around and go home or continue to go further once they have all stopped. It's also harder if you are faster/slower than the group since you are out on the road and not doing laps.

Reason I ask is because I recently started running in a running group buy am finding if difficult to mix in with them since we have different training goals, speeds and priorities.

So do you train by yourself or with a group? 



2011-04-09 10:04 PM
in reply to: #3438147

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Expert
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Dodge County, MN (out in the corn)
Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone
I voted "by myself" for all three, but that's probably not exactly accurate.  My husband and I usually go to the pool together and share a lane.  He does his workout and I do mine, usually quitting before he does.  We go to the gym together every morning and go to cycling classes a few times a week.  We used to ride outside together, but he's just so much faster than I am.  It's not a good workout for him to ride with me.  No way could we ever run together either.  A lot of times we will start a workout from home at the same time, but go our separate ways. 
2011-04-09 10:11 PM
in reply to: #3438147

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Master
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Midlothian, VA
Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone

I checked everything except group running.

I swim alone, but have been in a masters class before.

I bike with a group 2 days a week lately and 2 or 3 more times on my own some weeks

I have yet to find any running parters.

 

2011-04-09 10:13 PM
in reply to: #3438147

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Expert
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Fort Riley, Kansas
Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone
I guess I'm a total lone ranger, I train in all 3 sports alone

Edited by jillian_o 2011-04-09 10:14 PM
2011-04-09 10:38 PM
in reply to: #3438147

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Master
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Eugene, Oregon
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Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone

Swimming-Prefer to train in a group, with a coach, but I have done a lot of training on my own. I like the structure and variety of workouts and the feedback that a coach provides, and hard sets are no fun without someone to comiserate with!

Bike-Could go either way. I have trouble finding someone the right speed--others in our little group are either too slow or too fast. We tend to warm up together and then people kind of break off in ones or twos to ride their own pace or follow individual plans.

Run--Almost never run with others, except in a race.  I trained with the guys in high school--they were pretty intense and rarely talked, so I never got used to chatting while running, and can't stand it now. I liked running with teammates for interval workouts in HS and college, but now I'd rather just gasp for breath solo. Really prefer "the loneliness of the long-distance runner"!

 

2011-04-09 10:43 PM
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Master
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St. Louis
Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone
I train alone.  Triathlon is an individual sport and I'm too busy to join group training sessions.  Maybe some day.  It would probably be more fun.


2011-04-10 12:19 AM
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Elite
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Alturas, California
Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone
I train alone... not realy anyone else in my county that trains... for anything.
2011-04-10 12:22 AM
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Master
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Redlands, CA
Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone

I run in groups at times, and do plan to do more rides when the summer months come up.

A fast AG'er once told me, 'To be fast in triathlon, train with swimmers, cyclists, and runners.'  It makes alot of sense but is hard to coordinate.

2011-04-10 3:54 AM
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Extreme Veteran
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Maryland
Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone
I have quite a few friends that are training for tri's, but we can never work out our schedules to work out together. I train in all three alone, seem to find more focus in solitude.
2011-04-10 3:56 AM
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Expert
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Noosa
Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone
I'm not sure of what I really like best; I like the idea of doing more social training and getting involved with groups but I think I'm used to the flexibility and ease of just doing my own thing.
2011-04-10 4:14 AM
in reply to: #3438147


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Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone

Do you train by yourself because it's easier to fit in or because you get better quality training out of it?

Basically, do you think you would get faster training in a group or by yourself?



2011-04-10 5:03 AM
in reply to: #3438164

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone
jillian_o - 2011-04-09 11:13 PMI guess I'm a total lone ranger, I train in all 3 sports alone
X2 for me.... Its more because of scheduling but I guess my OWS will a group
2011-04-10 5:56 AM
in reply to: #3438147

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Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone

I just started training one a day week in the pool with a group. Not quite a master's swim, but it started as a stroke clinic and as it's ending it's more master's-ish. It's nice-it really pushes me.

My goals this year are to do group speed sessions at the track and do more organized rides (which will probably be every other weekend or so).

I'm jealous of the 'active' tri-club members in the tri club I belong to because it seems like they do so much group training and have a nice social network, but I have two school age children who are active and have to be at practice any given night of the week not to mention their games. Getting them where they need to be and especially being at their games is a priority for me. So, I have to start my workouts outs a lot earlier than many.

Thanks for the poll, I thought I was some strange, longer triathlete! I thought a lot of people trained in groups.

2011-04-10 5:58 AM
in reply to: #3438260

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Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone
Flying Kiwi - 2011-04-10 4:14 AM

Do you train by yourself because it's easier to fit in or because you get better quality training out of it?

Basically, do you think you would get faster training in a group or by yourself?

It is WAY better to fit it in when you are on your own accords. I can start at 7am instead of 8:30. Not to mention logistics. Then you have to figure some sort of socializing in the end, whether it's a coffee stop or just talking after the workout.

2011-04-10 7:00 AM
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Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone
Flying Kiwi - 2011-04-10 4:14 AM

Do you train by yourself because it's easier to fit in or because you get better quality training out of it?

Basically, do you think you would get faster training in a group or by yourself?

I would prefer to run with a group for long runs but pace is the biggest issue. I need to run a slower pace than my training friend due to risk of injury. Yes, I can keep up with her but the next day my ankles are not happy.

Cycling I do both. If we can work it out on the schedule we ride together.

Swimming is the same. If our schedule allows, we go to swim class.  One day a week I always swim by myself.

I do think I would get faster training in a group.

2011-04-10 7:05 AM
in reply to: #3438147

Master
2009
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Charlotte, NC
Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone
Mostly alone, sometimes with one other person.  I would like to find a group to ride with but I am so slow I can't bring myself to go to a group ride.  I think I would be too embarassed by my lack of speed.


2011-04-10 7:48 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone
I do 90 - 95% of my training alone, but I am part of a tri team that schedules weekly work outs. When it fits my schedule, I like to swim, ride, or run with a group. It's more fun, and the group tends to push me to do more mileage, or push harder, than I would likely do on my own. There are several bike shops that have group rides. Those are a lot of fun because they tend to push me way out of my comfort zone to where I have to dig deep just to avoid getting dropped by the group. That is a great way to improve your cycling.
2011-04-10 8:11 AM
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Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone

I actually ticked all the boxes.  I belong to a small tri club that swims, runs and rides each week.

Swimming - We swim together on Mon & Wed but I swim alone on Friday's.  Not sure I would put in all the drills and yards she requires if I did it all on my own.

Biking - Long ride with the team every Saturday but trainer and other rides done alone.  Again, left on my own I am not sure I would go the speed nor the distance we go as a team.

Running - we do track work on Wed after swimming but my other runs, including long runs are done alone.  Thankful for our track workout with the team though.  I can do the long runs alone pretty easily but come Wed night I need the structure of the drills, speed work, etc. 

Before starting triathlons I used to always run alone.  It was just so much easier.  But now I find it fun to train with others.

I enjoy both my alone training as well as the team training.

enjoy,

Duane

2011-04-10 8:12 AM
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Extreme Veteran
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Southeast Michigan
Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone
I train mostly alone.  Lunchtime is when I fit in a lot of my swims now, so I head over to the pool from work alone and crank out the yardage there.  I used to run frequently with a friend of mine who also does tri's.  The company on the long runs is good to pass the time and the miles at a comfortable pace.  Otherwise long runs are mental torture.  However he can't keep up with me on anything shorter than 8 miles, so we only do the long runs together when we do.  Biking is the best chance to get together to train with others since I know a few people of comparable ability there.  The weather is JUST now here getting to be ok for outdoor cycling.  Otherwise I've spent a lot of hours alone in my basement on the trainer.
2011-04-10 8:18 AM
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Extreme Veteran
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Rochester, NY
Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone
I do it all alone except maybe when it gets closer to the race date where I will go with some fiends that are doing the same race so we can try out the actual race path for each.
2011-04-10 9:11 AM
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Master
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Sunny Southern Cal
Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone
Usually on my own for all three, and sometimes I ride with a friend or small group.  Rarely a larger group.  Running, I like to go my own pace w/o the pressure to run faster.  Swimming I do solo in my own pool.


2011-04-10 9:49 AM
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Champion
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Philly 'burbs
Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone
I do 90% of my training alone and I like it that way. Every now and then I'll cycle with one or two others, but I prefer solo work.
2011-04-10 4:38 PM
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Veteran
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Southampton, Ontario
Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone
I run with a group on Sundays but even then I jump from pack to pack to find a good pace. I have also run with a friend a few times on long runs and it helps pass the time and we motivate each other. Never biked in a ground and have never swam in a group.
2011-04-10 5:13 PM
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Regular
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Colorado Springs, Colorado
Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone
I've always trained on my own, though sometimes I'm forced to run in groups. I prefer setting my own pace and dictating my own natural cycles of slowing and speeding up. Otherwise I can't seem to find a rhythm in the pack.

Edited by Suss 2011-04-10 5:14 PM
2011-04-10 6:27 PM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: Training in Groups vs Training Alone
I am a lone ranger as well...no one else I know is crazy enough to get up between 3:30-4:00am to train with me.  Plus, no one my age (40) could keep up with me--not that I'm so fast but they're all so, well, don't move.  All my swimming is in OW--I swim alone but bring along a spotter each time.
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