Is loneliness a limiter in your training? (Page 2)

Nah. While it would be nice to train with others, my schedule simply doesn't allow me the flexibility to do many group swims, runs or rides, so I do over 90% of my training alone.

No. Doesn't bother me at all.

Although I do prefer company on long (16+ mile) training runs, and I enjoy group rides on the bike.

I enjoy the solitude of solo training.  It's one of the things that draws me to the sport.

My primary limiters are time available for training and the need for increased recovery time as I get older.

Mark

No, I mostly enjoy working out solo. I like not having to worry about my pace versus someones elses. Push it when I want, slow down when I want, and not worry about someone being left behind (myself included).

I will say that it helps that my wife is also active. If she is in the midst of training for a big event it motivates me even more to get my own training done. If I were single and alone, my workouts would still get done, just without that extra boost she can create.

Add me to the no category. I prefer training alone. I use the time to think through work activities that can't be done when answering emails or in meetings, or catch up on movies/TV shows, or just listen to music I like.

Nope.  95% of my training is alone and I prefer it that way.  Lately though one of my cross country runners has been coming along with me on my Thursday morning 10 milers (I run before school so it's completely in the dark except for our headlamps of course) and on my Sunday long runs.  I have to say I have enjoyed just having another body out there slogging out the miles.  Sometimes though I will tell him to run ahead of me so I can focus...after about 13 miles or so I get a little crabby and just want to be alone. 

Like others have posted, my training time is my only 'me' time.  I cherish it.

I doubt more than a few folks here train for more than 3-4 workouts with a group regularly. I suspect it's a lot closer to 1 workout per week or less on average. 

It's the MONTHS on end with no group participation that I find challenging. One workout with a group per week is a luxury for me. Going 2-3months  with zero group rides and zero group runs, and swimming only at times where there are basically nobody in the pool while putting up 8-10 hours of training per week is what I find challenging. THrow in even 4 group rides in there and it's an order of magnitude better.

Nope. Move to NYC if you're lonely. There's always a million ppl outside running or biking with you.

Definitely no -- it's "me" time.

japarker24: You're in my area, want to train together sometime?

I will buck the trend and say YES.

Unlike others, I got into the sport to meet new people that shared a lifestyle that I wanted to change to.  I'm 30...so I'm at that age where you transition out of your college lifestyle.  It spent most of my early 20's with my college friends, drinking 4 nights a week, playing basketball 2-3x per week, softball, etc.  That was my social life.

Then things started to change.  Some of my friends were getting married, we stopped going out as often, we stopped playing basketball...so I had a lot more free time.  I also wanted to get into shape...so I got into endurance training.

Granted I know that a good chunk of my training is solo...but what keeps my interest is the 2x that I get to see people at masters class...and the long ride and long run that I get to see my training friends.  We usually go out to eat lunch or breakfast after our weekend training, so it's very much a part of my social life.  If I had to do this completely on my own, I probably would quit...simply because I'd like to fill my free time with more social interaction.  Maybe I would take up group basket weaving???

Granted, I'm not married and don't have kids...so it's probably different for me.  I can see how others might like their training as their alone time.  I'm the opposite way.  I also met my GF through group training...so it has it's perks.

No

I train mostly alone and I am able to motivate myself. I love it when my husband is able to train with me when he is able to, but that doesn't happen very often, and him not being able to train with me doesn't stop me. I like to do my long runs on Saturday mornings, Friday nights I will say what time I am leaving and how far I am running, and he decides if he will go with me or not. He works really hard so I never expect him to come, he is usually beat up from work. With or without a partner I can get the training in no problem

i always train alone, and don't feel training alone limits me. it actually gives me more flexilbility when i can train.

however, i rarely train with people, so while i like training alone, i don't actually have any emperical evidence that i am better off than if i trained with people more.

Yes it can be. Currently it isn't though.

Since I started training, I've swam with a master's club and biked with club or team. When I ran, I joined a run club and running was definitely the sport I enjoyed least and did the least. I barely ever ran on my own, so I'd really only run once or twice a week. Once a week with a run club, then other runs whenever I had someone to run with.

I sometimes ride alone now, but I ride 5-6 times a week and probably only ride alone once a week. I never swim alone.

Right now, weather seems to be a limiter in my training. It's hard to motivate myself to ride in the pouring rain. It helps to ride with others.

In the three years I've been back to triathlon I have NEVER gone on a group ride or a group run. I wait until after 8pm to swim because there is no one else in the pool.  I'm around people all day.....keep them away from me when I'm training.