By Hybrid Running
Running within a running community, whether that be virtual, global or local, can
provide many benefits to you, as a runner. As the psychologist, Elton Mayo
identifies within a business environment, that working in a social environment
will create a more motivated and efficient workforce. So why is that disregarded
when we take a look at running? So, you want to be faster and more efficient?
As Mayo showed improving efficiency is not affected by external factors, such
as heat or light, it is affected by the social element. As runners, we want to be
faster and more efficient and it has been proven efficiency is increased by social
interactions.
Running in a community can provide many benefits, mentally and physically. We
are going to identify a few throughout this article and help you to embrace the
running community.
Mental Benefits
We all know that running releases endorphins, making us happy, which makes running so appealing to many people but by adding a social element can increase our happiness, and, as earlier identified, our motivation. Getting out of bed early in the morning or going out for a run anytime in the day is hard but you can make this easier by joining a running community. Making friends and becoming connected to a community will give you something to run for or if you just want a nice outing, a reason to meet up with a friend. We know this can be tough on a global and virtual level but we have identified the benefits of these communities.
Running in a virtual community can help you become more connected with new people, you can find new friends and become culturally diverse, and can give you goals. On Strava, an online running community, you have challenges and leader boards which can increase motivation and benefit you as a runner as you run for them. In addition, the club events feature allows you to feel apart of an event on a grand scale. If you know someone is, also, doing it, you will do it.
Overall, mentally a running community is a great place to be and it can, also, remove the stresses of life and work as you can express yourself in another community of practice, as identified by sociologists Lave and Wenger.
Physical Benefits
We don't need to tell you that running improves your health but running as a community can increase your strength, endurance and speed. How?
Training with people faster or slower can help your, overall, heart rate, as discussed in a past blog post, so why not have a conversation while your running? Running with a faster, training, partner or a slower, training, partner is very beneficial to both of you, as athletes, because you can challenge each other. This, in turn, will help you to improve speed and endurance.
How will I do this in a virtual community? Easy. There is a leader board within Strava that allows to compare mileage and, knowing runners, we know you can be competitive; so, compete. But make sure you don't run a stupendous number of miles that you can't sustain, you'll just get injured. Also, commenting on each other's runs and offering tips is very beneficial to both the 'giver' and 'receiver' as they can both understand what is hindering and aiding progression.
Overall, running in a community is very beneficial and we believe that running as a community is the key to running progression as socialising has been identified to be the answer to efficiency and motivation. Wondering how to join a community? Search on the internet for local groups or Strava for a virtual one, if you don't want the time commitment.
You can join the Hybrid Running Community here: https://www.strava.com/clubs/hybridrunningcommunity?utm_source=com.goog le.android.apps.docs&utm_medium=referral
Summit Crazy https://www.strava.com/clubs/summitcrazy