How Can I Find Someone to Run With?

What Are the Benefits of a Running Group?

• Motivate Each Other – If you struggle to self-motivate, a running group is perfect for you! The people you meet at run group can become good friends who cheer you on and encourage you. Plus you can motivate them, too. It’s a huge benefit to have that accountability when you know there are people who can help you find your get up and go.
• Setting Realistic Goals – As you listen to the goals that other runners are making, you can re-evaluate your own goals. Ask yourself if your goals are realistic. It can be helpful to get input from other people who are trying to accomplish similar things.
• The Elites Train Together, Too – Even the pro athletes and Olympic competitors train with teammates and others at their level of athleticism. Race day might be a solo run for them (and for you), but the training does not have to be done alone. It’s actually better if you don’t go it alone.

• Dial It In – Once you’re part of a running group, you might discover you can do more than you thought. You’ll be amazed how the time running and the distances don’t seem so far or so long when you’re running with other people. Seriously! Come test it out for yourself at a Group Run.
• Consistency = Improvement – Maybe you’ve been drained by the constant uphill climb of stop/start exercise. When you join a regular running group or running club, that consistency of showing up will help you improve in all areas of your running. It becomes less and less hard when you’re consistent.
• Find Your Pace Buddy – We can’t promise that you’ll find a new best friend at running group, but you just might find a pace buddy. You don’t have to be fast, either. At a running group, there are people who will be running or walking at your speed. Over time, you just might find that running buddy who turns into a good friend.

How Do I Find Someone to Run With?

We’ve given you the breakdown when it comes to the benefits of a running group. Now what? If you’re wondering how to find someone to run with, we’ve got you covered. Here are some logistical tools for anyone looking for a running group.

• Find a Local Running Store – If you’re in the Tampa Bay Area, then come to St. Pete Running Company. We’re located at 6986 22nd Ave N in St. Pete, Florida, near Tyrone Mall. Wherever you live, find your local running shop and ask the people who work there about their group runs. Most of them will likely have a free group run for you to join. If they don’t host group runs, they should know where you can find a group run in your area.
• Check Your Area for Local Running Clubs – In St. Pete, there are several running clubs that you might be interested in checking out. St. Pete Running Company also has a free running club that you can join called Run St. Pete. Click the link to join the Facebook group. Here are a few other local running clubs in our area that you can search for online (not an exhaustive list):
  • Pinellas Run Club
  • Gulfport Brewery Run Club
  • Matter of Fact Run Club
  • Outta Pocket Track Club
• Show Up at a Group Run – This step just might be the hardest one you’ll take. Once you discover where and when the local running group meets, simply showing up, especially if you’re new to the area and don’t know anyone, can be very intimidating. You can do this! Go for it! You’ll be so glad you took that important step of showing up. At St. Pete Running Company, our Group Runs are every Monday and Thursday at 6:30 PM. We have an amazing community of people who come to the running group. It’s a non-intimidating, fun group with all levels of walkers, joggers, and runners, so you’ll fit right in.
  • When to meet: Every Monday/Thursday at 6:30 PM
  • Where to meet: St. Pete Running Co, 6986 22nd Ave N, St. Pete, FL 33710
• Ask About Pace Groups – At St. Pete Running Company, we help walkers and joggers get into pace groups before we take off for our Group Run. That means you’ll be jogging or walking beside people who are interested in going the same speed that you’re going. Wherever you live, ask the local running store or running club to help you find the people who will be walking or jogging at your pace during their group run.
• Talk to the People Near You – This might sound obvious, but it’s not easy for everyone. When you find yourself beside a few people who are going about the same speed as you are, it’s a great opportunity to talk to them and get to know them. A great kick-off question would be: are you training for anything? And be sure to fill them in on what you’re training for, too.

Join a Training Group

This is one of the best pieces of advice we can give you when you’re looking for someone to run with! Join a training group, such as our Summer Speed Project: 3-Week Conditioning & Running Challenge Track Program or our upcoming Half Marathon Training Program (details coming soon!). Why is this so essential? Because you’ll be joining a group of runners who will be training for the same goal as you. These are also coached training programs and you’ll be able to train alongside runners in your pace range.

3-Week Conditioning & Running Challenge Kick-Off

Join us for this Summer Speed Project and finish off your summer with a bang. Here are all the details and you can RSVP for the kick-off event on Facebook HERE.

What: Get ready to supercharge your summer with our exclusive 3-week Speed and Conditioning Program!

Who: Anyone who can run for 1-2 minutes without stopping and wants to improve their running. Participants must be healthy enough for vigorous running, strengthening, and similar activities.

When: Kick-Off Wednesday, 8/21 at 6:30 PM (arrive by 6:15 PM)

Where: Northside Christian School Track: 7777 62nd Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33709

Register online: https://stpeterunningco.com/shop-online/?fp=summer-speed-project-2024

Click the registration link to learn more about the program.