I want your opinions on this, because I'm almost done college and want to secure a good job soon; and am thinking that having a coach and scheduled practices/track races will only interfere with my working career. Is it better to just train on my own and do road races, maybe making a grand or two a year off of them if I manage to place high? I don't want my job to cause me to give up the sport, but I think I have to give up some aspects now that I will have more responsibilities...
What makes you think that a club or a coach would want you?
In terms of freedom and flexibility, sure.
It's very hard to push yourself and stick to a routine if you're not involved with a club/team. I'd much rather be on a team. It keeps you accountable. I've found it's been way too easy to make excuses when on my own.
Maybe you're different and will have to find out yourself. I've been incredibly mediocre on my own.
How it works when you're running post-collegiately is that everyone has a job and other responsibilities that take first priority, so you just do the best you can. If the club does workouts on Wednesdays and Saturdays, some people can only make it Wednesdays, some only Saturdays, some you might not see for a few weeks until the next race. Just how it goes, everyone is trying to train around their real life schedule.
So I think you should join up with a club & coach, then attend group runs & workouts as much as you can, but realize there will be a lot of times you're doing stuff solo.
time to grow up
either figure out how you can balance both hobby and career or throw in the towel.
if you are struggling this much, then it sounds as if you should call it quits.
Get some pimp papers, invest in stocks, retire
It depends on what type of runner you are as well, intrinsically vs extrinsically motivated.
Personally, I've gotten faster at every distance from 5k to the marathon since graduating from college training on my own. Training on my own allows for me to run everything on my schedule whenever it's convienient for me. Yes, it's selfish...but whatever it takes for you to get in the mileage, workouts, long runs, etc., is the way to go. That said, there are times when I wish I had someone to run with.
Well college practice was usually at least 3 hours long a day for me, and then the 12 hour track meets on the weekend. Now I run for a bit over an hour a day. Lots of extra time.
pablo wrote:
It depends on what type of runner you are as well, intrinsically vs extrinsically motivated.
Personally, I've gotten faster at every distance from 5k to the marathon since graduating from college training on my own. Training on my own allows for me to run everything on my schedule whenever it's convienient for me. Yes, it's selfish...but whatever it takes for you to get in the mileage, workouts, long runs, etc., is the way to go. That said, there are times when I wish I had someone to run with.
I agree with all of this. Been on my own for a year now and would like to join a club but I do enjoy setting my own schedule and listening to my body 100% now. For me this is optimal right now as I have a job where I'm on my feet 7-8 hours a day (retail manager), some days I plan workouts and decide im too tired and other days I go out and really hammer.
As others have said though, it's really about you and whether joining a club is right for you, there is no right/wrong answer.