Physical Therapy in Perry Hall , Towson and Lutherville for Running

Q: I’ve decided to run a marathon! Should I train alone or with a group?

A: As a marathon medical director, I find everyone has her/his own favorite ways to exercise and train. Because of busy schedules and individual preferences, some people enjoy running on their own at their personal time and pace. This is the way to go if you prefer an exact schedule or if you’re a disciplined runner. On the other hand, seeing people at the finish line who have run and trained together celebrating their accomplishment is truly inspiring. Running with others can help motivate you to stay consistent. Also, it’s valuable to learn from other people’s experiences and advice, which you can gain through group running or a running coach. Finally, it can be fun and social to participate with others, since training can take several months. If you do prefer to train alone, you can still occasionally run with others and talk to people you know who are runners to make sure you get tips for training. Following a prescribed schedule or book is good for marathon beginners. You can also talk to your local sports medicine specialist (i.e., doctor, Physical Therapist or trainer). Marathon training should be an enjoyable experience and will certainly be a highlight life achievement.