I will be celebrating 29 years since racing my first triathlon on June 12th, 1992. Within these 29 years, I have a swum with one master swim program, 1999-2004 before becoming the masters swim coach, cycled three years with the local Cycling Team and ran a couple months with a local running group.

I would enjoy a few rides with a group of athletes for social camaraderie or who was slightly faster than me,  unfortunately, most groups I have tried to ride with are usually too fast or too slow or involve and involve a structure that is not part of my training plan.  I liked the group track sessions, but my schedule changed and the one I could attend did not work.  Masters swim programs often involve sets that give me too much rest and I never feel like I get my desired swim workout.

I understand the value of training with a group. Motivation, accountability, friendship, and fun.  I started a triathlon club, coached the CSU Triathlon Team, coached two different Masters swim programs and started Team Trifecta in 2008 (weekly coached rides and runs) to help keep athletes motivated and on track and to educate beginners with hands-on technique.

I am sure most of you can agree, the weekly longer bike and run sessions provide the most “fun” and entertainment to make the workout go by faster.

When it comes to my own workouts, I enjoy the solitude and training at my own pace on my own time frame without the distraction of others. My long runs and rides are my thinking/processing time. I tend to create athlete training plans for the people I coach, and get inspired to write an article or blog while riding. Being able to self-monitor is very important in long races, and training alone on long rides and runs is the best way of achieving this for me.

I do not do much open water swim training, I prefer to swim in the pool. I don’t push myself in group open water sessions and tend to get distracted by helping others get comfortable in the open water, acclimating to the temperature or learning how to breathe or sight more effectively.

Since moving to Georgia I joined a local Triathlon Team in with the desire to try the group training thing again and every week they send out the weekend schedule, it does not mesh with mine. With work and family obligations, as most of us have other priorities and commitments to attend to.

The upside of training with partner or group:

• Motivation and the prospect of being “pulled” to work harder by stronger athletes.
• You can learn a lot very quickly from other, more experienced triathletes.
• The miles on the bike can go by quickly if you have others to chat with.
  Swimming with a masters swim group with pool-based coaching is very helpful. The coaches tend to push you that little bit more or correct stroke flaws you might not be aware of.
• Training with others and observing them can help you improve or detect technique flaws, as well.

The downside of training with a partner or group

• One training plan does not fit everyone. For best results for YOU, stick to a plan – your plan, and your workouts – and sometimes the group dynamic does not permit that.
• You give up the control of setting your own schedule and can end up relying on other people.
• Training alone can also be very good for mental toughness if you are honest with your efforts. Remember, one good workout done at the right level of effort and with good form beats five crappy workouts done without thought.
• Your training partner/group is most likely training for different events than you are, and have their own schedules to follow.
• In triathlon, you race alone – not in a group. While training for an Ironman, solitary training gets you used to long periods of time on the course that you will spend with only your own thoughts for entertainment or annoyance.

Be a Solo Act and Team Player

• Get a good plan based on your current level of fitness and, if possible, get some feedback from a local coach to check in on your form occasionally.
• Most people do their long rides on the weekends, which is the perfect time for you to line up riding buddies to go for some or all of your long rides. This makes it somewhat of an adventure, but also makes it safer. It’s also a good idea to switch up your long run. If you do your long ride on Saturday or Sunday, get in a long run on a Thursday.
• When training for a long event, I recommend training solo for at least 50 percent of your long distance miles. This avoids the urge to slow your pace or work to keep up with or beat your training buddy and take your training session into the wrong training zone in the process.
  When you have a hard session, based on your individual training plan, it can be good to have a stronger training partner around to make you push a little harder.
• Train alone during the weekdays (it is easier to schedule), and with friends on the weekends when you do your longer sessions. That way, you can get your big miles in with a bit of socializing, and the miles tend to go by a bit quicker.
• It is important to train properly, at your fitness level, but you probably get something else out of spending a day riding with friends. You may or may not go as fast as you would individually, but you are likely to have enjoyed the ride. Unless you are an elite competitor and are going for a spot on the podium, it is better not to get obsessed. Train, sweat, and share “punishment” with friends.

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