The Art of Going Solo

Are you someone who is afraid to run alone in the mountains? I am, sometimes. I always seem to get spooked by some made-for-TV scenario I’ve conjured up in my very creative brain. That said, I love trails and I relish every moment I spend on them—that is, in a race with other people or while trail running with friends.

I don’t lack running partners. My circle of running friends and acquaintances has grown and yet, mosf of the times I still find myself running alone. Whether due to conflicting schedules or a desire to have some time to myself, recently I’ve found that I have done all of my runs solo.

I don’t mind, I never have. I value the solitude that running alone offers. With just the sound of my feet as they move across the dirt and over rocks, I find the time I spend in my own head relaxing and meditative. I can run for hours alone. Connecting with nature and my surroundings is what draws me there in the first place, so I value the time I have in building that relationship stronger.

Running solo allows me to tap more directly into my senses. Certainly, this can happen with a group, as well, but in my experience I find it easier to be mindful of the sensory experience of running when I am by myself. Running alone gives me license to be self-absorbed. When I am running on my own I don’t need to expend energy worrying about anyone else nor do I need to concern myself with others’ problems. On a long, solo run, it’s just me and my hopes and dreams, triumphs and tragedies, and wants and desires. I am, in those moments of solitude, beholden to nobody but myself. While that may sound selfish to some, I believe that having that hour a day that is only mine allows me to share with others more successfully during the remaining 23.

I urge anyone who tends to eschew running alone to lean into solo running. While there will always be a time and place for the group run, going it alone can be profoundly enlightening, energizing, and illuminating. Done consistently, I believe this daily independent ritual will not only make us individually stronger, but can also provide the tools to make us a more closely bound community, as well.

Madari Circular Trail

Running alone can be a bit of an art form, however. Not everyone can or is comfortable doing it. For many who do it is a result of having no other option because they don’t have running friends. Others choose not to, simply because they fear the trails or what’s around them. That lack of understanding creates apprehension and a fear that results in avoiding running trails. Hopefully, the following tips will help you overcome your own fears and allow you to enjoy being where your heart truly lies, on the trails.

1. Be happy in your own head – when on trails you are truly alone. There are no cars, pedestrians, or other traffic to keep you company. And music, even when running alone on trails, will only keep you distracted so long. Learn to enjoy the time you have in your own head. Allow your mind to wonder or turn it off all together. Today’s society has created an environment where most people don’t know how to be alone (being alone in your house watching TV doesn’t count). Most people don’t know themselves and aren’t comfortable in their own mind. Learn to love that solitude and the opportunity it provides for you to get to know yourself better. Find that for yourself and you’ll discover a peacefulness you never knew you could have.

2. Understand nature – fear of the unknown is probably the most common reason for people to avoid trail running. Take the time to get to know where you’re running. If there are predatory animals, learn about them - know their behaviour patterns and how to react to them if you encounter one on the trail. Even the minimalist amount of research will better prepare you for the unknown and help you build confidence in your new found passion. If other factors present the greater risk know how to deal with those. Whether those are associated to weather, trail conditions, know where you’re going and be prepared to deal with those situations.

The more time spent running trails alone the more you’ll realize that the biggest risk you have to fear is that created within your own mind. With experience comes confidence. Start out slow, be safe, take precautions, and you’ll find you have a long-term love affair with running solo in nature.