Riding Solo or With A Pack?

There are advantages with training in a pack. The herd mindset may determine which leader to follow. However, you will need to manage team dynamics. This is about managing characters, personalities, and expectations of the group. Of course, the group looks out for its own kind – safety in numbers, familiarity and a sense of identity.

Going solo has its relevance, too. You report to no one but yourself. You decide on your agenda. You have all the flexibility in the world, to do or not to do. Yet, you will need to strongly motivate yourself, or else procrastination can dominate you. It is so easy to not be pressured to wake up earlier to do a bike ride, run or swim. It is so easy to edit your workout by an hour, or five kilometers, or skip a pool session. Once you have agreed to join a group, your commitment matters and you have to honour your commitment.

Perhaps, the approach is somewhere in-between. Have a chat with your training mates and consider your options.