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I joined a running group at the track today and I may as well have been part of a walking group next to them.
I still got 4 miles in but I find the running clubs near me don’t have any casual runners. Just about everyone is intense and going minimum of 6-8 miles on easy days and training for 30-50 milers.
I miss my old running club that had a slower pace and I was actually one of the faster people. Well, at least I’m getting out there and trying to meet people.
Why is it so hard to make friends when you’re older?
@negative12dollarbill I looked this up. Did this start in Britain? I hadn’t heard of this before. There are Park Runs happening in the US but it looks like they haven’t stretched to all the major cities yet.
@LoganFive Yes, it started in England but has spread all over the world. I'm sorry if you haven't got one near you. Perhaps you could form a group to officially start one?
It's very much about the community rather than running competitively. And the need for volunteers (timing, equipment etc) means you meet and work with people that way too.
I joined a Vets (older people) club that has quite a wide mix of people, including 3miles at a reasonable pace. Having said that I did 3 miles last night and nearly died. But well done for getting out there. It's a massive step and extremely positive.
@TheBreadmonkey Thanks Ben! I have been going to a regular Tuesday run and running with the 80 year olds who seem to be at my pace. And they’re friendly too. There was also a different Thursday run I was trying out where I would start with everyone and then eventually watch everyone run off at a faster pace.
When I was in LA there were tons of casual groups and the pace never seemed extreme. Maybe I’m not looking in the right places.
@LoganFive I guess you just have to be lucky.
Two years ago, I randomly joined a small group of 40-50 year old runners that had a pace I liked, thinking I'd just run a few km with them and then our routes will separate us. We got to talking, and it turned out that they all live very near to me, and after exchanging phone numbers, I've been running with them every now and then ever since. I still prefer running alone, but every now and then, "social running" can be refreshing. :)
@ticho That’s awesome! I had a similar experience with improv. I got back into it after a few years and it turns out a bunch of older guys were deciding to get back into it. We formed an improv troupe. It was a nice experience. I hope to find something like that again.
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️ @LoganFive srsly... recently moved many states away and still wondering how tf to make friends. especially when most ppl my age (early 50s) have 9-5 jobs and my days are completely free so how do you even hang out with anyone? thought about going back to barista work but eww covid exposure. husband's had it twice and i don’t wanna bring home a third case. so wtf, man?
@rothko I’m also looking into classes and seeing if I can meet people that way. Yeah, it’s just hard. Maybe we all need to wear a sign, “Open to new friends.”
@LoganFive @rothko Before COVID I definitely had the thought that the next time I attended a conference I was going to make T-shirts to wear that said "Talk to me about..." on the back. Maybe even with a chunk of blackboard paint so I could write on it with chalk or something instead of having static text.
@JoshGrams @rothko I love it. I forget which country this was in, but I had heard of certain coffee shops that kept signs at the table that you could put out that said “open to company.” I think sometimes people just need an invitation.
@LoganFive I've heard it suggested that it's harder to make friends as an adult because adults are more risk-averse to opening up to each other. But meeting people is hard, and I find hobby groups my favourite place to meet people. Trouble is finding a hobby you enjoy, have time for, and that attracts people you get on with
@trantion @LoganFive I think it's less about risk and more about not having much spare time. Still, got to keep trying.
@timrichards @trantion @LoganFive
Start your own casual running group? Make a post on social media as to when and where to meet up. See what happens.
And yes. Exercise groups can be the hardest to make friends if you aren't doing an after event calorie/hydration load at a local shop.
@MyWoolyMastadon @timrichards @LoganFive That's a good point. I used to climb a few years ago, but gave up because when you're climbing indoors, people just pair up and spend all evening at the opposite end of a rope, so you never get to chat. It can apply to other hobbies though, if talking isn't appropriate. I guess all you can do is try things and see how it goes
@LoganFive first of all, well done for getting out there and getting it done. I’m a running coach and it’s one of my personal bugbears how track sessions are often run for the benefit of the quickest, who get the longest recoveries and everyone else has to slog along in their wake. For my sessions, I try to do “out and back” intervals, so everyone starts and finishes in the same place and has the same recoveries. The quickest just run further. Keep at it. It’s not easy and you’re doing great.
Farah 
@LoganFive I’ll be your friend! 