Running, by nature, is a solitary experience. In the inexplicable boom of fun runs in recent years, medals are given to individuals. Podium finishers are recognized one by one.
Still, people have found a way to come together. They call their friends to register for runs. They search for like-minded individuals to help improve their pace and personal bests.
Thus, the proliferation of run clubs.
Just observe any sidewalks and roads in the evenings and on car-free Sunday mornings. Runners are everywhere.
Ironically, there were still some issues raised when it came to sharing the road.
For coach Dan Hilaria, captain of the re-launched HOKA Run Club, it all boils down to one guiding principle.
The power of peers
Hilaria considers run clubs to be beneficial, especially in the boom of fun runs, because of science. The social facilitation theory, to be exact.
"[It] basically states that if you run or work out with others, you're just more motivated, more pushed," he told One Sports after participating in the Earth Day Run on April 27.
"I experienced that in today's Earth Day Run... I really felt the extra push," he recalled.
Having someone to compete with, or participate alongside you, apparently does help a lot in improving performance.
A paper published by Norman Triplett of the Indiana University in 1989 noted how cyclists rode faster when there is a presence of another contestant, compared to when he is just competing alone.
Several theories were raised to account for this, such as factoring for aerodynamics or air resistance, and the idea of raising one's competitive spirit.
Another is the encouragement theory, which even having the presence of a friend "to encourage and keep up the spirits of the rider is claimed to be of great help".
A much earlier hypothesis by American social psychologist Robert Zajonc noted that even just the mere presence of others is already enough to enhance the dominant response of a performing individual.
Sharing the road--runner edition
But, as it turns out, runners sharing the road with fellow pedestrians can be quite a bone of contention.
A number of posts on forum social media platform Reddit last month lamented their unfortunate experience with some run clubs.
"Patagal nang patagal, napapansin ko na para na silang siga doon (medyo loud na sila at parang ang aangas pag sila na tumatakbo)," they wrote in one subreddit. "'Yung isang member nila, muntik na kami magbanggaan kasi bigla siyang nag-overtake sa harap niya, tapos ako 'yung kasalubong niya. Buti na lang nakailag ako agad sa kanya. Pero ayun, 'di man lang siya nag-sorry."
A few weeks ago, a Facebook post complained of how one group "hogged the entire lane" while blasting music through a megaphone.
"Super sakit sa tenga. Is this a normal thing with run clubs now? I hope not."
Mindfulness is key
This scenario was exactly on Hilaria's mind when the HOKA Run Club was re-launched last April 26 at Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City.
And he emphasized one thing for his pacers and the 140 runners who joined the run club.
"I think the number one thing with that is mindfulness, that's the base, the foundation of everything," Hilaria said.
"So if you're mindful, you think about others. You think about the space that you're occupying, and the noise that you're creating," he added. "Basically you want to be aware of what you're doing in your run. Hindi 'yung mindless ka."
This is as simple as being aware of your surroundings. Mindfulness can also help people avoid destructive or automatic habits and responses by learning to observe their thoughts, emotions, and other present-moment experiences, according to the American Psychological Association.
"Para mabawasan 'yung nao-off sa run clubs, you just have to be that," Hilaria said.
Before the run, participants were divided depending on their level of comfort--whether they were going for a fast pace, a mid-level jog, or a run-walk trot.
And in the crowded sidewalks of the Ayala Triangle on a Friday night, the pacers constantly reminded the runners to maintain two lines while updating them on their time so far.
For Hilaria, it's inevitable for a run club to take up space. But he emphasized it was important for runners to be mindful and to minimize inconvenience to fellow pedestrians as much as possible.
"What we're doing is reiterating to the pacers that they should be authoritative, and they are responsible for their pack," he said. "Sinasabi ko rin sa runners na dapat may pakielam sila sa paligid nila."
A different kind of muscle tension
Hilaria is adding a few twists in this run club though.
Usually, completing a certain distance or finishing within a certain time period is the end of the activity. Not this one.
You get drills at the end--lots of strength and conditioning exercises. And that includes squatting as low as you can get every time the word "Roxanne" is mentioned in the song... "Roxanne".
"Ang benefit niyan is it's gonna be a different kind of tension and volume for the muscles," explained Hilaria, who is a trainer and whose background is participating in the Spartan Race and in HYROX--a race that combines running with fitness exercise.
"If you want to level up your game, you want to attack your legs in a different manner. So dun pumapasok 'yung strength training," he said. "Talangang important 'yung strength training and running on tired legs."
"Therefore, the body will adapt. It's gonna make it stronger--both physically and mentally," he said, noting how the cross-training will reduce weak links in the body when it comes to running.
So yes, that includes working out the calves, the quads, the hamstrings, the glutes, all of it--after the run.
"If you look at your body as one whole machine, may magco-collapse eh. So kung papalakasin mo siya by doing body weights, strength, and conditioning, you will avoid the weak link," he said.
The event also highlighted HOKA’s launch of the Clifton 10, the latest in their line of daily run shoes with a cushioned style. The update features an additional 3mm in heel-to-toe drop, while making the kicks extra light and protected.
Participants were encouraged to try the shoe during the run club re-launch.
"This is more than a shoe trial—it’s the beginning of a new era for Filipino runners," Hilaria said.
Running may be a solitary endeavor. But as science would have it, you don't really have to be alone to improve and enjoy it.
