At best, I'm a clumsy runner. So I feel best when I'm running alone, mp3 player turned up high enough to cover the sound of my gasping lungs. But if you're an accomplished runner, have you ever thought about joining a social running club? According to this article from the NYT, having a partner or a group to run with can help you build the speed of distance of your runs. More importantly, though, may be the close intimacy felt between members of a social running group.

The author of that particular article found that running clubs are often small and very close-knit, and that once you're a member, you may find yourself belong to a split society -- those who run and those who don't. I know I'm not ready to share my running workouts with anyone, but if you run just for the sheer joy of it, having someone who shares that passion might be kind of nice.