I am a loner/socially awkward and used to run a bit before 2020.
Then in 2020, since we were confined I used to run close to my house. I used to see a bunch of folks regularly running but was apprehensive about approaching them. One day one of them said Hi and now I am thankful and happy to be part of that group.
There are still periods when I like to run alone and avoid the group but they welcome me whenever I am ready. I am a lot happier since joining this group.
More people have joined this group in last two and a half years and am good friends with some of them.
I am not sure but I think the group has helped some of them with their loneliness like me.
There is some sense of satisfaction when you improve your timing but a bigger source of satisfaction is when you are helping others with their running or just spending time with them.
I was lucky to be found by the group and sometimes I wish we can find more people who would be interested even a little bit but are apprehensive like I was/am.