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Running with a partner
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 2009-07-15 11:51 PM |
Master  2665     The Whites, New Hampshire |  Subject: Running with a partnerI've read that running with someone who is better than you will make you a better runner. But what about if YOU are the better one (and not all that good)? 1) My form feels all funky when I run with my BFF, who is just starting out. Her form is TERRIBLE, and I feel like I either get sucked into what she's doing or I over-concentrate and get all tight. I'm also running way slower when I'm with her, like uncomfortably slow, so maybe that's the problem? Just wondering what others do about this. (I'm fine running at her pace, just don't want to be tense and awkward) 2) If you have run with someone better, or if you have been the better runner encouraging another, how do you encourage someone to push it safely? BFF has kinda wonky ideas - she wants to run every day and do these big runs that she's not ready for, and yet when I scale it back but suggest she try some gentle hills, or dig a little deeper on the walks, or whatever, she totally rejects it. Just looking for some good tips you've heard or given. Trying to find that pushing-but-not-pushy area. Thanks! |
| 2009-07-16 12:01 AM in reply to: #2288550 |
Expert 1276 Salem | Subject: RE: Running with a partner To be honest I train by myself as I compete by myself. If I was to go on a group ride or something I wouldn't necessarily use it as a training session. I do spinning class sometimes but it is an extra for me and not a training session. I guess you might think about it that way and not use those sessions as training sessions for yourself, but maybe additional base foundations miles (extra) or time to work on your form. I'd say this person needs a coach rather than you having to take this responsibility; I think it tends to ruin the atmosphere and friendships of why you would run with others; as you very well know. Just my 2 cents. Keep at it. |
| 2009-07-16 3:08 AM in reply to: #2288550 |
| Expert 658 | Subject: RE: Running with a partner I like swimming with a group, don't mind cycling with a group but absolutely hate running with other people. I just love running by myself, the simplicity of it and the idea of getting away for my "me" time when I run by myself. I also like to go at my own pace to get a decent workout in but not try to keep up with another person and go to hard and get injured. |
| 2009-07-16 5:24 AM in reply to: #2288550 |
| New user 476 | Subject: RE: Running with a partner As far as "training", I would not want a partner. You will either be holding yourself back or pushing yourself too hard. (Unless you find a good match) Going for an occasional run with a buddy can be fun, challenging in its own way, and rewarding, but I wouldn't do it on a regular basis. |
| 2009-07-16 5:55 AM in reply to: #2288550 |
Master 2665 The Whites, New Hampshire | Subject: RE: Running with a partner We're running together because I've convinced her to try for the Mt. Washington Road Race with me next year. Seems only fair that if I've talked her into running, I should run WITH her!  We generally only run together once a week and I definitely take that as an "active recovery" day, at least until her plans catches up to mine (I'm just holding right now until she does). She definitely needs a coach, no question, but finding one around here (middle of glorious nowhere) that has time and that she can afford are three big stumbling blocks. There is only ONE clinic I can find in the whole area, and that is in the middle of our five-day backpack.I'm definitely a train-by-myself girl, which is why this whole together thing doesn't feel very natural right now. I *want* to make it work, does that count for something?  |
| 2009-07-16 6:33 AM in reply to: #2288550 |
Pro 6767 the Alabama part of Pennsylvania | Subject: RE: Running with a partner I think if you talked her into running, then you are doing the stand-up thing by running with her. But maybe you should ask HER how she thinks the training is going. Does she want more pointers? Is she feeling bad making you slow down to her pace? Does she want you to run all her runs with her, or does she want to have some "me time" as well? Another thought is that it is very difficult to have two people at very different levels of skill training together (I have a similar issue with mrs gearboy on the bike). So either you should not count these runs as training for yourself, but think of them as simply being there to help your friend. Or maybe run on a pair of dreadmills side by side so you can still encourage/critique but move at your own pace. Or find an outdoor track, and every other or every third lap that you catch up to her, slow down to her pace and offer support/advice. |
| 2009-07-16 7:24 AM in reply to: #2288550 |
| 21 | Subject: RE: Running with a partner I run with a friend who is much faster than I am. We meet and decide how long we're going to run. Then off she goes and I stay at my pace and we meet back at the end (she may run twice as far, but we end up coming in at the same time...and usually going to breakfast afterward...) My point is, we use each other for motivation to get out there but, recognizing that our capabilities are much different, we're content to do our own solo workouts in that time frame. Might be worth discussing with her. Just my two cents. |
| 2009-07-16 8:00 AM in reply to: #2288550 |
Champion 7558 Albuquerque, New Mexico | Subject: RE: Running with a partner I'll ask my running partners how they deal with me. Props to you for recruiting a friend. Use the once-a-week to catch up on how she's doing on her own. Having a workout partner really makes it much harder to bail on a workout. If the slower pace is really messing with your form (and it can), how about making this more of an interval workout? You and she run a little faster than she's comfortable for 1-2 minutes then walk for 1-2 minutes. (She may need some encouragement to understand that it's OK to walk some during a "run." ) |
| 2009-07-16 8:32 AM in reply to: #2288550 |
Extreme Veteran 357 Ft. Myers, Florida | Subject: RE: Running with a partner I frequently run with a friend who is considerably faster than me. He often uses the days that we run together to add striders to his workout or do some fartlek running. We warm up together, then he will start doing harder spurts. He'll pick up the pace and run out in front of me for a while, then turn around and come back to me, he'll run with me for a few minutes until he has recovered and then do another set. It works out well for us. We have the motivational factor of knowing that someone else is waiting for you so you have to show up to run, we get to chat some during the run but also get some solo time in, and we have a coffee partner for after the run. Make sure you explain to your friend what you are doing so they don't misinterpret it as you 'showing off'. |
| 2009-07-16 8:42 AM in reply to: #2288550 |
Master 4119 Toronto Bronze member | Subject: RE: Running with a partner Your friend sounds like a classic newb. Sounds like she needs to go on a plan and read a couple of books. Sure, everyone wants to go big and do it all right away but it alarms me for an injury case. Plans often explain the purpose of each run - it's not hard and long every time nor is it every day. You know this but I know I felt that way when I started. I promised myself I thought walk breaks meant that i wasn't a real runner but for someone as new to running as I was (I did my first 10k off 10 weeks training with NO running before that) but it is in fact a great strategy. She might learn from someone other than you ... sad to say it might need to be 'an expert' I run with a friend i met in a running clinic. Generally we're about the same but some days i pull her and others (it feels like this happen more often) that she pulls me. But we usually have the same goal and the same running background. |
| 2009-07-16 9:48 AM in reply to: #2288550 |
Extreme Veteran 418 Pittsburgh | Subject: RE: Running with a partner I do a lot of my training runs with my husband, who will probably end up being a way better runner than me, but who hasn't been running for as long as I have. We are both training for the same races, and so our plans are pretty similar. But my long runs are a bit longer than his right now, and I run intervals at a faster pace than he does. So, if I want/need to run faster or longer than he does, we plan out our route in advance -- for intervals, we generally run laps around a park anyway -- and we just meet back in front of the gym when we're done. Or, if he needs to take a walk break or something, I just run up ahead for a block and come back to meet him. Usually this means that I am done with running the distance I needed to run before I am done with the course; depending on how I feel, I will either just run the extra distance or walk it back to the gym. |
| 2009-07-16 12:50 PM in reply to: #2288550 |
Expert 973 Berkeley, Calif. | Subject: RE: Running with a partner I have a running partner who's a BFF. I didn't try to "coach" her until we both realized that she was getting serious and wanted my input. When we first started running together she wanted to be more active but she wasn't willing to commit to any regular training. If I'd tried to give her advice it wouldn't have gone over well (in fact, I'm sure I did try, and I'm sure she ignored me). It sounds to me like your friend isn't quite ready to embrace the training. If she's pushing too hard, you can ask her to hold back -- tell her that holding back is just as important as pushing hard when you're just starting. If she's not pushing hard enough, well, I'd leave it alone. It's not your job to coach her -- all you have to do is be a supportive friend. If you can do one short run a week with her, and it doesn't impact your training, go for it. But I'd advise leaving the coaching at home, and just enjoying the time with your friend. |
| 2009-07-17 12:05 AM in reply to: #2288550 |
Master 2665 The Whites, New Hampshire | Subject: RE: Running with a partner Awesome input, thanks! She's on a plan, a couch-to-10K walk/run. Pretty much the only things I've "required" of her is to stick with the plan and only run on running days (she struggles with addictions, so needs to have limits to avoid that). So far so good on that point! I like the idea of doing fartleks/intervals and coming back to run with her. I'll approach her about each running our own route, but I think until she gets more comfortable running outside, she wants me with her. I'll definitely broach this, though. Anywho, thanks for all the thoughts, good stuff! |
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