Running partner worries...

[Andreagetfit1]

Hi guys, I'm starting week 8 this week and it's all going well, but someone I know who runs quite a lot wants to join me. Whilst it will be nice to have company I'm a bit worried as I know they will run faster than me and I don't want to feel pressured to keep up. Anyone else had this problem? Do you just ask them to run on ahead, or say if they are happy to run at your pace that will be cool?

[GoogleMe Graduate]

You could say "Yes, great, in a couple of weeks when I've graduated" Don't feel pressured to have company if you don't want it.

[GettingFitter Graduate]

I'd recommend finishing the program first. You don't want to let the head gremlins in. It's only a couple of weeks and then you'd be happy to join them at your pace. Good luck you're close now

[Andreagetfit1 in reply to GettingFitter]

Hi GettingFitter! Thanks for the advice. I am a bit worried, because I found myself agreeing, but we are also taking the dogs! So a bit of a canicross experience but with the dogs on long leads. If I don't enjoy running with her I won't do it again. Thanks for the advice. Did you already finish the programme?

[GettingFitter Graduate in reply to Andreagetfit1]

Yes I finished in june last year and just love running now. My dog is fine for run walks but not constant running

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You can only run at your own pace or that of a slower runner, so either your speedy partner will need to slow down or give it a miss. After you have graduated you will begin to understand the need for runs at different paces and so maybe then you might find that one run per week with your partner is a good idea for both of you. It may stretch you and/or permit your partner to do a slow easy run. I really enjoy an easy run with my wife every now and then, running at her pace. A partner can be a great spur to your running. While running W9R1, my son joined me and we did my first sub 30 minute 5k simply because, even though I was setting the pace, I was being psychologically pushed by my fit young lad.

As long as you are enjoying the experience, you will keep doing it. Good luck.

[Andreagetfit1 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks, that makes sense. I'll make it all very clear!

[Cheshiregal Graduate]

I ran once with a friend during wk6... it was the only run I didn't finish and it seriously affected my confidence. I felt bad I couldn't keep up, bad as she kept coming back for me and in the end she ran off as she was getting cold waiting for me and I stopped. I did start again but it made me question whether I should just give up entirely for the only time during the programme. I'd wait for now...worry about yourself and getting through the runs without having to worry about how your running is affecting anyone else x

[Andreagetfit1 in reply to Cheshiregal]

Thanks very much. Hope you got your confidence back quickly. I am a bit anxious, but if I don't like the experience I won't repeat it!

[Cheshiregal Graduate in reply to Andreagetfit1]

I did get it back I would just be wary! X

[useitorloseit Graduate]

I ran with a friend once. She is a 'proper' athlete and ran at my pace all the way, but I had to talk all the way too, which nearly killed me. We haven't run together again since!

[Andreagetfit1 in reply to useitorloseit]

Oh God, talking at the same time! Maybe not!

[ajwyld Graduate]

I occasionally run with hubby, but not often as he is waaaaay faster than me, so he usually ends up zooming off and we meet at the end for a restoring drink.

I run more often with my teenage daughter. She is fitter and faster than me but not by orders of magnitude, which means that she has a bit of an easy run but it pushes me to go faster than I otherwise would. On the other hand, I push her to go further that she would go on her own. It also means she feels safer running outside after dark. So overall its a good system for both of us.

[Andreagetfit1 in reply to ajwyld]

Sounds good. Have you already finished the nine week programme?

[ajwyld Graduate in reply to Andreagetfit1]

Hi - yes I "graduated" from the programme last April, and have pretty much been able to keep up running 3 times a week ever since.

[Tomas Graduate]

If it was me, I would feel pressured to keep up, and while that is great in a race or "let's really do it!" situation, it's not what c25k is about. So I would prefer to do my own thing, and then as others have said, once you have graduated and gotten more comfortable with long continuous runs it might be easier/funnier/better to run with a partner every now and then.