Running with a Faster Friend: I just started... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,410 members158,563 posts

Running with a Faster Friend

CindyRD profile image
4 Replies

I just started training with a friend for a 5k we plan to do in June. I had been running on my own. Completed the c25k and ran outside until the weather here in Eastern Canada forced me inside to the treadmill. Anyways, found a friend to train with back outside and she runs faster than me so I'm struggling. Every run she wants to chat and I can barely eke out a reply I'm gasping so hard. Should I just push through until it gets easier? Will it get easier? Any advice would be appreciated :)

Written by
CindyRD profile image
CindyRD
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
4 Replies
Toonlou24 profile image
Toonlou24Graduate

Personally I wouldn't continue running with the friend at that pace and risk starting to hate it. If you are finding it hard going you may also injure yourself. Can your friend not run at your pace and slowly increase speed as you do over the next few weeks? I would chat to her. See what she says!! Last thing you want is your confidence knocked though. You've done so well to finish c25k. You need to be out there enjoying your runs not struggling and feeling rubbish. Good luck!! Talk to her!!!! Xx

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Just run at your own pace and she can either run along with you or run ahead, dropping back every so often. You can't suddenly go faster. It's a gradual process but if you keep running together you will get better. Other runners can help you get round,. Just keep running!

ancientrunner profile image
ancientrunnerGraduate

I agree - go at your own pace.

c4ts profile image
c4tsGraduate

Definitely go at your pace - it can be very demoralising to be going too fast. I am really slow and find this difficult, but surprisingly when speaking to a running club mate today (he did a 33 miler yesterday) even he said someone was running at 15 sec / mile pace faster than he wanted to go and sent them on their way as it would have overstretched him. I think these people can just do anything and even they have their limits.

You may also like...

The secret to running faster - revealed...

the secret to running faster... The key thing to remember is that the last part of my run was...

Want to run faster 😢

sustainable running 😡! So graduation is in sight, but I want to run faster, I want to run with...

Ideas on how to run faster please.

well over an hour to run a 5k. Any tips on how to improve my speed I currently run at approx 3.5mph...

Running faster than I walk

28 minutes to run for week 8 took me 31 minutes to walk. That obviously means my run is quick than

Walk faster than I run?

I'm now on Wk3, and have completed the first run (2nd one tomorrow), but it seems to me that I am...