Fast versus slow?

[mand3966]

Hi,

It's been roughly 3 years since I started C25K and have progress as far as doing my first Half Marathon last month, must say, I was very proud of myself! Well finally got my husband to buy a pair of trainers, and go out on Week 1 run 1 of the programme yesterday. I went with him for moral support, but was alarmed to see that his slow run was in fact faster than my normal run! I think it has some bearing that he is 6 foot 1 to my 5 foot 6, and I have to take about 3 strides to his 1 stride! I told him to slow down, and he said it hurt if he went any slower.... so my question is, would it be a way for me to speed up my running (I have been thinking about it, as have now conquered my distance goal, and would like to now try and get faster as a new focus, I did the HM in 2hrs 34mins), if I did the C25K programme with him from the start, but tried to keep up with him? Must admit, I was pretty tired out we finished yesterday!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Intervals and long runs are the way to gain speed, so yeah C25K as intervals should help and your HM endurance has given you as big a tank as you need for 5k speed.

[John_W Graduate]

If you've been running regularly for 3 years and have done an HM, then I'd say this is a perfect scenario/opportunity to improve your speed.

Yes, you'll be out of breath and you'll sweat and you'll be knackered at times BUT ... you've got the base fitness and conditioning behind you. If you'd just finished C25K then I'd say NO, but with 3 yrs experience... it's an ideal chance.

HOWEVER, I'd only go out with him once a week - interval sessions are to be used sparingly. So I suggest do 1x Week1, 1x W2, 1x W3, 1x W4, 1x W5 etc. You may not be able to keep up with him in W7, 8 or 9 but you'll have improved your base speed considerably I reckon.

Good luck

John

[mand3966 Graduate in reply to John_W]

Thanks John_W, sounds like a plan, I'll see how it goes....

[John_W Graduate in reply to mand3966]

You're welcome mand3966 (you can 'mention' - tag - anyone here by puitting '@' in front of the username)