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August 4, 2006
what to do?
When your new running buddy runs too fast for you? When you drop back to your comfortable pace and then they stop and wait for you. Because you are an idiot and try and keep up. You feel guilty about telling them to go ahead especially when it means them running alone. It doesn't matter anyway, because I can barely speak, let alone talk. My biggest fear is now dying not telling them to piss off.
So, I was introduced to new running buddy at the beginning of the training group. She is new and didn't have anyone to run with ... someone thought we were about the same pace and asked if I won't mind running with her.
No problem.
She is definitely faster than me. At first I liked it, thought it would push me harder on my training runs. And it does. I am now as fast as she was in June. However, now she is improving, so running faster. What happens now is the first half of my run is great I push hard to keep up and the second half sucks. This is not motivational at al!
I have tried setting my own pace, but my legs and brain don't communicate. Last night I thought I had a solution, let her get ahead, but she stopped and waited at the turnaround. Damn!
I feel terrible saying go ahead, it sounds like I don't want to run with her ... but honestly I don't know I can!
Posted by Ali at August 4, 2006 11:26 AM
Comments
I think you need to let her know it's okay to run on without you. I have one friend who is much faster than me. Trying to keep up with him was really pushing it for me, yet he was trying to hold back, and it wasn't working.
Posted by: Kim at August 4, 2006 6:11 PM
I agree that you need to talk with her. She's probably noticed the differences between the two of you and maybe she is holding off saying something too. You'll never know. You both could also try to agree to run something like 1 day a week together for shorter runs. You could use it as your speed day and ask her if she wouldn't mind. Let her know that you want to continue to improve, but you also don't feel right holding her back. Good luck.
Posted by: Juls at August 4, 2006 7:52 PM
Ya never know, she may feel the same way..Just be honest with her you are risking burnout, injury and discomfort to yourself by trying to keep up with her too soon.
Good luck.
Posted by: jkrunning at August 4, 2006 8:33 PM
we had that problem with our group too, but unless it is really dark, we just go at our own pace now and meet up at the end.
Posted by: Susan at August 5, 2006 7:30 AM