Running partners (Read 854 times)

So neighbor (let's call him "Bob") and I play soccer together.  He and I have been playing for years together and he's pretty good, but lacks stamina.  He has seen me run for the last few years and has commented a few times that he hates running.  Last few seasons he has seen me get faster and has commented on occasion that he "is doing everything he can to get in shape for the soccer season" which includes "crunches, jumping jacks, and riding the exercise bike".  I have always offered to run with him and he has always refused...  until now.  I have to admit that I was  interested in having a running partner.

I planned a 2 mile loop that was pretty flat near our houses.

So I just got back from running with Bob.  Since I'm coming back from an injury and in the process of doing a run/walk program, I said I wanted to take it slow.  And I did.  I tried to engage him in conversation and get him talking so that I could get an idea of how well he was going.   It was obvious to me that he was going too fast as he couldn't say more than a few words without gasping for another breath.

Near the end of the run Bob commented to a neighbor that he wouldn't be able to keep up with us because no one else could possibly run this slow.  Yet at the end of the run he had to stop and walk a couple of times going up a hill while I could continue to run through the whole thing.  

We have another run scheduled on Thursday but I'm wondering whether to go through with it...  Will he learn by example or am I going to have to terminate this because our goals are different?  I have to admit, I carried the same sorts of attitudes as Bob when I first started running.    Any advice to a first time running partner?

MTA:  I believe in miracles!

MTA MTA: I also believe in the House of The Invalid Sisters and Squirrels University and Quik Oil Change

I agree with Lia's dad.  Bob is showing an interest and you are in a position to mentor him through the challenges of getting started with a healthy program (good for you and free injury).  You know what he is going through and are able to provide encouragement that "it doesn't always get worse". 

If you are not getting your goals met with the training, you can always go out early and get some running in, swing back to meet Bob on "tired" legs where you will be more in line with his pace.

Good luck to you AND Bob... tell Bob that all of RA is pulling for him!

Lynn B

Thanks for all your help! 

I left out one important detail.  He wants to run a lot faster than I'm comfortable with and it's far above my current fitness level.

Anyway, I used your suggestions and talked to him and we seemed to come to an agreement.  He seemed to be receptive to trying to go a little slower and that it could lead to injuries in the future.  The next run seemed to go better, but he still seems to want to run much faster than I do.  I chose a route that was much hillier to try and get him to go a little slower.  It worked, for the most part.

Thanks again for the suggestions!

Have you considered meeting and setting out together for the start of the run, then heading your own separate ways, and meeting at the end to re-hash all the gory details?  You'd have the comradery of pushing each other to get out there, and the community of visting at beginning and end.

 +1

I have a RP I do this with...works great for us.

Have you considered meeting and setting out together for the start of the run, then heading your own separate ways, and meeting at the end to re-hash all the gory details?  You'd have the comradery of pushing each other to get out there, and the community of visting at beginning and end.

 Thats what my wife and I are currently doing when we run together. We start out together and as we are running, I'll have her turn a block before me, then I'll run the extra block and meet up when I catch her. I've been around our town enough now to know where I can take a longer route and eventually meet up with her again.

She seems to like this approach instead of having her try to keep up with me or feeling bad knowing I'm slowing down for her.

 

but maybe someone who needs a competition would get something out of the "I can keep my heartrate lower than yours on the same run" game. 

Hey, I like that idea!!!  He is quite competative and likes to excel.  He doesn't seem to have any problem putting the work in to excel, either. (I've seen him coach both of my kids in soccer.  WIth one of them they lost every game - and he was very good with the kids working on basic skills.  WIth the other we won every game and he was very good at teaching strategy and more advanced concepts.)

I would imagine this might be a good way to appeal to his competitive streak.