Keeping someone company on a long run

[wambam]

If you were looking for people to keep you company on a long run (18 miles) and you lined up 3 people who would each run 6 miles, how annoyed would you be in one of those people couldn't keep pace? 

One of the coaches at my gym is training for her first full and asked me to keep her company for her first 6 miles on Saturday. I was like "yeah!" because it sounds like fun. Then I realized her desired pace is going to be tough for me. I *think* I can hang if she indeed keeps that pace. But knowing her as a person, I wouldn't be surprised if she said a slower pace to be humble and/or prevent disappointing herself. 

She said 9:45, comfortable for me right now is 10:15.

[luckystar2]

Depends on the person. Me-wouldn’t be a big deal. Somebody who is really looking to PR-might be. I’d just let her know that your pace is a little slower normally and see what she says. Last summer when I was running some with somebody, usually my pace was faster. We both were kind of pushing each other. So you may find that you can push your pace a little more having somebody who’s faster pushing you.

[wambam]

Mar 27, 2019 9:10:23 GMT -5 luckystar2 said:

Depends on the person. Me-wouldn’t be a big deal. Somebody who is really looking to PR-might be. I’d just let her know that your pace is a little slower normally and see what she says. Last summer when I was running some with somebody, usually my pace was faster. We both were kind of pushing each other. So you may find that you can push your pace a little more having somebody who’s faster pushing you.

It's her first, but she's also really hard on herself. 

[cinco]

Not at all. I'd only be annoyed if I said a certain pace and they went faster on a long run. I can always go slower. Faster...not so much For tempo and speed runs I do it on my own b/c I have a very specific goal. I'd let her know ahead of time and see what she says.

[Wines Not Whines]

I would just tell her so she’s aware. If that’s too slow for her, she can find someone else or run solo for the first 6 miles.

[itsme]

Let her know your comfortable pace and if she needs someone who can run the pace she wants, then she can look elsewhere but make sur eyou let her know where you are before committing.

[arch01]

What Wines Not Whines said.

[gt7301b]

My thoughts are if she is willing to circle back and pick up 3 different people she is wants the company, but I would just let her know.  

[brooke77]

I’d let her know your current pace and let her decide. 30 seconds/mile is a noticeablely different pace, so I would personally rather run alone. But she knows best - maybe she’s really running closer to 10 min/miles and your paces are then pretty similar.

[irene adler]

What Wines Not Whines said.

I would also check to see if she is willing to go ahead if you can't keep up. I could see myself pushing it and being fine for at least 2/3 of the run but maybe slipping behind on the last 2 miles.

[al320]

My guess is if she wants company, that might be her bigger priority vs hitting a specific pace. but ask and see what she says. Long runs should be slow and conversational. Or maybe she plans to start out a little slower and speed up and shes asking people to run with her to reflect that?

[foundmylazybum]

I'd tell her the pace I'm used to running so she knows.


Long runs can 100% vary in pace up to 30 seconds so 🤷‍♀️, and honestly its time on feet that matters. But communicating your pace just makes it more fun, which is why you are doing it!

[wambam]

I was going to talk to her about it at class today but I guess her sister went into labor so she wasn't there. It'll be fine. We'll figure it out.

[Deleted]

I'd let her know and see her response.

If you're her first partner, it might actually be good for her to start off under pace and then speed up with the other two partners. That might help with the challenge of not starting off a race super-fast and crashing later.