I started running with someone who runs faster than me a couple weeks ago to hopefully get my 5 k times down. we mostly only run 1x week and we run a 5k distance. I was wondering how long it would take me to see my times drop? she use to do track in school and college but had a baby under two yrs ago and is trying to get back into running herself. she still is faster than me but not as fast as she use to be. so we are helping each other try to achieve goals. I run 2-3 other days a week not really worrying about pace because the girls I run with dont care about therir times. I am also doing a half marathon in october and would like to finish under 2hrs. anyway, has anyone ever tried running with someone faster and did it help you become a faster runner or am I just wasting my time. I pretty much keep up with her but am obviously working much harder than if I ran by myself or with my other 2 friends. I basically feel that I am doing a 5k race 1x week, I would much rather do this than do repeats for speedwork.thanks!
running with someone faster than you?
- Thread starter runfree
- Start date
mabdoo
Cathlete
I run with my dad once a week and he is much faster than I am. He sees it as an easy workout and I see it as a race but we love it. We get to spend time together! We have trained for 4 marathons together this way too. This will make you faster and it is much more enjoyable than doing it alone. Sometimes when you get into a faster pace with someone you don't realize how far or how fast you have gone. I say continue to run with your friend.
intensityjunkie
Cathlete
Both of you could probably run circles around me cause I've never been into running. I'm considering it but I know I'll start out pretty slow. So hang in there and just keep working on it.
janie1234
Cathlete
I run with my husband and he definitely CAN run faster than me but slows down his pace for me. On the days when I'm feeling strong I'll tell him to go for it and he'll set the pace. You'll get there. Some people are just born cardiovascularly fit right out of the womb. Practice, practice, and more practice. I run for pleasure and not to beat any times or anything. I think if I did running would be a lot more like work and less for fun. When I was in high school which seems like eons ago I ran sprints. I never loved long distance running. I'm in awe of people who can do a 6 minute mile. To run fast and long, man, that is tough. Have you seen this PBS Nova documentary about the Boston Marathon? I thought it was really informative. It took a group of average joes tested them and trained them for running a marathon. I highly suggest you check it out. If anything it is really motivational.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/marathon/index.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/marathon/index.html
RunninTeach
Cathlete
Runfree,
Personally, I like to run solo b/c I socialize too much and then feel I've gotten less of a workout, but absolutely, running with a speedier friend can help you made speed gains.
Personally, I like to run solo b/c I socialize too much and then feel I've gotten less of a workout, but absolutely, running with a speedier friend can help you made speed gains.
thanks. I sure am hoping running with her will make me faster. your right, running with her I really dont realize how fast I am going until I look at my garmin. the other day we did a longer slower run, we ran almost 5 miles at a 9:14 pace. I would like to run my half marathon at that pace so I am hoping the steady state runs with her will also help. the 5k runs we ran a 8:05 pace which is slow for her but fast for me.
dragonf1y
Cathlete
You can always run it as a fartlek. Before you start the fast portion, decide where you are running to, when the faster person gets there first, they slow down until you can catch up.
I have also run set routes where the faster person will run an extra out a back a couple of times while the slower person stays on the main route.
These keep you together most of the time without forcing you to a faster or slower pace the whole workout.
HTH,
I have also run set routes where the faster person will run an extra out a back a couple of times while the slower person stays on the main route.
These keep you together most of the time without forcing you to a faster or slower pace the whole workout.
HTH,
Jess_jugs
Cathlete
Running faster...
I love running with faster people! My 2 training buddies are typically slower than I am, so at times I run ahead and circle back if I want to do speed work. Other times, I just keep pace with them, especially for long runs.
I ran w/ my cousin this weekend and she is pretty speedy so we had a great run together. To get faster, you need to train running faster, so I think it will be great for you!
Good luck and happy running!
Jess
I love running with faster people! My 2 training buddies are typically slower than I am, so at times I run ahead and circle back if I want to do speed work. Other times, I just keep pace with them, especially for long runs.
I ran w/ my cousin this weekend and she is pretty speedy so we had a great run together. To get faster, you need to train running faster, so I think it will be great for you!
Good luck and happy running!
Jess