Finding the right training partner?
When it works it’s a match made in heaven, when it doesn’t, well, it isn’t.
I ran my long runs on the last two Sundays with Brian – Goon code named ‘Silent Assasin’. They were very positive and impactful runs, because, right now we are overlapping. Brian is just ramping up to his Boston Marathon potential and I am in decent training shape from my ½ marathon campaigns.
It’s a wonderful thing when you find a training partner that you are in sync with, especially for long runs. Over the next few months Brian will get into race shape and leave me behind, but right now we are complimentary.
Brian is a veteran. So am I. Brian respects the training. So do I. Brian knows how to run and we can compare notes on his coach and my training plans. In the end when the going gets tough and the words can no longer be spoken there is only the shared effort.
This morning’s run was a hard effort on tired legs from a high-mileage build week and if it weren’t for the presence of the Silent Assassin, the Mad Dog probably would have thrown the towel in on some of those uphill surges.
We all know the power of running with someone. Whether it is another individual or a club it gives you some meaning and something to look forward to – a shared sense of purpose and a shared joy. We all know it helps you to show up and be consistent when someone is waiting for you.
What about when you are neck deep in a hard, high-mileage, high-intensity training campaign?
Then you have to be careful because all your runs have to count. You can’t throw away or dumb down a work out just for the sake of togetherness. You can’t run over your head either. You need to find a match. Someone who will push you and someone you can push so at the end of the day one plus one is more than two.
The long run is not something you want to run with someone who is more than 10-15 seconds a mile faster than you are. They will pull you out too fast at an inappropriate effort level that will cause you to fade late when you should be finishing strong.
On the flip side you don’t want to run with someone too much slower than yourself because you won’t get the full value of the run. You want a partner who is in your distance and pace zone. When you find that person it will help you both.
That’s how today’s run with the Silent Assassin was. I was fatigued early and he pulled me through. He had a tough patch around 2 hours in, and I could hear his feet start to slap, but I pulled him through. The last 3 minute pickup we did knocked me on my ass but loosened him up.
On a hill in the final miles I had to let him go, but he was still out there a few yards ahead, as a physical reminder for me to keep my form and keep turning the feet over despite the fatigue. We finished a hard, cold, windy 20 miles. I’m sure the fruit of our joint effort was 5-10 seconds per mile of pace over that distance.
It’s about more than finding someone to pass the time with. It’s about finding that individual that can bring out a strong effort and add value to your run. If you can find a match, if only for a few weeks or a single campaign it will make you a stronger runner.
Find your partner and I’ll see you out there.
Chris,
Chris Russell lives and trains in suburban Massachusetts with his family and Border collie Buddy. Chris is the author of “The Mid-Packer’s Lament”, and “The Mid-Packer’s Guide to the Galaxy”, short stories on running, racing, and the human comedy of the mid-pack. Chris writes the Runnerati Blog at www.runnerati.com. Chris’ Podcast, RunRunLive is available on iTunes and at www.runrunlive.com. Chris also writes for CoolRunning.com (Active.com) and is a member of the Squannacook River Runners and the Goon Squad.
Email me at cyktrussell at Gmail dot com
Running Podcast, podcasts for running, podcast for runners, free podcast for runners, Running Blog, marathon, triathlon, mileage, sprinting, run, track, training, running clubs, running groups, running shoes, exercise, health, 5k, running, swimming, sports, injuries, stretching, eating, jogging, biking, trail race, 5K, 10K, Ultramarathon, jogging a good exercise, road runner, jogging tips, benefits of jogging, free running, running shoes, marathon training, running, jogging, health and fitness, runners, runner, Boston qualification, Marathon BQ, Boston marathon