Walk alongside or alone?

Jill_newimprovedversion
Jill_newimprovedversion Posts: 988 Member
in Motivation and Support
If you were entering a 5K run/walk with a friend who may not walk as fast as you, would you feel obligated to walk alongside her and keep her company even though you will forfeit any chance of finishing with your best time?
Or walk at your own speed and if you cross the finish line ahead of her, stand there and cheer her on?
Or another option: after finishing, go back and meet up with her, and this time finish the walk with her?

Replies

  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    Just trip her.
  • edisonsbulb
    edisonsbulb Posts: 93 Member
    I'd let her know ahead of time I'm going to run.
  • Ilikelamps
    Ilikelamps Posts: 482 Member
    I'd walk behind her so I could look at her *kitten*
  • LiftAllThePizzas
    LiftAllThePizzas Posts: 17,857 Member
    I think that's something you should both have discussed before deciding to do it "together." If not, it's probably infinitely better to have decided/discussed it before the race starts.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    If you were entering a 5K run/walk with a friend who may not walk as fast as you, would you feel obligated to walk alongside her and keep her company even though you will forfeit any chance of finishing with your best time?
    Or walk at your own speed and if you cross the finish line ahead of her, stand there and cheer her on?
    Or another option: after finishing, go back and meet up with her, and this time finish the walk with her?

    also want to say.

    anytime if anyone ever "finished" before me. if they went back and joined in with me and then "finished" again WITH me.... I did not consider it any kind of favor. I was still aware they'd got to "finish" twice.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    If you were entering a 5K run/walk with a friend who may not walk as fast as you, would you feel obligated to walk alongside her and keep her company even though you will forfeit any chance of finishing with your best time?
    Or walk at your own speed and if you cross the finish line ahead of her, stand there and cheer her on?
    Or another option: after finishing, go back and meet up with her, and this time finish the walk with her?

    also want to say.

    anytime if anyone ever "finished" before me. if they went back and joined in with me and then "finished" again WITH me.... I did not consider it any kind of favor. I was still aware they'd got to "finish" twice.

    But at least they helped you finish instead of leaving you hanging, which I think is worse. Or having to finish by yourself.
  • sargessexyone
    sargessexyone Posts: 494 Member
    I think a lot of things come into play here.

    Is she a BFF or more of an acquaintance?

    Did she ask you or did you ask her?

    Is this the first 5k for you? For her?

    Does how long it takes matter more or the enjoyment of doing it with a friend?
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    I had this exact same scenario. I was quite a bit more conditioned than the friend I was going with (she never trained, and I ran 3xwk for a month to prepare). I just asked her if she'd be ok of if, in the event I outstripped her, she'd be ok just meeting me at the finish line. She said it was no problem at all, and we had a great time.
  • TXEXrunner
    TXEXrunner Posts: 178 Member
    Walk/ run/ finish with her. How important is this 5K to you vs your friendship? If you want to run for time, find other 5K's and ask your friend to support you (as you did her when you ran together)!
  • Kr1ptonite
    Kr1ptonite Posts: 789 Member
    Myself I'd walk with them.
  • xsmilexforxmex
    xsmilexforxmex Posts: 1,216 Member
    I think i'd discuss it... if you want to time just be honest and let her know and make sure she's cool with it. If it doesn't matter ask her what she wants to do...
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    If you were entering a 5K run/walk with a friend who may not walk as fast as you, would you feel obligated to walk alongside her and keep her company even though you will forfeit any chance of finishing with your best time?
    Or walk at your own speed and if you cross the finish line ahead of her, stand there and cheer her on?
    Or another option: after finishing, go back and meet up with her, and this time finish the walk with her?

    also want to say.

    anytime if anyone ever "finished" before me. if they went back and joined in with me and then "finished" again WITH me.... I did not consider it any kind of favor. I was still aware they'd got to "finish" twice.

    But at least they helped you finish instead of leaving you hanging, which I think is worse. Or having to finish by yourself.

    IDK, i'm kinda competitive. i think i'd rather finish by myself and know we are tied for finishing. not that they got to finish twice.
  • Jill_newimprovedversion
    Jill_newimprovedversion Posts: 988 Member
    Clarification:
    This walk- and one other next month- are the only ones I'll be able to do this year- both fund raisers for good causes.
    Each entry fee is money I've saved up for so I could participate.


    I signed up for this weeks ago, and then a friend mentioned she *might* come.
    This wasn't something we planned together.

    This kind of race is something I'd like to gain more experience in , and eventually better my time.

    There are several walking trails in our area that are great places to stroll and chat at a leisurely pace,
    which is something I'd gladly do with her- another day- even later in this same day.
  • LiftAllThePizzas
    LiftAllThePizzas Posts: 17,857 Member
    Clarification:
    This walk- and one other next month- are the only ones I'll be able to do this year- both fund raisers for good causes.
    Each entry fee is money I've saved up for so I could participate.


    I signed up for this weeks ago, and then a friend mentioned she *might* come.
    This wasn't something we planned together.

    This kind of race is something I'd like to gain more experience in , and eventually better my time.

    There are several walking trails in our area that are great places to stroll and chat at a leisurely pace,
    which is something I'd gladly do with her- another day- even later in this same day.
    Then tell her that before she signs up, and let her decide whether she's ok with that or not.
  • hkristine1
    hkristine1 Posts: 950 Member
    Clarification:
    This walk- and one other next month- are the only ones I'll be able to do this year- both fund raisers for good causes.
    Each entry fee is money I've saved up for so I could participate.


    I signed up for this weeks ago, and then a friend mentioned she *might* come.
    This wasn't something we planned together.

    This kind of race is something I'd like to gain more experience in , and eventually better my time.

    There are several walking trails in our area that are great places to stroll and chat at a leisurely pace,
    which is something I'd gladly do with her- another day- even later in this same day.
    Then tell her that before she signs up, and let her decide whether she's ok with that or not.


    Yes... if this is not something you planned to do together, and she just sort of invited herself along, I think there's nothing wrong with telling her what your goal for the walk is (e.g. to get a certain time) and that you do not plan to walk with her unless she can keep that pace. At the same time, tell her that you would enjoy going for casual walks with her around the town you're in - maybe even suggest that you go on a walk the weekend after this race, so that she doesn't think you're blowing her off, but that you are genuinely interested in walking with her - just not in this particular organized race.

    IF you had planned it together, I think it would be crappy to not walk with her. I signed up for a 10-K with my then-boyfriend, now-husband about 9 years ago. He was in better shape than me, but on race day, he stayed with me the whole time (well... sort of - he had to stop to use the restroom so told me to keep going and then he caught up with me). I had never run more than 4 miles prior to that date, and he knew it... and it meant a lot to me that he didn't care about his time - he wanted to be there to encourage me to finish.
  • sunman00
    sunman00 Posts: 872 Member
    re your clarification; you signed up ages ago so you're entitled to go at yr own pace

    I'm getting up soon to walk The London Marathon, 42km, very much at my own pace! :glasses:
  • Sinisterly
    Sinisterly Posts: 10,913 Member
    I'd let her know ahead of time I'm going to run.
    In total agreement with this one.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    You are concerned about a walking PR over spending time with a friend?
    I'd suggest a C25K program, any which one, will put your walking PR to bed in two weeks or so. Now go have fun with your friend.
  • mspoopoo
    mspoopoo Posts: 500 Member
    Be up front about your goals. You can't just change all your plans on a might come. She probably won't go anyway.

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