Runners: Running with a slower partner, ok or nay?

RunnerElizabeth

I've been running for a couple years now and although I started in the 12+ minute mile range, I'm now down to about 8:30 for shorter distances and 10 minute miles or under for longer distances (currently training for another half). In the warmer months I usually run with my sister who started 5 years before me. We run the same races in summer and fall including a half, but for our Sunday long runs she would run about 11:30-12 mins per mile.

So is running slower than my natural comfortable pace one day a week (I get 3 more runs in of varying distances) going to keep me from progressing? Or is it ok? I enjoy running with her, the chit chat makes the 2 hours we spend on a 10 mile run bearable, but I do want to continue to progress as a runner.

Sqeekyjojo

I think if anything, it's giving you valuable skills in pacing which you could use for running longer distances at other times.

TaurianDoll

I think it's fine if you're only running one day a week with her. I was one of the fastest people in my running groups (9:45 min/mi pace - we weren't very fast lol) and once a week, I ran with a friend who ran a 11 min/mi pace. It was good for me because I still got put the miles on my legs and I got a chance to enjoy the other side of running - spending time with a friend. We would chit chat a lot too. Save your speedwork for other days.

scottb81

It won't hurt you. I ran most of my long runs last summer at 10:30 to 11:00/mi with a group and then ran a 3:32 marathon (8:06 pace).

Anyway, if your fastest pace for long distances is 10:00/mi your proper pace for a long run is around 11:00 to 12:00/mi.

PeteWhoLikesToRunAlot

I've been asked a couple of times to join the running group at work. It'd probably be nice to build some comraderie, but honestly, I really enjoy the "me and the road" aspect of running alone. After listening to inane babble at work all day, and then my kids screaming at each other, it's a welcome bit of downtime to just focus on breathing, do some introspection.

And, of course, I'm way too fast for all of the casual runners in the group at work, haha

ValerieMomof2

I think it's fine if you're only running one day a week with her. I was one of the fastest people in my running groups (9:45 min/mi pace - we weren't very fast lol) and once a week, I ran with a friend who ran a 11 min/mi pace. It was good for me because I still got put the miles on my legs and I got a chance to enjoy the other side of running - spending time with a friend. We would chit chat a lot too. Save your speedwork for other days.

This is me for the most part too. We would meet 1-2 times a week to run and she always felt bad because we were different paces, but I loved these runs and looked forward to them. It never affected me detrimentally either

whatjesseats

I don't think it's a problem--as someone else said, that's probably a good pace for you for long slow distance.

However, I think you should be mindful of your form on these runs. My boyfriend doesn't run with me any more because he couldn't keep good form at my glacial pace and it was causing foot and ankle issues for him.