Running with your spouse (help needed)

emmaleigh47
emmaleigh47 Posts: 1,670 Member
edited October 3 in Fitness and Exercise
Ok there is pure craziness at my house. Husband really wants to run the 10 miler training run with me tomorrow. The farthest he has ever went was 6.2 miles but he is convinced that he can do this ... no amount of arguing has made him any less convinced.

The last time we ran together, it didnt go too well (we walked while I ran - sprinted up ahead etc). He swears he wants to go and support me... He promised not to walk while I am running (he runs about 2min/mile faster than I do)

im torn... I was kinda looking forward to the run alone, but I also dont want to discourage him from helping me either. I have tried offering to have him join me at the end and he doesnt want to ... Im afraid this will mess up my run ... and oh geez I dont know what to do? Anyone have any advice?

Replies

  • wbgolden
    wbgolden Posts: 2,066 Member
    I would do just about anything to have a running partner. That said, since he's promised to play nice, I would say yes :)
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    Why not let him run. Then just run at your own pace, if you leave him in your dust, so be it.
  • elfy66
    elfy66 Posts: 138 Member
    Go for it!
  • audram420
    audram420 Posts: 838 Member
    Sometimes I get so wrapped up in not messing up my run and pushing so hard that I don't consider my friends. I have two friends who desperately want to do a future 5k with me and I dread it because they will walk. Thats OK because there will be more 5Ks to run...i keep trying to tell myself that because I really want to be supportive of them.
    With that said...give him another chance and remember you will have many more days to run alone and enjoy it!
  • kburns0709
    kburns0709 Posts: 297 Member
    i run with my boyfriend and we basically just see each other at the beginning and the end! he runs a LOT faster than me
    just ignore him, listen to your music, do whatever you would do if you were alone and let him do his thing
    I've had to learn to get past going slooooow and i just do my own thing so you should do the same!
  • keith0373
    keith0373 Posts: 2,154 Member
    I do not recommend him running in circles around you while you run. Personal experience . . . .
  • Deckershann
    Deckershann Posts: 272 Member
    I have same problem...hubby runs MUCH faster/longer than I can. If it's a run where there's lots of people though, I think you will have fun doing it together. The farthest I ever ran was probably 3 miles at one time (Yes, I hate running) but I did a 10k last Halloween without training (because I wanted to dress up lol) and made it through just fine. Seeing all the other people, and just having fun...somehow makes it easier imo.

    Best of luck!!
  • humanskin
    humanskin Posts: 42
    Why not let him run. Then just run at your own pace, if you leave him in your dust, so be it.

    I agree with this. Let him go with you then do your own thing. If he really wants to be with you, let him adjust is pace to match you.

    My husband, when he runs with me, leaves me way behind because he likes to sprint and run for like 15 minutes and quit where I like to jog, pace myself, and go for like an hour. We rarely run together anymore but I don't push myself when we do because that's not fair to me.
  • iansschneider
    iansschneider Posts: 4
    I agree, start out together and have a nice chat, if you outpace him, put on some tunes and have fun.....Support your spouse, as it will bring you closer together..
  • j_courter
    j_courter Posts: 999 Member
    i was hoping to see some good advice here, because i've been training for my first 5k. my husband really wants to run with me, but he is in FAR better shape than i am. he is wonderfully sweet and ubber supportive but when i told him my goal was ten minute miles, he said, "i'm not sure i can even walk a 10 minute mile." yeah, thanks honey! i'm not at all sure how this is going to work... i do think my run time will be a bit faster, because i've only ever timed myself on my dead end dirt road, which has a monster hill, but i think he'll either be bored out of his mind or i'll feel pushed to speed up.

    has anyone done this with success and not just met at the finish line?

    let us know how it goes!
  • luv2run
    luv2run Posts: 54 Member
    I can totally relate except I have the opposite problem my husband who used to be an awesome runner is currently not in shape but likes to run with me once in a while and because I dont want to cause any hardships in our relationship I always encourage him to run with me, If its possible I just adjust my schedule if I was going to do speedwork but he is coming I will just do an easy run and do the speedwork another day, Its all about being flexible that is the great thing about running you can easily adjust your schedule on most runs, if this run is not able to be adjusted I would just tell your husband very nicely that this is your training day and you need to complete it and if he is going to run with you he needs to run your pace and just explain that its very distracting when he walks while your running or he sprints ahead and that is not helping you to achieve your goals, if he truly wants to help you he will comply. Good luck with your run, I feel your pain :smile:
  • emmaleigh47
    emmaleigh47 Posts: 1,670 Member
    Thank you to everyone for the advice.
    I tried to explain I didnt think it was a good idea and he says "Well dont people run different paces at races" - well he kinda had me there. And there are many times I am annoyed with a fast walker while I am running...

    So I guess we are off for this 10 mile run tomorrow. He promised not to sprint ahead ... :)
  • KimertRuns13_1
    KimertRuns13_1 Posts: 702 Member
    Good luck!

    My favorite running partner is my hubby...even when he is wayy faster than me. I can't think of a better support system for each other!
  • Flyntiggr
    Flyntiggr Posts: 898 Member
    I had never run with anyone before last weekend. I have no spouse, so I don't have that additional dynamic. I passed an old friend on the trail, purely by accident. He's been running for awhile, and is training for Chicago in a few weeks. He surprised me by turning around and running with me. I thought he'd only stick around for a bit, but nope, he ran the whole thing with me. I pace around 13, and he paces in the 8 range. To be honest, it worked really well! He needs to slow down towards his taper, and I wanna speed up! I do a 3:1 interval, and he paced me onthe run sections, I shaved almost a minute off my pace over all, and didn't feel the least bit overworked!

    He asked what time I wax running this weekend.I think I have a running partner, and am thrilled!
  • bjbixler
    bjbixler Posts: 253 Member
    I WISH my husband would run with me, just because I want him to be more active. Plus, I want him to catch the bug so he knows why I run as much as I do. Double plus, I think it'd be a great way to spend rime together.

    I agree with most of the advice here. Explain that you need to stick to your training and how he can help you with that, but still tag along. Hopefully he'll understand and do what he can to help you.

    Good luck on your 10miler!
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