Are your friends little dots in front of you at races? Are they blurs that pass you after the turnaround?
At training runs, do you find yourself panting and gasping for air just to keep up with them? Do you just fall back and find yourself walking after running 2Km with them on your long runs? Or do they end up running backwards on uphills just so you can run side by side?
Different runners run different paces but it doesn’t mean you can no longer train together (and survive).
As you progress from a walk/run to a 30 minute straight run and on to 1 hour runs, you should start considering including quality runs i.e. tempo, various speed repeat distances and long runs. This is where you can start training with your faster friends without them sacrificing their own training days. Best combo for slow-fast friends buddy run is the tempo-easy run combo. The slower friend can run their tempo while the faster friend is doing their easy run. A definite win-win!
Hatched: Another scheme to get faster
Keti and I came up with this scheme while we were out on one of our Monday runs. Mukhang Guilty, runMD and AmJ are really fast runners. If we can schedule our tempo runs with them, we are guaranteed to get our lazy legs turning over a tad faster.
TheScheme: Wagi!
A lot of factors came in to play when I ran the Mizuno Infinity Run 2009. However, I have to admit that my 2 Saturday tempo runs gave me the confidence to push myself harder. Running tempo with other runners makes the training run a little easier and more fun. The goal is to stick to your pacer and not worry if you are hitting your target pace. That’s their job. You just have to trust that they will run on pace and not try to kill you. During these 2 training runs, I ended up focusing more on my form and making little adjustments to comfortably run on pace rather than obsessing about the pace.
End result: Mizuno 5:51 min/km pace.
Thanks to Rene, Mukhang Guilty and runMD.
Next Target pacer: MiSH. Then, when I’m feeling suicidal, I will try and trail Mari around Ultra.
Btw, being slow isn’t so bad. You are guaranteed to have great pictures as you cross the finish line. Just keep on running and have fun.
13Nov2009 - all my bags are packed im ready to go ... 
12 responses so far ↓
kingofpots // 16 June 2009 at 1:06 pm |
hey, bards, that is a fast pace–5:51 mins/km..keep up the good work. keeping pace with runmd & mukhang guilty is really a great effort on your part. good luck on your next races & see you soon!
my fastest pace for distance longer than 5K. and I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised. see you soon BR!
ricov // 16 June 2009 at 4:53 pm |
hi bards. i like your topic because I can relate well. The slowpoke me schedules my tempo run around the LSD of my faster friends. Win-win situtation I think. My pace improves while I provide company in their long slow run. Well, I that is if I have enough breath to talk while running
you are so right about tempo and talking. probably the only time i shut up hehehe
jinoe // 16 June 2009 at 5:33 pm |
Bakit ako walang TY after the “encouragement” I gave to you sa Mizuno Run? Hehehe… Sige, target natin si Mari next time.
di ka pa forgiven! I will get even … mwa har har har <– imagine Romy Diaz laughing while stroking his bigote
Jaymie // 16 June 2009 at 7:40 pm |
Hey bards, congrats with Mizuno. Ang bilis mo!
I agree, running with faster friends is a fun and easy way to work on your speed. I used to use that “strategy” every Saturday with my friend Annie. For her it was an easy run, for me it was tempo haha.
Thanks! Ikaw rin! Watch out people, TBR is Back!!! Faster friends are really great, chika time na tipid pa sa pacer and coach.
notsquare // 17 June 2009 at 10:57 am |
“being slow isn’t so bad. You are guaranteed to have great pictures as you cross the finish line. Just keep on running and have fun.”
AMEN!
hehe
rayabe // 17 June 2009 at 11:29 am |
Hi Bards!
Congrats on your Mizuno Run (incorrect timing notwithstanding)! <— that's the adjusted time na
I believe your (you and Keti’s) strategy is correct.
When I was a kid, I hung out with those who were mas magaling whether it was in basketball, volleyball, chess, running and even in school. I learned alot of things (and tricks) from them. “Na-batak” ako by playing with them.
my block used this strategy also to pass our Physics class. Thanks Freddie!
gingerbreadrunning // 17 June 2009 at 11:33 am |
Congrats on your nice Mizuno pace Bards
I agree, pacing with faster friends would be really helpful in the long run, gives you that extra push. I tried last Friday, our fast buddy made me eat dust. Take it easy!
Cheers,
Luis
thanks luis. hehehe ako okay lang kumain ng alikabok basta umabot lang sa 5flats
mari // 18 June 2009 at 12:11 am |
aha, Bards … i can relate to this very well, especially when trailing the elites in races and eating their dust, heheh. the point is that i usually try to schedule my endurance (hills/offroad) runs with them (at least at their pace, i hope) a day before my speed sessions in the track. i saw ting earlier tonight and we did a cool down run at the same time while catching up. see you around … hey, very nice topic. :p
when i grow up, i want to be as fast as mari. hehe. really hope to get back to ultra next week. i think ive been saying this for 2 months na. hay! see ya.
keti // 18 June 2009 at 12:37 pm |
you know exactly how i feel!!!!!…i still feel that way and i miss you na (kasi walang speed work tomorrow and anyway, rest for me kasi papahilot nga ) so please fly back soon and i’m hoping next week we can do speedwork?
yes to speedwork next week. rain or shine basta no ThunderBoltnLightning. miss you guys. mukha na ako roving guard ng Marcelo Fernan Bridge.
runtintin // 18 June 2009 at 10:15 pm |
Come back na! You and Keti are my my pacers! Heehee..dali na my slowpokedness has to end now. You guys give me direction hahaha
positivesplit // 19 June 2009 at 9:34 am |
Bards, Having faster friends is truly a blessing in disguise. Yun lang we can’t return the favor
When they’re at ‘kwento pace’, tayo naman on MUTE. Haha!
See you around
korek. hmmm i think their evil plan is to get me to shut up while running hehe
Bro J // 19 June 2009 at 8:08 pm |
thanks for the tip Bards, the last race i kept pace with you eh hindi ko na sustained sa bilis mo, hehehe. Naiwan na ko sa MKH but i was able to finish with a good time. Keep on running, see you at the race!
broJ, pride made me stick to the pace when were running sa hayppy run. me and my big mouth had to say 5:30 to 6. ayan tuloy. see you and Swthrt soon!