 Chicago runner Erica Agran loves running with friends and doesn’t mind adjusting her pace or route so she’s not striding solo. But recently, she found herself in a sticky situation. A new friend wanted to run together, and often; however, this runner’s easy pace was closer to a tempo run for Agran.
“If I slowed down, she would slow down too... for a couple steps,” Agran says. “Then she’d pick it up again.”
Agran explained the issue, but the friend kept pushing. She tried a few other tactics, including meeting only on workout days and warming up alone first, so she could more easily reach a speedy clip by the time they connected.
But by spring, Agran was training for marathons, and running too fast became counterproductive. So she was more blunt.
She told her would-be training partner she’d be glad to meet for coffee or walks, but when it came to running, they’d have to go their separate paces. It took a few conversations, but “I think finally now she has realized we’re not compatible to run together,” Agran says.
For all the joy and connection running with others can bring, the wide range of speeds, styles, and personalities in the sport can also lead to mismatches or conflicts. |
Chicago runner Erica Agran loves running with friends and doesn’t mind adjusting her pace or route so she’s not striding solo. But recently, she found herself in a sticky situation. A new friend wanted to run together, and often; however, this runner’s easy pace was closer to a tempo run for Agran.
“If I slowed down, she would slow down too... for a couple steps,” Agran says. “Then she’d pick it up again.”
Agran explained the issue, but the friend kept pushing. She tried a few other tactics, including meeting only on workout days and warming up alone first, so she could more easily reach a speedy clip by the time they connected.
But by spring, Agran was training for marathons, and running too fast became counterproductive. So she was more blunt.
She told her would-be training partner she’d be glad to meet for coffee or walks, but when it came to running, they’d have to go their separate paces. It took a few conversations, but “I think finally now she has realized we’re not compatible to run together,” Agran says.
For all the joy and connection running with others can bring, the wide range of speeds, styles, and personalities in the sport can also lead to mismatches or conflicts. |
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