Starting Running

by Maria
(Scotland)

I have just taken up running with a partner, and while she seems to have a pace, I can't get into a rhythm, and find I'm out of breath quicker than her. We have both started together.





Answer by Dominique:
Hi Maria,
Thanks for your question about starting to run. Running with partners has advantages and disadvantages.


Advantages are that you have that extra motivation to actually get out of the door and also to keep on going when you get tired.

Disadvantage is that it can be quite frustrating when you find you are not exactly of the same level.

Your running partner may start with a little bit of a better fitness base or might just find it a little bit easier to start running.

Just stick with it. Good chance that within a few weeks you will get that rhytm as well and it will all become a bit easier.

Make sure you communicate with eachother about what is working and what is not. You may require a little bit of a slower pace or an extra walking break.

I have run with people faster and slower than I am as well and you just try to find ways to make it work: you can even do a warm-up and a cooling down together but do the actual training part separately.


Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Dominique