running with friends issue

zig

Just wondering what people prefer when it comes to running. Basically Ive been running on my own for quite a while doing a mix between 6km runs and fast 2.4km runs. Ive been slowly improving times, but recently friends have joined me who are naturally fitter from being sporty and what not.

My question is, does it make sense to be way more out of breath, and feel way worse during the run yet your times not being any better(when running with friends that is)?

When im with friends they start off a quicker pace but by the time were finished Im dying yet theres no improvement in my times to when I go on my own.
On one hand I feel I should keep running with them as I feel it pushes me more, on the other hand if my times arent any better with them whats the point. I guess Im just looking for clarification that this actually makes sense!
This is a bit of a weird post I know.
cheers

RacoonQueen

I suppose it's similar to the issue that came up a few weeks about lifting weights with an instructor beside you and being able to lift a heavier weight when they are there, all coming down to it being psychological.

Do you run the same distances with your friends as you do alone? What times do you do it in then? Is it only when you're on your own that you run 'slower', it's probably just down to you adopting a much gentler pace when you're running than they would - even though you are capable of running faster, then when you're with them you adapt to their pace.

Maybe you're just not pushing yourself enough when you're on your own as you have no one to compete with.

PeakOutput

talking to running partners if your anyway in an uncomfortable range will really mess up your breathing and make you alot more out of breath

zig

well basically we'll take the 2.4km for example, my recent is on average 11:00 to 11:10 at the moment. When running with friends the exact same distant I dont make any improvements on time, yet within 1.2km to 1.6km Im already nearly breathing heavy and struggling to keep up with them. This is because they start off quicker.

I hear them chatting away ok and I can barely get a word out. By the end im feeling much worse than I would if I was on my own and I can barely finish it. But my point is there is no improvement in my time.

So I guess Im just wondering does that make sense that there is no time or distance improvement yet I can be left feeling like im pushing myself harder because of a different technique.

zig

PeakOutput wrote: »

talking to running partners if your anyway in an uncomfortable range will really mess up your breathing and make you alot more out of breath

just saw this, ive a feeling thats definetely the difference so