How do I politely decline running with a slower runner?

snatch - you should definitely start up the NY marathon thread if you want to. I thought about doing that one, but all the stuff I read on here about the horrible start scared me away. I think I'm gonna do Philadelphia instead.

run with him on your real easy days. Sometimes runnign with slower people is good for you, it makes you slow down and recover.

-Soup

I make it a point to run with anyone who wants to share a run with me even if it means I'm walking. Most however already know I run kind of fast for them and are intimidated to even ask.

The only thing I will insist though is that they run on one of my off days. I will gladly put in 8/9 minute miles for a 4-6 miler between harder days. My philosophy is you can't take it easy enough on off days.

Notwithstanding wrote:The only thing I will insist though is that they run on one of my off days....

I'm not gonna lie, that's awesome. I seriously need to find a girl that is looking to run 4:50 and doing their normal runs at 7 min pace.

And to the guy who said "I always say that when you see a guy and a girl running together, and the guy is obviously capable of a much faster pace, there's only one reason they're running together. Not that it's not a good reason, but it's a pretty obvious one."-That is so incredibly true. I'm in college and so many times I have done my normal run then come back and run with a girl a few more miles because of the possibility to "expand the relationship". Worst example was 2 days ago with a former sprinter here, I ran my long day of 16 miles then came back and was asked less than an hour afterwards if I wanted to run with her... thus 3 more miles, my legs being massively sore, and possibly the start of something... Oh the runners version of spitting game.

To put a twist on this thread, have you ever refused a run with someone slower than you because they train too fast, or been refused by a slower runner because you train too slow?

I'm not fast, but I run 10k maybe 3-4 minutes quicker than the buddy in question. I run my easy days easy, and my hard days hard. He runs every day hard - well, not really hard, per se; he runs every run at about 6:30 to 7:00, never goes much slower, but never does anything much faster/harder (except hill repeats).

I used to call him up to run (and vice versa), but we've drifted apart because when we do run together, I'll set out at maybe 7:30 pace (+/-), and he wants to run 6:30. I don't mind going slower on easy days, but I don't like going much faster, and I draw the line at going any quicker than, say, 7:00 pace.

It was kinda comical a few times, we'd be out for a run chatting, and next thing you know he's 100 yards ahead of me, then standing around waiting for me to catch up, hoping I'll move up to his pace.

Anyway, lotsa different circumstances can make two runners incompatible as training partners.

"Oh the runners version of spitting game."

Am I the only one here who has no idea what the aforementioned "spitting game" is?

Do an easy day with him. You can always go out and run more after you run with him if you didn't go long enough. Even guys like Moricelli would sometimes run 10 minute miles.

It's a slang version for flurting essentially. Sorry, in college and most here would know what it means.

I routinely run with friends who are significantly slower then me (8 min slower in a 10km race). However, they are great friends and we have such great conversations, that the slower pace for me is well worth it. I also run to and from their house to pick them up for the run, so get to run some quicker mileage that morning as well.

Bottom line is, is the conversation and friendship going to be worth the reduced training pace? For me, it defintitely is.

Also remember that you likely aren't training for the Olympics, so you don't take all your runs too seriously.

Just my $.02

Invite him to a local 10k - kick his ass then talk about politely talk about your training - such as easy pace 7 minute miles, etc.

perhaps another version of this thread -- people at your fitness (or slightly slower) who insist on beating you every time you run, but who you are inevitably waiting for in the finishing chutes Sunday morning. These pace pushers are the worst people to run with! It seems almost genetic: some people just have to be "in front" when you run together; while others, sometimes 20-30 minutes slower in a marathon, you can easily run with for hours without the monday night dickswinging contest.

In reference to "spitting game," WL wrote:

"It's a slang version for flurting essentially. Sorry, in college and most here would know what it means"

My bad, WL- you were talking about spitting "game." I thought you were referring to some sort of "spitting game." I've heard of "kicking game," but never "spitting" it...

It's actually the title of a song on Snow Patrol's album-Final Straw. Good album and song, thus would be where I got it. Anyways, sorry for directing this thread off course.

I have a similar running friend, and when he wants to train together, we go to a trail of some sort (2 or 3 miles) and run laps. It can be boring as hell, but at least you are running your pace and they will get the point about the difference in speed.

You talk to slow runners?

My solution to this dilemma is to run out and back. Run out at your pace for say 30 minutes - he pushes to catch you. After 30 minutes, turn around and head back - you are pushing to catch him on the return. Granted you don't do much talking but a good workout none the less. I've used this with the running club I belong to. Gets everyone back around the same time and no one is left straggling.

If you are such a jerk that you will not run with a friend, then you don't need to be concerned about declining politely. Just tell him he's not good enough to run with you, and that he ought to consider himself lucky that you even talk to him.

tell him you regularly post on letsrun. that should get rid of him.