Started dating a trail runner, would you alter your training schedule to spend time running with new relationship?

I think you’re overthinking it.

If you decide not to run with her, plan to meet up for dinner that night, or schedule a shorter trail run with her sometime soon.

Winning no matter what!

Being a runner, I would never date a runner

Seems like she really likes you if she wants to bring you along for such a long run. Good for you! The way I see it the choice is either

a) You run with her. Get in some good strength on the hills, show her you're interested in spending time with her and getting to know more about her interests, if it goes well maybe keep hanging out after. Could be a really memorable day if the relationship continues.

or

b) Do your own run. This signals that you care more about getting your own training right than spending time with her. If running is how you make your living, sure go for it. It's a day in the office for you. Otherwise, why?

tl;dr if you like her just go run with her dammit and stop overthinking your hobbyjogger training

No, women weaken legs.

Thank you, this is exactly what I needed to hear. Sometimes you don't realize you are being an idiot until someone points it out.

If you are hoping to run sub 2:20 and maybe get an OTQ, then you should run on your own. Otherwise, hit the trails.

Let's see...your handle is "really like this girl," and within three sentences you say you really like her, you are super into her, and running with her would be a great day. And the downside is running a slightly less than optimal workout and maybe having to take it easy in training for a few days if the hills trash your legs. If you're not a pro, it doesn't seem like a tough decision to me.

Another way to look at it is to ask yourself how many races you have run in your life and how many girls you have dated that you like this much.

Do the run with her. Probably wont be as hard as you think unless she's a very serious/faster runner than you. Your calves might just burn more than usual for a day or two.

Easy decision. Run with her.

First i guess you underestimate the mountains and the training effect. Its great.

Second you have nice company.

Keep training. Don't skip your run to run with her. It's more important to establish your independence and display your commitment to something important to you. You don't need to be a jerk and blow her off but don't stop your training for her. Like the one guy suggested, do your run then hang out with her later that day. Plan the date yourself. Let her know you'll do trail runs with her after the marathon. If she isn't cool with that, better to learn it now.

I think the answer is probably to run with her, but would have one caveat. The worst-case scenario would be that you get 30 minutes into a 2-3 hour run and decide she is wrong for you and you never want to see her again. Then you would be pissed for several reasons. But if you know her well enough to feel that's not going to happen (hard to tell - "just started dating" could mean a lot of things) then go on the trail run. There are a lot more marathons out there than girls that might be the one.

The Stoic

You are making it more complicated than it is.

If you like her, just do that 14 mile run with her and see what happens. I am pretty sure your Marathon will not suffer from that.

If the Marathon is all you care about, well then just do the 18 mile run alone and go on with your life.

Depends on how far out your race is and what your training looks like for the next few days. If you haven't done many runs with higher vert gain, expect your glutes and maybe calves to be sore for a few days and may have to cut back mileage. If your race is still at least 5+ weeks out, I'd say go ahead, have fun. If it's closer, explain the situation and it seems like she would understand. You can talk about going for some trail runs after this training block or less intensive, shorter trail runs together.

I think supplementing marathon training with trail mountain running is great for aerobic development and maybe you'll find you love trail running too.

Listen dweeb,

you’re gonna fu$k this up if you don’t hear me out. You will quickly find out why this forum hates on Ultra guys/girls. She’s gonna end up walking at mile 1.5 at the first sign of a climb and get mad at you if you bolt ahead. Trail girls suck and are annoying to “run” with, unless they’re European or actually a legit sponsored runner. Then you’re going to end up walking 70% of your planned course and feel like you wasted 3 hrs and didn’t even get a workout in as your HR barely got elevated. Stick to your workout and don’t blow this by being weak and walking instead of running like a man.

Then after wasting your 3 hrs, you will have to tell her you need to get a real workout in. She’ll be mad at you as she probably will want to go get cupcakes or IPAs after that epic hike. Then you get fat and lose fitness, and she’ll be pissed at you because you feel guilty about not running and she will wonder why you’re so angry. Hahahahaha

If you like the girl, run with the girl.

Alter your workout so you get a medium long run with some MP in it. It sounds like you're following a Pfitz plan, yes? You can shift things around for that.

I did this for ~6 months with a girl I'd only describe as "refulgent". Some really amazing memories, experiences, and conversations &c &c &c. Probably could have ran a bit faster in the marathon, but irdc -- my only regret is that it didn't work out :( & I'm still not over her.

Did you ask her yet if she voted for Biden?