We started week six today and I'm proud to say that we have stuck to the schedule ...with the exception of a couple of short runs that were missed due to injury. (We've both had our random fair share so far - Rich's Achilles, which seem to be better now with a shoe change, rest and icing - and my random dislocated shoulder and broken toe incidents!)
So tonight when I went to kick off week six with a short three miler, Rich upped the ante with some taunting. Turns out he had set a new pace record this morning with his three miler and, since he had been holding "the record" for a few weeks now, he was pretty confident I wouldn't break the new one.
I don't like being taunted.
We are both extremely competitive.
So when I returned I simply said, "You are fast.... but don't taunt me," and handed him my Garmin watch.
Let's just say a new record has been smashed - er, I mean set - and the competitive spirit is alive and well. It helps us both to keep going and pushing each other and ourselves.
Which makes me wonder - will we really stick to our pact to run and stick together/finish together no matter what in Ireland? That's our plan (but, history will show... Rich kicks it in at the end!)...
What's your experience - if you train with someone and run the race with them, do you stick together during the race or do you both take off and let be what will be?
Week 6 - Competitive Spirit Keeps Us Going
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6 comments:
A friend and I ran our first race a few days ago and agreed to run at our respective race pace. We ran the first half together, but split up when I felt I could go faster.
It was only a short race though.
forty5
Hubby and I ran his first marathon together in January. We stuck together to the bitter end.
For us, it was a combined triumph, something we trained for and accomplished together. We both had our tough moments, but we have lots of pictures of us together, hand in hand - even crossing the finish line. It was a good bonding experience.
It just depends on the two of you. Since a first marathon is just "to finish" I would lean toward sticking together so you can help each other finish - then sign up for another one and race each other then.
Also, a word of caution. Watch the competitive short runs! Easy to pull something when doing that. Now that your long runs are getting longer, better to be conservative :-)
All just my opinion. You guys will know what is right for you!
I agree with marathonchris. I think when you get into the really long runs you'll see how great it is to have someone to share this experience with. You'll see that maybe one person will help push at the beginning and maybe the other will help drag you through at the end. It seems there was always one of us having an "off" day and we were so grateful to have each other to get through it. You two are doing something so awesome and special and I think it would be even more so if you crossed the finish line together, if for nothing else than to have each other to hug as it is a really emotional experience for most people.
Ken and I were also competitive, but I agree that we were tempting fate as far as injuries go. Maybe just use your competitive spirit to challenge yourself to keep up and push past Rich during his final "kick".
I have to laugh at your spirit, though, as Ken and I noted toward the end of our training that I always ran just one step ahead of him. Hmmmm.....competitive? Not me!
Oh and one more thing.....Great job kicking his butt,Chris!!!!!
Thanks for the great advice and shared experiences. As competitive as we both are (which I know we both view as a very positive thing), I also want to cross the finish line side by side with Chris.
This is the first marathon for both of us on our first ever trip to Ireland and it only makes it more special to finish the race together.
Good point about being careful not to get injured training too hard on the short runs. It would be a shame to get injured just to get the new "high score" pace. So I guess I will let Chris keep the high score for now. (Also, because there is no way in heck I could ever beat it) :)
You guys are great - thanks so much for the advice!
GREAT point about competing too much and hurting ourselves. After that little "competition" my legs were sooooooooo tired and it's been tough to recuperate!
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