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The Benefits Of Having A Running Partner

Updated on February 7, 2013

A Running Buddy Can Be A Great Motivator Towards Your Exercise Goals

If you're looking at beginning a running routine for weight loss and fitness development, or simply looking into ways at really pushing your race performance further One option to help with your running training is to get yourself a running partner.

The benefits of a running partner can be both performance and social so here's an insight into how they could help you to improve.

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Grab Yourself A Running Buddy To Help Your Progress

Grab Yourself A Running Buddy To Help Your Progress Towards Your Performance Goals. These Guys Were Helping Each Other During The 2012 Wolverhampton Marathon
Grab Yourself A Running Buddy To Help Your Progress Towards Your Performance Goals. These Guys Were Helping Each Other During The 2012 Wolverhampton Marathon | Source

Conversation Can Really Help On Those Boring Long Runs

If you hate the idea of doing those long runs to really develop your running endurance getting yourself a running buddy.

Unless you're targeting your anaerobic fitness (where talking is pretty much reduced to short grunts) you can have some amazing conversations with your running partners while running and develop a strong friendship too.

There are also benefits to having different sets of running partners. If you're a male, having a female running partner could help you to become more in touch with issues that you wouldn't necessarily talk about with the guys. It could even help you towards becoming a more rounded human being- just through having a running partner.

Safety In Numbers- Particularly On Dark Winter Nights

Running alone for many people can be a little intimidating. Whether you're on the sidewalk or braving narrow tracks there's greater safety in numbers.

Running with a partner can be particularly beneficial for women who lack the confidence to run alone. Sadly in some areas you can never quite tell who's out there and whilst there are relatively few instances in the news of attacks on runners at night- it's always a recommendation to take precautions and running with a partner can help provide additional safety in numbers.

A Running Partner Can Take You Out Of Your Comfort Zone

Running partners are an excellent way to challenge you to make subtle changes to your running routines.

  • Help To Change Your Running Routes And Routines

Many of us like familiarity and tend to run the same routes on a regular basis. Your running partner (or partners) will all have their own favourite routes which will not only be different to you and challenge. A running partner is also an excellent opportunity to say 'lets drive out to ... and go for a run there'.

  • A Running Partner Can Be A Great Pacesetter

If you're a one pace plodder- a running partner can really take you out of your comfort zone in the search for faster race times. Running alongside someone who is faster than yourself will force you to up your running speed. However on the other hand if you're a beginner trying to get into running a slower runner could be a great running partner for a beginner.

  • Limit Missed Training Sessions

We all have days where we simply aren't too interested in heading out for a run. Whether it's in the middle of a cold dark winter, or after a night out when your bed is calling out to you. Having a running partner adds a social responsibility to your training as you'll be letting yourself and your running partner down by cancelling a training session. You won't want to disappoint a friend and a good running partner.

Partners Can Make A Great Alarm Clock For Your Running

Do you tend to run a lot of an evening? But would love to run more in the morning before work so you can do more at home? Consider finding yourself a running partner who is the stereotypical feel good 'morning person' with a great attitude to getting things done early in the day.

Running in the morning will also help you be well prepared for those occasional weekend races which start at dawn due to local traffic restrictions or marathons which start early to avoid the midday hot sun. Summer Marathon events are often an early start so those really early mornings could help you physically and mentally prepare for your events.

Do You Feel A Running Partner Benefits Your Running?

Please feel free to leave your comments below.

Happy Running

Liam Hallam (CyclingFitness on Hubpages)

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