Partner Up

Looking for a running buddy? Lisa Jhung, author of Running that doesn’t Suck explains how to find your perfect match

You’ve heard it before, training with a partner is highly motivating. Not only does it make you accountable and stick to your training – you can’t exactly bail out of meeting your running partner at 6 am – research shows it also helps you push yourself further.

Finding the ideal running partner has some similarities to finding a life partner. Maybe you get a good partner vibe from someone in your running club, a fellow participant at a race or someone you see often on your running route. Or perhaps someone in your exercise class or office is also interested in starting a running routine and you think you might be able to bear (and maybe even enjoy!) logging some miles with them.

FIND YOUR MATCH

How can you tell if they’re the right person to be your running buddy? Take them out for a test spin and ask yourself the following questions: ‘are we running at or around the same pace? Talking or not talking a similar amount? When we are talking, do I like this person?’ And, importantly, ‘do we have similar running goals and preferences?’.

Troubleshooting partner problems You may think you have the perfect running buddy, and maybe you do. But like any relationship, problems can arise. Here’s how to navigate them

Your buddy runs too fast