Male runners help set pace

I’m almost through my marathon training now and, for the past few weeks, there’s been something different about my training.
At first, I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I figured it out a few weeks back.
I’ve been running with guys.
Now, there are plenty of men and women in my marathon clinic; in fact, if I were to guess at a raw number, I think it’s probably close to an even split.
But as with any group of runners we inevitably split up into groups that match our paces.
A few weeks back, I looked around on one of our Sunday long runs and I thought, hey where are all the girls?
Usually, there are a couple of us, but as the training wore on it became me and the guys as a fixture.
I have to say there’s a pretty big difference, I’ve noticed.
Among my girlfriends when I run, there’s usually one level-headed person who says, “hey our pace is a little fast for a training run”.
There are flashes of rational thinking among this group of guys, but it is faint and definitely not the norm.
There’s an undercurrent of competitiveness.
But I have to admit I like it.
It’s actually kind of motivating.
It’s like running with a bunch of big brothers.
And there’s a certain sense of satisfaction at being able to hold my own with this group.
There are all kinds of statistics about how much stronger men are then women due to their physical make up.
I won’t lie.
At the outset of training, I didn’t think I would still be hanging around during the long distances.
I thought once it got into 25k and up I’d be too tired to keep up, but I’m still here.
It’s funny when you run for this many weeks with a group you start to notice patterns.
Paul is our pacer, depending on what mood he’s in, sometimes he’ll push us other times he’ll keep us steady.
Lee stays behind to start and then ramps it up at about 10 or 12k into the run. When he’s in ramp mode he’s miles ahead.
Hassan is forever disappearing, taking a short cut and then reappearing somewhere else on the route.
Tony is strong and steady and the silent pace setter of the group.
He’ll argue otherwise of course. He’ll blame me for whatever speed we’re going.
Tony is strong and steady and the silent pace setter of the group.
He’ll argue otherwise of course. He’ll blame me for whatever speed we’re going.
 John Lang our fearless leader comes with a smile and pleasant demeanour but always manages to ramp up the pace without anyone noticing.
And then there’s the other John, steady as ever rounding out the group always the conversationalist even when we’re having a tough run.
These little habits have become my Sunday norm.

Comments

[Ed Pozz]

You failed to mention how you left your buddies behind this weekend as you easly increased your pace to sub 5:30 min /km . Paul and I were laffing. You ROck !

Cya Wed.

Ed. P

[Steve Fleck]

Caroline,

My name is Steve Fleck. I am doing the race announcing for the Hartwell Challenge this weekend. Can you please contact me. I would like to talk with you.

sales@nineteenwetsuits.com

Thanks,

SF