Training Run Conversations

Now that you have a training partner, you may need some help with conversation topics. Well, if you have social skills like me, you could use some help. The rest of you socially-competent folks are fine. Go ahead and skip this section.

Those long runs can last forever, so these should help fill the awkward lulls. I'm dividing the topics based on familiarity with the training partner.

Partner you just met:

• Weather
• Movies you've recently watched
• Running history, how and why you started
• Profession
• Kids (if you have them... otherwise pets are acceptable)

Someone you've known for a few weeks:

• Educational history
• Family history
• Food preferences/diet
• Observations about other runners you see on the trail, but stay positive
• Favorite childhood cartoons and/or toys

Someone you've been running with for months:

• Political views
• Religious views
• Philosophy of life
• Dreams and aspirations
• Whether you sleep in the nude or prefer pajamas
• Annoying co-workers

Someone you've been running with for at least a year:

• Details of the poop you just took in the woods(color, consistency, etc.)
• How different sports bras and/or shorts keep your breasts or genitals from bouncing
• Your real dreams and aspirations that you were too embarrassed to admit earlier
• Best place to dispose of the bodies of those annoying coworkers*
• That trip to Cancun, the video on the internet, and your resulting illegitimate child

*Just kidding law enforcement friends.

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Training Partners

Before we get to the nuts and bolts of experimentation ideas, let's chat about training partners. Some people are attracted to ultras for the solitude when training. Or, as was my case, you're looking for a little peace and quiet from your screaming newborn. If this is you, there's no need for a training partner or partners... enjoy the silence.

For those of you that prefer a more social setting, finding good training partners can be invaluable. I have the benefit of having an ultrarunning spouse. In fact, many of the “dates” Shelly and I go on involve running up and down mountains. We also have a great network of friends collectively known as the “Hobby Joggas.” We routinely go on group runs then hit up a local bar afterward.

Here are some tips to find training partners:

Tip #1: Find other ultrarunners. Social networking is great for this. Facebook is teeming with runners, many probably live near you. Connecting with them is easy, and most are always looking for new training partners. It's also a great way to get advice from those that have more experience.

Tip #2: Convince your friends to join you on this adventure. If your friends are adventurous, they'll probably join with little hesitation. If they are not adventurous, just lie by omission. If you're training for a 50k, tell them you're training for a 5k and just start going through the training plan. At some point they will catch on. At that point, just say “Oh, did I say 5k, I meant 50k! I've always had trouble with zeros.”

Tip #3: Get a dog that likes to run. They make great training partners. I'd suggest some sort of sled dog breed. I used to own a Pomeranian, which is apparently a descendant of sled dogs. Once trained, he could easily run 20+ miles as long as the temperatures were cool. Other active breeds will work, too. Avoid dogs like bulldogs as they aren't well-suited for running. Avoid little dogs like miniature pincers or Chihuahuas, too. That just looks silly.

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