Big dilema - what would you do?

[Dreamer2012]

My friend and I have been training together for the upcomming Pricess 1/2 and dreaming of crossing the finish line to collect our medals together - neither one of us cares about our time - just finishing...here is the problem:
one is considerably slower and is having some problems with cramping, stamina etc... but is able to run if needed for short periods - the other is a steady pace walker who can not run. It is now close to the race day and we need to decide what to do.... Do we stay together as long as possible / split and meet @ the finish line or stay together no matter what... Has anyone else experienced this - how did you handle it? How would you handle it?

 

[PrincessRhi]

Of my friends, I am the slow friend these days.

Even though I enjoy crossing the finish with my speedy friends and often talk about it in the planning stages, I want them to be able to run their races. I'll let them do their thing, I'll do mine, and then we meet up for photos at the end. I'm also basing this on the fact that I've run tons of events, so another medal and finisher photo crossing the finish line aren't as important to me as it was my very first race.

Here's my harsh advice: I'd say do what you can do together, but the second pace gets too fast or slow, part ways. As much as I am all about being there and being supportive, you also paid an entry fee. Knowing it's Disney, it was an expensive entry fee. If you split up, you both will find people to talk to and draw inspiration from. I would hate to know that a friend stuck with me and got a DNF when she could have finished, or slower finish time when she could have PRed.

 

[Dreamer2012]

Thanks PrincessRhi I think it is something we may have to talk about and agree on...I am also worried that if only one of us gets the medal the other may be upset and the one with the medal may not be able to fully enjoy the victory with out making the other feel badly...has anyone ever been on either end of that kind of situation?

 

[PrincessRhi]

I actually almost threw this in my previous response, but I met up with a group of seven other people who were doing some aspect of running the marathon weekend. While the majority of us were running the marathon relay, we did have someone running the Goofy.

I usually alternate between a jog and a walk, and the morning of the race I was sick as a dog. My partner and I were thinking of maybe switching legs of the race so I could have a bit of time to hydrate and feel better, but I insisted on going first. I kept on my 11mm pace for the first four to five miles but I couldn't shake the sickness and I fell behind. The back of the pack caught up with me, then passed me, and after being with the bikes for a while and not knowing where I was, I took myself off the course since I knew I wasn't feeling well enough to finish. DNF and almost a sweep. It was my third DNF-- two were due to health reasons, and the third because I didn't take my training seriously after not having run for a year. I couldn't keep pace.

I'll be honest-- Did it suck getting pictures taken with my relay partner at the finish line with only one medal? Yes. Did I wish on our visit to the park my medal was clinging around my neck like those of my friends? Of course. But how on earth could I not be happy for their finishes? My relay partner PRed her second half marathon with a 1:45 finish. Another ran her first ever half. One of my friends had all three medals from her first Goofy challenge. Another of my friends had her photo taken with Belle on the course after a few years of trying.

It sucks walking away from a race without a medal. I'm not going to pretend it doesn't. But if you are the friend with the medal, there's no reason why you should feel bad about your accomplishment. There's always other races, and there's always next year.

If you're really worried about it, I think that should be part of your talk and think about how you'd really feel if the shoe were on the other foot, and how you'd want your friend to feel for you.

 

[Dreamer2012]

Thanks again - I truly appreciate your insight and willingness to share your experiences and feelings. I think the best thing to do is to start together and stay together as long as possible - then for who ever reaches the finish line first to go ahead cross and get thier medal and then wait to cheer and be there to welcome the other accross the finish line.... We have BOTH trained hard and deserve to get the medal - I know I do NOT want to hold her back - and I am sure she feels the same way...although I can not imagine going on ahead of her and not feeling badly about it - so maybe the medal isn't as important as I have made it to be - maybe staying with my friend and finishing together is more important? I am so very torn.....

 

[MVBowers111]

I run with my sister, who is a faster runner than I am. We start all of our training runs and half marathons together and we stay together as long as possible, but we never finish together. I don't want to slow her down and even though I'd love to run as fast as she does, I have to remind myself that I am ten years older than she is and a few pounds heavier as well. So, after she finishes she sticks close to the finish line and waits to cheer me on. We usually end up about 8-10 minutes apart.

 

[johde]

I've done several events and most of them I've done alone. And even the ones I've done with other people, we've each done our own race. I would be the "slow one" of the group, although now, I'm well beyond the pace of being swept. I would hate to have someone else not finish because of me.

A middle option would be to go into the race with the plan of staying "together" until your through the Magic Kingdom. Then from there you can run your own race to the finish. I know there's not alot of time left, but I wonder if the slower person who can do some running should consider putting some regularity into the running. For example, running 1 minute then walking 4 minutes.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Stick together as long as you can, and then go at your own paces.

I run with Team Goddess (from here on WISH) and we often partner up. There are 8 of us, so we can usually do 2 or 3 to a group. But even so, I have run part of each race by myself. And you know...it is ALWAYS good. I love running with my team, but it is also an experience to be on the course yourself. Especially in a Disney race.

Everyone is so friendly, it's really fun to get to know the other runners around you. And even if you aren't outgoing and chatty with strangers, it is wonderful to just experience the race.

For me, even if I am *willing* to walk so that I can stay with my friends, I didn't TRAIN that way...and so I worry about doing the race in a way that I did not train for. Stick with what you trained with...don't change things up on race day!