Quick Tip #8 - The Power of Partners

In the early 1980s the Japanese Federation implented one of the most unique studies of "effort" in training. The hypothesis at the time was that running with a partner (or partners) would reduce overall exertion. Additionally theoretically a runner could execute "every day" runs and/or more intense sessions more quickly at a lower exertion rate under said hypothesis.

The study focused on a score of male Japanese National Marathon Team athletes (including legends brothers Takeshi & Shigeru So, 2:08 & 2:09 marathoners and world #1 Toshiko Seko also a 2:08 marathoner) and took their heart rates each day during a 14 week pre marathon training block. Heart rates were taken on days where athletes were told to run alone as well as on days with partners, and the results were astounding.

Of the 20 marathon runners, all but 2 saw a 5% or greater reduction in HR on identically paced days with partners, some days of intensity and others of recovery, than equivalent days prescribed alone. "It was the first time," said Seko "that we saw a direct correlation and understanding as to why we consistently felt better and even ran more quickly at no greater effort on days we ran with our countrymen as opposed to by ourselves."

And while the "why" part of this study is equally as important to our discussion today (stay tuned for next week), it is clear that training partners, assuming you are working with and not against your partner, can and will affect your running positively. Numerous studies in recent decades have found that caffeine can reduce perceived exertion in endurance athletics. Think of training partners as your strong cup of coffee minus the 5$ charge.

Go find a partner.