Oct 3, 2000

Catherine has a problem. She works for a big corporation, and during a recent business trip she agreed to run with her boss. They started together as planned, but later he ran off and left her.

"What should I say to him?" Catherine asks. "Is there any etiquette concerning leaving your running partner behind?"

I've written some about racing etiquette, and Miss Road Manners (RRCA President Freddi Carlip) has said much more about the subject. But I know very little about training with a partner or group.

That's because 99 runs in every 100 are by myself. I only know how to act among the runners who coincidentally share the same path: Nod or wave to them, but don't try to join them and start a conversation... Don't annoy other runners by drafting behind them or challenging them to a race... Step aside and yield the lane to runners in a bigger hurry than you are.

When running with a partner, I suppose that common courtesies should prevail: Show up at the agreed-upon time and place... Run at the pace of the slower runner... Don't spit or blow your nose upwind of your companion... Don't go your separate ways except by mutual agreement.

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