Just don't run with her all the time. You don't want to alienate the woman by cutting her as a running partner all together, but make sure that you get in 'proper' runs, too.

You can always tell her you are training for a race, and need to stick to a specific pace & time etc. Enter a 10k / half marathon and then you won't be fibbing!

If you like her & enjoy talking to her, why not have a once a week (or so) running date? if you could catch up over coffee or lunch why not make it a little more active? that way you can keep your personal space with all your other, "real" runs.

Be honest with her. She probably realizes that running with you won't do her recovering knee any favors (she probably pushed herself to keep up with you as much as you took it down a notch).

Maybe you could run together once every couple of weeks? Or you could avoid running altogether and meet to do strength moves in a park or a take a yoga class together.

I would not compromise my workout. You have a valid reason for wanting to run on your own, it doesn't sound like a selfish thing to do. Just be completely honest. A friend worth having would understand. Telling some sort of a white lie and being found out would be worse since it would give her a valid reason to be upset.

I have a bad knee. I probably couldn't keep up with the runner either. I agree with the others who say be honest.

I may be considerably older than some of your other readers. I can promise that if there would be a friendship lost from honesty, there was no friendship in the first place. AND the runner would eventually regret even trying to be friends with anyone who would expect anything less from a friend.

the theme seems to be honesty. She'll probably understand, and if you don't say anything and keep running with her, resentment (on both sides) will build, you'll resent her for slowing you down, and she may resent you for wanting to "push the pace"
That said, I also agree that maybe once a week or every other week running with her isn't going to kill you and might be an important and fun way to maintain the friendship. Perhaps run some before you meet with her and finish up you run with you, this is something I do when I need to run longer than my friends.

Your nuts to even consider not running with her based on what you've written here. Yeah, so she's slower than you. Big deal. Run with her once a week or so. Don't be a jerk about your difference in fitness levels. You're one twisted knee away from being just like her. Even elite athletes need easy miles once a week. Just enjoy the day and the conversation and don't alienate this potential new friend. If you think about it another way, a less self-centered way, maybe she needs you more than you need her, and what's wrong with that?

I had this situation before. Just let her know in a nice way your going running at an earlier time b/c you have a goal (pace) you'd like to set. My best friend can't run bc of her back, so I sometimes tell her I'm getting to the park earlier to run some then i'll walk with her. Your neighbor should understand.

If you don't want to run with this person at all (you DID say you like running ALONE anyway) but don't want to lose the friendship, why not suggest doing other things besides running when you're with her, like going for coffee or shopping or just hanging out?

If you don't mind running with her sometimes, though you have a goal you're trying to keep up, why not use one of your "rest" days to do a slow, easy run with her? If she asks what's up, just let her know that you have a very fast pace that you need to keep going, and it will hurt you if you slow down.

If she's got injuries and can't run as fast, maybe ask her if she'd like to get back to a faster pace once she's finished healing. You can actually help her with that by setting a pace. She may not be able to keep up, but if she's one of those competitive people, it may push her to go longer and faster. Encourage her to train and maybe someday you guys can run together - at the same pace.

I agree with the once a week answer. Workout out with a buddy is such a good way to make and maintain a friendship. She obviously loves doing this with you, and maybe you'll be her motivation to increase her fitness level. Instead of running with her, maybe jog/walk with her on your "off days" when you want to get in a moderate workout. This will keep you going on the days when you would otherwise not workout, help her with her fitness, and build a great friendship.

Honesty. Always honesty.

Be honest with her. It's better in the long run

Yep, I agree with the others that said you should be honest with her. Do your real runs on your own and maybe meet with her to do your easier runs so she doesn't feel like you just don't want to hang out with her. Most of my friends don't work out on my level either, so if I do want to work out with them, I'm always careful to not push them too hard or anything. I also like the idea of doing non-running things with her as well...maybe meet for coffee or at a bookshop or something just to socialize.

Your running is your time for yourself and your body. If she can't keep up, ditch her - but be polite. If she doesn't understand, she's not a true friend. I don't run with my husband for this same reason.

All of my run buddies have been men. They take it more seriously, don't think the time is for chatting, and push you harder.

Take your own individual private run either before or after your run with her. The slower paced run with her can either be your warm up or cool down!

Good answers here. I allowed a running partner to run with me for a while. But, all she did was complain the whole time. "Oh my knee! Oh I'm out of breath! Oh, I should have drank some water!, "etc. It was very distracting. I can't remember what happened. I think I changed my running routine & started going at a different time (or route) that worked better for my schedule. For a while, I was really beginning to worry how I was going to get out of it, but the situation corrected itself.

You could also consider:
1. running at your pace and alone first and then running with her as a cooldown.
2. running twice a day. It's supposed to be a good way to boost fitness anyway if you run 2x in one day with at least 4 hours between.

i would tell a white lie...tell her you're training for a race so need to run a specific pace/time, so ask her if you could maybe meet for coffee or something else.

Run with her on occasion and use those runs as a warm up for you before you go back home to do another form of work out such as weight training so you don't feel like you wasted that time.

I agree with those who said to be honest. However, be gentle and kind about it. Express your wish with sensitivity.

If she's a good person (and mature), she would understand. If she doesn't accept your decision (and has hard feelings towards you), she's not a friend worth having. So good riddance. JMHO.

Like you, I value my exercise time alone. As a natural introvert, I like to be alone with my thoughts, and enjoy being by myself (especially when I exercise). I think I identify with you.

Personally, in this case, I think it's okay for you to be assertive.

Hmm this is a tough situation... I've been in this before and honestly I handled it really bad (I still do). Mostly I'll just be honest and say that I prefer to run by myself but as much as everyone says that honesty is the best thing, a lot of people don't take it all that well. I would run with her maybe once or twice a week--you need a relaxed run anyways. But for the other days go on your own and really you don't need to tell her anything. Just say you can run with her on (ex) Sunday's and Thursday's and don't offer any other time.

I remember I was on the other end of this relationship and after awhile I realized I was holding back my workout buddy and slowly backed out. So as everyone above me has said ....be honest with her in the very beginning. Otherwise you might run into some awkward and frustrating situations you could have easily avoided.

Yeah, I did that. I remember running with her a few times, anyway & then running some more on my own.

just be honest with her, she'll understand and I have a question: i'm working out almost everyday to lose my tummy and to tone my body, but I don't want to lose inches on my breasts, I mean, they're quite small, what should I do to keep then at the size they are now and to allow then to grow? thanks.

Oh, Carolgabi. Unfortunately, you can't spot reduce. You lose fat all over, in the order of where your body is genetically programed to carry it. It would be a lot easier if you could.

Running with her is a great way to ensure that you're allowing yourself at least one easy day of recovery. Take the opportunity to engage in conversation, and allow your muscles time to heal and recuperate after a day of long running or intervals. And it still adds to your mileage base, which helps build endurance.

If you don't want to run with her, the truth is harmless enough; you'd rather log some "alone" miles. There's no need to lie about it.