Are you a couple that rarely fights? Try running together…someone gets frustrated, someone gets tired, someone huffs and puffs till they blow your little house down.
All right not all workouts go this way, but I’ve seen it happen to many otherwise happy couples and if this were a poker blog, I’d even be taking bets on the % of you that have gone through this at some point.
Since runners know that on any given day you could feel amazing or just plain tuckered out, it’s not surprising that this can lead to frustrations.
Clarity around those goals can go a long ways as you’ll see in my tips below!
Tips for Running Together
Here are a few tips to enjoy running with a spouse or anyone loved one really (because let’s be honest it’s easier to be cranky with them than new friends!)…these are tips that David and I have cultivated over the years.
We don’t train together a ton simply due to different preferences in time, like he can’t imagine how I move my body at 5AM and I don’t want to start running at 7PM.
Know Thyself:
In most relationships one person happens to be the faster runner. Know which one you are and be respectful of where the other person is in their journey!
Decide on a leader:
Who feels the best that day or who has been doing more running? Let them lead the course you’re going to take.
Additionally when you’re on the sidewalk and can’t continually be next to each other it will keep you from constantly wondering if they’ve drifted off.
Hand signals:
If you’re going to turn at the corner, gesture to it and a direction before you get there. This prevents needless bump and grid or issues because they can’t hear you over traffic or music.