Last updated on October 24th, 2021 at 01:14 pm
If you are passionate about running, you’ll probably want to share the experience with your significant other. Now, you could fill up a water bottle and drag them along to the track or forest. But from experience, this can quickly backfire and cause tension. To maintain balance and relationship harmony, it is important to take the right steps in getting your partner to love running.
Forcing your love for running onto your partner is likely not going to do much more than cause frustration. However, excellent communication, immaculate planning, and realistic expectations can all go a long way. It is even more important to show moral support, especially if they have never taken part in running before.
Set Achievable and shared Running Goals
Think back to the first few times you went out running; chances are that you struggled a little. thus, it’s important to keep in mind that, as a newbie, your partner isn’t likely going to be up for or able to conquer a 10k within their first month. Where you might easily tackle 5-10 miles a few times a week, your partner may struggle to complete a mile.
If you want to involve them in this awesome hobby, begin by coming up with goals that you can meet together. Taking small steps is a must and you should never force your partner to do more than they are comfortable with. This is a surefire way to put them off before you’ve even begun.
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In the beginning, try setting very small goals like a one-mile run, a few times a week. Your partner can then build on this with your support and as they reach their goals, they will want to set more.
In fact, if you have a high school track in the area, you will likely be able to use this for training in the summer. If your partner is able to accomplish a mile, you can begin working in interval training by running 1 lap (400meters) at a faster pace than their miler. By doing so, your partner may begin to feel more comfortable completing future miles.
Communicate About The Routine
As you probably will agree, this is more about spending time together than competing with one another. Although there are couples who enjoy a bit of healthy competition, it is important to make sure that you are both on the same page.
Before you step out the door, establish with your partner things like defining goals and distances, whether either of you are free to head off or lag behind, whether you will run side by side, and even establish if you want to chat during the run.
Additionally, if you and your partner are looking to discover new running locations together, you should think about talking this through before you head off. While one of you might want to stop and (literally) smell the roses while out on a run, the other might want to take it more seriously. Even if you have different approaches to running, knowing what your partner wants can help to eliminate disagreements on the trail.
Plan a New Running Route Together
Imagine that your partner has invited you to take part in something they love, but at every turn, there is an established routine that feels as though it belongs to only them. You’d likely feel like a bit of an outsider. The same applies to running.
Taking your partner on your favorite route might feel as though you are fully immersing them in your world, but for them, they might feel like an intruder.
Getting your partner to love running might work much better if you include them in planning a route. Not only this but it will be an excellent opportunity for you to discover new places together and make memories in these locations.
If your partner feels as though they have a say in where you will run and what route you will take, they will feel much more invested in the process.
Consider Starting on A Trail
Running can be very difficult for some people. Perhaps your partner isn’t overly interested in working out or maybe they have a health condition that could make running more challenging (we would always advocate talking to your doctor before beginning a new workout program) and this could make the idea much more daunting.
However, offering your partner a little more diversity in terms of terrain and surroundings could make a world of difference. A lot of runners will step out of their front door and run around the neighborhood to simply get the miles in. But for beginners, this can feel monotonous.
Conversely, running on a trail will open up an entirely new world of discovery and running can be coupled with exploring nature. If your partner already has an interest in the outdoor lifestyle then trail running can easily combine the two interests and will likely motivate your partner a lot more.
Incorporate Breaks
You might be accustomed to running miles and miles without a break because you have had the opportunity to work up to this level. But if your partner is completely new to running, they may struggle to run even a single mile without taking a break, and that’s OK.
Running enthusiasts must keep in mind that different people may not all have the same abilities. When planning the first few runs together, talk to your partner about their fitness levels and what they think would be manageable. Even if you schedule thirty-second breaks for every sixty seconds of running, to begin with. If that is what your partner needs, allowing them this will encourage them to enjoy the experience more than forcing them to run five miles without stopping.
Not only this, but scheduled stops can act as motivation, especially for people who have never run before. If your partner has a realistic stepping stone to aim for, he or she will be much more likely to achieve this and feel good about it. As they get better at running, you can extend the time between breaks until they are no longer needed at all.
Enjoy the Time Together
You might be used to running at your own pace, but when you are trying to involve someone else, you may need to dial it back a bit. If your partner sees you completing seemingly unattainable goals, this might make them feel inadequate and could serve as a way of putting them off running altogether.
For now, it is important to go at your partner’s pace. And, instead of trying to hit fitness goals, simply make the most of the time you are spending together. In our busy lives, it is difficult to make time for relationships and as a result, many fail. However, this hobby time is a great way to enjoy each other’s company and stay fit.
In the early days, allow your partner to set the pace and just go with it.
Be Supportive and Patient
Linking in with the above point, those new to running must be given support and encouragement from their experienced partners. While you may find running a breeze, it could be one of the most challenging things your partner has ever done and there’s nothing wrong with that. We all have to start somewhere. But if you want your partner to succeed, you will need to give them a lot of support.
As you are running, observe your significant other and if you notice that they are struggling, give them the option to take a break when you reach a certain point. You might say ‘Hey, I could do with a break, do you want to stop at that tree over there?’ This way, you aren’t pointing out that you believe he or she is uncomfortable but still allowing them to take a breather, without them feeling as though they are holding you back.
It might also be worth debriefing with your partner and asking them how they found certain aspects of the run. For instance, if you notice them struggle running downhill, you might suggest ways that this can be made easier. Don’t forget to ask your partner if there is anything you can do to make running more enjoyable for them and show that you want them to do their best.
The Right Gear Makes it Easier
Have you ever tried to run in a pair of substandard running shoes? If you have then you will be familiar with how nightmarish this can be when out on a run. Even though it might be a little upfront to purchase running shoes for your partner from the get-go, it could be a move that means the difference between them falling in love with the sport and hating it.
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It is important to talk to your partner about what they think they would need from a running shoe and also offer your knowledge and experience to help them choose the best pair. It might also be handy to demonstrate the difference by having them go on a (short) run in their normal sneakers and then run the same route wearing the running shoes.
Get Out There and Explore
It is good to have things in common with your partner, but there are many things that we enjoy and our partners show little to no interest in. However, sometimes, it just takes a little introduction to the hobby before someone claims it as their own.
If you are keen to get your partner involved in running then it is important to go about it the right way. Make sure that you offer support, advice, and good communication, but above all, allow your partner to be fully involved.
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Image Credit: Ed Dunens |(source) | Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)— reduced file size and image