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Sports activities for lovers, when you look at it from afar, we say WOW! It looks beautiful, perfect and easy. On this day of love, I have looked into the question. Apart from the perfect little couple who are the same medium-high pace and dressed the same, is it really possible and… above all… pleasant to run with your partner?
Of course it is possible but on the other hand, it can quickly become a horror story. It's not all good to run with your sweetheart. It is on a case by case basis. Before running as a couple, each should discuss their personal goals with the other and consider a session that does not frustrate either partner. For my part, I had a lot of misery (almost unable) to run with my partner, except on a treadmill. When we went out for a jog, we would come back either frustrated or arguing, which didn't really make for a great end of the day. It is all well and good to say “come on baby, let's run” but if I had taken a few factors into consideration, maybe I would have avoided a few small baffles 😉 Running in a duo requires adapting to each individual's level. Eliminate the rivalry and leave your pride at home. The goal is not to crush the other and even less to feel a burden for the other. But so that a jogging session does not end in a breathtaking household scene, it is better to adopt good behaviors.
Respect for others is the key. Having a good attitude and being attentive also helps make this outing a great activity with the person you love. Motivating each other is easier. We encourage each other, we set goals. Yes, he's going to have one stronger than the other. And then, what does it change? If you just don't mind adjusting to each other (or vice versa), go for it! On the other hand if you are one of those who swear by their stats or who whines constantly because the other is behind and continue your solo training. Happiness as a couple does not depend on Strava.
What is the objective of this outing?
Do I go out for a run to do my interval training or to clear my head?
Do I go out for a run to get some fresh air, chat, spend time with my boyfriend?
By answering these questions you know exactly whether you need to go out alone or with someone.
In the end, running as a couple means sharing a moment of pleasure, surpassing yourself, laughing, supporting each other and giving yourself incredible energy. If you have a higher level than your partner, you have to get him to push his limits. With good communication, anything is possible. Personally, I believe that everyone should do their part. And even if it's not running, the important thing is to spend quality time with the other.
❤️ Happy Valentine's Day!
Obviously you have to run at the pace and distance of the weakest.
The levels and objectives can be very distant (beginner and ultra). A good trick is that the stronger continues after the 'release of the weaker' is over.
Good subject! Note that we can also run at 3, with baby! It's fantastic!
The key word is really respect for the other and vice versa. For my part, I am passionate about physical activity (cycling and trail running) and I ran 3 ultra in 2018 in addition to participating in the Pierre Lavoie Challenge, which did not prevent me from training. occasionally with my wife, at her own pace of course. On the trail, we alternate running and walking depending on the% difference in altitude and my partner's level of fatigue. This does not prevent me from doing short intervals on occasion by retracing my steps for a recovery, and starting again to do a certain number of repetitions. At all times, I am never very far from my partner and she continues at her own pace. Once my intervals are completed, I quietly end with my partner at a pace that is comfortable for her, which can even end with a simple walk home.
By bike, I adjust to its rhythm and am always in the front to cut the wind and thus facilitate its ride. Again, occasionally I go in intervals telling him to continue at his own pace and I retrace my steps quietly to resume my place at the front. The climbs are also a great opportunity for me to have fun and push the machine while letting my partner climb at her own pace (she likes to be in her bubble when it gets more difficult on the way up). What is important is that my partner enjoys it as much as I do and does not feel in any way in competition with me. We've been together for 35 years and still have a lot of fun doing activities together or with friends. We even go on hikes with our daughter and son-in-law, and it's always very enjoyable. The important thing to remember is that everything is a question of balance in life. You should never stop moving, be it running, cycling, swimming, yoga, etc. And what ensures the continuity of a couple in my opinion is to find common passions and to practice them together as a priority without a spirit of competition and with the greatest respect.
I therefore wish everyone very nice and pleasant outings as a couple. 🙂
Nice message Gaëtan and congratulations on your journey to two 35 years old! An inspiring story.
To answer the questions, we go out as a couple TO train AND to change their mind AND to be a couple! As Gaétan mentions in his excellent text, we adjust our pace and do 90% of our outings together. For the very short intervals in the race, we do the training sessions together and we use marks that allow back and forth to meet each other at each start. For long and continuous intervals, my husband retraces his steps every mile and this helps to achieve his mileage longer than mine! This adds an additional and stimulating objective for everyone… By bike, same technique of the spouse forward to cut the wind. And we find stuff for other sports as well. in tennis, we are of a similar level and we still do the warm-up, the exchanges and the game by jointly deciding the intensity we want to put in depending on the day AND we do not count the points when we play. In the end, we are two rather than one to be able to motivate the other to start an activity !!!