Watching couples run can be entertaining. There are those who wear headphones—either on the cusp of a fight or bored with each other. Then there are those with the ‘macho man’ a half-step in front, asserting his manliness, or the woman triumphantly running a car’s length ahead, while her partner stares at the pavement, refusing to admit his lady is faster. I only laugh at these scenarios because, let’s be real here: I have a few not-so-fond memories of running with my significant other, too. These days though, Sara and I instinctively know when to run together and when to skip it—not to mention how to do it right. Here’s how we keep each other happy, which may help you and your partner stay that way, too.
Running with Him
DO run with your man when he is in a good mood. If he wants to run when he’s grouchy, he needs to clear his mind and maybe even work out some aggression—which is probably best done on his own.
DON’T run with your man if he is hungry. It can be a recipe for irritability.
DON’T run with your man when he might not know the route. Another recipe for disaster. We always think we know the way back, and we are always right. We will get home…eventually.
DO run with your man when he’s well rested. Naps aren’t just for kids. Sara makes sure I get my daily naps when I’m training hard; otherwise she knows I might not be fun to be around, let alone to run with.
Running with Her
DON’T run with your woman if you are planning to two-step her. I’m naturally faster than Sara, so she works harder to run with me. If you’re faster than your mate, don’t compound the issue by making her feel like she’s slowing you down. (Of course, the opposite is true, too. If she’s faster, be open to her running ahead.)
DO communicate with your woman if you plan to run farther or faster. Sara and I often start together, and as our legs warm up, I want to pick up the pace. Rather than just leave her in the dust, I’ll say something like, “I’m going to keep moving along now,” so she knows my intention to speed up.
DON’T run with your woman if you are not in the mood to talk about what’s on her mind. Women tend to be verbal processors, and an easy run can stir up a lot of thoughts she wants to voice.
DO Support your woman’s running and racing goals. Best of luck to my sweetheart Sara as she continues to train and compete—I’m so proud of her!
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.
Ryan Hall
Ryan Hall is a former professional distance runner. He is one of America’s premier distance runners, and represented the United States in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. He ran one of the fastest marathons ever, finishing 4th at the 2011 Boston Marathon, and holds the American Record for the half-marathon in 59:43.
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