I was having a chat to a friend this morning at the gym
about how running has been affecting his relationship. He was having a whinge
that his new girlfriend could not understand why it would make him so happy to
head off on a Sunday long run and come back much saner and happier than before.
He works a pretty stressful job and so for him (like many of us) his Sunday
morning long run is a form of therapy in helping him to just be alone inside
his own head and relax. He comes back revitalised and ready to face the
following week.
I pointed out to him that I wasn’t the best example to be
asking these sorts of questions of since my track record with women is nothing
to brag about and so that largely means that I am free to indulge in exercise in
whatever way I want to, but it also means that I don’t have all the other
associated pleasures attached with a relationship in my life.
In previous relationships I have found that it was healthy
to have a partner who shared my passion for keeping fit, but that the largest
thing that came in the way of things was often the fact that we ended up being
so competitive with each other and she couldn’t stand the fact that sometimes I
was a bit better than her at things and vice versa she was a bit better than me
at other things. In hindsight those relationships were not right for me and to
be truthful one always has to feel that things are right in a relationship
prior to moving forward with things.
Two very strong competitors may not always work long term.
Short term they may bring out the best in each other, but long term they may
end up doing more damage to their relationship than good through the
competition.
Similarly, as with my friend, a relationship can’t really
work if one side is just doesn’t condone (or worse still is jealous) of their
partner’s exercise needs/regime. This can only lead to problems in the long
term.
Running together (while hopefully with an equally active
partner), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller
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