What To Expect When You’re Dating a Runner Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich

So, you want to date a runner?

What’s not to love? The picture of health? Positive attitude? The body goals?

But before you get your laces tied up in a knot, here are a few tips to prepare you for the road ahead.

Expect full commitment and dedication; to our running, not to you

If there’s one thing we don’t budge on, it’s our training. So, no, we won’t change our training plans to meet you for dinner or to go out of town — unless there is a destination run we can take part in while there. Our running is a priority item, followed by sleep, running shoes, compression socks, and smart watches…. well you get the picture.

We set our training schedule in stone and we’re pretty hard-nosed about it.

Running is important, but sleep is important-er

Humans need at least seven hours of sleep. For runners, this is a non-negotiable. With so much at stake, we can’t risk missing out on our shut-eye. A successful long run begins the day before. We have to make sure we fuel and hydrate properly and lay out our running gear as well. You can go out and party, but don’t expect us to join you.

Expect to wake up alone, most of the time

We love our early run and not just on Sunday mornings. We want to ramp up the miles and kick start our metabolism before the sun and the rest of the world fully awakes. So, don't expect the 4 am cuddles, snuggles, and spooning. Instead, we’ll be out dripping sweat and basking in endorphin highs. If you’re lucky or a late riser, we may come back before you wake up, but by that time we’re no longer on the same groggy frequency as you. Yes, you may get the occasional breakfast in bed, but the odds of waking up beside us aren't so great. Even when we’re not going on a run, the early riser thing became ingrained in us, so it’s not much of a difference.

Our tenacity will make you think you don’t care enough about your health

A healthy relationship can push both parties to get better. But when you’re dating a runner, you might feel you don’t measure up. Runners have a way of overexerting themselves, with seemingly no effort. Add in the animated manner we talk about our trail runs, upcoming races, and all the cool gear we keep getting. It’s easy for our significant other to feel left out. It’s worse when you know our excitement is genuine and we’re not being patronizing because then you conclude by yourself that you’re the one holding out on your wellbeing.

Our consistency translates to stamina in between the sheets

Running is an endurance sport that helps build focus, strength, and confidence. Because of this, we will get to the bedroom finish line in pretty good shape.

Place us side by side with your run-of-the-mill gym rat, and we take the crown by miles. We will blow through each bedroom session with energy to spare. Others can hardly meet, let alone surpass the bar we’ve set, and you’ll know this, making it that much harder to break up with us.

We run during vacations and trips

We never take a break from our passion. Whether it’s a vacation or a work trip, we will explore the terrains either way. We always find races to join (if it’s not the sole reason we agreed to travel). And because we don't want you to get jealous of our lover, we will ask you to come along. We expect that you’ll be grateful for the multiple trips to different exciting places.

We expect you to be our #1 cheerleader

We’re accustomed to success and failure. We know each run is different. Some sessions will go great and others will be a struggle. But this doesn't mean we don't want to share these moments with you. There’s no one we want cheering us on more than you. Nothing adds to our victory than glimpsing you as we cross the finish line.

Be prepared to get up early and stand outside in all types of weather. It may not be the most pleasant way to spend your weekend, but it will mean the world to us.

We get cranky when we don't run

To us, running is the antidote to life's stressors. It is our reflection time, our therapy, and a time to sweat our stress away. Which is fine when we have time to run.

But woe unto you when we can’t run. Be it injury or sickness, we meet anything that deters us from the trails, with dire consequences. From increased irritability, restlessness, detachment, anxiety, and depression. The endorphin fix and addiction high are hard to recover from.

We get anxious and stressed out the night before a race

No matter how many races we compete in or how long we’ve trained, we still get queasy the night before a big race. The runner’s stomach, poor sleep, and irritability are part and parcel of our life.

This is the time we need your support and encouragement, not some disparaging remarks on the insignificance of the race. You can see for yourself the mental toll our routine takes on us. Criticising will make you come across as selfish. And jeopardise your chance of a long-term relationship.

We splurge on running gear but are stingy AF with other purchases

A runner doesn't have too many needs. Just a more advanced pair of running shoes, a new tech accessory, travel abroad for a marathon or two, monthly massage sessions, and compression socks. Plus the occasional consultation with a trainer.

These things cost money, so you will understand when we don't have loads of spare cash to spend on luxuries like fancy dinners or the latest gaming console.

We don't play with our food

To us, food is more than nutrition. It's fuel for our runs, medicine for our torn ligaments, and a balm for our parched lips.

With runners and food, this is what you need to know: we eat to our satisfaction, have an enormous appetite, act out when we are hungry and we don't enjoy sharing our takeout.

We own more running shoes than an Instagram model and enough accessories to open a retail store

And yes, we need each of them. Trail shoes, ergonomic socks, compression sleeves, watches, fanny packs, headphones, and water bottles.

You might not understand why we need so much equipment, but chalk it up to being health and safety conscious. Better safe than sorry is what we believe. Add that to the mileage we cover each year, in different terrains, and the point makes itself.

And no, we won’t throw away the old ones to make space for the new ones.

Expect some skeletons in our closets

We have calf muscles to die for, washboard abs, and an affinity for speed. And don't get me started on our mental capabilities.

But before you go placing us on a pedestal, I invite you to probe underneath our shiny sexy armour. The miles we chalk up influence more than our shoes and socks.

Hidden inside our compression socks and latest running shoes is proof of our humanity. Chafing, blisters and runner’s toes are the hefty prices we pay for our persistence.

Make no mistake, we wear our battle scars with a sense of pride and achievement. Behind each blemish is a story of perseverance and fortitude. A tale we will repeat over and over.

In dating a runner, expect more than meets the eye. Runners are healthier, more focused, and more resilient.

While our love for running might border on obsession, we have a lot to offer. Our lifestyle can inspire you to get off the couch and into the open. We can challenge you to reach for greater heights.

So whether you decide to keep the miles between us or close the gap, the decision lies with you.