by RUNGRL Staff

“Run in places you love with people you like. Enjoying your surroundings and training partners will strengthen your commitment to running and bring out the best in you.”

- Deena Kastor, USA distance runner + 2004 Olympic Bronze Medalist, women’s marathon

Running isn't just a solo pursuit; it's a love language. And if you've found a passion for running it’s only natural that you may want to share that joy with your partner.

We’ve got a few ways to help you make running a shared experience, and bring a loved one along on your running journey.

Start with Shared Goals

Begin your joint running journey by setting shared goals. Whether it's completing a 5K together, running a certain distance each week, or even training for a marathon side by side, having common objectives creates a sense of unity and shared accomplishment.

Support Each Other's Pace

Recognize that everyone has their own pace and running style. While meeting someone you share a love connection AND the same running pace with is highly unlikely, you can still be supportive of each other's speed and endurance levels. Running together is about shared experiences, not necessarily matching each other stride for stride.

Try running together at a track or other loop, so that regardless of pace, you’re never far apart. If your partner is training for a race and you aren’t, look for ways to support them in their training, by sharing a few training runs, helping them with meal prep, or other ways of showing love.

Create a Running Ritual

Establish a running ritual that's special to both of you. It could be a pre-run stretch routine together, a favorite trail, or enjoying a special post-run treat. Having a ritual together adds a sense of familiarity and excitement to your joint running endeavors, while creating something that’s just for the two of you.

Plan Running Dates

Turn your regular dates into running dates! Okay, it might feel a bit uncomfortable to show off your sweatiest self to a love or potential love interest. But the bonding that can occur while out on a run is a magical and also very revealing thing. And if you’re both a bit competitive, it’s a great way to spark a challenge.

Choose scenic (but safe) routes, explore new trails, or run to a favorite spot for a picnic. Running dates not only promote fitness but also provide a unique way to connect, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Join a Running Community Together

Explore local running clubs or online communities where you can connect with other running couples. Sharing experiences with like-minded individuals can bring new perspectives, motivation, and a sense of community to your running journey.

Celebrate Milestones Together

Whether it's a personal best, reaching a certain distance, or completing a challenging trail, celebrate each other's running milestones. Acknowledge the effort and dedication that goes into achieving these goals, fostering a sense of shared accomplishment. Having your person support you and show how invested they are in your success can really bring you together.

Invest in Matching Gear

Okay, okay, this one may be a bit corny, but consider how fun it can be to have matching running gear. Not only does it make you look like a “power couple”, but it also adds a fun and cheeky element to your runs to keep you from taking yourselves too seriously. Coordinating outfits can become a symbol of your shared commitment to fitness and each other. If the whole ‘fit is too much, try matching shoes for a less obvious sync up.

Incorporate Running Into Travel Plans

When planning vacations or weekend getaways, look for opportunities to incorporate running. It’s a great way to explore a new city or find scenic trails in nature. Running while traveling can be an adventurous and bonding experience to relieve the stress of everyday life and make the trip even more memorable.

Bridge Long Distance

Got a long distance love? Embrace virtual training together. Though you may not see each other as frequently as those who live in the same city, having the shared experience of race training can be great to reinforce your long distance bond. While you train separately, working toward a big race is a great opportunity to meet up in one place and see all of your hard work come together –in person.

You can also participate in virtual races together. Choose a race, set a date, and run it simultaneously, even if you're in different locations. You’ll get the sense of running together, even from afar.

Share Your Running Playlist

Create a joint running playlist that reflects both of your music preferences. Music has the power to enhance the running experience, and sharing favorite tunes can add an extra layer of connection to your time on the road. You can each add new songs you love and build a shared vibe that you use whether you’re running together or separately.

Remember, the love language of running is about creating shared moments, fostering support, and enjoying the journey together. So, lace up those running shoes, hold hands, and embrace a love language that’s built on mileage.