10 Ways New Running Routines Are Like New Relationships

When you start a new running routine, it’s like love at first sight. Your heart is bursting with so many emotions—excitement, joy, infatuation—and you feel like you can’t contain yourself. And while you may think you’ve never felt a love like this before, the feelings are very similar to the ones you have when you first start a new romantic relationship. In fact, some of the experiences are so identical it’s hard to tell which is which. See for yourself:

Romance: You find ways to weave your significant other into every happy hour conversation despite the constant eye rolls from your friends.
Running: You find ways to weave your training into every watercooler conversation despite the constant eye rolls from your coworkers.

Romance: You post an obnoxious amount of couple selfies with heart emojis to brag about your new love.
Running: You post an obnoxious amount of sweaty post-run selfies with bicep emojis to brag about your fitness.

Related: Running Helped Me Out Of An Abusive Relationship

Romance: You decorate your office cubicle with mementos like ticket stubs and dried flowers.
Running: You decorate your office cubicle with mementos like race bibs and medals.

Romance: When you’re alone and see other people out with their significant others, you’re jealous.
Running: When you’re inside and see people out running, you’re jealous.

Romance: You treasure the first piece of jewelry your beloved gave you and can’t bear to take it off.
Running: You treasure the first race medal you earned and can’t bear to take it off your fridge.

Romance: You can’t make any weekend plans without checking your partner’s schedule and making sure they’re invited too.
Running: You can’t make any plans without checking your training schedule and making sure you have time for your long run.

Related: Why It’s So Easy To Fall In Love With Running

Romance: You fantasize about taking a tropical vacation together so you can take long, romantic walks on the beach at sunset.
Running: You fantasize about taking a tropical vacation so you can take long, peaceful runs on the beach at sunrise.

Romance: You can’t get enough of your new love and meet for coffee before work, sneak off for a lunchtime rendezvous and go for post-work drinks.
Running: You can’t get enough of your new love and wake up early to run before work, hit the treadmill on your lunch break and jog with your dog after work.

Romance: You spend all week thinking about your big Saturday night date- picking out the perfect outfit, choosing the right restaurant and planning how you’ll end up at a cozy bar for a nightcap.
Running: You spend all week thinking about your long Saturday morning run- picking out the perfect sports bra, choosing the right route and planning how you’ll end up at a local coffee shop for a latte.

Romance: You can’t remember what it was like to be single or imagine your life without your other half.
Running: You can’t remember what it was like to be out of shape or imagine your life without running.