From: http://enthusiasticrunner.com/how-marathon-training-is-like-dating-except-much-easier/

How Marathon Training is Like Dating (Except Much Easier)

by enthusiasticrunner on January 12, 2012

Marathon training is hard, but I can tell you right now dating is much more difficult.  Even Kate Middleton got dumped at one point (true story).  So here are my list of reasons why marathon training is like dating except marathon training is much easier.

How Marathon Training is Like Dating Except Much Easier

1. You have to get “know” each other. If you are going to get serious with marathon training, you really need to understand it.  You need to learn about what to do and what not to do when it comes to training.

With dating unlike running, you have to deal with the awkward “getting-to-know-you” conversation and laughing at jokes that aren’t always funny.

 FALSE.

2. Sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to do. Hill Repeats OR Dinner with his family? I would much rather run hill repeats than go to dinner with his family…and have I mentioned how much I hate hill repeats. At least I know what I am getting with when I am running up hills…meeting his family, not so much.

3. Your life doesn’t just revolve around you. Your selfish days are over. Marathon Training takes over your life…in a good way (most of the time). Usually with dating, your selfish days are over since you have to compromise all the time. UGH, COMPROMISE.

4. For every 4 good runs, you are likely to have one bad run. For every 10 bad dates, you are likely to have a good one (hopefully).

5. You need to figure out your “dealbreakers”. My Marathon training dealbreaker is running anything longer than 12 miles during the weekdays. It’s just not going to happen with my work schedule. With dating, my dealbreaker list is a little longer…

DEALBREAKER.

6. You need to take it one day at a time. If you have a bad run you can’t just throw in the towel and quit marathon training. One bad run doesn’t mean that it is going to be that way EVERY time you run. Dating is the same way. Just because you have been on some awful dates doesn’t mean it won’t get better.   Also, take it one day at a time instead of planning your wedding on the first date.   You didn’t sign up for a marathon the FIRST time you ever went for a run, right!?

7. You need to think long-term. Okay this completely contradicts #6 but let’s be honest it’s hard not to think about your marathon day. And honestly, you need to think long-term when it comes to marathon training because it will keep you on track with your training. With dating I think you need to think long-term too (not too far in the future – don’t think wedding bells), but after a few dates if you have nothing in common and can’t see it working out long term…MOVE ON.

We can’t all have a real prince KM.

So the next time you are out for a long run and thinking to yourself, “WHY AM I TRAINING FOR A MARATHON?”………..just remember it could be worse, you could be on a blind date.