Recent research by the International Review for the Sociology of Sport suggests that marriages in which one partner runs marathons and the other does not may hit the wall.
The study suggests that when one runner becomes immersed in the running social world – Facebook groups, Twitter, blogs etc – they may undergo a process of identity transformation that leads to the non-running partner feeling alienated.
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So, what can you do to keep your relationship fit and healthy? "Create shared goals with your partner so that you retain a focus on your life together," says Sam Owen, relationship expert and author of Anxiety Free: How to Trust Yourself and Feel Calm. "This can be as simple as dining out or a weekend away after the marathon."
Meanwhile, encourage your partner to make some time for socialising or a hobby of their own; research has shown that socialising and taking up a hobby are activities that can help boost happiness.
5 running commandments if you're the runner of the relationship
Repeat after me: ‘I, the runner in the relationship, promise to always…’
1. Express sincere gratitude for the support my partner is giving me.
2. Share some (relevant) details to include my partner in my running.
3. Create shared goals with my partner.
4. Encourage my partner to enjoy their own hobby. Maybe running? No?
5. Be attentive when I am with my partner so they don’t feel second best.
This article originally appeared on Runner's World.