Those Who Sweat Together Stay Together
Joint workouts help cement your growing bond. “It gives you time to talk and connect in ways you wouldn’t if you were sitting around at home,” says Becky Lavelle, a pro athlete and triathlon coach in Rio Del Mar, California. But you have to plan thoughtfully. If you have vastly different paces, then meet up for swims, recovery days, or track workouts where your differences won’t pull you apart. And while a little competitiveness is healthy, don’t be that training partner who always has to be just a little bit ahead.
How to find a partner who shares your passion for living bravely.Food Is for Sharing
Having dinner together every night may sound great—unless one of you is a paleo CrossFitter and the other a carb-needy ultrarunner. “It’s unrealistic to think that we would all eat the same foods,” says Carol Cottrill, a nutrition counselor and author of . Cottrill suggests focusing on one meal a day that finds a middle ground. Above all else, avoid lecturing your partner about his or her diet. “Being told what you can eat is a real turnoff,” says Cottrill.
Nobody Likes a Messy Gear Cave
When you first shack up, have a candid conversation about your living standards and agree on how often you’ll clean. “If you’re skiers and it’s dumping snow for four days, no one’s going to put their stuff back neatly every night,” says Jill Oja-Johnson, a professional organizer in Jackson, Wyoming. “Discuss whether you’ll get everything back in its place every week or every month.” An organizational system is also crucial. Gather your gear in one place, separate it by sport, then designate the best places for everything.