Some people have boyfriends. Some people have girlfriends. Some people are married. I, on the other hand, am in a committed relationship with....Running.

Here are five signs that you’re also in a committed relationship with running:

1) You turn to Running when you’re upset. You turn to it when you’re happy, too. It always gives you back in equal amounts what you put into it. It’s the one thing at the end of the day that you know will never let you down. You can go to it when you want to escape the chaos of your life, your overwhelming workload, and the problems that plague your mind. When you’re with Running, nothing else matters. 

 2) Sometimes you honestly just hate Running. You get frustrated when things don’t always go your way (even when you may have been the one to slip up...a missed training here, a bad split there). The busted knees, the wonky IT-bands, the upset stomaches...sometimes you find yourself asking, Why am I in a relationship with Running, anyway? Sometimes you get so upset with Running that you have fantasies of having an affair with Swimming. Even Cycling seems appealing at times. Some people try to have it all, and end up in a threesome. (I just don’t get it. I’m a one-sport kinda girl).

 3) If you’re not gentle with Running, you will get hurt. That being said, if it’s always easy, you’re not doing it right. When you’re in a committed relationship with Running, you push through the difficult times. Working through the negative moments is the key to successful relationship-- you can’t abandon it when things get difficult. You also can’t push it beyond it’s means. Learning to balance your relationship with Running is the biggest challenge you will face.

4) You know you’re in a committed relationship with Running when you become literally obsessed with it. You forget that you have a life outside of Running. Running will take away time that you’d usually be spending with your friends. You’ll become more social with other people who are also in committed relationships with Running (although, your Running is the very best, of course). You’re non-committed friends will try to persuade you to not be with Running, but you’ll shoo them away and say, You just don’t understand... 

5) You may fear burning out with Running. You may fear that this might be the too fast, too soon sort of deal, and once you get what you want from it you’ll become bored and leave it high and dry. Remind yourself that you’re in it for the long run. Be patient with it, and it will be patient with you. These sort of relationships take time to develop. You don’t want the hot and heavy or the slow and boring. If you want to be in it for the long haul, give it space when you need to and give it love when it asks. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.