Partners In Crime

Back when I had just given birth to my son, I was envious of those I saw jogging in my street with a partner. Of course, not having a partner is no excuse for giving up on exercise altogether. We should always make ourselves a priority no matter what. But still... there was something about that bond that I really wanted for myself.

Now, I am usually a loner. I always dreaded team work in school and although I have a wonderful circle of friends, they usually have to make the first steps for us to spend time together (let me grab this opportunity to apologize to them for being such drag, sometimes). But isn't it ALWAYS easier, antisocial or not, to do something you don't particularly enjoy WITH someone else? Like repainting the walls, washing the dishes, making the bed in the morning or visiting grandma?

Well, working out (for most of us) is yet another occasion of the sorts, my friends.

Therefore, if you are lucky enough to find a partner made of flesh and bones (and preferably something to cover all of it), it is important to find the right one.

And this is where I am going to quote the best workout partner of all: mine.

Sonya: "It doesn't have to be your best friend in the whole wide world that you start running with. It can be that work collegue of yours you give a wink to when your boss is being a pain and have a good laugh with. You know? It just has to be that one reliable person who shares your goals and visions and with whom you get along."

I have mentionned that Sonya and I didn't know each other well before starting our regular training. But what really mattered in the beginning, more than common ground, was that when one would say "Let's do it.", the other would be there and would follow. Bonds will form by themselves after going through some of it together, the effort of it, the pain, the mistakes, the successes. But what you are looking for, your main criteria in the choice of your jog (or workout in general) partner should be to choose the one who WILL BE THERE.

You will push and encourage each other. Sometimes you will have a better day than they do and be the wind under their wings, and sometimes you will say to them, totally out of breath: "We...can...do...it...." just because you need to hear them say aloud to you (and they will): "Oh yes, we can!!!" and this is what will bring you to the finish line of whatever goal you have set for yourselves and sometimes, you will both feel vibrant and push it just a bit further together that day and be that much closer to a bigger achievement.

From the bottom of my heart, I wish you this person if working out regularly is something you want to do.

If you aren't that lucky, I suggest you still go out there and do you thing. Who knows? Maybe you will meet some lonesome soul with a lion heart to whom you will end up offering to join forces and become like Yin & Yang (sorry, Micha, Yin never turns against Yang), peanut butter & jelly, Betty & Veronica!

In the meantime, iPods make pretty good jog partners. For those who like cool gadgets, check out the Nike + iPod project. It's the next best thing, I say!