A Running Dating Game

Having recently become single for the first time in over 2 decades, a question has been on my mind, “Can’t we make finding a partner more fun?” You may know that anyone who has been on online dating platforms are quick to relay horror stories, or to exasperate dating anxiety by confirming fears that “there’s just nobody out there”. Rubbish. I refuse to give in to the negativity.

If the existing dating platforms have gotten clogged with the sludge of the dating world, maybe it’s time to remember how people used to meet. In person. Alright, maybe the small area you’re from has only a few singles and you have eliminated them all. Time to move on. That’s where the IRunforLove idea came from. If your dating pool is small, find a new pool. Maybe that means leveraging your communities in a new way - go to the same type of hobby events but focus on those further from home, say. Perhaps it’s time to consider a new hobby where a built-in community would provide a potential new dating pool. Maybe both!

As a runner, this means traveling to races further afield and making a concerted effort to meet new friends and broaden my community. It means being intentional about interactions and then keeping up with friendships that may turn into something more or find someone new in that expanded tertiary network.

After a couple of races, being intentional and meeting people, it occurred to me that maybe sharing my story more broadly would allow me to connect with more people than I ever could through conversation. And - if I made it interactive while racing - maybe it could add something to the experience overall and make meeting people fun again!

The premise is this: I search for love on the run while traveling to races — some races are domestic and others international. Some are fun and others have only serious runners. I run with a QR code and stickers passing them out to people I meet. The QR code is linked from this site, which provides further details for anyone interested. Those who want to can request a date or ‘connection’. For those who want only friendship or to read about the project, the blog and community will continue to follow the narrative interspersed with updates on dating and racing!

When possible, my race plans will have a parkrun location added as well for cross-pollination between communities, both of which I’m a passionate member.

Then what? Well, if this human scavenger hunt is successful for me, perhaps it leads to a community-based experience for more people. Or maybe it just encourages people to get out and interact with one another. Both are wins in my book.

Where there are challenges, find opportunity. I can’t wait to see what happens next. Request to meet in person via the 'Connect' tab at the top of this page, or send me an email. Let’s go!

XOXO,

T