We all have heard the various relationship analogies like comparing them to roller-coasters or theme parks, but does anyone have any other original ideas? For instance, I like to compare relationships or actually getting into relationships with someone like a cross country race. For example, at the beginning of the race you start out kind of fast and make a first impression in the first few meters of the race. Then, if you're smart, you hold back and settle into a nice pace or in other words you begin to think more realistically about the girl/guy you want to be with and you slow everything down a bit looking at the details. Eventually, you make it to mile one where you have either found out whether or not it's going to be a good race worth going all the way for or simply being safe and doing no more then just performing as well as you can or in terms of the comparison simply just being "friends" with the girl/guy. Then, depending on the last decision, you make your move for the win and begin thinking more seriously about the race and taking steps a little further to seal the deal. However, this is where you may encounter certain doubts or hills that make winning seem a little out of reach and very insignificant. Therefore, in order to keep winning on your mind, you must throw out any doubts and make a few rather compulsive decisions like going fast up the hills and letting the downhills carry you forward with momentum. Next, you come across another benchmark which would be the two-mile mark. Here, you are able to see how the race is going for you and if the risks you have taken were well worth their investment. Now, you can either keep going forward for the win or simply just stay back and let the race carry you on in a safe fashion. Finally, you are now in the last mile and few meters of the race and you can almost taste glory. However, you have to still think realistically about the race and not make any mistakes that might risk the entire chance of winning. Then, you see the finish line and you must make your final effort at sealing the deal and finish really strong or in terms of the comparison finally pop the question of whether or not she/he would like to take things further into a relationship. Here, it's not so much on what you do as much as it is on how much you have done(ie speed work, mileage, and other training). Ultimately though in terms of a relationship it all comes down to his/her decision. Sometimes you win a race and sometimes you lose, but at the end you must always continue to move forward no matter the decision and keep sticking it out for more competitions to come...