It takes a lot to push yourself to your physical limit alongside a significant other. It takes even more to do so for 12 straight days in some of the country鈥檚 most unforgiving terrain. And yet that鈥檚 what Andrew Hamilton and Andrea Sansone did in July 2024, when they set the couple鈥檚 record for hiking all 58 of Colorado鈥檚 14,000-foot peaks in a single, grueling push.
When Hamilton and Sansone first met on the top of South Maroon Peak in 2012, Hamilton was already a record-setting hiker, while Sansone was relatively new to high-altitude peak bagging. For years, he acted as her mentor. That kind of dynamic would spell disaster for some couples, but in Hamilton and Sansone鈥檚 case, the relationship thrived. Since then, the two have picked up a number of sports together, from mountain biking to pickleball. Here are their tips for navigating learning curves and skill gaps and using a new sport to strengthen your relationship.
Ease off the pressure: In his first marriage, Hamilton overencouraged his road-biking ex-wife to try technical downhill mountain biking. 鈥淵ou want to encourage, but you don鈥檛 want to push them and turn them off,鈥 he says. 鈥淓veryone goes through their own growth.鈥
Learn at your own pace: Few partners learn at the exact same pace. One party will almost always be slower at building strength, developing skill, or overcoming certain fears, Sansone says. (That dynamic can also flip-flop over time as injuries or skill plateaus set in.) Be patient with your partner鈥檚 progress.
Be open to tips: Some couples get chippy when one partner offers advice. While the adviser needs to be kind and gentle with their delivery, the advisee also needs to be open to tips that can help you both grow, Sansone says: 鈥淚t takes an open mind and excitement about improving and learning together.鈥
Communicate early and often: If your partner is doing something that annoys you鈥攚hether it鈥檚 complaining, moving too fast, or leaving you behind鈥攖ell them ASAP, Hamilton says. The earlier you address it, the faster you鈥檒l find a system that works seamlessly for both of you.
Remember your why: Learning alongside a significant other can be challenging, but it can also be rewarding. 鈥淩emember why you want to do this together: Because it鈥檚 fun and exciting and something new that keeps your relationship alive,鈥 Sansone says. 鈥淜eep that why at the forefront.鈥
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