The INSIDER Summary:
- Will Claye and Queen Harrison are USA Olympic athletes who train in different states.
- They got engaged at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
- They spoke to INSIDER about how they make their long distance relationship work with their intense training and competition schedules.
- Communication, trust, and honesty are all important — as is an unlimited phone plan.
Will Claye had just won the silver medal in the triple men's jump at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. He rushed into the stands to where Queen Harrison, a hurdler and sprinter who competed in the 2008 Olympics, was cheering him on. And then he got down on one knee.
The USA Track and Field athletes met in college and dated for four years before Claye popped the question. Much of their relationship has been long distance due to their intense training and competition schedules. (Harrison currently trains in Arizona, while Claye's coach is located in California.)
The Olympians don't usually go more than three weeks without seeing each other since getting engaged last summer, but they continue to travel constantly and train fiercely, their sights already set on winning gold in 2020.
Harrison and Claye spoke to INSIDER (from Arizona and Guadalupe, respectively) about how they make their long distance relationship work.
Communication, communication, communication
Claye and Harrison agreed that communication is the most fundamental element of any long distance relationship, theirs included.
"Communication is the biggest thing," said Claye.
Share the small stuff
Harrison said that sharing mundane things, like what you ate for lunch, can help your partner feel part of your daily routine.
"Those small, mundane things that you think aren't really important are really important to your partner because they want to know how you're living and how you're moving," she said.
Get an unlimited phone plan
In order to stay in touch and share your daily life with your partner without running up an expensive phone bill, you'll need the right equipment.
"You're gonna be spending a lot of time on that phone, goodness gracious," Harrison laughed.
Trust each other
Long distance relationships can be challenging and lonely at times. Trusting that you'll remain committed to each other even when the distance is difficult is key.
"You're not with your partner every day, so there's a huge amount of trust that you need to have in each other, not just that they're fully invested in you the same way you are in them," Harrison said.
Be honest
If something does start to feel off, don't keep it to yourself.
"Being secure and honest with yourself about how you feel about certain things is really important," said Harrison. "If something bothers you or feels off, express that, communicate that. If it continues to bother you and you're not around that person to get secure, it will just build up."
Forgive easily
When the time you spend together is limited, it's not worth fighting over the little things.
"We're not going to wallow in being upset or mad at each other, especially for small, silly things, because you're going to be leaving in three days and I'm going to be like, 'I wish he was here,'" she said.
Stay focused on your goals
"We have the next Olympics coming up," said Claye. "We both have very high goals set for that, so we have to stay disciplined. We may have to sacrifice in our relationship, and we may have to sacrifice on the track sometimes, but hopefully we can find a balance where our goals can still be accomplished."
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