Ideas for a Valentine’s Day Date

Surprise Your Sweetie With These Alternatives to the Usual "Dinner & a Movie"

Valentine's Day is this weekend, and if you want to impress your Valentine, celebrate your love by doing something different this time. Skip the overpriced roses, chocolates and prix fixe menus, and plan a more unique date that suits both of your active personalities. No need to worry if you’re at a loss for last-minute inspiration, because we’ve got you covered with a few ideas.

Race Together

If you act quickly, it’s not too late to sign up for a Valentine's Day-themed run like a 5K, 10K or half marathon. There are nearly 300 Valentine's Day-themed races throughout the U.S., according to RunningInTheUSA.com, and a race is a great way to challenge your personal fitness level and see if you can beat your PR, with your loved one by your side.

Find a race in your local area or book a last-minute trip to a destination race as an excuse to get away for the weekend. These runs are located in great cities for tourism …

• Cupid Chase 5K in Breckenridge, Colorado (February 13)
• Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon in San Francisco, California (February 14)
• You Can't Run From Love 8K in Charleston, South Carolina (February 14)
• 5K Kiss Run in Miami, Florida (February 14)

If you and your Valentine like competition, you can race each other to the finish line. Whoever wins selects the restaurant for breakfast to refuel after the race, and the loser has to pay.

Sunrise Hike

Skip an evening date in favor of an all-day adventure. Start your day of romance bright and early with a sunrise hike. If you hit the trail before the sun comes up, you can time your ascent so you reach the peak just as the sun breaks the horizon.

When considering where to hike, choose a trail that is moderately challenging and somewhat secluded. Ideally, it should be tough enough to break a sweat, but not so difficult that you cannot make it to the top in time to see the sunrise. Check out AllTrails.com, a National Geographic partner, to find a trail in your location.

For your dining pleasure, pack a few breakfast snacks and a Thermos full of coffee to enjoy at the top. After your trek down to the trail, you can both enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you've already finished your workout for the day. Then, you have the rest of the day to explore new areas around town and keep your celebration in the spirit of adventure.

See a Live Comedy Show

While a comedy show may not seem active in the conventional manner, it is, as long as the comedians are on their A-game. And two hours of laughing is not only good for the soul, but it also surely feels like an ab workout. And a small Vanderbilt University study found 10 to 15 minutes of laughter burned 50 calories.

Take a look to find a local comedy club that is featuring a known headliner or take your chance with a up-and-coming young comedian. You can bet that the holiday will provide plenty of fodder for the comedians' acts.

Learn Something New Together

What’s more romantic than expanding your minds together? Sign up for a class and spend quality time as a couple learning something new. New experiences trigger the brain's reward system, releasing norepinephrine and dopamine, which is a similar chemical reaction to that which occurs in the brain during new love. It’s a win-win for a day like Valentine’s.

As for the class itself, the only requirement should be to choose something of interest to both of you that you haven't done before. For instance …

• A cooking class at a local restaurant
• A craft beer making class at a brewery
• A painting or art class at a local studio
• A yoga class at a local gym
• A massage instruction at a local school
• A language class at a local college
• Salsa dancing at a dance studio

Go Rock Climbing

Maybe you want to infuse your Valentine's Day with a dose of adrenaline? If so, rock climbing is a thrilling activity, whether you're a novice or an expert, and one that you can enjoy with your loved one by your side. If you’re an experienced climber, you can head outdoors in nice weather, or if you’re new to the sport, you can also opt to visit a local rock climbing facility for guidance and instruction. And when it comes to supporting your partner, belaying for one another is a sure way to build and strengthen trust.

No matter what you plan with your Valentine this year, have fun, be safe and be active!