Thursday, March 27, 2008

Couch to 5k Week 7: DONE!

Last night I completed week 7 by running my last 25 minute run. The run was extra-special and extra unusual. How so? My husband and I ran together! That has never happened in the history of our 7.5ish year long relationship. Granted, we’ve only been running for a few months, but even so … wow!

Hubby called on his way home from work saying “I’m heading to the gym to run.” At the time, I hadn’t done my run yet. I figured what the heck, and invited him to run with me here in our neighborhood. I was nervous about the idea … he runs faster than me, I’m used to running with music but didn’t want to be rude and play music while we ran together, we’d never done it before (what if I look funny when I run; what if we end up fighting about running and all hell breaks loose and bad things happen; what if my heavy breathing repulses him … or excites him…) … I wasn’t sure how it would go. But I figured it couldn’t hurt to try.

So try we did. I set the pace, which meant that he started out slower than he was used to. He said in the long run it was OK, though, because the pace felt right for him towards the end. Maybe it’s because this was my last 25 minute run but his first 25 minute run, I don’t know. Whatever made it work, I’m glad it seemed all right to him. And it worked for me, too. Although strangely enough I found I went a little slower yesterday than I’d gone in my last 25 minute run. I can’t explain it – I don’t know if I was just tired, or if having him with me changed my pace. I guess I’ll find out, because guess what?

Now we’re talking about making this a weekly thing! Woo hoo!

Wednesday night may become husband/wife running night. We might even invite a friend who works with my husband to join us – he was doing c25k too, last I heard. As long as he can tolerate my turtle-pace, the more the merrier. If I head across town to meet him/them near their office we could go to a number of different pretty running trails instead of running around our neighborhood.

This plan would be great for both hubby and me, since it means I have another reason to get out of the house (yay!) and we’ll end up always working out at least twice a week, on Monday (with the trainer) and Wednesday (doing our together-run). Some weeks hubby has a hard time getting all his workouts in – maybe this structure is the key.

My husband was SO sedentary when we got married. Looking back to 5 years ago when we were just about to be married, and then looking at now, it is AMAZING the difference. He’s eating better, he’s working out, he’s lost weight, and he’s gaining muscle. He’s no super-athlete, but that’s not what I’d want anyway. I’m just so happy for him that he’s becoming healthy.

And from my perspective, it’s great for selfish reasons, too. It’s easier for me to stay on track with healthy eating and exercise when he’s on the same page. It makes me soooo happy that this increases the chances of us having a long life together. And … um … TMI WARNING … the healthier we both get, the better the sex is (and I tell ya, it was good before).

Now THAT is a benefit! Hooray for being healthy!

16 comments:

Kathy said...

Good for you guys!

JavaChick said...

What a great way to cap off your C25K training. Congrats!

Wish I could get my hubby up out of his computer chair. Like you, I'm not looking for him to be an athlete, but I worry about his health. I think he would feel so much better if he'd start exercising, but I can't seem to convince him.

Anywho...Way to go!

Anonymous said...

You go girl! I also find running with a partner very different, but I think it's good because it gets me out of my own head and the time goes by faster. It's so awesome that your husband is running, too. Will he be racing with you on April 19th?

watchinmyweight said...

That is awesome...how sweet is that! :) And both of you are running...that will keep you both motivated.

Pattie said...

Hooray for better sex -- oh, and getting healthy, too! :-)

I hope it works out that you can have a weekly run together. What a good thing would be, for both of you!

Great post!

little ol me said...

You go girl! Only a few more weeks to the 5k!

Anonymous said...

That is fantastic... Its got to be so good for your relationship (on all levels). Glad to hear you are enjoying your 25min runs... you are doing so well. :) Julia

Brittany said...

yay for you!!!

i definitely agree that things are easier when the hubby does them or follows them with you. i don't usually have too much trouble getting hubby to eat the WW food i make. he just takes 7 portions of it. lol!

Aaron Cunningham said...

Congrats on taking down another week of the program.

Now that Val's done with the last quarter of her second degree, I'm hoping to talk her into starting to run with me once and a while.

I think it's great that you and your husband can share an activity like that. And the bennies are nice too. :)

Anonymous said...

That is fantastic, you guys RAWK!

I've often wondered about running with hubby and it's always the pace thing that worries me. Perhaps when i get further along in the C25K i will give it a go.

YAY for even better sex hehe

Anonymous said...

saw your comment on hot thick chick about slipping back into old habits when you travel/return to places youd lived.

Id not thought of the latter and it really make me PONDER as Im writing an article on that right now (wt loss and maintaining while traveling)

so THANK YOU.

MizFit

Anonymous said...

That is just awesome! I am all for togetherness, particularly when it's reinforcing healthy habits. I think it's great that you can do this together and it's so good for your relationship. Congratulations!

V.

Unknown said...

i think in the 3 years that i've been dating my boyfriend, he's exercised with me less than 5 times... i've never forced him to do anything but would love it if he made more of an effort, esp. since i try to be active... he bought new sneakers a few weeks back so maybe that's a good sign! good for you and your hubby (and the great sex!)... :o)

Lynn said...

Definitely, better sex. That's such a great motivator, don't you think?

(I made the same observation... snicker!)

Hooray for you both!

Ready Maid said...

I'm "almost" ready to start C25K. Watching all you gals run has helped me think I can do it!!

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