How many of you have Spouses/SO's that also run?

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

It seemed to me at the Marathon this year that there were a ton of people running as couples. So, do most of you that have completed a Disney Race or are on their way to finishing one have a spouse/SO that also is happy to run? I couldn't pay my other half to run with me as he really hates running. So, am I the only one?

I have to be honest and admit that it really bothered me in the beginning because in addition to hating running, he isn't a fan of Disney. Being at the gym together was annoying because when the mileage starts to grow, so does the time on the treadmill and so he would be stuck at the gym for a lot longer than he wanted. So, I just started to work out by myself and it works great. He was going to come along this time, but my Mom decided to come along instead to support me during the Marathon was great. Now, she and I may actually walk the Disney Princess Half in 2012! In the end, things worked out but I hope my story is the exception and not the rule!

How do things work for all of you?

 

[deleckidesign]

I talked DH into doing our first half together last year in Indianapolis...and he agreed because he wanted a shiny medal:

And he agreed to do the Disney World half with me for the same reason...but has never been overly thrilled with running. He has had back surgery, hernia surgery and has several issues with his legs the resulted from being a premie. We started the DW half this past weekend together, but he didn't make it far before getting swept because he didn't have time to train at all. His work told him he couldn't go, so he didn't train. Then he got laid off last week, but agreed to come w/me, start the race and give it a shot. He says he won't be running another race again...but we'll see

As you can see, he's less than thrilled with this

pg[/IMG]

 

[DrMomof3]

My DH signed up for the half with me but stopped training due to joint pain. I know it sounds selfish but I was glad to be able to focus on my personal accomplishment. Now that I've completed my 1st half, I'm excited that he wants to try to walk the half next year. I think that's a much more realistic goal for him. I want to try a full marathon next year so we'll each have our own accomplishment to savor.
By necessity we can't really train together (we both work full-time and have 3 little kids so there are babysitting issues) but I'm excited to support him in his training. He was awesome about cheering me on this time and I enjoyed having him there for me.
He's never really enjoyed running very much but I think he got caught up in the excitement of the weekend. I think it was good for him to experience the whole marathon weekend so he has something to work towards. I know I left Florida feeling very motivated to train harder for next year!

Amanda

 

[JimB.]

My DW does not run, but does walk 5k's (with medals!! )

She MAY be on the verge of moving up to 10k's, but that's up to her.

Cannot run due to excessive shin pain.

 

[jmasgat]

My DH runs, although these days only as XT for his cycling. He's pretty fast and a foot taller--there is no way we could ever run together. Plus, he hates Disney (okay, hate may be a strong word, but he has no use for it)

I started my running journey on my own, for me. I am pretty happy keeping it that way. I think my DH is somewhat impressed by my accomplishments, but the more important thing is that I am.

I've recently started to do some more cycling, and this is an area where we can enjoy together (as long as he slows down a bit, I keep a good pace and we keep the rides to under 40-50 miles!)

Maura

 

[stitchfan18]

My DH does not run either. He hates running, and doesn't mind that he is the only person in our family not doing a race next year during our marathon trip. He would much rather be our cheerleader.

 

[IamTrike]

My DW does not run yet. She was convinced there was no way she could do a half, but then wore a pedometer around Disney World this past week. On one of the days she clocked in 13.1 miles walking around the parks. That helped her see that she could do it. I think she'll be walking/running the half next year.

 

[thyunker]

My dh and I run together. I slow him down, but he is sweet to run with me

 

[dumbo_buddy]

omg my husband does NOT run. in fact, it's getting a little annoying because he just doesn't get that i need to train for the half marathon in feb. he isn't into any sports whatsoever and doesn't really understand that running a half marathon is actually a tough thing to do. it's very frustrating actually. that's one of the reasons i come on the dis because i need the encouragement from SOMEWHERE even if it is just from cyberspace!

but at the same time, running (for me) is a solo thing. nobody can do it for you. i always run on my own so it's only fitting that i should be heading down to the princess half by myself.

gosh, sorry to air my issues with my non-running DH! the short answer is no, i do not have a running spouse. lol!

 

[John VN]

DW and I became walking partners 1 year ago at the Up and Away 5K. Then came the Wine&Dine Relay and Space Coast 1/2M. We walked this years 5K and 1/2M together then I walked the Full by myself.

Our training is together except when I go out earlier to get extra miles in.

We became a team 37 years ago and it is really fun doing these competitions together.

Next up is DL for the C2C.

 

[DisneyGerry]

My DW and I ran the half although she moved out in front only to have to need a restroom break at the TTC and had to catch up. We basically ran/ walked together after about half way point.

 

[rubato]

My husband does not run, doesn't see the point, is very unhappy about how much time it takes, and is only so-so about Disney. Needless to say, he was ready to get away from marathon weekend as fast as he could. I love running. When the weekend was over, he said "Great, now you can stop all of this madness." I then had to explain to him that this will continue for the rest of our lives, because running is my happy place.

 

[KristinU]

My DH and I both run, which is nice because we have the understanding of the obsession and training time.

As for running together, nope, not for races at least...we're both too competitive for that and I wouldn't want to hold him back. It's kind of a "best of luck to you...see you at the finish line!" He runs about a minute per mile or so faster than me.

We do go out for runs together every so often, though, but since we have a DS 7 (who also runs, but much smaller distances than we do) that means DS needs to be over at a friend's house or something. Also because of DS, we rarely run the same races...if we do we have to budget in the cost of a babysitter for the race day (no family in town.) But it usually works out nicely with the other person being the support crew and DS gets to run the kids races that often go on during the bigger or longer races around here.

 

[K80K]

My boyfriend runs. That is actually how we met through running at Disney World. Every race we are both at we have run together. This past weekend was the only time I was able to convince him to leave me on course and it was only because my PF was acting up, my father pulled his hammy and was walking with with me, and we were getting dangerously close to the 3:30 and I feared his messing up his Goofy.

 

[wvjules]

My boyfriend and I both run, not together though. He hates running but is much better at than I am. I really enjoy it but suck at it. I look forward to the day when we can actually run together and talk like we see other people do. Of course as my speed increases so will his so I doubt we will ever actually run together.

 

[chimera]

omg my husband does NOT run. in fact, it's getting a little annoying because he just doesn't get that i need to train for the half marathon in feb. he isn't into any sports whatsoever and doesn't really understand that running a half marathon is actually a tough thing to do. it's very frustrating actually. that's one of the reasons i come on the dis because i need the encouragement from SOMEWHERE even if it is just from cyberspace!

but at the same time, running (for me) is a solo thing. nobody can do it for you. i always run on my own so it's only fitting that i should be heading down to the princess half by myself.

gosh, sorry to air my issues with my non-running DH! the short answer is no, i do not have a running spouse. lol!

The first year (2005) we started this madness was difficult. DH did not get it at all and was often angry about the time I was out of the house. He eventually gave in and decided to join the party and has since run the half twice and the full once. Last year did him in though...the sleet, the snow and cold at the start...he hasn't run since. Work also got crazy for him this year so that really threw any thoughts of training out the window. Coming back from marathon weekend is always inspiring though and he's talking about doing the half next year since I'm skipping it. We also have a 7 yo DD so have to keep the babysitter thing working which will be a problem next year when DD18 heads off to college.

 

[KateB]

I convinced my DH yo run the half with me this year. He has always run on the treadmill but nothing major. For some crazy reason I decided that I wanted to run the half this year, I have NEVER been a ruuner. I didn;t really train & neither did my DH. We ran together last Saturday & it was amazing! It was so great to share the experience with him. We crossed the finish line together & he really kept me going around mile 10 when I only wanted to walk. My DH is not the biggest Disney fan but I am slowly turning him to the dark side.

When we went to leave on Monday he made a comment about us doing the full in a few years. hehe

 

[s_atl]

DH is the real runner in the family and is so much faster than me. I got into running only last Year after he kept pushing me for more than 6 months. He runs for the pure joy of it and doesn't bother too much about races whereas I need the motivation of the races to keep me going.
We are both planning to run our first full this year although maybe not the same race as we have 2&4 yr olds.

 

[stitchfan18]

My husband does not run, doesn't see the point, is very unhappy about how much time it takes, and is only so-so about Disney. Needless to say, he was ready to get away from marathon weekend as fast as he could. I love running. When the weekend was over, he said "Great, now you can stop all of this madness." I then had to explain to him that this will continue for the rest of our lives, because running is my happy place.

Our DH's sound similar. He doesn't mind when I go out for a run because usually he's in class, or will get a chance to play video games without me nagging him. That's about the only part of my running that he doesn't mind. I love to run races, and he doesn't understand why I will pay to run a race when I can run outside for free whenever I want. I don't bother mentioning how much it costs to run Disney races. He probably thinks it only costs $30-$40, which is good because I wouldn't get to travel to Disney and run them if he knew they were really expensive...

 

[leeshiebean]

It was actually my fiance who was the runner first! He ran cross country in college (and was captain of the team senior year), and meanwhile I was the one taking naps in my dorm while he was at practice

But then when I decided out of nowhere that I wanted to run the Princess half, he came up with a training plan for me and started to go out on my runs with me, and eventually just decided to run it too. But I guess I have the opposite problem, in that he's a fast runner and I can't keep up with him, so I do end up running on my own most of the time. Or actually, it's more like we'll go out together, but do our own pace, and meet up again. It's easier to run together when he is doing speedwork at the track because I can just run in circles at my own pace and still technically be "running together".

I do give you ladies credit though because I think without his support, I would have a very hard time getting my butt up to run! So the fact that you are doing your runs anyway shows a lot of strength to me.

Rocking our medals later that day!