How Running Enhances Marital Bliss

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In the last few weeks as the half marathon training time has increased, the question keeps coming up: “How do you do that?”

Years ago, when my husband ran his first marathon at age 40, I was in total awe of him. Cheering him on was tons of fun and as the number of races increased, the amount of training swelled as well. My excitement for him in his enjoyment of running grew, but honestly, jealousy crept in also. As a side-liner, my understanding of his joy was limited and my brain couldn’t wrap around his drive for the sport.

So the Lord whispered to my heart: Join him.
And then God and I had a light discussion, ok, argument, about how I just don’t have time for that and I could never run that far.

But the Lord won and I ran my first half marathon with my husband in April 2008. Pretty awesome, huh? While I could go on and on about all the physical and mental benefits of running, the real reason I started was because I felt prompted to do something that my husband was interested in. My love for him and my desire to spend time with him was prioritized over my own wants and desires.

The end result: Marital Bliss.
Seriously.
We enjoy each other so very much through the whole process of training and running. The common bond, even though we didn’t necessarily have means to run together at the same time for training, brings so much joy to our marriage. Conversation and just silliness.

So yep, we are at it for a third time, April 28,2012.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. ~ Philippians 2:3-4, NIV

What interest does your husband have that you think is a bit, ummm, uninteresting?

Perhaps that is the very one you are being called to do.

4 Comments

  1. Hey Rachel,
    I love this post! My man and I run together every Saturday morning and it’s always time well spent! Good luck on race day girl! I’ll be cheering for you all the way up here in Maine! 🙂
    -Blessings, Amy
    p.s. I’m doing a 10k on April 20th!

    1. Rachel Wojnarowski says:

      10 K is awesome! I need to keep myself in gear this week! Blessings to you.

  2. great perspective and awesome job (seven kids and both of you training?! amazing; that is SO inspiring…challenging but possible) working out is definitely a passion of my hubby and indeed it is figuring out when/how we both can. It means so much to him when I make this a priority (but I don’t often enough; for my health or the shared interest)! Thanks for the encouragement. (plus I poked around a bit, beautiful site and family 🙂

    1. Rachel Wojnarowski says:

      Thanks for stopping by, Becca, and for the encouragement. It’s interesting how exercise is often either a bonding or dividing issue for marriages. It won’t be perfect, but it is worth the effort!

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