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.