#RunninRomance Top Stories 2016

/ Laura Cope / 166 Comments
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Happy Valentine’s Day from MarathonMomma.com! Our hearts are bursting reading through all of these #RunninRomance contributions!!! Thank you to everyone who participated in our #RunninRomanceGiveaway! There’s no denying that running and love can make great relationships!

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE for your favorite #RunninRomance story in the comments of this post! Voting closes Monday, February 8th at midnight! We hope you all enjoy!

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#1

My husband, Joshua, always been such an encouragement to me in achieving my goals. We started running together when we started dating in 2010. I ran my first half marathon 8 months after the birth of our first child in 2013. Joshua encouraged me the whole way through and was there along the route and at the finish line with our little guy. I was amazed at what my body could do, and  do well, when I had the confidence I needed. I ran two more halfs that year – the third when I was 14 weeks pregnant which Joshua ran along side me pushing our son the whole way. After the birth of our second child we both signed up for the full marathon in our hometown of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. With a busy year ahead we knew our chances of training for this together were unlikely; a newborn baby who wasn’t a fan of sleep, moving three times in a period of 3 months, doing a complete gut job renovation on our new home and my husband running his own business. We started training, sometimes together,  sometimes separate. Things started getting busy and runs weren’t happening and it became obvious that both of us weren’t going to be able to run the race. My husband selflessly decided he would let me train and run the race. People who don’t run think I’m joking when I call his decision selfless. Because for every hour I put into running, it was an hour he put into letting me have that time to do the training. He looked after the kids on those Saturday mornings when I had three hour plus long runs, he’d pack the kids up and drive 30 km out of town to get me (I hate running loops) with water bottles filled with ice cold water, he feed the kids supper while I ran to physio when I started having knee and IT band issues, he never complained about the money I was spending on new shoes or compression stockings, physio or nutrition, he would be late for work and not complain when I was late getting out for short runs during the week, he encouraged me when I thought I couldn’t leap the mental hurdles of training. An athlete his whole life he knew what it would take for me to accomplish my goal. He saw me through the end of my training and in my opinion did the harder part of the training for me by looking after our lives so I could train. Race morning it was cold, rainy and snowing. He packed the kids in the truck and drove me to the start line. He met me along the route with the  kids, giving me the encouragement that I needed to make it through. I had every doubt in my mind that i wasn’t going to be able to finish that morning but I not only finished but I finished sub 4 hours at 3:58:55. It was really him and my kids that drove me to the finish line, he had given me the time I needed to prepare physically for my first marathon but he also gave me the encouragement, confidence and love to power me through. Crossing that finish line is one of my happiest thoughts from a challenging year not just because I finished but because it represented all the love that goes into preparing a busy mama for such an epic life experience. 

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#2

I saw this contest on Instagram, and I’m not sure if this counts for the #runninromance or not, but here’s my story. This is my little sister and I finishing my first half marathon last October. I had NEVER believed that I would be running in a half marathon!! My sister is so inspirational to me. She ran the entire race right by my side and was so encouraging! She has run numerous marathons in many different states, and I know my slow pace probably bugged her a bit, but she never made me feel slow… not once. She could have lapped me. Probably more than once. But instead she stayed with me and helped me find the strength to keep moving. Especially when I hit my mental roadblock. She cranked on some tunes and motivated me for the last couple of miles. Not only has she inspired me to run farther than I would have ever imagined possible, but she also encourages me daily in my training. She lives in California. I live in Kansas. But when I am discouraged, a quick text or FaceTime with her is all I need to push through it. I am constantly amazed by her. She is truly my #runninromance partner! 

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#3

We don’t run together too much because we’ve gotta tag team with the littles. Actually, he’s not even a runner but he’s annoyingly good at everything with little conditioning or practice. We were staying with my grandparents a few weeks ago and I invited him on my long run since we would be able to leave the kids with grandma. He did 11 miles no problem without complaint…without slowing down…without running out of breath. The first pic is from April 2012 and it was our first 5k. We did the couch to 5k program and had no idea what we were doing…we just put one foot in front of the other and the only goal was not to walk. We did it! Our time on that 5k was 39:42 and I was so so happy. Little did I know that 3 years (and another kid) later, I’d come in first place in a 5k and actually be running regularly and call myself a “runner”. I’m a runner because of him. He is so supportive, so encouraging and so so incredibly patient and understanding. He supports my crazy so much that for Christmas, he registered me for my dream race!! 43 days until I cross that finish line and I know he’ll be there to give me a giant congratulatory hug and he won’t even care that I’m all gross and sweaty. We may not run together often but I sure as heck couldn’t do it without him!

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#4

This picture was taken of me and my love Mark around mile 30 of our first 50 mile ultra run. We were having a blast running together because we rarely get to do that. At about mile 33 Mark cramped up so badly that the last 17 miles took as long as the first 33, and he was in so much pain that he nearly called it quits. He begged me to leave him behind, but I stayed by his side the entire time coaching him through every step. He has encouraged me through many tough training sessions and races, and he is always my strength. This was the first time that I felt I was able to be strong for him and carry him through the final miles. We finally crossed the finish line holding hands, and it was a very special moment in our relationship. We signed up for this race again this year for redemption, and I told him that I had fun running with him last year, but this time I’m going to smoke him!

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#5

Sean & I met the day before the RnR SD marathon in 2014 and running has been a huge part of our relationship from day 1. 

Our first date was the day before the San Francisco Marathon and then 1 year & 1 day later we became #TeamNakamura, after running the first half of the SF Marathon together the day before. We even went running in the Marin Headlands in our wedding clothes before the actual wedding & held a 5k at our wedding celebration party. 

Some of our highlights: Sean was by my side as I finished my first 50k (photo is from the finish line at that race). I’ve been his biggest supporter/crew for some of his most exhilarating & challenging ultras including a 17 hour PR at the Tahoe200!! We crossed the finish line hand in hand at the Venice Marathon on our honeymoon. 
Without running we may have never found each other and I am so truly blessed to have found my one true love through something I’m so passionate about. I can’t imagine us not running together & supporting one another in all of our running adventures. 
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#6
My husband >>> this was .20 miles from the finish line of our the half marathon yesterday. My husband always finishes and then heads back through the end of the course to find me and run me to the finish. He pushes me to finish strong and tells me how great I am :) . How did I get so lucky to have someone support me so much? How did I also get so lucky to have my own personal finisher pacer?!
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#7
My husband Skyler and I just finished a 4 mile training run this morning in 25 degrees! Next week we start our training schedule for our first half marathon in April. The St. Jude Rock N’ Roll in Nashville! This city is where we met, fell in love and got married almost three years ago. We met at a Blockbuster (back when they still existed!) on a random Friday night, went on our first date a year later, and have been together for almost six years now. Movies are still one of our favorite dates whether it’s at the theater or from redbox.
We’ve always loved working out and running, and decided to take it further this year by running our very first race together. We are very competitive so it’s been fun pushing each other to train harder and run faster. Right now I’m a little faster than him, but I tell him I will stay in front to give him a good view and something to run after. :) I’m hoping he will continue to run with me until we are old and gray and can barely hobble around.
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#8
This is the blister on the bottom of my foot that I got from running the Charleston Marathon. It was just one blister by the time I finished, but I always go back for my wife. I met her at mile 21.5, I continued to run with her, and made sure she stayed motivated despite the discomfort I was feeling. I only ended up with an additional 7 miles by the end. However, my different stride started to form another blister, and I just kept sucking it up! A few days later I uncovered the blister and left it to heal. About a week and a half later I looked at it again and this is what I saw! It’s a painful reminder of how much I love my wife! I promise this is currently still on my foot!
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Thank you everyone for your submissions to our #RunninRomanceGiveaway! We have LOVED reading your stories! Don’t forget to vote for your favorite #RunninRomance Story in the comments on this post. And a special thanks to Pro Compression for pairing up with us at MarathonMomma.com to give our winners socks and movie tickets! You can read Laura’s and Heather’s #RunninRomance Stories HERE. And below, we added our two favorite #RunninRomance stories from last year for you to enjoy. And don’t forget, it’s never too late to start your own #RunninRomance! :)
Happy Valentine’s Day!!!
Xoxo, Laura and Heather
Our Favorite #RunninRomance Stories from last year…
(We still think these need to be made into epic love story movies!)
@rnrgrl808
She posted…
After a couple rough years, including a year long deployment (an entire year away from each other), Steve & I were not “happily married”. And recognized that. We had always been runners, but started running together. …all. the. time. emoji Training became date time. And we found our way back to each other on the road & in the mountains. This pic was taken on an 11 mile trail run & he got down on his knee & asked me to marry him again. emoji We renewed our vows weeks later on our 20th anniversary. Almost 3 years later, run time is still together time. He’s held my hand when I couldn’t catch a deep breath during Boston & carried water on 22 mile training runs, because I hate having anything in my hand while running. #RunninRomance Happy Valentines Day!
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He posted..
Happy Valentine’s Day! Not a romance novel, but an honest account of how my wife and I became a running couple… Although @rnrgrl808 and I have both been runners most of our lives, it was rarely an activity we shared together during our first 25 years as a couple. In late 2010, I returned from a year long deployment to the Middle East. I changed a lot in that year – quite a bit more than any previous deployment. All that time away from my family and all I wanted to do was go straight back. I struggled to reconnect with anybody, but I was unwilling to admit that I was the problem. Barely 6 months later, Malia and I were sleeping in different rooms and by the end of 2011, we were living in different houses. I was about as far away as you can get from being an ideal husband or father. But despite giving here every reason to leave me and never look back, Malia wouldn’t give up on us. She fought tooth and nail for us and for our family, and I reluctantly agreed to give “us” one last shot. In January, I began a quest to run 2012 miles for the year and she asked if she could do it with me. I cautiously agreed and so it began. By the end of those 2012 miles, we were closer than ever before. Did running save us? No, I believe the strength and persistence of my amazing wife did. But running has been the catalyst for keeping our relationship healthy and strong. I love you @rnrgrl808 and thank God everyday that you are in my life! This picture was taken by our friend@runningon0m near the finish of last year’s Boston Marathon. I think it’s a great reflection of our #runninromance – it’s usually heaps of fun, but sometimes it’s a struggle. Regardless, we get through it together.
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I was training for the LA Marathon in March 2000. After 2 years of long distance dating My boyfriend moved to LA so we could be together. He was living down the street and I was focused on my marathon training. Finally race day comes – super rainy and cold! He walks me to the starting line with my trash bag on and suddenly takes off his sweatshirt to reveal a race number attached to his shirt! Jerold tells me that – surprise – he is going to run the marathon too!! I was very surprised (and had no idea what was yet to come), but also focused on my race, grabbing a PR and the yucky weather! He tells me to run my race, but to wait at the finish line for him to cheer him on. Long story short, I finish the race and am waiting and waiting….

Meanwhile, Jerold is running the marathon in the rain with a ring in his pocket to propose at the end!!

We finally meet up and he tells me the story of Phidippides who ran 26.2 miles from Marathon to Athens to deliver an important message. He told me that he ran the marathon to deliver the most important message of his life!! Then he dropped down on one knee and proposed!  We were a sweaty, tired mess but it was the best day ever!! Including all the runners cheering and high fiveing us!!

This pic was from our engagement photos taken shortly afterwards.

We will ride our bikes to the finish line of the LA Marathon this year to celebrate the 30th anniversary and cheer on a friend. It will be a special moment. 

 

 

 

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166 Comments

  79. # 3 – Great how they work together accomplishing their goals; while also considering the needs of their girls❗️ Sweet 😀

    Reply

  84. Vote for #1. Vote for #1. Vote for #1. Vote for #1. Vote for #1. Vote for #1. Vote for #1. Vote for #1. Vote for #1. Vote for #1. Vote for #1.

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  111. I vote for #8! Not only are they awesome runners but they do so much to help the community! They are great coaches and awesome people!

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  112. #8
    I love this team. They are always running together and you can tell they have a special bond. I have been knowing them for some time, and their heart is as big as their endurance..

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  117. I vote for #4! I met this couple during the St. Jude Run, and they were not only encouraging to each other, but to the rest of us as well — even us “non-runners”! 😉 Definitely the sweetest #runninromance of them all!

    Reply

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