Over the Long Haul: 8 Benefits of Running with your Spouse

Twinsies by accident!

When we started running (consistently) in 2009, we almost never ran together. Besides having 2 little kids at home (6 and 4), we didn't run very similarly:  different pace, varying times of the day, and contrasting workouts. Most of the time back then, one of us would run early, then we'd switch off so the other person could go. It was like that game “tunnel tag” we played duirng grade school recess, except we didn't crawl between each other's legs before heading out the door for a run, and it wasn't nearly as fun.

In the summer of 2015, we started running together more. Our kids were older (10 and 12) and it was easy to run at 0-dark-30 before they (or anyone sane) woke up. We could run 10 miles, stretch, shower, and make waffles before the kids slithered downstairs on a Saturday. Because we could run together, we decided to train for and run a race for our 15th Anniversary. Yep, we celebrated 15 years of marriage by running 31 miles. Nothing says “I love you” quite like sliding down a steep muddy hill and knocking your husband down like a bowling pin. And they say romance fades over time.

Crazy hill at Point Defiance 50K. Notice the rope!

Before 2015, when we did manage to get to run together, we called it a “Running Date.” If you're scoffing because you think a red-faced, sweaty husband is gross, then you're missing the point.

Let me tell you the 8 benefits of running with your spouse:

1. No travel time. After sleeping in a queen-sized bed for 20 years, we broke down and bought a king last spring. Holy rollover room, Batman. Now, we're a separated by 2 feet instead of 4 inches, but we still have zero time considerations when we meet for a run. Even running partners who are neighbors have to wake up a couple minutes earlier to allow for time to get to each other. We're already there.



I must be telling a joke. Point Defiance 50K

2. Safety First. Running alone has a lot of benefits, including time for personal reflection, choice of route, and easy pace decisions. Still, it is generally considered less safe. Not only do I feel safer having my husband with me as far as being attacked or robbed (I've hoped for years that robbers aren't interested in my Garmin or Scott's 150$ Altras), we feel safer just having another set of eyes to notice large roots or cars who refuse to stop. Red lights and stop signs don't matter before 7 a.m., apparently. I've screamed “SCOTT!” and grabbed his shirt, or had his arm across my chest more than once in the last two years.

3. It's a marriage, too. Running with your spouse can give you 45 minutes to 2 hours (or more!) of uninterrupted time to discuss important parts of your lives. For us, whether it's figuring out where to go on vacation, when to file the taxes, or how to manage a kid that won't stop lying, running together has afforded us time to privately talk about essential details of marital life. Or, tell each other dirty jokes; whatever keeps the spark alive!

4. Enjoy the Stillness. Since we've been married forever and we see each other a lot, sometimes we don't need to talk. It's nice to run with someone who understands that it's OK to be quiet. We don't feel the need for incessant gabbing and can enjoy the sounds of nature or get lost in our own heads for a couple of miles.

Warming up before a race and keeping to ourselves.

5. OMG. I need a “lookout.” There may have been a time (or two, get it?) when I needed to use the bathroom but there wasn't one! Frack!! Scott would have been a fantastic sentry. In real life, he's a business analyst, which has no similarities, but you gotta play the hand you're dealt, right? I'm telling you that he's wonderful at making sure “the coast is clear” and I have zero worries about copping a squat when he's there. This man saw two babies come out of me. Nothing that exits from me during a run compares to that!

6. Stay Gold, Ponyboy. In order to stay true to your running goals, running with your spouse can keep you honest. I'm a little bit competitive. That said, I'm also a human being who hates those cold, dark, windy, and rainy mornings as much as any normal person. It's slightly easier to pull the covers off in the morning if I'm heading to the track with Scott to run intervals on a blustery, cold morning. I can't look like a wimp in front of my man.

Baby, it's cold outside. Pretending to be tough for each other.

7. Divide and Conquer. Since we're often training for different events, which might mean different distances or different terrain (road vs. trail), we will sometimes do partial runs together. Last year, I was training to run 50 miles and Scott is sane so he wasn't. Scott would run five to 10 miles with me, then go grocery shopping (eat, shower, watch a movie), then come back to pick me up at the end of the trail. Yeah, we both felt spoiled; me because I didn't have to run out and back (or grocery shop), and Scott because he only had to run 5 miles instead of 25.

8. My hero. We've saved each other's bacon a couple of times in the last two years. Scott is awesome at bringing and carrying an extra light. Apparently, I turn my head a lot when I run so if I wear a head lamp, it's like a strobe and everyone gets dizzy. Scott is awesome with the headlamp or he'll carry knuckle lights so we can both see and avoid a skunk on the trail. True story and, gosh, isn't he sweet? I've saved his booty a couple times too by carrying WAY too much food or water for just myself. Dried apricot, Nuun, PB&J?

He's happy because I just shared my sandwich.

What about you? Do you run with your spouse?

Are there more benefits that I forgot to mention?

Are there other activities that you do enjoy doing with your spouse?