The Pros and Cons of a Significant Other

Wait...one clarification - not just any significant other, a significant other who can run. A significant other who can run well. For example, 30 km just because they feel like it.

Because I can't think of anything better to do on a Saturday.

This is the type of significant other we are referring to.

Pro: Will carry your water for you if you do not have a fancy waistband to carry it in yet

Con: Will question the reason you drink so much water, thus causing you to dehydrate yourself just to prove that you, too, can run 30km with only one water break.

I was reading my marathon book yesterday during my work break, and was happy to discover just how easy it is to die of dehydration and overhydration during or while training for a marathon. Apparently, proper hydration is about 6-12oz every 15 minutes. I do this about every 2 minutes. I consider my water my security blanket - it makes me feel less stupid for slowing down (even though it's part of my training method). Although, when I start drowning while drinking said water, I do feel stupid all over again.

Pro: Will take your watch off your wrist and time your ratios for you, so you can focus on the distant horizon instead of your wrist.

Con: Will forget to tell you that your next running rep starts in 2 seconds, or that it actually ended 30 seconds ago. When things get particularly harrowing, you also won't be able to know that you only have 1 minute 30...1 minute...45 seconds...30 seconds...20 seconds...15 seconds...10 seconds...5..oh my god..4...ahh!....3...no, please...2...of this hell left.

I suppose this is one of the few problems with the Galloway method (I found the name for this run/walk method yesterday!). When you are at the point where you are pushing yourself, you can't help but stare at your watch, waiting for that heavenly 1 minute of walking. And then, of course, you are tempted to throw your watch to the ground when each rep, it seems to be running slower.

Pro: Makes you laugh by saying witty things like 'Blast off' when you start your running rep.

Con: Makes you laugh by saying witty things like 'Blast off' - did he miss the breathing lecture?

Pro: When the woman, twice your age, and slightly heavier built, speeds past you, he laughs at her with you.

Con: He kind of laughs at you a little too.

If anyone has read the studies about how swearing and yelling increases someone's pain tolerance, please forward the link to me. Jeff thinks my yells at the end of the 2 minutes, although entertaining, were unnecessary. I am trying to tell him they are a life or death choice.

Pro: Offers to test your blood at the halfway point.

Con: Forgets to tell you you have to start running again because he's testing your blood.

Pro: Offers running pro advice, such as tighter fists, elbows in, yada yada yada

Con: Makes you want to strike up conversation too - again, breathing lecture?

Pro: Pushes you to go a little farther, a little harder, a little longer.

Con: Accomplishes this from his position beside you which he is maintaining via a speed walk while you are running in pain for 2 minutes.

Pro: Tells you not to stop when you want to fall over dead on the pavement.

Con: Actually, I think this is a con.

Pro: Makes you feel good about your running form and your skills (since the last time he saw you run, you only made it 200m)

Con: Inside, you keep wondering how your bum looks during all of this running.

And 2 Pros that I could not find an accompanying Con for...

Pro - Helps you out of awkward sports bra/tank top thingie

Pro - Makes a delicious carb-filled supper while you are in the shower

Let's backtrack to the sports bra. I know I have mentioned the acrobatic movements I usually endure to avoid my sweaty sports bra touching my face, but last night's situation was way beyond that.

I have this running tank thing with a built in sports bra that I have been saving for when I am feeling a little cooler, but not quite like wearing a tshirt cool. Of course, I wore it on last night's run.

You know when children get caught in their shirts? That whole arms hanging over their head because they can't put them down? That was me, nearly sobbing in our bathroom. Thank goodness for Jeff who was able to come behind me and lift that little bit over my head. Otherwise I would have had to come up with some creative maneuvering with a door handle or something.

My other latest challenge is the blisters. All over the insides of my feet. They just don't stop. We have got to get to the Running Room - but bare minimum, last night we managed to get to Shoppers and invest in some band-aids at last.

So, on to the progress. Last night's run was another 35 minute run, and the first run with Jeff at my side - none of this, one of us on a bike business. I did not turn around early this time, that's for sure! And there were no near tears on that bastard hill on my return route. I thank Jeff for both results.

I still am not able to do 2-and-1's the whole way, but am maintaining my previous 20-minutes of 2-and-1s. In fact, last night, I did about 3 reps on the return of 2-and-1's. And Jeff had me push at the end back to a 2-and-1. All in all, I was able to do about 5 more 2-and-1's than on Monday's run.

For those of you who have been desperate to know my distance (which wasn't changing at all the last few weeks), last night I did about 4km. I made it along the river trail to the first road crossing. It's hard to believe that a month ago, I had no idea that roads crossed this trail.

And now, for those who are training 'with us' (I hope there's a few out there, or my goal to inspire is not going well) - tonight we will be out on a 40 minute run. Good luck!