Sometimes I wonder if Justin would keep running if it weren't for me. When he decided to sign up for the Fattman Chilly Half Marathon again this year it was the reassurance that I needed that he actually does do this whole running thing for himself! I love that.
He tried to convince me to sign up with him. He tried to convince me to sign up for my own half marathon within a few weeks of his. In the end he even tried to persuade me to run the Chilly Half in his place. No, no, and NO.
I am still on a "break."
He had a very busy and stressful month of October and part of November. Running happened, but not as much as he would have liked. He probably did start to feel like a fat. man. He had to reevaluate his goals for the race and come to terms with the fact that he most likely wouldn't PR. He was willing to settle with at least running this one faster than his time in last years race, as well as faster than his half marathon this last Sep.
I did end up running with him, but more as a pacer or rather just moral support.
"I'm a [pacer] I [pace] people!"
I actually don't think I really succeed as a pacer. I was so tired that day there were times in those first few miles where I was worried that if he went any faster I wouldn't be able to keep up. Thankfully once I finally warmed up around mile 6 I felt like I could actually pull him along. I tried to distract him with stories etc, and that seemed to help him until like mile 9, when he didn't want to hear a single word from me at all!
"Yeah, you don't need to keep talking" heaved Justin at mile 12. :)
He did say though, that it was just nice to be able to actualy run a race with me for once. It's been awhile since we've been "able" to stay with each other. And I admit, it was nice to "run a race" and just be chill there with him - together.
Like he thought, he didn't PR. But he pretty much met his other goals. I've been trying to make him see that, that is amazing considering he had been sick, tired, stressed, overworked and not seriously training for the past two months! Not to mention that this race is on one mother hilly course! I think I might have convinced him. But I kind of doubt it seeing as he's already looking for races to redeem himself on! :)
