Cody bought me running shoes for Christmas last year. I was grateful for the gift – I was pleasantly surprised that he remembered me saying I needed new shoes to be active in, but I was also a bit intimidated – the bright white, light-weight soles were clearly scolding, “You have to be a serious runner to wear me!” I half expected the B logos to sound the alert – “Fraud!” – the moment I slipped the shoes on my feet.
But on a January day when the temperature finally broke freezing, I put on my fleece sweater, windbreaker pants, ankle socks, and brand new shoes. One of my colleagues had told me a few weeks earlier about how she’s been using the C25k app to start running more frequently. I was intrigued, simply because I realized I needed to start using the shoes that Cody bought me weeks beforehand. The way my friend explained it made it almost sound appealing: The c25k app basically assumes you have had zero running experience – I didn’t – and trains you to be able to run 5k in ~10 min. mile – which I thought would be kind of nice. Cody’s always talking about goals and stuff, so here was one. I could wear the shoes and that’d be that.
So, on a cloudy and relatively warm 37 degree day after work (in Chicago, you take what you can get) I chose to start my C25k training. Walking for 90 seconds and running for 60 almost didn’t seem too bad. I tried to ignore the ears stinging with cold, but I didn’t want to give Cody a reason to think his marriage to my wimpy ears or his generous purchase was bought in vain, so I kept going. I wanted to show my husband that I truly appreciated his generous gift. In the mean time, I was literally giving my heart a much-needed loving after some (much) neglect. I appreciated my warm home when I closed the workout tab on my phone.
Cody received my completed workout report (he’s one of my Runkeeper app “friends” via the MyFitnessPal app). His reaction was so simple: “Hey! Look at you!”
I can’t believe how much his simple comment fueled my motivation to keep going. Never underestimate the power of simple affirmation. Behind his four-word message was an entire high school band where trumpets were triumphantly blaring and I was the one who just scored the game-winning touchdown.
Because of his support and because of MY choice to slip on the shoes he bought (even though I didn’t think I’d like running or even had the energy for it), I did run my first 5k.
Since that day, I have run a second 5k with one of my best friends, jogged in the sweltering Arkansas sun (who am I?!), and CHOSEN to wake up before sunrise on a Wednesday morning.
So what am I getting at? I guess my main message is that Cody supports my choices.
She needs shoes? Fine.
I decide to run? Awesome.
A 5k? ..that costs how much? Okay.
She wants to go to Montana for 10 days without me?
Well, duh, she should go. But I’ll miss her. The reunion will be sweet 🙂
An improv class? $450? Omg.
Yeah, okay, go have fun.
Did she really just call her new pairs of shoes “school supply shopping”?
She is on her feet all day as a teacher. I get it.
She is working late again?
What a boss. That’s why God made weekends.
I’m glad she likes what she does.
The choice to be active with my husband is also a very important choice we’ve been making. We’re trying to keep our hearts healthy so we can enjoy more years together.
Not to mention the weird motivation that’s come out of nowhere: “Ania, run one more block. It’s so your baby can have a healthy Momma.” My baby is still just an idea, but she’s already pushing me to be better. Crazy.
