Some interesting reading from Chicago has made me appreciate my Lazy Boy. It discusses how your training for a big event like the marathon affects your relationships with partners and family. Some people in this article discuss ‘getting permission’ from their spouse to go running. I’d never considerred anything of the sort.
I can’t imagine what Lazy Boy’s response to ‘Is it OK if I run a marathon?’ would have been. Judging by his reaction to the question ‘do you think I can do it?’ which was completely supportive and the fact that he cycled at what was a pretty slow pace for a bike to keep me company on some of my long runs – I’m guessing he would have said yes.

However, when I first started running I had no comprehansion of the amount of training and the lack of social life it would take to run a marathon. So I’m not sure that many non-running partners would have much of an idea of the hours involved if their nearest and dearest couch potato turned round and said ‘I’m going to do a marathon – is that OK with you?’

Overall, running is good for you. And running a marathon, while not so good for your toenails or prospects of wearing strappy sandals, is very good for you in both fitness and general wellbeing. it gives you confidence and (according to a recent survey of me of people in this year’s London Marathon) makes you more attractive. I’m sure there’s not a partner in their right mind that would say no to a better looking, healthier better half.

But what about you? Do your partners’ approve of your running or do you keep it a secret and sneak out at night?