It seems like I have been talking about this day for months! As you may have read here , here and here I somehow tricked bribed convinced my husband into training for the Jingle All The Way 5k in Washington, DC last Sunday. With his big milestone birthday coming up, I was able to convince him that it would be a great accomplishment. We began the modified couch to 5k plan at the end of August.
Let’s recap a little shall we? The hubs started out strong around Labor Day keeping to the 3 day a week run/walk schedule. He had not been doing any exercise at all really for a quite a while. He started off with 5 min walks and 2 min runs and really started off on a great track.
Month 2 we were still going strong and I was starting to see some changes in his weight and he was noticing the improvement in his stamina. The run walk intervals were getting a little longer and he was adapting nicely. He even sent me texts to let me know he was running while traveling for work.
This past month, with more work travel and longer runs on the plan, he began to find running more challenging. He started to lose interest in running slightly and found it to be more of a chore. I believe he mentioned that there was a reason people didn’t usually marry their coaches LOL. Adding in some stationary bike workouts made it a little less monotonous. He reported feeling really bored on the treadmill and really “not loving running”. In fact, he said he really just didn’t like it all. What??
I was a little worried about Race Day and if he would be able to make it through. I had planned to run with him on race day but he decided that he would rather run with a friend who was at a similar pace. I was a little disappointed that he didn’t want to run with me but then realized that I could then run with my friends so win win all around.
The Jingle All The Way is a festive, fun and really flat course down Pennsylvania Avenue towards the Nation’s Capitol. Here we are on race morning ready to run with our son and some of his work buddies.
I met up with a few MRTT friends before the start for our annual multi chapter photo meet up.
Wished him luck and headed off to the start. The course is pretty flat and fast and the perfect weather made for a great race for me. I was able to pull off a faster run than I have in a long while. There is just something majestic about running down Pennsylvania Avenue with the Capitol in sight.
The hubs said he really loved the energy and excitement of race day as well as the camaraderie of the other runners. This race brings out all kinds of fun holiday themed costumes which makes for great people watching.
Before I knew it we arrived at the finish line! We had a few more minutes to wait for the Hubs to cross the finish. He had a definite smile of relief and accomplishment as he ran through.
Family meet up and a little post race hot chocolate and coffee made for the perfect morning.
All in all, I would call The Husband Project a success! The Hubs committed to the training and made it from the couch to the 5k. Did he fall in love with running? Not quite. The real goal was get him more active and to help him incorporate more exercise into his life. He does plan to keep up his routine of 2-3 times a week workouts. I know that he really did all of this for me and I truly do appreciate that immensely.
While all husbands are really a work in progress, I may not be done with him yet. However, we can now head off to Vegas tomorrow to celebrate his Big 5-0 with a bunch of his friends.
Linking up with Ann Marie, Nicole, Michelle and Angelina Marie
Congratulations to your husband, that is really awesome! And way to go to you too coach:) Hey, you can tell any future clients right now, you have a 100% success rate:)
No matter if he keeps running or not, judging by the smiles on his face it definitely looks like you have sparked a love for being active in him, and I hope you guys have a great time in Vegas celebrating!!!!
Oh yes maybe I should stop while I am ahead with my coaching record LOL
YAY! Congrats to you both! And eh, he might not have fallen in love with running, but hopefully he will keep it up and see where it leads.
I am hoping he will!
Awwww, thats wonderful. Great job and Happy Birthday to the hubs! What a sweet couple
Thanks it was fun to do together
Yay! Congrats to your husband and to you for coaching him!!! So awesome!
It was fun to do together I hope he keeps up his exercise
Congrats on the successful project and to your husband! Mine had been walking regularly on the treadmill up until he got the flu. Hoping he gets back into the routine. I’m not sure if I’ll ever get him to run, but maybe he’d bike with me or paddle a kayak in an off-road tri relay. Enjoy the birthday celebration!
Good luck to us both hope we can encourage them to stay active
Good for both of you! I keep trying to convince my overweight, sedentary husband to at least go for walks with me. He won’t do it. I don’t understand his stubborness. It’s frustrating!
Enjoy your trip to LV!
You know it really is and I feel you! I think it’s hard to be married to a crazy runner/exerciser-at least that’s what I’ve been told 🙂
Yeah for your husband! I think Mike felt the same way. He didn’t love running but did end up enjoying the race day excitement. He’s going to keep up with his 3 day a week schedule at the gym through the Winter and then maybe try a Spring 5k. Sorry I missed you at the race. It’s definitely hard to find people in the crowd.
I know bummed we didn’t meet up! Coco and I are talking about organizing a in real life coffee date soon.It was crowded. I would be very happy if he kept up his routine too.
If he didn’t fall in love with running, I know that he still enjoyed the actual race day energy and spectating, and the coffee or hot chocolate or whatever comes after a race is so much better….. Enjoy his 50th celebration!
Thanks so much! It was a fun experience (well for me anyway 🙂 )
A success! It didn’t lead to divorce! 😉 Kudos to you. My hubs would never listened to what I said (maybe watched and learned a little though). You never know, he may eventually catch that running bug. Congrats on a great race for you too!
Thanks! Yes we are still talking to each other lol
Congrats to you both! That is awesome! Too bad he didn’t love running, but at least now he has that feeling of training for a goal and accomplishing it! And now that exercise is a habit, he will reap the rewards for a long time. Yay Coach! Yay Hubby!
Thanks I sure hope the routine of exercise will stick!
congratulations to you and your hubby!! and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to him! 🙂
Thanks so much! It was lots of fun and we are still talking so that’s a plus
Congratulations on the Husband Project! So glad to hear that he enjoyed the 5K, even though he may not be in love with running. Hope you enjoy the birthday bash in Vegas!
Thanks it was a fun experience none the less!
Woohoo!! Congrats to you both! I’m so glad he enjoyed the race and is going to stick to a fitness routine. You are an awesome coach 🙂
I hope he does thanks!
love it! I loved the pictures when you posted them and was waiting for this post. congrats to him! have the BEST time in vegas!
Thanks so much! It was a fun experience and we are still talking so that’s a plus
Congratulations to all of you!!! Tell hubby that he was an inspiration and we are going to work towards joining you both next year!
We would love that!!
That’s so great! Congrats to him for finishing his first 5k! And a Happy Birthday too!
Thanks so much!
I am going to ask my husband to read this. I would so like to get him to try something like this. A 5K is a great goal to work towards. Definitely going to bring it up again tonight ! Glad you had nice weather but you all look cold!
Thanks so much! It wasn’t too cold really. It was fun to do together. I think it’s hard to be married to a crazy runner 🙂 Good luck with your husband
Congrats to your hubby!! Finishing a race MUST give you such a sense of accomplishment, even if you don’t ‘love’ running 😉
I hope you guys have the best time in Vegas!!
Thanks so much! Yes he might not admit it but I know he had fun.
Fantastic in so many ways! So adorable, too! Happy holidays!
Aw thanks I think so too!
Congrats to both of you! I’ve been working with el husbando over here in Michigan, m’self. He started Couch to 5K, using the app. about three weeks ago. Unfortunately, I also accidentally started him on week 3. Oops.
He demanded a public apology, which I granted. He’s since been run/walking three times a week. He’s being a great sport about it, too.
ha ha sounds a lot like our experience. Good luck to you both!!
This is the best (love) story. Congrats to your husband for finishing his first race!
Thanks so much friend!
Love this! This is one of my favorite races and I motivated a friend to run with me this year dressed as Nutcracker characters! haha. Congrats to your hubby!
Thanks it is a great race to run wonderful flat course. There were some great costumes too!
Yay! That’s so great! Even though he doesn’t love running, I’m sure he feels awesome!! Congrats to you both!
Thanks so much! It was fun to do together
Wow congrats on getting your husband to run. I do not think I could get my husband to do that.
You never know!
Score! He crossed the finish line and I know you are proud! Enjoy Vegas – happy birthday to the hubby!
Thanks so much I really am!
Love this! Still having difficulties getting my SO to come out and run!
Don’t give up! You never know 🙂
Awesome! That is a great accomplishment for him!! Haha, love that he said you shouldn’t be married to your coach. Seems to work for Tina and Steve though 😉
Thanks! I know he had fun even if he won’t admit it 🙂
Congrats to you and your husband! I love that he kept up with it for you, even if he really didn’t love the running part of things 😉 I hope you two have an amazing and well-deserved time in Vegas!
thanks so much!
Congrats to your hubby. Way to go on training him. That must make you feel very proud of him.
I really am proud of him!
Hooray for the hubs and yay for the you Deborah! Your marriage survived running 🙂 I have to say I’m in the same boat as your hubby when it comes to running on the treadmill. Getting the hubs more active is a win in my book though! Maybe next you can show him some weight training so he can do intervals with running and weight training to make the treadmill less boring!
that’s a great idea thanks!
He can totally brag to his friends this weekend!! It’s a total win!
Huge congrats to your hubby and to you coach!
Have a BLAST in Vegas! xo
Thanks so much! I am really proud of him and I hope he is too
Yay for success! I’ve been anticipating a re-cap 🙂 I’d love for Ray to get into running; I could be more encouraging and helpful. Perhaps spring time!
I think it’s hard to be married to a crazy runner/exercise freak at least that’s what I am told!
Manfriend will forever be a project in my life. He talks about wanting to be healthier but then wolfs down a huge burrito, cheese dip, chips, etc ,etc. He’s blessed though because these foods make him LOSE weight basically, ha! But I am thinking more about his heart than anything else….. One day, MAYBE he will listen to me!
Well that all sounds really familiar! Good luck I hope you can convince him to start taking care of himself as well.
What a great project! I think it’s super great that you were able to convince your husband to train for a 5K run. That looked like such a fun event. 🙂
It was a great event and so much fun to train together. I hope he keeps it up
I love this so much! What a great accomplishment (for both of you). It’s not easy to convince a spouse to make a change- it’s usually more well received coming from someone outside the family, ha!!
I know seriously! I’ve been told it’s not always easy being married to a mother runner
Ahhh Deb I love this!! You are such a great motivator, and congrats to your husband for sticking to it and pushing through. Plus now he can sit back and really enjoy the holidays (and Vegas!)
thanks so much! We had a couple of rough weeks in there but I think he is really happy he completed the race.
Sounds like you all had a great time, and congrats to your husband (and to you for coaching him)!
Thanks so much it was fun to do together!
So glad he stuck it out and did so well!
Thanks! So am I now I just need to find a way to have him keep it up
Congrats to the hubs! This is so great and even though he didn’t fall in love with running it sounds like he had fun racing!
He did have fun racing but I don’t think he wants to admit it
I love that he did it for you and also trained! I mean, I feel like for even those who love running, running can get pretty boring sometimes. Usually by the winter I am done with running and want to try other things lol but then once I take a break I am itching to get back to it!
I am so glad that he tried it and I hope he keeps up his workouts this winter.
Awesome!! So great job to your husband and good to hear it was a success! Great job to you too for running a faster run than you have in a while! Looks like such a fun race too!
Thanks! It was a fun experience to do together I hope he keeps it up
This is so exciting! I’ve loved following you and your husband’s 5k journey. Great work all around! 🙂
Ah thanks so much it was fun to do and I hope I can get him to keep on training
He made it! That’s Wonderful! I thought that was such a cute training story. Good job Deborah!
Thanks I hope I can get him to continue to keep moving!
A belated congrats goes to your hubby! I hope he had a fabulous birthday and you guys had fun in Vegas!
thanks so much we did!
Congrats to your husband! Great picture of the finish. Hope you had a great time in LV.
Thanks s much we really did!