Run, JD, Run!

With the likelihood that JD will be starting police academy this winter, he has decided it’s time to start running.  He’s definitely not out of shape, but he’s not in the habit of doing cardio, and definitely not conditioned for running anymore.  The problem is that JD isn’t self-motivated when it comes to working out, which leaves me to be the motivator.  I wouldn’t mind this if it involved a workout I actually enjoyed like yoga, spinning or the stair-stepper, but I absolutely hate running.  However, I also realize that JD won’t run unless I go with him, so for the next few months, I will be suffer with him and pretend to be excited about it.

Last night was Day #1.  We knew we should ease into it- if we pushed ourselves too hard the first day, we’d never do it again.  Our plan was to run to the end of the neighborhood and back, about a mile total (I can hear marathon runners gasping in disgust).  JD tried to cheat a little, and turned around 100 feet from the “official” end of the neighborhood.  I decided to try the harsh, Marine Corps approach.

“What are you doing?”

“It’s like 50 feet!  Relax!” he groaned.

“No!  You’re going to the end of the neighborhood!  I’m pushing you now because they won’t put up with your whining in the academy.”

Whoops, apparently the Marine Corps approach doesn’t work when it’s coming from your spouse.  He immediately got defensive (but he did go to the end of the neighborhood).

“I’m out of shape, okay?!  This isn’t easy for me anymore!”

We ran (trotted, really) in silence.  He stopped to pet a dog.  I didn’t say anything.

A few driveways before our cul-de-sac, I tried a different approach- the cheerleader approach (which I’m much better at anyway).

“Okay babe, we’re gonna run all the way to the driveway.  No stopping in the middle of the cul-de-sac.  You can do it.  It’s not much further!”

He sprinted that last little bit, all the way to the driveway.  I congratulated him and gave him a high-five.  Day one down, countless more to go…