I know it was my idea because it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. “Let’s run a half marathon before we get married,” I suggested to Nick. I can’t say it was met with incredible enthusiasm. Nick ran the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach a few years ago, and when he completed it, he told himself he would never do it again. But then I came along.

I found a 12-week training program, and he found a race. (Bonus points for being in my hometown of Dover, PA!) And so began our journey. Because we live in different states, we pushed each other from a distance during the week and completed our long runs together on weekends.

I emerged as the motivator of the team — no surprise. In the beginning Nick would get annoyed with my enthusiastic cheers. He did NOT want to talk while we ran, and he did NOT want to hear phrases from me, like “you can do it” or “keep it up.” Into week 6, however, we found our stride, and we cruised through our final weeks of training … and we completed our first half marathon together last Saturday!

{looking fierce at 6am)

I gave Nick a good luck gift bag on Friday night (it’s the least I could do) with a pin that said, “Running Beside My Bride.” And, of course, mine said, “Running Beside My Groom.”

The sky was overcast and the air was thick that morning, and before the start of the race the official said, “If the weather gets bad, seek shelter!” Nick and I looked at each other and wondered what shelter he was referring to — the cow pens or the horse stalls? This was Dover, after all.

And then we were off! By mile 2 the sky opened up and the rain began to fall. It came down hard and fast! And we were soaked in a matter of minutes. We charged ahead, but we couldn’t help but laugh at the hilarity of the situation — running in torrential downpour, shoes heavy and sopping wet, eyelashes dripping.

Around mile 9  I had to quiet the competitive part of me that wanted to speed up and, instead, I stuck beside my groom-to-be. He was cramping up, but I was cheering him on.

{what incredible determination!}

As we approached the final stretch, we could see my family in the distance. We grabbed hands — just like we promised to do — and crossed the finish line as a team. Mission accomplished!

This wasn’t just a test in endurance for us, it’s a metaphor for what we can accomplish together. I love that we worked so hard to meet a common goal, and it was an incredibly rewarding experience! I know we’ll meet many life challenges as husband and wife, and I’m confident we’ll approach them with the same determination and collaboration.

And no matter how sweaty and stinky those challenges leave us, we’ll always hug it out in the end.

Are you and your fiancé planning to run any races together? Or work towards other common goals before your wedding day?

Next up: Believe it or not, we also had time this weekend to finish our invitations! (Though the adhesives we used aren’t sticking quite as well as I had hoped — any recommendations?)