Running has changed my life in so many profound ways, but one aspect I've never deeply explored is how my running has changed the lives of those who live with me. So, I asked my boys - Gerald (15) and Hayden (almost 9) - and husband Jay 10 questions to find out how my crazy running ways have affected them.
QUESTION #1: What is it like living with a runner?
Hayden: It is awesome because we get to travel around the United States.
Gerald: I never really thought about it. I guess it's normal. I don't know what else to compare it to.
Jay: That's a simple question but tough to answer. It can be hectic: getting to races and getting there on time, checking the calendar to make plans without stepping on her run schedule. It's interesting because we travel to all sorts of different places where we normally wouldn't go.
QUESTION #2: How does having a runner mother/wife affect you? Where does it affect you most?
Hayden: I don't know.
Gerald: I have to listen to many running stories.
Jay: It makes life easier on me because she has a passion that keeps her going, and there's less idle time for her. She's moving and enjoying herself and doing what she wants to do.
QUESTION #3: What are some of the things your runner mother/wife does often?
Hayden: She runs on the treadmill and runs a lot in the mornings.
Gerald: She runs, talks about running, reads about running, and shops for running stuff online a lot.
Jay: Well, she runs a lot. She also buys a lot of running gear: shoes, clothes, etc.
QUESTION #4: What is the weirdest thing your runner mother/wife does?
Hayden: She wakes up at 4:15 in the morning and goes for runs.
Gerald: She runs.
Jay: She doesn't really do anything weird.
QUESTION #5: What is the craziest thing your runner mother/wife has done?
Hayden: That's really hard to answer. She does many crazy things.
Gerald: She tried to run 50 miles.
Jay: She runs outside when it's -15ยบ.
QUESTION #6: What is the weirdest/craziest thing YOU have done because of your running mother/wife?
Hayden: Actually, because of her, I have run more that I ever could have done in my life.
Gerald: I have waited for her to cross the finish line ... many times.
Jay: I ran across the city of Chicago to try to catch up to her at different points along the marathon route.
QUESTION #7: What do you love about your runner mother/wife?
Hayden: Everything.
Gerald: When she's done running, she always feels happy.
Jay: I love the fact that running gives her a purpose beyond home and career and family. It's something that is all hers. I think that until she started running, it was something that she had been lacking largely since I've known her.
QUESTION #8: What do you dislike/hate about your runner mother/wife?
Hayden: Nothing.
Gerald: When she's hasn't run, she's not so happy.
Jay: The long distance driving to races.
QUESTION #9: How do you explain your runner mother/wife to your friends?
Hayden: In an excited way.
Gerald: She runs marathons ... a lot.
Jay: She's nuts!
QUESTION #10: How has running changed your relationship with your mother/wife?
Hayden: It has made it better because I get to spend some time with her when I run. She keeps me company.
Gerald: It hasn't really changed our relationship.
Jay: Her running has improved our relationship. Running has given her an individual goal and motivation and passion. It has given her something that is all hers to where she doesn't have to rely on what the boys do or what I do. It's something that is hers, which is something that everyone needs to have.
It seems that for the most part, running is beneficial to me AND my family. As if I needed any more reasons to run ...
Thanks for reading, friends!
