This Valentine’s Day it’s running shoes over chocolate
It’s almost that most romantic day of the year. Valentine’s Day.
It’s also that time of year when training really gets into gear for Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, especially for longer distances like the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon, Scotiabank Ottawa Half-Marathon, and Ottawa 10K.
How are these related you ask?
Well, for some runners there is nothing more romantic than crossing the finish line with their significant other. But even if you aren’t a running couple (yet) the start of February is a perfect time to set new goals together. So we thought we’d talk about some of the reasons why you should consider signing up for your race with that special person in your life.
- Spend more time together.
Sure, you might not talk the whole way, but when you need to get in multiple runs a week, including one long-run, training together equals lots of guaranteed time spent in each other’s company. Top it off with a post-run coffee or beer together and you have a regular date. - Support each other to reach your goals.
There’s nothing more romantic than believing in your partner’s goals and investing in their success with your own time and sweat (and occasional bloody toe). Whether you run together stride-by-stride, or have different time goals for your race, being each other’s support system over long weeks of training (and then celebrating together at the finish) is better than roses any day. - See each other at your best.
We all bring strengths to every partnership. Whether it’s hard-core discipline or a sunny disposition, detail-oriented planning or big-picture goal setting, when you’re training for a race (whether it’s your first 5K or a half or full marathon), your and your partner’s strengths will come to the surface to be admired in all their glory. You’ll get to support each other by sharing your strengths. - See each other at your not-so-best.
True love means loving people at their best and not-so-best. Language that would make a sailor blush? Scouting bushes for a desperate mid-race bathroom break? Breaking out band-aids for bloody nipples? Crying because you think it’s too much? It’s the stuff that brings couples closer together and the stories you’ll share once the race is over. - That finish line photo.
That photo of you at the finish line by yourself is special. But how about the one where you’re holding hands with your boyfriend or girlfriend, your fiancé, spouse or life partner? Is there any better way to capture how you support each other
Bonus: What better place to pop the question?
We’ve seen it before and we’ll see it again, but there is something about the anticipation of the start line and the high of the finish line that lends itself to those important life questions. And for couples who’ve been through more than a few races, it’s a moment and a feeling to be shared and treasured.
Want some inspiration? Check out this running love story and then register for your race at the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend.
Oh and the last day of our early bird pricing is February 15. Coincidence?