By Jason Geroux
To my family, friends, and the fitness community, we are known as the running or power couple. On any given day, we are out there grinding hard. Either logging miles or lifting weights, our passion for fitness has become a lifestyle. All of my trials and tribulations as a runner stem from my other half Meaghan Geroux. Our virtual aliases are @themaineviking and @meg.runs, and #powercouple is often attributed to us. Let me tell you our story from my perspective and how I became a runner. My passion for running only began a few short years ago. I don't think I ever ran a straight mile in my life until I was 30 years old, and I had zero interest or desire to ever pursue running. I thought going to the gym and lifting weights was all I would ever want to do, and although I always supported my wife at the start and finish lines of events, taking her picture was as far as I wanted to take the sport. Little did I know that would all change in the coming years. Let's take it back to 2015.
Sofia, Bulgaria Aug 1st, 2015: My first run I ever went on will forever be engraved in my memory. Meaghan and I were on our honeymoon in Eastern Europe. She asked me if I'd join her for safety reasons and run two miles with her. Oh my God, it was insanely hard, and I felt like a child asking if we were done yet. I think we ran a couple more times that trip, but I still had no interest in pursuing more miles. It was hard, and I thought it was pointless.
March 2016: With a trip to Ireland booked for that July, Meaghan asked if I'd like to run a 10K race. I agreed but knew I'd have some serious work to do. As a daily gym enthusiast at the Bangor Y, I kept telling my friends, "I'm going to run six miles!" I felt like some kind of intimidating big shot. Ha! Honestly, I couldn't put into perspective how far 6 miles was or if I was capable of it. I created a routine and started chipping away a few miles a week, with coaching and encouragement from Meaghan. She would have me join her for the first mile or two of her longer runs and helped me develop my foundation during the spring. In June, she asked if I'd like to try the Close to the Coast 10K before we tackle Ireland. I agreed. I will always remember the nerves of approaching the starting line for the first time. Where do we stand? Am I in someone's way? What if I can't finish or need to walk? Are people going to make fun of me for looking out of place? All of these feelings consumed me, leaving me with a queasy stomach. And then we were off!! Running hard, side by side with Meg was a heart racing, adrenaline filled emotional hour. We didn't stop, and we finished strong. It was a magical feeling at the finish line. I was instantly addicted. I knew from there on I wanted more. Race number two, 10K in Swords, Ireland, led to my second successful race. The runner's high and encouragement from my wife had us signing up for the Maine Half Marathon later that fall.
Meaghan was a far more experienced runner, having raced Sugarloaf Marathon that year and being in the midst of training for the MDI Marathon. I took all her knowledge of building endurance and staying consistent. She made me a plan to build up my mileage to run the Maine Half Marathon. I was into training 100% at this point. The addiction left me wanting more miles. We ran a lot of the longer distances together, which made training much easier. Going from nine to eleven miles for that final increase was a mind blowing distance. I remember how proud hitting double digits made me feel, and I knew making it to 13.1 miles was in my reach. Race day in early October was upon us. We got there early, the nerves adjusted well. The race went great. I felt like a runner at this point.
Running and lifting continued through the fall and winter, and in 2017 we had signed up for dozens of races throughout New England. This is where I believe we became established as a "power couple" in the running community. Though we weren't making podiums, we placed a few times in our age groups here and there. People started recognizing us at bib pickups and start lines. It was fun meeting people in different towns and states. Always being asked, "Where's Meg?" or "Did you guys run yet?" is now a common phrase. Half marathons became my favorite distance to race. Sometimes we ran them together, and other times, it was our own race. As we made our way around New England on weekend getaways of running, we had already started booking the 2018 season. Running became a common bond of hopes and dreams for both of us. I couldn't imagine a year without logging miles with my best friend. From frozen faces to 100% humidity, we are out there. I have learned pace and distance aren't nearly as important as discipline and consistency.
“I have learned pace and distance aren't nearly as important as discipline and consistency.”
In January 2018, we made plans to run the Reykjavik Marathon that August, but I started having severe knee pain. I kept running and suffering, ignoring the burning snaps every step. It was even affecting me at work. An MRI result showed that I had zero remaining menisci on my left knee. It was my bones grinding together that was so excruciating. The surgeon said it was the worst MRI image he'd seen in years. He gave me one year to get my affairs in order before scheduling surgery. "Meaghan, let's sign up for Reykjavik!" Without the doctor's permission, I started training my legs at the gym, building muscle around the knee and wrapping it ever so tightly before running. The mileage ramped up all year long. I ignored the pain and ran through it. We continued racing all spring. Two weeks from Reykjavik, I had a pre-surgery consultation with the doctor. I had run 700 miles since we last spoke. His mind was boggled. I told him I was doing a marathon. At this point, I was pain free. He called me a medical miracle and later discharged me. The muscles around my knee became like steel and carried the support. Reykjavik was a success! After the race, I told myself, "never again. I will just stick to half marathons, and she can run the full." I eat those words today.
2019 put us out of our comfort zone, and another running venture started. Mountains, trails, and ultras were incorporated into our training. Strictly road runners for the past few years, we didn't really hike or run on dirt. We were accepted to run the Mount Washington Road Race, and I also signed us up for the Last Man Standing in the fall. Training had to be elevated higher and longer. So, we hit the trails. We did repeats on some local hills and mountains. We continued racing half marathons all season. For me, I think all that hill/trail training allowed me to perform better during the road races. I learned to love the long distance! I love the fact that we can stay on our feet for hours on end. Slow the pace and just go on and on. The long runs have strengthened my brain and attributed to my freakishly low heart rate. Mount Washington was a success. We both killed it and weren't even sore the next day. Last Man Standing was also a success. Meg and I ran 30 miles together. I continued to 50 miles. She only stopped because she was going for a PR in a few weeks in a marathon and had never tested the waters at this distance. Honestly, neither had I. A month later, we ran the Baystate Marathon together, probably one of my favorite memories with my wife. Side by side the whole time and crushing her PR by at least ten minutes, I think. We ended 2019 by trekking the Mt. Everest basecamp trail in Nepal. We logged about 80 miles and reached an elevation of 18,000 feet above sea level. While in the Himalayas, we saw runners and thought how someday we would do the Everest Marathon. One week after we returned, we dressed as Vikings and ran Maine's Millinocket Half Marathon.
With a year of canceled races, we continued running hard in 2020. Together or separately, the miles increased. We made our own goals or ran tasks created by others. Running from point A to B in different towns or trying new loops to make things interesting. Gary Allen put the task out of running 10 miles strictly on the Penobscot Narrows Bridge. So I did it. Maybe I can even say it's the fastest known 10 miles of back and forths for that location. Meg and I ran a bunch of virtuals, including the Maine Marathon Relay. We also ran the entire Acadia Park Loop Road together over the summer and added a few more miles to make it an even 30. We built a strong mileage base to go after the Last Man Standing. It was our only in person event since COVID, and we did awesome, knowing there was a lot of room for improvement for future long distance endeavors.
Running is awesome, whether it's alone, with friends, or with your significant other! I love running with my wife 100% of the time. We have each other's backs and can grow together as a couple. In exploring stepping outside of our comfort zones, we hope to be an inspiration for others to get out there. The running community has taken us in with open arms, and I have made so many new friends both close to home and far away because of the sport. I hope whoever is reading this has enjoyed some of my stories, and I wish everyone a happy and healthy 2021.
About the Author
Jason is a 36 year old guy from Orrington, Maine. He grew up in Old Town, Maine, attended the University of Maine for a couple of years, and now works as a commercial/residential painting contractor for the last 15 years. His wife is Meaghan Geroux, a registered dietician. They have two Boston terriers named Rosco and Myko. Together they travel the world whenever they can and race as often as possible.
