Here at runladylike.com, Fridays are all about sharing the inspiring stories of fit people who motivate all of us to be better tomorrow than we were yesterday. My Friday FITspiration series profiles runners, triathletes and casual exercisers who are making choices every day to be as healthy as they can be – in both huge ways and through simple, small victories. Their stories are about the journey of transforming from ordinary to extraordinary each and every day.

In honor of Valentine’s Day today, I’m excited to share an interview with my very own running Valentine – Mr. rUnladylike. Mr. rUnladylike is the name I’ve lovingly given when mentioning my husband here on runladylike.com. Although I refer to him every now and again on the blog, today you get to hear from him directly on running, strength training, exercising with your partner and even his insights into what you might not know about me. Although Mr. rUnladylike prefers shorter distance running and strength training to endurance sports, he has run 3 half marathons. Find out what the other half of runladylike.com has to share.

Everyone on runladylike.com knows you as Mr. rUnladylike. Do you have a real name?
Francis D’Avanza. Most people call me Fran.

When did you start running and what inspired you to start?
I started running back in 2001 when I signed up with Team in Training to run the Mayors Midnight Sun Half Marathon in Alaska. Prior to that experience, I had never run more than 3 miles. I was inspired by the opportunity to travel to an amazing place, raise money for a great cause and train and meet great people.

You do a lot of strength training work. How has that helped you become a better runner?
Strength training has been critical to my fitness and becoming an improved runner. My strength training has always been done at a rapid pace while incorporating a variety of body parts to increase my cardio fitness. I really began to see improvements when I incorporated lower body strength training and plyometrics.

You love to travel. Where is the coolest, most memorable place you have ever run? Do you have any bucket list places where you would like to run one day?
Travel and planning vacations are my passion. That is what keeps me going when work gets tough or I am at the airport flying off for a meeting in another city. My most memorable run was in Paris (with Mrs. rUnladylike) on a picture perfect summer morning. Running by such history, landmarks, beautiful architecture and the smells of French pastries was undoubtedly my rave run.

What running or fitness goal do you most want to achieve in 2014?

1. To workout 312 days in 2014 (6 days a week average) – I worked out 302 days in 2013.
2. To run a sub 20-minute 5K
3. To be down to 162 pounds by my 40^th  birthday (December 17, 2014)

What is your favorite song to run to?
I am going to go with “Where the Streets Have No Name” by U2 or “100 Miles and Runnin” by N.W.A.

It’s not always easy to be married to a long-distance runner or triathlete when you don’t also share a passion for endurance events. What advice would you give to someone who is in a relationship with an endurance athlete to make life easier/better?
My fitness mentality from Mrs. rUnladylike is very different. I run/workout to live and she lives to run/workout. While fitness is very important to me and its level of importance only grows as I get older, I don’t see it ever ruling my life. My advice is to embrace your partner’s passion for endurance events, but be there to keep them in check during this roller coaster ride. Our incredibly driven partners are amazing and we are fortunate that fitness is their passion. Remind them of that when they have a bad training day or don’t have the perfect race.

Do you think you will ever run a marathon?
I do think I will run one marathon one day. It just hasn’t been a priority at this juncture. To obligate the time it takes to run a marathon in a time I would be proud of would mean other aspects of my fitness (e.g. strength training) would have to take back seat. When I do run a marathon, it will be some place remarkable and memorable. I could be tempted by the Rome Marathon, as I love Italy and the scenery is unparalleled.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, what advice would you give to couples on how to exercise or be active together, especially when one person may be faster than the other?
Being able to go for a run, bike, hike etc. with your significant other can really be a great experience. At times, we all need motivation. That motivation can come in a number of forms, whether that is getting that person out of bed to workout or pushing your partner by setting the pace. Remember, it’s not always about being the best, fastest or fittest. Just going out and doing it together makes a world of difference.

As the ever elusive Mr. rUnladylike here on runladylike.com, you know me better than anyone. Is there anything you think my readers should know about me that they probably don’t?
Your readers already know how amazing, inspirational and driven you are. What they don’t know is how human you are. You love to sleep in, you love to eat pizza, burgers, bacon, candy and mac n’ cheese, but those are the fruits of your labor and I encourage that. If you didn’t have these guilty pleasures you wouldn’t be you, and those are just a few of things I love about you.

Do you or someone you know have a FITspiring story to share? If so, email me at runladylike@gmail.com to be considered for Friday FITspriation.

Want more Valentine’s Day running love? Check out these posts:
How to Stay Married to a Marathon Runner
How to Keep (or Salvage) Your Relationships while Training for Triathlons

Who is your running Valentine (or who would you like your running Valentine to be)? Mr. rUnladylike talked about advice for exercising and being active as a couple. What additional tips would you share for working out with your partner, especially if you are at different fitness levels?