Olivia had always been told that she had it easy. Blessed with great genetics, she had an incredible figure that she did very little to maintain. In her mind, going to her local yoga studio a few times a week justified eating whatever the hell she wanted. And that philosophy worked for her. She had an athletic build, long, toned, legs, and a firm bum that was on the larger side for her frame. Yes, Olivia was perfectly happy with her appearance. However, sometimes, she found herself staring longingly at the runners in her neighborhood. She admired their commitment, their ability to push their bodies to the limit no matter what the weather. One day, she promised herself, she would take up running. 

Of course, that day might never have come if Olivia hadn’t started dating Alex. The pair had hit it off at a mutual friend’s birthday party and were completely smitten with each other. A free-spirited creative herself, Liv loved how intense Alex was. He worked a demanding job in finance, ran 7+ miles a day, had an active social life, and still managed to make her feel like a top priority. It didn’t hurt that his athleticism meant that he had more stamina than any of the guys she’d dated in the past.

One early Saturday morning, Liv rolled over in bed only to find that Alex’s side was empty. Blinking her eyes open, she saw him standing in his walk-in closet changing into his running gear. After admiring his lithe body, she encouraged him to come back to bed. Laughing, he promised that he’d be more than up for a different kind of sweat session when he returned home from his run. After pouting playfully, Liv lay back in bed and said something that would change her life and the course of their nascent relationship. 

“I wish I could run,” she sighed to herself. 

“Who’s stopping you?” Alex countered.

“I mean…I wish I was a runner.”

“Again, who’s stopping you?”

Liv thought for a moment before she answered truthfully. “Nobody, I guess. But I’d never be able to keep up with you.”

“Well not today and certainly not with that attitude,” Alex said not unkindly. “But if you want to run, you should. Not to keep up with me or with anyone else, but to prove to yourself that you can.” And with that matter-of-fact statement, he gave her a quick but firm kiss, promised her that he’d be back before brunch, and was out the door. 

Liv tried to go back to sleep, but she kept playing her conversation with Alex over in her head. Why had she written off running before even giving it a shot? She decided right there in bed that she’d be giving running the old college try. She didn’t have to commit to it fully, but what was the harm in giving it a week? If she hated it, she didn’t have to do it anymore. Over brunch she told Alex her plans and he was nothing but encouraging. In fact, they hit up his favorite store after they ate so she could get some supportive running shoes. By Monday, she found her lacing up her new shoes for her first ever run.

A few weeks passed and nobody was more surprised than Liv that she began to enjoy running. She wouldn’t dare call it easy. In fact, she’d made a ton of rookie mistakes. Not wearing the proper bra for her busty frame, going too far in her new running shoes before properly breaking them in, not fueling or hydrating enough, and failing to stretch to name a few. Turns out, running was anything but an easy habit to pick up. But despite her missteps, she was finally finding her stride. Throughout this journey, she found Alex to be an invaluable resource. She was still too intimidated to run with him, but he was happy to answer any questions that she had about her hobby. As the former captain of his college’s cross country team, her boyfriend had a wealth of knowledge in all things running. 

After a particularly strong 5k run where she didn’t need to stop to walk once, Liv decided that she wanted a challenge. A little research had shown her that her city was hosting a recreational half marathon that was open to all levels. It was four months out, which gave her adequate time to prepare, so she paid the entry fee and got to training.

The first couple weeks of training flew right by. Liv was already used to running 3 miles and she was in the best physical shape of her life. But week 3 of the training program she’d found online had her edging closer toward the 6-mile mark and she felt mentally blocked. She’d yet to experience the infamous runner’s high and she wondered if this half marathon was worth it or even possible. She hated to waste the $100 non-refundable entry fee, but maybe it was enough that she’d tried. It would be nice to have her mornings back, after all, and she could always get back to running whenever she felt like it. Making peace with her decision, she headed home to shower and get ready for her date with Alex.

The pair were enjoying some delicious Italian food when he broached the subject.

“Remind me what day your half marathon is, babe,” Alex said. “I’m going to put it in my calendar so I can come cheer you on.”

“Oh, I umm decided that it wasn’t for me,” Liv responded, suddenly feeling shy.

To his credit, Alex didn't say anything. Instead, he just nodded thoughtfully while staring at his girlfriend with all-knowing eyes.

Somehow Alex’s silence felt worse than judgement and Liv couldn’t help but feel defensive. Immediately, she began spewing excuses about why she’d chosen to call it quits.

“Liv,” Alex interrupted. “You don’t need to justify your decision to me. Deciding that running isn’t for you doesn’t make me love you any less. You tried it, you don’t like it. If you don’t want to run a half marathon, that’s completely your choice.” 

“It’s not that I don’t want to,” Olivia whispered.

“Then what is it?”

“I just… I just don’t think I can.” 

“Of course you can.”

“No, I can’t!” Liv exploded. “We don’t can’t all run half marathons just because it’s Sunday like you!”

Raising his eyebrows sardonically, Alex kept his ever-present cool. “So what, you think I just up and started running crazy distances and never struggled? Never once hit a wall?”

Deflating, Liv realized that she wasn’t being fair. “No. I’m sorry, I’m just frustrated.”

“I know and it’s ok,” Alex said reassuringly. “Of course, I support your decision to quit if that makes you happy. But I know you can run this race if you really want to. You’ve already come such a long way and I know you can do it. And, you know, I’ll help you in any way that I can.”

Nodding thoughtfully Liv swallowed her pride and asked something that had been in the back of her mind for weeks. “Would you be willing to train me?”

“I would,” Alex responded after a pregnant silence. “But you need to make sure that that’s what you really want.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m intense about running,” he admitted. “I had a reputation for being the strictest captain in my college’s history.”

“Is that right?” Liv said playfully before putting her takeout box on the coffee table and snuggling up to Alex on the couch.

“Hmm,” he growled, drawing her closer onto his lap. “So you need to decide if you want to introduce that dynamic into our relationship. I’m a hardass as a coach and I don’t take kindly to excuses.”

Even though Alex’s words seemed to be a warning, Liv couldn’t help but feel riled up by them. “Let me think on that,” she shared before kissing him. “In the meantime, there are more pressing issues.” 

“I completely agree,” Alex responded, before pulling her T-shirt over her head. 

Late that night, as they were washing away the evidence of their latest round of lovemaking, Liv finally bit the bullet.

“Okay, I’ve decided,” she stated confidently. “I want you to train me.”

“Are you absolutely sure?” Alex asked. “If I take the time to train you, then you follow the program that I lay out for you. There’s no slacking off, excuses, or excessive whining. It’ll be challenging, but I won’t push you too hard too fast, and I guarantee you’ll cross that finish line in October. But if you decide you don’t want to follow my program, then you can fire me as your coach with no hard feelings. I’ll still help you out like before, but I won’t be your coach anymore, okay?”

Liv nodded slowly, feeling a little bit overwhelmed.

“Words baby,” Alex demanded. “I need to know that you understand what you’re committing to.”

“I understand.” 

“Great. Lucky for you, I need a day to put together your program, so you get tomorrow off. But I want you to mentally prepare to hit the ground running first thing Monday morning, capiche?” 

“Yes,” Liv shared before raising up on tiptoe to plant one on her boyfriend’s stern face. 

Monday came and went without too much fanfare. Liv was impressed with the level of detail that Alex had put into her program. Everyday was meticulously planned out. True to his word, he was firm but fair. He didn’t have her running crazy lengths each day. Instead, he approached her training holistically. He had her running faster short distances some days and slower long distances on others. He corrected her form and gave her more effective ways to stretch her sore muscles. She developed a love-hate relationship with his theragun. He didn’t even make her run daily. Some days he had her take her favorite yoga class or focus on mobility. Other days, they’d take a long walk together, holding hands and enjoying the city. He was also a stickler for rest days. Her favorite day of the program, thus far, was when he ran her an epsom salt bath and then gently massaged her body with his large, talented hands.

But five weeks into Alex’s program, Liv hit her first snag. It was early Friday evening and she knew that the only thing that stood in between her and a blissful date night was an 8-mile run, her longest of the week. After letting herself into his apartment with her new key, Liv noticed that he’d already laid out her running gear. Still in his work clothes, Alex let her know that he was finishing up a report and would be ready to head out in 15 minutes. But Liv had other plans this evening and far more enjoyable physical activities that she wanted to do. Stripping out of her work clothes, she approached her boyfriend in her sexy underwear.

Glancing up from his computer, Alex looked his stunning girlfriend up and down before quirking his mouth in a wry smile. 

“As much as I love you in that babe, it’s hardly appropriate running gear.”

“I thought we could burn calories another way tonight.”

“Oh, I’ll happily fuck you once you run your 8 miles,” he said agreeably. “Maybe it’ll be motivation for you to shave a few seconds off of your time.”

“I’ve decided I need a rest day.”

“Is that right?”

“Yes. That’s right.” 

“Your rest day was yesterday.”

“I’ve decided that I need another,” Liv said, moving closer to her boyfriend.

In a flash, Alex pulled Liv onto his lap and kissed her with bruising force. But right before Liv could deepen the kiss further, he pulled away.

“Unfortunately, for you, you don’t make the decisions around here.”

“Oh I think I do,” Liv responded tartly before reaching behind herself, taking off her bra, and letting her heavy breasts bounce free. Liv knew how much Alex appreciated her boobs and felt certain that he wouldn’t be able to resist them being this close to his mouth.

“Are you firing me as your coach, baby?” Alex asked casually, his eyes locked on Liv’s pert nipples.

“No, I’m just making a suggestion.”

“Well I suggest that you cover up these delicious tits and go put on your running gear. We’re leaving for our run in 10 minutes.” Giving her a quick peck on the lips, Alex gently lifted Liv from his lap before strolling into his room to change into his own running gear.

He’d just pulled on his shorts when Liv came stomping into his room, her glorious, bare, breasts shaking with the force of her indignation.

“I don’t want to go on a run today.”

“Are you too sore?”

“No.”

“Injured?”

“No. I’m just-”

“Feeling lazy?”

“I just don’t want to!” Liv exploded. “Why are you being such a stickler?”

“I laid out my rules clearly before you agreed to this,” Alex said, still completely unruffled. “So unless you no longer want me to be your coach, get that sweet ass into your running clothes.”

“Ugh!” Liv screeched, before moving towards her workout clothes.  

“I believe I said no excessive whining too, so cool it,” Alex said quietly, a hint of warning in his voice. 

“Yeah, whatever,” Liv said before snatching up her sports bra from the bed. But before she could wrestle herself into it, she found it flung from her hand. In a blink, Alex was sitting on the bed. In the next breath, she found herself upended over his knee. Before she could process what was happening, she heard a crisp clapping sound ring out loudly throughout the bedroom. A millisecond later, the ringing transformed into a singing sensation in her butt.

“Clearly, I’ve been far too lenient if going for a run inspires this level of a tantrum,” Alex said, oscillating his slaps from one cheek to another.

“What are you doing?” Liv gasped, wriggling as Alex’s palm continued to connect with her bottom.

“Oh I think you know baby,” Alex responded. 

“You can’t spank me!” Liv shouted indignantly.

“Are you firing me as your coach?” Alex replied, never even slowing his pace.

“No,” Liv said, whispering.

“What was that?” he said, aiming harsh slaps at her sit spots. 

“No!” she huffed.

“Who’s in charge here?” 

“You are.”

“Good. Let’s make sure you don’t forget that,” Alex said before slowing his pace to a stop.

Suddenly, Liv felt a slight breeze as Alex began lowering her panties down. Once they’d found their way to the floor, Alex drew his girlfriend in tighter and continued her spanking.

“Oww!” Liv whined, shocked by how much more intense her spanking felt on her bare bottom.

But Alex was far from moved by Liv's cries. His girl had come too far to start slacking on her goals now. Feeling reinvigorated, he upped the tempo of his spanking and increased the force. 

“I’m sorry! I’ll go running!”

“Of course you’ll go running my girl,” Alex chuckled. “And you’ll be running with a sore, reddened, ass.” 

For 10 minutes, Alex kept up the spanking; never letting Liv get too comfortable with his rhythm or where he would strike her ass next. After a while, Liv got tired of begging and resigned herself to tears, the fight draining from her like the air in a deflating balloon. Once all signs of resistance had ceased, Alex gave her 10 of his hardest spanks yet before stopping and gently cupping her hot bottom in a possessive grip.

“You’re lucky I'm stopping here,” Alex said, his strict words in direct contrast to the softness he was using to gently careers her flaming bottom. “If I wasn’t avoiding making you run at night, I’d make you go get your hairbrush. Your attitude during our run will dictate whether or not I apply it to this gorgeous, red, ass once we get home. Am I understood?”

“Yes, Sir,” Liv sniffed, the dominance in her boyfriend’s voice surprising a never before used honorific out of her. 

“That’s my girl. Now get up and get dressed,” Alex said before releasing his girlfriend. 

Alex didn’t even try to hide his smirk as he watched Liv gingerly slide her inflamed ass into her tight leggings. Kissing her softly, he slid his hand into hers and led her through his apartment. 

“Let this be a lesson, that a long run always hurts more when you’re nursing a spanked ass,” he whispered into her ear before giving her a playful slap on the butt and guiding her out the door. After a few stretches, the pair began their 8-mile trek, their feet a beautiful rhythm on the pavement. Despite the burn in her muscles and her butt, Liv managed to do the run in record time. And two months later, she felt an overwhelming sense of joy as she crossed the finish line of her first ever half marathon. A grinning Alex waited for her at the finish line looking at her with such pride that it brought tears to her eyes. She really did have the best running coach.