(Trying to) Hitchhike While Running

Last week I was running on our military base where we’re temporarily staying, and I happened to run by the building where Husband works. Coincidentally, he was leaving work around the same time I was running, and he drove right by me. He might have intended to embarrass me with his incessant honking and waving, but I was actually happy and encouraged to see it. I wasn’t having my best run, and I wanted so badly to stop running. When he drove up in his white car, it seemed like a golden chariot beside me - my ticket on wheels to take me home. I probably would have sold my soul to go home with him right then. In fact, when he rolled down his window, I actually shouted, only half-joking, “Take me home!” “What?” he said, unable to hear me. “Never mind. See you at home!” The run was tough. Had I shouted “take me home” a little louder (or maybe if Husband had slightly better hearing), the story might have ended with me sitting comfortably in the passenger seat, a little sweaty and a little defeated from the start of a tough run. But, instead, it ended with me running 3 more miles, finishing my 4-mile run, and arriving back on our doorstep. I was sweaty, exhausted, and discouraged. Husband gave me a hug, and I shed a few tears, starting a monologue of: “Why am I doing this?” “Am I nuts?” “Maybe I’m not cut out for this.” He then encouraged me, responding with: “Because you want a challenge.” “Probably, a little.” “Not true.” I immediately felt much better. So, I realized I didn’t need a chariot to pick me up because I had the encouragement of the chariot driver. And that was just the pick-me-up I needed!

"Spirit of the Marathon"

Husband and I went to see the “Sprit of the Marathon” movie last night at the theater. We made an evening out of it, and we ate a cute little Italian restaurant before the movie. Husband had a dish of garlic that might have had some pasta in it, and I had a bowl full of penne pasta with tomato sauce. (We randomly chose to eat Italian, but we realized later that we had “carbed up” much like the people in the movie!) The movie was incredible. It was inspiring, motivating, interesting, and honest. In case you haven’t heard about the movie, it’s a documentary that tracked six different runners who are training for a marathon. I especially liked that they picked a few “non-runners” (like me!) because I could relate to them the most. One, in particular, was a mom that had never really run before. The other was a man in his 60s! In one of the funny points of the movie, he says that the only runner’s high he’s ever had is when he stops running. (Glad I’m not the only one!) I won’t spoil any more, so I’ll just say that I loved the movie. Husband enjoyed it, too, and he has no aspirations of ever running a marathon. So, I think it appeals to runners and non-runners alike. If anything, it reaffirms that any goal is possible, despite how insurmountable it seems at first. I would tell everyone I know to rush out and see it, but, unfortunately, there were only two showings of the movie and last night was the last one. However, I’m sure it will come out on DVD, and if so, you’ll have to check it out then. In short, I laughed. I cried. I smelled the pungent odor of garlic (coming from Husband’s direction). I hope your “Spirit of the Marathon” experience will be as great as mine – minus the garlic. :)

It's official

I signed up for the marathon last night. It only took a few minutes on the computer, and now I’m officially running a marathon. I’m also officially out $80. (And yes, that was the early discounted rate.) Who knew you’d have to fork over so much money to willingly put your body through 26 miles of near-torture? Am I officially crazy for doing this? I’m not sure yet. But, I do know that I’m a little terrified, very excited, and almost exhausted at just the thought of it all. I also know that I have a lot more running to do!

macaroni kids

I went to the grocery store today, and I sheepishly bought a case (yes, a case!) of Easy Mac.

I had been buying it just by the single box, which was easier to justify. One box seems harmless. An entire case seems excessive and borderline obsessive. (Not to mention probably unhealthy, but I’m going to ignore that fact for now.)

I couldn’t pass up the case because it was on sale. And, sadly, I knew that we would eat it all. So, I took the coupon for $1 off, and put the case in the cart, hoping that no one would suspect that we’re closet macaroni (more specifically, instant macaroni) junkies.

But, I couldn’t escape from the store without an older man in front of me in line noticing my macaroni purchase of extreme proportions.

He said, “Wow, your kids must love macaroni!”

I admitted to him that my husband and I do not have kids, although we might actually qualify as kids ourselves.

He was right, though. A case of instant macaroni seems appropriate for a large – a very large – family with multiple kids. Or, perhaps for a dorm full of broke college students.

Instead, the entire case of cheesy dinners is just for my husband and me. I wish I could say that the saddest part of the tale. But, the worst part is that I actually bought a case last week, and it’s already almost gone!

Christmas in February

The movers brought our stuff to our new house today. In a way, it’s kind of like Christmas. Except that the loot is all of our old stuff (with slightly new scratches and/or smells) and Santa is a young tattooed man wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. All of our stuff had been in storage for the last 3 months. And quite honestly, I didn’t really miss it. Until I saw our comfy couches that just begged me to sit down and sprawl out, and I willingly obliged. We haven’t unpacked the boxes yet, so I’m sure that more surprises await us. But for now, we’re celebrating our February Christmas. Oh, and in case you didn’t know, Santa will gladly accept a McDonald’s lunch in lieu of cookies and milk.

I think my perfume must be defective

I hardly ever wear perfume. But I figured yesterday that since it was Valentine’s Day, I might as well wear it. Husband walked in the door, and smiled at me, saying: “Something smells good in here!” I grinned, pleased that he noticed my perfume. “I know what it is,” he said. He pauses, and I smile, waiting for his answer. “You made Texas toast!” Nope, I sure didn’t. I frown, and then he sniffs the air again. He smiled again, looking at me, and said, “Wait…it’s not that. It’s microwave popcorn!” Wrong again. I think Husband should get his money back on the perfume he bought me for Christmas. Or maybe I should switch from Ralph Lauren to Orville Redenbacher. It would be much cheaper - and tastier, too!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope you celebrate with someone you love. Or, at the very least, I hope you celebrate that today is the last day that we’ll be seeing those sappy jewelry store commercials…until at least the Christmas season. This is my third Valentine’s Day with my lovable goof, but the first Valentine’s with him as my husband. Our first Valentine’s was actually in Hawaii (for our friends’ wedding), and he took me as a surprise to a really nice restaurant at the top of a tower that overlooked the beach. He might have been trying to impress me, and if so, it worked. Everything was SO nice that I actually felt nervous that I was going to klutz it all up, by spilling my water or tripping on the way to the bathroom. (I didn’t spill my water, nor did I trip, which made the night a victory.) Last year I didn’t want him to spend a small fortune or a long time looking for a gift. So I told him exactly what I wanted: take-out from Pizza Hut and a small plant (since flowers are ridiculously expensive on Valentine’s). He didn’t disappoint. I got my mushroom pizza and a beautiful tulip plant. And the night was a lot of fun. I have a sneaking suspicion I’ll be celebrating with Husband by watching Lost (one of our favorite shows) tonight, while getting my feet massaged. (Hooray!) And, if I happen to eat some Thin Mints at the same time – then I just might self-destruct from pure bliss. This just might be the best Valentine’s of all.