The Smug Marrieds Guide To Marathon Running

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This weekend marks Blair's debut as a marathoner. He's running Grandfather Mountain, a race which boasts the tag line, "One of America's Toughest Marathons."

You wouldn't catch me running this race on a dare. The course begins at 3,333 feet and climbs to an elevation of 4,279 feet. Up, up, up, ow, ow, ow. But Blair insists he's going to be a "one and done" marathoner, so his rationale is why not make it count?

Observing Blair over the last 16 weeks, I've been amused by the differences in how we approach our training. So here for your reading pleasure, I offer...

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Beach Time: Fantasy versus Reality

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I'm going mad. Me, attempting to pack everything I've convinced myself I'll need for the beach is the definition of insanity. You think I overpack for trips to Europe? That's nothing compared to the damage I can do packing for a simple beach trip to Hilton Head. How hard can it be? Bikini, towel, shorts, sunscreen, go!

The problem is that there is a huge discrepancy in how I hope, wish and dream my time at the beach will be spent, and what actually occurs. 

The Dream: Each day I thoughtfully peruse the vegan/vegetarian cookbooks I packed and pick out healthy, low sugar, low carb, high protein, tasty meals comprised of dark leafy greens, bright vegetables, and fish that I grill on the stove top grill I've already hauled out to the car and hidden in the trunk before Blair could question where the hell I thought I was going with that thing. I ride my bike to the store in the early evening, buying only enough food for that night's meal, which I prepare while sipping wine and swaying in the kitchen to beach music.

The Reality: I will eat cereal for breakfast, lunch and most dinners. 

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Smug Marrieds: Fun Friday #2 - West Jefferson, NC

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This week our Fun Friday adventure took us to the mountains. Specially, West Jefferson, North Carolina. Why West Jefferson? No real reason except Blair ran a half-marathon up there a month or so ago and said it was a cute town. So we packed Mom into the back seat and off we went. 

West Jefferson is a cute town. We arrived about 20 minutes before the shops opened at 10 a.m., so we settled into a coffee shop/art gallery where we took turns guessing the price of artwork and being astounded when we were not hundreds but thousands of dollars off in our guesses. 

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Smug Marrieds: Locked Out

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Saw Jeremy, my chiropractor, yesterday and he cleared me to run. Short, easy, flat miles but who cares? I get to run again! 

Blair was already up and out the door for his run by the time I left the house at 6 am. I ran an easy 3.5 and climbed the stairs to our front porch. When I twisted the doorknob on our front door... locked. It had been unlocked when we were both out for our runs because I tested it before I pulled it shut behind me, which meant Blair had locked me out. 

I rang the doorbell and waited. Finally, Blair opened the door, looking confused. 

"What are you doing out there?" he asked. 

"Why did you lock me out?" I countered, stepping inside. 

"I didn't know where you were. I thought you were in the bathroom."

I looked at my watch. "You thought I was in the bathroom for the last 28 minutes?"

He shrugged. "Sure, why not. Doesn't seem out of the ordinary."

I burst out laughing and he it took a second but then he got it and started laughing too. "No, no," he said. "I mean, I thought you were in there showering and doing your hair or something."

Whatever. God, that was classic.  

Cheers,

Dena