Grudgingly Jumping on the Running Bandwagon

Recently, I splurged and bought some new running shoes. I don't buy things for myself very often. Let's face it - I'm a hermit, hermits don't need much - so when I decided to spend that much money on something for myself you would think I'd use them, correct? Umm, not so much.

In case you can't tell, they are Brooks. Brooks are higly rated by Runner's World magazine. We'll see...

For those of you who may not know me or my family very well, I'll fill you in. The spousal unit is very into athletics. There's not much he hasn't done athletically, and he's very competitive. He was a golden gloves boxer, great tennis/raquetball player, he runs, road bikes, and is currently in training for an ironman later this year. Then there's me. Exercise in my mind is walking up and down the stairs 15 times a day. Yes, I've had moments when I thought I'd get into better shape. But, really - who are we kidding here? I'm one of the klutziest people on the planet. And for a while, my kltuziness resulted in a surgery (or at least multiple doctor's visits) a year, so why tempt fate now that I seem to be past that section of my life?

But, alas - he continues to pester me on this subject because this would be "quality time" for us to spend together. Ha Ha Ha... as if quality time were described by me getting angry at the fact that he runs/bikes ahead while I try to stay upright on the trail. This subject could easily land me and the hubs on The Marriage Ref.


But really, how hard can it be? I mean the people on Biggest Looser can do it. Random people I know on FB who don't look too athletic continuously post about their mileage. And, even my just as athletically challenged as I am friend has started walking/working up to running a mile - you can read about her quest here.

So, since it's become apparent that my apathy towards all things athletic or exercise related may soon enough land me in divorce court (or at the very least as a contestant on The Marriage Ref) I guess I'll vow today to start doing something. We'll start small. Maybe a walk around the neigborhood... but eventually I'm turning into this woman:

I thought the picture was appropriate since I'm in CO. Of course to run up a mountain like that will probably land me in the hospital with all sorts of broken bones/collapsed lung.

Olympic Commentary

I promise not to endlessly talk about the Olympics for the next week and a half, but they are captivating. For 2 weeks we stop, come together and forget all the war, famine and other adversity facing the planet. Well, we don't forget but it's not the lead on our news programming.

I admire these athletes. As someone who is probably ranked among the least athletic on the planet watching them perform their feats often leaves me in awe. I have to wonder where they get their drive. I mean, I manage to fall on a tiny piece of ice and hobble around for several days downing ibprofen like it's candy - these guys go cartwheeling down a mountain on skis and get up and go again.

One especially terrifying sport to me is the luge. This is one sport I love to pick on... I mean, really? You have to be a special kind of daredevil to want to plummet down a tube of ice at speeds of 90ish mph on a sled with nothing to protect you but a skin suit and a helmut. After tragedy struck during training they shortened the course to make it not as risky - it's now 2 football fields shorter. I still saw someone clock speeds of 89 mph the other day. Terrifying.

Then there's the ridiculous. Curling. Really? This is one sport that I just don't get. You want to sweep something? I've got a lovely kitchen floor dying to be swept in record time. If it makes you feel better, you can push a little puck around the room as you do so.

My favorites are the ice skating and skiing competitions. I do not know the difference between a triple lutz, triple salchow or triple axle - but watching these men and women gracefully glide across the ice is amazing. And the skiers? I remember having an extreme crush on Alberto Tomba in Calgary. Why? I don't know. Maybe it's because that was the thing to do, the media was in love with him and his playboy ways. Ever since that middle school crush I've been captivated by skiing.

For all my kidding, I do respect each and every one of these athletes (even the ones with pink hair). They represent us on the world stage, they compete with fierce determination. And, many times have a great backstory to share with us. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the games. I know I'll be glued to the tv watching their victories - and I have to admit rewinding and replaying a few of the defeats as well.