Sunday, February 19, 2012

Guest Fits: Married to Fitness


As the husband of Cool J, I was given clearance to write a post addressing what it's like to be married to someone so focused on fitness.  Keep in mind that I'm no slouch myself; I've been running non-stop for the past 23 years, ever since junior high.  However, although we're both runners and share our very active lifestyles there are definitely a few pitfalls:

  1. Even though we run different paces, she's always "suggesting" that we run together.  I'm fine backing off a bit for some quality time with the wife but sometimes it can get a bit trying, see numbers 2 and 3.
  2. "JUST GO!!". Inevitably at some point in the run she'll feel she's being pushed too hard and ever so lovingly suggest I go on ahead of her.  This is a delicate situation which typically involves lots of reassurances and me dropping back a few paces.  (also applicable in paddle boarding, snowboarding, hiking, biking, snowshoeing...etc)
  3. I'll skip delving into the issue too much but for some reason I find myself stopping and waiting outside of porta potties more often when we run together.  In the summer this means getting overwhelmed by the heat when you stop moving and in the winter by the cold.
  4. She (read we) registers for absolutely every race anyone even casually mentions in conversation.
  5. Vacations have picked up a bit more of a boot camp vibe.  As I said before, I'm no slouch but sometimes sleeping in and enjoying a bloody mary is an important part of a vacation.  Traveling half way around the world to wake up at 6am, enjoy a breakfast of bagels and peanut butter and then cramming in a workout sounds good in theory but....
  6. It's not always worth resisting.  If in theory we did decide to enjoy a morning my way, there's the small matter of pent up resentment.  Not sure if there's a word for lack of exercise grumpiness similar to "hangry", but there should be. 
  7. How does she keep up this frantic pace of runs, bootcamps, yoga and such?  Sleep.  Yes, typically by 9pm she's out like a light.  During the week it's kind of nice to have my wife, dog and two cats crashed out on me on the couch while I catch up on TV but weekends become a bit restrictive.  Probably not the worst thing in the world though. 
  8. Being the best husband in the world, I find myself doing a lot of laundry.  Do you have any idea what it's like to reach shoulder deep into a laundry basket full of  running and hot yoga clothes?
  9. $$$$.  You may find it hard to believe but she is not sponsored by any of the companies whose clothes she wears.  That is fully funded by our household.  You're welcome Lululemon.
All of that being said, I love my wife and I love the life we lead, I wouldn't have it any other way.  Ok, maybe a few small changes...

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