A New "Normal"

It's been a long time since I have posted on this blog and I decided that I needed to change the title to align more with our current lives. Interestingly, I started this blog when we were living in Switzerland. But, due to a habit that Duke picked up while we were living there, our lives have shifted somewhat dramatically.  At the time, though, I had no clue that his habit would become a mainstay in our lives. So much so, that I have become an "ultra runner widow".

Let me take a moment to give an explanation for why I am calling myself a "widow". There is a well known term in the surfing world that is used by the hundreds of women who wake up in the morning to an empty bed. NOT because the spouse is dead. NOT because their spouse is at work. NOT for any life threatening reason. Oh no, this would actually make sense and be an acceptable reason for waking up alone. No, these women know that their spouse is out in the ocean, sitting on a surf board, waiting for the next wave in hopes that it will push them towards the shore on a beautiful sleek wave that lasts for several minutes. The reality is that they most likely will be lucky enough to catch a half a dozen short, choppy waves in the 2-3 hours that they are out there. But it doesn't matter to them because, they are out there. So this feeling of being partially abandoned was eventually labeled as being a "surf widow". This is NOT meant to offend actual widows, obviously!

How do I know all of the above? Because at one time, I was a surf widow. Then we moved to Montana. And then Switzerland. And, of course, the surf was no longer accessible to Duke. So I no longer was abandoned in the mornings for hours on end! We actually spent time together in bed on Saturday mornings. He was around for breakfast and the kids were able to see him first thing when they woke up. It was so nice!

I should have enjoyed it more while I had it. I should have known that it wasn't going to last. I must digress a brief moment and explain that Duke has always been early riser. So I expect him to get up and go for a walk with the dog or a short run. It's not like I don't want him to have some time to himself and enjoy the outdoors. It's good for his physical health and even better for his mental health. So I definitely don't begrudge this time he takes for himself because it makes my life easier with him as well. I just didn't expect his exercising to take the form of something so intense and all consuming. What am I saying! It's Duke we are talking about! He doesn't do anything half assed. If 10 miles is good 20 has to better. If 20 is good well then 40 is much, much better. Thanks to a "friend" in Switzerland, this became the new fascination.

I could take the next two paragraphs trying to explain this psycho phenomenon but I think that the video below says it all!

Now that you have some knowledge of what ultra running is, you might start to understand why I have coined the phrase "ultra runner widow" for myself and any other person who lives with (and is abandoned by) an ultra runner. And yes, the video is pretty accurate.

One final note, please know that the majority of this post is all pretty much tongue in cheek as I am hopelessly proud of my husband and his accomplishments! And although he might not get home for breakfast....or lunch....and maybe even dinner, I know that he is there when it is most important! And it also means I can go do whatever I want, pretty much whenever I want. Nice trade off, huh?!