Docu-huh? and CONTEST!

Remember that it is taper time, and though this time of year is usually crazy, busy, stressful and requires a ton of energy (it still does, just don't tell Mark), I have been playing it cool, calm, and collected as to fool Mark into thinking that we all rest on taper.

So, while I run around crazy during the day, in the evenings I've been shutting it down to enjoy a little time on the sofa. Mark, who usually is bored out of his pretty little head, has gotten hooked on documentaries this week. We've watched three (2 last night). I'm thrilled because it is keeping him busy without over-doing it.

I am a reality t.v. junkie. I love it. I know it is mildly, well, for lack of a better word, stupid. I have a masters degree and am working on a PhD as I type (well, I am typing as I am procrastinating because hierarchical linear modeling is the last thing I want to do right now), yet, no matter how smart I am or think I am, I love nothing more than Jersey Shore, The Real Housewives of just about anywhere, Biggest Loser, Project Runway, and (shamefully) Teen Mom. I don't know what it is about reality t.v. that has me hooked. Maybe it gives me something mindless to distract me from real life. Maybe it is the fact that I don't even have to really keep up with a plot. Whatever the reason... I LOVE IT (picture me hanging my head in embarrassment).

Mark hates reality t.v. He thinks it's "dumb." He leaves the room when I say, "Oh, guess what's on?!"

Well, Mr. Olympian, documentaries are reality t.v. Maybe they're more thoughtful. Maybe their more insightful. Maybe they're more educational. But, documentaries, my friend, are just reality t.v.

Okay, enough with the argumentative word vomit.

My real purpose of this blog is to make a recommendation: The Spirit of the Marathon. It is amazing, wonderful, inspirational, mind blowing, and get-your-butt-off-of-the-couch motivational. Rent it. Rent it. Rent it. Or in our house, Netflix it.

The Spirit of the Marathon follows 6 runners who range from Olympic medalists to first time marathoners to 70 year old grandfathers; are all training for the Chicago Marathon (all for different reasons). One woman is "changing her life" after a divorce, one man is running to win it for his country of Kenya, and another is doing it to spend time with his daughter (the other three are equally different and equally heart-warming). Now picture me tearing up as I recall this flick.

The Spirit of the Marathon was the perfect taper movie. And, the perfect movie for a woman (me!) who has talked about a marathon for the last 2 years. Ugh... now I might really have to do one. Darn that inspiration.

As we watched it I saw Mark cry (he is a big baby and a crier--don't tell him that I told you). I think it was just what he needed as he heads into his last few days of training before the big trip.

Have you ever watched a movie that has totally inspired you? What was it? Answer this simple question as a comment below or email your answer to us at everydayolympian@gmail.com and win a FREE BOOK!!!!!!!

This is a quick turn around, so no time for dilly dally. We'll pick a winner TOMORROW (Friday 12/10) at 6pm (EST)!