February Is For Lovers

Is it just me or does anyone else hate the word "lovers"? I guess whenever I hear it I picture that creepy SNL skit with Will Ferrell and Rachel Dratch in the hot tub saying "love-ahs" non-stop! Anyone else? Just me? Bueller.... Bueller?

Source

Anywho, on to the main event...

A few weeks ago Ryan and I were interviewed for a Garmin blog post. They didn't end up posting the full interview, but you can see us featured on the post here. We had a blast answering the questions so figured I'd share the whole exchange. And I thought today was the PERFECT day! I mean, tomorrow marks 8 years since we got engaged and 7.5 years since our wedding day. So, without further ado, a little Q&A with the McDots!

- How long have you known each other and how long have you been married?

Carlee: Ryan and I started dating in September of 2003 and got married in August of 2008. I told some of my girlfriends the summer before we started dating that I could see myself marrying him… Guess he took a little longer to convince ;)

Before we started dating... "Sneakily" holding hands... 

Ryan: We’ve known each other for over 13 years and [looks at the wedding date tattooed on his finger] have been married for about 7 and a half years.

- Do you run/workout/go on adventures together? If so, how often?

C: The hubby and I love going on adventures together. Although running is definitely my fave, the hubby humors me and has started to try to catch the running bug. Surfing is the hubby’s favorite form of working out, so I will go once a year for his birthday (not being able to see my feet and being in the cold, shark-infested water is NOT my jam but whatever is necessary in the name of love, right?!). We try to get active together at least once a week. #SundayRunday is my favorite!

R: Most of the time I surf during the week but I always find time to run with my gal on the weekends. Sometimes, if I can wake up early enough, I even run with her before going to work (and she really appreciates that - #HappyWifeHappyLife!). We also have been hiking as of late and love taking the doggy with us on our adventures.

- How do you support/motivate each other with your fitness goals/training?

C: Ryan is my biggest cheerleader. Even though he doesn’t know a ton about the running world, he believes that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to (and with him by my side I CAN!). He is constantly encouraging me to chase whatever goals my mind can dream up (whether that is participating in 4-day race challenges or attempting to qualify for the Boston Marathon).

The hubby's creative art skills come in handy when it comes to sign making!

R: I try to be supportive of all of Carlee’s running by either racing with her or trying to be her super fan. Although I’ve gotta say it’s hard to encourage her when she is way faster than me. I love that Carlee is always motivating me to keep going, whether it be in running or other activities I’m doing. She’s great at helping me make plans and put my goals into action.

- What are things you admire about the other person in regards to fitness/working out and/or other aspects?

C: Even though running isn’t Ryan’s preferred form of fitness, he is willing to put a smile on his face, lace up his running shoes and pound the pavement with his wifey! I am one lucky lady!

R: I admire how committed to running Carlee is, from what she eats to the way she cross trains to the way she recovers. It inspires me to want to do the same because I see the results she is able to achieve.

- Do you ever participate in races together?

C: If the hubby is willing to sign up for a race, I am willing to run with him. Although we normally wouldn’t have similar paces, running together is worth much more to me than any time on the clock.

R isn't as "into" dressing in costume for races, but C never turns
down an opportunity to run all dolled up!

R: I think all of my races I’ve done with Carlee.

This past December we participated in the Santa Run together - R in the Santa 5K
and C (with Walt the Wiener Dog) in the Santa's Little Helpers 1-miler. 

I know you often hike/travel together - what is an unforgettable trip you took or best adventure together?

C: We sure do love to adventure together! We have even outfitted the back of Ryan’s truck so we can camp in it (and have deemed it our “Adventuremobile”). One of my favorite adventures we have been on together was actually a trip we took to Costa Rica. We won the vacation through Dole and were able to tour the pineapple and banana plantations, zip-line through the rainforest and see a country we may have otherwise never been able visit.

R: This past year Carlee met me in Hawaii for a little R&R. Due to some wet weather, we decided to leave the beaches and do some super fun hiking. We ended up finding a 200 foot waterfall. It was cool to see other parts of the island and to share that time with Carlee.

Any questions you wish we would have been asked?