Breakfast of Champions

Oh, how I love the marathon.  I love it almost as much as Husband despises it. 

Why does he hate it so much?  Does he think the race detracts from his beloved Red Sox who are also playing on the same day?  Or is it all that fresh air?  Or using one’s legs to propel oneself forward?  No one knows.  But I will say that he barely complained when I dragged the whole family to Comm. Ave. this morning.  And that, my friends, is saying a lot.  Because he really, really hates the marathon. 

Last year, the hurricane-force winds and driving rain kept us home.  Not this year.  Today, it was pleasant and sunny, and instead of bringing the recommended Wheaties for brunch, I brought cardamom-buttermilk coffee cake and bacon.  Because I wasn’t running a marathon today.  There was a little bit of fruit, too, just for show.  You have to psyche out the other spectators if you want to win at marathon picnicking.  (Now, that’s my kind of event.)

We picked a spot near the African drum corps, which gave that leg of the race a dramatic documentary feel.  I kept waiting for the lions to descend upon the course and give the runners some real incentive, but no.  Mayor Menino specified no lions.  Only cheering.  But, I don’t know, I shouted myself hoarse for the better part of an hour, and I didn’t notice anyone running any faster.

Anyway, I tried to distract the Kenyans in the lead with coffee cake, but they are remarkably focused.  Robert Cheruiyot stopped to say he’d take a rain check some other time.  He was so polite and not even winded as he sprinted away.  My lungs bled just watching him.  I guess the Mexicans will have to wait another year.

Comments

[Husband]

For the record, I do not despise the Boston Marathon. It is a wonderful event and one of the few things in the city that brings everyone together. However, it is dreadfully boring to watch on TV. Like NASCAR, professional soccer, and the Oscars, I consider it unwatchable. The live version is somewhat better, especially with pretzel vendors.

[Adele]

Marathon picnicking? Now that's a sport I could get behind. Let me know where I should sign up.

[Whatacard]

Wow that looks good! That would almost convince me that the marathon was interesting! Almost...

[Tammy]

Whatacard: What could possibly not be interesting about running in a straight line for hours at a time?

Adele: You and me, next year.

Husband: Yeah, yeah...

[Janet]

I brought the coffee cake to a brunch this weekend, and looked like a mad skillful baker. Tasty! The cardmon has a nice flavor.

What is that "white whole wheat flour" it called for? I've never heard of such a thing. In or out, is it whole wheat or not? I compromised with half whole wheat flour, half white, and a generous dash of wheat germ to fake people into thinking it was healthy.