Today is my favorite day of the year. It’s not a national holiday or a well-known celebration. It’s probably a day on your calendar that will just pass by and soon be forgotten. But for me, it’s the day I got to marry a man I could only have dreamed to live my life with. You know him as Mr. rUnladylike, but he is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Yes, even better than that recent race PR *wink.*

This is the day after we got engaged in Telluride, Colorado, in February 2009.

This is our wedding day on August 29, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia.

This was on our honeymoon in 2009 in Zihuantanejo, Mexico. Yes, this is the same place Andy and Red go at the end of the movie Shawshank Redemption, and yes, we decided to go here after watching the movie for the zillionth time and realizing this was a real place.

This year, August 29 is more special than usual, because we are celebrating our 5-year wedding anniversary. In honor of being married to Mr. rUnladylike for 5 years today, here are 5 ways that marriage and marathons are similar.

1. They both bring us ups and downs. Just like the first 3 miles of a marathon, things seem relatively easy in the beginning. Everything feels good when you’re just starting out. As time goes on or miles tick by, there are challenges and rough patches we face along the way. There may be fleeting moments when we’re not sure we’ll make it. Or moments that drive us crazy – like nearly falling in the toilet because he left the toilet seat up again or hearing a spectator shout “you’re almost there” when you still have 6 miles left to go. In marathons and marriages, there will be major challenges you’ll have to overcome, both mentally and physically – from running out of gas at mile 21 and choosing to continue to arguing with your spouse/partner about a major life decision and agreeing to a compromise. No matter the highs and lows, sticking to your goals and enjoying the ride is always worth it.

2. They both show our true character. There’s nothing like training for a marathon or living with someone to bring out your true character. How you respond in the best of times and in the worst of situations tells us a lot about ourselves. Both marathons and marriages are going to throw us curve balls. In a marathon, we may encounter unexpected bad weather, an upset stomach or dehydration. In marriage, we may face a job layoff, a death in the family or financial troubles. It’s the hardships we confront that show our true character. How we respond to adversity and choose to overcome it is what drives us to finish the race and/or build a happy marriage.

3. They are both an ongoing learning process. Just like we don’t become fast or able to run 26.2 miles overnight, having a happy and successful marriage comes from experience and time. They are both a constant learning process in which we will try many different things over time to see what works best, and we’ll hear lots of different advice and tips from others who have been in the same boat. Different fuel, different hydration, different shoes. Different communications techniques, different date nights, different sex positions (gasp, I went there!). We learn about ourselves and how to be our best when we are open to constant learning.

4. They both inspire us to never give up. Whether we’re running 26.2 miles or are simply figuring out how to juggle the demands of everyday life, both training for a marathon and maintaining a successful marriage can have their challenging moments. But they are both worth fighting for. There is nothing – no challenge too great (other than a debilitating injury or a Tiger Woods-like cheating scandal) that will make us give up. They enrich our lives, they make us better, they showcase the best versions of ourselves.

5. There is nothing better. My friend Teesha always says that every marathon is a miracle. Crossing the finish line at a marathon is something you can’t quite put into words. It’s so powerful and amazing. Similarly, there is nothing better in the entire world than to be unconditionally loved by someone you love unconditionally. Your wedding day. The birth of your children. Buying your first house. Traveling the world. There is nothing better.

Mr. rUnladylike and I are doing something really special to celebrate. To find out what we’re up to and follow our adventures be sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

What are your favorite things about marriage and marathons? What’s the best thing you’ve done for an anniversary? If you’re not married or dating anyone, what do you love most about marathons?