Running Crazy

Yes, that's the name of this blog because I should be talking about all the running I do. Well, it's been a while but today I ran around the lake. 3.1 miles. Yahoo !! Will try it again tomorrow.

Also rode the bike for 55 minutes. Gotta do something for exercise. Watched the Notre Damers come from behind to almost win. And then got in a half of the Gonzaga game. Adam Morrison was HOT !!! Watching the games makes the ride kind of fun.

On the political scene, one of Gina's rower mates, Sally Clark, was chosen to fill a vacancy on the Seattle City Council.

And I just heard that Portland had a bit of a shake today.

California dreamin

As the rain POURS DOWN here in Seattle. The sun was out yesterday so what am I complaining about?

Hey, we went to California over MLK weekend. Really it was ABB weekend. Annalise turned 14. We surprised her, brought the party to her drumline practice, got to watch all our mutally favorite tv shows and games with our long lost buddies, Traci and Denise.

Have yet to see her drum the big bass drum, though. That's another trip.

The verdict is in...

and it seems the jury duty system still sucks. YES, I got called again. Too bad I can't screen those calls. So, I catch the 7:00am bus downtown. Just to sit around til 10 or so. Then 85 of us get called. Bad sign. Means a big trial. A 3 weeker. ugh. I did a 6 weeker one time, but that was when I worked and got to stay away from the job/kids for that time period. Now it just messes with my training and blogging.

As about 40 of the others called out their lame excuses (root canal, day care issues, trips, important jobs... casino poker tourney director? ) I wished that I had bought airline tix to anywhere. Then we sat around for an hour. Then we got sent for an hour and half lunch. Only to come back for 10 minutes and be sent home for the day. Only to return at 10:00 tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed that I look enough like a bigot/idiot/genius/whatever necessary to not get chosen to serve.

Of course, if I do get selected I won't be able to blog you about it til it's over. Here's hoping I can fill you in on the case tomorrow.

Super Bowl, Baby !!!!

Seahawks to the Super Bowl !!!
and here we are, watching the game from our bikes. We're riding to Detroit !
ok, we've just started our half iron man event training. We've set up our bikes on indoor trainers to simulate riding (without the rain and cold)
Just to give you an idea about how long these NFL games take, we rode for an hour (well, 59 minutes, we're working on not being SO compulsive, not whole hour/start & end on the hour, etc) and the 1st quarter was just ending. Not to worry, I was able to crack a beer by halftime.

Today I ran outside for the first time since Dec. 14. 40 days, but who's counting? This past week or so was more of the same, indoor machines, with a bit of treadmill walk/run . zz zzz
Can't say whether the foot is totally better, since it never was really sore, but it's time to run. and ride. It was really fun to watch the game while pedalling. I'm sure it will get old but our summer goal is a half iron man triathlon in July (1.2 swim, 56 mile bike ride, 13.1 run) That and Boston in April, so IT'S TIME TO RUN .

We are psyched about the Seahawks. Although, we are not as invested as we used to be for the Sonics. Finally figured out that it takes too much energy (not to mention ticket costs) and too big of an emotional toll to be TOO into it all, but it was sure fun today.

We took a quick trip to California last week. I'll post some photos and trip highlights soon.
Go Hawks !

But was I sane to begin with?

Well, it's been a month of using the elliptical machines, the indoor bikes, the erg, running in the pool (see story below) . Amazingly, I haven't had the urge to kill anyone yet. Wasn't sure how I'd react with no running to keep me sane. Of course, the 26 consecutive days of heavy rain has helped with wanting to stay indoors.

OK, so I went to the pool one day with coach Lesley. She set me up with the little blue belt to wear while "running" in the deep end. It all went fine. I did not have my contacts in so was running blind but I thought I had it all figured out. The next week I took Gina with me. She says "Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Of course, don't be silly. It's easy. So off to the pool we head. Out of the locker room, around the pool deck to where the blue belts are hanging on a rack. This time I have my contacts in, so I can see. We start trying on various blue belts. It doesn't seem quite right, none fit, we're trying to adjust straps, frontwise, backwards, standing there for 5 minutes. All the while Gina asking "are you sure you know what we're doing?" Don't be silly. I'm sure they were blue belts. After a bit of this, the lifeguard calls out from across the pool (so everyone there can hear) "Ladies, if you're looking for the water walking belts, they are over here. Those are for your feet." Of course they are.

We had walked right past the real blue belts. Good thing I had my contacts in so I could be so observant.

Gina started looking for some cement shoes to put on me.

"Ladies........." I giggled the whole time we were running.

Anyway, Doc says if no pain while running go ahead with a progressive build up. So I have had a couple days of 2 minutes walking / 1 running for a grand total of 15:00. With 3 days in between. On this plan I should be ready to run the Boston Marathon in, say, 2009 ?

Results are in !!!

I know you've all been super anxious, waiting to hear who won the annual judging of the xmas cards. We waited til January to give the procrastinators a chance to participate.

Annalise, a drum roll, please..................................................................

The award for 1st card received goes to Gina's cousin, Sue V., from Michigan. again. Every year we get her card even before we go to Hawaii. She sneaks it in right before Aunt Louise.

The judges were having a tough go of it this year, with so many great entries... so we took the easy route and came up with a couple categories... Overall winner, and religious entries. Of course, these categories are subject to change each year, whimsical judges that we are.

OK OK
Religious card category award goes to Anne Z & Kathy of Rochester, NY. a lovely Bethlehem scene.

Overall (aka, Best Snowman) goes to Linda & Herb Sherburne. who won't even know they won, til we exchange cards next year. They are parents of kid/friends from my Queen Anne Rec Ctr. days.

The entry from Thousand Oaks was nice, and we must have really liked it last year, too, cuz we kept the same one that Michelle & Teri sent in 2004. There was a very creative one from Portland, but how many categories can we have? as with all sporting events, "there's always next year".

All photo cards are winners in my book. Of course, Bev & Diane's annual pugs dressed up as reindeer is always good for a chuckle.
But what's with photos of just the kids?? People, please learn to use the self timer and get yourselves into the picture. I say this like any of the people that sent these cards actually read (or even know about) this blog. :) but we bloggers are obliged to rant every once in a while. and i'm liking words with l's, g's, o's and b's . i digress.

Or that anyone, other than a couple previous winners, even know there is a judging.
Now you see how truly odd our lives are.

Bifocal blog

Technological advances abound ! I am sitting here at the pc typing, and actually able to read what I've written without putting on the little cheater glasses. I have bifocal contacts ! And no, I don't have the font size set on gigantic.

We'll see how this little experiment goes. The new contacts are of the soft variety and I've been a hard lens gal since 1978. New procedures for this old dog to learn. And of course, our glasses prescriptions needed updating so I used the occasion to drop a bundle at the optician's desk. New stylin' spec's . Stay tuned. Gina stayed true to her style and just got new prescription.

Some day this blog will get back on the running track. As I am still doing the cross training, it bothers me to even think about the hours I've been putting in on the elliptical machine. The PT put a tape job on my foot, and it seems to be helping. Which might mean I'll need orthotics to put in my shoes. Sheesh, this body needs help from top to bottom. Thank God my hair is perfect.

Happy Holiday Cookies

Even super fast runners like myself cannot be in two places at the same time, so while I was celebrating the holiday in Portland, my trusty blog assistant, Gina, was sent on assignment to Wapato, WA. A quick mini-lesson on how the other digital camera works and she was ready to be embedded in the Young Family event.

Sunday morning, Steve & Betty, and Scott & Susie, arrived for a heart healthy breakfast of Marilyn's famous Christmas cookies. We've all heard Slots talk about that labor of love (lard). Mid-morning there was a welcome surprise visit from Donovan and his daughter, Gracie. Then it was on to the fun of opening the presents. A record number of puzzles (see picture) were opened by Marilyn. We don't know if it was done in a record setting time but we're sure to get a full report on how long it takes her to complete each puzzle. Steve got the usual 100% flannel shirts with 2 button-down pockets and Scott got the obligatory blue jeans (see picture).

The annual prime rib dinner was served. Gina made a "to die for" mushroom sauce to put on the meat. I'll talk to her later about un-biased reporting. Cookies were eaten for dessert. Probably for appetizer, too. The jello salad was available ... and still is (see picture).

Overall, a good time was had by all and early in the evening they all packed up their dozens and dozens of cookies and left.