History, yet again

A woman has won a major presidential primary. Woo hoo! Looks like we now have a horse race here. Hopefully, now without any annointed 'frontrunner' or anyone wearing the mantle of 'inevitability', we will have the opportunity to really get to know some of these candidates and their platforms. Let's have some more debates! LOL

So nice, so nice

The 16 week, half mar training started today. Our first run was an easy 2 miler. Just a little joy jaunt. The other runs this week are a 5 mile tempo (3 miles at 11:11) and a 7 mile lsd. Only cloud marring the sky? Cosmo wouldn't go. I asked him if he wanted to go for a run - no reaction. No reaction when he saw me suiting up. I showed him the leash, he walked away and laid down on his bed in our bedroom. He ate all his breafast fine but this is definitely off behavior for him. He has never refused a run before. We will be keeping a close eye on his today.

Run Report

Finally, a gorgeous day, sun shining, temperatures in the low 30's. I suited Cosmo up and met W at the library.

Not a stellar run. The sidewalks weren't completely clear so at times it felt like we were running in sand. My left knee started hinking up on me again, reminiscent of the aftermath the last time I ran on the treadmill. We really slowed it down the 3rd mile and I actually walked a little, trying to ease the knee. Also, I am not all that disappointed given that I ran a hard 4 yesterday, took a core conditioning class and then taught my cycle. I went into the cycle planning on taking it easy but it felt really good so I ended up riding hard. I paid for all that activity today. Cosmo did enjoy himself, though.

Happy Day! :-)

My mother grew up in the deep, rural South. Mississippi and Alabama. Many times I listened to stories of her youth, about her all white schools, labeled water fountains, etc. These stories seem like ancient history to my children, her grandchildren but seem like all too recent and like wounds, not sufficiently scabbed over to me.

Regarding last night.....

I don't know what it predicts about who might be our next Democratic presidential candidate.

I don't know what it predicts about who might be our next president.

There is a long, long road ahead before January 2008.

All I know is that a 92% (or 94%, I have seen both figures) caucasian, rural state voted for a biracial man in their Democratic caucus with an overwhelming turnout.

I actually laughed out loud this morning :-)

Run Report

It was -8 this morning when I woke up. Very cold. How cold? Cosmo didn't even bother to get up off his dog bed and give me the guilt trip when I left for the gym and the dreadmill.

Today was:
.5 mile - 12 m/m
1 mile - 10:40 pace
1 mile - 10:30 pace
1 mile - 10:20 pace
.5 mile - 12 m/m

4 miles - 43:40

What did I discover today? I love running 12 minute miles. They are wonderful!!! No sweating, no huffing, no lack of oxygen, no muscle pains. I can carry on a conversation like I am sitting in a coffeeshop. I love them!!! I wish every mile could be at that pace.

New Year's Roundup

Whew - it is cold this morning! Woke up and it was in the single digits. Not going to be running outside today.

I gifted Bridget and Jen matching (but in different color schemes) felted bags for Christmas. Did I take pictures before giving them? Nope. Did I take pictures last night when they were both here for dinner? Nope. Maybe I can get them to take pictures and send them to me. I was pretty happy with how they turned out with two exceptions. The length of the strap and the top closing edge. I never felted anything before so I wasn't sure what the shrinkage would be so I followed the directions to the T. The straps ended up way too long. Also, the opening kind of gaps. I bought some snaps but the felted material was too thick for them to go through. So, Bridget and I ran out to JoAnn's the other night and I bought some sew on snaps for their purses. Last night, they are both here so I go to look for the snaps to do a quick sew on. No snaps in the shopping bag. I check my purse. No snaps. Accusations start to fly. I think Bridget probably took them home - she denies it. Something about Cosmo's bro was thrown up in my face..... I happen to find the receipt and lo and behold.....no snaps are even listed on it. I know we picked them out. I know I walked around that store with them in my hand. What happened?

In this same theme, I made Bridget a highwaisted, sleeveless vest. No pictures. Sheesh.

The daughter, fresh off of her triumphant, Thanksgiving project, scarf, now wants to do a pair of mittens. I picked out a pattern for her and she is freaking because it is worked in the round. If she is going to make them, she is going to master this. I will not have her be a knitting coward like I was. It took me 20 years to get up the nerve to do cables. Cables!! We are off today to buy the dpns. Yes, after over 20 years of knitting, I now have to rebuy all my needles. It's a long story, but suffice it to say, my husband won't allow me to undertake the necessary actions to regain my whole stash of needles.

To complete my 'I am an idiot' post (wonderful way to start off the New Year, huh?), I am publicly proffering an apology to Jen. My thought and reaction filter malfunctioned a few weeks ago when she told me she got me a piece of jewelry for Christmas. If I recall correctly, I looked at her like she just pulled out a crack pipe and fired it up. I think my actual comment went along the lines of, 'What the hell are you thinking, you know I don't wear jewelry.' Yeah. Don't you wish all your friends reacted like that when you tell them about their Christmas present? Of course, she exhibited much more graciousness than I. And now I am eating my words. Good thing I am used to doing that and they are calorie free. I love the necklace. Love it, love it, love it. Wore it last night. It was noticed immediately by almost everyone and generated lots of compliments. I think I might just be a jewelry wearer now. Thanks Jen (lots of hugs and kisses to your generous little self from my asshole-y but now beautifully accessorized little self!)

Ummmmm, yuck

I am not happy to end 2007 with a run in the 11 m/m pace.

But.....in my defense:

It was a new route and we were kind of clueless.

We ran after drinking copious amounts of coffee at the coffee shop.

It was very windy and the sidewalks were slushy.

It was very hilly and we have been running very flat. Happy New Year, all!