Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving

Running running... and getting ready for Thanksgiving.

Don may run outdoors in nearly any kind of weather.. and sometimes he goes with us to the indoor track. I sort of prefer temperatures above 25 for outdoor activity (which means I don't ski anymore).
Running in above 40 degree weather is a great thing: shoes, shorts (optional knee covers), a shirt or two (or three?) ... depending on the humidity and the wind... and just run run run!

Thanksgiving is a great holiday... family together... no gifts required ...nearly everybody celebrates it...
Hoping you can spend it with those you love.

Extra encouragement to eat turkey... from Minnesota... first in the nation in turkey production.

Gobble gobble!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Great News and Well, the Weather

Be sure to check out Don's monthly myeloma report:
myelomahope.blogspot.com

This November weather is getting annoying: cold, windy, cold, gray, cold, snow flurries, cold.
The unseasonably cold weather hit suddenly, you see.
And reasonable weather theology would say we didn't deserve that because the winter dragged on (last "spring") until summer finally came.

We are keeping on running... at a community center with a very nice indoor track.
Around and around and around....
But oh my, that beats cold, windy, cold ....
Happy running!

Saturday, November 8, 2008

First Snowfall

Monday and Tuesday were spectatular... September weather!
Also, we are celebrating some election results and hoping for restored international relations.. and other good changes.

Chickadees, nuthatches and cardinals flocked to the feeder when the snow came on Thursday.

Later this week: Freezing weather and time to sign up at indoor track center.

Summer: lots of races, 5 marathons, some half marathons, and where did it go??

Amendment... Don ran 5 marathons.. and that 10 miles that was supposed to be a marathon in St. Charles.
Sweet Pea and I did only 2 marathons (sigh), 3 half marathons, the Twin Cities 10 mile .. and many shorter races: 5K, 8K, 10K

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Indianapolis Monumental Marathon

Don ran the marathon (32nd marathon, 19th state); Sweet Pea and I did the half.
Don's myeloma diagnosis was just after his first marathon. He has no symptoms and doctors say, whatever you are doing, keep doing it.
Both race started out together.. for the first 6 miles. Weather was just right for running: temp around 50 degrees.
Indianapolis is a city of monuments, many of them made from Indiana limestone.
Gatorade in "poison" cups.. On Halloween day.
Little trick or treat bags of chocolate candy were a fun addition to the race bags.

Marvelous fall color all weekend... Pumpkins decorated doorsteps for Halloween.... and Obama lawn signs were abounding on the historic north side of Indianapolis.
The race began and ended near the Indiana State Capitol Building.
Registration was in the rotunda of the capitol. No security screening was imposed
There was NO expo.

But the next day...
when Post-race spaghetti was offered there, too.. somebody decided to set up security screening, locked all but one entrance to the building....

AND FINISHERS WERE REQUIRED TO (TEMPORARILY) SURRENDER FINISHERS MEDALS, CELL PHONES, CAMERAS, ETC TO GO THROUGH SECURITY BEFORE ENTERING THE CAPITOL TO
SEE THE UNOFFICIAL RESULTS POSTED AND EAT POST-RACE FOOD!!!

Truly, during the race, police and volunteers were super.
Only a few motorists had missed the road closing warnings and honked impatiently.

A walk along the canal... You can click to enlarge the wording on the plaque.
Sunset on a beautiful day.. as we drove all the way back to St. Paul from Indianapolis.
Next morning we ran a 5K on the University of Minnesota golf/cross country course.
... final race of the local grand prix season.