Sunday

I awoke with a start eager to getting out for my long run...again maybe was the thought that it couldn't possibly be as nasty as Saturday morning, maybe 'cause I missed it last week while in NOLA. My lower legs felt tight but the River Oaks 12 went smoothly.



At the risk of sounding like a total girl, I finished watching "Shakespeare in Love" before the hash. It was great! During the active school year, Netflix makes a bit of money off of me as I usually neglect to watch whatever movies from my cue lay on the TV shelf collecting dust. Yes, I think this one has been there since January. I've thought about it a few times, I mean it did win about six Academy Awards or something, but Grind refused to watch it!



It got something for everyone: Elizabethan costumes, plot twists, betrayal, Shakespearean humor, a soulful Joseph Fiennes and Gwyneth Paltrow boobies. What's not to like?



In the extras, one of the writers said,"I knew if we were going to do a film about Shakespeare, it had better be something different. As a writer, I knew he'd be poor, horny, suffer from writer's block, and not yet be aware that he's a genius, (paraphrased)."

I'm pretty sure I'd watch anything with Judi Dench in it, too. "Sir, the Queen does not attend acts of lewdness, so I am sure you are mistaken. I understand something of a woman in a man's profession. Yes I do." Captivating stuff - 8 minutes of performance that earned her an Oscar.

Lindy Lop Showdown

For your amusement:

See more funny videos at CollegeHumor

It's about 7 minutes long, but you really get the point after about 3 minutes of it. Very cool - I wonder if I'm too big a spaz to do it.

Law Week 8K

Dangit, spring is here. No really, I love spring, but Saturday's humidity really did a number on me- we've been so blessed with our racign weather lately, it's like I forgot where we live...

Anyhoo, the first mile was great, the second okay, and then things got weird. Maybe it was last Saturday's Crescent City Classic 10K (42:33) , maybe it was Sunday's 3 HOUR hash trail, or maybe it was my cranked-down bike trainer. Whichever, my little legs just didn't have it.

I finish behind a couple of rivals that I like to stay with, but still managed an age group award and a very nice door prize - a night at the Post Oak Hilton and breakfast for two. Not sure how we'll use it, seeing as how we have a cool-ass house with a view of downtown from the bedroom, but maybe an out-of-town guest will enjoy it.

Maybe next year we should chase an ambulance down Allen Parkway, (shamelessly stolen from Frenchy D).

"In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer." Camus

I'm quite glad that my life hasn't been a "dark winter" in many years. But dangit, isn't it a great quote?

The photo is sunrise on the South Rim, thanksgiving morning.

Morning runs

I never thought it would happen, but I am becoming a morning runner.

A few years ago I joined a the Blue Group (form HoustonFit) with my BFF Kate, purely as a method for us to hang out together.

The meant a bit of a lifestyle change, what with their runs starting pre-dawn on Saturdays which happens to directly follow Friday night Happy Hour, and we all know that "Friday is a drinkin' day". During that season I developed and perfected my pre-long- beer theory: 2 pints. No more, no less. Not just any beer - micro brewed, of course, although Guiness or Bass will do if I'm already hungry.

Since their pace lowered to about 7:15 per mile for a long run, I don't visit WayneFit quite as often, instead opting for the company of the BCRR Silver backs. Being, um, a mature club, the runs start EARLY. Long runs at 6:30, every Sunday. That, however, was only the beginning.

Nowadays I've started participating in early morning weekday runs. Since I a) start work around 7:30 and b) get no real lunch break, this is a bit of a preparation nightmare. The night before a run I pick out work clothes, gather up hair gunk and electrics, mix Accelerade, prepare breakfast and leftovers for my lunch.

Usually a weekday 6 miles is sufficient, which means a 530 start and 5 am wake up. That's doable. On occasion I have managed to join the climbers of Mount Bacon, which leave the zero mark at FIVE A.M. I love the run, but dang. 4:30 alarms are for people on call and getting on an airplane.

I guess I'm growing up.

New vegetable

This may constitute a completely lame post, but I met a new veggie tonight that I really like!



A week or so ago I picked up a pound of parsnips at the West Gray Kroger, thinking I has seen them in Rachel Ray mag recipe and basically out of curiosity. They look like overgrown white carrots.



After a quick search on the Food Network, I found this recipe for Parsnip Salad. WOW!

It rocked! I cannot even really describe the flavor, but they are a little sweet, like a squash, and completely delicious when roasted.
The salad mixes the broiled parsnips with apples, scallions watercress and a dijon-based dressing. Since I had mixed Spring greens, I used those, but next time it will be hard to out any in at all. Maybe baby spinach. Mmmm. yeah. Spinach.


Now I have to go buy about a billion more.

In the words of Lily Von Schtupp

"I am sooo tired. I've had my fill of "vrunning", however inspired. "

After Saturday's 10K, 3 hours of scouting, Sunday morning's 11 miles and live haring, I am pooped.

However: We did it! Good ol' Prision P and I prevailed. And I cannot belive that we didn't get caught.

The hashers that I loved and respect the most enjoyed the run, although Heartache found it necessary to bitch about not enough lousy chips. Whatever.

Our trail was less than 5 miles and many came in bitching, so it's all good.

My good friend Stephen could have some, but he too was too tired. WANKER! Something about a duathalon, one that Grind did too. Hmmm.

I really need to learn to read the fine print

I must admit, 38 degrees made me nervous. I knew it could make for a great run, of course, but good grief, what to wear? In the past,running the Bayou City Classic meant donning a fun and skimpy costume, but this year a PR opportunity required me to be slightly more dignified. But only before the race, so I can deal. :-)

It was pretty simple, really. Runners World online has a "What to Wear"link where you can put in temp, wind chill, etc and it recommends clothing choices. I do recommend it, but think of the conditions mid-race for the most favorable results.

Anyway, now for bragging: I held my pace at about 6:46 for my first 10K, keeping the front-running master women in my sights for as long as I could. I descended the Shepherd hill and started the feel the race and get all mental: bad move. Between 3-4 is always rough for me, and Anne pulled up next to me right about then. After dropping her excess clothing, she was running strong and I started to wig out about pacing with her for 20 minutes. So I didn't. Wanker.

I kept racing, but let her go, passing every over-dressed man in my sights. Shallow, but it worked for me. I had 2 goals: finish as one the top three masters women, for which there was prize money, and ultimately to break 42. That's my semi-lofty 10K goal, not just for this race.
Anyhoo, I passed the 5 mile mark at 34:04. Hmmm, this is no time for even simple math...can I run 1.2 miles in less that 8 minutes? Doubtful, but I can always try!

Then came the final uphill, which was brutal, so I took it easy. I crested with about half a mile to go and surged as fast as my little red racing slippers would carry me - I just sprinted, down the the hill, around the corner and left toward the finish. I hear Eraserhead yell, "You can catch him!" as I boogied toward the banner: 42:18, which averages to a 6:49 pace. Nice, and a 20 second PR that I had no idea was in my future. I should have tried to stay with Anne, has I known I'd be that close. But a good race, none the less, and I was proud.

The sun ran behind the skyscrapers within an hour of my finish, making for a chilly post-race party. I don't think ANYONE beat me to the beer tent, however.

The results? 2nd in age group. The masters awards? They were age-graded! Arrrgh! Oh well. I know I should have read more carefully, but the motivation was good for my fastest 10k ever, so why complain?

Gettin' Freaky

Happy Friday, people! See you at the Bayou City Classic.

Too bad the video is so disturbing :-)

Scouting

Prision P*ssy and I braved the wilds of east Houston today as I prepared him for his virgin haring experience this Sunday . After driving around for 2 hours, he seems justifiably confused. Freakin' rainy and cold- lordy, lordy.

BUT - Sunday should be amazing hashing weather! The keg of St Arnold Amber has been ordered, and we are ready to have a fabulous time. The trail will start on the near east side - somewhere off Lockwood. Dial 713-425-HASH before 3 pm Sunday for exact location.

And with an extra hour, you should be on your way to the On On On before dark!

Now maybe my jaw ache will subside

HAPPY TAKS Writing Day

I know, I know, most of the grownups in state are talking about primary results. But for all Texas public schools, today was a testing day.

The 7th graders had to take the TAKS writing...the kids are given a prompt, sometimes something really corny like, "Write about a favorite memory." Thankfully, this year's was better, but we're bound by secrecy to not discuss it. Last year 92% of our kids passed, at our Title I middle school, which helped us earn Recognized status for the first time ever. Since we've acheived that status, I think that the pressure is greater than before, thus the TMJ.

We're under different management this year, so it's a whole different animal. I think it went okay.

Since it was Wednesday, I participated in my favorite kind of serious therapy: the midweek 9.5, spiced up with Bridge to bridge and finished with an hour of Valhalla. Yeeesssssss.

Something different

Kate made some cute little favors for her reception - thes little river rocks from the Gus Fruh swimming hole where she and Larry met.

I, however, brought home something unusual from the party.

Poison ivy!

Trip to Austin's Enchanted Forest

Last Friday was Leap Day, and about the biggest event I can think of happened:

Kate got MARRIED!!!!!

They met last summer and have been a camping, cycling kayaking family ever since.
I am so thrilled for she and Larry. He's a dad, athletic, eco--planet and entrepreneurial-minded, a kayaker, teacher, a pedi-cab driver, and adorable.

You should see the photos from their first dance - they just adore each other.

The wedding kickoff shindig was at an outdoor venue, the Enchanted Forest. Very wacky spot with great company, libations and tunes.

Big congrats to my friend!