tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56323829390257113222024-03-04T22:46:27.443-07:00Running ThoughtsThoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-31882712130947189572013-11-30T13:46:00.000-07:002013-11-30T13:46:37.794-07:00RUNNING THE (Surprising) CANADIAN FLATLANDS (May 2012)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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Have you
ever needed to visit a place for which
you could not drum up great enthusiasm before the trip? For us, the Canadian Interior qualified. For all the great places most people want to
visit in Canada - beautiful mountains,
coastlines, metropolitan and cosmopolitan cities, gardens, fjords and
historical sites - the "Flatlands" of Manitoba and Saskatchewan are
typically not among them. However, as is
SO often the case, Manitoba turned out to be a great destination visit - not to
mention an excellent place to run a half-marathon on the 6th of May, 2012.<br />
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Our selected
race in Manitoba was the Winnipeg Police Services Half-Marathon, run in the Provincial
Capital and largest city. It had come
highly recommended to us by people from Manitoba that we met while in Fargo to
run our North Dakota race two years earlier.
It was an excellent choice. We
corresponded with the Race Directors (Nick and Les Paulet) several months
before the race and they were not only very friendly (which, we understand, is
a trademark of those living in the Province), they helped us get someone to
watch Rachel during the race, they provided recommendations on things to see and
do while in Winnipeg and Manitoba, they were great hosts, and they became
friends who later in the year, upon our recommendation, would visit Utah where
we would see them again.</div>
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As might be
expected from an event sponsored by the Police Department, the race was
well-organized, well-supported, efficient and safe! Even the weather was cooperative - which had
not always been the case in previous years.
They had some great swag for us after the race, coupled with a good
post-race pancake breakfast.<br />
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The unexpected
bonuses were what we were able to see and do while on the trip. After flying into Minneapolis, we headed to
Devil's Lake ND for some hiking in Sully's Hill National Game Preserve and a
visit to the geographic center of North America at Rugby. The following day we visited the
International Peace Gardens on the US/Canada border north of Dunseith - a very
impressive complex, though a bit early in the season for most flowers.<br />
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This was followed by a visit to Spruce Woods
Provincial Park in Manitoba for some excellent hiking in picturesque dunes and
forests, before continuing to Winnipeg, where we visited a vibrant recreation
and entertainment area called the Exchange, Assiniboine Park, the Legislative
complex, the Forks (historically significant at the confluence of two major
rivers that were trading routes into and out of western Canada), and the
Manitoba Museum. When we left Winnipeg
after the race we traveled east to visit lakes in Whiteshell Provincial Park before
heading across the Canadian Shield - an amazing area of granite hills, forests
and lakes. We entered the US at
International Falls MN, with a quick visit to Voyageurs National Park, before
heading back to Minneapolis and the flight home.</div>
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Perhaps the
"nugget" from this trip and race was just further validation of the
truth I have been learning from our race travel; every place has something
special to offer. Sometimes it is the
people, other times the scenery or the history, but regardless of expectations
that aren't always high, we have never regretted the trips to new places. Manitoba was no exception. There were beautiful places to visit, great
people to meet, and some history lessons along the way. Not to mention the completion of Province #6!<br />
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Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-91072742127874758272013-10-24T18:22:00.001-06:002013-10-24T18:22:22.799-06:00PALMETTO RUN: Matters of the Heart in the Nick of Time (Jan 2012)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It comes as no surprise that things
don't always happen as planned. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In fact,
I often wonder how many things actually DO turn out exactly as planned....but
that is a topic for another time.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In
this case, the PLAN was to run a half-marathon together in every state - with
Hawaii being number 50, with the entire family, the latter part of January,
2012.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This plan entailed a comprehensive
analysis of race availability and desirability by state, the resolution of issues
when limited options caused conflicts with other states, ability to travel to
various places when needed, and spacing events at appropriate, or at least
acceptable intervals.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Although the plan
evolved a bit, it was pretty definitive by early 2010 - and it called for State
#49 to be in South Carolina (Kiawah Island) in December 2011.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We had planned this race for late in the
cycle - knowing Alysia and Topher would be living back there then and it would
be a great time for a visit.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">However,
sometimes </span><i style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">matters of the heart </i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">intervene.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In this case it was Karen's heart.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In her words, she had been feeling a bit
"punk" for quite some time, and was becoming concerned that it was
more than cold or flu.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Just prior to Thanksgiving she had an
appointment with her Cardiologist, who reached a much different conclusion: she
had a serious heart valve infection (endocarditis) that required immediate
intervention.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Instead of us all heading
off to Las Vegas and Emily's for the holiday, Rachel went with other family to
Las Vegas and I stayed home to be with Karen, who spent the next four days in
the hospital on an intravenous antibiotic.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When they released her to come home it was with a PICC-line (Peripherally
Inserted Central Catheter) that required servicing with an antibiotic twice a
day and that was destined to be in her arm for the next six weeks.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Needless to say, the Kiawah Island run was
not going to happen a week later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Fortunately, the antibiotic, coupled
with the medical care she received, did what it was supposed to do and Karen
got a clean bill of health (with some cautionary instructions for the future)
just after New Year's - with the Cardiologist's blessing to participate in as
much physical activity as she felt up to.
At that point the question was whether there was ANY half-marathon in
South Carolina in the next two weeks that would allow us to still complete our
US Quest with the planned run in Hawaii.
There was! The Charleston
Marathon and Half-marathon was scheduled for the 14th of January and still had
open registration. We registered - and
Southwest Airlines agreed (not surprisingly, in my opinion) to just convert our
unused reservations from December to the new January dates - all at no cost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our trip to Charleston ended up being
a very short one - but a successful one.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Despite delays in Chicago that nearly made us miss the connection to
Charleston, we arrived there sometime after midnight and, with Buggy and
Topher's help, got our race packets picked up.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Race morning broke unseasonably cool and windy, but it was dry.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The course itself did not offer Charleston's
finest, although the first few miles in the older downtown district were scenic
as were the last few miles through riverfront parks.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The middle section through run-down
industrial areas was to be endured, as was the absence of cups at the hydration
stations for Miles 6, 8 and 10!.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At
least the post-race food was decent - to include the shrimp and grits!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We tried them just to say we had done so -
and then ended up thinking they were not so bad!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Of note, Karen and I actually ran this race
together as I wanted to stick with her throughout.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Despite not having run for over six weeks
with the PICC-line, she managed to run the entire course at a slow, but steady
pace - and both of us earned finishers' medals.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The highlight of the short trip was
our visit with Alysia and Topher. Even
in the limited time we were there, we visited the Aquarium - which is really a
nice one with great exhibits; we had dinner with Topher at the Navy Galley (he
was Officer of the Day); visited a famous cemetery (Magnolia) with lots of
Civil War history, to include the graves of the victims of the H.L. Hunley -
the Confederacy's submarine attempt; and a great lunch at the Saffron in
downtown Charleston; and game nights with the Andersons. We flew home just in time to start packing
our bags for Maui and the family reunion in Hawaii!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I began this post with part of the
message from this race - one that is often hard for me to deal with - that
being plans that change! I am a detailed
planner; I like to execute on schedule; and I usually am focused on the end
result at the expense of much that might be going on around me. As Karen went through her several weeks of
not feeling well, I was convinced it wasn't serious - and even went so far as
to show her that menopause had many of the same symptoms she was experiencing! I certainly didn't want anything to derail our
"plan" at this point. When it
became apparent the plan would have to change - I was left with no choice but
to deal with it. Ultimately, we found a
way to still reach our goal on schedule, but I had to come to terms with that
not being the case. Did I learn
something in the process? Hopefully, to
be more aware and sensitive to things I may wish to characterize my own way -
and to recognize that there will be times when a plan can be changed and an
outcome modified - and still very acceptable.
Don't let a plan obscure <i>matters
of the heart.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-81906407729695942662013-07-11T15:24:00.001-06:002013-07-11T15:24:26.263-06:00CANYONLANDS UTAH: A BEGINNING.................. (State #2 - Mar 17, 2007)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It was still dark, it was very cold,
the race wasn't going to start for at least another 30 minutes and it was time
to give up our extra clothing to gear check.
Shuttle buses had brought us to the start of the Canyonlands
Half-Marathon, some 12 miles up the Colorado River canyon from Moab, Utah. We knew it was going to get much warmer - and
it was also going to get light enough to appreciate the spectacular beauty of
the gorge - but right now shivering was making us think twice about why we had
decided to run this race in March of 2007. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It was in this condition that we met and talked to a gentleman wearing
"The Shirt" - the trademark clothing announcing to fellow runners
that he had run a marathon in all 50 US States and the District of
Columbia. We were still shivering, but
also fascinated by his story, his travel and his commitment to a goal. A seed was planted - and just 13.1
awe-inspiring miles and some post-race activity later, it started to germinate. The idea of completing a 50-State Quest, </span><i>together and for half-marathons</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">, had
enormous appeal. Although working again
full-time, I had retired from a 25-year Army career; Karen was a registered
nurse, but now home full-time with our daughter.
We both loved to travel and we believed we could make this happen. It would keep us in shape, take us places we
had never been before and motivate us when we were tired, sore or just feeling
lazy. Our goal was to complete all 50
states and the District of Columbia by the time I turned 60. I was 53.
It really started here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">We picked the Canyonlands race for several reasons. It was in Utah and not all that far away from
home. We love the Moab and red-rock
area of Utah, having hiked there a few times.
Family could possibly go with us to help with Rachel and to make a bit
of a Spring family weekend out of it. It
worked well in every respect. We all
stayed in a rented condo in Moab and the buses took Karen and me to the start
line described above. Once the race
started, it was obvious why this was such a popular run that sells out quickly
every year. The Colorado River gorge was
beautiful - especially with the early light giving the canyon walls a
glow. The course really didn't lose much
elevation, but did have quite a bit of undulation in it - making for
interesting running. The last mile or
two - once out of the gorge - was along the highway into Moab and already a bit
warm and not nearly as scenic. Despite a
mediocre pre-race pasta dinner and <i>no
finisher's medal</i> (partially compensated for by nice running caps and
shirts) it was a good race - and certainly scenic in every respect.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It was also a really nice weekend with
the family (Alan, Jen & kids; Dacia & Joe; Jared and Gavin). We all hiked into Delicate Arch (Arches NP)
over the weekend; the guys got in some slick-rock biking (Karen and I both
tried it - Karen deciding she liked to walk better and it taking me two
practice circuits before I felt it might be worth trying again); and Karen,
Rachel, Joe, Dacia and I hiked Negro Bill Canyon before heading home on Monday.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What thoughtful nugget did I take away
from this race? Perhaps the realization
that I need to be open and sensitve to those random thoughts or "coincidences" that
just might make a difference and may have merit.
Perhaps the understanding that a sincere, thoughtful and worthwhile goal
can inspire a lot of motivation and drive - and, ultimately, significant
accomplishment. From small beginnings,
take that first step.....and then keep running!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-32030279518476885112013-07-09T19:55:00.000-06:002013-07-09T19:55:21.829-06:00RUNNING THE "BIG LAND" (October 2011)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5Kqqw1q73NqiyYxEVZle9qsfhv90TohpWMfGDWLXo_l9cffPAyDXs-XdDBXFoxMiStPdSijA5d_O7OzHQCWLlW8eQu8SmD5XJVpM7ISveowEQCF_q5SWr9qe2c9v3k3ZoqEVtMROYz0/s1600/265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5Kqqw1q73NqiyYxEVZle9qsfhv90TohpWMfGDWLXo_l9cffPAyDXs-XdDBXFoxMiStPdSijA5d_O7OzHQCWLlW8eQu8SmD5XJVpM7ISveowEQCF_q5SWr9qe2c9v3k3ZoqEVtMROYz0/s320/265.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As the
afternoon waned, we turned off the scenic Quebec Highway that had been taking
us north and east along the St. Lawrence Seaway. We were looking for Quebec Highway 389. A minute later we saw the sign and turned
left again onto the Trans-Labrador Highway.
A simple signpost noted our destination: Happy Valley-Goose Bay, 1100
Km. For the rest of the evening, the
following day and three hours on the day thereafter, we traversed as vast and
remote a wilderness as I may have seen (excepting possibly portions of
Alaska). <sp> </sp></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IzPg448j1LDm4yujX39lSSNfCA6L6YEEiaQvLtLmpDzd8b0AUEzK7XTI4YpHiQG4ml-EdBT3UlQJPUqrf1VQCdCmix5w36_0GKQFwYJrj5GXoS57r22OK3toW5h7gVvqlRyHNSNAlqU/s1600/Labrador+Collage1+Arrival+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IzPg448j1LDm4yujX39lSSNfCA6L6YEEiaQvLtLmpDzd8b0AUEzK7XTI4YpHiQG4ml-EdBT3UlQJPUqrf1VQCdCmix5w36_0GKQFwYJrj5GXoS57r22OK3toW5h7gVvqlRyHNSNAlqU/s320/Labrador+Collage1+Arrival+copy.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> <sp> The road took us north through
Quebec for some 550 km, before heading east to enter Labrador where another 550
km awaited us before reaching the heartland of the Big Land at Happy
Valley-Goose Bay, home to about 7000 of the 27,000 people living in Labrador -
an area slightly larger than the state of Colorado. Needless to say, people, and
signs of civilization were not necessarily common along the drive (only two legitimate communities in 1100 KM, plus several dams with hydroelectric plants and a large mining operation) - whereas
vast tracts of boreal forests, lakes, peat bogs, ponds, rivers, and hills were
- with horizons that seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction. And lest you think these areas are linked by
the equivalent of interstate highway, let me dispel that notion. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEb9UIT9vlBMt9bECdQejnOBNxAd6oxiQY8lOAr__4G7-kPJDf8ADNJtHnccs0ELeWbrTHteTE3ga07wJi3FTHHWkgxQr1VqrKOTozjYPFvhPasYNvSyJJ3rjCGAqUetXzGptHw_BzY9o/s1600/225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEb9UIT9vlBMt9bECdQejnOBNxAd6oxiQY8lOAr__4G7-kPJDf8ADNJtHnccs0ELeWbrTHteTE3ga07wJi3FTHHWkgxQr1VqrKOTozjYPFvhPasYNvSyJJ3rjCGAqUetXzGptHw_BzY9o/s200/225.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N thru Quebec to Labrador</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At best, perhaps a third of the highway was
paved - the rest was dirt or gravel - and most of it followed the path of least
resistance - meaning up and down, around hills, skirting lakes and rivers, and
when straight, definitely not level.
However, it proved to be a memorable, no doubt, once in a lifetime drive
(except that we had to drive it a second time on a return trip!) And it brought us to our destination - the
Canadian Province of Newfoundland/Labrador and the Trapline Marathon and
Half-Marathon.<o:p></o:p></sp></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The race
proved to be as memorable as the drive.
We had been looking forward to this adventure for a year or more and it
did not disappoint. The people extended
a warm welcome like none that we have ever received. (We were featured in the race brochure;
recognized at the pre-race meet and greet and the post-race banquet; and were
interviewed by Labrador radio!) The race
director and staff that we met were genuinely friendly, helpful and gracious
hosts - and we felt like family. <sp> </sp></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNL-Xq2VUSaMyjTMfBB06F0791bk-DgxFlHTjJsqM5f1g3aExCZ5L9h1NRFqaAjBKf7hVtKhs7_YTQovTl0NvnbvMbSA4SBXbCaiYyi0jygNoiZnEdEsqls1U2F_12zzNOHSl6AUDQYaA/s1600/Labrador+Collage3+Race+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNL-Xq2VUSaMyjTMfBB06F0791bk-DgxFlHTjJsqM5f1g3aExCZ5L9h1NRFqaAjBKf7hVtKhs7_YTQovTl0NvnbvMbSA4SBXbCaiYyi0jygNoiZnEdEsqls1U2F_12zzNOHSl6AUDQYaA/s320/Labrador+Collage3+Race+copy.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> <sp> The
race also proved to be a good one. We
had been somewhat worried about the weather - having (erroneously) read about
snow off and on for the past week or so, not to mention temperatures WELL below
freezing. Although we did travel through
a snow storm, replete with a road full of snow and mud our second night, the
weather in Happy Valley-Goose Bay cooperated during the race. It was cool, overcast, humid and breezy -
which equates to nearly ideal running weather.
The course was also scenic as it went along the only section of road to
the north of Goose Bay. <sp> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiTtntpRQiTqXF4ZCkbcbFK1MhhkNr4y5d6ijtU7yCl5lz6aDoMEGnKGiMQrzy48jFMMyRRIdBzRLxrZ14IHq2l3c6xJz_1T3p5-KpGhzF1P4Tq4MSIIo8cuvt5C9onjOCMEcOP9Cg80/s1600/Labrador+Misc+Collage+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiTtntpRQiTqXF4ZCkbcbFK1MhhkNr4y5d6ijtU7yCl5lz6aDoMEGnKGiMQrzy48jFMMyRRIdBzRLxrZ14IHq2l3c6xJz_1T3p5-KpGhzF1P4Tq4MSIIo8cuvt5C9onjOCMEcOP9Cg80/s320/Labrador+Misc+Collage+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
<sp> We ran through
very pretty fall foliage, with the lake and bay often along the road and
mountains across the water. There were a
few undulations, but nothing overly serious.
Admittedly, there were VERY few spectators along the route - but there
weren't that many runners, either, with 12 finishers in the full marathon, 64
in the half, and perhaps twice that in the 10K.
The finish line was great.
Post-race festivities featured the "trappers' environment"
with trappers' tents, gear and authentic, local foods such as caribou stew and
salmon. There were also muffins with
local berries and really good entertainment from a Labradorian singer. Since the race was held during the Canadian
Thanksgiving weekend, there was a nice banquet that night at the Legion Hall,
with a good meal, excellent remarks, recognition of winners (to include my
first place among runners over 50) and drawings for various prizes - with Karen
winning a great basket of running stuff and clothing, a book, DVD and a
backpack - which was in addition to the Trapline sweatshirt and winter cap we
received for having traveled the farthest to participate in the event. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As races -
and trips go - this will definitely be among our favorites. Unfortunately, we didn't have the time to
explore the area as we would have liked, but we have learned to live with that
reality and the list it creates of locations that beckon us to return. However, we are experiencing a second reality
concerning that list - it only seems to get longer - and that brings me to the
"thoughtful" section of this narrative. As much as I would like to, it is often hard
to return. There may be a myriad of
reasons - time, resources, remoteness, circumstances, health, other priorities
and things still waiting to be checked off the first time. Whatever the combination of reasons,
returning is never a foregone conclusion.
Enjoy the moment! That counsel is
certainly not original - but nonetheless wisdom I may finally be learning. There is always more to do than we manage to
get done. There is always more to see
that we can possibly see. There is
always something new that we want to experience. In all that doing, I think we often miss the
roses right in front of us. Let's not
fail to notice them. Smell the roses -
wherever you are and whatever you may be doing!
Enjoy the run!<o:p></o:p></span></sp></sp></sp></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We enjoyed Labrador - and the wonderful people we met there. It reinforced what we have certainly experienced almost anywhere we have run; every place has something unique, something special and something worthwhile to offer. We may never get back to Labrador - bur for a few days in October, 2011, it was a splendid place to be.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgAqxNevdIVqkS-If0NIvwZXxrOZaTwSoxQxtA9TOXjCEZ0aCzXeM1L78njQA1AfxdJWqS9sAmhzAKRUTpN8RIZua2MlHwQ1mR2izVifPGmLdy-JMhij7ij5u-x3-o-yhpHaKJFknCGI/s1600/IMG_2879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgAqxNevdIVqkS-If0NIvwZXxrOZaTwSoxQxtA9TOXjCEZ0aCzXeM1L78njQA1AfxdJWqS9sAmhzAKRUTpN8RIZua2MlHwQ1mR2izVifPGmLdy-JMhij7ij5u-x3-o-yhpHaKJFknCGI/s320/IMG_2879.JPG" /></a></div>
Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-33216563799212863562013-03-05T11:47:00.000-07:002013-03-05T11:47:08.690-07:00RUNNING INTO FRENCH! (Oct 2011)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl56W0sylvhaz9FTE31YHl1joA2VrV9aFYaUBHv0GDy_qTSkFwEDsfDccNyeMXxMG7HdmMRjnmKjHtBGLAznrUtpGgbkttpPSNG2DS-JenP33bhkb2lAXYgFV80kjnPT_dywjKr62bQkc/s1600/135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl56W0sylvhaz9FTE31YHl1joA2VrV9aFYaUBHv0GDy_qTSkFwEDsfDccNyeMXxMG7HdmMRjnmKjHtBGLAznrUtpGgbkttpPSNG2DS-JenP33bhkb2lAXYgFV80kjnPT_dywjKr62bQkc/s320/135.JPG" width="249" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTPB5SvGqCZkdbZ89FTUlW10Wxk_aOP5f9_Bdd24_tR5HsXThyphenhyphen3F0D62gdJVVSaR5gMShmhLNW0bhMSATYabvEUQRi6kruXVDFZssnePhkZ0jLczhspN3xZ2-R2MTJe2oN_vLR1MC3gI/s1600/Quebec-Gen-Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTPB5SvGqCZkdbZ89FTUlW10Wxk_aOP5f9_Bdd24_tR5HsXThyphenhyphen3F0D62gdJVVSaR5gMShmhLNW0bhMSATYabvEUQRi6kruXVDFZssnePhkZ0jLczhspN3xZ2-R2MTJe2oN_vLR1MC3gI/s200/Quebec-Gen-Collage.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I've
always been somewhat intimidated by French. I don't speak the language, I don't
understand it, I have no idea how to say words I see in print, and French
speakers tend to irritate me! Whether this bias spawned a rather long-standing
dislike of French-speaking people - who I saw as arrogant and often anti-American
- or whether these perceptions came about in reverse order is probably
irrelevant. I've had enough experiences
with French speakers to conclude they were accurate - and that I had no
personal responsibility for my encounters with them turning out to be memorably unfavorable.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOodsuzJv0iLY36sd678ZeFnRZgI5JbXUzZNOkdYsjQpeeCOYX18MBCPfiWR_2IMffUvC628h6Wo0F7QMAXdE9Gc1ZfBJbuLTT1wEB0KxqYCcgsF2vXR9sR-49v-KxnMYVetaXAWsyZ-g/s1600/St-Lawrence-Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOodsuzJv0iLY36sd678ZeFnRZgI5JbXUzZNOkdYsjQpeeCOYX18MBCPfiWR_2IMffUvC628h6Wo0F7QMAXdE9Gc1ZfBJbuLTT1wEB0KxqYCcgsF2vXR9sR-49v-KxnMYVetaXAWsyZ-g/s320/St-Lawrence-Collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So
why would we fly 2000 miles and drive another 500 to subject ourselves to
French phobia - right here in North America, no less? Well - Quebec is a
Canadian Province - despite their occasional assertions to the contrary. That means the road to ten provinces eventually runs
into the French, which was where it led us the first weekend in October, 2011.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbLUzC0XTPxrYuut2rxQX6N68DRuc2SoB8XMjcuspf6oIIto-55lbhGJ5lmUuouRG7bhudZYTMzUC6hHJbgp0PxZ5Umf2RvGR6Umtka4QSw7szQ1p7Koh8JECTmzTMQ60_eE75Hc0t0U/s1600/Quebec-Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbLUzC0XTPxrYuut2rxQX6N68DRuc2SoB8XMjcuspf6oIIto-55lbhGJ5lmUuouRG7bhudZYTMzUC6hHJbgp0PxZ5Umf2RvGR6Umtka4QSw7szQ1p7Koh8JECTmzTMQ60_eE75Hc0t0U/s400/Quebec-Collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUhlahU6yOPVVgBZBZOmnnyL5JaYN8SwUlsfcxrqEuQer1w_6DgIBwqGTiZNilqQ_0RVGLyTxLwT6HnErd-3CgeAoW_0Mn8UhATcb1hNCe3oVFW4NdKJYUcM8GH5vpw6iVrlNKsDAluM/s1600/Citadel+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUhlahU6yOPVVgBZBZOmnnyL5JaYN8SwUlsfcxrqEuQer1w_6DgIBwqGTiZNilqQ_0RVGLyTxLwT6HnErd-3CgeAoW_0Mn8UhATcb1hNCe3oVFW4NdKJYUcM8GH5vpw6iVrlNKsDAluM/s200/Citadel+Collage.jpg" width="200" /></a>Our
race was in Rimouski - a city of perhaps 40,000 people on the south shore of
the St. Lawrence River - nearly 200 miles downriver and northeast of Quebec
City. With just over 500
half-marathoners, about half that many running the marathon, and perhaps another 700 or so running a shorter
distance, it wasn't a huge race, but it certainly wasn't among our smaller
runs, either. The setting was quite
picturesque, as nearly the entire route was along the St. Lawrence - which, at
this point - is certainly more like a sea than a river. The north bank is visible, but barely, and it
takes an hour to get across the river in a high speed ferry at this point. The day didn't particularly showcase the
scenery; it was gray, windy, very cool and humid, and even a bit misty towards
the end of the race. However, there were
definitely some positives. The pre-race
and post-race food was VERY good; we got souvenir race hats since it was the
10th anniversary of the event; an excellent facility was available both before
and after the race to stay warm in; and there were enough English-speaking
participants that we didn't have to eat our food in silence. And did I mention
that we did interact with the Quebecois participants - many of whom went out of
their way to make us feel welcome - and who often spoke very good English or
made a legitimate effort to communicate with us?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Bz6ZwVj5cc8wmjSrpagRQw5oU1JC59UCYn0uUR7SSIXy8D2XzTnkOKHSjV01xUql3pe1pRkdCDCP_WT5J-3NQRYYfLPj-zBKOtf6zY2uU3CxJAUhoI7Z93_1MXZ7iMFFb5X5TLXuFqQ/s1600/St+Lawrence+2+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Bz6ZwVj5cc8wmjSrpagRQw5oU1JC59UCYn0uUR7SSIXy8D2XzTnkOKHSjV01xUql3pe1pRkdCDCP_WT5J-3NQRYYfLPj-zBKOtf6zY2uU3CxJAUhoI7Z93_1MXZ7iMFFb5X5TLXuFqQ/s320/St+Lawrence+2+Collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcvXuPcIs3F9AtUyGTR8YmoJ4t-IPqyjPXNctxENb9H0tCjlcWF5PfA9tP-sjY1OGtj1zA_ILRu6AYfyQxTO0MCVQtwy7ImpNttTbNVXh7vmnEGXDlZlOgrlgqGNxDqA4wyHqjrEQAwQ/s1600/N+St+Lawrende+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcvXuPcIs3F9AtUyGTR8YmoJ4t-IPqyjPXNctxENb9H0tCjlcWF5PfA9tP-sjY1OGtj1zA_ILRu6AYfyQxTO0MCVQtwy7ImpNttTbNVXh7vmnEGXDlZlOgrlgqGNxDqA4wyHqjrEQAwQ/s200/N+St+Lawrende+Collage.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
race was a success. However, we brought
home with us much more than Finishers' Medals.
We had been looking forward to this trip for quite some time for a
number of reasons. First - I had seen
enough of Quebec to know it was a beautiful place. Secondly - a number of very critical chapters
of modern North American history were written there. And finally - old Quebec City rivals most old
European cities for charm and authenticity.
It did not disappoint - in any of those areas. And did I mention that the French Canadians often
seemed generally friendly and extended a welcome that included honest efforts
to communicate - in English, no less? (In fact, we met a French-Canadian couple from New Brunswick with which we became fast friends and who subsequently visited and skied with us in Utah and which we visited in Atlantic Canada.) We
spent a couple of days along the St. Lawrence, a couple of days in Quebec City,
a couple of days in the vast expanse and wilderness of northern Quebec and a
day in the Eastern Townships of southern Quebec. The
St. Lawrence included small villages, pastoral landscapes, seascapes, river
islands, waterfalls, a fjord, hills and escarpments and the impressive mountains
of Charlevoix - all with their own versions of beautiful fall colors. It also included the heights of Quebec City,
where a citadel and walled city were the heart of New France since the early
1600s - and a bastion against the British - who outsmarted the French later
that century and defeated them on the Plains of Abraham - just outside the
walls of the city. This </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">officially</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> ended the French presence in
North America. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Unofficially, </i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">French (or at least French-speaking Canadians) are
still VERY present in Quebec - and when we asked the Citadel tour guide how it
was that Britain won the war and yet Quebec today is a very French province -
the answer was what I might have expected - it was destiny! Since the British didn't banish the vanquished foe - they eventually tired of them - and eventually found themselves in
"self-exile" elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Okay,
so I can't vouch for the entire authenticity of my history lesson, but Quebec
was a great destination and trip - and gave us the kind of fall colors I have always
wanted to experience in New England. I'm
not ready to go out and enroll in French lessons - but I am willing, and even
anxious to go back. Is there a
thoughtful nugget in there?
Perhaps. For me, it might read
something like this: Don't erect French as an insurmountable barrier - even if
you really think they deserve it.....because it might be exactly what they
want! (Or perhaps......just perhaps....you may find something very worthwhile where you might least expect to find it.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Picture Key: Collage 1, Intro To Quebec; Collage 2, S. Shore, St. Lawrence near Rimouski and Bic National Park; Collage 3, Quebec City, w/Chateau Frontenac and Plains of Abraham; Collage 4, Citadel in Quebec City; Collage 5, Eastern Townships and along St. Lawrence; Collage 6, N. Shore of St. Lawrence and Ste. Anne de Beaupre Basilica; Collage 7, Fall foliage; Final picture - ferry crossing at Saguenay (Fjord)/Tadoussac.</span></div>
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Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-85330245307173666542012-02-19T16:32:00.000-07:002012-02-19T16:32:18.969-07:00RUNNING TO REMEMBER (Star Valley Wyoming - July 2011)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2M9wR3s7I23sLHbt7Dr5S5nmZTByQksMVjwbByUqd5ZsG3k7xx-9bMB8zup9_lmOdK4Td8n_PmtWOMF5FOMMUKc4IxOiAPCHajVHWaR9C2Gr1b5OHTt5PNBqpNRlZAN_ueVwwqopAM1k/s1600/IMG_1550_9845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2M9wR3s7I23sLHbt7Dr5S5nmZTByQksMVjwbByUqd5ZsG3k7xx-9bMB8zup9_lmOdK4Td8n_PmtWOMF5FOMMUKc4IxOiAPCHajVHWaR9C2Gr1b5OHTt5PNBqpNRlZAN_ueVwwqopAM1k/s320/IMG_1550_9845.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We’ve run several memorial races. Oklahoma City remembered a bombing and the survivors. Boston ran for fallen law enforcement officers. Both were great races with great messages. However, neither of them hit quite as close to home as the Star Valley half-marathon on the 9th of July. The personal and family connections in this run made it particularly memorable. First, it was put on by the Bart and Denise Kunz family. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HZBH3XCGRhhpWHE6lbpaPfD82xEMG-p6PFdToaEuBMsGYSJddyC6ag2w7tPShoWIXa3Bnkh248hd2o3iTOwsKIsJlPnc7sKzrB8qOnT-kZOqphvhTRVTAlHFGzqPLkonLFKMZtFGlAE/s1600/P1150875_9726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HZBH3XCGRhhpWHE6lbpaPfD82xEMG-p6PFdToaEuBMsGYSJddyC6ag2w7tPShoWIXa3Bnkh248hd2o3iTOwsKIsJlPnc7sKzrB8qOnT-kZOqphvhTRVTAlHFGzqPLkonLFKMZtFGlAE/s200/P1150875_9726.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
Bart and I served together on our missions in North Germany many years ago – and knew each other well – with Bart leaving the mission field committed to marrying his long-time sweetheart, Denise, as soon as he got home. They’ve been together ever since. Second, it was run in memory of their son, Jeremy, who was killed while participating in the Ragnar Las Vegas relay in the fall of 2009. The Kunz family had fielded a relay team and Jeremy was killed in the middle of the night by a drunk driver, while supporting a team runner – within blocks of my daughter Emily’s home in Henderson. Third – this became Emily’s first half-marathon – picked in part because of the connection to Jeremy and his family. All of these were strong reasons to run in Star Valley as our Wyoming race.
It was a relatively small race – but Thayne, Wyoming, is a relatively small place. Notwithstanding the size, the Kunz’ made sure it was a run to remember. <br />
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There was a decent spaghetti/carbo load dinner the night before the race; the race was pretty-well supported; the scenery was nice; the pictures of Jeremy and family touching; and the general downhill orientation of the course welcome – especially given the altitude of 6000-7000’. There was also fair food and refreshment after the race, and a whole raft of prizes given out to participants which, admittedly, took quite a while in the sun. It was also memorable as Emily’s first half-marathon, which she completed after running the entire course – without being lifted, driven, pushed or prodded! Jared also ran the race with us. (Way to go, Emily! Your airfare to Hawaii is secure. ) He and Karen ran the course with Emily. After finishing I ran back a mile or two to finish with them, as well. Overall – a great choice for our Wyoming race – and a great opportunity to reconnect with Bart and meet his family.
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Since this run followed directly on the heels of our Johnson Pups reunion in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho, our “race-travel” was really connected with the reunion. In fact, Dacia, Joe and their girls joined us on the trip to Star Valley and were our most ardent supporters during the race! (Not to mention the best baby-sitters we could have asked for.) The trip reminded us what a gorgeous range the Sawtooths are! <br />
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We enjoyed some great hiking, rafting, games and food – notwithstanding Rachel getting really sick a couple of days and the snow still being so low in the mountains as to preclude us from the multi-day backpacking we had planned. Until we get a really good backpacking trip there it will remain on our bucket list. <br />
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It was nice to have some time with the entire family and, as usual, we did not let grass grow under our feet as we explored the area. There were lots of enjoyable family activities during the reunion and a special “memorial” activity which recognized and commemorated each of the Pups with a personal shirt reflecting the order in which they joined the litter, I mean family.
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Different things motivate different people. Many runners take strength from a memorial theme – and that has certainly been the case for me. When you know what motivates and inspires you – ride it or, better yet, run it.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2C17hM8n0zUeSm71zTsTW2TLJZzNsKuV5mDLUNb0W8IGCwuiWysh07fobemkHOAxpPPBuu_iPSJev5iS0nJT9J6rfMeE10lWOzDnP6LnFIMPJMssrrwm-8pq5TmBgt3R5qV7hFBrL-yU/s1600/P1150862_9713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2C17hM8n0zUeSm71zTsTW2TLJZzNsKuV5mDLUNb0W8IGCwuiWysh07fobemkHOAxpPPBuu_iPSJev5iS0nJT9J6rfMeE10lWOzDnP6LnFIMPJMssrrwm-8pq5TmBgt3R5qV7hFBrL-yU/s320/P1150862_9713.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-35509066897552346082012-02-12T14:24:00.001-07:002012-02-12T14:24:47.628-07:00MARITIME RUNNING (May 2011)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In a previous blog I mentioned that we often visit places
that we quickly learn to love. Never
having sufficient time, we leave with a determination to return – and yet
seldom do. Occasionally, however, we do go
back. Such was our trip to Nova Scotia
and Atlantic Canada –my third trip there and the second one for Karen and me
together – but definitely one with some new twists, new experiences and new
terrain. When I first visited Nova
Scotia in (I believe) 1990, I was impressed by the wildflowers, the French and
British history, its lush and verdant country sides, and the rugged and
spectacular coastlines, which spoke of a maritime history and boasted of one of
the premier drives in North America – the Cape Breton highway. <br />
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On this trip, we enjoyed some of the
beautiful coast and sleepy fishing villages again, we got better acquainted
with the provincial capital of Halifax and, of course, we ran a half-marathon –
which was the impetus for the trip and our third Canadian Province. The race was in Halifax – the Bluenose
Marathon and Half-Marathon. We quite
enjoyed it. The route started at the
impressive citadel in the city center, went through hospital and university
areas, some older residential areas and then along the water’s edge to a park
on the southern peninsula which reached into the Bay and the Atlantic
beyond. It was a very pretty park –
although also the area where the route was most difficult as we ran a couple of
trails that ascended some pretty steep hills.
However, we were rewarded with some great views and a very impressive
residential area before finishing the race back near the Citadel.<br />
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The race was well-supported, there were
decent crowds along the way, the weather was cooperative and the race expo was
good – at least after we finally found it!
Initially, we couldn’t find it when we went to pick up race packets and
since it was raining steadily, we weren’t thrilled to be looking all over for
it. Signs were not posted, people
weren’t seen coming and going with the trademark race bags, and none of the
civic center entrances appeared to be open.
Eventually, we found it through a virtually unmarked basement door, but
it was an inauspicious beginning.
Fortunately, once inside it was dry and warm with some interesting
vendors. On race day, the weather was
much better and the pace was great!
Since we were going to be running another race a week later, I wasn’t
sure I wanted to try and run both races at maximum tempo, so I decided I would
run Boston hard and run with Karen in Halifax.
Karen was skeptical it would end well (since she doesn’t like to feel
pushed), but we actually ran the entire race together and managed to finish
still friends! I don’t remember much
about the post-race food – so it must not have been overly memorable – but the
race (and the company) was good.<br />
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The most memorable part of the trip was the new experience in
an area none of us had ever visited, namely Newfoundland. After the race, we spent a couple of hours in
the very picturesque area of Peggy’s Cove and then headed east for the 4-5 hour
drive to Sydney on the eastern shore of Nova Scotia. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We caught an overnight ferry and landed in
Channel Port aux Basques, Newfoundland the next morning. The next four days we explored a tiny fraction of a very beautiful place, as we traversed the southwestern section of the island.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The scenery was stunning. The mountains were unique, the coastlines rugged, the geology fantastic, the waterfalls plentiful and impressive, the fjords beautiful and the lakes and forests picturesque and vast. We had some great hiking to waterfalls, lakes, the coast and a peak - particularly enjoying our two days in Gros Morne National Park.<br />
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As it turns
out, we visited a bit early in the season so weren’t able to do the hike to the
top of Gros Morne Mountain or take the boat ride into the Western Brook Pond
(Fjord), but just the views were well
worth it. I’ve sailed in the Norwegian
and New Zealand fjords – and these were not far behind in their stunning
beauty. However, they were also
different – and this speaks of the area geology. Whereas you picture fjords as going inland
from the ocean, in Newfoundland they were INLAND fjords, with a river flowing
out of the fjord to the ocean.
Similarly, the mountains were sort of upside down from how you would
normally picture them – to include some areas where the visible rock on the
surface is the type of rock you would normally expect to find thousands of feet
down into the earth. They had a
different feel and look.<br />
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These were not
the jagged peaks of the Tetons, but rather the uplifted escarpments. We were really torn in our visit between
wanting to spend time in the mountains and along the coast – and exploring the
Viking sites and iceberg alleys further north.
As it turns out, we decided to travel less and see more of a smaller
area. We don’t regret that decision –
but it has put another location on our list of places we really want to return
to.<br />
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All in all, it was another great trip – with a race thrown in
to justify it! We enjoyed meeting new
people and found them universally friendly – albeit with a brogue that was a
bit difficult to understand at times!<br />
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So, if you aren’t completely certain where Newfoundland is, pull out
your atlas and trace a line east and a bit north of Maine (we were actually
only about as far north as Vancouver BC, although much more remote). Mark the spot and we suggest you consider it
for inclusion in your travel bucket list.
You won’t be disappointed – and there are some great things to see and
do in Nova Scotia while you are getting there.<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-24251305599192858112011-11-12T12:36:00.001-07:002011-11-12T14:11:56.748-07:00REVOLUTIONARY RUNNING<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKsT8JpFr5MgZ_ihDY6BqjFl1ucEvePSPJuS3c5xJW_liMU8Fhb20nbaNRYX31DuacjU8zx4K8cxf81ZIuAmmA7RXhW4EsF8eiww0TMHqOJ9SYpttJHbrpMnQNJ6uWnnjk9EM5_YsbDc/s1600/IMG_1125_8821+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKsT8JpFr5MgZ_ihDY6BqjFl1ucEvePSPJuS3c5xJW_liMU8Fhb20nbaNRYX31DuacjU8zx4K8cxf81ZIuAmmA7RXhW4EsF8eiww0TMHqOJ9SYpttJHbrpMnQNJ6uWnnjk9EM5_YsbDc/s320/IMG_1125_8821+-+Copy.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When was the
last time you felt like you were on hallowed ground? No doubt, you have felt that way a few times
in life. For me, those occasions have
invariably been tied to events that shaped our history in significant ways - or
that honor those whose sacrifices have helped preserve our way of life. A recent run provided a great refresher in
American history - and one that again provided me that feeling of being on
hallowed ground. It was Boston's Run to </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Remember - and fittingly - it was run over the Memorial Day weekend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When the idea
for this run was conceived, it was to recognize and remember police and law
enforcement offers who had fallen in the line of duty. Over time, veteran's were also part of the
remembrance. For me, our itinerary made
it easy to include many others. We rode
and walked through sites forever tied to the American revolution and the birth
of our nation. The greens at Lexington
and Concord; the roads along which the Massachusetts militia clashed with the
British and blood was first shed in the fledging cause; the road ridden by Paul
Revere and his associates as they set out to warn the communities that the
British were on their way; and even some of the homes that still stand and
where the seeds of the revolution were planted and took root. History comes alive when walking the ground
where it took place - and such was the case in the Boston area for this
trip. We also had the good fortune of
having an excellent guide accompany us.
On the day we visited many of these sites, we met Camille Bennett Foster
(Brad's sister and someone I knew very well in my youth and have stayed in
touch with over the years), who has lived in the area for probably 30
years. She was very familiar with the
area and the history and took us to some great sites and gave us some excellent
insights. We also visited the Minutemen
National Historical Park where exhibits and information enhanced the experience
and gave us renewed appreciation for those who paved the way for future
generations. In addition to the
Revolutionary War experience, Camille took us to several other sites we would
never have known about on our own - indeed a cradle of early American
literature, to include the home of Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne (a
literary tradition for several generations in this home), Henry David Thoreau,
and Walden's Pond, to include his small shanty where he lived "off the
land" for several years. It was
both interesting and enlightening - definitely time well-spent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gvJ6MpYLJuRMkQemJ3cNmUWR0q35vPZjHY-B_wh892Sm0-zgwx4bpcxM4NdGOc2IpXM2mI7vBQcBkkLHtIwEAMEOo521MUPNwjLUkHvXhEdaWY7rqJEdIdaCFmAGp4B13MHfNc9zgK4/s1600/Literary+House+Collage+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gvJ6MpYLJuRMkQemJ3cNmUWR0q35vPZjHY-B_wh892Sm0-zgwx4bpcxM4NdGOc2IpXM2mI7vBQcBkkLHtIwEAMEOo521MUPNwjLUkHvXhEdaWY7rqJEdIdaCFmAGp4B13MHfNc9zgK4/s400/Literary+House+Collage+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">As for the
run, itself, it showcased much of Boston and was a race with both an urban and
an historical flavor. It started
downtown on the waterfront at the Seaport World Trade Center, but then snaked
through the city between glitzy, modern skyscrapers and past old quarters where
taverns have stood for three centuries.
It also followed the Charles River past MIT to Harvard Square with its
Ivy League history. It was a very good
run, with good support along the way, and lots of spectators. After the race we
made a special stop - courtesy of Karen's particular interest - which you will
immediately recognize. We visited the
birthplace and first home of John F. Kennedy.
When we arrived we learned it was his birthday! The Park Service was celebrating with free
admission to the home and birthday cake in the back. It was actually a worthwhile stop.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZMKancTbw_GBMCf5Q4SjePOL49EWEwrc8F1c3eAanL-RKK-UKeEmperjAmTTTrboPLcb0UqlW4eWh7Acz0w6eeLD55jsNA8J29su_1PLnk8aifCrp_RZ4RyX4qDa4m_1ph68l6M9HP0/s1600/Boston+Collage+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZMKancTbw_GBMCf5Q4SjePOL49EWEwrc8F1c3eAanL-RKK-UKeEmperjAmTTTrboPLcb0UqlW4eWh7Acz0w6eeLD55jsNA8J29su_1PLnk8aifCrp_RZ4RyX4qDa4m_1ph68l6M9HP0/s400/Boston+Collage+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-np7rOKHTyzXUZsmCvLaGV8TliKtCyJxivMI-dhpWZDP-icIEgF2WEDkzjCLYjIUXo5eA3-cVgVmZMImX1L6nO59nZpyUJypjZNpx9L4mp6UxqbG98W4bgqtHYKAlLh-zjRxYNcoswQ/s1600/IMG_1162_8786+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-np7rOKHTyzXUZsmCvLaGV8TliKtCyJxivMI-dhpWZDP-icIEgF2WEDkzjCLYjIUXo5eA3-cVgVmZMImX1L6nO59nZpyUJypjZNpx9L4mp6UxqbG98W4bgqtHYKAlLh-zjRxYNcoswQ/s200/IMG_1162_8786+-+Copy.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">One other
note concerning the race and our visit; we had exceptional Rachel care. She stayed with Amy Eyring, who is Pres.
Eyring's daughter-in-law, and had a great time. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">After the race, we went to church with them, visited the Boston Temple
and were her guests for a wonderful Sunday evening and dinner to cap off the
day (it was also Amy's birthday), with Camille and her husband Dave joining us. Amy's husband, Matt, was in Utah with his son
at a Jimmer Fredette basketball camp, so we didn't meet him, but it was a
delightful family and visit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I think it is
safe to say that history - of any kind - was not one of my favorite subjects as
I went through school. However, over the
years I have come to enjoy reading books on history - and every once in awhile
- have had the good fortune and remarkable experience of it coming alive. The academic then becomes much more than
pages in a book - the people more real - and the places indeed hallowed
ground. Such was our experience as we
visited Massachusetts for Boston's Run to Remember - and the chance to give
Revolutionary Running a whole new meaning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Pick up a
book and read something about our history.
Better yet, follow it up with a visit.
You might find it amazing where and how our history was made and our
futures shaped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8D9htxKkyDM6acXSnjHhgTFlxIkM_ktyYGEPiaT2t85VVdyBGU1wLjir_AmZ-lo8KlzxjEddnG-VdplZ6GWtYUX_illID5UGjx4KdEzlln5afOMOumMxTfj1H2NRgxhTS1E3CFiT1CE/s1600/P1150472_8668+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8D9htxKkyDM6acXSnjHhgTFlxIkM_ktyYGEPiaT2t85VVdyBGU1wLjir_AmZ-lo8KlzxjEddnG-VdplZ6GWtYUX_illID5UGjx4KdEzlln5afOMOumMxTfj1H2NRgxhTS1E3CFiT1CE/s320/P1150472_8668+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-51278784336508769272011-09-25T09:21:00.021-06:002011-09-25T10:18:16.929-06:00PROFESSIONAL TRIATHLETE??<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQLsexIlyJokJZWa4pGwUgrjpnd2vpipTH0i_LkfTF0QgdgD_od_y5VCr5qj-hdBBPWLb8DPgteQ-HMhAryRLHcm64tol66J1D7Ax7w3vj09g5abAHTyXMCigEL_Abqlnv5QNiZo3siY/s1600/270.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQLsexIlyJokJZWa4pGwUgrjpnd2vpipTH0i_LkfTF0QgdgD_od_y5VCr5qj-hdBBPWLb8DPgteQ-HMhAryRLHcm64tol66J1D7Ax7w3vj09g5abAHTyXMCigEL_Abqlnv5QNiZo3siY/s200/270.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656332053816902370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrKFawRwMYF13uPVn6HVoA9HM_JRYlG4AzdhFnDWm43XKVPKN5y8dKQx8r0q-4vo2Af_-uGMPwedOBjxyPBrntt0fet_F-3MT8YVjsyC4BkEqMD471nb_-KPHpmp7IuUtDnOPibs6xAY/s1600/272.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrKFawRwMYF13uPVn6HVoA9HM_JRYlG4AzdhFnDWm43XKVPKN5y8dKQx8r0q-4vo2Af_-uGMPwedOBjxyPBrntt0fet_F-3MT8YVjsyC4BkEqMD471nb_-KPHpmp7IuUtDnOPibs6xAY/s200/272.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656332051208329458" /></a><br />Do you have a bucket list? Is it something you just think about occasionally or is it actually written down somewhere? And assuming you have one and know where it is, what have you checked off recently? I have a bucket list - and most of the time I know where it is - although mine seems to get longer all the time. However, something that has been on mine for a long time was a triathlon. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArLpQqefpHi67WAAwHNGU0sBO2c9M1H_iqnjl9ksVWPW66T9i57Vy1H-XV1N1dDPowX9X7kJ7HAIPhJbUPcdY5FRTDdMm6MfZhio3q_GktsXO8aWR3wjIseszaq_0U9vGrzwg8u7OUvY/s1600/262.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArLpQqefpHi67WAAwHNGU0sBO2c9M1H_iqnjl9ksVWPW66T9i57Vy1H-XV1N1dDPowX9X7kJ7HAIPhJbUPcdY5FRTDdMm6MfZhio3q_GktsXO8aWR3wjIseszaq_0U9vGrzwg8u7OUvY/s200/262.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656331765652429698" /></a> After some persuasion from coworkers (coupled with a bit of a break in half-marathon training), I signed up for the Saratoga Springs Triathlon. It was a Sprint, mind you (generally the shortest type), but it was nonetheless a triathlon. It was on August 20th. Despite what I considered a pretty miserable swim in Utah Lake (600 meters) and losing my chain and crashing on my bike about halfway into the 12-mile ride, I even placed! I was third of 12 male finishers 50 and over - and I won $15! Okay, it hardly qualifies as "winnings" , since it only paid for a third of the wetsuit I rented and didn't even use during the event, but does that make me a professional? I'll assume for the moment it doesn't, but it was a pleasant surprise. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFweXE18zCPOdUs9nrlvlH8M1bOq_adMjciaepsL5LtFDqhP1RvwwFBnezAghYo-rFyJe6irBsBFY1x_nPjM-Ffcu4IyrkKmhvUM7nQgbJnVTudoikhNoX9wEnfiSEqXEMhb2-zlc2iy4/s1600/212.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFweXE18zCPOdUs9nrlvlH8M1bOq_adMjciaepsL5LtFDqhP1RvwwFBnezAghYo-rFyJe6irBsBFY1x_nPjM-Ffcu4IyrkKmhvUM7nQgbJnVTudoikhNoX9wEnfiSEqXEMhb2-zlc2iy4/s200/212.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656331513987239186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9VgYRAqhQkgCcVG9N1mCxGzA7r_hgm13OYgg6pK_fQsF5NUuSswzfxLXSTJVZadViq3L95RRXeiNomENxzly4JTya9bY9hcAeFxlgt4pGGXhwHHtAT5iGr3Ii1t7c4TbXoPl555gXlE/s1600/202.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9VgYRAqhQkgCcVG9N1mCxGzA7r_hgm13OYgg6pK_fQsF5NUuSswzfxLXSTJVZadViq3L95RRXeiNomENxzly4JTya9bY9hcAeFxlgt4pGGXhwHHtAT5iGr3Ii1t7c4TbXoPl555gXlE/s200/202.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656331510765559090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotjt7_1dwsOWU4Bi94B_AJ_tTb-gCAl_Qv-eY2NSRecFudRXsu3w7MMUD6zg7fjSHc-biCXsSH1NhxJ4kAxZ3oaiP6BOVLlFZlYSu7ZoqScmPh6IQCQStfN8qp6ghRfs3r-gSbtZ8_dI/s1600/201.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotjt7_1dwsOWU4Bi94B_AJ_tTb-gCAl_Qv-eY2NSRecFudRXsu3w7MMUD6zg7fjSHc-biCXsSH1NhxJ4kAxZ3oaiP6BOVLlFZlYSu7ZoqScmPh6IQCQStfN8qp6ghRfs3r-gSbtZ8_dI/s200/201.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656331505210573250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz01d2_VU5pW2Std0JqiRixgMgrQjFOYGdrVqbw6jPm5CLV4gGcLNutVzn61lo1vtZ8idM_nJmTE3K1s7URuCvLh9Wd9pK-TA1DOzNEmXoG-aYvlhQF_l4oUXx5zqFk8wsy0kbwIkzfuA/s1600/203.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz01d2_VU5pW2Std0JqiRixgMgrQjFOYGdrVqbw6jPm5CLV4gGcLNutVzn61lo1vtZ8idM_nJmTE3K1s7URuCvLh9Wd9pK-TA1DOzNEmXoG-aYvlhQF_l4oUXx5zqFk8wsy0kbwIkzfuA/s200/203.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656331508803031938" /></a><br />Possessing absolutely NO competitive instincts or traits, I quickly signed up for another one - the second one being three weeks later in Stansbury Park ( just north of Tooele). I really felt I needed to redeem myself a bit for the swim and was certain I wouldn't repeat the bike chain and crash scenario. Well - the results were mixed. I actually managed to finish 2nd of six in my age group (M55-59), but felt just as unsatisfied about my swim. At least I didn't crash during the bike ride - I just lost my chain twice! Apparently, I am a reasonably competitive runner when it comes to triathlons (and old men) - and that helped considerably in both races.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUO6H-mJBKteLvIcGfvXmnzLxyhXNIlF9IL95UmO4HVkTkeOTCHakcA1K-ZemUptExs2O6EPR3QAYZOQ1ZoY1IiPmqcU9r3Caz7UAz3ruXTAXed2yx-lzabunEzEPsIKcToQ-I7vDabE/s1600/224.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUO6H-mJBKteLvIcGfvXmnzLxyhXNIlF9IL95UmO4HVkTkeOTCHakcA1K-ZemUptExs2O6EPR3QAYZOQ1ZoY1IiPmqcU9r3Caz7UAz3ruXTAXed2yx-lzabunEzEPsIKcToQ-I7vDabE/s200/224.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656331008060973058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtrdi1mkZPR66A7mgZWBof_MW9Ncpx4SdmB6lS4CTDcq_eqhMh6FkSUk7Q-e2hg3JI4vHtpGujV6pUoNhY13pWfB4FjtIjvemhUBJq42rXKNf5ApGVd6eRFRayRa-Q0HvB82OXpz7jaQ/s1600/220.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtrdi1mkZPR66A7mgZWBof_MW9Ncpx4SdmB6lS4CTDcq_eqhMh6FkSUk7Q-e2hg3JI4vHtpGujV6pUoNhY13pWfB4FjtIjvemhUBJq42rXKNf5ApGVd6eRFRayRa-Q0HvB82OXpz7jaQ/s200/220.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656331006030451666" /></a><br />Despite some dissatisfaction with my performance and results, I don't necessarily feel the urge to do another one anytime soon. Besides, I have a number of half-marathons in the next few months and they take precedence. However, I do feel I learned a few things - should I decide to do another one someday - if for no other reason than to validate my belief that I really am a decent swimmer! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7x40I97Mj47WoZbmOYTcjkDvLV5hCoWWeqMYbCKSQMN9YjhAIsiW1yDd3JbWwdbodRj2Ypa8nQsfFTXdE6lUtqjXrPklOvBwzSUm0ah-oUmy_jyYg7jqyrBO5MbXL-cspp8wQYDNDaA/s1600/232.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7x40I97Mj47WoZbmOYTcjkDvLV5hCoWWeqMYbCKSQMN9YjhAIsiW1yDd3JbWwdbodRj2Ypa8nQsfFTXdE6lUtqjXrPklOvBwzSUm0ah-oUmy_jyYg7jqyrBO5MbXL-cspp8wQYDNDaA/s200/232.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656330621248852434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXCprr-YVd04ChyMfWTCezmFEO3JNokHPc-eMClnrO91dRVz9cGjG7ZFGD67A89zOlzShJ344SOmnXgt0DqBlwJXYlII6JzNaPUJ6dH855iqTUbWLOKw3J4a70IGmfBVeO2WGZgkegRc/s1600/225.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXCprr-YVd04ChyMfWTCezmFEO3JNokHPc-eMClnrO91dRVz9cGjG7ZFGD67A89zOlzShJ344SOmnXgt0DqBlwJXYlII6JzNaPUJ6dH855iqTUbWLOKw3J4a70IGmfBVeO2WGZgkegRc/s200/225.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656330623134452962" /></a> First, I was reminded that swimming is GREAT exercise and a great addition to a training plan. I wish it were a bit easier to do that consistently. I admit, I still get winded pretty quickly in the pool, but I also learned "pool" swimming is much different than in "open" water when you are competing with dozens of sets of legs, arms, feet and hands for the same piece of water! And finesse swimming (with as little wasted movement as possible) just means you'll drink a lot of lake water. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtPM0_Y3uuYnnjx2M67iEdzL9ZsbAR9pFtvUTeI1s3SLMtgJaFMR3Q0-0uiFimRjWXwNN7_XviU65meGEdEPv1VqecWzGLNNIkQ_26i6qKZ6k3imgGTRBR82h9v9qrKzf4JE0hoXGdn8/s1600/234.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtPM0_Y3uuYnnjx2M67iEdzL9ZsbAR9pFtvUTeI1s3SLMtgJaFMR3Q0-0uiFimRjWXwNN7_XviU65meGEdEPv1VqecWzGLNNIkQ_26i6qKZ6k3imgGTRBR82h9v9qrKzf4JE0hoXGdn8/s200/234.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656330293717710802" /></a> Much more important during the triathlon is getting your head out of the water to see and reduce water intake! (I did come up with a good analogy to a triathlon swim start, though - imagine a pond where large fish are occasionally fed; when the food is thrown in there is this mass swirling of fish climbing all over each other going after the food. Yes...that is pretty accurate! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6NI3txGvyOGqEXjamYXOCYkQLpOZTEy7sC8gjrXt6zD0Bcdx0uwp8yljH4uht4dhIXQEKjevLsmItT0dDU8Y4CsIBD12On7jRW-s35SzdMg9laQnrpjUeAs63crvIsmARz1eA89Zkwc/s1600/214.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6NI3txGvyOGqEXjamYXOCYkQLpOZTEy7sC8gjrXt6zD0Bcdx0uwp8yljH4uht4dhIXQEKjevLsmItT0dDU8Y4CsIBD12On7jRW-s35SzdMg9laQnrpjUeAs63crvIsmARz1eA89Zkwc/s200/214.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656329896845060658" /></a> And whereas the first two triathlons I hung back and got behind everyone so I had fewer feet and arms in my face - I think next time I'll jump out front.) I was also reminded that when using bicycle toe clips (or equivalent), it really is a good idea to take your feet out of them before stopping! Yeah - I have crash wounds to remind me of that. And finally, despite feeling like you have leaden legs when starting to run after the bike ride - and feeling like you could hardly go slower - there is a good chance you are moving right along. I found that especially on the first Tri. I didn't feel quite as bad on the second, but managed to have (for me) a really good pace both times.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOGi6WicxjA1yoT8KeWyrovBGOnOV4iXyPgahJi-U5Lm9rGKzai5AZqQefYtM-0qtUwxUSDa3IKEvqRhUsgVe4g2N1E7t4msUoz1pSLd8LlWcCvR7xikm5XupbhoPYpHxNjMvOwc0a_s/s1600/249.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOGi6WicxjA1yoT8KeWyrovBGOnOV4iXyPgahJi-U5Lm9rGKzai5AZqQefYtM-0qtUwxUSDa3IKEvqRhUsgVe4g2N1E7t4msUoz1pSLd8LlWcCvR7xikm5XupbhoPYpHxNjMvOwc0a_s/s200/249.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656329647009557282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgMZkd2JDQcsvR0OOhA4m-Z4fQ3BUw3FAdE8DXSAFJ8x_ck1LLJB2j2v_-rwFIHhuUJZa8xb9SKFNoIlQDciAK6Lch9c0w2UOBChoFxa0NJTU55Pswncgx7eTIyyzj0vIxVGqk2iU-gg/s1600/240.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgMZkd2JDQcsvR0OOhA4m-Z4fQ3BUw3FAdE8DXSAFJ8x_ck1LLJB2j2v_-rwFIHhuUJZa8xb9SKFNoIlQDciAK6Lch9c0w2UOBChoFxa0NJTU55Pswncgx7eTIyyzj0vIxVGqk2iU-gg/s200/240.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656329647159928818" /></a><br />One item checked off my bucket list. The motivation to do another would be if Karen or other family decided they wanted to do one and we did one together. (And perhaps Buggy is ready for a reprise?! I now appreciate her efforts up at Jordanelle much better.) Never say never! Who knows, there may be another $15 out there waiting to be claimed!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWwVUnMLZkcf4VvUlLVbcBwRUydVH30yGY85Ux5u3XBFAEAD7TKLTXpze_tTEU1ks808XQdM_r1E4ZFTFOHYirdKdkf_YaufIDeu5Imo7WavKhxWZ1MhsZfTQU0rmDGbsI9JqknAuccc/s1600/269.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWwVUnMLZkcf4VvUlLVbcBwRUydVH30yGY85Ux5u3XBFAEAD7TKLTXpze_tTEU1ks808XQdM_r1E4ZFTFOHYirdKdkf_YaufIDeu5Imo7WavKhxWZ1MhsZfTQU0rmDGbsI9JqknAuccc/s200/269.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656329315710137794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YGcADj68Z7aDjle_3Hmly-TGb5J14ahHvXwDy9ne1ENubOD80a6OdcOBRn4LzWFj-nZXhjCzrsQmqi0JBnmSoMNfvmtn1HU_DZWOj8wLtbgYwMlx4simx96LcCyv1HL4ntKDMSQVXno/s1600/268.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YGcADj68Z7aDjle_3Hmly-TGb5J14ahHvXwDy9ne1ENubOD80a6OdcOBRn4LzWFj-nZXhjCzrsQmqi0JBnmSoMNfvmtn1HU_DZWOj8wLtbgYwMlx4simx96LcCyv1HL4ntKDMSQVXno/s200/268.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656329313970318210" /></a>Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-43224137596145726562011-09-17T17:15:00.000-06:002011-09-17T21:47:17.060-06:00BETWEEN PALMETTO AND FLAMENCO!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzvtqjohwJQ-sYt16WxEtvWn9WIH-pAZjt-qbzPhwHFEvsEVnaw8cglTJkoLqOFoJBRAk32za1I44oqdC3zjDT4sn-RjKG3ash9upht0onZ2qeMcWj6wHRuPwnBYgRwuXGlExxJNeOUU/s1600/P1140513_8021R.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzvtqjohwJQ-sYt16WxEtvWn9WIH-pAZjt-qbzPhwHFEvsEVnaw8cglTJkoLqOFoJBRAk32za1I44oqdC3zjDT4sn-RjKG3ash9upht0onZ2qeMcWj6wHRuPwnBYgRwuXGlExxJNeOUU/s320/P1140513_8021R.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653485634891597730" border="0" /></a><div>Blogger's Note: This blog was written for publication in May, but we lost access to our pictures for several months. It is published now - a few months late - but with no less enthusiasm for the subject!</div>Trivia question of the day: What is the difference between Palmetto and Flamenco? If you guessed 3000 miles, $12 and an Air Force C5 cargo plane, I would give you credit. And in that question and answer you have the Readers' Digest version of our April travel to Charleston, SC, and the Andalusia region of southern Spain. Since the European portion of the trip was bookended by the Palmetto State, I'll begin there with a blog that - uncharacteristically - has virtually nothing to do with running.<sp> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJjIDd98G4D8Bd6_OveVWE4pbuFKAXCk9mGfuSZKbkQssLUzDEY5eHUY0SGTkMtXMsdL7e9VChKcjdYqL5Qmlrg-3v1GY04H_GdTwAR8i1fA4t7eNzwUMbHEaKfvow9x4ZtXQ1MeKThs/s1600/SC-Blog-Collage-1R.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJjIDd98G4D8Bd6_OveVWE4pbuFKAXCk9mGfuSZKbkQssLUzDEY5eHUY0SGTkMtXMsdL7e9VChKcjdYqL5Qmlrg-3v1GY04H_GdTwAR8i1fA4t7eNzwUMbHEaKfvow9x4ZtXQ1MeKThs/s320/SC-Blog-Collage-1R.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653484710368314594" border="0" /></a><sp>Aware of Buggy and Topher's planned move to Charleston, we booked flights to visit them last fall - thinking at the time we could be among the first visitors at their new home. Alas, we didn't succeed at being among the first visitors - but we nonetheless had a great visit with the new residents of the Palmetto State - who were already exhibiting gracious southern hospitality and charm. Buggy, Topher and Grace were wonderful hosts and gave us a great overview of their new city in the five or six days we spent with them. We were treated to tours of historic downtown, southern plantation gardens, Fort Sumter (and some fascinating, albeit tragic, Civil War history), local parks, the beach and southern comfort cooking, most notably the Hominy Grill. We were very impressed by everything we saw and did - and particularly with their new home on Mountain Laurel Circle. It is QUITE a change from Carriage Crossing in Bountiful - with a great yard, quiet, green neighborhood, and complete with a pool, clubhouse and their own alligators, which make regular, but unannounced visits at the local ponds! We enjoyed luxury B&B accommodations on the second floor of their estate - and left convinced that we probably needed to plan another visit before our next scheduled trip there in December.</sp> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyiumFxIaFjIxFJn8L-eCSiVgrx6jAmQ4OiPM69-UevmzlAOspl93NHnBmLGDPkDqAgdNux9WhHTXcECK0TeFjoPhVS10M9hpHyCx3wlzbbjTSuJm1cEY9CZmS9-itJ3pDQIpaFiZ6P0/s1600/SC-Blog-Collage-2R.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyiumFxIaFjIxFJn8L-eCSiVgrx6jAmQ4OiPM69-UevmzlAOspl93NHnBmLGDPkDqAgdNux9WhHTXcECK0TeFjoPhVS10M9hpHyCx3wlzbbjTSuJm1cEY9CZmS9-itJ3pDQIpaFiZ6P0/s1600/SC-Blog-Collage-2R.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyiumFxIaFjIxFJn8L-eCSiVgrx6jAmQ4OiPM69-UevmzlAOspl93NHnBmLGDPkDqAgdNux9WhHTXcECK0TeFjoPhVS10M9hpHyCx3wlzbbjTSuJm1cEY9CZmS9-itJ3pDQIpaFiZ6P0/s1600/SC-Blog-Collage-2R.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyiumFxIaFjIxFJn8L-eCSiVgrx6jAmQ4OiPM69-UevmzlAOspl93NHnBmLGDPkDqAgdNux9WhHTXcECK0TeFjoPhVS10M9hpHyCx3wlzbbjTSuJm1cEY9CZmS9-itJ3pDQIpaFiZ6P0/s320/SC-Blog-Collage-2R.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653484276572152898" border="0" /></a></sp>Part of their hospitality was exhibited in helping us with the adventure of military Space-A travel. Knowing that the Charleston military base had regular flights to Europe - and quite frequently passenger seats available on them - we had planned TWO potential trips. The first would be 4-5 day visit to Charleston; the second would insert a 7-10 day trip to Spain in the mix. (Italy was our initial choice, but Charleston has virtually no flights there, but pretty regular flights to Rota, Spain, near the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. Many of you will remember a few Space-A "adventures" we have had - and this was not unlike previous trips. On our first attempt to catch a flight we thought we were successful. The flight had seats; we claimed three of them, had our boarding passes and had boarded the plane and even gotten the military version of the pre-flight safety briefings....only to learn 45 minutes later that maintenance issues were going to require the plane to fly to Massachusetts first - and without passengers. Buggy and Topher consented to pick the disappointed travelers up and we spent another day or two with them before we had a second chance - which was successful - leaving Charleston Saturday evening and arriving in Spain early Sunday morning - after a bumpy, sleepless night. However, for $4/person (the cost of a box lunch) - complaining would be the height of ingratitude.<sp></sp><sp><sp><sp><sp><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbn0Q7j69RFqPAL5SPduKPz77-2_txc5bsfLDKrIE-XxiuoXAppFLzVFfNAUM-ZpiIc_r-ncNCJ1rTo2daI6P-4wgNV1_KoOZXubX9eh5aMcS7Od6InkNbhdaB9gbymWdVPPM7V4CV1UQ/s1600/Spain-White-Cities-Collage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbn0Q7j69RFqPAL5SPduKPz77-2_txc5bsfLDKrIE-XxiuoXAppFLzVFfNAUM-ZpiIc_r-ncNCJ1rTo2daI6P-4wgNV1_KoOZXubX9eh5aMcS7Od6InkNbhdaB9gbymWdVPPM7V4CV1UQ/s320/Spain-White-Cities-Collage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653482800743840338" border="0" /></a> <sp> We spent the next week in the Andalucía region of Spain - birthplace of the Flamenco and of the bullfight - not to mention the base from which Christopher Columbus sailed to the New World to claim it for Ferdinand and Isabella - the monarchs of the Spanish empire- and resident in Sevilla - the Andalucian capital. Our travel the next week took us to Sevilla twice; to one of Europe's oldest cities, Cadiz (founded probably by the Phoenicians a thousand years or so BC); Gibraltar - a surprisingly large and vibrant English city on the Rock across the Straits of Gibraltar from North Africa - and home of the Gibraltar Apes, the only members of this species native to Europe; Grenada and the Alhambra - one of the seven man-made wonders of the world - and an amazingly beautiful fortress, palace and garden established by the Moors during their rule in southern Spain; the Alpujarras region of the Sierra Nevada mountains, where ancient cities cling to mountainsides and traditions nearly as old still flourish; and to a string of Andalucian towns that epitomize the region - glistening and whitewashed on hilltops, with narrow, crooked streets of cobblestone never meant for vehicle traffic, but which have outlived countless generations of residents and that bedevil any motorist venturing into them. The day before we returned to the US, we visited Jerez to observe a Spanish equestrian show rivaling the Lipizzaner stallions of Vienna in precision, acrobatic ability and horsemanship. We topped off the night there with dinner and a flamenco show in a small restaurant tucked away on a crooked, ageless street in the back-alley maze of the city. The artistry and especially the footwork were unbelievable.<sp> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJje1kZBMb_HkTW6RkXG1g2x7_Syv5AeJojxS5i-dht2Y3uRsOuaFB30Ydvstd20cBZAVB9H7EfDZg1kHqDDDDTwnOa5JLPI892pJ76YCOXUJ6zqWt9QeSgV6d2NK1d_oU5oIsv0JE0SU/s1600/Spain-Alhambra-Collage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJje1kZBMb_HkTW6RkXG1g2x7_Syv5AeJojxS5i-dht2Y3uRsOuaFB30Ydvstd20cBZAVB9H7EfDZg1kHqDDDDTwnOa5JLPI892pJ76YCOXUJ6zqWt9QeSgV6d2NK1d_oU5oIsv0JE0SU/s320/Spain-Alhambra-Collage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653482206958746274" border="0" /></a><sp>Coincidentally, our time in Spain was the week before Easter and the time of the biggest and most celebrated festival of Andalucía - Semana Santa. We were able to observe religious parades (weather permitting) virtually every night that brought hundreds of thousands of residents into the streets. Parades included bands, cloaked and uncloaked walkers and the massive human-carried floats of the Virgin Mary and Christ. (Of note, the cloaks were of several colors and included tall, pointed hats - and wherever the color was white, it was eerily similar to the typical KKK attire!)<br /><sp> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGOqBkz1IIPI9qjcQmNhRHcBs_kJLxKttcVfQPZDEZljtz9nWZNMFW5txoCDHfe-VTy8wNVKhouasN4iPVYAXrlQZwZKFuWYHcDZQtl3uDWDWKW-a6K0-MKg_nTOD6TJSh6K3XfURVzM/s1600/Gibraltar-Santa-Collage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGOqBkz1IIPI9qjcQmNhRHcBs_kJLxKttcVfQPZDEZljtz9nWZNMFW5txoCDHfe-VTy8wNVKhouasN4iPVYAXrlQZwZKFuWYHcDZQtl3uDWDWKW-a6K0-MKg_nTOD6TJSh6K3XfURVzM/s320/Gibraltar-Santa-Collage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653483534406826818" border="0" /></a> <sp> It seems such trips leave indelible and lasting images - and such was the case with Spain. Our experiences with the Gibraltar Apes, standing on our tiny balcony in Grenada looking directly down on a narrow street lined with thousands as the Semana Santa processions went by, observing - almost reverently - the Moorish arches and incredible stucco-work design of the Alhambra and the Royal Palace in Sevilla, the footwork of the Flamenco dancers, and the courtyards behind the steel-trellis gates of residences that have stood for centuries along the narrow, crooked alleys of cities that Columbus could have visited before he set sail for the New World - are all such images. And - as is frequently the case with such trips - would beckon us to return.<sp> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTmD-DLsKdrxshBI_GDWLdAivWOBx9fhX6QJyI3X9bOenGIzCahAx_cq4FSCrygyrqjnqt9i7oMgWwIlCmmHD1kryZbT-C3l9I08Qsj3HxajZPfkta7Yih6LIoOZAGYMekHMahUa1tyA/s1600/Spain-Sevilla-Collage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTmD-DLsKdrxshBI_GDWLdAivWOBx9fhX6QJyI3X9bOenGIzCahAx_cq4FSCrygyrqjnqt9i7oMgWwIlCmmHD1kryZbT-C3l9I08Qsj3HxajZPfkta7Yih6LIoOZAGYMekHMahUa1tyA/s320/Spain-Sevilla-Collage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653481571846110162" border="0" /></a><sp>Our return trip from Spain was a smooth one - but illustrated a planning principle not to be forgotten. Whereas I had done the research to know Charleston had frequent outbound flights to Spain - I had not tested my assumption that they would have an equal number returning. Unfortunately, we learned they had virtually NO trips from Rota back to Charleston - but rather flew from there to Germany, Dover (Delaware) and Norfolk VA.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FrJl7m8-_8wgmVmtOZTG1SsSEy_f22Fb1kYSy2EZI91YEWDuFQ2oHE68lP3q1PmCbtTfB2rF7U3E5Ri6sboBI66I7Ec-j0TQa8A-ocWEk2Jwq4aBMdIOqeN7nd28vmQbjJSjNErHCW0/s1600/P1150162_7333.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FrJl7m8-_8wgmVmtOZTG1SsSEy_f22Fb1kYSy2EZI91YEWDuFQ2oHE68lP3q1PmCbtTfB2rF7U3E5Ri6sboBI66I7Ec-j0TQa8A-ocWEk2Jwq4aBMdIOqeN7nd28vmQbjJSjNErHCW0/s200/P1150162_7333.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653481071438640514" border="0" /></a> We ended up in Norfolk early on Easter morning, were able to rent a car and made the 5-6 hour drive to Charleston almost in time for church! An Easter story and Easter egg hunt for Gracie and Rachel capped off the day. Monday's trips to the local parks and beach capped off the trip, as we were forced to return to Utah and reality on Tuesday.<sp> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jROd86vxIfjbOJ8FHSx4mKb9d1v4Lph3uVBqh6QgZ9akOphogZFJmqA04QeKCbEXbMfQ_MwgJ9vGbj2S6JVKs_JDrKvqNI39KzeLHR6eMzisDvenVv7tfWNXoDJiiUiVORoU5NG4XJQ/s1600/Charleston-post-Spain-Colla.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jROd86vxIfjbOJ8FHSx4mKb9d1v4Lph3uVBqh6QgZ9akOphogZFJmqA04QeKCbEXbMfQ_MwgJ9vGbj2S6JVKs_JDrKvqNI39KzeLHR6eMzisDvenVv7tfWNXoDJiiUiVORoU5NG4XJQ/s320/Charleston-post-Spain-Colla.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653480655760090082" border="0" /></a> <sp><br />A great visit with Buggy, Topher and Grace - and an incredible trip to Spain - what is not to recommend? We've already alerted the Andersen's that we will be back - and that they should plan to fly with us on our next Charleston-based Space-A adventure. In the meantime - we highly commend Charleston and Buggy's B&B to you. You will not be disappointed. And even if you don't see Flamenco, you just might come back knowing about the Civil War significance of the Palmetto.<br />Thank you Buggy, Topher and Gracie for a great trip!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuOXJnkNnm_ZglBYC2RaOr317-cIUNhKtdeF_qV3akU9XY1o9lD5eFA4-SKj59ef87jOuWzi5zXOJGnbJfNEOHv8kaKqX7JEuU9FFTgV_KeZW9X9vALeCRLconoD7mNzfFuR0o87wqiw/s1600/P1150192_7363.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuOXJnkNnm_ZglBYC2RaOr317-cIUNhKtdeF_qV3akU9XY1o9lD5eFA4-SKj59ef87jOuWzi5zXOJGnbJfNEOHv8kaKqX7JEuU9FFTgV_KeZW9X9vALeCRLconoD7mNzfFuR0o87wqiw/s320/P1150192_7363.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653474634872174594" border="0" /></a></sp></sp></sp></sp></sp></sp></sp></sp></sp></sp></sp></sp></sp>Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-88730354850573713402011-06-09T21:15:00.016-06:002011-06-10T18:44:22.548-06:00CORNHUSKER RUNNING<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJToSRrBDNvtVu9K5WyexTmTZIFnzpGZPF8N8JMFlHEKxtsUx6GjHus8nlmGCuRnY-_wyivAmkRuQo6V6QHsCv4XoHjs6vKC8O4PjxwW4EKlulBungRlKlWyoMc06Zwze14uqbYrPHpI/s1600/P1150354_8051.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJToSRrBDNvtVu9K5WyexTmTZIFnzpGZPF8N8JMFlHEKxtsUx6GjHus8nlmGCuRnY-_wyivAmkRuQo6V6QHsCv4XoHjs6vKC8O4PjxwW4EKlulBungRlKlWyoMc06Zwze14uqbYrPHpI/s320/P1150354_8051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616752406717266706" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">In the grand scheme of things, have you ever been engaged in a worthwhile and enjoyable project – but as part of it needed to go somewhere or do something that you really couldn’t get excited about? Welcome to </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">Nebraska</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIjiBD2xgSYfjevBk5nJXnoljrbYKBaoP6fcFsuKScDTkzom2Qp4slAeDbaiBRDdDj1UP-THJL3k3cPqOAgTEpZ2VHUmAG-nUJFfhZ92nn4oW9pK2aLrk2Cjogr3dstZE2eAFBoXQ5Ro/s1600/P1150353_8050.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 123px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIjiBD2xgSYfjevBk5nJXnoljrbYKBaoP6fcFsuKScDTkzom2Qp4slAeDbaiBRDdDj1UP-THJL3k3cPqOAgTEpZ2VHUmAG-nUJFfhZ92nn4oW9pK2aLrk2Cjogr3dstZE2eAFBoXQ5Ro/s200/P1150353_8050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616752162613800130" border="0" /></a> It IS a state – and even one of the 50 states, but it was hard to get excited about a trip to </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">Lincoln</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">! Consequently, we planned it for a quick weekend, with no extended travel or sightseeing on our agenda. However, as has invariably been the case with such trips – it turned out to be a good one and we enjoyed our time in the </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">Cornhusker</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">State</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">.</span></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGC2fwCTOVVJ4iQOYoqaPHIgku5bbeCacEiPYFiRojtt_5pv0hey1Bb8Dn5FyZjarE2X4qcNhZ7EOO_3QN8xY17AQyTEFB9azdB2TMInSfGrGUz2OdjudMNlJJEoBTqaaqDq8pitsThY/s1600/P1150380_8077.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 135px; height: 104px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGC2fwCTOVVJ4iQOYoqaPHIgku5bbeCacEiPYFiRojtt_5pv0hey1Bb8Dn5FyZjarE2X4qcNhZ7EOO_3QN8xY17AQyTEFB9azdB2TMInSfGrGUz2OdjudMNlJJEoBTqaaqDq8pitsThY/s200/P1150380_8077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616751702461457426" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5jcTo8KjS_6LX9UdB75iqkCdTpu2XvPNOD2-hQOc1Eyimv1jIdh7Hfhogg32GLAfD90NOsQT5-XTXbJz1XNikfE_aByOu87ox0ZB5MGhVaAFCi7iqPC1rxgG_NvhLfNbYuaOY3GztZc/s1600/P1150258_8154.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 104px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5jcTo8KjS_6LX9UdB75iqkCdTpu2XvPNOD2-hQOc1Eyimv1jIdh7Hfhogg32GLAfD90NOsQT5-XTXbJz1XNikfE_aByOu87ox0ZB5MGhVaAFCi7iqPC1rxgG_NvhLfNbYuaOY3GztZc/s200/P1150258_8154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616751694379571442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sQRpMq6b622oQtI5B7_CjOVKTyuOP4Qn8snM4wKXvVr0soeo1_3LvjT1iwls3itxyUb8uFql9XQyT-dVwNgdmIGbXnYrMXRh3rT9CtrLO3bMYM5Mz_kapBuUi0f8Ca_IOWm2E0mAJ8Q/s1600/P1150381_8078.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 106px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sQRpMq6b622oQtI5B7_CjOVKTyuOP4Qn8snM4wKXvVr0soeo1_3LvjT1iwls3itxyUb8uFql9XQyT-dVwNgdmIGbXnYrMXRh3rT9CtrLO3bMYM5Mz_kapBuUi0f8Ca_IOWm2E0mAJ8Q/s200/P1150381_8078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616751706406978866" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">From a race support standpoint, it was among the better ones. The National Guard was a major sponsor and they did an excellent job. (Anyone wishing to be on the Guard’s traveling marathon team has to qualify in this race – and we met a number of team members, including several from </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">Utah</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">.) The support along the course was exceptional and this may have been the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">only </i>race we have done where water and sports drinks were handed out in cups with lids and straws! It may sound like a little thing, but drinking as you run a race can be a bit messy – but not in </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">Lincoln</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">! The post race food was not bad, but even better was the post race party with drinks, sandwiches, pasta salad, cookies and prize giveaways. Needless to say, we did not pass up free food. The course, itself, was nothing to get excited about (don’t forget, this WAS Lincoln), but there was one very attractive and affluent residential area we ran through that was nice and the finish was at the 50-yard line in the University of Nebraska Memorial Stadium – which was fun. Neither Karen nor I set any records, but considering the two week hiatus we were in </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">South Carolina</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;"> and </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">Spain</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">, we were okay with the results. I was back down in the </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">1:45</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;"> range and tinkering with a mid-foot “barefoot” running style that was advocated in the most recent book I read: “Born to Run”. (If you think you are ready for a running book, this is one I would recommend as both interesting and informative – with even a bit of suspense!) In fact, it was in this area I had the limited “deep thoughts” associated with this race – and they dealt with habits. Having run somewhat seriously now for 20+ years, how difficult would it be to change some things about my running style if I became convinced it might make me more efficient? What would it take to convince me? What risks would be involved? Would it be worth it? You may have heard people refer to a “runner’s high”. I have always felt a bit cheated in this area, as I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced one. Is it because my running is inefficient? It became apparent that habit, history and routine can be difficult obstacles to overcome – but certainly not insurmountable. Where – besides running – might the effort be merited?</span></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkATy6q4H0T-FZrrEx2somw917TJ0XpNmE-Pz1tKM5taa1S1EPYbMoi02gV0-xNL0ya6wE0q4atNU9Y8GSzBWZzztenO52lHdnt53ghFAkv_k3fI5EDTwsQhSqsW0utk4csT9luQQK6c/s1600/P1150261_8080.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkATy6q4H0T-FZrrEx2somw917TJ0XpNmE-Pz1tKM5taa1S1EPYbMoi02gV0-xNL0ya6wE0q4atNU9Y8GSzBWZzztenO52lHdnt53ghFAkv_k3fI5EDTwsQhSqsW0utk4csT9luQQK6c/s200/P1150261_8080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616751071872906754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyO8MV1saylqH2btfmiLwSXgfiQh4K7DoQi4_kNFfcQy0MC5QCRCqLfRIfg0JEOzQUdkvGQonnAehu3Nf84zwpr0rGEqpXcWOZcoIwtU3epOLoejdnPcs_QJG-DsATrMBvBcUEmqWt5UI/s1600/P1150264_8083.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyO8MV1saylqH2btfmiLwSXgfiQh4K7DoQi4_kNFfcQy0MC5QCRCqLfRIfg0JEOzQUdkvGQonnAehu3Nf84zwpr0rGEqpXcWOZcoIwtU3epOLoejdnPcs_QJG-DsATrMBvBcUEmqWt5UI/s200/P1150264_8083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616751078349540194" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">Our sightseeing was confined to the area between </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">Omaha</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;"> and Lincoln. In </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">Omaha</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;"> we spent some time dining and strolling in the Old Market and we enjoyed a visit to Boys’ Town. The latter has a very interesting history and story – made famous by Spencer Tracy’s Oscar-winning portrayal of Father Flanagan in the 1938 movie “</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">Boys</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">Town</span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUk_qFjVEq67RJ9HD8j7E85N-HcP-DaHR46W396KR0oE5f6qHAQbpmzRPL4uE0T0i-HojclIg5sxw1tqfPhr5P8yW8OcjztZakfBdNwJbws84GGaJrHk3CbuHNI95HmURyIgpakWCJfLI/s1600/P1150357_8054.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUk_qFjVEq67RJ9HD8j7E85N-HcP-DaHR46W396KR0oE5f6qHAQbpmzRPL4uE0T0i-HojclIg5sxw1tqfPhr5P8yW8OcjztZakfBdNwJbws84GGaJrHk3CbuHNI95HmURyIgpakWCJfLI/s200/P1150357_8054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616750600326892482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihX2THp2Gm1JIIBNxZdwBQIKerXJ46ymIwoB6aKvLd7OBRbgLikXWMeXMuN65XEeO1VaUCANTnRvRb8O4z6XY08xcnonZjP5Iy1dDzYi1rV9x5DLEQLyucwSYc64GeePxwQ2PV8ocCBGI/s1600/P1150358_8055.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 116px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihX2THp2Gm1JIIBNxZdwBQIKerXJ46ymIwoB6aKvLd7OBRbgLikXWMeXMuN65XEeO1VaUCANTnRvRb8O4z6XY08xcnonZjP5Iy1dDzYi1rV9x5DLEQLyucwSYc64GeePxwQ2PV8ocCBGI/s200/P1150358_8055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616750594493382034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkLD6TLCOYTHfv0vCwEK0oGW0DHT4RjtRt6KLVhoHRJ2RNjQq6gq3g8_liW6k8RJPLNwsPqgUozyQYEoG7gFDtauCpcKfD8-hx3dAPz4EudaPLDIKiKhuVd8SSbZVoNR7RVmZ8pty8fI/s1600/P1150367_8064.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkLD6TLCOYTHfv0vCwEK0oGW0DHT4RjtRt6KLVhoHRJ2RNjQq6gq3g8_liW6k8RJPLNwsPqgUozyQYEoG7gFDtauCpcKfD8-hx3dAPz4EudaPLDIKiKhuVd8SSbZVoNR7RVmZ8pty8fI/s200/P1150367_8064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616750605912552322" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">”. In </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">Lincoln</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">, Old Market became the Haymarket, where we enjoyed wandering around among shops and eateries.</span></p><p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mBYZXgb6mOP8f2cJtYd_1DGAML7jhhyphenhyphenWvXKyHtrTiXTb2I-KFC2KQNYgtWXEYKUX-Pew9mzhFR_754_5wQ5VSd6NYAnOlDtMczqKpgmo7daMSDGbGcpE0W-WAymVkVGhjB11T1DG-kg/s1600/P1150311_8130.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mBYZXgb6mOP8f2cJtYd_1DGAML7jhhyphenhyphenWvXKyHtrTiXTb2I-KFC2KQNYgtWXEYKUX-Pew9mzhFR_754_5wQ5VSd6NYAnOlDtMczqKpgmo7daMSDGbGcpE0W-WAymVkVGhjB11T1DG-kg/s200/P1150311_8130.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616749659330920130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoWnpyK6oC_IoXdL2bxYVXMTE2o4cd1rTAOE9rUec9gCz4LCN23MBJfcUWCjXWnsYGdKQ_sr4XWPigeUkRiFrkRFxzHBXJjfvg9D2GjJNYgmL4_eyLZtq6ehf4v_h3U33mUA0L1bsLyU/s1600/P1150300_8119.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoWnpyK6oC_IoXdL2bxYVXMTE2o4cd1rTAOE9rUec9gCz4LCN23MBJfcUWCjXWnsYGdKQ_sr4XWPigeUkRiFrkRFxzHBXJjfvg9D2GjJNYgmL4_eyLZtq6ehf4v_h3U33mUA0L1bsLyU/s200/P1150300_8119.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616749650476122402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVjghppErZcKNUTTIRXN7dQVTnbiENUUIk8kbPtk_j1kXjDmESVFTn8aNlkU-zp8Zwz6wF4_ZdZQ_mTD761bOBPhgz8cbkurRwYXRj936KYbxQ3Ja_LbWnMTg_pYrF0wiI9PAOhyD4-I/s1600/P1150287_8106.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 113px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVjghppErZcKNUTTIRXN7dQVTnbiENUUIk8kbPtk_j1kXjDmESVFTn8aNlkU-zp8Zwz6wF4_ZdZQ_mTD761bOBPhgz8cbkurRwYXRj936KYbxQ3Ja_LbWnMTg_pYrF0wiI9PAOhyD4-I/s200/P1150287_8106.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616749665565801474" border="0" /></a> </p><p> We enjoyed a great tour of the State Capitol – a unique building housing the only unicameral state legislature in the country. We also wandered around the <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">University</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;"> of </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">Nebraska</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;"> campus – although we weren’t overly impressed.</span></p><p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmu4y2mWWEOiSRlbDBWaxBX5b-PHoWMp-vXm0gzBWnKijQ5LXJhbxheTSu7jl4wZ2u_IHIKGNUyeIADRZllTVYxXF3UuI_PENsB7a3kfuXkDz4_bb_wnMS1v6MFlfkn6HzstT7sp9yII/s1600/P1150316_8135.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 93px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmu4y2mWWEOiSRlbDBWaxBX5b-PHoWMp-vXm0gzBWnKijQ5LXJhbxheTSu7jl4wZ2u_IHIKGNUyeIADRZllTVYxXF3UuI_PENsB7a3kfuXkDz4_bb_wnMS1v6MFlfkn6HzstT7sp9yII/s200/P1150316_8135.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616749001634040386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd57ZYpL35ShCvwqrCb0X-UX9fezB_PJnmcGKP_OzcmfttA0V4cRrV20ijghaLZT4KihGkl6kGIpyysbUMviZlTra3Mrct6qANITyNaLVZbOTA_FCzPL5SYi0ESxOO2-eC9hammzA-SQA/s1600/P1150315_8134.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 109px; height: 82px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd57ZYpL35ShCvwqrCb0X-UX9fezB_PJnmcGKP_OzcmfttA0V4cRrV20ijghaLZT4KihGkl6kGIpyysbUMviZlTra3Mrct6qANITyNaLVZbOTA_FCzPL5SYi0ESxOO2-eC9hammzA-SQA/s200/P1150315_8134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616748999799619682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJgaoF52lt4NiAMpaupuC8jKGIbXHGoLL7bn2cm-yTHZ-TH-capPQ795qtIflgY1pfilYaPGAkiQ0_9-KbuWEnU6v1KJ9KMIqNta24sWt0k5I4lQoLlOiSd1iM6nsnCeFRZ_USdOq8Xs/s1600/P1150333_8030.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 96px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJgaoF52lt4NiAMpaupuC8jKGIbXHGoLL7bn2cm-yTHZ-TH-capPQ795qtIflgY1pfilYaPGAkiQ0_9-KbuWEnU6v1KJ9KMIqNta24sWt0k5I4lQoLlOiSd1iM6nsnCeFRZ_USdOq8Xs/s200/P1150333_8030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616749007200754258" border="0" /></a> </p><p> (That was especially the case with me and their bowling alley. We were their only patrons for a couple of games so got special lights and music – but I shall quickly forget the disastrous results!) <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrY41Zp7uwnD79Mn5-OwQfc-nc_ephi9ImesQmutsWqqjmt9IaH_dJy0muwI2SFz_aRbLtW7Vu9R-a5w_8KpGcKgmabVIdRsDDFaDJ-yOCuFmSryhUOyRV1VwkD2NOgHM3pCfRkXKNJs/s1600/P1150329_8149.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrY41Zp7uwnD79Mn5-OwQfc-nc_ephi9ImesQmutsWqqjmt9IaH_dJy0muwI2SFz_aRbLtW7Vu9R-a5w_8KpGcKgmabVIdRsDDFaDJ-yOCuFmSryhUOyRV1VwkD2NOgHM3pCfRkXKNJs/s200/P1150329_8149.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616748207285922434" border="0" /></a> On the way back to <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">Omaha</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;"> we drove across a section (one of many, no doubt) of prairie and cornfields-in-waiting, and also along a piece of the Mormon and </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">Oregon trail</span><span style=" ;font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;" > on the </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">Platte</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">River</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">. All in all, it was a good race and trip – although should we go again, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">western</i> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;">Nebraska</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;"> will be on the agenda.</span></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1c5j_oXsyPqUKaifX6AvoZrWMHc4M_tuHGOcUviR3tKv1yki7IrwxCkFlkHo7vdVeWpXbS5BWoF7-Nnn_qKiewC9XPn-D2WUMT5lV9guEsAWwQ8O6Bc7_3SRa5fpXByrE_atQjLL_Yc/s1600/P1150342_8039.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1c5j_oXsyPqUKaifX6AvoZrWMHc4M_tuHGOcUviR3tKv1yki7IrwxCkFlkHo7vdVeWpXbS5BWoF7-Nnn_qKiewC9XPn-D2WUMT5lV9guEsAWwQ8O6Bc7_3SRa5fpXByrE_atQjLL_Yc/s320/P1150342_8039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616747346316807986" border="0" /></a>Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-21814256270440772872011-04-30T09:19:00.002-06:002011-04-30T09:24:38.157-06:00Star Valley Half-Marathon PreparationIt sounds like the upcoming Star Valley Half-Marathon is becoming quite a family affair! In addition to Karen and me, Emily and Jared have now registered and apparently a number of Jared's family are also planning to participate in the event. Do we have any other takers?<br /><br />As I think I have mentioned to you, this will be a race to remember for a number of reasons - not only will it be run in a very scenic location, but in memory of of an individual who both Emily and have I (very different) ties to. Jeremy Kunz is the runner who was killed near Emily's house while running the Las Vegas Ragnar relay a couple of years ago; he is also the son of Bart and Denice Kunz. Bart was a close missionary friend of mine in Germany over 35 years ago.<br /><br />Are there a few others of you ready to sign up and participate? If you register by the end of the day,you are entered in a couple of drawings that the race is sponsoring. How about all of us in Star Valley after the reunion?<br /><br />Run to remember!Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-64988216379396532022011-03-13T19:45:00.011-06:002011-03-13T21:10:40.766-06:00A RUNNING START<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsle88nOgT29mXasamBoAVSQ-CztiCs3t903X2RH11WBRjT419jGddPzqIqh8daOGnKDZLOGWn4LNSjrutMYzuRVVgduTDYuRIY89SlnS-aL0zbosBTvrbkVdmaa3ZZ_Ev4UktElURMg/s1600/DSCN3395.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 244px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 176px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583766611771595042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsle88nOgT29mXasamBoAVSQ-CztiCs3t903X2RH11WBRjT419jGddPzqIqh8daOGnKDZLOGWn4LNSjrutMYzuRVVgduTDYuRIY89SlnS-aL0zbosBTvrbkVdmaa3ZZ_Ev4UktElURMg/s320/DSCN3395.JPG" /></a> (18 November 2006)<br />Its not always easy to identify exactly where and when something started. For example, can you tell me when you had your first glass of Oreos and milk? Or perhaps when you bit your fingernails for the first time? Or even when or where you ran your first race? I have no idea when I ran my first competitive road race, nor could I tell you when Karen and I ran together for the first time. But if you get a bit more specific, sometimes you can pin it down. I DO know when Karen and I ran our first half-marathon together. We had enjoyed running together for quite some time, but during her pregnancy with Rachel, it was a convenient excuse not to run - as was the case for a month or two thereafter. However, when she realized she wasn't getting her weight back to pre-Rachel levels very quickly, she decided a running goal might help. And so we registered for the Valley of Fire State Park Half-Marathon. And on Saturday, 18 November 2006, we ran our first Half together. It was an inauspicious event, but looking back, quite a Running Start.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR24-mnpMZ4tZ-n5o7RDVBbc3DO1hUr_X_wTShPEoLRIKuevYfvSDmGbIuJHEoLKYmNlEsGBCluKJxflaTmybmnYC_Z8fF6llijUfvHCRmTQALYmlfKfd3oZQhrdbLXdMbdesYT7CE2ik/s1600/DSCN3387.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 132px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 177px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583766357626606514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR24-mnpMZ4tZ-n5o7RDVBbc3DO1hUr_X_wTShPEoLRIKuevYfvSDmGbIuJHEoLKYmNlEsGBCluKJxflaTmybmnYC_Z8fF6llijUfvHCRmTQALYmlfKfd3oZQhrdbLXdMbdesYT7CE2ik/s200/DSCN3387.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pASeRmy8NLoJ0sqKirA-egGtLNdUiHgA5Nk4gHbDwRME8YeNF9nXQyTpDCCIF3IRsJRKfnoNraBpN6Ht38nPARXeduI7Q72gITDU3lyS4TraVaOMvwam1nL7Pz1lXmskdlSuAtQyrJg/s1600/DSCN3394.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 125px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 177px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583766355524048354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pASeRmy8NLoJ0sqKirA-egGtLNdUiHgA5Nk4gHbDwRME8YeNF9nXQyTpDCCIF3IRsJRKfnoNraBpN6Ht38nPARXeduI7Q72gITDU3lyS4TraVaOMvwam1nL7Pz1lXmskdlSuAtQyrJg/s200/DSCN3394.JPG" /></a><br /><br />We would have been hard pressed to pick a better event to start running Half-marathons together. The course - though not without some significant hills - was in a spectacular setting of red rock and desert; it was a pretty small, intimate event that was reasonably well-supported; the weather was great; we were pretty well-prepared; and we had family (Alysia) with us to help us with Rachel.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqOiqGFAatWCY6vLxMZLoh21ZbgmSPPz3rBYbC8zPRAND2na1eQuEOKRyt0C30u8kf4ziGH4prByS4i5vc2MFcfGNIVRtTkl2_xxsj7olV5ZDNmREvpCthD1tLY3kMTLFm-t4zshFTuQ/s1600/DSCN3401.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 172px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 130px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583765929431777266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqOiqGFAatWCY6vLxMZLoh21ZbgmSPPz3rBYbC8zPRAND2na1eQuEOKRyt0C30u8kf4ziGH4prByS4i5vc2MFcfGNIVRtTkl2_xxsj7olV5ZDNmREvpCthD1tLY3kMTLFm-t4zshFTuQ/s200/DSCN3401.JPG" /></a><br />(Thanks, Buggy! You got us off to a good start, even if we were so fast you missed our finish!) Notwithstanding the lame pasta dinner the night before, or even the rather run-down accommodations in a declining resort on Lake Mead for a couple of nights, we completed the goal we set out to do - probably even doing better than we might have expected (Karen finished second in her age group).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSSVarEmjzf2ZEvI46Em3xAK4EaANyryQRj1qpMSNEBMcFsNKRQSKKMx-kFc2YZp7kuUlavnndim92osp0dmcveQBSgFZdB7-rxKNS8rKE_6sFiYoIUcDsqyKA3TO5aiE7jBUuvnnOz8/s1600/DSCN3399.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 128px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 173px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583765629278870498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSSVarEmjzf2ZEvI46Em3xAK4EaANyryQRj1qpMSNEBMcFsNKRQSKKMx-kFc2YZp7kuUlavnndim92osp0dmcveQBSgFZdB7-rxKNS8rKE_6sFiYoIUcDsqyKA3TO5aiE7jBUuvnnOz8/s200/DSCN3399.JPG" /></a><br />And little did we realize what we had set in motion. (Is there some saying about "humble beginnings"?)<br />I suspect I (we) have logged close to 5000, if not 6000 running miles since that event. There have been races across the country and even in foreign ones. But it started somewhere - in this case in the Valley of Fire. And that would be the message of this race and this event. Whatever we do - and whenever we do it - it is a step somewhere, in some direction. We may not know today where that step will take us, but taking it with commitment, purpose and with an effort worthy of who we are, will always be to our advantage - and just may make much more of a difference than we would ever imagine.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RCei9QPLgqpzit6tLh2-5pLPwcm_LSJbhvMaQFtUz1lNHrq_FUzOEzbW9BpJ7MM1m62IFdvDJbmSFjWttFmVcf9RtHfzFmluX-y1L3uDscntDz40p8CGZglyTmZsPFsp2ukSxJlyaaE/s1600/DSCN3393.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 186px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 136px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583764990444533746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RCei9QPLgqpzit6tLh2-5pLPwcm_LSJbhvMaQFtUz1lNHrq_FUzOEzbW9BpJ7MM1m62IFdvDJbmSFjWttFmVcf9RtHfzFmluX-y1L3uDscntDz40p8CGZglyTmZsPFsp2ukSxJlyaaE/s200/DSCN3393.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlOqjSGNyqMbh6HO_MS-pb4fbvbgxL0UcXY3ik5IwKLMkHJ1dTZllPhYBF8aNzXrRSNXO6LWbFKJVaCB0GEvr5UmAkSs6fZPh91rJKYCoxhpEjnBHM3mM4VZt6hgrD9obcl7VgHPKoOQ/s1600/DSCN3389.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 183px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 138px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583764983942326642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlOqjSGNyqMbh6HO_MS-pb4fbvbgxL0UcXY3ik5IwKLMkHJ1dTZllPhYBF8aNzXrRSNXO6LWbFKJVaCB0GEvr5UmAkSs6fZPh91rJKYCoxhpEjnBHM3mM4VZt6hgrD9obcl7VgHPKoOQ/s200/DSCN3389.JPG" /></a><br /><br />And in case you are wondering - why this blog now? I need to catch up on those early, pre-blogging, events to complete the record - and to really provide A RUNNING START.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gXYvuPcglaN_gUYHrnwVQqJXjDulNBC2doBLq1mWlzg8UI2HUMVU3uiA1fmRnL7hxoezv6hpIiSax4xg7HCDcZFqLy7WeqR_kPjHBFfCZmqUaDldbdeE4m4yIXG4Rsktxr6Y-A6aGhU/s1600/DSCN3400.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 183px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 262px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583764502860706834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gXYvuPcglaN_gUYHrnwVQqJXjDulNBC2doBLq1mWlzg8UI2HUMVU3uiA1fmRnL7hxoezv6hpIiSax4xg7HCDcZFqLy7WeqR_kPjHBFfCZmqUaDldbdeE4m4yIXG4Rsktxr6Y-A6aGhU/s320/DSCN3400.JPG" /></a>Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-34432168061531868912011-03-05T21:22:00.025-07:002011-03-06T09:57:26.582-07:00NEW AGE Running<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vFOikmtbdtNWDCtPATmqEncD2Aj-vSPbuLOEvi6nKTW1ed4XyDoerFRE4C8X7J3WktsCoN0nhGSTz982_bXF_GI8gQ7TjrueqdDbEHNdNBF3Um-8wYmmn_SzhVlh4PdvNaELedpDAfs/s1600/P1130898_6801.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vFOikmtbdtNWDCtPATmqEncD2Aj-vSPbuLOEvi6nKTW1ed4XyDoerFRE4C8X7J3WktsCoN0nhGSTz982_bXF_GI8gQ7TjrueqdDbEHNdNBF3Um-8wYmmn_SzhVlh4PdvNaELedpDAfs/s320/P1130898_6801.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581007662227467602" border="0" /></a>What runner isn’t interested in a (legal) energy boost before running a race? Typically that means pre-race carbo loading, getting lots of rest and tapering the training leading up to the event. Unless, of course, your race happens to be in Sedona, Arizona – one of the world’s New Age centers and home of more than one well-known vortex! And what, might you ask is a vortex? (At least I had to ask.) Although science has its own definition, New Age practitioners take that definition a bit further in describing “swirling centers of subtle energy coming from the surface of the earth”. Since most of the Sedona vortexes are reasonably accessible, we reasoned we ought to take advantage of one and took the short walk up onto a red-rock ridge to experience the “Airport Vortex”. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8cSubwzwbn24CeXpEiDGoX1UzEIq8MBKqRMk4P9DJhIaPfW02RDjEnDviwYfmUHjenpnKlMAJdEEipQH7EKfxWxJSu4_ha7chcm_7_rXv8w6V7mar_wf1lZwwbfAoBtx_8r51e6zmZk/s1600/P1130808_6893.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8cSubwzwbn24CeXpEiDGoX1UzEIq8MBKqRMk4P9DJhIaPfW02RDjEnDviwYfmUHjenpnKlMAJdEEipQH7EKfxWxJSu4_ha7chcm_7_rXv8w6V7mar_wf1lZwwbfAoBtx_8r51e6zmZk/s200/P1130808_6893.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581007414125301170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2E_9wDsL1kdZ0r1JvVcHB3J9fRaxqz3mcWa2n9LLRdRAgktcGrwLOwokrb4dU_BLmVD3Gu8Ck0B97gnSKCAX1Td2o6TKQ_HzM1kTDtvinZx4TmWpsPtb0kYRIehm5BByQH1XawdoLe9w/s1600/P1140056_6549.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 131px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2E_9wDsL1kdZ0r1JvVcHB3J9fRaxqz3mcWa2n9LLRdRAgktcGrwLOwokrb4dU_BLmVD3Gu8Ck0B97gnSKCAX1Td2o6TKQ_HzM1kTDtvinZx4TmWpsPtb0kYRIehm5BByQH1XawdoLe9w/s200/P1140056_6549.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581007408277870626" border="0" /></a> I can assure you the view was spectacular. As for having the “required, but normally present” sensitivity to feel and absorb the energy – well, perhaps race results would be a better indicator.<br />Sedona is truly a beautiful and eclectic place. The scenery is spectacular – combining desert landscapes with gorgeous red rock buttes, towers and cliffs, along with chalky ridges and mountains nearly surrounding the area. The city is a place that has exponentially grown in the last few decades and now sprawls between and among the red rocks. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-S96_gyH-DRTfiVyZt83AlCsPQE4_8cWh3l6IUwQDUNedoc_Xjw5dHlsockD900V6VfJ-MM2Ihlk3NKqKoP1R-C7gZfFv1c1BbtJ748v9ZYscxnzxxYi9LyolFxZEp32uf_9aghN07U/s1600/P1130908_6811.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 189px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-S96_gyH-DRTfiVyZt83AlCsPQE4_8cWh3l6IUwQDUNedoc_Xjw5dHlsockD900V6VfJ-MM2Ihlk3NKqKoP1R-C7gZfFv1c1BbtJ748v9ZYscxnzxxYi9LyolFxZEp32uf_9aghN07U/s200/P1130908_6811.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581007186274325586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmr5kQJtOir3InW2LA95MsAjnkVosv1l8SlIxOjVH_7Sp44VLopZGIbiWA3M6z-vXc109CjncXfz6F2K_OaLh76CmA0YI6uYPuj7cXOwe5Nb6dG_GgqbSKo2pqWVHwY1aVeURbXmmsC_8/s1600/P1130871_6774.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmr5kQJtOir3InW2LA95MsAjnkVosv1l8SlIxOjVH_7Sp44VLopZGIbiWA3M6z-vXc109CjncXfz6F2K_OaLh76CmA0YI6uYPuj7cXOwe5Nb6dG_GgqbSKo2pqWVHwY1aVeURbXmmsC_8/s200/P1130871_6774.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581007181887046210" border="0" /></a> It also boasts more New Age practitioners and businesses than you are likely to find any place else, to include palm readers, spiritual advisors, vortex tours, UFO centers and other self-awareness enterprises. (We admit to visiting a UFO business and the aforementioned vortex, but only photographed some of the others mentioned.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkij9r4PlY5HRvRwM7lWHcJwSViJqavCWZnrbzKK1arK84qYFiD9CM_MGzk8MwB3NF6xVxm_WAxamfF2UcGYtPqhT_TM3PEc75jQ9bBnHA_kURAkbhzt8R_ZiWaWFun2N3LgI52KC1w8/s1600/P1130920_6823.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 113px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkij9r4PlY5HRvRwM7lWHcJwSViJqavCWZnrbzKK1arK84qYFiD9CM_MGzk8MwB3NF6xVxm_WAxamfF2UcGYtPqhT_TM3PEc75jQ9bBnHA_kURAkbhzt8R_ZiWaWFun2N3LgI52KC1w8/s200/P1130920_6823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581006809205662450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwM9mwmsUb_hyb6yF48aUu2VgSrqVIbCDBUkCZJVTND5v_DYEuV43vSDkBClwrbOpqe5CoVLN8On35CV2VNj0ePu5-65_su_ZwVMm8MZssr0igvvmUFWpr0BzuSsuo-hXuQ7LlNTxXNg/s1600/P1130885_6788.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 121px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwM9mwmsUb_hyb6yF48aUu2VgSrqVIbCDBUkCZJVTND5v_DYEuV43vSDkBClwrbOpqe5CoVLN8On35CV2VNj0ePu5-65_su_ZwVMm8MZssr0igvvmUFWpr0BzuSsuo-hXuQ7LlNTxXNg/s200/P1130885_6788.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581006803458817698" border="0" /></a><br />The trip ended up being among our favorites. The race was run on a spectacular course through the red-rock country, the weather was great and we enjoyed our visit to Sedona – to include several really good (fairly traditional) meals and some hiking. Bookending the trip were visits with Emily in Las Vegas (to include the Cirque du Soleil show, “Ka”, which was pretty incredible) and time at Hoover Dam on the front end; and a drive through Oak Canyon, and a stop at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on the return. We were powerfully reminded of the amazing grandeur of the Lord’s creations. It still takes my breath away.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIPNfaxHO58HdyOJzztZ9f93K-lHJNmtscddGxLN3VFzCoaEmZPLW7jNJdHDGooycZ1G7rrXJn5BUVhe-n7PrNHsuSPbAJiWzIQyN0gg68EhbnVHnTRK_LCYPq2d1x38s4X-pKD9YANk/s1600/P1140107_6600.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIPNfaxHO58HdyOJzztZ9f93K-lHJNmtscddGxLN3VFzCoaEmZPLW7jNJdHDGooycZ1G7rrXJn5BUVhe-n7PrNHsuSPbAJiWzIQyN0gg68EhbnVHnTRK_LCYPq2d1x38s4X-pKD9YANk/s200/P1140107_6600.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581006208963524098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZO7LnptKAIj_HIIN69H_rTn25Sk02Rrh3GZkhjDdUve1rqEQlQJKTfDF4674syFnGAMIISaqcLzcg4dmPPoNxSmLcScvXb2WYg_geJXwtrsPwohwU_fb6toq-gZTNM4EwRR9K5VVFog/s1600/P1140140_6633.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZO7LnptKAIj_HIIN69H_rTn25Sk02Rrh3GZkhjDdUve1rqEQlQJKTfDF4674syFnGAMIISaqcLzcg4dmPPoNxSmLcScvXb2WYg_geJXwtrsPwohwU_fb6toq-gZTNM4EwRR9K5VVFog/s200/P1140140_6633.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581006204218339810" border="0" /></a><br />Another factor contributing to the success of the trip was being able to enjoy it with Karen’s brother, Tom. He flew into Las Vegas and drove to Sedona with us – running the full marathon, rather than our wimpy Half. He is pursuing the same 50-State goal as we are, but with the full marathon. This was our third race with him (and his first visit to the Grand Canyon) – and we have enjoyed them all!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipr6EA9r4b32YXMmxphyphenhyphenQEovcOK1aBfb9bUw3ZTnnbfvNUH_Y62cZMZywpIh99Ds4rHtToZ12_dnE8rQaP-WspQiN3MLhhclq2CqLu-vaaJtXomUG_qL7ENtpfF3yUw_zcBLOBEGbX7oM/s1600/P1140169_6662.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipr6EA9r4b32YXMmxphyphenhyphenQEovcOK1aBfb9bUw3ZTnnbfvNUH_Y62cZMZywpIh99Ds4rHtToZ12_dnE8rQaP-WspQiN3MLhhclq2CqLu-vaaJtXomUG_qL7ENtpfF3yUw_zcBLOBEGbX7oM/s200/P1140169_6662.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581005880972835394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIinlhFXbkN8WQKrg4WOSWxcfiGAS-RfkhFHxVFd2w4Pu-fQroL77eAt2qP5IpN3Uk620LWsI3zCNCPm1C8olRo02QWH0m9DQUCnhxH4vI1tK-IaZi7SLI5wypBgzSndMSFTsAyW1az_U/s1600/P1140111_6604.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIinlhFXbkN8WQKrg4WOSWxcfiGAS-RfkhFHxVFd2w4Pu-fQroL77eAt2qP5IpN3Uk620LWsI3zCNCPm1C8olRo02QWH0m9DQUCnhxH4vI1tK-IaZi7SLI5wypBgzSndMSFTsAyW1az_U/s200/P1140111_6604.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581005875093100834" border="0" /></a><br />But back to the race. What did the Airport Vortex do for me? <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWLrWMXvCoHjdhVtOolUHiIriaFPVi8C6GEyEYP7Ym3S5WXe_WhyphenhyphenMhwqR5nXSRJ9KZ3MT-WOixcF8F0IAb7LEeHB2DaDHsx-iBBLNp6dXCARJl5tzkOf0javwpVG8P1Z7OGIOOFR7z6s/s1600/P1130992_6684.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWLrWMXvCoHjdhVtOolUHiIriaFPVi8C6GEyEYP7Ym3S5WXe_WhyphenhyphenMhwqR5nXSRJ9KZ3MT-WOixcF8F0IAb7LEeHB2DaDHsx-iBBLNp6dXCARJl5tzkOf0javwpVG8P1Z7OGIOOFR7z6s/s200/P1130992_6684.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581005408343351922" border="0" /></a> Before sharing my own assessment, there are a couple of things worth knowing about the course. First – it was VERY challenging. There were a number of significant, extended hills – to include a long one from mile 12 to mile 13 (which should be illegal). Contributing to the challenge was the elevation. Although only at 4500’, which is about where we live and train, we seldom run races at that elevation. Second – this was an early season race, meaning the training leading up to it was limited. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwR5vV9SJcein1oxnAnOg6y2iuaF9vSEX9IGOLSnVrqu94At5xoTrnG6bxz4lgEP9ZL4Bnc60cjHcF8RoWQqtrPcoeZ41uRVlKE8-tRCR5-6evi98UVzyKmb3tuAnD4ls4jeroieySYk/s1600/P1130860_6763.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwR5vV9SJcein1oxnAnOg6y2iuaF9vSEX9IGOLSnVrqu94At5xoTrnG6bxz4lgEP9ZL4Bnc60cjHcF8RoWQqtrPcoeZ41uRVlKE8-tRCR5-6evi98UVzyKmb3tuAnD4ls4jeroieySYk/s200/P1130860_6763.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581005180106986034" border="0" /></a> With that information out there, certainly no PR was expected. And none was achieved. I felt I ran a good race, but my pace – even after the vortex – was about 45 seconds per mile slower than my time last year in Fargo ND (where, to the best of my knowledge, there is no vortex). The moral of this story? You might be better served by ensuring the training and preparation are consistent with the goals. In my case, they were – but I will admit the vortex was an interesting concept – and I would not hesitate to go back to Sedona. However, hiking and scenery and more time in Oak Creek Canyon would be the draw.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomNezppyw1khpZb8sIDCBuY4utmnlJomW7arTW3gfl0AlDOKAWrkCzEUeNBmVbzbGchkbdaG2PwO_zamGnlWEX_XhigoVplz-voNgYPvpU1OZAHk_gbB2LWtfdGKXIXMFssAKV3s-RZ4/s1600/P1130968_6871.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomNezppyw1khpZb8sIDCBuY4utmnlJomW7arTW3gfl0AlDOKAWrkCzEUeNBmVbzbGchkbdaG2PwO_zamGnlWEX_XhigoVplz-voNgYPvpU1OZAHk_gbB2LWtfdGKXIXMFssAKV3s-RZ4/s200/P1130968_6871.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581004384742504562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-suLDFSNeJfepqoX_1DF-9BeFuDIb_NFhL8e6G_oiqeZ8r7x-05BTvDJkM7WSRDJI9YsP9Et-RuG3zLreX008jSrJk1pQ0hd5KqKaGgJBrXCxxZha-CHxun8QZi1SGuniiR4c_zmqoM/s1600/P1130914_6817.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-suLDFSNeJfepqoX_1DF-9BeFuDIb_NFhL8e6G_oiqeZ8r7x-05BTvDJkM7WSRDJI9YsP9Et-RuG3zLreX008jSrJk1pQ0hd5KqKaGgJBrXCxxZha-CHxun8QZi1SGuniiR4c_zmqoM/s200/P1130914_6817.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581004385224484050" border="0" /></a><br />In an attempt to make the length of my blog rival that of Dacia’s regular tomes, there is one additional thought to share from this race. On a couple of the final hills it is accurate to say that I was dragging. They were tough! In those moments, the beauty of the area I was running through was not foremost on my mind – until I caught myself. Despite fatigue, it was still WOW! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oBvH6XZP76pskNOYhZTuzwe1Xc0OvjQ6YlnjmaLk-CJ7GVgiagCaErVI87QB3nCJ-uH6T1gUb4O2dpCXaKKxXw8pojzgZpLxJKUmebzQDSsQG4ih-biGWNHrol3Xz3sllKdTtE2pFo0/s1600/P1130935_6838.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oBvH6XZP76pskNOYhZTuzwe1Xc0OvjQ6YlnjmaLk-CJ7GVgiagCaErVI87QB3nCJ-uH6T1gUb4O2dpCXaKKxXw8pojzgZpLxJKUmebzQDSsQG4ih-biGWNHrol3Xz3sllKdTtE2pFo0/s200/P1130935_6838.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581003408778928610" border="0" /></a> I couldn’t help but think how often we do the same in life. Invariably, there is beauty all around – but how easily and often do we miss it? I believe New Age thinking promotes self-awareness – and maybe that is a good thing, in moderation. However, I am far from a New Age advocate, but can still offer this nugget: Don’t let the occasional drudgery and demands of life make you miss the beauty that is there to be seen. And don’t run so fast that you miss it, either!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNvMm-tCCAPnQa1QAd-yXdrEK7cOqEm9wchm40NlTQaGr_gCT8DB-jor1gRvKrLsmmF9YBxizZ2PEophZhW1boRXwtZh6hcbtpqcXq2hsFwR4dnbrjIpI1wwgv91Ytj4t4vEB6lDmZns/s1600/P1140038_6729.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3kLIHgmhk_Fz6upjIWOC9nawvoVz617fjD3Am7zWdmeCQMi49vrow9JVuVGSJJHl91o56a5cZC9ky4b6vtzlUfdGxYUOLbDX7B_EJeicJO8exHlG4P-WKmETCljBh-G8DCuKGSbLwdk/s1600/P1140018_6709.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3kLIHgmhk_Fz6upjIWOC9nawvoVz617fjD3Am7zWdmeCQMi49vrow9JVuVGSJJHl91o56a5cZC9ky4b6vtzlUfdGxYUOLbDX7B_EJeicJO8exHlG4P-WKmETCljBh-G8DCuKGSbLwdk/s320/P1140018_6709.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581002739952763426" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5dvJ_gJ03cmRb75psQmL-ic5bu5EphqzG_po1C7fmUzjq-LkZXjeQYUs3KWidM1FJNaDq-OLYZUivcNkhhYkr6bJtSTTcC5wVCwusdfRZi3DIfyMapgxPm8EDhQrr9peZjhTsPoNtkE/s1600/P1140038_6729.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5dvJ_gJ03cmRb75psQmL-ic5bu5EphqzG_po1C7fmUzjq-LkZXjeQYUs3KWidM1FJNaDq-OLYZUivcNkhhYkr6bJtSTTcC5wVCwusdfRZi3DIfyMapgxPm8EDhQrr9peZjhTsPoNtkE/s320/P1140038_6729.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581008804328139202" border="0" /></a>Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-55605452914233016772011-03-02T22:28:00.004-07:002011-03-02T22:36:13.999-07:00BREAKTHROUGH!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlR3eX-R7UEXAK9SEgZLmaK1uqWtFEvYykdjvDhJ_mHNP3fImgAAngDakry92P6VViauG-oLe0ANacpwaA_nS73LItUMol_oMnXBFL3-P4VbzSs6WZ8GcaKRo6AS9S4O3zkzgHM7DjZY0/s1600/P1140278_6945.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlR3eX-R7UEXAK9SEgZLmaK1uqWtFEvYykdjvDhJ_mHNP3fImgAAngDakry92P6VViauG-oLe0ANacpwaA_nS73LItUMol_oMnXBFL3-P4VbzSs6WZ8GcaKRo6AS9S4O3zkzgHM7DjZY0/s320/P1140278_6945.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579722842374078578" border="0" /></a><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]-->On Tuesday, March 1<sup>st</sup>, at approximately 9:10 p.m., at the Lehi Legacy Center, I achieved a major breakthrough – not only in the storied annals of my running history, but in the demonstration of my ageless technological savvy!<br /> <p class="MsoNormal">After inserting a white cable into a green unit and placing speaker buds in my ears – <span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">and then after some experimentation to find a way to turn the unit on</span></span> – there was music!! In fact, there was very LOUD music – so loud as to be definitely detrimental to my hearing. On the brink of a failed experiment I spied two young ladies who, most certainly, knew the secret of volume control. With the curl of a finger, they solved the mystery for me and off I ran – rocking to the sounds of the Lion King!<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">An hour later, I removed the buds from my ears and eventually figured out how to turn the unit off. I had listened to everything from piano concertos, to Men from the Tabernacle Choir, to Disney to excerpts from a How to Build Wealth book. <b style="">I had done the IPOD!!<br /></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Okay – I admit it took me a couple of weeks to get this far. I also acknowledge my selection of music or content (let’s see, would that be a <i style="">playlist?) </i>left something to be desired. I’ll even confess I didn’t solve the ear bud cord tension issue. But hey – I ran with my IPOD. Is that a breakthrough, or what?? And for the most part, I thought it was pretty nice and may have helped the time go by a bit quicker which, given the objective of 52 laps in the gym, was indeed welcome. Give me another 24 months and, no doubt, I’ll get to the bottom of the other issues!<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><span style="font-size:9pt;">(Now, if I can just remember where I put it when I got back from the gym last night…)</span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxczQg5DJ2bwWA8N0BOrrA6pVr4FAwGNqml1Q7DFj8EEpxdhtX1lqv6_MLTD9qu-BtxB6hzud5v3qg5CYWHfUpn13fdLGQLl0Yen-AafSLgynBjBOfnhyphenhyphendUbH_MwKcT0-TpB0xH0NU8Y/s1600/P1140282_6949.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxczQg5DJ2bwWA8N0BOrrA6pVr4FAwGNqml1Q7DFj8EEpxdhtX1lqv6_MLTD9qu-BtxB6hzud5v3qg5CYWHfUpn13fdLGQLl0Yen-AafSLgynBjBOfnhyphenhyphendUbH_MwKcT0-TpB0xH0NU8Y/s320/P1140282_6949.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579722660492778706" border="0" /></a>Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-23870447171670402692011-02-05T23:01:00.018-07:002011-02-05T23:57:33.456-07:00ENCHANTED RUNNING?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bf63LGhP6cePIu7gLMWwHxTU7y8AOhfqWDhEoEiQp2BItdzw4xCuy2sCoycYi1uQ4jmQU9pdyAaMieTMdFfHSfRG47hXr8f52TiIlkROzs8LtK6Pvd-5WtKr4D40nZUNswr-u2ZKESQ/s1600/P1120432_5428.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bf63LGhP6cePIu7gLMWwHxTU7y8AOhfqWDhEoEiQp2BItdzw4xCuy2sCoycYi1uQ4jmQU9pdyAaMieTMdFfHSfRG47hXr8f52TiIlkROzs8LtK6Pvd-5WtKr4D40nZUNswr-u2ZKESQ/s320/P1120432_5428.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570459454749124898" border="0" /></a><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]-->There is something to be said for intuition. Although men aren’t generally given much credit for this capability, I would venture to say that women don’t have a monopoly on it – which isn’t to say we always act on it correctly. Our most recent race may illustrate this. Since late last summer or early fall, I had been looking for an alternative race in New Mexico, since the planned race in Albuquerque now appeared to conflict with opportunities in Canada that we wanted to take advantage of.<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRDQppTywXMR5VtI-1oX5A94KJ-Zy_Tv7CFLgPZztZ-aPnCRwQm7nYRI6EskiVO6o9fxNTKZcGtdKBZiP27t-iCx7eeyNC-O__Z_8o7BnoR_Vlt1Krw_NB2rqvloe_wWDChnLyCeU11s/s1600/P1120570_5060.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRDQppTywXMR5VtI-1oX5A94KJ-Zy_Tv7CFLgPZztZ-aPnCRwQm7nYRI6EskiVO6o9fxNTKZcGtdKBZiP27t-iCx7eeyNC-O__Z_8o7BnoR_Vlt1Krw_NB2rqvloe_wWDChnLyCeU11s/s200/P1120570_5060.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570460745595791714" border="0" /></a> The only race I could find was a new one – the Las Cruces Half-Marathon – but information was scarce. It was being sponsore<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEks_YysxbM531UTcLpR-JZ70tOesE84l3AZSK1Y2JpGXI9dsHeAWgct_TpV7u59EX0qnKdXVuiJdd2Gmp4g1DuuVJfyhvMC92P5loRfNL_sMt2VYFQoAi7U3Xg9tQ-CSYDQmBe9jCQes/s1600/P1120574_5064.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEks_YysxbM531UTcLpR-JZ70tOesE84l3AZSK1Y2JpGXI9dsHeAWgct_TpV7u59EX0qnKdXVuiJdd2Gmp4g1DuuVJfyhvMC92P5loRfNL_sMt2VYFQoAi7U3Xg9tQ-CSYDQmBe9jCQes/s200/P1120574_5064.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570460748795580130" border="0" /></a>d by a group out of Florida that appeared to have its priorities elsewhere. The website was inaccurate and incomplete, maps weren’t available, and there did not appear to be local contacts. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8L9Mc6jgMqBrNJgB2XzHXUN0Iltxzd_VdnXhQi_5X_-WxlysjlpySQWkSKL5bsuP0cJZ5wQZDHefAr1nTEiiwxqKdaYOw9xzaXMqL2Yrt-gI1zYYmBIYKLDhgGH8FGoWuTpGQpdZ8Y5s/s1600/P1120645_5135.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 109px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8L9Mc6jgMqBrNJgB2XzHXUN0Iltxzd_VdnXhQi_5X_-WxlysjlpySQWkSKL5bsuP0cJZ5wQZDHefAr1nTEiiwxqKdaYOw9xzaXMqL2Yrt-gI1zYYmBIYKLDhgGH8FGoWuTpGQpdZ8Y5s/s200/P1120645_5135.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570462637410287202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfQqtRGiL4RAd7XUpjyIezoZN9sHWhz7W2-31i1Di918jMR8nTmGU-Co63HYCRuFG3EPVX5eFAtL1tcjtJHaV7RSGKeyElna9Yhi27mViknoFJp1yYFcc_hOmqtmzYowO7RhasYdYFDY/s1600/P1120643_5133.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfQqtRGiL4RAd7XUpjyIezoZN9sHWhz7W2-31i1Di918jMR8nTmGU-Co63HYCRuFG3EPVX5eFAtL1tcjtJHaV7RSGKeyElna9Yhi27mViknoFJp1yYFcc_hOmqtmzYowO7RhasYdYFDY/s200/P1120643_5133.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570462634111554034" border="0" /></a> This situation continued into the fall – when most people interested in running a race from out of the area want much more definitive information. My inquiries were generally answered very unsatisfactorily, although I ultimately was convinced that there would, at least, be a race on that weekend, in that city. Intuition prompted me to pass on it – since planning was obviously subpar – but schedule realities won out and off to New Mexico we went.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Our fears weren’t allayed when we arrived at the pre-race “expo” to pick up our packets and get final instructions. There was a table or two, a couple of people giving out packets and shirts and a big sign that read “Volunteers Needed”! The next morning the weather actually looked promising for the run – and there were even busses taking people to the starting line; unfortunately, they were also taking people running the shorter race, who should have started elsewhere.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4XAAswT3xsQyg6jU8-QR2jEISwdFplYOso05Rxz8EOJgjTa38AlImGbk2Odel28yuP-elkcF_plqB5OnzkV9kpBe_BnQvd7V8i-mtynQKuC9lo9oFsnRG0CyVEXNhUdgAcEXSphUBDY/s1600/P1120525_5271.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 155px; height: 117px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4XAAswT3xsQyg6jU8-QR2jEISwdFplYOso05Rxz8EOJgjTa38AlImGbk2Odel28yuP-elkcF_plqB5OnzkV9kpBe_BnQvd7V8i-mtynQKuC9lo9oFsnRG0CyVEXNhUdgAcEXSphUBDY/s200/P1120525_5271.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570458886464136322" border="0" /></a> Organization at the start line was what we had expected (little or none) and until they lined us up at some tape they had put up, we didn’t even know which way we would be running. The starting gun was replaced by someone saying “Go” and off we went! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfVRGJ32tvsm-ZIlByy10ImO-Cg3PhP7q2At3ptXE-hhBBZLzqz-8wJYtXq9O6Icg_Q9mNPNrvoA3CeIK1IFEQKm9sb2gb1HjkQnZV3VQGnxXKpjzsyf8qoFDvUyLqXA_O9ZhHvB9hSY/s1600/P1120614_5104.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 176px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfVRGJ32tvsm-ZIlByy10ImO-Cg3PhP7q2At3ptXE-hhBBZLzqz-8wJYtXq9O6Icg_Q9mNPNrvoA3CeIK1IFEQKm9sb2gb1HjkQnZV3VQGnxXKpjzsyf8qoFDvUyLqXA_O9ZhHvB9hSY/s200/P1120614_5104.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570461167265248882" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXmYpyOn25-Y77si0sZsO3O5pUg0ht1TlOATIB35dIKP8TSMuuGKJgPKA177-05zaPahjlI68Ck_fthi2yfxKxOFiLUglrXC3RtRrAOT83zIpEWAV3Evv8YxQKmLRiUInKAef7wix8_M/s1600/P1120622_5112.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXmYpyOn25-Y77si0sZsO3O5pUg0ht1TlOATIB35dIKP8TSMuuGKJgPKA177-05zaPahjlI68Ck_fthi2yfxKxOFiLUglrXC3RtRrAOT83zIpEWAV3Evv8YxQKmLRiUInKAef7wix8_M/s200/P1120622_5112.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570461168190812866" border="0" /></a> Surprisingly, support ON the course was reasonably good – there was plenty of water and fluid, but as we reached the halfway point, the course turned into a gravel road on a levee beside the Rio Grande River – something which had not been advertised or expected. Later, we ran some tracks across plowed fields as we approached the final stretch towards the stadium – and pavement again! (Don’t forget – runners are a bit anal when it comes to expectations. Tell us about something so we expect it, and we are okay, but when we expect something different it’s one of those “mental” things.)</p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZl8XrMMTVReLPlS5wKsuifQtcAp2u0vL-EC9zf10Us2APwKMOA8pYY687Ugpd8jPhotfo0AlatnubFICsUe7CoUmSD0oLCvkWZT99TnUM7tE4C19B9EDrgIrycaOq3P3mq5keKtTKXiM/s1600/P1120568_5058.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 171px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZl8XrMMTVReLPlS5wKsuifQtcAp2u0vL-EC9zf10Us2APwKMOA8pYY687Ugpd8jPhotfo0AlatnubFICsUe7CoUmSD0oLCvkWZT99TnUM7tE4C19B9EDrgIrycaOq3P3mq5keKtTKXiM/s200/P1120568_5058.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570457526807359330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9-6ezqY4XSOr_2VtD0JLypt9ndBQnDbf1KHlCRdoO_O3ZFX5uT9h-y2FEpc1TIn7uUaChRvdU0QAdvjZ4Z2rKHM_cFtRkV1gvypeY1LwoXgI73i1NGgrla1lghn86dDZK7YK5rNd47c/s1600/P1120562_5052.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 172px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9-6ezqY4XSOr_2VtD0JLypt9ndBQnDbf1KHlCRdoO_O3ZFX5uT9h-y2FEpc1TIn7uUaChRvdU0QAdvjZ4Z2rKHM_cFtRkV1gvypeY1LwoXgI73i1NGgrla1lghn86dDZK7YK5rNd47c/s200/P1120562_5052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570457523082824770" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal">Post-race food was actually decent and while partaking of some pizza and other offerings, I even learned I had placed first in my age group for the race. (Okay – the field wasn’t huge – only 264 finishers in the half-marathon and five in my age category – but first place is first place!) That prompted us to stay for the awards ceremony. One age group before they got to mine – they ran out of awards – so we left with our finishers’ medals and the validation of my intuition that the race wasn’t going to be put on very well.</p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHiMIEdF0oww0aKFJNkvAe12rhRaPx5zkOMsTRgX61j7GzPo78dDpDoVLhd16soQY8YDG0z4HDAZ6aFkUGAtf28wU-_Z-73mXvryXNQtyxaxFkmh49BA8Vo1N3E-Xj11y8NRQuYUba2Y/s1600/P1120359_5355.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHiMIEdF0oww0aKFJNkvAe12rhRaPx5zkOMsTRgX61j7GzPo78dDpDoVLhd16soQY8YDG0z4HDAZ6aFkUGAtf28wU-_Z-73mXvryXNQtyxaxFkmh49BA8Vo1N3E-Xj11y8NRQuYUba2Y/s200/P1120359_5355.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570455747215830626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOM7lvGSeA33oJp-5dAGUnkb1CWQzNu5xTqxHgsnI1kEMZmFpSbzZjR3_T8oXkgpcrGdiyHyVMgdUORz9MpBAWtl86anQfoWF6AoYPkDlL3jtOqmm1TylJI7A8o6Uqz_jwjF5u5v6RUQ/s1600/P1120331_5327.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOM7lvGSeA33oJp-5dAGUnkb1CWQzNu5xTqxHgsnI1kEMZmFpSbzZjR3_T8oXkgpcrGdiyHyVMgdUORz9MpBAWtl86anQfoWF6AoYPkDlL3jtOqmm1TylJI7A8o6Uqz_jwjF5u5v6RUQ/s200/P1120331_5327.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570455746638909346" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal">Should I have listened to my intuition? When everything is said and done, we completed the race and we checked off New Mexico and State #44. And the trip, itself, turned out to be a good one. Las Cruces lies about 45 minutes north of El Paso so we flew in there and after a disappointing Mexican dinner that night had a great visit the next day to a small, relatively unknown National Park – Guadalupe Mountains – on the Texas, NM border. It is an impressive range with some beautiful desert and mountain landscapes. We did a 4-5 mile hike into Devil’s Hall and the Hikers’ staircase, a natural stone stairway in the bottom of the canyon and thoroughly enjoyed it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyUHYWDX4whpfnlhzi-G0JG6HpeKA6pOk4OTBBD8ei0yKRKX1UfQnIDhBgBcqaejkw0ROWLsqL92wYggHIL6rb-2IyMXFvZ1ffwO3kpI0aLTVMuZRPnbR5aB95RiktibzqrxaX2MHZmM/s1600/P1120387_5383.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 117px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyUHYWDX4whpfnlhzi-G0JG6HpeKA6pOk4OTBBD8ei0yKRKX1UfQnIDhBgBcqaejkw0ROWLsqL92wYggHIL6rb-2IyMXFvZ1ffwO3kpI0aLTVMuZRPnbR5aB95RiktibzqrxaX2MHZmM/s200/P1120387_5383.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570456491689908386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGjqBwARh0Zgy1xbWWnlP3RtbupkfXSupzlEwAcE5Ivx3H24f9xZbr7ar3pzKo6eno3m2Fb6T9GiIsUIpfTL79bjXo2iztq1BVugGi47tMVWAJ9Y2_dL-QsOFii5DWxicPm7Vh4l5YWU/s1600/P1120402_5398.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 119px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGjqBwARh0Zgy1xbWWnlP3RtbupkfXSupzlEwAcE5Ivx3H24f9xZbr7ar3pzKo6eno3m2Fb6T9GiIsUIpfTL79bjXo2iztq1BVugGi47tMVWAJ9Y2_dL-QsOFii5DWxicPm7Vh4l5YWU/s200/P1120402_5398.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570456487501849186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjh9wL3hPAL5MOgl0lf8Cce_AJnxZ-CiOQN-wQCvkXUuiCmjYqwNg6BVK2OTO-h28pSbuadRnoMDYtnc88M6ypQqTnwSDCRGS5ZCXEEYUcMs9KlckCOaDPl8Q8i5Rt7uAKJK8T2E1G2QA/s1600/P1120333_5329.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 117px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjh9wL3hPAL5MOgl0lf8Cce_AJnxZ-CiOQN-wQCvkXUuiCmjYqwNg6BVK2OTO-h28pSbuadRnoMDYtnc88M6ypQqTnwSDCRGS5ZCXEEYUcMs9KlckCOaDPl8Q8i5Rt7uAKJK8T2E1G2QA/s200/P1120333_5329.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570456482374489938" border="0" /></a> We spent the next morning exploring Carlsbad Caverns (also a National Park) and were equally impressed. The size of the underground rooms is truly unbelievable until seen – and the cave formations were great. There was a loop trail over a mile in length just going around ONE of the huge caverns.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bNuZfMG1B4PhR8Ht5kkY82m4rq7zRTDGX3oO6JsN1Z8JNU3NXlO0rhVPxLCuUtyiA4mIktz6L1BY3OqkYCDQW9Uf6FSZiQv6B3mHpsQ5kTcH8qlhQD8Ve1Ruq9PytqWao8MEE9yDIHY/s1600/P1120501_5247.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 105px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bNuZfMG1B4PhR8Ht5kkY82m4rq7zRTDGX3oO6JsN1Z8JNU3NXlO0rhVPxLCuUtyiA4mIktz6L1BY3OqkYCDQW9Uf6FSZiQv6B3mHpsQ5kTcH8qlhQD8Ve1Ruq9PytqWao8MEE9yDIHY/s200/P1120501_5247.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570457188996742386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qCA9wgiVD8aZHn1FDtrXsMY-u9tzpQdGdhPtJt5IBepEFxhJmjVuUwx6ZGWR02ZRR4LAq2kMBaoz3mquO6faaKnduWcHAkrHYeW77jvu1HKXCpVN-CL5Y-Zm6lTysj2j4rWrfYszSn0/s1600/P1120536_5282.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qCA9wgiVD8aZHn1FDtrXsMY-u9tzpQdGdhPtJt5IBepEFxhJmjVuUwx6ZGWR02ZRR4LAq2kMBaoz3mquO6faaKnduWcHAkrHYeW77jvu1HKXCpVN-CL5Y-Zm6lTysj2j4rWrfYszSn0/s200/P1120536_5282.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570457185100839138" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBp-fzjYHMLdFf72k6Wc617Ktd3h7uxPUKqfzVjBU8cM-EaKfnccVqvRE7TAl1f-N2lkt365euJFdoSM1o9viE6h-GSoLku6n7yYQ_g3LCCXdD-TumzeRbSshBtuoUamannVxFKkixKnc/s1600/P1120440_5186.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 101px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBp-fzjYHMLdFf72k6Wc617Ktd3h7uxPUKqfzVjBU8cM-EaKfnccVqvRE7TAl1f-N2lkt365euJFdoSM1o9viE6h-GSoLku6n7yYQ_g3LCCXdD-TumzeRbSshBtuoUamannVxFKkixKnc/s200/P1120440_5186.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570457184441398818" border="0" /></a> After the race on Saturday we visited White Sands National Monument – with beautiful white silica sand and dunes – and enjoyed sledding down the dunes and a beautiful sunset. We had borrowed sleds from the local bishop, whose wife watched Rachel for us during the race. Getting acquainted with their family was also very enjoyable. A highlight in Las Cruces was an old Spanish Plaza in Mesilla, with street vendors, small shops, and restaurants. </p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_zcIKw0VBUsr7Z9Zl3AV-ci_pvOCHABddF4rapXYU_yapWc_qzt82XBYOS4ULvaHPBvPxfbo_USwGgI1Z-eKRDFjMQOmxQF18n6zAW5P2j-ZDjkkb_h5gEubEl7eW__zQaZdZUg7FY0/s1600/P1120656_5146.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 111px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_zcIKw0VBUsr7Z9Zl3AV-ci_pvOCHABddF4rapXYU_yapWc_qzt82XBYOS4ULvaHPBvPxfbo_USwGgI1Z-eKRDFjMQOmxQF18n6zAW5P2j-ZDjkkb_h5gEubEl7eW__zQaZdZUg7FY0/s200/P1120656_5146.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570454835800037618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGyDI5-OI8w41TNYqRR2X8n2WY1rBbxF7it3YTFIozeO3B42PlEmvW_UgmSDoi4kQtKk33RkRf90UM0naiKPLNP237CQvV5uQA_XaWRwogmqTcBLhIwZj0TgWZltdOYpGvVC7eehplxk/s1600/P1120651_5141.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGyDI5-OI8w41TNYqRR2X8n2WY1rBbxF7it3YTFIozeO3B42PlEmvW_UgmSDoi4kQtKk33RkRf90UM0naiKPLNP237CQvV5uQA_XaWRwogmqTcBLhIwZj0TgWZltdOYpGvVC7eehplxk/s200/P1120651_5141.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570454828823561714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAS_XxLyKg7hGLZ4mn5NbKfkzDxMOI9hL6z3zG60JuD_x236OtwGBxb69qPJcdZR0j5jOE8a2nP6XNDLBaYA5Vm0088BoUcw_GdB-uxBeyZpT7O9OVDyZWFO39ich2O0iUbCKYMGp0RAQ/s1600/P1120625_5115.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAS_XxLyKg7hGLZ4mn5NbKfkzDxMOI9hL6z3zG60JuD_x236OtwGBxb69qPJcdZR0j5jOE8a2nP6XNDLBaYA5Vm0088BoUcw_GdB-uxBeyZpT7O9OVDyZWFO39ich2O0iUbCKYMGp0RAQ/s200/P1120625_5115.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570454826521226498" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal">New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment. Although I wouldn’t rate the race that way, our small slice of south central New Mexico lived up to its billing. It is not likely a place we would want to live, but has much to offer visitors, including lots of outdoor activity options and an enticing climate to enjoy them in with lots of sun, pleasant winters and summers that are not as hot as you might expect. So where does that leave us when it comes to<a name="_GoBack"></a> intuition? I guess I’ll continue to let women run with it!</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-G4hjxt-0sfGLOpTYHDK5T6ZzNcRSGf2EnqhnnOBV0ndvOOHfJAIXBxl2io1l0TtNC-kQV8aFw3yeKJP_U4bwBRHY2WEscz1lPzxvEfUgF8n6oM7Z7vD2yGOS9pJNmyCC1Xka0N-cQ2I/s1600/P1120636_5126.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-G4hjxt-0sfGLOpTYHDK5T6ZzNcRSGf2EnqhnnOBV0ndvOOHfJAIXBxl2io1l0TtNC-kQV8aFw3yeKJP_U4bwBRHY2WEscz1lPzxvEfUgF8n6oM7Z7vD2yGOS9pJNmyCC1Xka0N-cQ2I/s320/P1120636_5126.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570453295519919458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvPUP6jv5d5UsQIpItPzA6qheatDGCVDpRejGrCdBeHo0i_Rkzbp3l9YhUh8Si2qr9cqtM7TdRnebkTZNrvFKBJC_1hpe_1aINTRwPZtju0TucBIJIG7R9f2_LDt11FpZ8RbwFB38SlA/s1600/P1120553_5299.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvPUP6jv5d5UsQIpItPzA6qheatDGCVDpRejGrCdBeHo0i_Rkzbp3l9YhUh8Si2qr9cqtM7TdRnebkTZNrvFKBJC_1hpe_1aINTRwPZtju0TucBIJIG7R9f2_LDt11FpZ8RbwFB38SlA/s320/P1120553_5299.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570453290901876962" border="0" /></a>Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-24643225490972834182010-12-19T22:56:00.016-07:002010-12-19T23:37:54.918-07:00RUNNING BRITISH COLUMBIAN CHARM - ON 10-10-10!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWDYylDCGN04iZ-nObJASNaTiJP7jGY0efisuNUFS5jiPXR0jAhf1SWB-U_EqDFPYvq1rnyhr3KdBxcso4YCS1i0P5k5eIGGpNlIkWaPFTaOUc4l0rn5Io_LMLVUCmbDOStYN_EHMLDA/s1600/P1110213_4179.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWDYylDCGN04iZ-nObJASNaTiJP7jGY0efisuNUFS5jiPXR0jAhf1SWB-U_EqDFPYvq1rnyhr3KdBxcso4YCS1i0P5k5eIGGpNlIkWaPFTaOUc4l0rn5Io_LMLVUCmbDOStYN_EHMLDA/s320/P1110213_4179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552646650600952274" border="0" /></a>Are there places you would gladly go back to?<span style=""> </span>Places that left indelible impressions – for any number of reasons?<span style=""> </span>They may not have been the most scenic, the most historic, the most exotic or even the best bargain – but visits there were charmed – and the locations beckon back. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ws28e2boj0-Wxs1zzJImnxQwer93-LCY3q-OnRPTLchzSVL9Kwp4DLpM6Pv4YnaxDXjbnTPQgxiacoMUtjPaydrnJ7OdN1s7Ub1XjUwczUnatgSC-kUqcXohFR7hOlCdvEBtw5gatbA/s1600/P1110218_4184.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ws28e2boj0-Wxs1zzJImnxQwer93-LCY3q-OnRPTLchzSVL9Kwp4DLpM6Pv4YnaxDXjbnTPQgxiacoMUtjPaydrnJ7OdN1s7Ub1XjUwczUnatgSC-kUqcXohFR7hOlCdvEBtw5gatbA/s200/P1110218_4184.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552646298528153234" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;" ><span style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUUXE3j15Ty6Rx4lyMbYlMDADhAZ5W9N8M8ZgUk6JUEw7qfBwOP49lxsQ2XUKg_pA4KQg_DOo9eth7znhEy_6nESlq92HMN09iQrM384gZHcKDY1OfsfEfkgC_9Bcgu-wpQmO-f3AA2w/s1600/P1110107_4286.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUUXE3j15Ty6Rx4lyMbYlMDADhAZ5W9N8M8ZgUk6JUEw7qfBwOP49lxsQ2XUKg_pA4KQg_DOo9eth7znhEy_6nESlq92HMN09iQrM384gZHcKDY1OfsfEfkgC_9Bcgu-wpQmO-f3AA2w/s200/P1110107_4286.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552646294394122978" border="0" /></a> </span>There are many locations I would gladly go back to – and one of those got a return trip in early October as Karen and I ran the Royal Victoria Half-Marathon on </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;" >Vancouver Island</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;" >, </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;" >British Columbia</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;" >.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;" > </span></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRyBfQkeuozPaRl3FHKlcxGSQ_fnTLXxyxors0Air8CILj7J6Vg5N8xNs9iwjhOtKEHQDbm8YDA4cNh0JVrINRIaeVukUq8Y1iQvXEm3Sjllk2uD3SzyU7jZ6OP7V4xVPFZHEypu0RbE/s1600/P1110204_4170.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 108px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRyBfQkeuozPaRl3FHKlcxGSQ_fnTLXxyxors0Air8CILj7J6Vg5N8xNs9iwjhOtKEHQDbm8YDA4cNh0JVrINRIaeVukUq8Y1iQvXEm3Sjllk2uD3SzyU7jZ6OP7V4xVPFZHEypu0RbE/s200/P1110204_4170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552644961717722434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHOSjvrd3luk-Kfm2uhtw4lV9osuaiE1oXWU7BIoHGvCeIS6yx4LjKjBvPTbQuB8q_qrPdfHVifZ6hCVwifYTEG2Ogm-430p-ZU23Jcfrhi7z3m8RZkNke0VEgG8AxMdH3ejrjhAKEVg/s1600/P1110118_4297.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 105px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHOSjvrd3luk-Kfm2uhtw4lV9osuaiE1oXWU7BIoHGvCeIS6yx4LjKjBvPTbQuB8q_qrPdfHVifZ6hCVwifYTEG2Ogm-430p-ZU23Jcfrhi7z3m8RZkNke0VEgG8AxMdH3ejrjhAKEVg/s200/P1110118_4297.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552644962070929890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOSWdvDCMoGZtQcMxP8k53SgG_n3jHhcbkXzMB_ICqa8x47GW78bDMPehyLeARbXHcZSsxCLZFbDXNEpHc33H_45yaQR9zlHD-YIUwYm6XoVCdftSBtB35e8BZOW3qK8v0OxL79tb7PM/s1600/P1110189_4368.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 106px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOSWdvDCMoGZtQcMxP8k53SgG_n3jHhcbkXzMB_ICqa8x47GW78bDMPehyLeARbXHcZSsxCLZFbDXNEpHc33H_45yaQR9zlHD-YIUwYm6XoVCdftSBtB35e8BZOW3qK8v0OxL79tb7PM/s200/P1110189_4368.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552644959085415682" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;" >As races go, this wasn’t the most scenic – although certainly pretty with a start in the stately, English heart of the city and with a route that traversed Victoria’s harbor, the island’s coastline with the imposing Olympic Range across the Strait of Juan de Fuca and that passed through the Beacon Hill Park with its gorgeous flowers and gardens – even in October.<span style=""> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCn7m35iYiUoqGVX_SIaGNE6caNj_F8AWVR0OX2-JbpOzPbw9nr3Swg-hCxYqbBsPaEB-aAjPwfo-NgkClk34yOHm0JGwPbaLrr0nnH26Plc2VxPE_sOXLgRT42Nu8uDNMBeqRFMVqDN0/s1600/P1110042_4420.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCn7m35iYiUoqGVX_SIaGNE6caNj_F8AWVR0OX2-JbpOzPbw9nr3Swg-hCxYqbBsPaEB-aAjPwfo-NgkClk34yOHm0JGwPbaLrr0nnH26Plc2VxPE_sOXLgRT42Nu8uDNMBeqRFMVqDN0/s200/P1110042_4420.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552645598008963330" border="0" /></a> </span>It certainly wasn’t the biggest – although with nearly 6,000 runners in the Half – it was a large race.<span style=""> </span>Nor was it the race with the best logistical support throughout (to wit, a lack of porta-potties for Karen and hydration stops that were a bit far apart initially) – although it received passable grades.<span style=""> </span>And it wasn’t even my fastest race – although my time was among the top five in the “Karen Era”.<span style=""> </span>But the combination of everything it had to offer and the charm of BC’s Provincial Capitol were not lost upon us – and our return trip was an excellent one – indeed one that would beckon us yet again.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6w4i-jCZVDdO89O2mg8oulkgKQc1cuPQrmrEtblYikOuRt9MzorqYu_nBpeaZ1kdvdAc5laeYaYR1OSFu8lZjgQa9QvC187yglIHWK_JEwOsE0HPgMaS2F-QUp8WvSO1vyw0ucwRh7I/s1600/P1110288_4149.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6w4i-jCZVDdO89O2mg8oulkgKQc1cuPQrmrEtblYikOuRt9MzorqYu_nBpeaZ1kdvdAc5laeYaYR1OSFu8lZjgQa9QvC187yglIHWK_JEwOsE0HPgMaS2F-QUp8WvSO1vyw0ucwRh7I/s200/P1110288_4149.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552644111395758338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-lDEL2B7dY7IaHBV8sty_lQ0OcmTgSoIWib2xxC2YD8-T3K_-vpi1yBm4xuiW8TzNxs3KzmD4jdJTxGp2Vv3brxdsxkjTW7oypFQvmd0781s5-Aa7Lev_xMG-7kHI9H2u0kKxQteGIU/s1600/P1110006_4384.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-lDEL2B7dY7IaHBV8sty_lQ0OcmTgSoIWib2xxC2YD8-T3K_-vpi1yBm4xuiW8TzNxs3KzmD4jdJTxGp2Vv3brxdsxkjTW7oypFQvmd0781s5-Aa7Lev_xMG-7kHI9H2u0kKxQteGIU/s200/P1110006_4384.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552644109977100530" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;" >The ferry crossing from </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;" >Tsawassen</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;" > </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;" >BC</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;" > to the island set the stage, with the beautiful and green mountainous islands charting our course.<span style=""> </span>Once on </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;" >Vancouver Island</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;" >, our visit extended to no more than its southernmost 15-20 miles, with pastoral landscapes of forested hills, verdant fields – including some that were totally orange with an immense harvest of pumpkins still afield – charming coastal villages, and old English charm in the center of </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;" >Victoria</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;" >.<span style=""> </span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9Posui1QZOlHu_kkuE2HsYAq07B3Nmge5bFFeYXuu9rd1UP_6nhzkPQ8I5ow6grRjgzl__mw5aPugiOk6nrqqh43lJYDX1ywl_k8jUZ2YoT8iTh4TLKuRPPQMaiv1orw2mdggDH-5RY/s1600/P1110037_4415.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9Posui1QZOlHu_kkuE2HsYAq07B3Nmge5bFFeYXuu9rd1UP_6nhzkPQ8I5ow6grRjgzl__mw5aPugiOk6nrqqh43lJYDX1ywl_k8jUZ2YoT8iTh4TLKuRPPQMaiv1orw2mdggDH-5RY/s200/P1110037_4415.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552643429420804082" border="0" /></a> We enjoyed visits to Provincial Parks, regional parks atop mountains overlooking the island, the Royal BC Museum – which was most impressive with its collection of natural history and native peoples exhibits, an old English residence most resembling a castle, parks and gardens, a seaside fishing village with a renowned collection of independent booksellers, and unspoiled coastline with an charming Inn whose culinary offerings were exclusively those of the Island.<span style=""><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFh2xCRWqCpyXtty4QN44imJJTzgyDgedCKJ3okbgBrMDkxoplaN8GZELeg63bFoSB7ShR-WuNStmFxyRYq5WIh_c601FZbJzI-HygdYxTas9xzc5TJCT4SFK2S5pZmYVCbyNfoApdSrw/s1600/P1110125_4304.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFh2xCRWqCpyXtty4QN44imJJTzgyDgedCKJ3okbgBrMDkxoplaN8GZELeg63bFoSB7ShR-WuNStmFxyRYq5WIh_c601FZbJzI-HygdYxTas9xzc5TJCT4SFK2S5pZmYVCbyNfoApdSrw/s200/P1110125_4304.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552642686373608274" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKylzDh8GFgT3qFofqccVev62QFU15cXTDwr5dBSkrCjz7S2TRULW2UlBIXSfSglNzBXRZZ9AikZmKHm-736GVp867ga00hRPwh4P0tSHz_mNZ3o2l2YyPaFkYUdJnW3BTdBDdAD_6_I/s1600/P1110172_4351.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKylzDh8GFgT3qFofqccVev62QFU15cXTDwr5dBSkrCjz7S2TRULW2UlBIXSfSglNzBXRZZ9AikZmKHm-736GVp867ga00hRPwh4P0tSHz_mNZ3o2l2YyPaFkYUdJnW3BTdBDdAD_6_I/s200/P1110172_4351.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552642686205131106" border="0" /></a><br /></span>Despite the British aura of the area, even the food was good!<span style=""> </span>And we were able to share part of the visit with Karen’s best friend, Teresa, who joined us with her husband and boys the day before the race and made sure Rachel was in good hands during the race.<span style=""> </span>All in all, a most satisfying trip – to a destination we would highly recommend.</span></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBE2duf02DLUOZHDcwtZ2vaHRbTXmX5m9kHmXggn917lR8ZKBEO6dh2VGqj2bX51lDmd-4YkypeT4ImcHSeUDfvfnf02HrdPRSyxVd7i4P_T34UjHzevFj8iU8vK4v9CfJFU0lRRR__XI/s1600/P1110156_4335.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 102px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBE2duf02DLUOZHDcwtZ2vaHRbTXmX5m9kHmXggn917lR8ZKBEO6dh2VGqj2bX51lDmd-4YkypeT4ImcHSeUDfvfnf02HrdPRSyxVd7i4P_T34UjHzevFj8iU8vK4v9CfJFU0lRRR__XI/s200/P1110156_4335.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552641623831316498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-T0E_FG1pz1w26WGeu7ZfJQs8hz_jlCsBya5XuAJ8NlEVWOS_5Exlo9Vpf5hTDOenaWwFk_xfJfumShPbFP4JB59nlYLikgYXFQDadi-cEvlGSgHF-DI79MMpGFdqQ3H2t1ry_tCj44/s1600/P1110048_4426.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 138px; height: 103px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-T0E_FG1pz1w26WGeu7ZfJQs8hz_jlCsBya5XuAJ8NlEVWOS_5Exlo9Vpf5hTDOenaWwFk_xfJfumShPbFP4JB59nlYLikgYXFQDadi-cEvlGSgHF-DI79MMpGFdqQ3H2t1ry_tCj44/s200/P1110048_4426.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552641621288167730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_e7Zq5DOhovmrMrCjZqtDonVBxDyG-Uoo9weFEY1CU7Z-uM-H3Ev4qWM4VeKOP2izIJv9iX1B7jeuwoqxRCVmiQT3abKVG8vTQOausiUk6IypDWtDSqUgCmMK0j1TZL7QzPjrATjUrg/s1600/P1110105_4284.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_e7Zq5DOhovmrMrCjZqtDonVBxDyG-Uoo9weFEY1CU7Z-uM-H3Ev4qWM4VeKOP2izIJv9iX1B7jeuwoqxRCVmiQT3abKVG8vTQOausiUk6IypDWtDSqUgCmMK0j1TZL7QzPjrATjUrg/s200/P1110105_4284.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552641620236828994" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;" > </span></p> <span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;" >A trip such as this serves as a good reminder that any race is much more than a start and a finish.<span style=""> </span>The route and everything along the way – indeed the journey – is what makes a race memorable.<span style=""> </span>I know there have been races where I have been so focused that I have missed much of what a course had to offer.<span style=""> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb32gVW4z4thUhH7DPnIsc9cj7_UYSc9VKJ-USDb3FgB2XUrhW5cY4Te1uKKI7wb95146osVMai3J3OJTyUowww_rA_cqSlIFCX7FxxKeM75yz6dAlge2mVtPTaEeoqLff4dRNyJF0B7g/s1600/P1110108_4287.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb32gVW4z4thUhH7DPnIsc9cj7_UYSc9VKJ-USDb3FgB2XUrhW5cY4Te1uKKI7wb95146osVMai3J3OJTyUowww_rA_cqSlIFCX7FxxKeM75yz6dAlge2mVtPTaEeoqLff4dRNyJF0B7g/s200/P1110108_4287.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552640510326263618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDiVexn_Kl_K-kHGsv1uBp4ptAHjCm0KSwAE18R0bpJ4UWPwZNWVHgIS47KAjsVXoX5a1OwfsmHQzWB_Nv6dPU4cTbOu3t7iHAB3hRJOlkXGzMxJ3vZAVt7L53zy3JRnMBTzgZjd0Rls/s1600/P1110237_4203.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDiVexn_Kl_K-kHGsv1uBp4ptAHjCm0KSwAE18R0bpJ4UWPwZNWVHgIS47KAjsVXoX5a1OwfsmHQzWB_Nv6dPU4cTbOu3t7iHAB3hRJOlkXGzMxJ3vZAVt7L53zy3JRnMBTzgZjd0Rls/s200/P1110237_4203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552640510229809634" border="0" /></a> </span>There have also been races where what has been offered along the route was what made the race what it was – and in some cases most successful – even when viewed from the finish time.<span style=""> </span>No doubt, the analogy with life is most appropriate.<span style=""> </span>It is more than a quest to reach the destination – it is all about the Journey.<span style=""> </span></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;" >Victoria</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;" > helped us appreciate that again.<span style=""> </span>Take time to smell the roses and, while you are at it, notice the color.<span style=""> </span>You may be surprised.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwL7bRIKNUaSjNREd39tsc-OFsfy0lQeo5yWRiwges2R00yO7myJKa_ZfY1M3ZddXksnMedHEsCGg39jYXTSY7LO_3ohlE0kd37htlbX1sGQpB7j-th1uDayphwaFoWYQd6Ach9ozrrg/s1600/P1110207_4173.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwL7bRIKNUaSjNREd39tsc-OFsfy0lQeo5yWRiwges2R00yO7myJKa_ZfY1M3ZddXksnMedHEsCGg39jYXTSY7LO_3ohlE0kd37htlbX1sGQpB7j-th1uDayphwaFoWYQd6Ach9ozrrg/s320/P1110207_4173.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552639857447370626" border="0" /></a>Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-29762367164084814522010-10-31T17:50:00.017-06:002010-10-31T23:30:16.083-06:00EXPANDING THE HORIZON: RUNNING THE MAPLE LEAF<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyT7Wt13qxC449Vi5rihpqHXYyjpwrZTadcpz2_ihzQTJeWx92O4eSauwhw0ItevwvUFI-alTu5wb1y0bHQilmySLCYRu5EaOGf2h0i1bf-0ACNQPLkO4cI4DVFf17OxzE7oslPA4QzQ/s1600/P1100872_3501.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyT7Wt13qxC449Vi5rihpqHXYyjpwrZTadcpz2_ihzQTJeWx92O4eSauwhw0ItevwvUFI-alTu5wb1y0bHQilmySLCYRu5EaOGf2h0i1bf-0ACNQPLkO4cI4DVFf17OxzE7oslPA4QzQ/s320/P1100872_3501.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534446432358212802" border="0" /></a>With 43 States and the District of Columbia checked off – and looking at a fairly light race schedule next year – it appeared there might be a need to add a new dimension to our running goal.<span style=""> </span>The Continents appeared overly ambitious (though not out of the question) – but our northern neighbor looked not only quite possible, but downright inviting.<span style=""> </span>So after some deliberation, but little fanfare, Canada’s ten Provinces were added to the goal – with its major metropolitan area being the first target.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fEwDepHDLf1R7s2JnoOw7hOxjmD9QUIPlta3iWxRvwGByatxry9EiWjB4WuA2KTL_k6rhh1EjUw5Q-oRM_oDifDyRNUp-AgSgiLGJBaybEenn8E5dI_UWj4L3gSqa1wQSp-7zvf6t38/s1600/P1100858_3487.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fEwDepHDLf1R7s2JnoOw7hOxjmD9QUIPlta3iWxRvwGByatxry9EiWjB4WuA2KTL_k6rhh1EjUw5Q-oRM_oDifDyRNUp-AgSgiLGJBaybEenn8E5dI_UWj4L3gSqa1wQSp-7zvf6t38/s200/P1100858_3487.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534446244532700834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0J2uUpgbE6g7hNScwHNLNS9X5wzXtw2ZihKbjXmNV_tTyhQrmo9QeAl8Ykk06QeCZ-jYigDvDHSDe4MYehOhH_AMOAhW_ili3f0tDHAOHMeS0vb_9ELHQma_E1qFVhu0hfaigtilynIQ/s1600/P1100768_3560.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0J2uUpgbE6g7hNScwHNLNS9X5wzXtw2ZihKbjXmNV_tTyhQrmo9QeAl8Ykk06QeCZ-jYigDvDHSDe4MYehOhH_AMOAhW_ili3f0tDHAOHMeS0vb_9ELHQma_E1qFVhu0hfaigtilynIQ/s200/P1100768_3560.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534446241132036610" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal">Toronto proved to be a wonderful – and surprising destination.<span style=""> </span>I had always known that it was a big city, but hadn’t realized it was a HUGE city with over two-and-a-half million residents and well over 5 million in the metro area – constituting the 5<sup>th</sup> largest metro area in North America.<span style=""> </span>As such, it had everything a big city offers – to include traffic!<span style=""> </span>We enjoyed a Major League baseball game in the Rogers Center with the Blue Jays hosting the Orioles;<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_22Ep0itofrr9_5jBy-KmtI3P1a4yzlDfntkjgaYkR0n43m0KX_l3TV8W54dUYA2GxfJKifJOKzShuu3YqEGmB6ccH8bwMKtzRTa2Oi5m6olH6vkHB39lugtjOoUyJq1qbQmZVcpJzM/s1600/P1100743_3666.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 94px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_22Ep0itofrr9_5jBy-KmtI3P1a4yzlDfntkjgaYkR0n43m0KX_l3TV8W54dUYA2GxfJKifJOKzShuu3YqEGmB6ccH8bwMKtzRTa2Oi5m6olH6vkHB39lugtjOoUyJq1qbQmZVcpJzM/s200/P1100743_3666.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534445978777939346" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOo8bvyx9AszdnV3ApaYt2Db8VIgnSlBmtE5_z1l6TjQNimdPWkrrb_s_kqlKWBW0PUOhfS2lt-oAVJZaVu3LkLJoyNIb03jR8hcVLy5oEAvgN0k39nSad2lmGDcEjJw4-G5CRFCliNY/s1600/P1100728_3651.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 112px; height: 85px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOo8bvyx9AszdnV3ApaYt2Db8VIgnSlBmtE5_z1l6TjQNimdPWkrrb_s_kqlKWBW0PUOhfS2lt-oAVJZaVu3LkLJoyNIb03jR8hcVLy5oEAvgN0k39nSad2lmGDcEjJw4-G5CRFCliNY/s200/P1100728_3651.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534445964232799506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPZnPq_KjwqdAT2631Lb3sDAzkP-JmwfvkntGfdp04uriiHbqHCG2WnvmosUXNdY9gz1WFhvC_xZ4MidGDrei-C1ewSz_pz2bNNvs_eySjw6uXDOjh3P9v07gLxgN0OjTCs8tpJI3i-E/s1600/P1100861_3490.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 117px; height: 87px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPZnPq_KjwqdAT2631Lb3sDAzkP-JmwfvkntGfdp04uriiHbqHCG2WnvmosUXNdY9gz1WFhvC_xZ4MidGDrei-C1ewSz_pz2bNNvs_eySjw6uXDOjh3P9v07gLxgN0OjTCs8tpJI3i-E/s200/P1100861_3490.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534445967241209122" border="0" /></a><br />we drove through many distinct neighborhoods with personalities of their own; we visited one of the largest Chinatowns in North America and enjoyed Chinese cuisine; we spent time on a beautiful waterfront (Lake Ontario) and the ferry to a delightful island in the Lake; we traversed two VERY “high-rent” neighborhoods and were duly impressed;<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hEAN4NZB-ZuWfj5aWeog03UV0EbQnoV9-NHWoPdw5-Dtx62QEY7IbLKSCslTay5qdoL6rxt2igGBMTpyxekamT7JyfKSc5B-RzmiyU8dMwSZOBbq6QBKuprLLkAKUWDA9Sp07BgAgGI/s1600/P1100881_3510.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 118px; height: 90px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hEAN4NZB-ZuWfj5aWeog03UV0EbQnoV9-NHWoPdw5-Dtx62QEY7IbLKSCslTay5qdoL6rxt2igGBMTpyxekamT7JyfKSc5B-RzmiyU8dMwSZOBbq6QBKuprLLkAKUWDA9Sp07BgAgGI/s200/P1100881_3510.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534445452786036434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJ1taftSHSJBbenmGGNQ4Uw7E1U2XJa-yWVGvKTpvXjYWiRBS64Ko8ZEXVaGNKOzqCr84Neh5X-BmqIqVe7wx7HKxxI4LPq7Z0Qi35D1u8uuPjW2Uv537_76KZXSJcQzmAhEBstwCoPM/s1600/P1100738_3661.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 87px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJ1taftSHSJBbenmGGNQ4Uw7E1U2XJa-yWVGvKTpvXjYWiRBS64Ko8ZEXVaGNKOzqCr84Neh5X-BmqIqVe7wx7HKxxI4LPq7Z0Qi35D1u8uuPjW2Uv537_76KZXSJcQzmAhEBstwCoPM/s200/P1100738_3661.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534445446209287010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqhl5UPOBZ2BkGMesZOQwAo6csTSwYVYLiAB9tUZU-ExfmyCLHck96SW5ee1sKDJm0K7x5ViWtz4qRg2Ov_Pw6qd9K9jDQshatVy-j_0o9Wx85QLLXZjcmzF_zOzuXsk-zMYGSvFP1FM/s1600/P1100757_3549.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 89px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqhl5UPOBZ2BkGMesZOQwAo6csTSwYVYLiAB9tUZU-ExfmyCLHck96SW5ee1sKDJm0K7x5ViWtz4qRg2Ov_Pw6qd9K9jDQshatVy-j_0o9Wx85QLLXZjcmzF_zOzuXsk-zMYGSvFP1FM/s200/P1100757_3549.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534445442527882290" border="0" /></a><br />we visit the St. Lawrence market – where you could buy just about anything and everything; and we strolled through the city enjoying shops, stately government buildings – to include the Provincial Capitol, and the trappings of a very cosmopolitan and international city.<span style=""> </span>Oh….and by the way – we also ran a half-marathon!<br /></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYTDEQd24MWTRZC_GInpiffafBDFeTV7-vv0AGx9hUITgIOXXrZwvpCOCAGBo047Pn_mf1Gq0lf8vRm-VCaG3zzM8QaygrfiaiiAE9_O2mtmxd0QjwZZaQvUUIbQMTFj9WALRS6RIbuM/s1600/P1100846_3475.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYTDEQd24MWTRZC_GInpiffafBDFeTV7-vv0AGx9hUITgIOXXrZwvpCOCAGBo047Pn_mf1Gq0lf8vRm-VCaG3zzM8QaygrfiaiiAE9_O2mtmxd0QjwZZaQvUUIbQMTFj9WALRS6RIbuM/s200/P1100846_3475.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534368556190048130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnHj_CumEujtZeiiwa-H52StvdfGgekXHQ7s5cwNXdRjcfrnZm0GUfS4GFORjILSyR6112Kmkn8urgNbFAQMrfb9XmIczUvzzUyKPpsJG73X3q7KAANMUdC6NRiyggrr8EnllaKgavc4/s1600/P1100770_3562.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnHj_CumEujtZeiiwa-H52StvdfGgekXHQ7s5cwNXdRjcfrnZm0GUfS4GFORjILSyR6112Kmkn8urgNbFAQMrfb9XmIczUvzzUyKPpsJG73X3q7KAANMUdC6NRiyggrr8EnllaKgavc4/s200/P1100770_3562.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534368555280890242" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal">As races go, it was a big one and a good one.<span style=""> </span>There were over 20,000 runners in the various races, including about 8,000 in the half.<span style=""> </span>Race logistics were good, the course was flat and fast, and featured both waterfront and the city center.<span style=""> </span>I had my best time since my hamstring issues in South Dakota – so was grateful to be able to really run again.<span style=""> </span>The post race food wasn’t the greatest, but the finisher’s medal was nice and, overall, it was a great start to Canada’s Provinces.<br /></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylo_-puOT6MySHZ_C7K2r39YZXzS38FiW2Cl3VchCykIQ-kgDEO3qmIWPJCM-u78WOdM7kcuWTWsDtlHEGK-h4rOUeP6g2RaoABHTQkY5H7KJTaBcWJR_SaFxFej0-k4MIx2mL2Qz-pc/s1600/P1100854_3483.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 158px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylo_-puOT6MySHZ_C7K2r39YZXzS38FiW2Cl3VchCykIQ-kgDEO3qmIWPJCM-u78WOdM7kcuWTWsDtlHEGK-h4rOUeP6g2RaoABHTQkY5H7KJTaBcWJR_SaFxFej0-k4MIx2mL2Qz-pc/s200/P1100854_3483.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534368270400453442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHFJ3hUhQQ5GvIwyG_Uoaj5sZHaCWeVY9aNQAON_F28fVVUqz1dmIHR2vf28uMheX6VPkwbZkA2x0bqMQ5tI-DnhygCtYWAr3jsbDD40Q2XcXPCl6UeYduNlUXcM7Tt0rOKNDENuut_0/s1600/P1100805_3597.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHFJ3hUhQQ5GvIwyG_Uoaj5sZHaCWeVY9aNQAON_F28fVVUqz1dmIHR2vf28uMheX6VPkwbZkA2x0bqMQ5tI-DnhygCtYWAr3jsbDD40Q2XcXPCl6UeYduNlUXcM7Tt0rOKNDENuut_0/s200/P1100805_3597.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534368266022742706" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal">Part of the trip also included a morning in Buffalo and a night-time visit to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls.<span style=""> </span>Buffalo’s downtown had some impressive buildings and views and a similarly pretty waterfront along Lake Erie.<span style=""><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qX_Uw1v2Ivdo8Q-nnv4biVSO7bumyzck5PM4zCqfLHksozRomTTgTusaD0TfY1CP-0tC8SfGOfF269FjADjcSZ0Qv8eB4JVX8Nel2759KaDBYC7vtTD54ZvOT3p8i9rmLKE_3Im7J8Y/s1600/P1100681_3604_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 169px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qX_Uw1v2Ivdo8Q-nnv4biVSO7bumyzck5PM4zCqfLHksozRomTTgTusaD0TfY1CP-0tC8SfGOfF269FjADjcSZ0Qv8eB4JVX8Nel2759KaDBYC7vtTD54ZvOT3p8i9rmLKE_3Im7J8Y/s200/P1100681_3604_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534367838936750866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4lv0OqHEekej6StpOCaF9S9sUkcHHSAk4an-rphvKd30p49WuiRVnCt29ALvVJ7ra65cq-3HFtojR8Ww1CVvyGKBtTdzdTraWX4antWCEK_SXV0-uOdZzI1adU9NwDBx_9c2g4i2sIk/s1600/P1100697_3620.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 121px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4lv0OqHEekej6StpOCaF9S9sUkcHHSAk4an-rphvKd30p49WuiRVnCt29ALvVJ7ra65cq-3HFtojR8Ww1CVvyGKBtTdzdTraWX4antWCEK_SXV0-uOdZzI1adU9NwDBx_9c2g4i2sIk/s200/P1100697_3620.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534367836132990754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfnCTJBnD45bG3qzfuuPNb28_qEDK1LJxHgT4oyl03m7YIzIi6cCOIqxBtXucl6EfcT21st2yj1zn3BZsx08cxYvd3gnoZjmhcCizxWb2LA9NunF4DXLyPUM6BiTXm414YyI-qpjR4aw/s1600/P1100715_3638.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 105px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfnCTJBnD45bG3qzfuuPNb28_qEDK1LJxHgT4oyl03m7YIzIi6cCOIqxBtXucl6EfcT21st2yj1zn3BZsx08cxYvd3gnoZjmhcCizxWb2LA9NunF4DXLyPUM6BiTXm414YyI-qpjR4aw/s200/P1100715_3638.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534367831625041010" border="0" /></a><br /></span>Niagara Falls at night is quite different than in the day – but still quite a sight with colored illumination and the mists.<span style=""> </span>However, we felt like we were driving down the Strip when we entered the Canadian city of Niagara Falls!<span style=""> </span>Lights, glitz and excess – they had it all!<span style=""><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOFk-2YYpyZvkumFg-w1vdBDAcqJvsqOFkk1Q5E7LG4Kl5q33wey_aZp90yBQU1LfJTkn3h72nKhsWmbuBdSP9_zgHutJJv2NKF4vcjPjtc9g_aNV_76OvnwplPITJ7aYiFihGVPaFB0/s1600/P1100889_3518.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 96px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOFk-2YYpyZvkumFg-w1vdBDAcqJvsqOFkk1Q5E7LG4Kl5q33wey_aZp90yBQU1LfJTkn3h72nKhsWmbuBdSP9_zgHutJJv2NKF4vcjPjtc9g_aNV_76OvnwplPITJ7aYiFihGVPaFB0/s200/P1100889_3518.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534367304312593810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEiSLjCSjcVTG-x8aIKYJsZdEHLwdP6NOmEFoZXXM2dWmEb2GYBcUZQDUgtfY2tI89atI0UTtAbLk5pUDj3gaDlX7gs0V7syG-QYEFIAa5R9uGgKr7jl8Dsyv4G16hh4OCrU24qxnMlg/s1600/P1100883_3512.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEiSLjCSjcVTG-x8aIKYJsZdEHLwdP6NOmEFoZXXM2dWmEb2GYBcUZQDUgtfY2tI89atI0UTtAbLk5pUDj3gaDlX7gs0V7syG-QYEFIAa5R9uGgKr7jl8Dsyv4G16hh4OCrU24qxnMlg/s200/P1100883_3512.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534367298140925010" border="0" /></a><br /></span>And to make the night complete – after our visit the US Border Control didn’t want to let us back in the US!<span style=""> </span>We were stopped at the border, ordered to place our hands on the dash and steering wheel in plain view, then escorted out of our car – by a squad of armed agents to the “facility” where we were separated and had to wait nearly an hour until they had determined that MY Karen Johnson wasn’t the Canadian criminal being sought.<span style=""> </span>Whew…..what a relief – and just when I was getting worried about those unaccounted for years!<br /></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWVtoSBIM-wndtZ7e0HVJueUz3YT8M9pBq_f6jElNBPQlNFDEx-hv1H7tdiHRziOAPISu9EOPhfdY_ZJa2lw5LRNhwZfwgLtC8beZjvaLru7OZyD2EU6axWPC4qjdr24zMEPgAgPaap8/s1600/P1100915_3544.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 119px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWVtoSBIM-wndtZ7e0HVJueUz3YT8M9pBq_f6jElNBPQlNFDEx-hv1H7tdiHRziOAPISu9EOPhfdY_ZJa2lw5LRNhwZfwgLtC8beZjvaLru7OZyD2EU6axWPC4qjdr24zMEPgAgPaap8/s200/P1100915_3544.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534366950363934466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJCoM5GtWH9FhdSD1OEPEdhSrFz4LlUqIdUf8uUl9vb3NoiyoCVjadPl4p8FY1mtig5RGOSPwVg4DM-MWvmf-NJMwnB8Zslj0-4a4_U3BgvZK63YB8VJ39NTotCSTU-uVpaCumIz3uj4/s1600/P1100909_3538.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 159px; height: 119px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJCoM5GtWH9FhdSD1OEPEdhSrFz4LlUqIdUf8uUl9vb3NoiyoCVjadPl4p8FY1mtig5RGOSPwVg4DM-MWvmf-NJMwnB8Zslj0-4a4_U3BgvZK63YB8VJ39NTotCSTU-uVpaCumIz3uj4/s200/P1100909_3538.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534366948885078002" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal">Okay – to the “thoughtful” nature of this post.<span style=""> </span>First – it’s nice to know your wife isn’t a criminal.<span style=""> </span>Beyond that, it became apparent to me during this race – as it has on occasion before – that we are creatures of habit.<span style=""> </span>We grow accustomed to certain routines and when we are taken out of those, it can impact us – often adversely.<span style=""> </span>In a “runner’s world” our habits can dictate our outlook.<span style=""> </span>We prepare for races a certain way; our pre-race night needs to follow a certain pattern; our race-morning must play out according to schedule; our pre-race “eliminations” need to happen; and during the race we expect certain things for pacing, for hydration, for breathing and for who knows how many other things.<span style=""> </span>One of those little things in Toronto was learning that the course didn’t have mile markers, but rather <i style="">kilometer</i> markings.<span style=""> </span>Suddenly, my world was upside down!<span style=""> </span>As it turns out, it’s an easy system to pace to – once you are <i style="">expecting </i>it.<span style=""> </span>There has to be a lesson there – and I think it has to do with flexibility and adjustment – and figuring out a way to not get flustered when we think we have “lost control.”<br /></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVFV69WO9x1k884BCh32ZHroDI8-DldqBf90ERF_u4KSlOvFKcxVssPNWUHVJ5AcOdCtXgj5KSwtwRiPR-0DntfbFmVzIxuBTqUVuA7IJzUInEERsjOKZZ6jpRfXbU8I4xSqXOtQ2EAw/s1600/P1100835_3464.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVFV69WO9x1k884BCh32ZHroDI8-DldqBf90ERF_u4KSlOvFKcxVssPNWUHVJ5AcOdCtXgj5KSwtwRiPR-0DntfbFmVzIxuBTqUVuA7IJzUInEERsjOKZZ6jpRfXbU8I4xSqXOtQ2EAw/s200/P1100835_3464.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534366598646765522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnLY44-UFzLCblFQgseU5mR-ZjRMO7XCFQm_Gs2zzWhhOhaJ3UX04ckZC8ndrmnM_jFCJMryjILvTxLYhcabpxpwBPYU8ffHLbKCAk3qLAksoUmQWf9gNmxZ-qiLqO6kvu8rbzbCPUPc/s1600/P1100900_3529.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnLY44-UFzLCblFQgseU5mR-ZjRMO7XCFQm_Gs2zzWhhOhaJ3UX04ckZC8ndrmnM_jFCJMryjILvTxLYhcabpxpwBPYU8ffHLbKCAk3qLAksoUmQWf9gNmxZ-qiLqO6kvu8rbzbCPUPc/s200/P1100900_3529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534366597917219570" border="0" /></a> <span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Our foray into </span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Canada</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" > was a great one.<span style=""> </span>We are looking forward to the next nine Provinces under the banner of the Maple Leaf – which just happens to be the name of </span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Toronto</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >’s National Hockey League team – the Toronto Maple Leafs.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7DgN08WbUq1TPQ6q0W27Ehf7TM8BJmWCzFROSbrcCbgY5GrFud9_FLjAQrRvJWEnn87U_JwNdDlsdWBm3-SMUur9lpxrI6fNOsj721kc4neCjDmnUQsk3RBfTNi8j7qbkJM8oGvBaSA/s1600/P1100816_3445.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7DgN08WbUq1TPQ6q0W27Ehf7TM8BJmWCzFROSbrcCbgY5GrFud9_FLjAQrRvJWEnn87U_JwNdDlsdWBm3-SMUur9lpxrI6fNOsj721kc4neCjDmnUQsk3RBfTNi8j7qbkJM8oGvBaSA/s320/P1100816_3445.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534362557910986082" border="0" /></a>Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-80996900098835283212010-10-03T17:26:00.014-06:002010-10-03T18:00:15.860-06:00RUNNING: A Team Sport? Again??<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgBuUMewdC2jnFH1_FUWbU88NZka9uYx8b7HILPsLcHdAK2TzB2rhjYajUXYnev93_ZQPkeM5RStSmADyjJhSF7LwL9e43dqruTFWEBSSQgPOan_Eh3JR2JRU4i-7haEvWRcp2bhqvw8/s1600/P1100616_3393.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgBuUMewdC2jnFH1_FUWbU88NZka9uYx8b7HILPsLcHdAK2TzB2rhjYajUXYnev93_ZQPkeM5RStSmADyjJhSF7LwL9e43dqruTFWEBSSQgPOan_Eh3JR2JRU4i-7haEvWRcp2bhqvw8/s320/P1100616_3393.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523970233907540210" border="0" /></a>Let’s start with what should be a very obvious equation: Sleep deprivation + Exhaustion = No Fun, and only if I’m compensated handsomely!<span style=""> </span>So how did the equation, in reality, look like this?<span style=""> </span>Sleep deprivation + Exhaustion + “Been There, Done That” = I will even PAY to do it again!<span style=""> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpupH-Bs8-t1zvbvXmW9-mT8ck8Fx5HZq9z83QgAjK_gomC2yyBcjP56BhvZLVqY27xftZtHuPpmXzJKl0ems7RrG39S-JjppacBhJnwb4jPFdNOk7OO80s1ijgzUBolYGppGURPXr3Q/s1600/P1100542_3405.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpupH-Bs8-t1zvbvXmW9-mT8ck8Fx5HZq9z83QgAjK_gomC2yyBcjP56BhvZLVqY27xftZtHuPpmXzJKl0ems7RrG39S-JjppacBhJnwb4jPFdNOk7OO80s1ijgzUBolYGppGURPXr3Q/s200/P1100542_3405.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523969993294450626" border="0" /></a> </span>Such was the case three weeks ago as I joined 11 other runners (all young enough to be my kids) with short memories to run the Red Rock Relay again.<span style=""> </span>Neither Karen nor I had planned to run the Red Rock this year – but when I got a call two weeks before the race from a team (The Rabid Squirrels) that included several we ran this with last year – and who had lost a runner due to injury – I wasn’t overly difficult to persuade.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlsRx01GKYzzCfU_0ro31_19CZiqnqw-_sHNvARbyn-vryrJQaJYmBmHLwX6j6w0drXDTtWG_ZQpgkThGxk9aVmcXMD5m54KDEGDBaRnEKE9EEqxgss4EJLjrwpR3ym2_-ubI3OqM4FU/s1600/P1100584_3361.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlsRx01GKYzzCfU_0ro31_19CZiqnqw-_sHNvARbyn-vryrJQaJYmBmHLwX6j6w0drXDTtWG_ZQpgkThGxk9aVmcXMD5m54KDEGDBaRnEKE9EEqxgss4EJLjrwpR3ym2_-ubI3OqM4FU/s200/P1100584_3361.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523969274367300434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8l2G-es1LtuN9i0DfsKY14w2p21pmqTDIglvcmd__iJplPVxIkTN6m9tGVV4zlz9heYRY_XuLj9K-x3iKNrPgkPJKB4PiVKpltu9Nv91UFzqMLJCwLDWAp6llcPsfU1Dp7iCT9u-icM/s1600/P1100593_3370.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8l2G-es1LtuN9i0DfsKY14w2p21pmqTDIglvcmd__iJplPVxIkTN6m9tGVV4zlz9heYRY_XuLj9K-x3iKNrPgkPJKB4PiVKpltu9Nv91UFzqMLJCwLDWAp6llcPsfU1Dp7iCT9u-icM/s200/P1100593_3370.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523969268266909394" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal">As was the case last year, the relay was a 24-hour, 186-mile long run, starting at Brian Head ski resort.<span style=""> </span>However, much of the course was changed from last year.<span style=""> </span>It stayed in the high country south and east of Brian Head much longer.<span style=""> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkXaxoCnGkwD2OTQGEvgOmIqWymwmv6ak5Y6IXnYiR_9JwABek2DMeouTFvN6FgQp-RSrm2aYaRBfV-OYKLw3MgMPzqOyUh0X05MMesjdab1CZQl6T3BCI7jLgWNN9dGAhsMSHPrBwfU/s1600/P1100569_3432.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 116px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkXaxoCnGkwD2OTQGEvgOmIqWymwmv6ak5Y6IXnYiR_9JwABek2DMeouTFvN6FgQp-RSrm2aYaRBfV-OYKLw3MgMPzqOyUh0X05MMesjdab1CZQl6T3BCI7jLgWNN9dGAhsMSHPrBwfU/s200/P1100569_3432.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523968646169765650" border="0" /></a> </span>That is where our van (#2, which included 3 people we ran with last year) started, at nearly 10,000’.<span style=""> </span>We went down Cedar Canyon to Cedar City, west across the desert to Enterprise, south through the Bull Mountains and Snow Canyon (in the dark, unfortunately) to St. George, and then east to Springdale where it ended against the spectacular canyon walls of the entrance to Zion National Park.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYvfUSdKRBr5_76P6nU4CTldsJWKSpn63i1BzOx44rmK_Sc1dEYVpY3QAIzE_iThRSCG0DvXmpNBsSFXvDS6UZXED_GNydnGoZ9qH-rKUrh-f6PXXLIn83OuGeBADKkeG6ljRxouI6MU/s1600/P1100557_3420.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 135px; height: 103px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYvfUSdKRBr5_76P6nU4CTldsJWKSpn63i1BzOx44rmK_Sc1dEYVpY3QAIzE_iThRSCG0DvXmpNBsSFXvDS6UZXED_GNydnGoZ9qH-rKUrh-f6PXXLIn83OuGeBADKkeG6ljRxouI6MU/s200/P1100557_3420.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523968038726108258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8H5u0bBoVFGZc-seoFzu6wRGt2fiRfq76hmDd2B6QjJqM4y1LjSKHpVTirvH7ZrmM7b3mpaSB9ifLGZ7HZchQC_0VtBpG6QK4FY7AG6BOfyDmk2JSJgmb2680xUOfjIR8WrgNwebZzqE/s1600/P1100612_3389.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 142px; height: 107px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8H5u0bBoVFGZc-seoFzu6wRGt2fiRfq76hmDd2B6QjJqM4y1LjSKHpVTirvH7ZrmM7b3mpaSB9ifLGZ7HZchQC_0VtBpG6QK4FY7AG6BOfyDmk2JSJgmb2680xUOfjIR8WrgNwebZzqE/s200/P1100612_3389.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523968031701080306" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">By the end of my third leg on Saturday morning, with it getting very warm, and after an unexpected steep trail section and over 17 miles – I was glad to be finished.<span style=""> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPD5CeInmi5eiDFMiXF_hgXYMZ8Br_5SrrXcjVzr6wqlkKaZXXSEnr8XDRyWjwYwDVKBOGM6vBxgiucNSG5ULLot9FxEbk5j8P-n3UlUYWQcic0NwZ2-tb94azylCG_jtDj6_zVv7jgI/s1600/P1100597_3374.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 155px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPD5CeInmi5eiDFMiXF_hgXYMZ8Br_5SrrXcjVzr6wqlkKaZXXSEnr8XDRyWjwYwDVKBOGM6vBxgiucNSG5ULLot9FxEbk5j8P-n3UlUYWQcic0NwZ2-tb94azylCG_jtDj6_zVv7jgI/s200/P1100597_3374.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523969527173020194" border="0" /></a> </span>However, I suspect I could be “persuaded” to do it again.<span style=""> </span>There is something about the camaraderie, the format, and the challenge that breeds excitement and, ultimately satisfaction.<span style=""> </span>I’m not certain my sentiments would have been the same, had you asked me during my second leg at 2:30 Saturday morning, after already running hills for over half an hour – but the adrenaline is real and with only 2-3 hours of intermittent sleep – all of us were ready for the final leg.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Luckily, after a great Mexican meal, I got a nap and then met Karen in St. George, who had agreed to come down with me – spending a day-and-a-half with Emily and the boys while I ran.<span style=""> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENzHFAXv4NOBiErAc88QiKfejDNhlAtK-DqRt9T7J6EX2IZECXnGaQEpHEdSvcRHb1SrQc4kCS0Zk7j1eds3jSRQdIKNV3cF7R7juRnREyl1-w13V68bdyitADkocOX-iCIb6xP954CA/s1600/P1100630_3349.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENzHFAXv4NOBiErAc88QiKfejDNhlAtK-DqRt9T7J6EX2IZECXnGaQEpHEdSvcRHb1SrQc4kCS0Zk7j1eds3jSRQdIKNV3cF7R7juRnREyl1-w13V68bdyitADkocOX-iCIb6xP954CA/s200/P1100630_3349.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523971447454278418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_FDB_v7sdjX6jfRpWXT-fKvoeyEmENsCModRnawcTIPGN_MtWs-pEEAtWA5yuOq0rCY8weKERqLjPtyn2Q6xAroRB4w5yUVw6zM1z_nDhLUvmTwxbswb9r90swwszzNPnJXOXpGTlHA/s1600/P1100628_3347.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_FDB_v7sdjX6jfRpWXT-fKvoeyEmENsCModRnawcTIPGN_MtWs-pEEAtWA5yuOq0rCY8weKERqLjPtyn2Q6xAroRB4w5yUVw6zM1z_nDhLUvmTwxbswb9r90swwszzNPnJXOXpGTlHA/s200/P1100628_3347.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523971442020505522" border="0" /></a> </span>We enjoyed a production of Gershwin’s Crazy for You at Tuacahn that night (I even stayed awake).<span style=""> </span>On Sunday we met Emily and the boys at Valley of Fire, where we had lunch and got Rachel back before heading home.<span style=""> </span>Notwithstanding 17 miles and little sleep, it was another great weekend.<br /></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3x38mnr9sMLBZRN5i7bDaJBVnSkcPGub9ENlzgKHqe6UdJZRwo58Q4ySRwVQbqF5nJx6gvn0EXdTSXkttbeVRyYVcZkFLalFkAAGaTrXXQ8WC0cHfo3kRtqx2Ib3mAm-os4YHDZuxEg/s1600/P1100559_3422.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 117px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3x38mnr9sMLBZRN5i7bDaJBVnSkcPGub9ENlzgKHqe6UdJZRwo58Q4ySRwVQbqF5nJx6gvn0EXdTSXkttbeVRyYVcZkFLalFkAAGaTrXXQ8WC0cHfo3kRtqx2Ib3mAm-os4YHDZuxEg/s200/P1100559_3422.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523967177832029842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnh-NayjzNqt8PAQzJ3GzQR-2lDKTBseYSG35TKJsu_blbh4mgCn91UFkhgFSbnk9UmXkJDTeFZYMS7A_vvTaMGtdLb0lrFeBklYEMw-8zdSt1zDDF7MmmAillCq_dEqlYf3SOrabJfc/s1600/P1100591_3368.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnh-NayjzNqt8PAQzJ3GzQR-2lDKTBseYSG35TKJsu_blbh4mgCn91UFkhgFSbnk9UmXkJDTeFZYMS7A_vvTaMGtdLb0lrFeBklYEMw-8zdSt1zDDF7MmmAillCq_dEqlYf3SOrabJfc/s200/P1100591_3368.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523967174182858082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTTRZipqwlu-hamMX-09o5zzNNe3m3krdhpL62l6uDyBkGShQNvROnalYUOX9ljShzNm3QQ3Bhd1ufZPImrNHyHfhBIcpnAXcV2J617IxTa7hZCM1vbeJFk2FxdRJUMYJy7Y2UZV3g5M/s1600/P1100601_3378.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 119px; height: 157px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTTRZipqwlu-hamMX-09o5zzNNe3m3krdhpL62l6uDyBkGShQNvROnalYUOX9ljShzNm3QQ3Bhd1ufZPImrNHyHfhBIcpnAXcV2J617IxTa7hZCM1vbeJFk2FxdRJUMYJy7Y2UZV3g5M/s200/P1100601_3378.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523967163719315010" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal">Running was always a very individual and personal activity for me.<span style=""> </span>I loved the time to think, to de-tress and to stay active.<span style=""> </span>However, I’ve learned over the past 6-8 years, that it isn’t ALWAYS just an individual thing.<span style=""> </span>Running with Karen (and Rachel, for that matter) has provided a new dimension.<span style=""> </span>It’s breathed new life into a hobby; it’s provided incentive to stick with it, to stay healthy and to find new challenges.<span style=""> </span>I will always enjoy “my time” while running, but am blessed and happy to frequently “share the run”.<span style=""> </span>I’m looking forward to making some form of running my “trademark” with the Grandkids – and I’m looking forward to running with my kids in the not too distant future – but in a relatively distant place!<span style=""> </span>Are you ready, Team Johnson??<span style=""> </span>There is less than 16 months to post!<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BUZzJQkdZ5UHUu4to_SQw2Ssu1VVfYi35QDAMG6s6xWxf5dj9EMzsFYXWMvjt4dhyphenhyphenU-bc4wItF6qg4fvWUNivKxxZlOZfG6ra-XDOx90KFx7Y8xPmqY0dJeuPQgdIo5LeG8j-5WlWU4/s1600/P1100620_3397.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BUZzJQkdZ5UHUu4to_SQw2Ssu1VVfYi35QDAMG6s6xWxf5dj9EMzsFYXWMvjt4dhyphenhyphenU-bc4wItF6qg4fvWUNivKxxZlOZfG6ra-XDOx90KFx7Y8xPmqY0dJeuPQgdIo5LeG8j-5WlWU4/s320/P1100620_3397.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523966348785837186" border="0" /></a>Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-67878006357973344712010-09-05T21:33:00.023-06:002010-09-05T23:28:03.160-06:00RUNNING THE LAST FRONTIER (and barely seeing it)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYru9IwhYyjGUIP5XiLfjrfyNqWKI3bJ_TmiLgaqilLNNHd1e52E7PBdNxNhK1Tmms9Exm1NCmr7A_e7JGmBUpoQsVnDLWB0z4dEnsM4hHmmwJd3gPUt861yeMC36mEO5SnS8fGUuJ5A/s1600/P1090764_2595_edited-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYru9IwhYyjGUIP5XiLfjrfyNqWKI3bJ_TmiLgaqilLNNHd1e52E7PBdNxNhK1Tmms9Exm1NCmr7A_e7JGmBUpoQsVnDLWB0z4dEnsM4hHmmwJd3gPUt861yeMC36mEO5SnS8fGUuJ5A/s320/P1090764_2595_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513663704933263762" border="0" /></a>Last month in <st1:state><st1:place>Montana</st1:place></st1:state> we ran in Big Sky Country.<span style=""> </span>In Alaska, it was going to be even grander – Big <i style="">Everything </i>Country – the magnitude and majesty of the mountains, the solitude of wilderness, the vastness of open space, the ice fields and the unending vistas. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkd9OBamcferMdiwGyhFmqD7MWoqvqB5nEuEURYJ5E2fiH7emMP0v2RuH6s7tIuBthdcx7_RPjM9Yu6pKr2bKphACdASUwKxx_FBEXLSy6cgYjVsGBs9w6Il9nyuJ6gTOjF9XnOZ4TZZ0/s1600/_MG_7662_3135_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 79px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkd9OBamcferMdiwGyhFmqD7MWoqvqB5nEuEURYJ5E2fiH7emMP0v2RuH6s7tIuBthdcx7_RPjM9Yu6pKr2bKphACdASUwKxx_FBEXLSy6cgYjVsGBs9w6Il9nyuJ6gTOjF9XnOZ4TZZ0/s200/_MG_7662_3135_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513662344450676002" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTIUiZajxL-3Fe0Yc9cN_DNhnu70DYoPV9lUNmDjVnm1QmsS_FB4-Vks7wBTwZJ76nkyr-dDoKd9Q_9p4EqmiK_CUqHyDoiJCV4KshGViG6sJRRfQiaYKdNdFlCcsoCsKVF9CalqgV8o/s1600/_MG_7918_3079_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 77px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTIUiZajxL-3Fe0Yc9cN_DNhnu70DYoPV9lUNmDjVnm1QmsS_FB4-Vks7wBTwZJ76nkyr-dDoKd9Q_9p4EqmiK_CUqHyDoiJCV4KshGViG6sJRRfQiaYKdNdFlCcsoCsKVF9CalqgV8o/s200/_MG_7918_3079_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513662336125209890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76MEohvSgdUTnItc4b1-03VhLQVsCHFM8lCpVFr6rKZB45FS6vBMn3bdSgyheDl7VTKFiqWv_oQNq18FKhs_DxXba-hl3k_WC1e1JXHUxKUm5EJ8L_lI5EWEmybGTJi7oaCE_fdmDqik/s1600/P1090502_2617_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 112px; height: 83px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76MEohvSgdUTnItc4b1-03VhLQVsCHFM8lCpVFr6rKZB45FS6vBMn3bdSgyheDl7VTKFiqWv_oQNq18FKhs_DxXba-hl3k_WC1e1JXHUxKUm5EJ8L_lI5EWEmybGTJi7oaCE_fdmDqik/s200/P1090502_2617_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513662332045879746" border="0" /></a> </span>No doubt, <st1:state><st1:place>Alaska</st1:place></st1:state> has earned every one of those superlatives.<span style=""> </span>However, for us on this trip, it validated a couple of other appropriate adjectives: mysterious and inaccessible.<span style=""> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jVged7_MBHfqkuJV2fKoehUcHqTZnhzg_GtGoD3XkdJAstTHnBBbeb7_L3cjPtq9evNUYvz4C1AAM-Bdzwss77fxEMxWHuhpMwTHkqgAOF4yIhnGrOi5DAEsLMWCZco4kQ9jCk3ldAc/s1600/P1090590_2421_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 92px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jVged7_MBHfqkuJV2fKoehUcHqTZnhzg_GtGoD3XkdJAstTHnBBbeb7_L3cjPtq9evNUYvz4C1AAM-Bdzwss77fxEMxWHuhpMwTHkqgAOF4yIhnGrOi5DAEsLMWCZco4kQ9jCk3ldAc/s200/P1090590_2421_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513661190906526530" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7jm6y8ua8b0kpt8YubcheJIiBdzTZOkD0UUPaq5jZEo6CYSGH5VwGiBumme4YoJZEQ77Df4pmGLlei33sdXdITk8h8R9ZG8SzQxN8ZxsmbsL7y7GgZMgCU5Qo2Jve_1HRSSTPK5wM9k/s1600/P1090603_2434_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 117px; height: 88px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7jm6y8ua8b0kpt8YubcheJIiBdzTZOkD0UUPaq5jZEo6CYSGH5VwGiBumme4YoJZEQ77Df4pmGLlei33sdXdITk8h8R9ZG8SzQxN8ZxsmbsL7y7GgZMgCU5Qo2Jve_1HRSSTPK5wM9k/s200/P1090603_2434_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513661180186496818" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZme7_uR8IqTogRgXcdXD2qiH2QnPbs9wEwSyI3qvfpMAEqhpmoe8RS8sOtLIU-6kKhUNeGDwXLZqamCUVaKlj4DLauMIzUAFtnxrD4j2RXwGl4mAQ4tYprMmQxWK_vD7srmPjXaIoRk/s1600/P1090682_2513_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 82px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZme7_uR8IqTogRgXcdXD2qiH2QnPbs9wEwSyI3qvfpMAEqhpmoe8RS8sOtLIU-6kKhUNeGDwXLZqamCUVaKlj4DLauMIzUAFtnxrD4j2RXwGl4mAQ4tYprMmQxWK_vD7srmPjXaIoRk/s200/P1090682_2513_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513661169413267954" border="0" /></a><br /></span>In ten days, we caught occasional (albeit infrequent) glimpses of the sun; saw a couple of small patches of blue sky; had some tantalizing (but nonetheless impressive) images of peaks and mountains; wore rain gear quite a bit; and drove across vast plains shrouded in clouds, mist and fog.<span style=""> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MLIYTOzevdE0v_SfUA53HDzdX8ZU6kkm-lP3dq2V2PAeBAQY6ibiY9XQHbGeKSbwo52GFCrgk6ZY4rM_7apy9du3ITE4Mzhni_N_B2DQo2giRYQHb5BUjv7dLrOzYGbnr4wfCpRBWqY/s1600/Wrangells-Collage.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MLIYTOzevdE0v_SfUA53HDzdX8ZU6kkm-lP3dq2V2PAeBAQY6ibiY9XQHbGeKSbwo52GFCrgk6ZY4rM_7apy9du3ITE4Mzhni_N_B2DQo2giRYQHb5BUjv7dLrOzYGbnr4wfCpRBWqY/s320/Wrangells-Collage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513659157029494594" border="0" /></a> </span>None of this should imply the trip was not a good one – but if you’ve tasted something heavenly, and there just isn’t enough to satisfy the hunger and desire – that is the feeling we had as we tried to chase pockets of blue sky and misguided weather forecasts across south central <st1:state><st1:place>Alaska</st1:place></st1:state>.<span style=""> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nUrK4zawIWd1Q1g9brN7_e3eqxDs82qcVsmYuww88znKBrF6QXDgLBq8VU6xSQUpBLEb4vflIwSgBY0_KhBrhSdV4TOQO6RnZELjVNCe2IaZxoP73K-uLyrahRtCoXsN6Rg6lt899q0/s1600/P1100055_1969_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 84px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nUrK4zawIWd1Q1g9brN7_e3eqxDs82qcVsmYuww88znKBrF6QXDgLBq8VU6xSQUpBLEb4vflIwSgBY0_KhBrhSdV4TOQO6RnZELjVNCe2IaZxoP73K-uLyrahRtCoXsN6Rg6lt899q0/s200/P1100055_1969_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513660199351938850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenkCBlbxAeZ7EwyO8y5avHi1sTQbJcEYogVRnnDR9_Kl585TF8n4iwsRJibsCxg038YBrE_apyKDeGifotX8Gn2Pde-ovkbEPjiAx6iGdtmOg2sveFYpSnKlPMdyOpqE0Va271_PTSNk/s1600/P1100094_2008_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 84px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenkCBlbxAeZ7EwyO8y5avHi1sTQbJcEYogVRnnDR9_Kl585TF8n4iwsRJibsCxg038YBrE_apyKDeGifotX8Gn2Pde-ovkbEPjiAx6iGdtmOg2sveFYpSnKlPMdyOpqE0Va271_PTSNk/s200/P1100094_2008_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513660191326713378" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXwlf9VDiKdsrZTMFPpj2-yIhxWqdBRdRbc-jFivM5o6zBf30WouTKWpDpa2RWYwMom5FcSskdvxWCGng1Oom7OCe5InZAHy7u_17Por94rX_ZVqgbfTUmGxfuypUmvs8yORDMBLWRN8/s1600/_MG_7689_3144_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 118px; height: 79px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXwlf9VDiKdsrZTMFPpj2-yIhxWqdBRdRbc-jFivM5o6zBf30WouTKWpDpa2RWYwMom5FcSskdvxWCGng1Oom7OCe5InZAHy7u_17Por94rX_ZVqgbfTUmGxfuypUmvs8yORDMBLWRN8/s200/_MG_7689_3144_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513660188414304962" border="0" /></a> </span>Along the way, we DID see some beautiful waterfalls and cascades, magnificent glaciers – to include one calving huge chunks of ice into a fjord, and abundant marine wildlife, to include a pod of orcas, porpoises, harbor seals, Stellar sea lions, sea otters and birds of many feathers and colors.<span style=""> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsubamF6Qw3VHg_kYPM_9y3iSq6JWHm0DrrJSSCyUl0kRHVSGsjezXL7iuYNJURr0-5YNSqM3wBfrdkra_YJwhzczVk-rhqmXIzb2bh9WHjsyJ8xiCK3SmfyWnUXQM3bR7zIN8qmi96w/s1600/Alaskan-Animal-Collage.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsubamF6Qw3VHg_kYPM_9y3iSq6JWHm0DrrJSSCyUl0kRHVSGsjezXL7iuYNJURr0-5YNSqM3wBfrdkra_YJwhzczVk-rhqmXIzb2bh9WHjsyJ8xiCK3SmfyWnUXQM3bR7zIN8qmi96w/s320/Alaskan-Animal-Collage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513654827950525058" border="0" /></a> </span>We also saw black bears with multiple cubs, moose with smaller “moosettes”, mountain sheep, caribou and bald eagles – and we kayaked on a glacial lake choked with icebergs the size of fortresses – exploring ice caves and canyons along the way.<span style=""> </span>Indeed, <st1:state><st1:place>Alaska</st1:place></st1:state> remains the Last Frontier.<span style=""> </span>There will always be more – just beyond your reach.</p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIINKLofa3FYwIAemsXessCYSpmYzuuKA0_Lz8B2dGB_q7z8C9SjZ8ntHBqL7vZ1Ex8dUTNxUcw6NencCgFnpFII_4lowd8ZnilwrEjcE6aMKiZYd2nqcmdZtzh8yXJ6kksbYbWXo0mc/s1600/P1090600_2431_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIINKLofa3FYwIAemsXessCYSpmYzuuKA0_Lz8B2dGB_q7z8C9SjZ8ntHBqL7vZ1Ex8dUTNxUcw6NencCgFnpFII_4lowd8ZnilwrEjcE6aMKiZYd2nqcmdZtzh8yXJ6kksbYbWXo0mc/s200/P1090600_2431_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513654247518772242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTF21873vAgi4oKjPo2VeDhmFIt9Ejzbd2B0zf8BsNVumv8YVC1o16FIUhALAwQvXDViDLpqmls5FjGepvCHo434q6TspD1MlwyyIyl1i2PZ5z1MA0SGuqMi9cgO36RndQ0FZ6nv3sV0/s1600/P1090594_2425_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTF21873vAgi4oKjPo2VeDhmFIt9Ejzbd2B0zf8BsNVumv8YVC1o16FIUhALAwQvXDViDLpqmls5FjGepvCHo434q6TspD1MlwyyIyl1i2PZ5z1MA0SGuqMi9cgO36RndQ0FZ6nv3sV0/s200/P1090594_2425_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513654245837834242" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As for the race, it was a success.<span style=""> </span>There wasn’t anything particularly remarkable about it, but it was a good course (part of it run along <st1:place>Cook Inlet</st1:place> and in the fog), with a few rolls to keep a person honest and a few twists and turns to make you wonder if you missed something.<span style=""> </span>It was logistically pretty well-supported and there were a couple of running legends on-hand (specifically Jeff Galloway and Bart Yasso).<span style=""> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA70NwTxYKcW3ioYTgIv2bPeuS7sHfostTQT5gTW0wDbrWEc1GNXS7kr9Gd4F4yVxAlc0d-j-azhMi9zCYfKLOb3XdMuGdpzqEbQXe6_ReV2N5XfbI2hnubyqPpe0jhoXD-cx_k9YHUU8/s1600/P1100009_2166_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 136px; height: 103px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA70NwTxYKcW3ioYTgIv2bPeuS7sHfostTQT5gTW0wDbrWEc1GNXS7kr9Gd4F4yVxAlc0d-j-azhMi9zCYfKLOb3XdMuGdpzqEbQXe6_ReV2N5XfbI2hnubyqPpe0jhoXD-cx_k9YHUU8/s200/P1100009_2166_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513663309150284546" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VYdvdhjIyTOgokD0-McRmqxtJXjmLb_Qi1MgjKWX30qZVZfsr7_4n_0b3bZjxAj1IWx15U3emHQZDCd8wtK0aV-aMl5-hikJV6Zy9ZIfnJEF8D7dOAeWMTod74TwtdmmhDyVNWdyjeM/s1600/P1090717_2548_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 104px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VYdvdhjIyTOgokD0-McRmqxtJXjmLb_Qi1MgjKWX30qZVZfsr7_4n_0b3bZjxAj1IWx15U3emHQZDCd8wtK0aV-aMl5-hikJV6Zy9ZIfnJEF8D7dOAeWMTod74TwtdmmhDyVNWdyjeM/s200/P1090717_2548_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513663307091116210" border="0" /></a><br /></span>The post-race food was hardly a feast, but the bread was good.<span style=""> </span>I didn’t try to push the pace due to my recent hamstring issues, but still finished well ahead of what I had been able to do in <st1:state><st1:place>Montana</st1:place></st1:state> and was grateful that the hamstring still felt pretty good after the race.</p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5nRzzYzhZO-1BTdGUJaAiQ1Ke3AJJJGGPMc_mKS-K6LRuVR_Yp1p3g07FZNYUCyu7BGzz3yZVIsOSA2UCfTTMesC5UboOp0hoNCuugaHPdcWmL0U3OJYTi81qP5J3dgOD1Cqr0nD0xY/s1600/Anchorage-Half-Collage.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 233px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5nRzzYzhZO-1BTdGUJaAiQ1Ke3AJJJGGPMc_mKS-K6LRuVR_Yp1p3g07FZNYUCyu7BGzz3yZVIsOSA2UCfTTMesC5UboOp0hoNCuugaHPdcWmL0U3OJYTi81qP5J3dgOD1Cqr0nD0xY/s320/Anchorage-Half-Collage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513652786369556786" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">During the race we had our very own, personal race photographer.<span style=""> </span>Kathi took pictures at the start and then captured us at multiple points along the course and again (at least for Karen) at the end.<span style=""> </span>We also had a very good visit and road trip with her for a week and thoroughly enjoyed her hospitality – with salmon and halibut being featured items on our post-race meal.<span style=""><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQr3nhDl48zecOrebFP90RVfGqt6Ggu0hh-Y0qtydww8jxc76bF83n_pIjgao5GEnLzsuGejt6iT582Si8avtG-K9JLlJyS_EGTMvH7lDVM64abxm9hPCG1Qc-u_pWxc7cg2LtprtU0k/s1600/P1100003_2160_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 121px; height: 95px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQr3nhDl48zecOrebFP90RVfGqt6Ggu0hh-Y0qtydww8jxc76bF83n_pIjgao5GEnLzsuGejt6iT582Si8avtG-K9JLlJyS_EGTMvH7lDVM64abxm9hPCG1Qc-u_pWxc7cg2LtprtU0k/s200/P1100003_2160_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513652375191255250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlI_E9S_2gZy3W1qR7u25-A9TCgdpEsKE3MAVI2KH_Jjq-7LZkQkcCqQDfsobN5ujfgauCwPWVzdymdF0FLh1Mtr5MmJY4-YKQByGmdA2HJh_s1ANxmBfyQq-2dmU9O5oYEvM1qt_Oks/s1600/P1090995_2153_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 98px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlI_E9S_2gZy3W1qR7u25-A9TCgdpEsKE3MAVI2KH_Jjq-7LZkQkcCqQDfsobN5ujfgauCwPWVzdymdF0FLh1Mtr5MmJY4-YKQByGmdA2HJh_s1ANxmBfyQq-2dmU9O5oYEvM1qt_Oks/s200/P1090995_2153_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513652367125280866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqLRsZyU4BzThui-dqfHYWSphEqC452rHYakDh1L4luuCoqs6zoDZhn8X0NDHkVmSr4oxkf-CFYJz-iOptiBYqD8fm5yA1R2Dp2abGKrysYa5QrmN1_HIoGDaW1UMMlyVHJAuh07Eea8/s1600/P1100007_2164_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 121px; height: 91px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqLRsZyU4BzThui-dqfHYWSphEqC452rHYakDh1L4luuCoqs6zoDZhn8X0NDHkVmSr4oxkf-CFYJz-iOptiBYqD8fm5yA1R2Dp2abGKrysYa5QrmN1_HIoGDaW1UMMlyVHJAuh07Eea8/s200/P1100007_2164_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513652363044376658" border="0" /></a><br /></span>During the trip she became somewhat of an “Outdoors Mentor” for Rachel, telling her about plants and animals and the Alaskan traditions.<span style=""> </span>They established some excellent rapport and<span style=""> </span>it was amazing some of the things Rachel retained!<span style=""> </span>Also enjoyed time with Nub and Kami and were able to visit with Kristen, Phil and their other kids on Sunday afternoon.</p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAg-ZxKldoIO3pfY4vNxYmfZSCfkaENuNliqx9LEXLXPKUVsurTggEwzh__TY2QmdHgKHPoGxMpS2jXOCXtCRf1PI5dz4niv75qgMobsmPtqj8jFqrJrfsJj55CYg65t2FEO9zXxTHg0/s1600/P1100203_2118_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 96px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAg-ZxKldoIO3pfY4vNxYmfZSCfkaENuNliqx9LEXLXPKUVsurTggEwzh__TY2QmdHgKHPoGxMpS2jXOCXtCRf1PI5dz4niv75qgMobsmPtqj8jFqrJrfsJj55CYg65t2FEO9zXxTHg0/s200/P1100203_2118_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513651653019138802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHC64t_sB7LoeIlnMhzGTMaGA85n8TgJi2BGIDIseHgI8ZRjTIdb8t9se_abLH8VghPHyz4Szz37gYLhhOl6nRLBYZtSr8FUJxQqEdNV62vxYilw_FbnVuVPs_y5NkxnzfVwjpw8QLCU/s1600/P1100231_1943_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 89px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHC64t_sB7LoeIlnMhzGTMaGA85n8TgJi2BGIDIseHgI8ZRjTIdb8t9se_abLH8VghPHyz4Szz37gYLhhOl6nRLBYZtSr8FUJxQqEdNV62vxYilw_FbnVuVPs_y5NkxnzfVwjpw8QLCU/s200/P1100231_1943_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513651640185721650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIhpkStN3NIu2TnWeUO8x17NAYIeEHMvfSMzweIet8XNJQMcYHU-61GhSkInpqCz5W5UJmLa64UchC7GrRNCgxfDI-hiE9StLfUvnuxTy1V4s782KLW40jeEueE75ksjoNcDUousywV4/s1600/P1100209_2124_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 131px; height: 97px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIhpkStN3NIu2TnWeUO8x17NAYIeEHMvfSMzweIet8XNJQMcYHU-61GhSkInpqCz5W5UJmLa64UchC7GrRNCgxfDI-hiE9StLfUvnuxTy1V4s782KLW40jeEueE75ksjoNcDUousywV4/s200/P1100209_2124_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513651632521224546" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As for my “thoughts” for this post – I am again reminded of the importance of expectations.<span style=""> </span>They shape our sentiments and our assessments of events.<span style=""> </span>Where we expect much the bar is higher for feeling an event was a success.<span style=""> </span>Where we expect little, we may not often be disappointed – but we may also need to examine where the bar was set – or if it was even used.<span style=""> </span>I think the analogy has application in many aspects of our lives and families.<span style=""> </span>True, there are events beyond our control (<st1:state><st1:place>Alaska</st1:place></st1:state> weather to be sure).<span style=""> </span>Also true, we can adjust our expectations to keep them aligned with reality – without sacrificing goals, standards and aspirations.</p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrwuzjFCBvMi8WpPzSp6MjcNkautjFWOzzE_49T8o7EBphHq1cO_27glRk8_jY6SYIqhlfneci0XIAcu10xix-jCHoUj7ZraSpG18FbU1LIPmx1-urvOmzhzPbWfX1wskXURWtaAbAqs/s1600/P1090495_2610_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrwuzjFCBvMi8WpPzSp6MjcNkautjFWOzzE_49T8o7EBphHq1cO_27glRk8_jY6SYIqhlfneci0XIAcu10xix-jCHoUj7ZraSpG18FbU1LIPmx1-urvOmzhzPbWfX1wskXURWtaAbAqs/s200/P1090495_2610_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513650825238941954" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLa2j3H595tnLN5VeMKoPm2xFuHrdZGd1kSaPKypYgND_6yJ-Qp8Um8O9h4kQPu9V5rBURSCuKsJWBMOwOE2VCWCk3_AhvD7xhMEpknp7vTMIJsGb9EqGX52CqkRxRbdNWS6DgRjmMz8/s1600/P1100188_2103_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLa2j3H595tnLN5VeMKoPm2xFuHrdZGd1kSaPKypYgND_6yJ-Qp8Um8O9h4kQPu9V5rBURSCuKsJWBMOwOE2VCWCk3_AhvD7xhMEpknp7vTMIJsGb9EqGX52CqkRxRbdNWS6DgRjmMz8/s200/P1100188_2103_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513650814980830082" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We’ve run the Last Frontier, but suspect it may yet beckon us again.<span style=""> </span>Until then, we’ll be looking for blue skies and sunshine for our next trip!<o:p></o:p></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfnLyfEyOWpB2d8Jir403H80XibxaVVSY7mUqO-DllC5hRf2CRi8AJZOnfzzLJBXFCy9yq3_EXDv-u3Gart-4uwROcNI6l3EbySce-lAzjqwNuKJJGZxWylZ9iN7fb7HcDc4UHxeGnkU/s1600/IMG_2601_2981_edited-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfnLyfEyOWpB2d8Jir403H80XibxaVVSY7mUqO-DllC5hRf2CRi8AJZOnfzzLJBXFCy9yq3_EXDv-u3Gart-4uwROcNI6l3EbySce-lAzjqwNuKJJGZxWylZ9iN7fb7HcDc4UHxeGnkU/s320/IMG_2601_2981_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513647646614822690" border="0" /></a> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw2ICPK7WKY1ZWNoaIJk6lLhQDgivqlZwbv3CnGzB9w51KYDHRIOBVHtYiegBP59N3s4h7VxmRN7M7s8t5Y2A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-41564335907608663102010-07-18T16:47:00.014-06:002010-07-18T17:29:32.441-06:00JOGGING UNDER A BIG SKY<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zbpmAo7shH2RseulVfKPJRCOn0Xhiq6wls0pjnSUkrIeRrSk5tF-nGJPBO8WCmji6mf-elg7myQyqxLePs1TzsiyotwFYYq4fjel6lTyERlkil1ocdl7A5iSd8rFm5Z-huuUMXrU-_U/s1600/Missoula+Half-marathon+112.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 281px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495390828890866290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zbpmAo7shH2RseulVfKPJRCOn0Xhiq6wls0pjnSUkrIeRrSk5tF-nGJPBO8WCmji6mf-elg7myQyqxLePs1TzsiyotwFYYq4fjel6lTyERlkil1ocdl7A5iSd8rFm5Z-huuUMXrU-_U/s320/Missoula+Half-marathon+112.JPG" /></a> In road races – even relatively long ones – 30 minutes is a lot of time. So when you add 30 minutes to a race time from one race to the next – over the same distance – you have to figure something is going on. Perhaps the race was run at 10,000’ or was one grueling hill after another. Or perhaps the race had so many participants that it wasn’t possible to run much at all. Or – when none of those apply – perhaps it was a serious case of a hamstring not willing to cooperate. In Montana last week, I will have to claim the latter. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklGzaHfPHKxyKoa9HT0zHDemRHdphQz0SVol6FzGiWhcZ9XaImvHTDIgAi9m7eUsUd3DKVBm5WADztahnGe9q7SLQGkiXB7QzAcL-a17f_Z5SlD1x4IYHjXVqQkUaUlvGBCf9K5rU3YQ/s1600/Missoula+Half-marathon+089.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 187px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 143px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495390608417104098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklGzaHfPHKxyKoa9HT0zHDemRHdphQz0SVol6FzGiWhcZ9XaImvHTDIgAi9m7eUsUd3DKVBm5WADztahnGe9q7SLQGkiXB7QzAcL-a17f_Z5SlD1x4IYHjXVqQkUaUlvGBCf9K5rU3YQ/s200/Missoula+Half-marathon+089.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PR7YyIXSGBk0U2p8ACGxglmbFtBujzCDYMebRW1a59O5BbPjS8tjoJQlhDbs6ocqOvespGW7B9Y3ID2DsDpBBeZcZVveR4OIdSpkaJVk-nx7W9uqrwxLLzFC-JnDCBVd2qfngjL3RfA/s1600/Missoula+Half-marathon+096.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 187px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 142px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495390601534824546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PR7YyIXSGBk0U2p8ACGxglmbFtBujzCDYMebRW1a59O5BbPjS8tjoJQlhDbs6ocqOvespGW7B9Y3ID2DsDpBBeZcZVveR4OIdSpkaJVk-nx7W9uqrwxLLzFC-JnDCBVd2qfngjL3RfA/s200/Missoula+Half-marathon+096.JPG" /></a> On a beautiful morning to run – and starting in a beautiful location along the hills, through the forest, along a river with meadows stretching to one side, and even slightly downhill, the most I could muster was a slow jog – and even that was after walking much of the first mile and into the second. I guess my left hamstring decided I should enjoy this race more by spending more time on the course. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_V3qfNsGAjf76_fSvlA40_EnKPn82Ea7E_R6VoWyWW_9ReMPEVXDXVdJpZjI1SJDBeVSDNqDMfr2xs5aKtc7qChbPcAS4pys4L1AW6KKD_afw57y_lj6L-yyLpWjBA68URDpAtQ5_7b0/s1600/Missoula+Half-marathon+105.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 139px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 187px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495390217936651842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_V3qfNsGAjf76_fSvlA40_EnKPn82Ea7E_R6VoWyWW_9ReMPEVXDXVdJpZjI1SJDBeVSDNqDMfr2xs5aKtc7qChbPcAS4pys4L1AW6KKD_afw57y_lj6L-yyLpWjBA68URDpAtQ5_7b0/s200/Missoula+Half-marathon+105.JPG" /></a> After getting a new perspective on half-marathons by watching the vast majority of the participants pass me and by wondering how quickly I could walk the course, I was able to start jogging during Mile 2 and kept jogging to the end – even speeding up through the middle miles of the race. I never caught Karen, but at least I finished and together we hung our medals and checked off State #42 in the process.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhQd-LPS9leuwGMLo4O74nYDDCndl32cxY_kYTiofXek8x743Y20nRGYTj0DJ8pEH52yY7BxPhIlX1rNpDjnMErrK0eue1yd6aE7rtjsB9Wh0klDIi7LbZYWKvou74YzVRU7yYV1iZmU/s1600/Missoula+Half-marathon+054.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 188px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 141px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495388853204525922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhQd-LPS9leuwGMLo4O74nYDDCndl32cxY_kYTiofXek8x743Y20nRGYTj0DJ8pEH52yY7BxPhIlX1rNpDjnMErrK0eue1yd6aE7rtjsB9Wh0klDIi7LbZYWKvou74YzVRU7yYV1iZmU/s200/Missoula+Half-marathon+054.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4ntUV9z35L9BHzLvArU4b2lED4dsnKhGG9jPMhslmfO3e3nFP_2TT13UdRfvzZxzaxWOVRTUcEzUEHnvdxP0k85iNn3CFHKL1slen7piWjeUA8KPRVAhDP1J3NLSceVan_t7mcNv0mk/s1600/Missoula+Half-marathon+079.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 186px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 142px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495388841962794930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4ntUV9z35L9BHzLvArU4b2lED4dsnKhGG9jPMhslmfO3e3nFP_2TT13UdRfvzZxzaxWOVRTUcEzUEHnvdxP0k85iNn3CFHKL1slen7piWjeUA8KPRVAhDP1J3NLSceVan_t7mcNv0mk/s200/Missoula+Half-marathon+079.JPG" /></a><br />I think that Montana’s nickname is confirmed every time I visit. It really DOES have a big sky – it is just a BIG state – and a beautiful one at that. We flew into and out of Spokane and drove I-90 between there and Missoula. Enroute we had a very nice stop in Couer d’Alene, to include a 90-minute boat ride on the lake. Neither of us had ever spent time there and we know now what we have missed and would love to visit again.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86tPC5m8Lcn-yA8RULwXCDlBc7VqtsXGiio55ewp1kzFEEH0ezJd30brz3FsvSjRxk7RS8dc5PweKfQois6me4M9nes-a1fYMS45przyZ8dSrN0Iph1ob06AO8aUZlf2QIAxk5G55Ca0/s1600/Missoula+Half-marathon+125.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 122px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495386276714612722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86tPC5m8Lcn-yA8RULwXCDlBc7VqtsXGiio55ewp1kzFEEH0ezJd30brz3FsvSjRxk7RS8dc5PweKfQois6me4M9nes-a1fYMS45przyZ8dSrN0Iph1ob06AO8aUZlf2QIAxk5G55Ca0/s200/Missoula+Half-marathon+125.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEoPoTxsyZ-CgFQlNTzGGxRWAqm4la7CFPbJ23cdCDMpWvOfKlwyGq04K9MNxX87fCW2D-AoXprHyT-OPQmQXhu-TuTjhUrnALR2RxPkw1tlPzDyuiUflKOckpaoiJCNKh2IhJRbwBHc/s1600/Missoula+Half-marathon+124.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 121px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 165px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495386267747673842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEoPoTxsyZ-CgFQlNTzGGxRWAqm4la7CFPbJ23cdCDMpWvOfKlwyGq04K9MNxX87fCW2D-AoXprHyT-OPQmQXhu-TuTjhUrnALR2RxPkw1tlPzDyuiUflKOckpaoiJCNKh2IhJRbwBHc/s200/Missoula+Half-marathon+124.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNoOtfMg_JSLnUs_OxKJ7LBQTnYsFJSOnbZWvPXDo2IcADfqzms3-l_HH21DcTzabaFNxALMGAp241mIr9y4Dm7iFHQ-waMezDhy2lkgNYiGL_kU12bUEqZAiccP7WUpYbHUwfvTPO-g/s1600/Missoula+Half-marathon+120.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 119px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 164px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495386258974836066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNoOtfMg_JSLnUs_OxKJ7LBQTnYsFJSOnbZWvPXDo2IcADfqzms3-l_HH21DcTzabaFNxALMGAp241mIr9y4Dm7iFHQ-waMezDhy2lkgNYiGL_kU12bUEqZAiccP7WUpYbHUwfvTPO-g/s200/Missoula+Half-marathon+120.JPG" /></a><br />And the drive over Lookout Pass from there into Montana and along the Clark Fork is not to be missed. Missoula had its own western charm and retained lots of country, smaller-town traits that made it nice. We didn’t get to spend nearly as much time in the area as we would have liked, but enjoyed what we had.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtgnvpU7WR4gA2YMowqaibUX3RgVMHnDMUPJiqDzg9wlcneCCrtstAKtBZwxneYxYk_pUblM8jTEYg_MfMvbsH5qWfNsMGZS-h1wz8rHqBAjWuFPzExiiLBAaHUzQmj5XDvJy65ONAwM/s1600/Missoula+Half-marathon+130.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 186px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 141px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495387038298450594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtgnvpU7WR4gA2YMowqaibUX3RgVMHnDMUPJiqDzg9wlcneCCrtstAKtBZwxneYxYk_pUblM8jTEYg_MfMvbsH5qWfNsMGZS-h1wz8rHqBAjWuFPzExiiLBAaHUzQmj5XDvJy65ONAwM/s200/Missoula+Half-marathon+130.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxcrh8SuYogS8LkSZNyOT3Rgj2WR_09-0vyKdnpkCDF7UFqCkHnWgFuRov0Tujmh7L_oWQbrNFzVMUDfkBUV7EzCkkRe3gjZvn3GGjLKAYdNc9mqNd-NS2pWT7QMh7I4SoZuzampWtP4/s1600/Missoula+Half-marathon+128.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 180px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 137px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495387023141729826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxcrh8SuYogS8LkSZNyOT3Rgj2WR_09-0vyKdnpkCDF7UFqCkHnWgFuRov0Tujmh7L_oWQbrNFzVMUDfkBUV7EzCkkRe3gjZvn3GGjLKAYdNc9mqNd-NS2pWT7QMh7I4SoZuzampWtP4/s200/Missoula+Half-marathon+128.JPG" /></a><br />On the way back to Spokane we rented bikes at Lookout Pass and rode the 15-mile Route of the Hiawatha, which is a converted railroad grade that goes through 10 tunnels (including one that is nearly 2 miles long) and over 7 high, old railroad trestles. It was a great ride in some beautiful scenery and certainly a highlight among any bikes rides we have done in the past.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMQ95g6rq2uksp7R1lxbZZcK42XHnZ8gO2TgSr9wWYUy08KPI4YTGBoJlyBknqzYRgbUFvfPmOty_kN_i0QNwYpD-pSQ08zHjQGQw_jxaNC5O-SimVkQf6TMICzThRBG_H8OcNGNrZ54/s1600/Missoula+Half-marathon+145.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 126px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495387634287858802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMQ95g6rq2uksp7R1lxbZZcK42XHnZ8gO2TgSr9wWYUy08KPI4YTGBoJlyBknqzYRgbUFvfPmOty_kN_i0QNwYpD-pSQ08zHjQGQw_jxaNC5O-SimVkQf6TMICzThRBG_H8OcNGNrZ54/s200/Missoula+Half-marathon+145.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9eVffEPiFjYz8hgiNOGlJftSrwydzueom2hYjiEzwA66n5FFz6OE7n7X4_g7zy7T5UqF28-q8CXs5JRXtxPZb1dmupbdHYLm7bDRalU3EMfPM7drz5uayQWKuKzYKmiL8jSBRGJpSDY/s1600/Missoula+Half-marathon+142.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 119px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 161px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495387628006784962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9eVffEPiFjYz8hgiNOGlJftSrwydzueom2hYjiEzwA66n5FFz6OE7n7X4_g7zy7T5UqF28-q8CXs5JRXtxPZb1dmupbdHYLm7bDRalU3EMfPM7drz5uayQWKuKzYKmiL8jSBRGJpSDY/s200/Missoula+Half-marathon+142.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQpEJUK2Gg3d1W9WMbyHXtMBKkh0GvmemOcP2Yyc_TMc5RkkYLTmo6mkN7oU2MI0lRUFYD4txd-RumTQalX-6B72ATFgD0GADL8MkW40H53cgFv2TIHE331NzMTq1cFV2NITc1SQ-riQ/s1600/Missoula+Half-marathon+131.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 118px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 163px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495387620104467602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQpEJUK2Gg3d1W9WMbyHXtMBKkh0GvmemOcP2Yyc_TMc5RkkYLTmo6mkN7oU2MI0lRUFYD4txd-RumTQalX-6B72ATFgD0GADL8MkW40H53cgFv2TIHE331NzMTq1cFV2NITc1SQ-riQ/s200/Missoula+Half-marathon+131.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowVFEP443KGIb7TJdIUaFIj6q10big2T2HQBD84_QKtRT_skBKcxrUVakMw4721Dv6hhHSZGoIyVY93yISv1y7DkrIbhU0UV5YyRP-txST-vbxfnjkqSpexWKzYIFbsNHa4qvnX7JGtc/s1600/Missoula+Half-marathon+048.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 188px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 146px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495385265017495746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowVFEP443KGIb7TJdIUaFIj6q10big2T2HQBD84_QKtRT_skBKcxrUVakMw4721Dv6hhHSZGoIyVY93yISv1y7DkrIbhU0UV5YyRP-txST-vbxfnjkqSpexWKzYIFbsNHa4qvnX7JGtc/s200/Missoula+Half-marathon+048.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkmHx8G8eXt40lfRLapQTIBqU5tnkwYaPYuL_xBV-BsxKptW1IZ6laStGo0ZQU2P43AvKyBLIUx9lJH29C8lkoTIo80Qmwnc_Nuqxnr0nPWxdHg4hKIZMvYPI4Nz5VBs05t3n6goyEFI/s1600/Missoula+Half-marathon+032.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 190px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 138px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495385258063030482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkmHx8G8eXt40lfRLapQTIBqU5tnkwYaPYuL_xBV-BsxKptW1IZ6laStGo0ZQU2P43AvKyBLIUx9lJH29C8lkoTIo80Qmwnc_Nuqxnr0nPWxdHg4hKIZMvYPI4Nz5VBs05t3n6goyEFI/s200/Missoula+Half-marathon+032.JPG" /></a><br />During the trip we spent two nights with Scott and Linda in Spokane and had a nice visit with them. We were extremely grateful that Linda agreed to watch Rachel while we drove over to Missoula and back and they apparently got along well. In Spokane we also spent some time at Riverfront Park, site of the World Expo in Spokane a few years back.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUJJbYassmwgkfQ1pT2CLUb1E6mC2PjIVACJ7n9Kpd9WgYIEP0xrejMCv3tQRldMyKvqJRJZxJNgQ3I1qUyiKWszm1oVRlturuBRnpflNJWI60109d9dXnGGubkLKe68pDKRF1xeZPkM/s1600/Missoula+Half-marathon+015.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495384962664723090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUJJbYassmwgkfQ1pT2CLUb1E6mC2PjIVACJ7n9Kpd9WgYIEP0xrejMCv3tQRldMyKvqJRJZxJNgQ3I1qUyiKWszm1oVRlturuBRnpflNJWI60109d9dXnGGubkLKe68pDKRF1xeZPkM/s200/Missoula+Half-marathon+015.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEJzIya35FlEZzEt9yxkHP36NRbcrgxxcaoTwCJsOja9bYQCkVejx2zz6qqQi3kczJiZExVQFmuHL8GRJMjPP-05vEckfomYsDX3dQgvPJ1G8gBXzPwz8N-bYCLJmmJT-gQJHYoNR9Ag/s1600/Missoula+Half-marathon+005.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 122px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 159px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495384954020841458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEJzIya35FlEZzEt9yxkHP36NRbcrgxxcaoTwCJsOja9bYQCkVejx2zz6qqQi3kczJiZExVQFmuHL8GRJMjPP-05vEckfomYsDX3dQgvPJ1G8gBXzPwz8N-bYCLJmmJT-gQJHYoNR9Ag/s200/Missoula+Half-marathon+005.JPG" /></a><br />All in all, another memorable trip – even if Jogging was all I could do under Montana’s Big Sky.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5aCZoCuyISnXx_GoAgnCpSS9kd_TuZrQWMlAS_bj6G3hSsuOogaIrfTwRCDh-MYOoscCqzBuKaFXawx7tWhNU7pORgdXvUUdQ8NHW_RTlmUcFPJNUz0sAVzFI-c5hXO5mA7lAq1I6ci0/s1600/Missoula+Half-marathon+112.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 277px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 228px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495384445725907666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5aCZoCuyISnXx_GoAgnCpSS9kd_TuZrQWMlAS_bj6G3hSsuOogaIrfTwRCDh-MYOoscCqzBuKaFXawx7tWhNU7pORgdXvUUdQ8NHW_RTlmUcFPJNUz0sAVzFI-c5hXO5mA7lAq1I6ci0/s320/Missoula+Half-marathon+112.JPG" /></a>Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-87664294770140749822010-06-27T19:42:00.022-06:002010-06-27T21:06:07.021-06:00RUNNING THE BLACK HILLS<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hDFzXm9mm7H95eXnFi4VhJqgY8U-Nk6XFEOFBl1fC8bXbdsgRYrhrjTizpdcrkU_SK_3jGvBqoBf7sxz7Sncw-zWBanVCyZN-UVqT8x9U-UZ1JXeac7WknWmEtB3rA5lOdbcIUaEAAA/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1099_edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 260px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487646193339190402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hDFzXm9mm7H95eXnFi4VhJqgY8U-Nk6XFEOFBl1fC8bXbdsgRYrhrjTizpdcrkU_SK_3jGvBqoBf7sxz7Sncw-zWBanVCyZN-UVqT8x9U-UZ1JXeac7WknWmEtB3rA5lOdbcIUaEAAA/s320/Black+Hills+Race_1099_edited-1.jpg" /></a> I have occasionally heard rumblings about my blogs being long – which I have typically ignored. However, if this one turns out to be shorter than normal, thank Dacia. She provided a very nice account of our trip to South Dakota – and, with a few exceptions, very accurate. The only thing she didn’t say much about was the race – so I’ll start there.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gvaFYj0GoU29do3Zdnxs29uFbIPUgSDg52w8wmCbUEzaqQ7HyQhzCstuNGnmA44_I_A1C3X7BVQtxtJSMvOHIe3gYUnUx6MK5aoJHby3XntQwe1xu7Aj2YsAPglUBk3ElsgS_gNH0oY/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1376.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 125px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 152px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487646044266736610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gvaFYj0GoU29do3Zdnxs29uFbIPUgSDg52w8wmCbUEzaqQ7HyQhzCstuNGnmA44_I_A1C3X7BVQtxtJSMvOHIe3gYUnUx6MK5aoJHby3XntQwe1xu7Aj2YsAPglUBk3ElsgS_gNH0oY/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1376.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCe-Qh-0d849AsZ4ci578xG2Fr3pwdwY1ms3j-IgIeDUXhTaPpon_TccRWLwfZqEXBBlOB5FXq9ZolRY2eYNwxFLUZdqB7blYPGxtGuOOeQmufvi_CAVHio5Qp6vg_x8QAM5HzoG_6D4/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1410.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 121px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 156px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487646032112360402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCe-Qh-0d849AsZ4ci578xG2Fr3pwdwY1ms3j-IgIeDUXhTaPpon_TccRWLwfZqEXBBlOB5FXq9ZolRY2eYNwxFLUZdqB7blYPGxtGuOOeQmufvi_CAVHio5Qp6vg_x8QAM5HzoG_6D4/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1410.JPG" /></a><br />When we pick our races we look for good organization and reports, places we haven’t been before, and, most of all – a pretty, scenic course. This might be downtown Chicago along Lake Michigan or, more likely, in a scenic area of mountains, lakes, red rock formations, forests or vistas.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxqngLvmDSA8sURvbmJNwrqGZrmxN1LvkB6ZvD-wKbKXnJi22XwKDc8PAMAu816N-jUdetkzYGLR32tkFNo43SG0W5Nficw2ZRd5fUAcTqqn6AoSlVdlfGcnFbNv5AtCMiaJ1x2OKiuY/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1507.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 188px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 145px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487645742245591586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxqngLvmDSA8sURvbmJNwrqGZrmxN1LvkB6ZvD-wKbKXnJi22XwKDc8PAMAu816N-jUdetkzYGLR32tkFNo43SG0W5Nficw2ZRd5fUAcTqqn6AoSlVdlfGcnFbNv5AtCMiaJ1x2OKiuY/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1507.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrP4IuMCnG24csv_e1GA6107q23BeLHKLntx8d2Y7BBD5Wxt3gQim7cOD2RRY-mjAkdT7wMwV6X1hBq4_-QkpvDLDfS9idQnIgsg46wehxLYynlAkuHyLmNn0Ayz_I-1GTEe1pyN-nqU/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1132.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 187px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 141px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487645735235373170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrP4IuMCnG24csv_e1GA6107q23BeLHKLntx8d2Y7BBD5Wxt3gQim7cOD2RRY-mjAkdT7wMwV6X1hBq4_-QkpvDLDfS9idQnIgsg46wehxLYynlAkuHyLmNn0Ayz_I-1GTEe1pyN-nqU/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1132.JPG" /></a><br />Several stand out, among them Estes Park, Valley of Fire, Canyonlands, Traverse City and the Adirondack (but there are many more). We can now add another to the list: The Mickelson Trail in the Black Hills of South Dakota.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jRh1Kp_QcpV2vX5H-EsKUWNaQ23WsXSbXHXYd6WTmdmv25pFmNhQ5iS6MJmNWaln9oEVcvF3Qhayhb4ov51uXz_CywipR6LYRUgzNcJM6xMHT-K2fP4k1NTFqzihw5fX1UKm9byRQ8k/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1078.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 188px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 148px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487644095103062434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jRh1Kp_QcpV2vX5H-EsKUWNaQ23WsXSbXHXYd6WTmdmv25pFmNhQ5iS6MJmNWaln9oEVcvF3Qhayhb4ov51uXz_CywipR6LYRUgzNcJM6xMHT-K2fP4k1NTFqzihw5fX1UKm9byRQ8k/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1078.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIh4XGXJP5d661xmk6DldJaYeeioWO_gGEHID0M6JzySjBwDmoSPkZGhluJsuU5jdQrOOpNsrAeBGzDoBQyADU0JSm035VasP5mJA5GP_-mnLjHGuwLYM2kOVHWxY9alUmx0W8uVMu4zM/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1086.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 190px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 144px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487644083656293650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIh4XGXJP5d661xmk6DldJaYeeioWO_gGEHID0M6JzySjBwDmoSPkZGhluJsuU5jdQrOOpNsrAeBGzDoBQyADU0JSm035VasP5mJA5GP_-mnLjHGuwLYM2kOVHWxY9alUmx0W8uVMu4zM/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1086.JPG" /></a><br />The Deadwood Mickelson Trail race immediately appealed to us based on the course comments and the scenery. It did not disappoint. The trail follows an abandoned railroad grade through the heart of the Black Hills.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI318IFgXPgQWjxGt4MzFkEi9VnOQ4jlEim_q1xsf_uN-G5otHnruYqrIN3S7lWMwyDXqINXDuPiqzDaGEa2dVxfS3PtOA9ymM-Po_ygUbor1pMior-LtnGYONu-mivbyJxxt_bZPqjXA/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1042.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 126px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 168px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487642262234325298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI318IFgXPgQWjxGt4MzFkEi9VnOQ4jlEim_q1xsf_uN-G5otHnruYqrIN3S7lWMwyDXqINXDuPiqzDaGEa2dVxfS3PtOA9ymM-Po_ygUbor1pMior-LtnGYONu-mivbyJxxt_bZPqjXA/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1042.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_T9X5s5FhQR3YWvHnVIqiqQfGkNRj454IRP2aSBwb6v_phbwIpnRe__93RRLww1dnCz5IGwrh_3PjjSca9GTB16xBb-2U5MqQSRNM5YpaLfWaHJGePyJgoBhrLDy2P_kwOsBlsHGICI/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1036.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 129px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 170px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487642256796653154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_T9X5s5FhQR3YWvHnVIqiqQfGkNRj454IRP2aSBwb6v_phbwIpnRe__93RRLww1dnCz5IGwrh_3PjjSca9GTB16xBb-2U5MqQSRNM5YpaLfWaHJGePyJgoBhrLDy2P_kwOsBlsHGICI/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1036.JPG" /></a><br />It has forests, meadows, lakes, mountains and vistas, not to mention that for the half-marathoners, 12 of the 13 miles were downhill (although at 5200’-6200’ in elevation)! The race and trail ended in Deadwood – known in its day as a lawless mining town and where “Wild Bill” Hickok was gunned down and laid to rest – now next to Calamity Jane – also of Deadwood fame.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6t9mXQi10lcSz13z59dCqYkChlVjs-yOLGlSYzq-aihPnO9mP0vV-ikY55Y-N7M7gwgAEI_k_OCZk-ZS8vyRdad_irSlmLdrtCFFkFwgpc6GHGNmbnkAEvggUkW5SFefdKGG3P9t72I/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1062.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 151px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 120px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487641853061731922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6t9mXQi10lcSz13z59dCqYkChlVjs-yOLGlSYzq-aihPnO9mP0vV-ikY55Y-N7M7gwgAEI_k_OCZk-ZS8vyRdad_irSlmLdrtCFFkFwgpc6GHGNmbnkAEvggUkW5SFefdKGG3P9t72I/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1062.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxs4SgK3Ov6y7v2RcQU16BQDt4oTP8jvMLBbu5gDkMSzLXbK9IWLK66s4chOb_zk_pLq-cylI5ZFAO8y8LkHKRNdOzFfLCXwf8S8m55liLztgSIp9HImqj_IiB2V8n6p9KO5859PYj7Bo/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1051.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 154px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 116px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487641844972726194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxs4SgK3Ov6y7v2RcQU16BQDt4oTP8jvMLBbu5gDkMSzLXbK9IWLK66s4chOb_zk_pLq-cylI5ZFAO8y8LkHKRNdOzFfLCXwf8S8m55liLztgSIp9HImqj_IiB2V8n6p9KO5859PYj7Bo/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1051.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADBUce8H16mZeyUxcyA1CVLSr2c4i6HSTxeAo_JplQM52ukVP8turUdCPa7HmN6dzLIXPzn7-GrRFMCKq4w57C5KysH-gaFyNEoGM-es4b3C7cGRXx0E4fdvC7TdP0cTCP0fT4CWJq-w/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1046.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 156px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 117px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487641834981964194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADBUce8H16mZeyUxcyA1CVLSr2c4i6HSTxeAo_JplQM52ukVP8turUdCPa7HmN6dzLIXPzn7-GrRFMCKq4w57C5KysH-gaFyNEoGM-es4b3C7cGRXx0E4fdvC7TdP0cTCP0fT4CWJq-w/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1046.JPG" /></a><br />Now a restored tourist town, it was fun and I had perhaps the best prime rib I have ever tasted at the Buffalo Saloon and Steakhouse. But back to the race, it was well-organized and supported, with a good Expo and pretty good post-race food. It would easily have been another PR for me – probably by 20-30 seconds – if not for a tweaked hamstring in the last mile which stopped me momentarily and definitely slowed me down the rest of the way. But that notwithstanding, it was a great race and setting.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDf6Neu1A_APqsKdsn0_dixi_IcSMhI26_XRya9K3VX8_yo3CYpmYSIfnxJTyv5gOiU1ZA4fK07szqahYOGS8S6WiT2edVJo1mbc4pZTWkaIuLy1fz9TSIua-E3SAKaomDKuvewRGA2M/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1248.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 177px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 138px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487638173091335170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDf6Neu1A_APqsKdsn0_dixi_IcSMhI26_XRya9K3VX8_yo3CYpmYSIfnxJTyv5gOiU1ZA4fK07szqahYOGS8S6WiT2edVJo1mbc4pZTWkaIuLy1fz9TSIua-E3SAKaomDKuvewRGA2M/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1248.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7TIpU8aCu7F7i_A5CEKxmfLGA1R1lJLZYgXnDdDBK-DxAkWhWcLYilCbIM0QRmXt_cOwRSqHuOhmxsQsdrLKOEkjzwXuoe7Gpl_arSXT5GDjVPYhxNPRck950HiVgMRrb1LWfR1Mv0Q/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1262.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 190px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 140px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487638168035956162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7TIpU8aCu7F7i_A5CEKxmfLGA1R1lJLZYgXnDdDBK-DxAkWhWcLYilCbIM0QRmXt_cOwRSqHuOhmxsQsdrLKOEkjzwXuoe7Gpl_arSXT5GDjVPYhxNPRck950HiVgMRrb1LWfR1Mv0Q/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1262.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6mgz8CXTFdUrzTlButDvhSI4J6AYMckTAMoN6iE_xuPKaIiELB2axBShhSOUgDqYKLJ3hxoLHiaUWySnQKwKS2MDolUJPrU4plCEAOJBWIetIudLGvkmH8MrP_N-vmqz3o_jxFI7Xuk/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1291.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 188px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 143px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487638160563326226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6mgz8CXTFdUrzTlButDvhSI4J6AYMckTAMoN6iE_xuPKaIiELB2axBShhSOUgDqYKLJ3hxoLHiaUWySnQKwKS2MDolUJPrU4plCEAOJBWIetIudLGvkmH8MrP_N-vmqz3o_jxFI7Xuk/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1291.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XPznMlQ7qgI1B4hScqVUBKqe0W96NIiEIpIMBaAMdRzS2kRzw5ShYH22SDWZHEEMsMlpGFuIV0GjOVwj6y-YDlem0eFBQXjPUxCexhUsWGTWQYewjIlyGNdKDJofvS53_LWdOH-6gz8/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1292.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 190px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 147px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487638155600327554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XPznMlQ7qgI1B4hScqVUBKqe0W96NIiEIpIMBaAMdRzS2kRzw5ShYH22SDWZHEEMsMlpGFuIV0GjOVwj6y-YDlem0eFBQXjPUxCexhUsWGTWQYewjIlyGNdKDJofvS53_LWdOH-6gz8/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1292.JPG" /></a><br />It was also great to have Dacia and Ellie with us. (She indicated she backed out of a previous race; she was right about the Disney World part, but the race was in Mississippi, not Georgia.)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-2bo_VBK5dhlVo-ZGII8TCXM3DHKhJ_ZEi2LYCkRDm8WfaDB-mdQ9BiRrl8qI5dCqwGeeLowN5WBXeJGs3MrWA5Hkkgzq6cCEsbG_yMqeWGJBeLuO-ef05biGNc2kSubJw_EIlXs2aM/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1146.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 92px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 124px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487654191631035218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-2bo_VBK5dhlVo-ZGII8TCXM3DHKhJ_ZEi2LYCkRDm8WfaDB-mdQ9BiRrl8qI5dCqwGeeLowN5WBXeJGs3MrWA5Hkkgzq6cCEsbG_yMqeWGJBeLuO-ef05biGNc2kSubJw_EIlXs2aM/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1146.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqS_7P2gULowKuLzfwU87wOx5TAh1Ur3Vb5BQhKWnw5Edhx3msIdaR1b9wb0DjYQhj7jtJ5Yw1XFC1-h70noG3I10wwHo09zkB0V2LbnssRI1Dy-_sJTBjtSCEyNLC_gd3IVJw5mlVnNM/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1144.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 86px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 116px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487654183376074578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqS_7P2gULowKuLzfwU87wOx5TAh1Ur3Vb5BQhKWnw5Edhx3msIdaR1b9wb0DjYQhj7jtJ5Yw1XFC1-h70noG3I10wwHo09zkB0V2LbnssRI1Dy-_sJTBjtSCEyNLC_gd3IVJw5mlVnNM/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1144.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8h_6zIv_Iul2qdxAG56vMANzpFX9-gbmDyHOpWTC_gOUBJ6qtsJjxZ6nF1nXaYRgX1m26IvNSyAZ-vviB3Mq28gIVC4G0lC1KNCx7PQkpEwBCfjozANqqKKwtXy8MvsXOaug6PQ3Yr4/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1167.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 87px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 121px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487654172670160210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8h_6zIv_Iul2qdxAG56vMANzpFX9-gbmDyHOpWTC_gOUBJ6qtsJjxZ6nF1nXaYRgX1m26IvNSyAZ-vviB3Mq28gIVC4G0lC1KNCx7PQkpEwBCfjozANqqKKwtXy8MvsXOaug6PQ3Yr4/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1167.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jTIQyWNvu2DXNh84oe_REZxFFVOIADMy4KVFoUmRTVYNkAIjA0flzYOKgOMATuqRBx08J9kED_uSzahTAV7_Z9BxO4GdKUfb6Bc1_aRKDuw9yw4V6lKveDytWwzI3_BbrQ_czaD8Kv8/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1085.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 92px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 126px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487654165299071746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jTIQyWNvu2DXNh84oe_REZxFFVOIADMy4KVFoUmRTVYNkAIjA0flzYOKgOMATuqRBx08J9kED_uSzahTAV7_Z9BxO4GdKUfb6Bc1_aRKDuw9yw4V6lKveDytWwzI3_BbrQ_czaD8Kv8/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1085.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42RsrwzOnfW_AYsntEGIlsSno8XuLMwg-6ZcXSsBocgNrMSX9mnI9XtGhH8O5sdb4op6SRHa45yLrlaUUS2G60T2C6jwv8GvvdVCQOvQa-2NetPWcheROR2w7nXAjqb-ATyDcQG0ESmI/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1146.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLz5jZh8n6Eofbako1FnEfW5nEBEvBhPCuOolgBwLN-HHD3NfYxoUxEzFXS-MtlS6aBYuJO01Z5LfPWSgUTZXEHPZ24gl1K3LCcb7ke2IPjvbDwjPZP4a4X6pH5u4wJTaxoISfif1-KwQ/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1144.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_2WbrZFUHZq7OE91yJGVLNtkaZJKBQKmY9JLNsYmhJvkQLvJF75YJLihfbTm6fz1nhLGlixU2g_fMW8SME-FD4OrfUPRvgsXkyDn1KnJn3uHlA47gT3-mZcz4xy-0UGyTQKEBEDG_Bg/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1167.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6C-664PmKGK0DrRO4kRreE1FSsRHea0-0EedKDXp1Vqmhu7ojDA8uWfGoqJvN_hmlKf8cmd69u22EOYoMAI0gRN5Ta-aUKpw4FIIvduZUgGThY0F5Xt-kwRTzDLTtvmxvWa_dawE_YOA/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1085.JPG"></a><br />One particularly pleasant surprise from this race was trip planning. I invariably do that (out of necessity) – but in this case I gave Dacia all the literature, asked her to develop a plan and coordinate it with Karen – and she ran with it!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssyLoFz27lhlpEEk12__BilvW85x09aDY8KLORgyWeRxc28j-GKnTqOiJ6mBn3RkEGBudtRRPlbrFwOtlMCtdGGG1Qf8OXHECENwkWU2M-tRT0uU2zLecz747y-TqXH89bVTvqXumMU4/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1495.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 126px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 89px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487638895404375410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssyLoFz27lhlpEEk12__BilvW85x09aDY8KLORgyWeRxc28j-GKnTqOiJ6mBn3RkEGBudtRRPlbrFwOtlMCtdGGG1Qf8OXHECENwkWU2M-tRT0uU2zLecz747y-TqXH89bVTvqXumMU4/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1495.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOWbf31EvQ0eAVCjSm7VK0Jn8Q60DfyJDwFp9qIK5rMdcf4Xl6nD6JMlULLgxrN5T67TG9ufIQaxgpSGrgRmcfiPxeJO2jQCHBwH8K9WTG3nsw9KIQyAXbixeFN7GqLKyDPVhSNOAkNg/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1499.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 100px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 125px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487638887691992866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOWbf31EvQ0eAVCjSm7VK0Jn8Q60DfyJDwFp9qIK5rMdcf4Xl6nD6JMlULLgxrN5T67TG9ufIQaxgpSGrgRmcfiPxeJO2jQCHBwH8K9WTG3nsw9KIQyAXbixeFN7GqLKyDPVhSNOAkNg/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1499.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbDHuHHhMKK6uGF6Z0CHZXKpZmjqQ2isz-uWoIFrvj_guHXUHmX0khlBXnt-51fyNouPAxni2wv5x-N1vff_nqpqQoDOaMHxdNuMRRNTmxG2TbekjO-ih19nQBpjA1HvbrV9Rp1gjQDs/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1308.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 126px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 97px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487638885173987122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbDHuHHhMKK6uGF6Z0CHZXKpZmjqQ2isz-uWoIFrvj_guHXUHmX0khlBXnt-51fyNouPAxni2wv5x-N1vff_nqpqQoDOaMHxdNuMRRNTmxG2TbekjO-ih19nQBpjA1HvbrV9Rp1gjQDs/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1308.JPG" /></a><br /><br />She came up with some great ideas and we did almost all of them.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzp62L-0ZT81YD3cR2KI_8-_yL2eYZlyigFRMPUbDRO3iksnMSRUub_k1AqLWUa882BdNDDPhpIwrlXw-aucQDx9NByrM9WYSqOLTK7P_K-3qkvxMmjfOKci7GKFdWOHjT6ONdT4Ng6pw/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1216.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 191px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 151px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487639857245861442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzp62L-0ZT81YD3cR2KI_8-_yL2eYZlyigFRMPUbDRO3iksnMSRUub_k1AqLWUa882BdNDDPhpIwrlXw-aucQDx9NByrM9WYSqOLTK7P_K-3qkvxMmjfOKci7GKFdWOHjT6ONdT4Ng6pw/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1216.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ws_S0mJXKhfuH6sShsRvnN6iwyjXFjxRZp1XWjZsX7Miea38oUo8ExNaZV2qSg2eaRCrAdFNBkVDyj3LwFng-D9k4Q-3jcvDGoN6gfojwyXaCZY6WAjFrbMDbbn1w3Gg1Yq6Wnb_lJs/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1218.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 191px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 144px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487639856274711122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ws_S0mJXKhfuH6sShsRvnN6iwyjXFjxRZp1XWjZsX7Miea38oUo8ExNaZV2qSg2eaRCrAdFNBkVDyj3LwFng-D9k4Q-3jcvDGoN6gfojwyXaCZY6WAjFrbMDbbn1w3Gg1Yq6Wnb_lJs/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1218.JPG" /></a><br />Jewel Cave, Sylvan Lake, Cathedral Spires and drive, Custer State Park, Mt. Rushmore, the alpine slide, Storybook Island and the Spearfish Canyon drive were all amazing. (I WILL take credit for the Little Devil’s Tower hike which was spectacular.)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv70SHxf_I9s0M69qhsr9IZ-0u0_hEU2Z83862A29Jely5RXH4mrEw5IDZ2xkC0YrdovIi4exkVYWs5UBq6joZd1N97qel0Py9aW3ike010cPJAenI2uWRHYXrm148wMqK6l7uctK2ESU/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1332.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 188px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 138px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487636699230869762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv70SHxf_I9s0M69qhsr9IZ-0u0_hEU2Z83862A29Jely5RXH4mrEw5IDZ2xkC0YrdovIi4exkVYWs5UBq6joZd1N97qel0Py9aW3ike010cPJAenI2uWRHYXrm148wMqK6l7uctK2ESU/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1332.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieO6G1f5DFckMV9B4UcISY5C6fvys6Zq2tiASmGi64kKNvliHJ-HKabE6uF7kRt5BEccfmxWYDhhNLLjeAV1f8qAPlbYval6D_C0og1_IQxoiknTvkwyXZit_zgJEFCg4OV74N6dTkinM/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1347.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 186px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 138px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487636693196159202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieO6G1f5DFckMV9B4UcISY5C6fvys6Zq2tiASmGi64kKNvliHJ-HKabE6uF7kRt5BEccfmxWYDhhNLLjeAV1f8qAPlbYval6D_C0og1_IQxoiknTvkwyXZit_zgJEFCg4OV74N6dTkinM/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1347.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJbmOWWgPR91vf1MwKvAolX38CA7sSsaPfc62l1DPYTNoRz3um_NWom93htYEFb0bz8grIWB2rt3e6bC7OTFGObacUCsCiT2tX-juGIh0OabO3sCOKccY-Zce6LQaQHGeowlTlM0H8IE/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1362.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 193px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 136px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487637115766071042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJbmOWWgPR91vf1MwKvAolX38CA7sSsaPfc62l1DPYTNoRz3um_NWom93htYEFb0bz8grIWB2rt3e6bC7OTFGObacUCsCiT2tX-juGIh0OabO3sCOKccY-Zce6LQaQHGeowlTlM0H8IE/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1362.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMv3MZlX8wQMWG0r_0AZZwof0KGhSaKRONEyaNsu7YHHUMJsVQizAZ8pK0LSvQDhaZ2IWA1Wzth_wszLkchzGu_wEFud5MsA9_v88y6jNYMV5XWBwwfChLdxjdo1TGHz4ULafHSB1xU5A/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1364.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 185px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 136px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487637105239740466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMv3MZlX8wQMWG0r_0AZZwof0KGhSaKRONEyaNsu7YHHUMJsVQizAZ8pK0LSvQDhaZ2IWA1Wzth_wszLkchzGu_wEFud5MsA9_v88y6jNYMV5XWBwwfChLdxjdo1TGHz4ULafHSB1xU5A/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1364.JPG" /></a><br />Devil’s Tower National Monument was a great way to end – although I don’t know where Dacia came up with everything being flat around it. Not. Beautiful forests, hills and valleys surrounded it on every side – although it still “sticks out like a sore thumb” as she so eloquently put it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1V2ZExkE306vJ1xngibl2zQKzhKBCCCrFY5DFkJXUFxgLTdaMSw750QHVK_vJtHIJ2eWyYJUtjNDCSKv5Ax37gnhMdaBzp57K949DopVpIuWE7I2SPGYShfa8TRhEl18tl1I49V-UYs/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_0985.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 119px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 153px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487635797929008354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1V2ZExkE306vJ1xngibl2zQKzhKBCCCrFY5DFkJXUFxgLTdaMSw750QHVK_vJtHIJ2eWyYJUtjNDCSKv5Ax37gnhMdaBzp57K949DopVpIuWE7I2SPGYShfa8TRhEl18tl1I49V-UYs/s200/Black+Hills+Race_0985.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7R0wEX11rc_10NBtwdXsbPF825oSFnJaBUXYJpei0wIrPqs7gjQm8UXeTgsSvS8vMjc86zagwd3lSNrUgyd1uykhVmUGGygbBJMsOEpfrd1A4CMZgjFe15mc76NbOAHuYDsWe6vkju4/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1029.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 146px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 116px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487635784429794258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7R0wEX11rc_10NBtwdXsbPF825oSFnJaBUXYJpei0wIrPqs7gjQm8UXeTgsSvS8vMjc86zagwd3lSNrUgyd1uykhVmUGGygbBJMsOEpfrd1A4CMZgjFe15mc76NbOAHuYDsWe6vkju4/s200/Black+Hills+Race_1029.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Okay – so maybe this wasn’t any shorter than usual, but South Dakota, as State #41, was definitely one of our premier trips and destinations. Thanks for going with us, Dacia…..even if you didn’t do much for the “daughters’ track record” of not making it to the race until I have already finished! Thanks for the planning and it was fun having you.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5I5kozVOC6gs2FC16tQ1-JVgXJ2JBwoNWQfK4-reGuXqLQKMQKVXkFnP-iXItU9q7izp1u1xmmG0WC-6Z2X9m7RhIAM12CRowcde8eItazUBWjUQ0FPd2dLkZA5YYSRF2bTDnp98OE2g/s1600/Black+Hills+Race_1045.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487635029695153394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5I5kozVOC6gs2FC16tQ1-JVgXJ2JBwoNWQfK4-reGuXqLQKMQKVXkFnP-iXItU9q7izp1u1xmmG0WC-6Z2X9m7RhIAM12CRowcde8eItazUBWjUQ0FPd2dLkZA5YYSRF2bTDnp98OE2g/s320/Black+Hills+Race_1045.JPG" /></a>Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-36359290809916489512010-06-17T18:34:00.021-06:002010-06-19T23:44:44.066-06:00Running: How FAR Can You GO?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIHAaGdhezjV9kOq1ayTAMn3P4AlgJMu7UB3yqw4j85cRFZ8TPjLCYNTIwa6b_6cA4ChCj7SxcFofcJcBFhrF06ZpZwTtYp4Dr25WSXAXrJws9BnmI80j6OfKvvwKWHqhFedclJQjUAk/s1600/P1080054_8946.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 264px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 189px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484722130106051874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIHAaGdhezjV9kOq1ayTAMn3P4AlgJMu7UB3yqw4j85cRFZ8TPjLCYNTIwa6b_6cA4ChCj7SxcFofcJcBFhrF06ZpZwTtYp4Dr25WSXAXrJws9BnmI80j6OfKvvwKWHqhFedclJQjUAk/s320/P1080054_8946.JPG" /></a> As people accumulate States in their quiver, there are, no doubt, some that are first in. As the quiver fills up I suspect there are also a few that are invariably last in. In addition to the obvious choices of Alaska, Hawaii, Vermont, Maine and maybe Mississippi – I would have to believe North Dakota is right up there. How many people have you heard telling you about their vacation plans to Bismarck? However, if you are really trying to get to all 50 states, eventually you will be headed to North Dakota. For us it turned out to be State #40. Fargo.<br /><br />Since we always try to combine some sightseeing with our race trips, we began to inquire about ND and Fargo attractions a month or two before the race. As we perused the literature we got the question remained: what do we do in Fargo? We actually met a man from ND whose wife was from Fargo and thought certainly they would have some suggestions. Nope. In fact, he suggested that northern Minnesota had quite a bit to see.<br /><br />As it turns out, we enjoyed Fargo. It isn’t a place to spend a week, but a day was fine. The race landed in the “good” category. It wasn’t an overly scenic course, but went through the middle of the city's historic district and visited a number of neighborhoods. It started and ended in the Fargodome, a rather impressive university and city facility for sporting events and conventions. It was fun watching yourself finish on the Jumbotron!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjbu28oIbdjhrzmk2QqyfxWSdMurbLIFzm6FwcaahcRTRtyEl2YMH-ChV13QNlcvbfk1eOWNEB1lDJw1XkcJK4xLboBXY0LivIaRXy2kivBe_PIwFbczuOCQhj4ZCNSKZk6nKkq-Opxw/s1600/P1080062_8954.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 187px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 142px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484721696858860050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjbu28oIbdjhrzmk2QqyfxWSdMurbLIFzm6FwcaahcRTRtyEl2YMH-ChV13QNlcvbfk1eOWNEB1lDJw1XkcJK4xLboBXY0LivIaRXy2kivBe_PIwFbczuOCQhj4ZCNSKZk6nKkq-Opxw/s200/P1080062_8954.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-jjBdauLo9tM0RTjK-GtBv7YZu96RGxeivtfpefXvrOUd2H9VCLzjMN9Nw1RDLhBLC9hbf9Hn4hAI9bqdQRn9R6tfUcIQ_roLo4Mbu-vakwEECdUoskZoyO7ty4YL205LOXNsbt9KLI/s1600/P1080116_8891.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 184px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 143px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484721677982313554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-jjBdauLo9tM0RTjK-GtBv7YZu96RGxeivtfpefXvrOUd2H9VCLzjMN9Nw1RDLhBLC9hbf9Hn4hAI9bqdQRn9R6tfUcIQ_roLo4Mbu-vakwEECdUoskZoyO7ty4YL205LOXNsbt9KLI/s200/P1080116_8891.JPG" /></a><br />The race was well-supported and even had a fair number of fans out to cheer us on – despite the somewhat inclement weather. (It began raining shortly before the start and didn’t really stop until about 30 minutes into the race – definitely long enough to get us wet. Luckily, it wasn’t cold so the rain wasn’t that bad.) The course also had three other things going for it. The first two: it was very flat and the elevation was low. Those two, combined with the weather, made it a fast course, as well. I managed another “Karen-era” PR, so was quite happy about that – even if I only managed to shave 3 seconds off my previous PR. The third was a special guest - the Ultramarathon Man, Dean Karnazes - whose feats are as bewildering as they are impressive. We've read his book, wondered why he does what he does, but enjoyed meeting and talking to him for awhile. He was personable and even knows Karen's cousin and her husband - who are also part of the "ultra" group.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ih03pwDG6i9Z89ZGoPcauj_4Ih6zMqibdIXbsf38tOf-G6OQBdwYeZLZwzCOBWu1l60acmsfaKSerJl2RWGLZKl6okhrI5uf_dBkb7a8SHEc-RcAAcCKxMV3C2vphiG2ZZeUicvl-ag/s1600/P1080058_8950.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 165px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484719404158234962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ih03pwDG6i9Z89ZGoPcauj_4Ih6zMqibdIXbsf38tOf-G6OQBdwYeZLZwzCOBWu1l60acmsfaKSerJl2RWGLZKl6okhrI5uf_dBkb7a8SHEc-RcAAcCKxMV3C2vphiG2ZZeUicvl-ag/s200/P1080058_8950.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDxwNHbiRwzHw3JpGagBJw7D4Zh-Sk-a_2n3o_P8kQBtNRNIOKqLFR8ENdxm2R_CLE-4kWs02meFEXI8TyfeoMGZvnyIuX6ImoycxgP6bX5FR4ll8AuGfPtVKzMllZxMZPxe838GFes4/s1600/P1080100_8992.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 160px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 120px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484719391973598674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDxwNHbiRwzHw3JpGagBJw7D4Zh-Sk-a_2n3o_P8kQBtNRNIOKqLFR8ENdxm2R_CLE-4kWs02meFEXI8TyfeoMGZvnyIuX6ImoycxgP6bX5FR4ll8AuGfPtVKzMllZxMZPxe838GFes4/s200/P1080100_8992.JPG" /></a><br />Since Southwest doesn’t fly within 250 miles of any part of the state, we flew into Minneapolis and were joined there by Karen’s Mom. We enjoyed the better part of a day in the Twin Cities area, to include a visit to the Mall of America – which has a Nickelodeon amusement park in it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyeuM3nn9WHxIqg-u7cjHpudxA6W_KxD1fl3-OtFD47qd83ZGYAtUUw8qiceDVudtCj1OUfV90pnSHqVtvyW4t2VFWw1NQKIC6YKIwUZ0dAvn7YnCyTKVZVzO0DBNg5In1LgxsIymoiA/s1600/P1080020_9052.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 113px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 142px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484717489650955282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyeuM3nn9WHxIqg-u7cjHpudxA6W_KxD1fl3-OtFD47qd83ZGYAtUUw8qiceDVudtCj1OUfV90pnSHqVtvyW4t2VFWw1NQKIC6YKIwUZ0dAvn7YnCyTKVZVzO0DBNg5In1LgxsIymoiA/s200/P1080020_9052.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7sWn7jEQLF_tNmfz1C1-Jzu13qkl5zxaty_EXqTq2Le1DlZUnqqPbrVwl9I2DbJW25l0jE0gcyYf3yJ2rn6goC3C4FnHB5wNbZw1zDdAc0ro43K-Su2-chqGZq50fnKz4GwCPiYqcfo/s1600/P1070977_9010.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 140px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 112px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484717476057874482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7sWn7jEQLF_tNmfz1C1-Jzu13qkl5zxaty_EXqTq2Le1DlZUnqqPbrVwl9I2DbJW25l0jE0gcyYf3yJ2rn6goC3C4FnHB5wNbZw1zDdAc0ro43K-Su2-chqGZq50fnKz4GwCPiYqcfo/s200/P1070977_9010.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4iEBzTp0zmvkq-IAtG9r_QmO7S8xNp1GviA4HQ2yEKl4uhUIqLgcrtKlOpLOWBhuxzDy6p3vSMXmppGH1rBLb0e90f0BJcInya4ifgZY2hc_w_4Bgf78Bfh7y7Cky25HaRVXEZz1cvY/s1600/P1070983_9016.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 108px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 153px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484717465528204210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4iEBzTp0zmvkq-IAtG9r_QmO7S8xNp1GviA4HQ2yEKl4uhUIqLgcrtKlOpLOWBhuxzDy6p3vSMXmppGH1rBLb0e90f0BJcInya4ifgZY2hc_w_4Bgf78Bfh7y7Cky25HaRVXEZz1cvY/s200/P1070983_9016.JPG" /></a><br />Rachel had a good time there and we also enjoyed some time downtown.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV22NiKrKYbznLZeBvnQ8-lxkANKdjYHWyXy-VNUH3Fu7FfZuJMGi4N3E3El_u4kGlE7toTGOL-6-wclvUc1PUAOZkHTyzjMr-5-CGsnYh3vxIai8xWHdO5WMqXBAhaofScA-FdY8x6fY/s1600/P1080046_9078.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 127px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 92px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484720760890058226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV22NiKrKYbznLZeBvnQ8-lxkANKdjYHWyXy-VNUH3Fu7FfZuJMGi4N3E3El_u4kGlE7toTGOL-6-wclvUc1PUAOZkHTyzjMr-5-CGsnYh3vxIai8xWHdO5WMqXBAhaofScA-FdY8x6fY/s200/P1080046_9078.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wGHfg2koxBzy-wapPWD4VMBVlZ5-ezVBqPSee6cktth4cRc-e_sHM7mzAMIr2G14mmSyCxoTHhuhJlUn9VmOX7uLLyRp_c1AaJNLGEEUfSmLEwUF-Yl_FYras_f_bTr7aRed7bRYH7s/s1600/P1080025_9057.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 93px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 117px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484720752720514354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wGHfg2koxBzy-wapPWD4VMBVlZ5-ezVBqPSee6cktth4cRc-e_sHM7mzAMIr2G14mmSyCxoTHhuhJlUn9VmOX7uLLyRp_c1AaJNLGEEUfSmLEwUF-Yl_FYras_f_bTr7aRed7bRYH7s/s200/P1080025_9057.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQQKpaUFbrHisbXrLGTsuSkWAoCWdGzkILw1_D6-AkhA_EqYtzmiXcLCN-PY24eaE28E2pMX-JEbrtWFNHg74TvUEV6B3-RvWaZeX-OkDGjGi4j9y4QpJaltAjMY_NYYzE21fhZmPuxU/s1600/P1080031_9063.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 106px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484720742068080530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQQKpaUFbrHisbXrLGTsuSkWAoCWdGzkILw1_D6-AkhA_EqYtzmiXcLCN-PY24eaE28E2pMX-JEbrtWFNHg74TvUEV6B3-RvWaZeX-OkDGjGi4j9y4QpJaltAjMY_NYYzE21fhZmPuxU/s200/P1080031_9063.JPG" /></a><br />In North Dakota, a highlight was a half-day scenic byway through the Sheyenne River valley – probably a quintessential, rural, Midwest countryside, which was actually quite peaceful and pretty.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaDGGPFBFXY6hyTsfeOY-uSulrsNgrgPr4Iz3H6Nj7weMGGI2Li9yz4-MTPuj8aVS_FSCix0TU9bNF9nl5-YkFlSRB7d6mOmxSo2Jz7QV3ZsTd7mq6bNpo71BLIbRPQkj37HtnIzeCoI/s1600/P1080073_8965.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 123px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 99px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484718932834287890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaDGGPFBFXY6hyTsfeOY-uSulrsNgrgPr4Iz3H6Nj7weMGGI2Li9yz4-MTPuj8aVS_FSCix0TU9bNF9nl5-YkFlSRB7d6mOmxSo2Jz7QV3ZsTd7mq6bNpo71BLIbRPQkj37HtnIzeCoI/s200/P1080073_8965.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TL5ypJrkRJCZasCKFIWY7Fsp7blRbalxCScfY8yJmeekgGU9Z4D7_bGSnX1gCx625nWPO2EVJwCzLZ5DDKJgNnkj-frt8n0ug7VhfJzO9S07ShuHKErs7XsfAdW_yFg7qd11pF0M3hQ/s1600/P1080085_8977.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 120px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 101px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484718923539799122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TL5ypJrkRJCZasCKFIWY7Fsp7blRbalxCScfY8yJmeekgGU9Z4D7_bGSnX1gCx625nWPO2EVJwCzLZ5DDKJgNnkj-frt8n0ug7VhfJzO9S07ShuHKErs7XsfAdW_yFg7qd11pF0M3hQ/s200/P1080085_8977.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszZ8z1FTlnc4WSGxkGJaNbqPMAk_TbplMH79n7vzgfUyq8FeXK_B0uQoiLJz7OtGshp7nx5f-NwTqTwGX-kQea1hLYhtLyJSnm6cGntOF84yceHlU_wxDWSAQED6r8oniP0aZ7t7oIUs/s1600/P1080086_8978.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 119px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 98px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484718912353651650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszZ8z1FTlnc4WSGxkGJaNbqPMAk_TbplMH79n7vzgfUyq8FeXK_B0uQoiLJz7OtGshp7nx5f-NwTqTwGX-kQea1hLYhtLyJSnm6cGntOF84yceHlU_wxDWSAQED6r8oniP0aZ7t7oIUs/s200/P1080086_8978.JPG" /></a><br /><br />After the race we traveled a day and a half in northern Minnesota and were quite impressed.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYrWtW3CpNy4Du3eXihKzJw-FvACoMxoLNzkGKx530xtXNjeESKRuDk1NCCsCD9FddWVKbNkTEwpKXEh3uupc8JK9B51ALog7ijvNhIDvQ-ajP243t0IOB7PEFViTpXNr4seHBS3qJdk/s1600/P1080156_8931.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 188px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 144px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484718144445984434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYrWtW3CpNy4Du3eXihKzJw-FvACoMxoLNzkGKx530xtXNjeESKRuDk1NCCsCD9FddWVKbNkTEwpKXEh3uupc8JK9B51ALog7ijvNhIDvQ-ajP243t0IOB7PEFViTpXNr4seHBS3qJdk/s200/P1080156_8931.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sCA0czUWFXtLEojZ1EKfkORTqFbucGEck-UZd4-HeIkq5ao05tR19P3a4CS2tVgsqr7poygavcJgF_fnZ36T5jek5zKnKzQJ4w-axoO5LHBy0byDx6mUDKsHJ1N0VVetWsjhXIKfzxE/s1600/P1080158_8933.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 188px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 143px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484718127995880418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sCA0czUWFXtLEojZ1EKfkORTqFbucGEck-UZd4-HeIkq5ao05tR19P3a4CS2tVgsqr7poygavcJgF_fnZ36T5jek5zKnKzQJ4w-axoO5LHBy0byDx6mUDKsHJ1N0VVetWsjhXIKfzxE/s200/P1080158_8933.JPG" /></a><br />It was green, hilly, forested and validated the State’s nickname: “Land of 1000 Lakes”. I have never seen so many lakes! For part of the drive you could not drive a full minute without seeing another one. Highlight lakes were Itasca (headwaters of the Mississippi River) and Bemidji, where we spent a night.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKv48aF2HLRDJoAZO9XvdowTRv1ToWN-qrUDdpomPoLquiyuvlPpIUNS-uQO-rgs8LSgXrdb11bnsCUu2fmLibzq9fswYkhGeuP_8e-KYPqdySrPMRi4P5IJGLMU8J49OWMFlOvnBFDQ/s1600/P1080148_8923.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 122px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 161px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484715567296644386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKv48aF2HLRDJoAZO9XvdowTRv1ToWN-qrUDdpomPoLquiyuvlPpIUNS-uQO-rgs8LSgXrdb11bnsCUu2fmLibzq9fswYkhGeuP_8e-KYPqdySrPMRi4P5IJGLMU8J49OWMFlOvnBFDQ/s200/P1080148_8923.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fRCDTP5TzdwkEcMs9Flv3o3keAyJi3S6PQKxAoWaW9vB6co0bBQNePHypLQqc0nP2vovNH-xmzCIyfBxyXFejmG71gf61_yrLgcN7N-kps9EO1lWBf7E0D4jnuKM9r4lr0GErGcw-y8/s1600/P1080142_8917.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 121px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 158px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484715557829052194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fRCDTP5TzdwkEcMs9Flv3o3keAyJi3S6PQKxAoWaW9vB6co0bBQNePHypLQqc0nP2vovNH-xmzCIyfBxyXFejmG71gf61_yrLgcN7N-kps9EO1lWBf7E0D4jnuKM9r4lr0GErGcw-y8/s200/P1080142_8917.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubqcTm7bw1yY9Xv3dSav7BdKk9Jz4RlpZ7IS5NUib5Gr7C6POT_LzXxu9_D4H8BFc1H6Zvw0ossofZFNbzAZVWwJOyaQ2k8FkXuoM4SMvEfnUa970j0ZxPt6ghtv6OVkVVtOqOCbe1go/s1600/P1080154_8929.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 124px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 157px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484715547770081842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubqcTm7bw1yY9Xv3dSav7BdKk9Jz4RlpZ7IS5NUib5Gr7C6POT_LzXxu9_D4H8BFc1H6Zvw0ossofZFNbzAZVWwJOyaQ2k8FkXuoM4SMvEfnUa970j0ZxPt6ghtv6OVkVVtOqOCbe1go/s200/P1080154_8929.JPG" /></a><br />It was cool being able to see how a river the size of the Mississippi got its start – and to be able to walk across it on rocks in the stream! We got as far east as Duluth on the western tip of Lake Superior - the greatest of the Great Lakes and had a nice drive along a piece of coastline, but the fog obscured much of what we would have seen.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2-MTH80W9cRq7kPLpTLkvNIjMxLvYlQ338QUDM7bpMVbEin1N3UUPRynJQsxI1pARX_ZSMc2jdoc8i8p00_uE7N08DDE3vlTwZD_fQ2kU_IeLjL-svSbqJXjrvzwHeiU77CqMB2RE00/s1600/P1070972_9005.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCp1IFyr4R0qmyYDqE02lp37yx_xctHlVjwUKs8v5ExaDFy4DbqDf2FtjT_VHMu6uvkUJTqd8rIdNrNgjlFc83slHooGK4edN9RxR_zbpSUYLLDdXFnqWxBaqfh21tDQDdHQCJkQN8Wrw/s1600/P1080215_8865.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 176px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484714418559566322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCp1IFyr4R0qmyYDqE02lp37yx_xctHlVjwUKs8v5ExaDFy4DbqDf2FtjT_VHMu6uvkUJTqd8rIdNrNgjlFc83slHooGK4edN9RxR_zbpSUYLLDdXFnqWxBaqfh21tDQDdHQCJkQN8Wrw/s200/P1080215_8865.JPG" /></a><br />It was another good race and great trip – and we’ve been to North Dakota! It was also a good visit with Karen's Mom. And if you’re looking for the thoughtful nugget from Fargo – don’t let the rain ruin your day!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oGjn1c-4NYLAxLsp7I0cAQI8mNb0dfIeEiwo2G-KU9IPDo5EMnykZZL40F6sMm_42JWNqOgLOJ4PeSerhpia4ibNae7xQj4Pejz439Zpjn0AYBiZ7RRbBXxyZm-HvFRGRI8ZjtbCB8w/s1600/P1080115_8890.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484726649025221346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oGjn1c-4NYLAxLsp7I0cAQI8mNb0dfIeEiwo2G-KU9IPDo5EMnykZZL40F6sMm_42JWNqOgLOJ4PeSerhpia4ibNae7xQj4Pejz439Zpjn0AYBiZ7RRbBXxyZm-HvFRGRI8ZjtbCB8w/s200/P1080115_8890.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonQHwfX4WoMown8c65_SBGCxO0Vgq0sEYQOxAz2u0mGWwxHhEeDzCW0mvppjM5LBEgqxR4EmFnMdI4koK5Re7sKZ8UzDss0kcnJiZMwuB1AjBdHVqq3jOsXrEAwZ6nWbQScKzOImxoKw/s1600/P1070972_9005.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 185px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 139px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484725144788597202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonQHwfX4WoMown8c65_SBGCxO0Vgq0sEYQOxAz2u0mGWwxHhEeDzCW0mvppjM5LBEgqxR4EmFnMdI4koK5Re7sKZ8UzDss0kcnJiZMwuB1AjBdHVqq3jOsXrEAwZ6nWbQScKzOImxoKw/s200/P1070972_9005.JPG" /></a>Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-8071266294012415642010-05-30T10:27:00.016-06:002010-05-30T16:59:03.656-06:00Running to Remember<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxnUct3I5PgedqOksexzXaVrQzv5N5XrM6FvS2BgvFVgrzdNzqqBr4IINzHMH3eHAGUC7ijNCIu2tVh0ThibLvsLaVg1tzKx_69WszKL9vnfsLqjm3wbL-FB2SXJsLqhcu6TnN9fzIdo/s1600/P1070420_8375.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MtpwPDtNeUpuG-5XPhH3CURaScwFSEoD8pBgrzzJ1eIrXgUMmj5-uyPeGeoZOhtKOVgIKANMdyrNkByOmHziH8j3VWlDGH6nzBLVhs2-iOA5tfI-91IdS8DawmbiuabNRCefrZ0Mc_U/s1600/P1070398_8353.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 304px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 216px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477198240906856546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MtpwPDtNeUpuG-5XPhH3CURaScwFSEoD8pBgrzzJ1eIrXgUMmj5-uyPeGeoZOhtKOVgIKANMdyrNkByOmHziH8j3VWlDGH6nzBLVhs2-iOA5tfI-91IdS8DawmbiuabNRCefrZ0Mc_U/s320/P1070398_8353.JPG" /></a>Certain events are indelibly imprinted on our minds and consciousness. The atta<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxnUct3I5PgedqOksexzXaVrQzv5N5XrM6FvS2BgvFVgrzdNzqqBr4IINzHMH3eHAGUC7ijNCIu2tVh0ThibLvsLaVg1tzKx_69WszKL9vnfsLqjm3wbL-FB2SXJsLqhcu6TnN9fzIdo/s1600/P1070420_8375.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 138px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477197660326359810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxnUct3I5PgedqOksexzXaVrQzv5N5XrM6FvS2BgvFVgrzdNzqqBr4IINzHMH3eHAGUC7ijNCIu2tVh0ThibLvsLaVg1tzKx_69WszKL9vnfsLqjm3wbL-FB2SXJsLqhcu6TnN9fzIdo/s200/P1070420_8375.JPG" /></a>cks of 9/11 are such events. However, before 9/11 there was the Oklahoma City bombing in April 1995. The effects and impact were devastating. We immediately assumed Middle Eastern terrorists were behind it, so imagine our surprise to learn it was perpetrated by anti-government zealots – indeed, homegrown, American terrorists. Whatever their origin, this event was seared into our collective consciousness – an unfathomable, unbelievable tragedy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZGVcwRD3xLmrORNHMT1a-7IaaBXrDWkrO_7gNyNTaf-XUaB9vXlRnwrJFH56s_qIuk0B-YuyEKYFakBBZfXn7GH1z_x8g4CUpccrzxrnzbZ21eTWyPMQcpTzTfhgaTyjGPrymywZ-Iw/s1600/P1070494_8241.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 185px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 137px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477197975817382050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZGVcwRD3xLmrORNHMT1a-7IaaBXrDWkrO_7gNyNTaf-XUaB9vXlRnwrJFH56s_qIuk0B-YuyEKYFakBBZfXn7GH1z_x8g4CUpccrzxrnzbZ21eTWyPMQcpTzTfhgaTyjGPrymywZ-Iw/s200/P1070494_8241.JPG" /></a>For years after the tragedy, the city attempted to heal and rebuild – while never forgetting the need to remember. Ten years ago, as part of that process, the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon had its start – together with the opening of the National Memorial and Museum. It was a run to remember the lives lost and those forever impacted because of those lost. It was a run to remind us of the fragility of life, while embracing the hope that helped the city cope with the sorrow and anger – and eventually to heal and p<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqC1PTksu7PD-BxBxp9gGlJhSbiXyO6ZZZcb4wzZchfkNImF8BpgInzP6-k2fhXjn524UyfaT5pNH0EoixiFP9Y5QknV9hyqXW3mcH5tY8ls_lyBDyU4mcpQT4WBMzpFO-S9wo_n9LLyo/s1600/P1070404_8359.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 182px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 138px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477197336647142258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqC1PTksu7PD-BxBxp9gGlJhSbiXyO6ZZZcb4wzZchfkNImF8BpgInzP6-k2fhXjn524UyfaT5pNH0EoixiFP9Y5QknV9hyqXW3mcH5tY8ls_lyBDyU4mcpQT4WBMzpFO-S9wo_n9LLyo/s200/P1070404_8359.JPG" /></a>ress forward. For Karen and me, it was a run quite unlike others we have done. It wasn’t a party – and yet it was a celebration of life. It wasn’t festive – and yet the spirit of the occasion prompted determination and accomplishment that was remarkable. For us, it was an unforgettable run and a weekend.<br /><br />The course itself wasn’t particularly scenic or noteworthy; however, the pre-race remembrances, 168 seconds of silence (one for each of the lives lost in the bombing), and the setting along side the National Memorial made it truly memorable. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9Us90MAyaEo9OPBqmQQenEP8QlioPxHPHkl0TlKBuJ_Kr9ZNB82RgKMPqpuJw5JOB9sXX4hHN593aY91e3RjCQGZpPo-yrqOTVVmvVfNJdYDE_oCjap3V-01EbH3fdGmYvSra_Pkfv0/s1600/P1070370_8325.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 138px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 183px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477196644480064738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9Us90MAyaEo9OPBqmQQenEP8QlioPxHPHkl0TlKBuJ_Kr9ZNB82RgKMPqpuJw5JOB9sXX4hHN593aY91e3RjCQGZpPo-yrqOTVVmvVfNJdYDE_oCjap3V-01EbH3fdGmYvSra_Pkfv0/s200/P1070370_8325.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-qnwlXRN_cZnWtly3uqBftmKfXH9OjmgLRIBfPLct7W_WDwlMPrp1ZT1h2K-Xdc1Lutt3VttAt_Xdv-pcZPmUkBadpVW6NCJKXNVrPdwlBryOgtKR1L_p5c7RM_-auRFIP4nxg7w4NQ/s1600/P1070378_8333.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 138px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 184px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477196639685489394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-qnwlXRN_cZnWtly3uqBftmKfXH9OjmgLRIBfPLct7W_WDwlMPrp1ZT1h2K-Xdc1Lutt3VttAt_Xdv-pcZPmUkBadpVW6NCJKXNVrPdwlBryOgtKR1L_p5c7RM_-auRFIP4nxg7w4NQ/s200/P1070378_8333.JPG" /></a>It went through downtown, the dining and entertainment district of Bricktown, around the State Capitol and through residential areas (some quite impressive) and business districts, before ending back at the Memorial. The weather, despite some wind, was good for running and the hills were not that serious. There were no PRs, but I was happy with my time and the training level it indicated. Perhaps, more importantly, I was very happy that we had chosen this race in Oklahoma.<br /><br />Since we were childless for the weekend (many thanks to Buggy), we took advantage of our freedom to eat out two evenings in Bricktown and take in a AAA baseball game.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqAeG37XEo2KmTrwAb7SDlIlVzW_NctNFCC5y1Knn-Veu_AdIfawSVI_jRG7fPn3Ncq7veJt2nJfrD2I09dQR1lU5-jw4KSS1Y-iCL2eLcMBGltWE-a7WfE8_mBMR_If-dxpHYhGKQ7A/s1600/P1070435_8280.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 114px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 144px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477196074153201906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqAeG37XEo2KmTrwAb7SDlIlVzW_NctNFCC5y1Knn-Veu_AdIfawSVI_jRG7fPn3Ncq7veJt2nJfrD2I09dQR1lU5-jw4KSS1Y-iCL2eLcMBGltWE-a7WfE8_mBMR_If-dxpHYhGKQ7A/s200/P1070435_8280.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWR75gQkbHD_mdM2NWF12WvYUKjxDI2jcAkUfodGjuTBx0fvXdrkXjg_N07IRKPJxOk_7jqpiMaq-0_rY1HtBsqu_D_6kS1MNWeazcK5z3LTm8wH0SOTdUDkcp4FegpfV6Nf0q4SoA_0/s1600/P1070431_8276.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 138px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 108px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477196068106062898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWR75gQkbHD_mdM2NWF12WvYUKjxDI2jcAkUfodGjuTBx0fvXdrkXjg_N07IRKPJxOk_7jqpiMaq-0_rY1HtBsqu_D_6kS1MNWeazcK5z3LTm8wH0SOTdUDkcp4FegpfV6Nf0q4SoA_0/s200/P1070431_8276.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWNV_rrl7ld-_WDrxO_OAi8eTernpDcb3eh2OOymBPDxW57HzZdxe_MxVkzqy9ymdwbkLMkem0fwCGyXzftJmTZP51oO7xvvd7YcTqepePSadvnggXhjXE2V4I3ANXgl6_cCZVplf6OM/s1600/P1070451_8296.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 120px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 146px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477196057109115074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWNV_rrl7ld-_WDrxO_OAi8eTernpDcb3eh2OOymBPDxW57HzZdxe_MxVkzqy9ymdwbkLMkem0fwCGyXzftJmTZP51oO7xvvd7YcTqepePSadvnggXhjXE2V4I3ANXgl6_cCZVplf6OM/s200/P1070451_8296.JPG" /></a><br />We also visited the very impressive National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, which had a collection of beautiful western art and sculpture and a fascinating exhibit on western films and TV – to include the shows, the stars and their place in American heritage. It was quite a reminder to me of how our family spent our Sunday evenings when I was growing up – and what the true film staple was of the era. It was well worth the visit.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YGzEfom0EEZvu5RHfvWT7ki6LQJ_3ZdRFBofhXotPuaNzpgKgzS8zZvbe_kJn2QDhaIDGfkgoRgK3ryNUgrzcwPTO8OCfWbU4x_e9uEMkRKaWJRTH33JMuAKinDaqvRMejPv_VB3bVU/s1600/P1070516_8263.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 183px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 137px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477195128075964194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YGzEfom0EEZvu5RHfvWT7ki6LQJ_3ZdRFBofhXotPuaNzpgKgzS8zZvbe_kJn2QDhaIDGfkgoRgK3ryNUgrzcwPTO8OCfWbU4x_e9uEMkRKaWJRTH33JMuAKinDaqvRMejPv_VB3bVU/s200/P1070516_8263.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQqjHcQ5-EbUkwkj1d8Gs-4XYa3h1uHF7rngw_nfx59344T9UU8FKgoF7wEUSKYFz5iyoQfXoWQqYI7sanRCmYjKWyjAkk6nvHSaJn11ezvWemYHyGO2POJSxJv9ElxeERFJAxn7ixE8/s1600/P1070509_8256.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 179px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 137px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477195121707480226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQqjHcQ5-EbUkwkj1d8Gs-4XYa3h1uHF7rngw_nfx59344T9UU8FKgoF7wEUSKYFz5iyoQfXoWQqYI7sanRCmYjKWyjAkk6nvHSaJn11ezvWemYHyGO2POJSxJv9ElxeERFJAxn7ixE8/s200/P1070509_8256.JPG" /></a><br />We capped the trip off with a visit to the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman. Despite my predisposition of general distaste for that institution, it was a pretty campus with some very impressive buildings, such as a magnificent library reading room.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTGsT3hRa6rYG41LiJ0Gvl3COrhTgvlWR3EpJ71JFMcw5rwDDZ9Q59_GOM5mmHW05kYQtgI8S16P_jQEIWITVdd2BupxKJdTMrcr6-vOW58f4CIjL-sWjQ7mxjCpeTbej01EfRnDTwKk/s1600/P1070392_8347.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 183px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 142px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477194625011831170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTGsT3hRa6rYG41LiJ0Gvl3COrhTgvlWR3EpJ71JFMcw5rwDDZ9Q59_GOM5mmHW05kYQtgI8S16P_jQEIWITVdd2BupxKJdTMrcr6-vOW58f4CIjL-sWjQ7mxjCpeTbej01EfRnDTwKk/s200/P1070392_8347.JPG" /></a>The highlight of the trip was the Memorial and its message. We spent considerable time on the grounds and walking through the exhibits and memorabilia. I cannot imagine it not touching a person in a very real way – especially considering the very young children whose lives were also lost in this tragedy. This was brought home poignantly as we walked through the Memorial’s rows of empty chairs following the race – looking at the pictures, flowers and memorabilia left there for the weekend. As we came to one chair and looked at the picture of a newlywed couple placed there I noticed a young woman adjacent to the chair – who looked strangely like the woman in the picture. I inquired and learned the picture was of her and her husband – married some six months ago – and that the chair was her Dad’s. She had been 14 at the time of the bombing. His was also an empty chair at their wedding. The Memorial message connected. The stories of very real people – leading very normal lives – that were shattered in an instant and the days, weeks and months that followed. The stories of the responders, the<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjUqhUsFvzSps-NUQf_LpyVVjSTB_fK7bZwTqKArk_wWj_Qbstat5a6hZR4RbCLdum_E2ytKZPpJjtq7Zm4FXSOr4z_B7P7X1rDkIVIQkk_TD43tOGL9kBjqYu3_Xp5kWhNTricf0EvY/s1600/P1070422_8377.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 182px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 136px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477194177350601666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjUqhUsFvzSps-NUQf_LpyVVjSTB_fK7bZwTqKArk_wWj_Qbstat5a6hZR4RbCLdum_E2ytKZPpJjtq7Zm4FXSOr4z_B7P7X1rDkIVIQkk_TD43tOGL9kBjqYu3_Xp5kWhNTricf0EvY/s200/P1070422_8377.JPG" /></a> investigators and even the attorneys and, just as importantly, those who rebuilt their lives and their communities, were stories worth hearing. They are also stories worth remembering. Indeed there is much evil in the world – and it is truly unbelievable what some people will do. It is bad enough that adults are impacted, but when innocent children also perish, it is all the more tragic and senseless. Fortunately, there is still much good counteracting the evil – and that was ALSO on display following the tragedy. The thoughtful message is that we must never let down our guard and we must never forget – lest we are destined to repeat the tragedies of our history. And interestingly enough, as I ran the race I took strength from the message of the memorial and the individuals who perished in the bombing. Let us also not forget that there is strength and inspiration in our heritage.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OB9YVo6vYZmE0Vbaqqy9S7ylAK4NWYcVXabWyhIN3rZOYMU-TNmWfuTYOXL0O3GPiZlj2Tf_PhqSAjaAVeCdX3BPTJ7N2bJhd0tXP_JbTafvn5rAGheLVLTxaKeZ2HCpUW1XBkLM5So/s1600/P1070491_8238.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 291px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477192830397823970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OB9YVo6vYZmE0Vbaqqy9S7ylAK4NWYcVXabWyhIN3rZOYMU-TNmWfuTYOXL0O3GPiZlj2Tf_PhqSAjaAVeCdX3BPTJ7N2bJhd0tXP_JbTafvn5rAGheLVLTxaKeZ2HCpUW1XBkLM5So/s320/P1070491_8238.JPG" /></a>Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632382939025711322.post-71080966999986568612010-04-18T22:04:00.016-06:002010-04-20T21:52:06.350-06:00Capitol Running<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIjvld8QUtGj4t6KXRYosLJiJ1ZJXZFZN7cS6wVu-X_1xepFmS2tBVCTBPSLwsnSbR8_bgEfLzVjsFeo73N6NiSLMI8Rr9-5yleVN0qHyQFbbbwYpEeI4VYIWey9YY_i7egW3hAdN9lg/s1600/P1060875_7784.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIjvld8QUtGj4t6KXRYosLJiJ1ZJXZFZN7cS6wVu-X_1xepFmS2tBVCTBPSLwsnSbR8_bgEfLzVjsFeo73N6NiSLMI8Rr9-5yleVN0qHyQFbbbwYpEeI4VYIWey9YY_i7egW3hAdN9lg/s320/P1060875_7784.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462429090066049730" border="0" /></a>There is a saying about life that “you can’t go back.” I suspect that is probably true about life – at least in most cases – and I have found that often true about travel, as well – not necessarily that you can’t go back, but that you usually don’t. You find yourself in a beautiful place, having a great time, and you want to come back. And yet, life’s commitments, time constraints and pull to unseen places often result in not coming back. However, there are exceptions. For me, one of those has been Washington, DC. I have no idea how many times I have been there, but I always enjoy the trips and am always ready to go again. With that in mind Karen and I decided that we would do a race in the District of Columbia, even though it isn’t a state. We were not disappointed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqFmrRxecee1sFAlTA533Y8nx4npRqWwV7RGms1RctKCJUj5pnqzPnAmXqrxR9s4CAj0cNbgYXotyNqNr-4bjanuQ5Rz5zqkiYvx1QXe15wdF3Oemu87uqkqYE0BLGGXbsFsQRuo5DvU/s1600/P1060887_7796.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqFmrRxecee1sFAlTA533Y8nx4npRqWwV7RGms1RctKCJUj5pnqzPnAmXqrxR9s4CAj0cNbgYXotyNqNr-4bjanuQ5Rz5zqkiYvx1QXe15wdF3Oemu87uqkqYE0BLGGXbsFsQRuo5DvU/s200/P1060887_7796.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462428881724578066" border="0" /></a><br />On the 20th of March we ran the National Half-Marathon, part of the full marathon and relay that claim the distinction of being the only such races run exclusively in the District of Columbia. Race morning turned out to be almost ideal for running – quite cool, very little breeze, some humidity and early, diffused sun. The race started at the DC Armory, ran through Capitol Heights (home of many politicians and prominent business people), past the US Capitol, along the Mall past Smithsonian and other museums, the Washington Monument and the White House, then turned up through Dupont Circle and another neighborhood before circling back to Robert F. Kennedy Stadium and the Armory where we had started and then finished. Although I was fairly happy with my time, it wasn’t as fast as I might have hoped, primarily due to the congestion at the mass start of 10,000 runners on narrow streets. The first mile was an exercise in dodging runners, trying to get room to run and keeping from tripping over people.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjp9L45u3X1scwyj23Lv49BqvUblRlpCxkHX5E25m-0qVWhmykNic9Vw5R7s2K-rnqiMHyu2RgmGFCXMyexaH4Dwtvw4LUTAVHN2JUTuPtmPQlmo2o9yff0qdpc8yqEwnpmjz2Gu7SRU/s1600/P1060883_7792.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjp9L45u3X1scwyj23Lv49BqvUblRlpCxkHX5E25m-0qVWhmykNic9Vw5R7s2K-rnqiMHyu2RgmGFCXMyexaH4Dwtvw4LUTAVHN2JUTuPtmPQlmo2o9yff0qdpc8yqEwnpmjz2Gu7SRU/s200/P1060883_7792.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462428308037797970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_RgFhsCVHSv_hgq1CVcfIYckVTOOU3tryYSv54kM3kJurZwmEO73J961W9R1UfumIQwEwaM66xwpEWCL97eJjzniLKencJ8c8RpfeO30WtoX3TqQyuyxu-29EupxX-O-Os66FBU2UQU/s1600/P1060847_7821.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 113px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_RgFhsCVHSv_hgq1CVcfIYckVTOOU3tryYSv54kM3kJurZwmEO73J961W9R1UfumIQwEwaM66xwpEWCL97eJjzniLKencJ8c8RpfeO30WtoX3TqQyuyxu-29EupxX-O-Os66FBU2UQU/s200/P1060847_7821.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462428298319729458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjprUyGbxW1OpcA5d8KLjCk39rIhN-TdmZDXHl3rKzKyDpXcdKCHAjWcapXbSu67V44OXo2fbPRhoCSd3RjIsLIMVjnGab-h6rwfCCJsJZkgjDK8OrXsuqgvMKyNsax-gMrC3hg2s4l7M/s1600/P1060864_7773.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 111px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjprUyGbxW1OpcA5d8KLjCk39rIhN-TdmZDXHl3rKzKyDpXcdKCHAjWcapXbSu67V44OXo2fbPRhoCSd3RjIsLIMVjnGab-h6rwfCCJsJZkgjDK8OrXsuqgvMKyNsax-gMrC3hg2s4l7M/s200/P1060864_7773.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462428291297183554" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Results notwithstanding, there is something to be said about running through our nation’s history and past the landmarks of our democracy and founding. And once free of the pack it seemed like the running was easier through the reminders of who we are.<br /><br />We only had three half days, but utilized the time to see a few things again and to see some things we've never seen before. We had two splendid half-days on the Mall, with visits to the Lincoln, Jefferson and Roosevelt Memorials, as well as the war memorials for WWII, Vietnam and the Marines on Iwo Jima. Visiting the pools, feeding the ducks and soaking up the sunshine were great, too. However, we also spent several hours at the National Zoo (a bit disappointing - perhaps because it was early in the year with lots of construction), visited the beautifully imposing National Cathedral and spent some time at the new Pentagon Memorial to 9/11.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaUQ_dI3-GSZphhW8OuVCT3ZrpOFHdf9aJyiSgjEg2_gUXRw6OaO_HTolPlmxQ5KYUbjFWfYo_R4jJw7LvZPtVhM1IpkJscBWcHrWvZ29aAE1CfCA0yHYipvAQWt6_spK7d98g15F1xQ/s1600/P1060952_7751.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaUQ_dI3-GSZphhW8OuVCT3ZrpOFHdf9aJyiSgjEg2_gUXRw6OaO_HTolPlmxQ5KYUbjFWfYo_R4jJw7LvZPtVhM1IpkJscBWcHrWvZ29aAE1CfCA0yHYipvAQWt6_spK7d98g15F1xQ/s200/P1060952_7751.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462427136403512354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMnNQsNA4g4RPru8CRWSFRMaQjx9g7W03SM4ReA1kKfOpItqCCC7zgSGrS_a4T0mg5Cdg2PsHmo5iCk3k31k_bZooxfY3qqVKrYBtDi7z-gY9JJNvM9kXYT-rSAU8chlXpbyrEMEKASQ/s1600/P1060946_7745.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMnNQsNA4g4RPru8CRWSFRMaQjx9g7W03SM4ReA1kKfOpItqCCC7zgSGrS_a4T0mg5Cdg2PsHmo5iCk3k31k_bZooxfY3qqVKrYBtDi7z-gY9JJNvM9kXYT-rSAU8chlXpbyrEMEKASQ/s200/P1060946_7745.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462427131104396738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2iVEHWvWbXiQJWDXXCycmRhyuBvJnqw4kSdJ34eJbYMtUPaLwzZHDtNwW0H5uCWD3F8oStYQuDd-4SCf7L9uhgBv9swBC1YFHchboT2JEsA_LY66IjMRejNvCGu_no9-T7fYJnCj5BA/s1600/P1060934_7733.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2iVEHWvWbXiQJWDXXCycmRhyuBvJnqw4kSdJ34eJbYMtUPaLwzZHDtNwW0H5uCWD3F8oStYQuDd-4SCf7L9uhgBv9swBC1YFHchboT2JEsA_LY66IjMRejNvCGu_no9-T7fYJnCj5BA/s200/P1060934_7733.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462427534307294050" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpa2kWYjXaO1JH4vOdflC6pDfITrTjinFoqhHwfG_Rq0OM42u_GSuAwC2D3Kcic5CjP88ViR9BlsRCRwQ8mfYPuOZ_d2f9loF5NND_Dhk8Tf8I3WX_4ihvsnx9dLv5l2VnJyPCITfomY/s1600/P1060919_7718.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 121px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpa2kWYjXaO1JH4vOdflC6pDfITrTjinFoqhHwfG_Rq0OM42u_GSuAwC2D3Kcic5CjP88ViR9BlsRCRwQ8mfYPuOZ_d2f9loF5NND_Dhk8Tf8I3WX_4ihvsnx9dLv5l2VnJyPCITfomY/s200/P1060919_7718.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462427527822178562" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We also visited some friends and took advantage of their hospitality. We spent one night with Blane and Judy Cox (who graciously watched Rachel for us on Saturday morning for the race),<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslPA1Vq2WNtR8lLXHZZJZj0GfehYMr4SMv5_NT_CC494ON8dh6fGlHMFH9jPEAI2b5dFniKKyT1R0uc9dlapmWuJv2cABN4-ucvZRna0SeRS99GGa1ncwpKn-1bgWLIQUJW_IUwUVu6Y/s1600/P1060938_7737.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 113px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslPA1Vq2WNtR8lLXHZZJZj0GfehYMr4SMv5_NT_CC494ON8dh6fGlHMFH9jPEAI2b5dFniKKyT1R0uc9dlapmWuJv2cABN4-ucvZRna0SeRS99GGa1ncwpKn-1bgWLIQUJW_IUwUVu6Y/s200/P1060938_7737.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462426560819251666" border="0" /></a> to include lunch following the race with Lael, Linnea and her husband – and got a good update on the family, not to mention meeting Judy and getting acquainted. We also had a great BBQ with Bill and Ruby Martin Sunday afternoon, with Lisa, her husband and Adam there. Perfect complements to the weekend, which also included strolling through the embassies in DuPont and enjoying some great eating in DC neighborhoods. (What would a race weekend be without some great eating?!?)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLnFIavdDuu_XMlA1Iup4ACTLvu22J7zK3CXXcLxBePKik3fIH0oOPeonYZ2SWywii_UWEOuh-NJPeK9KG1LC0Z1p5nQu59YtevWRhK3ta3CN-HDcZsjD6C5Io9CmaH_D9xwgDAXVS8I/s1600/P1060911_7710.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLnFIavdDuu_XMlA1Iup4ACTLvu22J7zK3CXXcLxBePKik3fIH0oOPeonYZ2SWywii_UWEOuh-NJPeK9KG1LC0Z1p5nQu59YtevWRhK3ta3CN-HDcZsjD6C5Io9CmaH_D9xwgDAXVS8I/s200/P1060911_7710.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462426112270705586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7tQQu5UhO6hc1I4V1nRwnDGpF455DwEnTAGu7oZOQ8nj92a7qmC8pnd7bJ-WcIWMIPk7n9xTPTIIy_IdAbJtcM7IH2x2m9tPBOJt1mfGDQTzxfByJitkwbWEpQNFGNWbq8GLOwVTijQ/s1600/P1060860_7769.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7tQQu5UhO6hc1I4V1nRwnDGpF455DwEnTAGu7oZOQ8nj92a7qmC8pnd7bJ-WcIWMIPk7n9xTPTIIy_IdAbJtcM7IH2x2m9tPBOJt1mfGDQTzxfByJitkwbWEpQNFGNWbq8GLOwVTijQ/s200/P1060860_7769.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462426103298412290" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We didn’t get to check off a state with this run…..and we don’t even have a peg yet for our finishers’ medal, but it was a “capitol” run and a great trip.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrUO3JXpUf799-lQUdkm0r1AsECqYyVVPVWyPzmw4cpaSxppkBj3S3XhFYRfFxW246oCwCH6TiRo3YTlSNGyRAbdg4Rr7TJZHOImBUSrKhxKoMp0c3tLItvoNPOH4YlfYBzi3Xe3imtI/s1600/P1060889_7798.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrUO3JXpUf799-lQUdkm0r1AsECqYyVVPVWyPzmw4cpaSxppkBj3S3XhFYRfFxW246oCwCH6TiRo3YTlSNGyRAbdg4Rr7TJZHOImBUSrKhxKoMp0c3tLItvoNPOH4YlfYBzi3Xe3imtI/s200/P1060889_7798.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462425126576838946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9VUCFpWDkHCqrQ2ROSJdIXqKFgHTYL5Pe_xYgd-B6gC9kMNAJ9qZAw2R_MJk81UobqAVxj2aB98JPfG4hid_ffWQz5k3SnQ4buAJXnwiHZCaw3ozgGceWC9hFuETr3FjffFFDx23PeY/s1600/P1060906_7705.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 116px; height: 157px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9VUCFpWDkHCqrQ2ROSJdIXqKFgHTYL5Pe_xYgd-B6gC9kMNAJ9qZAw2R_MJk81UobqAVxj2aB98JPfG4hid_ffWQz5k3SnQ4buAJXnwiHZCaw3ozgGceWC9hFuETr3FjffFFDx23PeY/s200/P1060906_7705.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462425113484512210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeo80PTEOxT7RSYur0MskHkPxgbdHUVPfqXjEX8Eycs2X-lpW3uvL7pzy-JO0_spVPgi-UVe970pEi9tLNtmp87yH4F6wn7b6KLDmPJj7E9tV7v4jrRd_C7H1LhezrEHNdyooaD_qNgo/s1600/P1060878_7787.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeo80PTEOxT7RSYur0MskHkPxgbdHUVPfqXjEX8Eycs2X-lpW3uvL7pzy-JO0_spVPgi-UVe970pEi9tLNtmp87yH4F6wn7b6KLDmPJj7E9tV7v4jrRd_C7H1LhezrEHNdyooaD_qNgo/s200/P1060878_7787.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462425105681896450" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Is there a “thoughtful takeaway” in this blog? There are things worth going bac<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4QN-rfkHeCElbHSjA12HUljUz3ce6S08JhHTjK_sY2TRw9bjbO5cKJOPY9WIEMQh1q2MH1RZ-udBB-Rm-TA5lO-I65061BV-COvEwoi25rJDMk7Ls0i6Io755MXAPF8qmMIDiHS4wRY/s1600/P1060957_7756.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 109px; height: 82px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4QN-rfkHeCElbHSjA12HUljUz3ce6S08JhHTjK_sY2TRw9bjbO5cKJOPY9WIEMQh1q2MH1RZ-udBB-Rm-TA5lO-I65061BV-COvEwoi25rJDMk7Ls0i6Io755MXAPF8qmMIDiHS4wRY/s200/P1060957_7756.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462424278995635026" border="0" /></a>k for and you can go back. Visit Washington. Let the city bring our history to life. Take your kids there. More than once. And if you wish, you can even take Gladys along! The DC trip makes two in a row that we have made excellent use of our GPS - thanks for the gift!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafgoQ08U6w3oRpn90SbNBTPhVqWpIFKJcZRNp16KGUGkJ-vxa4UDQmmY72Ro2Ap1Hr8rumzRXYNQL0Ww2lWzAzhyVvsheqUXDG4DVeV7tmMELRsCHGK1bHyO-f_2I8vQ8bhZlvUvDc_M/s1600/P1060856_7765.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafgoQ08U6w3oRpn90SbNBTPhVqWpIFKJcZRNp16KGUGkJ-vxa4UDQmmY72Ro2Ap1Hr8rumzRXYNQL0Ww2lWzAzhyVvsheqUXDG4DVeV7tmMELRsCHGK1bHyO-f_2I8vQ8bhZlvUvDc_M/s320/P1060856_7765.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462424031270495954" border="0" /></a>Thoughtful Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420221399399509175noreply@blogger.com4