First Snow Fall

Today was the first snow fall of the year. Not enough to call a snow day for the kids, but enough of a dusting to remind me that I need to get Mr. Bobo some new winter boots and a warm coat. The princess dresses for summer all year long, so I guess she just needs flip-flops.

So now begins the season of letting the cat in and out every 15 minutes or so. Today was rather slushy and slow outside - but I love it none-the-less. I am looking forward bundling up and heading to the great outdoors to clean the walkway. Better yet, a walk through the park with the kids and our thermos of hot chocolait. One of my girlfriends has a tradition of giving her kids ice-cream to mark the first day of snow so I've decided that is a pretty good tradition to adopt. Might as well top it with the last bits of halloween candy to finally get that out of the house.

I could blather on about all the great things going on right now, but I won't bore you with the personal details, except to say that I am blessed and I hope everyone reading this is blessed as well.

Happy Snow.

A Personal Best

I am done with my races for while... I'm gonna hang up the shoes and work on some other great stuff now. I wanted to finish on a high note and just rinse a bit of bad taste running had left in my mouth these past few weeks. I agreed to do a half-marathon with a running buddy of mine, so we signed up for the Angus Glen Half Marathon. A very civilized race. They cap it at 1500 and you end up finishing at the clubhouse where you are greeted with a nice lunch, hot showers and a warm place to sit and relax with friends.

We decided not to push it, and just run it like a training run. Slow, steady and enjoyable. We didn't wear pacepands and just found a comfortable speed and kept with it - no glancing at watches and trying to make up for lost time. It is a VERY hilly course - but they are rolling country roads and really pretty this time of year, particulary with all the trees changing colours. I felt strong the entire way which was nice. The last 5K Richard told me to take off from him. I didn't, because this run was just about friendship and nothing else. I didn't care about my time and just wanted to cross the finish line with him.

We crossed together and it was great - we both made accommodations for each other. Maybe I slowed down a little for him, and maybe he pushed it a little more for me. In the end we split the difference and took home a memorable day in the country and a very respectable 2:12. Perhaps not my quickest race, but for sure it was still a personal best.

Thanks Richard......