Saturday, January 30, 2010

good, bad, good

So two good and one bad must equal pretty good or at least okay. That must sum up the run this morning. The good news when I woke up was that there was no new snow on the roads, for the first time this week (we'd had between 1-6 inches every morning). The bad news was that it was only 1 degree--though it was 1 above zero. When I went out I felt more good news--it was not windy. By about 3 miles I was warmed up and it didn't feel too bad for the last 8. The biggest issue is that, when it is this cold, your eyes water. When it drips down your face, your cheeks turn to ice crystals. You don't really notice except for when you can see it. Also, your eyelashes--top and bottom--get wet. This causes little icicles, which freeze them together and makes it hard to keep your eyes clear. You can't really wipe it away because your mittens are frozen and hard. You just keep blinking to try to get warmer water to melt them.

We're also collecting the baskets for the fundraiser. Yesterday I received one from Keli at work--Booze and Bucks she calls it. There are several bottles of wine and lottery tickets. I can think of a few people who will be interested in it. I've heard from several out of town friends who are planning on coming to the fundraiser. Hopefully the weather will cooperate so they can really come. I'm excited about seeing everyone and the fun we should have that evening.

It's already the end of January. First week of classes are over. They are big classes (due to cuts and not able to hire more people), but it is always fun to be teaching. Most of the students are pretty interesting and I look forward to a good semester.

Lindsay's visiting Lauren this weekend and going to the going away party for the panda at the DC zoo. Bob and Billy think she is nutty, but I think it would be fun. And, she'll get to see Tommy and her sister.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

A little bit of everything!

Even in the cold and wind, it's nice to be the first to make tracks in the new snow. I went out this morning with a thin new layer of snow on the ground--it's beautiful before the cars come out. One of the first things I saw on the road was a fox. I often see deer and turkeys, but there is something special, and unnatural, about seeing a fox in a residential area. He had his breakfast in his mouth so I don't think he even saw me. That was the end of the peaceful run though.

Shortly after, I started getting pelted by little ice pellets--with 20+ mph winds, they hurt. After a couple miles it turned to the big, wet snowflakes. Better, but makes it hard to see. Then the cars came by and made tracks to wreck my clean roads.

We had a couple inches of rain yesterday that melted the snow. That made me want to see how Ellicott Creek looked, so I ran by the bottom and then up top before the water crashes over the falls--and today it was crashing...and roaring! It almost makes you dizzy when the water is moving so fast and is directly underneath you--the water was close to the bottom of the bridge. It's very mesmerizing.

Even though it was cold and windy, it was an interesting run. Nothing beats the early morning before the crowds and noise.

Off to my first class of the semester! :-)

Saturday, January 23, 2010

The Sun is Shining!

It's cold, but the sun is shining--for the third day in a row! Too bad I run before the sun comes out :-) It appears I left Arizona at the right time; it's rained since then. The roads are clear and dry, the winds are calm--that's all I can ask for this time of year.

My tests were okay and I got to have the herceptin. My heart efficiency is down, but not too far. Will be on track for at least the next 12 weeks.

School starts Monday. It's busy, but I like when we're in session. It gives the campus a real energy.

We have to get the invitations out this weekend for the fundraiser on February 28. We've started soliciting businesses for basket donations. Hopefully we'll sell all the tickets.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Time to go home

It's time to head back to Buffalo; the rain outside makes it a little easier. I had 6 wonderful running days out here. To change it up a little, we went to San Diego on Sunday to have lunch with some West Coast siblings. Great fun to eat on the beach, even if it was cool and cloudy. We got to walk around a little before the rain came in--and rain they are expecting this week. I've heard the CA coast and inland are expecting anywhere from 6-20 inches this week.

We stayed in San Diego overnight, and I got to run around UC San Diego Monday morning. What a great campus--and huge. I did a 5 mile loop twice, never leaving the campus. It was drizzly, but that doesn't bother me. The hills were another issue though. I would get really strong if I continued to run out here.

Hope I do get home tonight. I have a full day of treatments tomorrow--better pass my heart test. Am looking forward to starting the new semester, but not to putting the gloves and fleece back on.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Perspective

It's all in the way you look at it. I ran by a school today that was advertising a Polar Plunge to raise money. Now how polar can 60 degrees be? If people think that is cold, we need to toughen these southwesterners up! They had a real polar plunge in Buffalo last Sunday. The temperature was minus 1 and they had to chop the ice up beforehand so people could actually go into the water.

I finished my run so now I have to figure out what to do outside the rest of the day. It's certainly too nice to stay indoors. It's a tough life out here!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

It's a Beautiful Day...

What a wonderfully sunny 70 degree day! It's amazing what a little Vitamin D can do for you! I got to put in a nice, warm 10 miler today; I was actually overdressed. It is so hard to come inside when the sun is shining so brightly. I ran outside, had lunch outside, took a nice walk, shopped for items for a Southwestern basket to auction off at the comedy club fundraiser. It is just so nice--and tomorrow will be more of the same. I just love it!

It does get dark around 6:00, so I come in and can then get some schoolwork done. I have to get serious about getting ready for the upcoming semester. In the meantime, I will just enjoy the sun on my face.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

How Low Can it Go?

Okay, so it was 0 degrees this morning--but the wind chill was only 8 below. The flags were only gently waving, so the good news was, very little wind again.

We met this morning to plan the Comedy Club fundraiser. Should be a fun evening. I'm nervous about getting 125 people to attend, but hopefully it will work out. We also have to solicit businesses regarding auction baskets. I've got great organizers, so I know it will go well. I just hate asking for money. There is so much more to think about then I would have expected.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Jaded

There are probably many other words to describe me, but that's the word that came to mind this morning. It was 4 degrees with an inch of snow on the roads, and after a couple minutes of running I told myself--this isn't so bad. I'm freezing when it's 65 degrees in the house! The key today was the lack of wind. It is always tolerable winds are calm.

It still didn't stop me from thinking that in 5 days I will be running the roads of Yuma, AZ. There may be a little sand to make me slip, but it won't be snow and ice. Hopefully my body can tolerate the Vitamin D from the sun--it's been a long time since we've seen it.

On an unrelated topic--I saw Up in the Air last night. It was a good movie; I recommend it.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Dreadmill

Went 10 miles on the treadmill today--didn't think it would (could) ever happen!

When will it stop snowing?!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Ugh!

Nothing worse then waking up and finding 8 inches of unplowed snow in the streets--not to mention cold and blowing snow. Ended up cycling 50 miles at the gym instead of running. I need to cross train one or two days a week to give my feet some rest. I just don't like when it's on the weekend--I like running when the traffic is down. We're supposed to get another 6-12 inches tonight, so it looks like treadmill tomorrow. We'll see how long I can manage it.

One thing I've noticed since I've been running is that the roads are no longer plowed in the morning. I'm guessing it is they can't afford the overtime. We never did see a plow today. It used to always be plowed by the time I got up.

This coming week we are going to start full tilt planning the fundraiser at Rob's Comedy Playhouse. We're sending letters to individuals and businesses to have people buy tickets and donate theme baskets or items for the baskets. Hopefully we'll have a great response. So far I have over $1500 on the website. I'm well on the way to reaching the goal.

I'm also planning on finding hot pink technical tee shirts for everyone running with me. Yellow and green are too common; I thought pink would better fit the theme anyway. Hopefully I can find someone to help underwrite them--it can get expensive. So far, I have a niece and nephew, and possibly Bob, running the marathon. Now we need to find some relays. We have 3 people for one. Hoping to get more.