6 untimed miles.

Cross-training this morning. Shoveling 10" snow from the deck and driveway. I waited until after lunch to go out on snowshoes, hoping the wind would die down. No luck there, so I bundled up and went out for about 90 minutes. Thru the fields and woods surrounding our home. 19 F winds at 25, "windshield" factor = below 0........ Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

X-rays today on my left knee area. Results may be back Friday, but I am away Friday-Saturday-Sunday and may not hear till next week. Chess teaching gigs are rolling in: 1. The local elementary school wants me to offer classes in their winter after-school program. 2. This morning I met with the city youth services director and she wants me to offer two classes in their summer program. 3. Tonight I got an email from the city adult education director. In response to my email offering to teach a chess class, she wrote "Yes! Yes!" and attached a proposal form for me to fill out and return. Do you know, I have not asked any of these people what they are paying? I know they all pay something, but I don't really care how much. At least it will pay a few bucks and get me into circulation locally. May lead to other things. In the meantime, it will be fun. Dark Horse

Got an email from Bart Yasso. His new book is out. r

Thanks for the heads up SR....I had hung out with Bart last year at the Pasta diner for the Thunder Road Marathon in '06. He's a very interesting guy and very down to earth...great running stories. Looking forward to the book... Blustery winds and colder temps tonight...brrrr A late afternoon run as I didn't get up in time to run this morning. 5.29 miles of hills at 8:37 pace...I seem to be running at a noticeably faster pace since my marathon for some reason... Nice runs out there today

15 degrees but less snow than anticipated, nevertheless I decided on 4 treadmill miles. It was actually 4.1 but I know how Dark Horse hates those fractional miles. Just an easy run today with colder temperatures tomorrow so it may be back to the treadmill for one more day.

3.1 miles in 24:30 in 30degrees and wind Temp here is going to drop like a rock for the next couple of days but back to 40-50 for the weekend. DH, have you completed your military service? Hope you have and all is well with your son. Have fun teaching chess. Fran

Erika, thinking of you and your family, including Cheyenne. Don't know if this helps, but one of my cats disappeared once for three months and showed up back on my doorstep as if nothing had happened one day. Pets often find their way home. Tramps, my Garmin also refused to turn on for me today for the second time in two weeks. Fully charged, too. What gives? Eventually got in a long run today after a fiasco of a morning. Stopped in at my usual car shop to get a quick opinion on my engine light being on -- guy topped off my coolant and gave me the go ahead -- and as I was backing out, I hit a parked car in the drive of the shop. My car -- an old Volvo -- is fine. The other car -- an old Volvo -- doesn't look as good. Still waiting for a call from the owner. To make a bad car day worse, as I drove home this evening after running errands my engine started smoking... Not sure why I planned a long run the day after a 5k race (because I had to get it in I suppose) but so I did. Ran on one of the few places around here to get in a long trail run without venturing too far -- Lake Youngs, about 20 minutes southeast of town. Each loop around the reservoir is 9.6 miles. The Maniacs around here occasionally hold ultras on this trail. Midway through my first loop I came around a bend and there was a doe looking at me on the other side of the fence, separating the trail from the reservoir. Just standing there. I stopped and said "hey." I swear she wagged her tail at me. Not a flick of her tail, a wag. Then she runs a bit ahead and stops. I ran ahead too. We both look at each other for a few seconds. Then finally she takes off. Cool moments. I saw just one other person and dog on the entire run. The run was a muddy, lead-legged slog, but I enjoyed the solitude. Had a lovely dinner last night with arf, divechief and another friend, but slipped in the bathroom at the restaurant and wrenched my hamstring. (Yes, I am truly graceful. At least I caught myself and didn't fall on my a$$. ) Felt it a bit during the run and need to pamper for a few days now.