Then I signed us up for our big Alaska trip next July.. Recent events have inspired us to do everything we can while we're still able!

Absolutely! Is this with a group? Where will you be going? I hope you can find your way up past Denali into the Interior!

RunnerKSA, our house is up at just past 800 feet and we're in a hilly area. Even my "easy" runs down the road (to the main road at about 450') aren't "easy" on the way back up the hill! Well, I guess I could walk, but then why bother, right?

Glad I took yesterday off. I really had no interest in running. Zero. Zilch. Nada. And it must've worked because I'm looking forward to a mid-day run here soon. So much of running is mental. After all day rain and foggy overcast, today started a little drippy but it's clearing up out there and temps almost at 60° so I think I'll head out for a late lunch run. I'm freezing in my office the last couple of days. Glad I keep a wool cardigan hanging on my door!

Did I tell you guys our annual half marathon was canceled? Apparently couldn't find anyone to fully take it on. Several "I'll help out" volunteers but no one to be in charge. So they canceled it. I don't think that's ever happened before. And it sucks because in this running series of 8 races (well, 7 now), I rely on my standings in the longer, harder events because all the really fast young women stick to the shorter events (mile, 5k, 8k, 10k). I can place higher in the harder events and gain in total overall points. Looks like I won't make it this year. Oh well. (Top 5 get a jacket.)

Can someone explain to my what the big deal is about prime day? So far as I can tell, the "deals" are just as good as you get looking around the web for places putting things on sale.

No running for me today. Just an hour on the elliptical. Later on there was some fisticuffs with Excel. I accidentally erased the x-axis labels. If there is a way to restore them I could not find it.  Instead I had to recreate the graph from scratch. Yes, I searched the internet for help. Found a few posts. None, helped. You would think Microsoft would make erasing or restoring something like a major graph element pretty easy. Apparently not. In more interesting news, I found a really good yogurt marinated recipe at http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/yogurt-marinated-grilled-chicken-56389989. Really easy to make. Very tasty. Highly recommended. Oh yes, I made it with skinless and boneless chicken thighs rather than a brined chicken like it says to use in the directions. I suspect my choice was better. More surface area for the marinade to work on and it cooks faster. Just make sure you grill it on a reasonably low heat to avoid scorching the yogurt.

Good morning.

 

The house I grew up in was right next to a junkyard surrounded by a metal corrugated fence.  When I got my first bike as a little kid, my father taught me how to ride out in the street.  He sat me on the bike, with my mother and siblings watching, and gave me a push to get me started.  I hadn’t quite mastered the balance thing yet so I’m told I leaned a bit toward one side and made a long, graceful arc that ended with a loud head-first crash into that corrugated fence.  There were no helmets in those days and I had a good bruise on my forehead. After a break for ice cream, I got back on and was fine.  (To this day, my brother loves to tell this story.  )

 

I was reminded of that incident from some 50 years ago as I went out for my first ride on my new bike. I was a little wobbly in places but otherwise fine; no crashes.  I was checking the fit, trying the gears and brakes, and generally getting a feel for it. I did laps on a mostly flat road with only modest traffic, so it was a good practice spot.  20 miles total. Main lesson learned: Easy cycling is much, much easier than easy running. There's no coasting in running.

 

Sports doc later today. That should be interesting.

We are going to need a picture of the bike. What did you name her? Enkie named hers Gege, or something like that. My bikes always are named Carmen.

Rochrunner, nice plan for next year. You are so right about enjoying life and building memories while you can.

Marj, I enjoyed reading your triathalon adventure with your GD2 today.

catwhoorg, how do you get home if you can't bike?

Twocat can attest that I too have hilly running routes.

Today was 9 miles on the 7.23 route. I have decided that I am going to run this route once a week to keep track of my speed progression. I wish I had races to run to do that, but in hillbilly country there are no races unless I organize them, and when I organize a race, I can't run in it. Today was a fun day at the office. We had the visit of our state Senator to learn about our work at the Housing Authority. Four hours later and many tours of the complexes we manage she left. I am slowly trying to convert her into an affordable housing champion

It's been way too long since I've been on my bike.

6.5 miles today. Sure felt humid out there but at least it wasn't raining anymore.