Blizzard Warning!

Yes it is the Blizzard of '08tm, hitting the midwest like a lion. It's the blizzard that I'll tell my grandchildren about. "You know, back in 08, we had the biggest snow storm ever...you just don't see blizzards like that anymore."


I guess 10 to 14 inches of snow could create problems for running - my training group cancelled our run for the morning. I have 7 miles this weekend, and it will be awful boring on the dreadmill. I'm thinking of getting out the portable dvd player and popping in a Harry Potter movie or something.


It's been quite an experience training during the winter. I've done the two step around huge patches of ice, slipped and slid in slushy brown snow, ran in wind chills that dropped the temperature into the teens, and yet enjoyed 60 degree weather all in the last two weeks. Funny, though. I still love it.


My shins are doing better - I am measuring my pain on a scale of 1 -10 with 10 being the worst. I have never gone to 10 yet. The worst was 7, and that was before my orthotics but after my last race in October. The pain would be worst when I started my run and would go down to a 5 or 6 dull pain until I was done and then I would hobble back to the office or back home. Now I am experiencing pain levels from 1-3, and virtually no hobbling. Yippee!


I also have been lamenting the fact that my speed seems not to have improved much since I started running. Out of curiousity I reviewed my runs from the past year on my training log. The MIT website gives us a training log with reports, including a pie chart that reviews your pace by month. For the last few months (since I started training with MIT again) I have been consistently at 11:00 - 12:00 minutes per mile. Before my last race, I had ranged from 11 to 13 minutes per mile. I'd say that was an improvement!


In other news, I was the proud momma last week as my six year old son participated in his first science fair. I helped him put together his poster board but he arranged it and decided what to write on it. He also had to present his project to three volunteers during school. I was fortunate enough to be able to go to his school during the day and watch him present. He did a fantastic job. Afterwards, he told me that next year, he wanted to do a project on fire, and do a demonstration. I suppose this was because the boy in his class with the volcano got a lot of attention. I just laughed when I imagined our "fire" demonstration! Later that evening he had about six more different ideas that were all terrific. I'm ecstatic that he's so interested in science and in doing projects for school!

Final last words before I get all warm and cozy and watch the snow fall -

To my family - Dad, here's your update (I know you were waiting anxiously by the computer!). Mom, get well soon and take care of that ankle! Matt, why in God's green earth? WHY? Ellen, take good care of yourself and give those nieces of mine extra hugs and kisses from all of us.

And to my inlaws, just you wait - laugh all you want about the Blizzard of '08tm but I'm sure you'll have some unpleasant weather of your own some day in that desert you are living in.....We'll be thinking about you while we go sledding with the boys tomorrow!