Parking

Today Grandma and I went into the city to see two exhibits in the city. They were at 2 different museums but pretty close together. We drove in and felt lucky to find parking very close to our first stop (but in a parking garage). They had one handy cap parking spot and not much else. Lucky for me it was a big spot, most of the cars were Valet parking and the valet parked vehicles blocking in the vehicles across from us. Did I mention that Grandma has a BIG car?

This cut down on my swinging room considerably. I try to back into parking spaces epically when it is hard to get in and out, as I would rather have an easier time getting out. It took me nearly 3 heart attacks and a lot of pulling forward and back but we made it into that spot. Maybe sometimes it pays to use the valet parking. . .

The first museum was the National Portrait Gallery, it was less then 1/2 block from the parking lot. We unfortunately did not get the best of directions and walked more then we needed to. We finally found it and had to walk all the way around the block to get inside. The Calder Exhibit was nice, Grandma epically appreciated it as he is one of her favorite artists.

Then we went onto the National building museum. They had a exhibit of landmark buildings made out of Lego's. I like anything made of Lego's and Grandma was game so we took a cab over to the exhibit. We were a little disappointed as they did not have lots of buildings (maybe a dozen) and Grandma wanted them to be made out of colored blocks (they made them as true replicas). The ones that were done looked very much like the buildings that they represented, the ones I had seen before anyway. And it was neat to see an 18 foot building made of Lego's.

We walked back to the car and it was a breeze getting out of that dratted parking garage. Due to the traffic we made it just in time for dinner at 5 (we left at 3:30 and it was to be a 30 minute drive). Luckily we are both patient people and had a nice chat as we sat waiting to get out of the city.

Crooked

A while back I purchased a candle holder from Yankee Candle Co. It was very pretty holding 11 tea light candles. Upon lighting it up for it's trial dinner I noticed one of those candles was welded on crooked. It bothered me a little but I tried to let it go, and used it a few more times. In the end it was way too crooked and I just could not use it any more.

I had been meaning to go back to the store to exchange the item but just never made it in that direction. After a few weeks it got buried on my to do list and was forgotten.

Last weekend I treated myself to a Chipolte Burrito and the store was 2 doors over, I mentally kicked myself and moved it back to the top of my list.

This weekend it was finally accomplished. I even called ahead to keep myself from wasting a trip (I was not going that way unless they had this item). I now have a pretty and strait candelabra. Just enough of an accomplishment to make up for my lack of a bike ride.

14

Today was my longest run by far, 14 miles. It is a little daunting thinking of the training I will be doing for the Marathon. this 14 mile run took me approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. I think I will be running all day to accomplish the long runs for the marathon.

My worries aside I am starting to look forward to the half Marathon again. I will definitely be taking a week or so off to relax and figure out what parts of my training plan worked and what I am going to change going into the Marathon training plan. But that is a worry for another day.

Today I am going to relax a little. (and do laundry).

7 weeks 2 days

In 7 weeks and 2 days I will be running my first half marathon. 2 weeks ago I caught a horriable cold from pat and took the week off of running (and everything else that did not involve sleep or work). Last week was a slow and painful.

This week my mileage is back to where it should be, albit SLOW. Realizing today that it was only 7 weeks away and my training went from running like I was on top of the world to slugging along over a week and a half is a little daunting. The plan is in place and I am back to following it but a doubtful voice that didn't exist before today is setteling in the back of my mind.

Hopefully saturday's long (but slow) run will quiet it untill after the half, when my sights are set on a marathon.

Stoffers Pizza

I had forgotten how good the stoffers frozen french bread pizza's are. They went on sale and this week both Pat and I agreed they were top notch comfert food. I get teh cheese and add additional toppings, Pat gets the meat pizza's and we have the perfect dinner.

Lucky for us they were on sale, we now have a freezerfull!

Between that and the chocolate chip cookie dough, My brain may be happy but the rest of me wishes we owned a scale.

That may be a purchase for the coming weekend.

Bills Vs Jets

Pat received tickets to this football game from a contractor (when he was working). This weekend was the game. It was in the brand new stadium.

We left with plenty of time. We got there with a good 45 minutes to park. Lacking a Permit of any color we had to drive around the whole stadium looking for the non-permit parking. This was nowhere near the actual stadium. Actually It was in the next town over. Nope not a parking garage or even a lot built for masses to park. We had to pay $25 to park in the parking lot of local businesses in the town next to the stadium. Lucky for us the two shuttle buses we needed were included in this parking fee.

We took the first shuttle bus to the far side of the farthest 'real' parking lot, walked across the lot to get the second bus that would drop us off in front of the stadium. Pat was not in a hurry to ever go back to this "fancy" new stadium. (I'm not clear on why they needed the new stadium, or how it is any better then the old).

Anyway it was nice going into the game with pat wanting his team to loose. They were not in the playoffs and any win would get them a worse draft pick. our tickets were at row 21 which seemed very close to the field, but someone had beaten us to the seats (the first quarter was over by the time we walked in). They traded us seats in row 8 for our seats.

We might as well have been on the field. When the Jets were scoring or near scoring we could hear every little helmet clink. It was soooo cool!

We left a little ways into the 4th quarter and already their was a long line for the first shuttle bus. Not wanting to wait we walked to where we were to pick up the 2nd bus. We were on the first bus and to our car with little traffic. It was a great day, but I too will pass on a visit to that stadium again.

Pats Least favorite words ever

For some reason this last month and a half has been very hard on my memory. Pat is just about sick of hearing me ask, "Where is _____?"

About three weeks ago I lost my cell phone, yes, three weeks. Today I finally found it.

I texted pat once I got to work to let him know it was found. Instead of texting a simple I found my phone, I texted "sweet" figuring he would see the text and know the phone was in my possession.

He texted back "?"

I did not have time to call him and also wanted to see if he would figure it out over time. I called him from my office after lunch. He had not figured it out. He was in the middle of saying that he thought I had sent the text from work when he realized that was not likely.

I celebrated with a call to my Grandma (who was not home) then my parents (who are not chopped liver). I missed talking to people.

10 K- Actual

I set my goal based on my 5k, it was just under 2 times my 5k. My goal was to beat one hour.
I thought this was realistic for me as I have been working to bring my time down and doing longer runs. Normally for races breakfast is skipped. It is hard to eat even hours before running. Risking a bad run, I tested my theory that I could do better if breakfast was consumed. I think it helped a lot!

David complained the WHOLE ride over, the 10K is apparently not his favorite race. He was so anti 10K that we had to take the long route to the race as he missed the exit we needed. This was a good mistake as we got to see part of the course, not exactly the same as running it but I think it helped.

Lucky for me David had not been training as he should have for the run. That meant both David and Angela would be running with me. I have been trying to pace myself but it has proven difficult and unreliable. Having David and Angela to pace off of helped allot!

They were nice enough to act as my own personal support crew during the run. When we took the first mile out at 9:22 I was very worried. Good thing Angela was there, when I expressed my worry all she had to do was ask how I was feeling. When I said fine she advised me to keep it up and not worry about it. I'm glad I did.

My first 5K split was 29.00 a PR for me. Around Mile 4 I took off my 2nd jacket and despite her shock at my ability to run with a tank top on, Angela was nice enough to carry it (I would have asked David but he was tired). I crossed the finish line at 57:30.00. I do not have an official time as the generaters for the timing system went out for a good chunk of the race.

10 K

I am spoiled. The weather in NJ has been beautiful. My weekends have been spend running outside. No warm jackets or pants, just a light jacket to keep me a little warmer until I get going. Maybe it is the weather but I have been getting faster and looking forward to the upcoming 10K.

Last night as I was tempted to pack my bike helmet, a realization struck. I am going to Rochester. The beautiful weather around here is in danger from an incoming cold front. The weather has not been 'nice' for months. I am mentally prepared for a 10K in 50-60 degree weather.

Tomorrow will be a high of 44 and rainy. Perhaps it will work to my benefit, this will be interesting.

Royal Followings

I am not a person that normally follows celebrity gossip. Occasionally I will open an article on the MSN celebrity section, but not very often.

For some reason this whole Kate and William's engagement is fascinating to me. I have read more articles on their engagement and wedding planning then I care to admit. This of course struck me as I was reading about their upcoming wedding date.

At least the craziness will end in April.