Hakuna Matata - Running with the Reindeer!!!

[wilbur]

Good Afternoon Team!

A quick post before I leave workd for the day.

Vicky, I very rarely take the path. I'm already dressed for the cold weather. The slow walkers/ doors & extra time just make me hot before I even get to work for the day. Give me the cold walk up Bay St. any day.
They're no stylish but MEC has some warm coats also Eddie Bauer. I bought mine from LL Bean.

Regina, I would love to do DL but it's such an ackward weekend with back to school on the Tuesday following the race. Because of the long flight & time change we would want to do other touristy things in the area.

I would like to run outside tonight. Will have to see how much snow is on the road & how mind numbing the wind is.

Have a great evening everyone...........Sue

 

[Scott H]

Getting ready to change into my riding kit for a bike ride home, gotta beat the darkness.

Wasva nice ride, 8.75 miles , 33 min, 16 mph average, temp was 50 ish, wind was a cross wind, felt good . I do really well till I hit the 1.5 mile climb.

 

[Piglet24]

Hi everyone,

Lynn- That’s interesting- I had never heard of anyone watering in the winter before. Did you get everything done today that you wanted to?

Margie- Going to the musical sounds like so much fun! Wow you did have a busy day!

Vicky- That’s a bummer you’re having such cold weather. Are you hoping for a specific brand of down coat? What kind of cookies did you make? I’m not sure what compensation my coworker got? BTW, when you e-mail me back will you remind me to tell you about a lunch meeting I had yesterday? I have a funny story to share. I think I would be scared to run barefoot on the TM. Would that hurt?

Beth- I’m sure your 15K Sunday will be fine. I hope your day ended better than it was going!

Sue- Do you usually do your touring before or after races when you decide to take longer trips?

Scott- Glad you had a nice bike ride.

AFM, ran 3 miles on the TM. Otherwise nothing too exciting going on. I hope everyone has a good Wednesday.

 

[verticalchaos]

Morning team!!

I didn't do such a good job of living up to Hakuna Matata yesterday. It was just a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. To top it all off, when I was walking to the post office to get my package from my secret santa from the RunnersWorld.com Beginners Forum, a woman who had been standing perfectly still stepped way back as I was going behind her (literally it was at least a foot and a half) and I went sprawling onto the sidewalk. The heels of my hands took the brunt of it, but I did bump my knee (yes, the SAME one) and my left hip as well. They're sore this morning, but I can move around, so bonus. She just looked at me like "What?" There were two gentlemen who checked on me, and as I was continuing on (I spent most of the day on the verge of tears, and didn't want to burst into them in front of her) I heard one of them letting her have it. I do think it was an honest accident, but come on. At least an "I'm sorry. Are you ok?" Ultimately it could have been much worse - I could have ended up in the street - which is very busy - or slammed my head into a signpost, which was also very close. But it wasn't a fun thing regardless.

I did make myself do most of Jillian Michaels' Banish Fat Boost Metabolism - skipped the last 2 circuits. So that helped a little - there's kickboxing in there, so I used that to get out some aggression.

Wasn't great on the eating. I splurged, and I know it was emotional eating. But I'm aware of it so I'm not letting myself get too down on me about it.

This morning is off to a better start... I woke up to check my account for the NYC Half Marathon, and I AM IN!!!!! I didn't truly realize how much I wanted it until I thought I hadn't gotten in. Now I just have to keep up the training and work on getting faster. There's a 3-hour limit. I *should* be able to do it - my average race pace is in the 12:30 minute mile range, and they recommend a 13:45...but I'd like to have more than a minute or so cushion. I'm thinking hill work...but I'll talk with my running club's coach and see what he recommends. Nothing new until after the WDW Half though!!

Tonight's the fun run - I'll likely just head over to the park and start early since it's cold and I don't want people standing around and waiting for forever for me because it's COLD!!!!!. I'll let them know my run is for 45 minutes and see how long they're planning and go from there. Then we're going to dinner for a teammate's birthday. Woohoo!!

Hope all are well!!

xoxo ~beth

 

[Lynn G]

Good Morning Team!

Vicky – Personally, I think down is over rated – give me fleece with a wind proof shell any day!

Dave – Our heat wave is over, but it still will not be as bad as out there – our high’s for the next week will be about 30 – lows about 10. I do not know if the wind will calm down with the lower temps – the weather person keeps saying the wind was keeping us warm – something about “down slope wind”. I am sure malls would be hard to walk in, unless the mall is open before the stores as some are.

Margie – I must have missed something – who is going to India?

Beth – Glad you like the new shoes! Congrats on making it into the NYC Half Marathon!!! Pixie dust for your injuries yesterday and that today will be better than yesterday!

Regina – I never heard of watering in winter either until I moved here – combination of dry climate, high winds and no snow cover to protect soil makes it necessary. I did get most of what I planned to do yesterday done, still need to work on the Christmas baskets.

AFM – I got in my 1.27 mile walk with the dogs, took the bike out to see if I could ride in the clips that we put on my bike shoes (did manage to get my feet out of them when stopping!) and put 5.5 miles in on the bike. The only thing cold was my feet! Also got 30 min of Pilates tape in, so not a bad day in the exercise department. We have a cold front coming in – we have already reached our high of 40 degrees today, it will be in the low 30’s for the rest of the week, and we may get some snow today. I will need to get out early for a dog walk!

Pixie dust to all who are in need!

Have a great day all!

 

[funwalker]

Good Afternoon, Team!

Cloudy Currently 21° / 81% Humidity
Mostly Cloudy / Snow Flurries / High of 25° / Winds 5-10mph
Sunrise 8:02AM Sunset is 5:09PM

December 15, 2010 Only 9 Days Before Christmas!
Count Down to WDW Marathon Weekend 23 Days!

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, ratified, December 15, 1791.
Maxwell Anderson, American playwright, born December 15, 1888.

“December Quote:
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.
A Psalm of Life. – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. (1807–1882)

Beth- CONGRATULATIONS-NYC Half Marathon!
Sorry about your Terrible, Horrible, Very BAD Day!
Huge praise that you were not seriously injured.
Sad-maybe her day was even worse than yours and her mind was totally somewhere else.

Connie- Did Ya Get My Money?

Dave & Salee- Goodness, you guys are cold for the sunny south!
Maybe our Real Feel was that cold yesterday with the winds that we had,
But that 1° is definitely colder that our actual temperature.

Lynn- the 2-little boys (family) Shaurya (7 yrs.)) & Arya (3 yrs.)
All their family lives in India and the Nanny they have had for the past 6-years.
Water Trees in the winter in Michigan- I don’t think so!
The ground here is frozen solid so the water would turn to Ice Fast!
You do such great Christmas projects!

Nikki- Hurray- Holiday School Break Starts Tomorrow!

Regina- WTG 3-miles on the TM!
I am going with ‘Normal Days’ – I just never know what
a ‘Today Normal Day’ will bring me!

Scott- WTG nice 8.75 mile bike ride!
Awesome that you are still able to ride bike!

Sue-Hope you got your run in last night!

Vicky-I would suffocate in a down coat in our Michigan Winter!
Will add your BIB # to the Team Calendar!

AFM:Normal Day: Hagen does not feel good so he slept in-
Took DD to do some necessary errands today-
Taking Hagen & Brady to a Teddy Bear Tea Party at the Library tonight.



Beth (back), Connie (foot), Elizabeth (shins),
Emily (foot & bruised calf), Kim (PF), Lynn (foot & knee), Mary (knee),
Mark (Achilles) Mike (hip), Nikki (calf muscle), Regina (ankle),
Saylan (knee), Scott (knee), Vicky (knee, ankle, & stress)


Beth, Connie, Dave & Sally, Denise, Elizabeth, Emily, Eva, figment82, Gerry,
Hope, Jack, Jennifer, Kim, Kirstie, Lorelei528, Mary, Mike, Pam, Regina,
Robert, Saylan, Scott & Lynn, Shannan, Sue, Taryn, Vicky, and Honorary Member, Nikki

 

[Piglet24]

Hi Team!

Beth- Congrats on getting into the NYC half! That’s great news.

Lynn- I’m glad you were able to get 5.5 miles in on the bike and stay warm for the most part. Sounds like you had a pretty good exercise day.

Margie- Is Hagen feeling any better?

Today was a pretty good day for me. I went to the gym for a work out. DH told me he doesn’t think I like lifting weights much because apparently I look depressed and bored. I told him of course I’m bored lifting weights and would much rather be running. It’s not like I think it’s terrible, I just don’t prefer it ya know? I ran out of tape trying to wrap Christmas presents tonight so I guess I’ll have to hold off on that until Friday. I’m learning to sew and need to iron some fabric and see about cutting out the pieces before Saturday. It’s amazing how much more time I have to do things I am interested in/enjoy now that I’m not working crazy hours all the time.

I hope you all have a great Thursday! BTW, where is everyone? Busy with holiday things?

 

[funwalker]

Good Morning, Team!

Cloudy Currently 10° / 85% Humidity
Mostly Cloudy / High of 27° / Winds 5-10mph
Sunrise 8:02AM Sunset is 5:11PM

Be Safe: sounds like some terrible snow storms in US & Canada
Indiana & Ohio and southern Ontario where lots of motorist were stranded
for hours!

December 16, 2010 Only 8 Days Before Christmas!
Count Down to WDW Marathon Weekend 22 Days!

English Parliament passed Bill of Rights, December 16,1689.
Composer Ludwig van Beethoven born December 16, 1770.
Boston Tea Party, December 16, 1773.
Novelist Jane Austen born December 16, 1775.
Actor-playwright Sir Noel Coward born December 16, 1899.
Margaret Mead, American anthropologist, born December 16, 1901.
East Pakistan (today Bangladesh) achieved independence from West Pakistan (today Pakistan), December 16, 1971.

“December Quote:
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.
A Psalm of Life. – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. (1807–1882)

Regina- WTG getting to the gym and Lifting
for asking - No, Hagen does not feel so good.
What are you making?


AFM:Normal Day: slower day today-
Hagen is not feeling so good-a nasty cold
DD has a doctor’s appointment at 9:am
Taking Hagen to a Magic Show at the Library tonight if he is feeling up to it.
He loved the Teddy Bear Tea Party! They china Tea set they gave them was so cute.
And we had to wash it and have a tea party when we got home




Beth (back), Connie (foot), Elizabeth (shins),
Emily (foot & bruised calf), Kim (PF), Lynn (foot & knee), Mary (knee),
Mark (Achilles) Mike (hip), Nikki (calf muscle), Regina (ankle),
Saylan (knee), Scott (knee), Vicky (knee, ankle, & stress)


Beth, Connie, Dave & Sally, Denise, Elizabeth, Emily, Eva, figment82, Gerry,
Hope, Jack, Jennifer, Kim, Kirstie, Lorelei528, Mary, Mike, Pam, Regina,
Robert, Saylan, Scott & Lynn, Shannan, Sue, Taryn, Vicky, and Honorary Member, Nikki

 

[windwalker]

Good morning guys.

Our threatened ice storm didn't happen. On my way home last night a 9pm it was raining and freezing on the car windows but the road had enough salt to keep it from freezing. This morning the temperture was 35 so the rain stayed ran instead of ice.

I had a good strong walk, 5 miles, with my race walkers yesterday at the mall. It was cold so we opted for the mall instead of our outdoor trails. I'm feeling strong and healthy so that should get me through the Goofy even without the LSD training.

I have Sally doing an hour tonight then shoping for her sister's Christmas present. Then tomorrow we will do some treadmill so she can see what different paces feel like.

Margie I hope the little prince feels better.

Lynn, I do want you to have good warm weather I was just teasing you about keeping it there where it belongs. Now our Canadian buddys do need to keep the door shut so the cold wind doesn't come blasting all the way to the mouse house.

Everyone have a magical day.

Dave

 

[Saylan]

Hello Everyone! Sorry for the vanishing.

Beth: Congrats on the race lottery! I'm sorry about all your knee troubles though. I didn't know you were studying writing! I'm trying to look into a writing program currently to get me started on writing as a career. It sounds so exciting!

Connie: The money should be in the mail today! Sorry we've been a little unserviceable by the mail the last week or two.

Vicky: I have the vacation booked already, I think I'm just nervous about if I can do it, and the cost. This weekend I have to decide since my discount offers expire then.

Lynn: We did enjoy our snow days (we had another one yesterday) but it really messes with your schedule.

Margie: I got your e-mail with Connie's address. The letter/payment should be picked up today to go out.

AFM: Well, we got a second storm after the first. Over 300 people were stranded in cars on the highways around here and had to abandon their cars on the road after 30 hours of sitting in them in sub-zero temperatures.

I got another snow day yesterday but the storm knocked out our internet and phone line for the entire building multiple times over the course of the week. It's scary when I think about how I couldn't have even contacted anyone if I wanted to...

The bf did his second training session last night so he was super sore. I got taken out for lunch by my parents to an all-you-can buffet and a few hours later attempted to run for the first time in two weeks. It wasn't the best since my normal gear (including water bottle, headphones, and proper shoes) were locked in my work... I made it about 1.25 miles before I started to feel very very sick to my stomach and stopped. I really wanted to keep going but I felt listening to my body was more important.

When the bf got home, we went out for some errands, and since my mom had two extra free movie pass coupons we went and saw Tangled (3-D) finally. Ever since I was little (the movie came out when I was 4), The Little Mermaid has been my favourite movie of all time. Honestly, Tangled maaaaaay have nudge it out of the top spot. I think I'm torn right now on which I like more but Rapunzel is so very much like me that it's hard not to just love the movie. Even my bf thought so when there was a scene where she's going back and forth between being excited and depressed. He said that was exactly what it's like living with me when I'm trying to make a decision (ie. go to the Princess or not?).

I have my first start up training session tonight so hopefully I will start to get back on track now. I really want to look great for the family gatherings this month. One of my cousins is the same age as me and she pooh-poohed my joining the gym initially because 'it's not worth the money.' She insisted the workout home DVDs she had would be just as successful. That may be true for some, but my comptetitive side kicked in on that and I became committed to showing a huge improvement in my physique just to prove that I could do it, and better, working at a gym.

It's not the greatest way to motivate but I have a whole shelf of work-out DVDs and never did I see the progress I have at the gym. I know they work for many many people (including some wonderful ones here) but they never got me over the plateau I hit and I suspect my cousin will run into the same issue. She's just stubborn like me and refuses to think that there may be more than one way to approach something (and if my way costs a monthly fee, it's probably not worth it).

 

[wilbur]

Good Morning Team!

Many meetings today. I'm doing the fly-by.

Regina, We always stay & do the parks after the races. If we went before I wouldn't be able to relax & enjoy myself until the race was over.

Dave, Stay warm & stop blaming us for the cold temps.

Have to run........Make it a great day everyone...........Sue

 

[Steffwalks]

Good morning Everyone,


Margie - Got the money. Will ship the medals soon!

Vickie - The easiest cookies in the world are the Magic cookies by Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk. YOu crumble graham crackers throw chocolate chips, coconut and walnuts or pecans on top and pour a can of the sweetened condensed milk over it and bake at 350 until set. This year I am going to use preztels instead of the crackers, though. I will probably make Sandies and some other kind, as yet unknown. My DD makes some cookies and candy too. She loves to make truffles.

The medals are here. THey are so much nicer than I thought they would be. Just proves how much they actually cost.

Saylan - Thanks! Will get the medals out real soon. Sorry about your weather!

Sue - Last year was my first, last and ONLY year for a January race. It's just too hard. THe training is hard, the weather is hard and the time of year is hard and with any sleet and snow and extreme cold in Florida, it's way too hard!

Pixie Dust for everyone! I'm sure we could all use it!

AFM - DH had an MRI on his knee yesterday. How does this happen...one doc says it's arthritis and another say torn miniscus? He has taken arthritis meds for 10 years...I guess that's why doctors die still just practicing medicine! -- Wrapping and getting ready for Christmas. DS is bringing his new GF to meet us. Hoping to REMEMBER to get on the TM today. It's really sad when you have to quit working out for a while, how easy it is to quit working out.

See ya - Connie

 

[verticalchaos]

Morning team!!

Thanks for the congrats! I'm really excited but trying to temper it a bit around my running friends here. A lot of people from NYC didn't get in. They did the lottery a la the lottery for the full where they separated the entries into 3 categories - international, US but traveling, and local - and had a given number of spots for each category. Over 35,000 people entered the lottery for 12,000 slots. It's a tough position for NYRR to be in ~ it *is* the NYC Half Marathon, but having those slots, like in the full, for people coming in from out of town does a huge amount to boost the city's economy from tourist dollars. And yet you're got people who cannot even run their hometown half or full marathon. A lot of people were really angry. They've announced that they are going to have a guaranteed entry system for the Half next year - anyone who runs 4 out of 5 of the borough half marathons will have guaranteed entry. But they may have to go to a multi-wave start like the full has (they have three full waves with like 15 or more corrals in each wave) in order to make it work. It will be interesting to see how it pans out. I truly realize how lucky and blessed I am to have gotten selected and am going to work so hard to prove that I deserve the spot as much as anyone else!!

I got the "brass ovaries award" last night at the fun run (well after as the guys don't do such things) for being the ONLY woman to show for the fun run. Yeah, I'm insane. It was COLD! BUT I got my run in!! Woohoo!!

Today's a rest day - though I'll be dancing in a gala benefit for my parish's soup kitchen tonight...we have to tech it, and then there's the performance. It will be total improv - but they love me, so whatever I do they'll adore.

Connie ~ Pixie dust for your husband's knee!! Good luck meeting the son's GF! And good luck exercising!!!

Sue ~ Good luck with your busy day!!

Saylan ~ I'm just taking ad hoc writing classes. I've got most of a novel written - just need to flesh out the middle a bit and then edit and go from there. I've also got a play I'm working on that I adore. It's a fun hobby right now. Who knows... Good luck with your training!!!

Dave ~ Have a great day!!

Hugs! ~beth

 

[Lynn G]

Good Morning Team!

Saylan – Good to see you back! The stranded cars made the national news! I have motivational issues whether I join a gym or rely on my video tapes! It is hard to make myself do either one!

Connie – I am not sure how accurate the MRI’s are – better than xrays, but my knee was much worse than the MRI indicated. I am beginning to think that all of us develop arthritis as we age, just some have it worse than others. Yes, it is easy to let exercise become not the priority, at least I have dogs that make it clear that they want a walk!

Dave – No more warm weather here, at least for awhile – today our high might make it to 30 – which was our low last week! We do have some snow on the ground, but not a lot.

Margie – A Teddy Bear Tea Party sounds like fun! No more bike rides for awhile, our temps dropped – our wind chill right now is -4 degrees! But that warm weather was great while it lasted!

Regina – Glad that you have time for your hobbies – now that I am retired, I do not know how I got anything done when I was working! I barely have time for hobbies now!

AFM – The dogs and I did 2 laps of our block yesterday, so I logged 2.5 miles at a better pace than usual. Then I had to run out shopping again, and for a hair cut, and did not make it back until almost dinner time. I did get most of the Christmas packages put together, just need to find boxes for them all – somehow, what I have are all too big or too small! One of these days I will get around to wrapping Scott’s presents, he must be getting quite depressed that his stocking is still empty!

Pixie dust to all who are in need!

Have a great day all!

 

[windwalker]

Good Morning Team!

Many meetings today. I'm doing the fly-by.

Regina, We always stay & do the parks after the races. If we went before I wouldn't be able to relax & enjoy myself until the race was over.

Dave, Stay warm & stop blaming us for the cold temps.

Have to run........Make it a great day everyone...........Sue

Sue, you mean you guys are not to blame? Being a pretty princesses of the far north it's your kingdom and there fore your responsibility.

Seriously the way the weather patterns are changing who knows what the darn weather is going to do any more. Let's just home Disney is warmer this year.

Dave

 

[windwalker]

Connie I hope the Doc gets Jon's knee figured out properly. Yes it's easier to stop for a while than it is to start working out. I have a hard time in the winter staying motivated. Helping Sally get ready has helped me to.

Dave

 

[funwalker]

Good Morning, Team!

Cloudy Currently 25° / 82% Humidity
Real Feel is 10°-12° colder
Mostly Cloudy /Few Snow Showers / High of 26° / Winds 10-20mph
Sunrise 8:05AM Sunset is 5:11PM

December 17, 2010 Only 7 Days(1 week) Before Christmas!
Count Down to WDW Marathon Weekend 21 Days!

Sir Humphry Davy, English chemist, born December 17, 1778.
John Greenleaf Whittier, American poet, born December 17, 1807.
William Lyon Mackenzie King, three times prime minister of Canada, born December 17, 1874.
Orville Wright made first heavier-than-air flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C., December 17, 1903.
Willard Libby, American chemist, born December 17, 1908.

“December Quote:
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.
A Psalm of Life. – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. (1807–1882)

Beth-WTG – glad you were able to get your run in.

WHAT-ARE YOU SERIOUS?
IF SO, HOW AWFUL - I AM SO SORRY!

I got the "brass ovaries award"
last night at the fun run (well after as the guys don't do
such things) for being the ONLY woman to show for the
fun run.

Connie-
for Jon’s knee!
I not finished shopping – not a thing wrapped and NO the decorating
is not completed!

Dave & Salee- Stay Warm
Yes, helping someone else Train or do anything is very rewarding
in many ways.

Lynn-WTG getting in 2.5 miles in that cold!
Yes, the Teddy Bear Tea Party was a lot fun for the little ones!

Nikki- Last Exam!
Cold & Windy tomorrow – Real Feel in single digits.
What are you thinking?

Sue-here too.

Vicky-I like the Gift Bags. And they can be reused!!!
We made some WAY Cute ones out of the plain brown
bags with handles with a bit of craft foam, glitter, & PomPoms

AFM:Normal Day: Boys-laundry-driveway!
My Little Hagen cold is not better. He was not up to the
Magic Show last night.

Brain Hurts from trying to make a decision on new Washer & Gas Dryer!!!!
Any complaints on models of the Front Loading Machines?



Beth (back), Connie (foot); DH, Jon (knee), Elizabeth (shins),
Emily (foot & bruised calf), Kim (PF), Lynn (foot & knee), Mary (knee),
Mark (Achilles) Mike (hip), Nikki (calf muscle), Regina (ankle),
Saylan (knee), Scott (knee), Vicky (knee, ankle, & stress)


Beth, Connie, Dave & Sally, Denise, Elizabeth, Emily, Eva, figment82, Gerry,
Hope, Jack, Jennifer, Kim, Kirstie, Lorelei528, Mary, Mike, Pam, Regina,
Robert, Saylan, Scott & Lynn, Shannan, Sue, Taryn, Vicky, and Honorary Member, Nikki

 

[verticalchaos]

Oh it was fine. I'm the only female team member who's going to Disney, so they sort of look at me as their little sister/"princess". It's good times.

Today will be XT after school. And checking on a friend who somehow went from ok to staggering drunk last night during/after the soup kitchen benefit we had at church. It was SCARY!

Have a good day everyone!

~beth

 

[Lynn G]

Good Morning Team!

Not much to report here. It is now cold! 7 degrees, -7 with wind chill. Yesterday I never made it out, I decided to run errands early and let it warm up, when I got home, I started packaging up stuff that needs to be shipped. Finished about 7pm! I will hit the post office first thing this morning, I have 10 boxes to ship out! As they all have 3 to 4 jars of jelly, amoung other stuff, none of them are light! Today is Scott's office Christmas party at noon, so maybe I will get the dogs out this afternoon, when it is a bit warmer!

Pixie dust to all who are in need!

Have a great day all!

 

[bunnyfoo]

Good morning team! Happy Friday!

Lynn - Your pups must be loving the cold weather! And that's a lot of boxes! Do you have someone to help you carry everything to the post office? I hope the lineup there isn't too long! Enjoy the Christmas party tonight!

Margie - The gift bags are a huge timesaver for me! And I like they're reusable too. Sometimes I save gift wrap but it's never quite as fun as just ripping it off a present! Next year, I will try making my own bags but this year I just ran out of time. I made another batch of cookies last night and will probably have to do one more on Sunday or Monday. I'm really wishing I had one of those standing mixers. The hand mixer gets a little tiring to hold after a few minutes.

Dave - It's not us... probably the polar bears further up north But seriously, I'm hoping that Disney is a lot warmer than it was this year. I will be bringing running tights and a jacket just in case. If it's cold, at least we won't need the throwaway clothes.

Beth - Congrats on getting into the NYC 1/2! That's awesome! That's a lot of entries for not very many spots. I can see how people would be disappointed. How's your knee feeling after the post office mishap?

Connie - I love condensed milk! I use to add it to my tea I'll give your cookies a try, I like easy recipes! What's Jon going to do about his knee. Those are two very different diagnosis..

Saylan - All you can eat + a running workout is never a good combo. I've learned that the hard way many (many) times I workout with trainers as well and all I can say is that they've made a world of difference in my fitness levels. Some people are great at picking stuff up from magazines or videos but I really like to have someone correcting my form. Plus, the trainers are great at showing you new exercises you never would have thought of and usually push you beyond where you would normally stop yourself.

Regina - I'm so glad you've got more free time with your new job - you're working out at the gym and have time for new hobbies! That's fantastic I wanted a Canada Goose jacket but it's so not in my budget. I bought a TNA jacket instead. It's knee length and super warm.

Sue - I went to Eddie Bauer in the Eaton Center and they had tons of down coats but everything was in L or XL. They had a few mediums but I really need an XS. Their prices were also about $40 more than the online store so even with shipping and duties, it's cheaper to order online. Got a LR planned for this weekend? I'm hoping the roads dry out a bit for my 10 miler tomorrow.

AFM - Sorry to have been MIA but this week has just flown by! I made another batch of shortbread cookies and have been working out and running in my spare time. I did manage a 2 miler outside on Wednesday evening. It was quite chilly but refreshing at the same time. I did end up with icicles on my eyelashes because of the condensation from my breath.

I'm planning on attempting a 10 miler tomorrow. Hopefully the weather and knee will cooperate Got a dinner on Saturday and a lunch on Sunday.

Have a great day everyone!