Hello Cousins! I'm not sure how the week got away from me so quickly Some of it was spent on the War on Snow. Some was spent running countless errands (though alarmingly I never did make it to REI!

) Some of it was spent working out, though there has been more than one workout that did not go according to plan. I didn't get to spin class on Wednesday in time to get a bike, so I rode on a regular one in the fitness center for half an hour and decided, yeah, that's enough. Yesterday, I intended to do 11 miles on the TM (suxor) and bailed after 5. Not like me, I know. Here's why: in my enthusiasm, I failed to take an actual REST day after that 5K on Saturday where I pulled out all the stops. Today is hereby designated as a rest day. Except that the sun is shining and I'm likely to go out and chip away at The Glacier a little more while I can and before we get any worse flooding in the street down there.
Here's some shoutouts:
Allie:


I am so, so sorry about the tragedies in your city so close together. They are both so disturbing, and I agree, it definitely makes a mama nervous, especially when they are so close to home. I wish there were more that any of us could do. I'm so glad you got your Valentine's races. Look at you, doing BOTH local races! WTG!
Richard: I have avoided REI, though I did actually go to Dick's Sporting Goods and got some snowpants for my taller kid. And it wasn't socks that I just kind of ended up buying as well, but I will admit to buying more than snow gear. Sadly there was nothing in lime. Come on, give me a break - 70% of my running clothes are HUGE now!
Mel - congratulations on your new job! Sounds pretty cool!
John:

- closest thing they have to a wolf whistle - sorry about the rolling eyes part. Looks like a great race for a great cause, that's for sure! Glad you had fun with it!
JenB - Congratulations to your friend on her engagement! How exciting! You can absolutely be at your goal weight by 12.11.10 - is the wedding going to be at 9? Probably not - either would be a bummer time for a wedding! My training for the Princess has definitely been...unconventional at best. Are you going for a PR, Victory Lap or something in between?
Terri - sounds like some rest was in order if you were feeling that ragged. Glad it paid off and you're feeling better now!
Nicole - I'm with you on the ice - it's so slick out there right now. Frankly, I prefer packed snow to a thin layer of bare pavement with ice on either side. I have only done races outside since the fall. I am sooo looking forward to spring! WTG inspiring your DH to run! Sounds like he is serious if he bought a NIKE foot pod! I have no real clue about the Run N Fun discounts at all. I think I saved a bunch last time I was in as well - maybe a winter clearance special? The way that this running stuff works is they come out with new stuff every few months, I think, so they're almost always trying to clear something out.

Last time I bought shoes, they had some buy one pair get a discount on the second pair, so that was nice and a little easier to understand cause he said something about it, at least. Did you go to the one on Randolph?
Jeanne - that is ridiculous! John looks good in the dress, but you would look good in it too! Red dress on a blonde= fabulous! In fact, I think it'd be a great MOTB dress on you. Except maybe that bright red is not the most appropriate for MOTB.
Maria - good luck with your coaching on BL this week. It has thinned out a little bit but still, Holy Fright! As my Latin prof used to say. And probably still does.
Christie - You're doing admirably well, keeping up with us here! To tell the truth, I had a hard time keeping everyone straight, too, until I started meeting them in person.
Jackie - good luck avoiding REI! So far I've managed it. You know what I love there? The camping towels. Love them. They are my favorite workout sweat mop ever. I'm not helping, probably...
Hope the recovery from your last run goes OK - sounds like it was a bit uncomfortable at the conclusion.
Richard - as a representative from Minnesota let me just say: go ahead and complain! In this respect, I actually have it easier in the winter: my car is in the garage at night, so I rarely have to scrape it off.
How incredibly distressing about that airplane! So glad your manager's wife was not in that building.
Debra: Hope you and DOOD are hanging in there with the snow and everything else, too.

Looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks!