America - you are beautiful...

America - you are beautiful...And blessed... The ultimate test of your greatness is the way you treat every human being, but especially the weakest and most defenseless. If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." - Pope John Paul II

While still basking in the glow of the Inauguration of President Obama... Despite Obama's repeal of the "Mexico City Policy", and the growing feud involving F.O.C.A, I thought that quote from Pope John Paul II was particularly poignant. As was the simple message contained in this short commercial that aired last week...

Everyone deserves a chance, lets give it to them...

Its progress..

The third time is a charm. Lets see if that's true. For the first time in quite some time, I've hit the streets three times this week. A couple of shorter 4+ mile runs, and 8 today. Felt, good but I need to take it easy, as I can tell the body needs to get back into running form.

More in the "progress" front.. Work on the basement is going to proceed. I've cleared out the basement to give myself some more work space. Stopped at home depot for the first batch of 2x4s. First step is to rough wall framing, to build a closet around the electrical panel, and hang some drywall to close off the utility room from further "construction dust".

I'll keep you all posted on all the progress, both running, training, events schedules, and basement remodeling.

Peace

A breakthrough day... (??)

January 20th, 2009 will be a historic day for the Obama inauguration today. We've all seen the news, heard the commentary, so I'll not add much to that, except to say, I thought it was a moving speech. I really enjoyed and was hopeful regarding the invocation.

In my own world today, I headed out for a brief run. Gone was the bitter -24 temps of last Thursday. While still below freezing, I was glad to get out again, especially within a week. I've been less then consistent about running the past two to three months.

Like the political speeches today that sought to create hope, and to encourage each of us to do more, I think in own small corner of the world, maybe I've started to head back towards the track of better health through running

Squish, Crutch, ahhh

Some people call me the Space Cowboy... Some call me just plain crazy. I ended up going out for a 5 mile run this morning. The temperature gauge read -9 degrees, that was without will chill, which according to the weather channel would be about -28 or so.

I had a route that I could short circuit and only do two miles if it proved to could. Crazy? Maybe, but I also wanted to try out the new UnderArmour cold weather gear that Santa brought me. The only exposed skin I had was around my eyes. Everything else was covered.

For the 1st mile, I though I would cut it short as my eyebrows were getting quite cold. But they ended up frosting over ...smile... and I changed directions, and things seemed fine. Don't get me wrong, had I pulled a hammy and had to walk, I might have turned into a Popsicle, but at long as I was running, I felt quite comfortable.

So there is it.. the new benchmark (for me) for cold weather running.

Crazy.. I know..

Get off the horse and get out...

I was going to get out for a run tomorrow. The first since the end of the 150k in 15 days. So its been close to 1 month off (again). But with wind chills and the temperature being close to -30 degrees tomorrow. I think that I might just have to pass for tomorrow. I've got some cold weather running gear, but -30 or worse. I guess that's where I draw the line...

Resolutions

Have you kept your New Years Resolution?
	Yes
	No
	What resolution?
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Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow

Well the weather out site is frightful (ok maybe not so much)
But the driveway is so delightful
Shovel snow, shovel snow, shovel snow..

More snow, less running. After the 150k in 15 days in early december, the busy holiday weekends, i've not really gotten out onto the road for some running. I'm feeling that it past due. With work being a bit slow at the moment, I might just
be able to get some weekday runs in.

The early season race event planning has been put on hold (temporarily I hope). Its quite likely that I'll be getting back into triathlon's after a year hiatus. We'll see which ones. A half ironman would be great, well see if the family will accept the training requirements. About the only certainty would be the 2009 marathon, and some local running races.

Stay tuned. I think the coming days might bring some news on the job situation, and with that, hopefully updates on the the basement remodel, and the 2009 event schedule.

Peace

All quiet

Its been all quiet on the blog front. I know. I know. Its been a busy holiday season. Both E1 and E2 had a wonderful Christmas season. After close to an 11 year break, I've restarted work on the basement remodel. Although as quick and as motivated as I started. Other reasons have put that on hold. Hopefully only temporary. There are some storm clouds brewing overhead on the work front. In the next week or two we'll see how things pan out. But its not looking good at all.

I fall back to the last post from December 18th. The chorus on Brandon Heath's song sums up my approach lately. I just ask for my eyes to really see (and my ears to hear) what I need to see and hear. And put my faith were it belongs, above.

More to come..
Peace
Ted