Monday, January 10, 2011

Library Nazis, the Virgin Mary, and Duct tape!!

So no kidding, I about DIED laughing when I went to the library to use the internet this morning. I found this sign next to the computer I was going to use.


This is obviously a NEW sign, possibly directed at ME by the librarian “Nazi Chuck” aka “ Eagle Eye” who has a serious control freak problem. Last week, 1 hr. time limit. This week 1/2 hour and I LOVE the 4th bullet point- NO blogging!! Unfortunately for him, he won’t be able to torment me any longer as I finally permanently got my internet back this afternoon!!! This is good as I believe my inbox has about 472 messages, I have a million hotel reservations to book, and I give up on even trying to catch up on my commenting. I will have to adopt the motto “from this day forward”

OK-in classic fashion, the newsbag dump....

We had a crazy weekend here. Lots of driving, lots of games but since Reese wasn’t able to go to her tournament and Ryan and Max didn’t have games until Saturday, we enjoyed some rare down time as a family on Friday evening. ( I love family nights and let it be known, I have no problem beating little children in board games. Colonel Mustard did it with the candlestick in the dining room-WOOT WOOT! I win again!!) Anyway, while we were playing, the history channel was on in the background and had some program on about the birth of Jesus and mentioned the Virgin Mary. Out of nowhere, Max pipes up and unloads the questions..... “What’s a Virgin anyway?” “Is Virgin, Mary’s first name?” Like, why do they call her “Virgin Mary?”. “Is it like me?” (His name is Carson Maxwell but we call him Max) Ryan just totally lost it. I, of course totally maintained my composure and took this opportunity to teach my 7 year old one of life’s most important lessons. ……….Umm-whatever-I blew pretzel chunks across the room and joined Ryan. Max joined in the laughter too because he loves when we think something he say is funny but he had no clue……the harder we laughed, the harder he laughed …. Probably had to be there...

A perfect end to family night!!

Saturday morning we had these for breakfast! I have not stopped thinking about them since HungryRunnerGirl posted the recipe and I thought it was best to just get them out of my system. ALL of them-ha!!


I tackled what I think was my coldest outdoor run to date last week . I’m not even certain of the real temp but it was WAY below zero. The windchill even worse. I made it(did not ENJOY it) thanks to Smartwool socks and duct tape over my shoes! I really have a hard time with my covering my face because it just makes me SO claustrophobic. You’ve seen my scary robber mask but truthfully I HATE wearing this thing. I’ve tried Vaseline on my cheeks to somewhat protect them but when it’s windy-still too cold….There is NO shelter here. I run with fields on both sides of me and I FEEL the wind. Anyway, this time I tried just a neck gaiter, with one of my dental masks from work and a warm hat that came way down over my ears. Yes, I looked like a superfreak but yeah-it worked!!! Duct tape and a dental mask…….this is a very small town-I’m totally ruining my reputation for the sake of running. …..

Here's a sneak peak at the straightaway road I get to run on! Once again, note the mountains and trees! Just lovely. Doesn't really matter because my eyes water so much I can't see anyway. Moving on.....

This morning I had a double planned. 6 in the morning, 5 in the evening-both easy. I looked out the window and contemplated wearing this


Or this....

This is an old picture but you catch my drift....

Anyway, I am realizing I like cold weather running but really don't like "COLD" weather running. There is a line in which comfort (or at times fingers) are compromised and it's just not worth it. Therefore, I checked the temp before making my decision of where to run this morning. Awesome, 9 degrees which is equal to 70 to me at this point and I was a go to head outside. Now, this is fantastic running weather and I love it! I can manage with just a long sleeve and a light pullover in these temps! No wind and made for a nice easy 6! Tomorrow, not so nice or easy 800's.....

I am making a little trip to California in April-the San Bernadino area. My husband will be working, I will be playing. If anyone wants to “play” with me let me know! I’m also heading to Charleston, SC in July I think. Looking for playmates aka running partners there too:) 50 gold stars to everyone who trains in South Carolina through the summer. Good God, I was there in July before my first marathon. Running in 100 degrees with 100% humidity-ASININE! The poor lady at the front desk of our hotel dang near called the ambulance when I came back from a run one morning. I could never adequately describe how much I sweat but the floor was pooling up around me with every step and my face looked like I was about to EXPLODE!

Did I just complain about it being too cold and too hot in the same post...I like to complain.....

Anyway, I could go on an on but I'd rather catch up with all of you, (or perhaps get something done around here since Joe was kind enough to take the kids to hockey so I could stay home) Ummm-yeah. Why do now what can get done later, or not done at all.....Have a great night!

21 comments:

XLMIC said...

Lol…i was all excited about frost on my windshield…for the FIRST time ever! You are amazing w/ your courageous and hardy winter tundra running! Rock on, mamma!

Oh, and bummed I am too far north to play :( but we played Clue over the weekend, too! I lost.

Running and living said...

I was about to suggest a neck warmer, but you are using it. Yes, can't do the masks either, but the neck warmer gives enough flexibility. When I say I like winter running, I like Boston winter running. You seem to have it way tougher over there. Love the pic with the kids. If you come to Boston, I'll play:)

Melissa said...

Honey! That is really really cold! You are HARD CORE!!

dawn @ running the dawn said...

i love that you caused the whole LIBRARY to develop a new no-blogging policy :) fabulous!

ok, i was feeling all proud of myself for doing my long run outside yesterday, but it was a balmy 12 degrees, so i'm still a lightweight. i haven't ventured out in anything less than double digits yet... you give me hope that its doable though.

honestly, most days that i end up inside its more because i just don't want to take the time to find all the articles of clothing that i would need to cover my extremities...i'm lazy, what can i say!?

Caroline said...

no blogging....! really??

love the picture of the kids on the sofa!!!!

Muncher Cruncher said...

Your cinnamon rolls look BOMB!!! YUM! Seriously...now I want some. I am impressed that you even attempt to run in the cold. I SUCH A WUSS. I don't even go there. I can't do the cold lungs cold ears thing. It kills me! I would pick the treadmill 100 times over running outside...is that sad? Way to be hard core girl!

Unknown said...

Let's PLAY! Where in San Bernadino? It will be perfect weather here, so please leave your weird work masks and that "other" mask at home! Will it be before or after Boston?? Let's run!
I can't comment on the weather running, I just can't. I have NO idea how you do it.
However, I DO want to try those cinnamon rolls, YUM!

Amanda@runninghood said...

So funny about what your son said! I would have spit pretzels too! Um, you are so gorgeous! So nice to see an up close picture of you! I don't know how you do it....brrrr...your runs look and sound so so so cold. You, however, sound like a complete bad ass! Maybe you might even look like an ass too with your shoes wrapped and the vaseline on your face...ha ha. Love it! And love that you have quiet time to yourself while Joe takes the kids to Hockey.

Okay, that sign at the library is hilarious. And whose business is it if you want to blog on your computer time. what?? Listen Chuck, you need to get a hobby. Blogging perhaps...I'm sure there are readers out there who would enjoy your blog about the life of a librarian. He could even blog about all his new rules and get feedback. He could blog about you....

Anonymous said...

Ha! I caught your drift - - snow drift!

Heather -Momma Running Amok said...

Ohh the library. How funny that harmless you potentially hanged the rules of internet usage at the local library because of some blogging. I feel your pain with the cold you are experiencing. I lived in Green Bay for 2 winters from fall of 2007 to 2009. I began training for the Green Bay Marathon in Jan '08 and did group training runs Saturday mornings. I coldest wind chill I ran in was -33. I will never forget it. I did the mask thing but still remember blinking and my eyes freezing shut and the ice forming on my eye lashes. (luckily I found out I was pregnant the beginning of that February decided not to run in the cold....) And by the way I loooove Clue. My family won't play with me, they think I cheat...it is all straggly I tell ya

Hannah said...

I'm cracking up at your too cold and too hot comments all in one post!

And, you totally got scolded by way of "sign" at the library! Bam! Glad to have you back with internet at home.

Tomorrow I'm doing 15 miles with a low of negative three, and a windchill...that I don't want to think about. My lowest is 16 degrees so far (not sure how I managed that since I only ran on the treadmill once in the last year!) but I'm a little nervous. I think my friend/Coach is trying to teach me a lesson about learning to love the treadmill...

Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

The library notice is too funny! Why do they care WHAT you are doing on there?! Weird!

That is an awesome couch, that all 3 of your kids can have room to fall asleep on it!! I need one of those, my kids pull their mattresses out to the living room sometimes to lay on, lol! And they fight over who gets the couch!

You are a toughie for running out in that weather. I've been a wimp and running at the gym.

Teamarcia said...

Oh man I think I'd dump my bittersweet chocolate for a bite of those cinnamon rolls.
Those sub-z runs are character building for sure. They make us who we are. Like how I include myself in your badassishness? It's waay colder where you are. But I'll take cold over uber hot any day.

Jill said...

You deserve like some gold and purple medal of honor for running in those conditions. I am such a wimp and head to my treadmill ALL THE TIME! I think I would venture outdoors more if I didn't have to work and could run at noon....hey, that's it, I'm quitting work so I can run at noon :).

Well, I hope you can squish in a trip to Colorado maybe to run with me, too! We could maybe do Pikes Peak together??? :)

Is San Bernadido near San Jose or San Francisco? If so, when are you going? I may be doing a trail race out there, if I can get my heel to cooperate.

I answered your coaching question on my blog post today :).

Stay warm (though I can't imagine how! - ha!)

The Hungry Runner Girl said...

I want to be a part of your family!! Your cute son ha....I love that he kept laughing harder too!!! How do you run in that weather?!?! You are my IDOL!!! So glad you made the cinnamon rolls...they are so stinkin good and I ate the whole pan myself:) Can't wait for you to get the internet again you busy girl! Stupid librarian.....just jealous of your awesomeness. Gorgeous pic woman!

Kate said...

I NEED to make those cinnamon rolls... they look amazing!! Your weekend sounded like it was TONS for fun!!

Girl, you are dedicated to the outside! I give up at running outside when it's under 20'. I have grown to love my treadmill during the winter months!

Lindsay said...

OMG WHEN IN JULY!?!?! I live in SC!!!

there were mountains and trees in that photo? all i see is snow and fog and probably ice. i wouldn't worry about your rep though - i'm sure people just think you are crazy for going outside in less than everything-you-own.

gosh i didn't know libraries could tell you how to use your hour of internet! lol

ThE MidLiFe CrUiSeR said...

Good riddance to Chuck the butt-wipe. He's probably a virgin himself :) :) :)

I think you running in your dental mask probably made you look cool. Kinda like Michael Jackson!

Glad you got your internet back. Typing comments on a phone is HARD WORK...now that I'm having to do it! (hinting around/sob story to get one of those cinnamon rolls!)

middleagedrunner said...

Just wanted to let you know that I tagged you for the Stylish Blogger award. Check out my blog for details (and thanks for a great blog, as usual!)

Raina said...

How did I miss this post?! I am so late!!!

I have been eating cinnamon rolls over and over and over again. SO scary. They taste good, but I am going to have to run A LOT to burn all this off!!!

As always, you impress me with your fantastic toughness :)

I will try and leave you a better post next time..kids are wild today.

Joanne said...

I can't stand running with a mask. Who can breath in those things?!
Winter running has never bothered me except for this year...the year I train for Boston. Go figure :(
I've been treadmill bound but would love to tackle a beautiful straight away like in your photo.