Looking Out Shane's Hotel Window in Norman, OK

Running the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler

I ran the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler this morning.  It was a beautiful morning to run, although most of the cherry blossoms are history.  The weather was perfect--sunny and temps in the low 60s.   I ran the race as hard as I could, since I was determined to break 80 minutes.

My clock time was 83 minutes and 48 seconds, but my net time (time from start to finish line) was 79 minutes and 35 seconds!!!  That is a sub-8 minute mile (7:58 average) for a 10 mile race.  If I could do that for a marathon, I'd qualify to run the Boston Marathon.  There is no way I could now run that pace for 16.2 more miles.  I was dying at the end today.

The best thing about running these races is beating much younger and much more fit looking men.  Of the 6,881 men that finished the race, I came in 1,945th.  I was 174th (out of 628) in my age category (Men aged 45-49).  I love looking at the results and seeing men half my age in my dust.

Of course, the opposite is also true.  For instance, the man that won the 70-74 age division, who is 70 years old, beat me by more than 8 minutes.  And there were a large number of ladies that trounced my time also.  However, I choose to focus on the men younger than myself that I beat.

Check back in a few days for photos.

Hurricane Threat to Our New House Increased

We recently closed on a house in Punta Gorda, FL, which is located on the Gulf Coast.  The house we purchased was damaged by Hurricane Charley in 2004, and today the Colorado State University hurricane forecasting team predicted an above-average eight storms, four of them major, for the 2010 hurricane season.  It would be just our luck to work like dogs to fix up this cute little house and then have a Category 5 roll on in.   Luckily, we have insurance.

5 on the Fifth--Cherry Blossoms

This is an idea from State of the Nation UK -- taking five photos on the fifth of the month and share them with the world.  The theme this time around was Spring, so what better subject to depict Springtime in Washington DC than the world-famous Japanese cherry blossoms. So here they are!

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #235

Alls I remember is that the Perp started in 5th position

and then did an amazing grand jeté.

The above cartoon is the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #235. Let me know if you come up with any captions too. Click on the link above to enter.

The End of Eating No Sweets -- Praise Jeebus

I am so happy it is finally Easter. I did not eat sweets for Lent. It was not a religious thing, I just wanted to basically see if I could actually give up sweets. I ate no candy, donuts, ice cream, soda, or anything that could be considered a sweet. I missed them terribly. I lost about 5 pounds, in the 46 days of Lent, but I am very happy it is over.

I woke up this morning at about 1:30 because I had to go to the bathroom, but after checking the time, I ate my first piece of chocolate I had in weeks, which I had placed on my nightstand. Upon returning to bed, I also devoured a handful of jelly beans. I fell asleep again with a slight sugar buzz.

Today, I have been eating quite a bit of candy and junk... Donut holes, Twizzlers, chocolate bunnies, soda, cake, etc. I'm a little nauseous at the moment. Where's the ice cream?

Stars "Give A Damn!" About Hate Crimes

From Joe. My. God.'s Blog:

True Blood star Anna Paquin comes out as bisexual in this star-studded plea against hate crimes created by Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Fund. The campaign's website, We Give A Damn, is down at the moment, doubtlessly due to gossip sites freaking out over Paquin's unanticipated revelation.

So What, Who Cares?

Shane immitated the guy from Saturday Night Live (Fred Armisen) who immitates Joy Behar and had us both giggling like school girls last night. This clip shows the real thing and the immitator.

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #234

So you think it's my fault because I named you Anna Rexia!

The above cartoon is the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #234. Let me know if you come up with any captions too. Click on the link above to enter.

Virtual Run from DC to Punta Gorda--Update #12

This is another update on my progress doing a virtual run from our home in DC to our new vacation home in Punta Gorda, Fl. It is a distance of about 1,003 miles.

I have been having problems with my neck. I have an appointment with an acupuncturist tomorrow. I've never gone to an acupuncturist before, but it should be interesting.

Total Distance Run This Week: 20.5 miles

Total Distance Run in 2010: 249 miles

Total Run Time: 34 hours 20 minutes

My Virtual Distance to Punta Gorda: 754 miles

PUSH UPS

Goal for the year: 10,000

Total Push Ups this Week: 150

Total Push Ups in 2010: 1,826

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #233

Looky Sonny, you have to shift your dadburn paradiagm.

The above cartoon is the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #233. Let me know if you come up with any captions too. Click on the link above to enter.

Not Sure What This Is, But I Want Some

Virtual Run from DC to Punta Gorda #11

This is another update on my progress doing a virtual run from our home in DC to our new vacation home in Punta Gorda, Fl. It is a distance of about 1,003 miles.

Last week, we were in Florida after finally closing our our new house. We were busy cleaning, shopping, and fixing up our new house. Therefore, I took a break from running and push ups.

Total Distance Run Last Week: 17 miles
Total Distance Run This Week: 0 miles

Total Distance Run in 2010: 228.5 miles

Total Run Time: 31 hours 6 minutes 55 seconds

My Virtual Distance to Punta Gorda: 774.5 miles

PUSH UPS

Goal for the year: 10,000

Total Push Ups for these 2 Week: 120

Total Push Ups in 2010: 1,676

The Welcome Wagon Arrives

One of our Florida neighbors stopped by this evening with a beautiful
home-baked bread, which she gave us to welcome us to the
neighborhood. She was very nice. We met her husband earlier in the
week as he was walking their Scottie, Minnie. We are happy to find
some friendly faces in neighborhood.

Crowded at the Beach

This is apparently the first good beach day in weeks in Florida, so
EVERYBODY came to the beach. I can't blame them.

Finally at the Beach

This is our last full day in Florida and we're taking a break from
fixing up the new house and are having a beach day. It has been very
cool, but is warmer and very sunny today!

Tennis On Charlotte Harbor

Shane and I played tennis today at this public court in a park on
Charlotte Harbor. It is such a beautiful set of courts on the water.
It was a bit windy, but we had a great time. We're loving Punta
Gorda! Oh yeah, I won, but it was super close. Shane had a set
point, but I managed a comeback.

Hump Day Art--Kerne Erickson

We are considering buying a reproduction of the classis Pan Am poster of Havana by Kerne Erickson from the 1930s. We saw a very large version of it in an art store on a recent trip to Key West and loved it, but I love all the classic Pan Am posters.

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #232

At least the Bush State Dinners had a little class.

Dinner at River City Grill

Shane and I took a break from fixing up our new house and went out to
dinner at the River City Grill in Punta Gorda, FL. It was wonderful.
I had the Phylo Salmon (pictured) and Shane had a New York Strip Steak
with Mashed Potatoes. Next time I'm getting the potatoes instead of
the rice. They were yummy! It all was really good though.