Yes, I'm still alive ...

... and cooking. Pretty much literally. At least I'm not having to spend the days and nights sleeping in a 4-H animal barn at the fair. Could be worse, as they say. A couple of us gals are going out to the Montevideo area to run a 30K on Saturday. High is forecast for 90 degrees. Lovely. Good thing it starts at 7:30 AM.

So what have I been cooking?

This is my entry into the Hy-Vee chocolate dessert contest at the fair. I was sweating (literally!) the whipped cream all day long. I decided to bring everything down to the fairgrounds, unassembled, and put it all together there at the last minute (thank you Ted for driving me down the street with the food vendors, right up to the front door!) and then quickly slip it into the refrigerator case so the whipped cream wouldn't weep/melt/separate or whatever was bound to happen in the heat and humidity. As to how it looks today, I don't know. I can only hope it held up OK. I did stabilize the whipped cream. BTW: When I phoned someone about this, she told me that all the chocolate desserts are given away TODAY and this evening to the fair workers and the public. Stop by ... you just might get a bite. I also entered my Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk cookies and Peanut Butter Cookies. I have my fingers crossed.

Tomorrow after the 6:00 pm practice run at Running Room is an outdoor party with FOOD*FUN*MUSIC to be had by all. It's a farewell for staff going off to college. Also to be given away as prizes are passes to Ultramarathon Man which is showing at Galaxy Cine 14 at 7:30 pm on Thursday. I'm supposed to be getting passes as well. If you're interested in one or two, please email me. First come, first served. Assuming they actually do show up.

Today I was sitting at the Honda dealer having the 6-month check-up done on the Accord, stressing about this real estate sale which has complications and I have to handle by myself, fretting that I wouldn't be at home when the UPS guy is supposed to drop off the Ultramarathon Man tickets, and Matt calls and tells me that the battery on the van is dead. They were out camping ... he left the door open, he "guesses". When it rains it pours ... Lovely. Jump it.

Our Ragnar Relay team could use another volunteer or two. This is what I know about what is required: Volunteers must be at least 16 years old, be able to provide their own transportation, and be physically able to assist with course set-up, course direction, exchange point management, or time-keeping. We'd be so very much obliged. I'm sure some cookies could be in it for a volunteer. ;-) You can contact me or our captain if you're interested.

Congratulations to Chris Koch and Rob Mitchell who completed the Voyageur Trail 50-miler on Saturday in a time of 9:38 for 22nd and 23rd places. This was the first 50-miler for both of them. They reported perfect running conditions and no run-ins with trees. ;-)

From Mike Schmitt: Info on some demographics on a survey of runners. Separated into male and female responses.

From Chris O'Brien: A Hash House Harriers marathon, including a beer on every loop. Video clip

This Fri-Sun, some runners are running 75 miles from the cities to Mayo to raise funds for childhood cancer. The run is called 3 Days for Abby. They will be running from Pine Island down the Douglas Trail into Rochester and would like some company on their run. I'll post more info as to times, etc. when I have it.

I'll put in a shamless plug for RTC board member/race director Kevin Torgerson. He's performing in Beauty & The Beast in Stewartville (they do a great job by the way--I've been to several). Shows are Friday and Saturday, August 1 and 2 at 7:30 pm and Sunday August 3rd at 2 pm then the next weekend Friday and Saturday, August 8th and 9th at 7:30 pm and Sunday August 10th at 2pm. The costumes are very interesting and some great performances are awaiting you. You can save a buck for your gas mileage by calling to reserve tickets ahead of time at 533-1432.

Well, that's it! Stay cool.