Sooooo Very Tired ...

My legs are just shot right now. I got on the Stairmaster for a couple of hours last night (that launched a flurry of Facebook messages) and then ran 15 miles this morning. And my legs are feeling it. Back to the beginning. I started from Brothers at about 6:45 and got what I think was 5 miles in. Why am I not sure? Because my (un)trustworthy old Garmin 201 decided to be nonfunctional despite having 8 hours of charge left. Bah humbug. (When I got home, I looked on Amazon.com for a new one. There is currently one in my shopping cart). So I had to guess at the early mileage. Then I went inside briefly ... and there were LOTS of people there. I was happy to see such a good turnout.

Then we headed across Broadway and around Soldier's Field golf course. (I noticed that it's really "trashy" on the south side ... might head down there and pick it up tomorrow.)

Then we headed north past Folwell School ...

and down toward the Cascade Creek bike path.

It looks like my arm is missing (I'm on the far right)!!

The geese have discovered Cascade Lake.

I ran the whole 10 miles with Millie.

I was starting to fall apart the last half. The Stairmaster must have done me in last night. My legs had nothing in them, nothing at all. And I started cramping the last few miles. I think I was dehydrated (didn't pee until 2:45 this afternoon. Not good.) Thank you Millie for sticking with me. It wasn't pretty. Then it was in to Brothers' to join the crew.

I didn't have the opportunity to place a breakfast order, so when I had my oatmeal at home at 11:00 I was STARVING. At long last, Kristin got her Chocolate Chip Walnut Pumpkin Bread (a fun little spur-of-the-moment Facebook giveaway).

Kristin is wearing the asics jacket she got for $19.99 at Running Room. A steal!!

And P.K. was there with her neighbors so she stopped over to say howdie.

This morning, Jean gave me the pictures from the surprise 50th birthday party on the 18th. I was so glad they were saved. She, and several other people, really put a lot of time and effort into gathering them. Here they are (most of them) with dates added:

Thank you again Jean for the wonderful party. :-)

FYI: Team R.E.D. will be running from my house on Thursday, December 9. Please join us!!

Kid stuff: 1) This morning the headline on the Post-Bulletin was about some pedestrians that had been hit early this morning on Broadway. I've since found out that my son Matt was across the street when the pedestrian was hit and killed. And one of the injured persons was a running friend's daughter (and her friend as well). What an awful situation for everyone involved. 2) Eric slept outside in a tent last night. He bought a sleeping bag at Fleet Farm yesterday rated to -15 and he wanted to try it out. He first set up the tent in the living room, and covered it with tarps before carrying it all outside as a unit. :-)

3) Dinner talk. Eating contests. Eric challenged himself to a Brussels sprouts eating contest up in Mpls. (we had them tonight). He ate 119 of them in 25 minutes. And then felt really sick for a while. Kids, kids, kids ... And then he told about a YouTube video about some guy and a Cinnamon Challenge and Soda Cracker Challenge after ingesting salvia (a hallucinogen). Hmmm ... it's gross. 4) Eric and his good friend Rik were interns at Oxbow Park recently and they're pictured in the latest Oxbow newsletter along with a little write-up from each of them. Here's a link. (Speaking of Oxbow, there's a hike tomorrow at 3:30 at the third bridge (go past the zoo area and make the right turn. I just might wander out there. Supposed to be nice tomorrow, and in the 40's. Follow it with margaritas at Margarito's.)

My niece Kaleigh went to see Disney Live this afternoon. Her mom curled her hair. So pretty. Reminds me of my hair when I was young ... my long blonde ringlets. I should see if I have any pix ... But here's Kaleigh:

I'm going to do kind of a last hurrah and will have a few groups of people here in December: Book Club December 7, Cookie Exchange December 12, Team R.E.D. December 9. Stay tuned re: December 18. If there's a beer exchange/Brothers' breakfast I might ixnay those plans. I really enjoy decorating for Christmas. I got started today. I'll post pix tomorrow (or whenever I get done). Looking forward to each gathering.

I chatted with Bill Nevala outside the Y on Wednesday. They're having a lefse making party. My griddle, rolling pin, board and turner are ready to roll! Several recipes will be taste-tested (blind). Sounds like great Norwegian fun!!

Well, I think I might take a little spin on the bike tomorrow for old time's sake. It's getting pretty nippy, but one last ride would be fun ...

Stay warm. Good night.