...in which I appreciate the finer things.

Being back in school as an undergrad is odd. I had my first test this past Tuesday. An actual test. I haven't had a test in years. Next Tuesday I have to give a presentation, or more specifically I have to do a sculptural analysis. This is the sculpture I chose, titled 'Wind Totem' by Gary Bates. The silver discs spin when it's windy.

...in which some things are guaranteed.

Taxes, death, and failure. The following post is from Danielle LaPorte.

GUARANTEED, FOR SURE, NO WAY OUT, GONNA HAPPEN, ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY CERTAIN:
You will fail. At some point. More than once.
You will get hurt.
You’re going to get dumped, broken up with. Betrayed, even.
Heart broken. Heart.BROKEN.
You might get kicked out, rejected, canned. Denied entry.
Not invited.
You will be criticized.
You will be denied.
You’ll be too late.
You’ll give up too soon.
You’ll misread the fine print, sign a bad deal, and it’ll cost ya — dearly. You will miss opportunities, miss the mark, let some precious part of life pass you by. You won’t win. You will lose.
You will be wounded and you’ll have scars — that show.
You’ll have regrets.
And things you wish you could do over.
You’ll say things you wished you had never said.
There will be many, many things that you’ll wish you had said — fiercely loving and bravely tender things, righteously justice-rendering things that could change everything — but instead, you’ll fail to rise in the way you wanted to.

There’s no mystery, there’s no avoiding it, and no one born has ever, or will ever, be immune. Failing is as certain as sunsets and detours. So why exert energy avoiding the avoidable? Shift your energy from protecting yourself from failure to squeezing the life out of life.

Let your guard down, take the breaks off, and tear up that insurance policy – it was a rip off anyway. The status quo has been feeding you factory-grade illusions. Sign up, speak up, get out, and get it on. You will fail. At some point. More than once. Guaranteed. Proceed anyway.

...in which revenge is mine.

Running Recap for May 21-May 27:

Total miles covered: 22.3
Total days: 3
Types of runs: hill, race/long-slow, easy

Hill: 6 miles up Bozeman Creek with BSWD, 52:xx

Race/long-slow- Frank Newman Half Marathon

Easy- 3.2 miles through town with Rob

Cross training: 1 hour of spin class, 3 strength training days

If you read this blog or know me in real life, you have most likely heard me complain about getting a stress fracture last summer about 6 weeks before the Bridger Ridge Run, arguably one of the most technical trail runs in the country. You have to enter a lottery to get in, and only 300 people get the chance per year. I got in last year, paid my (non-refundable) fee, and then had to give up my place because I was not cleared to run for 4-6 weeks. Well, this year it would appear that I will get my revengeance. 

The terrain involves running on this:

  

I didn't take this photo.

And this:

 The guy in the red is 82. People out here are amazing.

I also didn't take this photo.

Basically, the course looks like this:

 

Didn't take this photo, but I did put the crummy

paint job on it.

...in which people are losing appendages.

First, a thank you to all the men and women who have previously served in the military or are serving now.

Second, a Memorial Day full of Misconduct for you.

• A duck and 10 ducklings were stranded underneath a pine tree with no water. Exactly how are they stranded? Can't they just waddle to some water?
• Residents of a home on Willson Avenue awoke to an unknown man using their bathroom at 6 a.m. After speaking to him for a while and determining the trespasser was extremely intoxicated they asked him to leave. He did leave, but the residents called police just to let them know what happened.
• A mother was concerned about her son getting pulled over after their neighbor had reported the son’s vehicle as a possible “child abductor.” Does it look like this? 

• A possibly intoxicated man cut his finger off while washing dishes at 10:30 p.m. As Brian's dad says, "Safety is no accident." Don't wash knives while intoxicated. 
• At 10 p.m. several people were arguing over horses being tied up to a bike rack outside a bar on Main Street but no physical altercations took place. Horses at a bike rack? Sometimes this really is the wild west.
• A woman and her husband have been receiving strange notes from a possible stalker. A letter to her husband that was postmarked from Billings said, “I love you” and that “we can be together.” Friday, while the woman was at Walmart, she found a note on her vehicle that said “leave him … he doesn’t love you.” Nothing good ever comes from being at a WalMart.
• A woman walked into another woman’s apartment. When she was told to leave, the woman said she wouldn’t leave unless the other woman said please. She then left, slamming the door on the way out.
• A man who was recently released from the hospital and was bedridden had dropped his remote control and wanted someone to pick it up for him. He called back later and said now he couldn’t get his medicine.
• A caller reported hearing yelling, pounding, slamming, quiet arguing, water running and loud banging coming from the neighbors. The girlfriend and boyfriend said they were fine and were just “being in love.” They were warned to keep the noise to a minimum. Ah, young love. 

...in which the snow keeps falling.

2.5 days of snowfall. The snow finally turned to rain about an hour ago. Which means that yesterday morning, Rob and I ran a half-marathon in a snowstorm. In May. If you've ever been in a snowstorm, as I'm sure most of you have, you know that there are a lot of different types of snow. In my February half-marathon, I ran in a snowstorm that consisted of big fluffy flakes. Yesterday I ran in a headwind with sharp ice crystals pelting my face. My time was not particularly quick (as I was running it as a training long run and not as a race), but I felt great the entire run. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself in this story. Let me back it up.

Rob and I woke up early to get to the Frank Newman Marathon/Half Marathon. This is the 25th year the race has been in existence, and it's the first year that Frank was not here to mark the course, cheer on the runners, and hand out trophies at the afternoon lunch. I had the honor to meet Frank the first year I moved here when I volunteered to help at the finish line, and I received a trophy from him last year when I ran my second marathon in a 3:38:xx. Frank was a staple in the Bozeman running community. He and a fellow runner founded the Big Sky Wind Drinkers running club in the 1970s, and he started the marathon in 1988 because he felt like Bozeman needed a marathon. Frank bought all the awards himself, marked the course himself, started the race, helped at the aid stations, and shook your hand when you crossed the finish line. Even though he couldn't run in his final years, he was there to smile and cheer despite how hard it must have been to watch a sport that he loved but could no longer participate in.

This year, Frank's family sponsored the entire event in his memory. The race, which normally cost $3, was free this year. Every runner received a long sleeve technical shirt, a commemorative coffee mug, a lunch, and award ribbons went to the top three men and women in each category. Many of the family members ran as part of a relay team or on their own. Frank's eldest granddaughter spoke to us at the start, and I was nearly in tears despite my limited acquaintance with Frank. You see, the Wind Drinkers were the first people I met in Bozeman other than my co-workers. Over the past two years, members of the club have become my inspiration, my mentors, people to commiserate and celebrate with, people to bounce ideas off of, my own cheerleaders and people I can cheer for. And without Frank the club would not exist as it is today, so I have a lot to thank him for.

So the 25th annual Frank Newman Marathon was a bittersweet one. Regardless of the rain and the wind and the snow and the cold, I wouldn't have traded an instant of it.

Good morning, Bozeman. P.S. didn't anyone tell you that it's May?

The marathoners and the half-marathoners who chose to run

the first half. Yours truly and Rob included.

Group shot! It's like where's Waldo. Can you find me? More

difficult: can you find Rob?

And one shot so you know how crazy the weather was:

There are normally mountains back there. This was the finish.

So, race report. 

Official finish time: 1:55:17

Pace per mile: 8:48 (not the most steady pace, 8:00/mile 1, 8:15/mile 2-3, 8:30-mile 4, 9:00 most of the rest although I stopped keeping track). My goal, by the by, was about an 8:50-9:10 pace. It was intended as a long, slow distance run for me.

Start elevation: 5557.74 ft. above sea level

Highest elevation: 5882.5

Lowest elevation: 5232.93

Hardest part: we climbed 200 feet in the last 1/2 mile. As a comparison, Heartbreak Hill in Boston is an 88 foot climb over .4 miles. Neither climb is particularly difficult. What made this bad was a headwind that gusted above 20 mph and was pelting my face with sharp snow the entire way. I ran with my face turned sideways and pointed down. I had ice accumulating in my eyelashes.

Place: 2nd female finisher in the first half marathon. Runners get the option to run the first half of the course or the second. I ran the first half because, although it has many more hills, I think it's much more scenic. Not that you could see anything today.

Handfuls of M&Ms I ate afterwards: 4. I mean 6. Or maybe more like 9. Whatever. Then I ate a plate of cheesy bread for lunch today. Post-running carb loading. It's definitely a nutritionally sound theory. Sugar and carbs. And lots of 'em.

...in which I go green.

This is a photo of the haul from my first greens CSA share. The whole middle shelf, part of the lower shelf, and the lower right drawer. Plus a carton of eggs. Awesome. So far I've gone through the braising greens, the pak choi, half of the turnips, half of the radishes, half of the salad mix, half of the spinach, and a few of the walking onions. And we've got another haul coming this Wednesday. Let's hear it for local agriculture, know your farmer!

Unrelated note, it's been snowing all day for the past two days in Bozeman. 

...in which goats randomly appear.

The photos that go along with yesterday's post about mushroom hunting (or failing at mushroom hunting, to be more exact).

This is a pack goat. There was a pack of pack goats on the

same trail as us.

Which really made me want a pack of pack goats.

Aubree and Mr. Kalari.

Somewhere around here, an ant crawled up my pant leg and bit me near my crotch. NOT OK. I crushed it. Then took off my pants to try and find it. Then realized I was standing in my underwear in full view of the highway, which runs alongside the river. Hello, world, these are my purple underpants.

Kalari, Aubree, and Amanda.

The Gallatin River.

It was like the River Wild yesterday. 

I should watch that movie again.

I love Kevin Bacon.

Goat butt!

...in which I am not a hunter.

Last Sunday I went morel mushroom hunting with Aubree and Amanda. I don't have my camera with me so photos of this excursion will have to come later.

It had just rained, we found the right trees that signal a good mushroom growing area, but there were no mushrooms to be found. Not a one. There were several different types of fungi, but not anything that even resembled a morel. So the hunt turned out to be a 3-4 mile hike instead, which is fine by me. On the plus side, I didn't get poison ivy (which happened to me back in 1996 when I last went mushroom hunting) and I didn't find any ticks on myself. Apparently our problem was that we went too far into the canyon to find any mushrooms. I think the scenery is nicer than outside the canyon, so I'm not going to complain about being empty-handed.

I had a very excellent time with those ladies. I don't often get to hang out with just them as we're all part of this group of couples, so it tends to be all of us and our significant others. This was a great change of pace.

Also, a belated Training Tuesday report.

Running Recap for May 14-May 20:

Total miles covered: 18.1
Total days: 3
Types of runs: Easy, hill, hike

Easy: 5.1 miles BSWD fun run, 42:42.

Hill: 10 miles at the Baldy Blitz

Hike: 3 miles- yes, I count hiking in my running schedule for 1 day per week. It's time spent on my feet and often on challenging terrain, so it gets included. Also, hiking keeps me from feeling overwhelmed/restricted to running.

Cross training: 1 hour of spin class, 3 strength training days

Total miles in May: 57.6
2012 total miles: 432

Speaking of running, this is the best story about a runaway that I've ever read: Escaped Penguin Spotted Alive, Healthy and Free.

...in which business acumen is unnecessary if you're cute.

Tuesday is normally when my previous week's training goes up, but I'm a bit behind so enjoy this video (PS, you have to listen to the song to get the title to this blog):

I want to hug that harp seal so hard.

Also, here is a map of the United States, as seen by people from Michigan:

...in which friends don't drop friends while drinking.

Wow, the Bozeman PD really delivered this week. Or, I suppose, it's really the people of Bozeman with their ridiculousness. Either way, it's time for another Misconduct Monday!

• A chipmunk was reported stuck between a window and a screen. An officer returned the call and “it appears the little guy got out.”
• A woman was stopped after driving several blocks with her hazard lights on. She said she didn’t know how to deactivate the flashers, so the officer helped her. Who gave this woman a license?
• An officer “helped a male tell his female roommate to share.” Sharing is caring.
• A 24-year-old Manhattan man was arrested for criminal mischief after being observed attempting to uproot at tree on East Main Street at 2 a.m. 
• A 23-year-old woman who had been drinking was dropped on her head. Her friends thought she had a concussion. Sounds like a keg stand to me.
• An intoxicated man who wanted to detox said he felt like a “swamp monster.”
• A caller wanted to know if Big John’s Portable Restrooms was still in business. Bathroom emergency!
• A caller was upset about noise from street sweepers.
• Clothing with derogatory statements was found in a laundry room.
• A woman’s face and hair were burned when a paper shredder blew up in her face. This is not funny, just crazy.
• A caller was wondering if it’s legal to drive a lawnmower while intoxicated.
• A woman wanted to talk to a deputy about large satellites flying overhead that are “invading people’s privacy.” She told dispatch that they are going to jail because “the system has tried to kill her over 700 times.” She was advised not to call back but she called multiple times, “ranting about the Secret Service” and “stating satellites are the reason we had no winter.” Yeah, what happened to winter?!? Oh wait, I found it.

...in which I get blitzed.

It's not as much fun as it sounds. Rob and I ran the Baldy Blitz this morning, which is a 10 mile trail run that involves something like 3000-4000 feet of elevation gain in the first 5 miles. Then you drop all of that elevation quite quickly, which means steep trails and, with the rain from yesterday, somewhat muddy/slick. My goals for this run were as follows:

1) Don't cry out of frustration- I'll admit it, I have a huge mental block against Mt. Baldy. It's straight up for a while, it's hot, it makes your legs scream. But I made the choice to run/hike this today and I was going to own that. Goal accomplished.
2) Don't fall- always a goal whilst trail running. Goal accomplished.
3) Don't get super mad and try to punch the mountain- because it would hurt. Goal accomplished.

Here is a poorly drawn course map on a grainy picture for you. The circle is the start. Go in a counter-clockwise direction. The directions: "Get to Baldy as fast as you can, on some sort of beaten path."

Image source. Bad job with MS Paint courtesy of yours truly.

The first mile was bad. Real bad. As anticipated. I was passed a lot, but that's ok. All I wanted was to finish, not to finish first, not to even finish near the top, and not to race. To finish, while accomplishing the goals listed above. After the first mile, who'd I see in front of me but this guy:

Rob! The tall socks were to protect against snow. Yes, there was

snow up there.

Boy, was I happy to see him. His positive attitude was really helpful to keep my spirits up. So on we soldiered.

I have no idea what I'm doing with my arms. Maybe trying to flap

them so I could fly to the top?

One of my favorite parts of the trail. Also

one of the hottest parts of the trail

But don't worry, there is snow to cool you down.

Shorty shorts and compression socks, good combo.

More snow.

There is still a ways to go.

So we trudged along, sometimes running, sometimes hiking. Sometimes catching up with those in front of us and sometimes letting them pull away. Then we came to the final climb and power hiked up and up until we finally hit the summit. You know what's the worst? False summits. You climb up and think if you just get over the next lip, you'll have made it. But no, you crest one hill and realize that there are still several more to go. That's what the top of Baldy is like. You think you're at the top a couple times and you never are.

But then, finally, we were!

Rob and I stopped at the top to eat something. These guys took

that as their cue to get ahead. Jerks. We caught them on the downhill.

Why is my forehead so big? Why is Rob such

a better looking runner than me? Questions with 

no answers.

Would I do it again? Probably. It's really good training. But I can run that route any time during the summer, so if it's a really high snow pack year I would probably pass on the Blitz. I have no desire to posthole for miles on end.

Trail running keeps you humble. It took us 1:40:00 to get to the peak. That's a 20:00 mile. Overall average pace for the run was a 16:30. It's a whole new way of looking at time.

So, the compression socks are a new thing for me. I've never worn any but I figured that I would give them a try. Tell me that something is going to help my legs feel less tired and recover faster and you have likely suckered me into paying too much for that product. I bought a pair from CW-X that specifically targets my arches, Achilles, and calves. My calves especially need all the help they can get. I hear a lot of women talk about having "man calves." Sorry ladies, but I win. My calves require an XL size. I'm 5'3". I have man calves. Anyway, I really enjoyed the socks. I tend to become an inferno when I run and so I was nervous about overheating, but after half a mile I forgot about them. My legs felt stronger throughout the run and really haven't felt bad or tired in the several hours since we've been home. I'd definitely recommend giving them a shot. 

...in which it's that kind of day.

The weird, random kind of day. I was a bit late to work (only 15 minutes, but that necessitated missing a morning shower), it's been raining all morning, and for some reason I really wanted to listen to Weezer's Christmas Album. So I did. And I just won a free pound of coffee. Now back to hours of work cleaning a beaded vest with a cotton swab (more on that another day) and then home to prep to run/hike/crawl the Baldy Blitz tomorrow morning. The Baldy Blitz involves running up to this peak: part 1 and part 2. I would not exactly call Baldy my favorite hike in the Bridgers, but I'm still looking forward to slogging my way up it with Rob!

...in which I give you a nutrition lesson.

I work out and write a blog, so I am obviously qualified to give you nutritional advice.Write this down, it's important.

Do a hard workout. I ran a fast 5 miles. You can do whatever makes you sweat. Then eat the following:
1. Cheese. For protein.
2. Potato chips. For carbohydrates and salt.
3. Gatorade. Because for some reason you actually have some in the fridge. And for electrolytes. Yeah, electrolytes, whatever those do. Keep your aura in place, I think.
4. Twizzlers. Because they have a fun name.

Let's back it up and find out what led to me eating junk food.

We had a brand new BSWD fun run tonight that I mapped out and coordinated, and I was nervous with a capital N. The sky was threatening a thunderstorm, we were doing a joint venture with the historic preservation board so I was worried people would be annoyed that we had a talk before hand, we were crossing a busy road on the run, etc. etc. etc.

And it all went great. No, seriously, it was pretty solid. People were attentive and respectful when the talk about the depot was going on, the routes were well received, and the turnout was great. We've been pulling in about 50-60 people per run, which is awesome. And it did not thunderstorm on us.

So what I'm really getting at is, I need to learn to chill the heck out about my life. Everything will turn out fine. And nothing will be the end of the world.

Except for when Yellowstone explodes someday. That's probably going to mess some stuff up.

...in which I will not be fenced in!

A nice week of running. Not exceptional mileage, but that's because it was also a race week.

Running Recap for May 7-May 13:

Total miles covered: 17.6
Total days: 4
Types of runs: Easy, hill, race, easy

Easy 1: 3.8 miles through town. I started too fast, got grumpy because it was really hot, and walked once or twice.

Hill: 3.25 miles with BSWD

Race: Don't Fence Me In Trail Run 12k. See below for full report.

Easy 2: 3.1 miles in town, 25:00

Cross training: 1 hour of spin class, 3 strength training days

Total miles in May: 39.5
2012 total miles: 413.9

The Don't Fence Me In was making me totally nervous. It was my first time in my Oiselle gear, I haven't raced since last fall, I haven't been feeling 100% since my hip issues and my anemia issues kicked back in, and I hadn't been able to do the hill training that I need to really be competitive in trail races. But hey, I was signed up and I was going to do it, gosh darn it, no matter how long it took. I told Rob that the best case scenario would be a 1:15:00 and the worse case scenario would be a 1:30:00.

Check in was super easy, we had gotten there (Helena) plenty early, and the day was warming up quickly. I slathered myself in sunblock, wandered around to find the start area, went to the bathroom 15 times, stretched a bit, and then took off with the pack.

Almost go time! Excuse me while my stomach

turns flips.

Oh, start by climbing for a mile and a half? Well 

all right then.

As usual, once we started moving I was much calmer. The run started climbing up right away. It was a very hilly course, with 4-5 big hills and multiple smaller hills. Not terrible, but when I haven't done much climbing practice it was tougher than I was expecting. I ended up running either right in front of or right behind a woman from Bozeman who also runs with the BSWD, so it was nice to have someone there that I knew. About halfway through the race, a coworker of mine materialized behind me, so I had friends all the way around. It was awesome!

It was also hot. And there was a decent amount of exposure, so I was sweating up a storm. I was so glad that I ran with my water bottle, I would have been done for if I had to rely on the aid stations. I got stuck in a line in the last half-mile of the course. There was no good place to pass on the trails, so I just cruised along until we got to an open space and then opened up for the last 500-ish meters.

Done and done. Ignore the clock. It was timing for the 30k runners.

Remember that best case scenario? I made it with a 1:14:28. 

Me n' Mimi, the fellow Bozemanite who helped pull me through some 

of the tough spots.

I don't know what's funny. But it was

apparently really, really funny.

By the numbers:

Race cost: $55 (although that's the 30k cost, which I was originally signed up for)

Miles: 7.5

Total elevation gain: 1286

Total elevation loss: 1313

Place: 2nd age group (20-29, 24 entrants), 18th female (out of 116), 67th overall (out of 212)

Celebratory beers afterward: 2

Weight of the burger and fries I ate afterwards: 4 pounds. Approximately.

Number of ice cream cones I ate: 1 (my prize for second place age group)

Number of birds that pooped on me: 1

Pros: Fun and festive atmosphere, reps from La Sportiva that helped answer questions about shoes, tons of cute pups there for the dog walk, beautiful scenery, challenging but runnable course, lots of free parking, easy check in, well-marked course

Cons: a bit of a hike from Bozeman (about an hour and a half), the exposure on the course is a bit rough when the day is hot, the organizers give the overall winners age group awards as well (which isn't a big deal, but do you really need to be crowned your age group winner when you just won the whole she-bang?)

Would I run it again? Definitely.

...in which the magazines are strange.

Misconduct Monday. Let's do this.

• Ducks were walking through traffic on South 11th Avenue. A group of ducks was also seen trying to cross Main Street later in the day. Standard Bozeman traffic jam.
• A woman called saying that she was “in a place she doesn’t want to be, with strange magazines.”
• A portable hard drive was stolen from a mailbox on West Babcock Street on Monday.
• A woman reported that two people in uniforms knocked on her door around midnight. They never identified themselves as police but asked a lot of questions. They turned out to be deputies who had the wrong house. 
• A “rustic structure” near Big Sky was reported to be the location of “significant criminal shenanigans.” A deputy hiked to the structure and found no criminal activity or shenanigans. Phew, no shenanigans.
• A man’s cat locked him out of his car at 11:30 p.m. The man was still connected to his Bluetooth, so when he first called officers for help all they could hear was the cat inside the vehicle. You know that cat did it on purpose. Sneaky cat.

Happy Monday!

...in which my mom rules.

Happy Mother's Day!

Looking good in a wetsuit...

...and as a biker chick. Stop being so damn cool all the time.

Wanna see more shots of my mom, including one where the two of us are posing for Glamour Shots? Of course you do. Click here.

...in which love is love.

That is all I have to say about the recent North Carolina vote regarding same-sex marriage. As for the President's statement regarding same-sex marriage, I think that it was a brave statement to make when the country is divided 50-50 on the issue (actually 53% of the country is in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage, up from 23% in 1996. Let's hear it for change!). I also think that even though it won't change things overnight, or over a year, or maybe even over the next 4 years, I hope that it's a comfort to all people who identify in the spectrum LGBTQIA that the leader of their country does not find them disgusting, morally reprehensible, or threatening.

To my friends who are living a so-called "alternative" lifestyle, I hope someday society understands that it's not alternative, it's just your lifestyle. For those of you who have found happiness and love, I am so happy for you. For those of you who are still looking, gay or straight, I wish you the same love and happiness that I have in my life. And I hope that one day we all have the option to have that commitment legally acknowledged.

...in which I'm in a snow globe.

Today's weather brought to you by Mother Nature's sense of humor. Yesterday the temperature was 80 degrees.

In spite of this, I'm going to order new tires so I can get my snow tires off my car.

...in which age ain't nothin' but a number.

It's my dad's birthday! Happy birthday, Dad! Sending much love from the wild west.

My dad is cooler than your dad.

...in which the runs get longer and the pace gets faster.

Running Recap for April 30-May 6:

Total miles covered: 21.9
Total days: 4
Types of runs: Hill, Tempo, Hill Hill

Hill 1: two laps up the M (1.35 miles one way, 800 feet of elevation gain), 5.4 miles total

Tempo: 5 flat miles with the BSWD, 7:24 pace

Hill 2: 4 miles at South Cottonwood

Hill 3: 7.5 miles, cut short by snow

Cross training: Nada

Total miles in May: 21.9
2012 total miles: 396.3


This Saturday is the Don't Fence Me In 12k in Helena. I can't even narrow in on a goal time, so I'm just going to let it be.

...in which 911 works well.

Misconduct Monday, here for your entertainment!

• Multiple men in a black car stole a street sign from the intersection of Baxter and Davis lanes.
• A woman reported a transient camp was set up in the bushes along a trail. It was actually a kids’ fort.
• Police warned a man getting ready to urinate in an alley off West Main Street around 1 a.m.
• At 1:45 a.m. a caller on Rain Roper Drive reported that an intoxicated man was knocking on her door. The man told her he was lost and cold. When officers arrived and contacted the man, he did not have any shoes on and was in fact very cold. Officers gave him a ride home. 
• A young boy “practiced” dialing 911 and found out it worked well.
• A man who refused to leave a Main Street bar said he would like to be arrested for trespassing. Wish granted.

...in which things don't go as planned.

Rob and I set out this morning to take a little revenge on the trail that last November had its way with us. The result?

It annihilated us. But it was beautiful out, so I'm pretty happy with it.

Once again we set out to run the 11.5 miles between Chestnut Mountain and Bear Canyon. We brought more than enough water and snacks with us. It was rain-snowing when we left home, but it has been moderately to very warm here the last few weeks so we were hoping that the trails were clear.

You can kind of see the snow against Rob's

Subaru. And that's the soccer ball that rolled

its way into our yard and hasn't yet left. Maybe

we'll adopt the little guy.

We both had to drive because we assumed that we'd make the whole trip and we'd need a shuttle. Rob took the fast way and I took the back roads. Then got distracted because I saw this dude on the side of the road.

You may or may not know that I really enjoy making new

animal friends.

Rob was waiting at Bear Canyon, so I picked him up and we drove over to Chestnut Mountain where we suited up, falsely believing that today would be the day we had our revenge.

I'm rocking my new Oiselle knickers. They rule. Super breathable,

lightweight, complete range of motion. Let me know if you want a 

coupon for their running clothing. Thanks to this sponsorship gig,

I can totally help get you deals!

And we ran. And ran. We ran a couple miles (maybe 2) in the mud with traces of snow. And then we ran in snow for about a half mile. Then the deep snow hit. Then the really deep snow hit. The kind that you post hole in. Knee-deep. Hip-deep. And we waded onward. We kept slogging through until our legs were so cold and so raw that it hurt to touch them. And we conceded that the trail had bested us again. We maybe made it 7.5-8 miles. And it took 2 hours. 

               Muddy shoes (above)
               and muddy legs (right)

We decided that the best way to celebrate a tough run was to eat chocolate chip pancakes. I dropped Rob off at his car and headed off on my mission to buy chocolate chips. And can you guess who was still hanging out in the road?

That darn turkey! And his lady friends!

Why do turkeys do that with their feathers?

Not long after this, I saw 2 llamas guarding a flock of sheep. Llamas always make me smile. Did you know that they are really good guard animals? They can stomp a mountain lion to death. No joke. Then, after the llamas/sheep, 2 big ol' sandhill cranes flew really closely to my car. Nature is awesome.

The end.