<p>I thought I had posted earlier from the aid station, but it didn’t go…</p>
<p>Well, rained before and at the start, stopped for awhile and then rained pretty hard on and off. It was a huge success. She ran with another friend of ours and they finished in 4:53, which is great for Monkey. They did some walking- especially on the huge, steep hills, and executed the race well. H rode his bike with the lead woman and was cold and wet. I was in a lot of clothes, including a Lulu raincoat from last year that I don’t think is that gorgeous, but everyone loved and wanted. It is longer in back and was perfect for this wet day. It was 56 degrees or so all day, so the runners were OK even in the rain.</p>
<p>One of my friends (guy) started running last night at 8 pm and did the course twice over night and then ran the race. We call it Dark Monkey. He finished the real race in about 4:50. Nuts.</p>
<p>Fully took advantage of this 55 degree day. Put the garden officially to bed, pulled the rest of the floral plants, cut back the rose bushes, stored the many flower pots, covered the patio furniture and firepit for the season and enjoyed an ice-free pavement run in tshirt and capris! Many people were putting up holiday decorations - I didn’t make it that far except to “plant” two pot lighted trees in two large pots I have while the dirt was thawed.will hook them up later! Ran out of light to do anymore!!</p>
<p>I think Blue Ridge Marathon in Roanoke might be as hard- and maybe Grsndfather Mountain (NC?) but not many others are as tough. It’s besutiful, though. You get a race shirt with your name on it. </p>
<p>Made interesteddad’s Brussels sprouts tonight and they were soooo good. I was hoping to take some to work tomorrow for lunch, but alas, they were devoured. </p>
<p>Killing trees is hard work. Had to babysit Mr B juggling a chainsaw while he was standing on a ladder trying to cut down the large willow that became such a nuisance in yard. Glad it is over! I counted 15 rings on the stump. The tree was a sapling that we planted in desperation to combat the water draining from the neighbor’s property, and I have to say that it did a great job (the new house owner fixed the drainage issues long time ago). </p>
<p>MOfWC - wow! Your D did fantastic! That is a very respectable time for a marathon, and especially for the Monkey! Yay. I read the part about the guy who ran it twice overnight to Mr B, and Mr almost fell out of his chair! That’s crazy! </p>
<p>The Blue Ridge race is tough, no doubt - a friend did the 10k and was, shall we say, bent over panting like a dog at the end. Can’t say it would be my cup of tea - I like hills but not that many. </p>
<p>I see why they say to take it easy when you return to running. Rear end and quads are feeling it today. Wonder how Mr. Monkey is feeling today! </p>
<p>Bunsen, I haven’t tried that chainsaw-on-a-ladder trick yet since all my handiwork has been up on the trail But if its anything like my “Xmas-lights-on-a-ladder-on-a-slope” I’m sure you had an entertaining day ;)</p>
<p>I think I’m going to have to pass on the hill today. Its been pouring all night with no signs of stopping. I’ve watched literally mountains of snow melt. Feels like march, but that’s about to change promptly!</p>
<p>4.34 run/walk miles on the treadmill. The gym was a little on the warm side, so I was sweating buckets. On the way home I stopped at the grocery store – I guess I was still pretty hot/sweaty looking, because the cashier asked me if I had been exercising …</p>
<p>A whole lot of sitting yesterday, but today a good hour plus of assorted cardio machines capped off by some leaf raking. I used to be a runner, so would just run on the tm for whatever time I had. Now that I can’t run much or fast, I am experimenting with what cardio machines move me. I have to say the stair mill was a favorite. </p>
<p>Wow, that Monkey Marathon sounds pretty intense! You are a good person, MOWC, for volunteering and sticking through the rain. Your daughter must be really proud of herself! </p>
<p>I have a lot of vacation days left this year and we aren’t allowed to carry them over so I am off work this week. So far it’s pretty nice! I had my workout with my trainer this morning and wow, it’s awesome to go to the gym in the morning when hardly anyone is there. It was a far cry from what it is usually like in the evenings after work. I am so ready to retire and be able to do things on my own time!</p>
<p>I was going to run this afternoon, but it is super windy and it was raining/sleeting off and on so decided to run tomorrow instead.</p>
<p>BunsenBurner, your husband is very brave with attacking that tree the way you described it!</p>
<p>Yay for your D, MoWC! Good riddance to the willow, BB.</p>
<p>Today I did some walking, and in between the dreaded housecleaning chores I used the kettlebell. I’d much rather swing the kettlebell than push the vacuum </p>
<p>Went back to my favorite old lady aquatics class today - lots of deep water running, high knees, kickbacks, scissors, frogs…you name it, we worked it! Fun to do something different after a lengthy period of not doing much else other than running. </p>
<p>Beef and broccoli stir fry for dinner. S is excited that he has lost five pounds since joining the gym. </p>
<p>Pilates reformer today and 2.5 miles on the treadmill. Got my LLBean Polartec fleece jacket today (got the blue color). Love the color. Congrats to your D–MOWC. Nice accomplishment for her.</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone. It wasn’t even in the realm of possibility 5 years ago that my daughter would be running marathons, doing triathlons and completing The Monkey. I’m very proud. </p>
<p>3.3 miles inside for me today, we had horrible winds. Goal is to get outside tomorrow morning. </p>
<p>^that’s awesome.
I’ve been trying to convince my mom to get a recumbent for her boyfriend, who suffered a stroke last year and who hasn’t exactly made the most of his rehab. She’s going a little stir crazy. The year prior, she’d bought him a motorcycle, which he can’t ride now. During their short few years together before the stroke they used to dance together and walk a lot.</p>
<p>I’ve tried to explain you can outfit them with a motor to assist if he gets tired. That way at least she could keep moving and not exclude him, which appears to be why she doesn’t walk anymore. Or go to the gym. Or do anything. Frankly, he’s a big guy, and if she doesn’t stay in shape, she’s simply not going to be able to keep him at home.</p>
<p>My hill is crazy this a.m…last week, buried in snow…then the melting rain, now today it’s snowing again. Kinda a slippery mess but too much snow for spikes and too little for snowshoes. Went old school and just wore boots ;)</p>
But if its anything like my “Xmas-lights-on-a-ladder-on-a-slope” I’m sure you had an entertaining day ;)</p>
</p>