Albeit a pretty slow one. I realized I am actually addicted to running from this post:
http://www.half-fast.org/2008/01/advice-for-new-runner.html
According to this blog post, here's why:
1. I feel guilty when I skip a run. Actually, I can't remember the last time I skipped one.
2. One of my toenails HAS turned black and fallen off. (and I was sort of happy and proud of that)
3. I am weird to obsessive about my running watch.
4. I buy way too much gel and gatorade.
5. I read running blogs and comment on running blogs, and sort of have my own.
6. I blow off friends and alcohol before big races.
7. I seriously don't think I can stop.
Hey Crystal, look! I'm a runner too!!!
Jen
Friday, July 11, 2008
Figure it out, People!
Here is a response I left on my brother's blog. He wrote a post about how neither McCain nor Obama is a great choice for president. Obviously, I respectfully disagree. ;) He wrote about how he is not sure what Obama stands for, and I wrote a ridiculously long response to that. Seriously, don't feel obligated to read it all...:)
First of all, it is EXTREMELY easy to find out what Obama stands for if you can’t figure it out from what he says. He wrote a whole book about it. It’s called “The Audacity of Hope” and details what he would like to do in pretty much every area you could think of including the economy, energy policy, education, and the environment. I can’t quite figure out why people keep saying they don’t know what he stands for when it has been out there for so long. Granted, maybe it’s because I have been following his career for a good 4 years or more that I know and others don’t (or say they don’t), but it seems like it is really easy to find out with the internet and all.
That said, here is why I will unquestionably vote for Obama (and none of it has anything to do with being inspired by his speeches, although I like those too).
1. Military: He wants us out of Iraq, but he is willing to listen to people in the military before he decides how to do it or how long it should take.
2. Economy: He is not a supporter of the tax cuts to the wealthy that Bush has been really into. He wants to help the middle class and the poor, not the rich. Maybe I have a Robinhood complex, but I love that. He wants to create a fund to help those in foreclosure…not that I feel like those in foreclosure deserve it, but foreclosures make MY house value go down. (gosh, I sound like a republican there)
3. Education: Obama wants to fix No Child Left Behind by (GASP!) actually funding it. Also, he is tight with this dude, George Sugai, who is the leader in Positive Behavior Support in the nation. If Obama is elected, I am convinced more schools will adopt PBS and I know from experience that it makes a huge difference in student achievement in underachieving schools. I could go on and on all day about why Obama will be better for education than McCain, but I would bore anyone to death who is actually still reading this.
4. Energy and the Environment: Isn’t this one obvious? I am a tree-huggin’ hippie at heart so obviously I love his desire to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. But seriously, hasn’t this gas crisis convinced people that we need to be looking at alternatives? Obama wants to do that.
Let me just say, that I actually don’t have a huge problem with McCain. I admire his war service to our country and I have always been impressed by his willingness to step across the aisle and work with the other side. But I am not impressed by the way he seems to be trying to fall in line with the republican party right now. It’s disappointing.
Regardless of what happens, either candidate will be better than Bush. I just think McCain would be 10 times better, but Obama would be 1000 times better.
First of all, it is EXTREMELY easy to find out what Obama stands for if you can’t figure it out from what he says. He wrote a whole book about it. It’s called “The Audacity of Hope” and details what he would like to do in pretty much every area you could think of including the economy, energy policy, education, and the environment. I can’t quite figure out why people keep saying they don’t know what he stands for when it has been out there for so long. Granted, maybe it’s because I have been following his career for a good 4 years or more that I know and others don’t (or say they don’t), but it seems like it is really easy to find out with the internet and all.
That said, here is why I will unquestionably vote for Obama (and none of it has anything to do with being inspired by his speeches, although I like those too).
1. Military: He wants us out of Iraq, but he is willing to listen to people in the military before he decides how to do it or how long it should take.
2. Economy: He is not a supporter of the tax cuts to the wealthy that Bush has been really into. He wants to help the middle class and the poor, not the rich. Maybe I have a Robinhood complex, but I love that. He wants to create a fund to help those in foreclosure…not that I feel like those in foreclosure deserve it, but foreclosures make MY house value go down. (gosh, I sound like a republican there)
3. Education: Obama wants to fix No Child Left Behind by (GASP!) actually funding it. Also, he is tight with this dude, George Sugai, who is the leader in Positive Behavior Support in the nation. If Obama is elected, I am convinced more schools will adopt PBS and I know from experience that it makes a huge difference in student achievement in underachieving schools. I could go on and on all day about why Obama will be better for education than McCain, but I would bore anyone to death who is actually still reading this.
4. Energy and the Environment: Isn’t this one obvious? I am a tree-huggin’ hippie at heart so obviously I love his desire to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. But seriously, hasn’t this gas crisis convinced people that we need to be looking at alternatives? Obama wants to do that.
Let me just say, that I actually don’t have a huge problem with McCain. I admire his war service to our country and I have always been impressed by his willingness to step across the aisle and work with the other side. But I am not impressed by the way he seems to be trying to fall in line with the republican party right now. It’s disappointing.
Regardless of what happens, either candidate will be better than Bush. I just think McCain would be 10 times better, but Obama would be 1000 times better.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Golden Leaf Half Marathon
Here's a video about the half marathon I am planning to run in September. Enjoy!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Lightning Strikes
Three more people got struck by lightning yesterday in the mountains. It seems like the lightning has been crazy this year, and it reminds me how lucky I am. A few years ago, I was climbing Mount Bierstadt (elevation: 14,060 ft) with my friend Jim. We were about 500 vertical feet from the top when a storm moved in. Instead of turning around (like any rational human would), we continued on to the top. It's one of the stupidest things I've ever done. Once we hit the top, there was lightning everywhere. The hair was standing up on the back on my neck. It was like I could feel/smell the electricity in the air. As soon as I stepped on the summit, we both turned around and started running down the mountain. In spite of all the rocky scree, neither of us fell down at all, and somehow we avoided being struck.
I've thought about why we didn't turn around when the storm first rolled in. I really haven't been able to figure it out. Maybe the lack of oxygen at that altitude muddled our thinking? I do know that it was one of the most fun moments of my life. I remember laughing sort of insanely as I ran down the mountain. Anyway, I have Noah now, so I've had to cut out some of the crazy crap I used to do. Climbing a mountain in a lightning storm is definitely out.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Hurry Up, House!
It seems like the construction of the new place is taking forever. I took this picture last week after they finished the stone work, and it looks just the same today. I know it's because they are working on stuff inside, but it has been so fun to watch the progress on the outside. I gotta tell you that plumbing and wiring just aren't as fascinating.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Camping by Steamboat Springs
For the long July 4 weekend, we went camping up north of Steamboat with my sister's family. It was a much needed fun and relaxing weekend. We went hiking on the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area on Saturday and ended the day soaking in the hot springs in Steamboat. Well, the adults took turns sitting in the springs and playing with the kids in the swimming pool. I ended the weekend on Sunday with a six mile trail run that felt better than any run I've done since the marathon. Here are some pics from the trip!!!
Dan and Noah:
Trail 1100:
View from the Trail:
Will and Noah:
Noah and Kylie at Glen Eden:
Crystal and Noah:
Japhy in the river:
Kylie in the River:
Will and his favorite expression ;):
Noah in the river:
Dan and Kylie:
Will 'working' on the fire:
Kylie feeding Dan and Noah:
Eric and Kylie:
Noah and Jen:
Trail 1100:
View from the Trail:
Will and Noah:
Noah and Kylie at Glen Eden:
Crystal and Noah:
Japhy in the river:
Kylie in the River:
Will and his favorite expression ;):
Noah in the river:
Dan and Kylie:
Will 'working' on the fire:
Kylie feeding Dan and Noah:
Eric and Kylie:
Noah and Jen:
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