Eating With The Queen

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Apparently the St. Paul Hotel offers etiquette classes and has announced its 2007 schedule. This probably isn’t a bad offering, but I wonder if they take the approach my mother and her mother did: “Could you eat with the queen?” was the question that indicated my sister and I were somehow missing our manners or lacking in etiquette.

runnings
Brisk. Definitely brisk. I keep saying I like cool weather running so I made sure I got out today for a run at noon. It was about 20˚F with a wind-chill of 8˚. I have to say I did enjoy it. But I think my next investment needs to be lined tights.

Highlights From My Parent's

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A couple highlights of my trip to my parents:

Mom's turkey

A trip to the nearby dairy

runnings
I got out for a couple runs in the last few days and they felt good. (The 2 hour nap at my parent’s before Saturday’s run helped.) I feel like I've properly enjoyed the 40°+ weather and I'm ready to face the forecasted 20s coming this week.

Thanksgiving With Friends

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I had Thanksgiving with friends yesterday and will head to Wisconsin today to have Thanksgiving with my parents.

No wonder why the potatoes were so good.

runnings
I ran the Turkey Day 5k yesterday morning to kick off a day of eating. I had been feeling pretty run down the night before and even cancelled most of my social activities. After a good night's sleep, I felt up to doing the run with a friend. I had told myself I'd just run it as a true fun run and not worry about time. However, my friend pushed me and so I had a pretty good run. I know I held him back though so it reiterates to me that I really need to be doing better with my running routine.

Grandpa and Betty

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A few pictures from my trip to Las Vegas:

Grandpa and Betty

Gardens at the Bellagio

runnings
I was all set to go for a run at noon until I realized I had forgotten to bring an important article of clothing. I instead made it to the gym in the evening for a run. Even though I'm not fond of treadmills, I felt pretty good when at one point I realized I had gone further than I thought.

1967 Nicollet Mall

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I just discovered "This Day in Minnesota History" on the Minnesota Historical Society website. On this date in 1967, Nicollet Mall opened.

runnings
I'm actually a bit upset at myself at the moment. If I really want to train for a race further than 10 miles in January, I should have been out for a long run this past weekend. I didn't get to it. Apparently I chose to be social instead. It isn't a case at all that I don't want to be running, but I'm having trouble refocusing. It's supposed to be warm this week so even if I don't make the training schedule for a race in January, I need to get going again.

Floyd of Rosedale

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Tomorrow the Minnesota Gophers host the Iowa Hawkeyes to see who takes home the bronze pig named "Floyd of Rosedale". MPR had a story today about the origins of Floyd, recounting the racial tension around the time of Floyd's birth in 1934. The Gopher's website briefly outlines the history of Hawkeye player Ozzie Simmons getting roughed up the year before and the resulting challenge the following year by Minnesota Governor Floyd Olson of a Minnesota prize hog bet against an Iowa prize hog. The article doesn't mention race. The site does point out Iowa had been reinstated to eligibility after a suspension for slush-fund violations. It's almost like outlining the history, but not wanting to mention the sore spots (except for the Haykeye's).

runnings

Thin Blood

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runnings
I’ve enjoyed getting out for a couple morning runs while in Las Vegas. The sun has been shining and the temperature has been somewhere in the upper 50s (if not lower 60s). Each morning has gone about the same. I’m running along in shorts and a tank top wishing for an occasional cloud in the sky, meanwhile I'm passing people in full sweat suits and even one case of gloves. I arrive back at my Grandpa’s feeling sweaty but content. As I open the door I walk into a home heated to almost 80 degrees. It's chilly in here, my Grandpa comments.

I really believe this has nothing to do with my Grandpa and Betty's age. Betty mentioned their blood just thinned since they moved to Las Vegas. Even my thoroughly Minnesotan friend stationed at Nellis wore a fleece as I wore a t-shrit when we met yesterday for a drink. I'm not a tough Minnesotan, but I do think weather in the 70s is better than 100s.

Leaving the Snow

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Southern Minnesota had 12 inches of snow Friday and Minneapolis had a dusting this morning. It's time to leave town for some place a little warmer. Like Las Vegas. I leave today to visit my Grandpa and his wife. I'm looking forward to seeing them and to the warmer temperatures. Too bad I won't be into work today though to point out the Packer's win over the Vikings...

runnings
I'm feeling much better and even got out for a run at noon on Friday. It felt good to have to put on tights and a headband to run. I really prefer running in cool weather. I'll do some running while in Vegas though. I was thinking if I wanted to do the Clearwater half I'd have to start this week for the 10-week training. However, I just realized I should be running for 12 weeks. I'll get started this week and see how it goes and then make a decision.

No Coffee While Voting

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Apparently election officials were told to stop serving coffee to voters after the incident at my polling location. This is an excerpt from an article in the Bemidji Pioneer (yeah, first place I found reference after a quick search...)

The coffee spill happened in a precinct at First Christian Church in Minneapolis. The optical scanner was quickly replaced with another unit, Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer said.
"Our very Minnesota-nice election judges were serving voters coffee," she said. Though the disruption was minor, election officials were told to stop serving coffee, she said.

runnings
I haven't quick kicked this cold that is stuck in my chest so it is getting hard to motivate myself to run. I think it is making me cranky though.

Home To Vote

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We arrived back from Florida yesterday so I was able to get up this morning rested and ready to vote. I made it to my polling location around 8:15 am and barely had a wait. However, the machine had been broken since 7:30 am. Apparently there was a groggy incident with coffee. I know the machine scans the ballots to be sure they are valid, but I’m not sure it does the actual tallying. The ballots were being collected to be hand tallied or run through the machine when it dried out. I am assuming this was the case anyway…




runnings

Vacation Running

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Currently enjoying Hollywood, Florida...

runnings
Since we didn't check baggage, I squeezed my running gear into my carry-on. My excuse for the weight of my carry-on compared to my friends’ was the running shoes, so I knew I had to get out for a run today. I was able to do a 3 mile route, much of it along the ocean. Not only was it nice to get out for the exercise, but running seems to provide another means of seeing and enjoying a new area. Rather than just searching for a store or restaurant, I was out running by the beach and through a neighborhood I may not have otherwise taken time to notice. I’m adding sight-seeing to the list of why running is good sport.

Football Sign

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This pole is in my neighborhood and I really am unsure what these newly added signs are about:

runnings
Tomorrow I'm headed to Hollywood, Florida with friends for an extended weekend. I hope to get in a run or two and even have an idea where to go.

Allowing For A Run

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runnings
I went for my first run in two weeks tonight. I decided the fact that I didn't wake up coughing this morning meant my cold (although I hesitate to call it a cold at this point) was doing well enough to allow for a run. Despite a slight coughing fit when I was done, it went well. In fact, I started with the idea of just going for 2 miles, but couldn't resist the third mile, even on a treadmill. I feel good just knowing I've gotten going again, even if it wasn't far. Although I've been sick, I also know I've felt off from lack of exercise. It is interesting to me to know how my activity level can affect me mentally. Part of it is from a health perspective, but part of it also is knowing I've accomplished so many miles in a week or seeing my mileage improve. Zero miles isn't an accomplishment by any means, but it does mean my mileage this week will be an improvement.