Snowshoe Race -Task 6

As a means of breaking up the winter running this year I decided to try my hand at a snowshoe race.  After doing a little research, I found out that they actually make running snowshoes, and that there is a race nearby that consists of a 4k and 8k option.  After talking a friend into joining my craziness, we signed up and made a plan to train.  This of course was foiled by lack of snow (we only snowshoe ran one time before the race). Thankful that we choose the shorter race, and we set off after recruiting my mother for the walking division.  

Upon arriving at the race the temperatures were single digits, and we began to doubt ourselves after a few veteran racers told us the first k was uphill (they were not joking) .  Knowing that there was a walkers division, we talked about running as far as we could and then walking when we needed to.  We were excited to be there and totally freaked out about what we were about to do.  

 As we stood there ready to go, the race mentality kicked in and off we went.  The first K was in fact a hard uphill, and I lost my friend to a woman who would not let people by on the single track section.  I had no problem plowing past her in the snow.  Once past the woman, I realized there were only 4 other woman ahead of me going up the hill and locked onto the one just in front of me.  I caught her going through a field just before the 3k marker and locked onto the next lady.  The finish was a gradual up hill climb and I had the next woman within my reach right up until she heard me coming (there is no way to be stealthy and quiet running with snowshoes on your feet)  and she took off.  I never quite caught her, but finished 4th overall for the women which felt pretty good.  My friend was not far behind either.  

The best part of the day, watching my mom come through the finish with a big smile on her face.  We all decided to do it again next year, we may even be brave enough to try the 8k.  

Made To Crave-Task 5

I have a pile of books in my room that is quite high.  A pile of books I have begun, but never finished.  Some because they could not sustain my attention, some because I was not ready for the content, some because the content made for a hard scientific read that did not resemble easy evening reading. My goal for the year: finish the pile or admit defeat (Since there are actually less than 12 books in the pile, my goal is to finish a book a month-some may be new and just on my want to read list). 

 

This month's book was one I was not ready for the last time I picked it up.  I was not in a place of wanting to admit my own bad eating habits, nor did I really want to give them up.  While the woman was spot on with several of her points; I cast the book aside the first time and decided I was just not ready to read it.  This month picked it up, started from the begining and finished it! The book is "Made to Crave" by Lysa Terkeurst.   I was ready for it this time, and have begun to make some positive choices around food because of it.  I would highly recommend it, but be ready to throw it aside if you are not in a place to make change.

One book finished and passed onto a friend.  Eleven more books to go.  

Casey's Hill: Task 4

There is a local sledding hill that people around here rave about.  So popular that, when I mentioned we had never been while talking to a friend this past summer, I recived a very strange look.  I figured it was time to go where all the cool kids go sledding.

 

We had a perfect sledding day this past week, so off we went.  I think Little Man was more excited to try a new sledding spot then I was; he had every right to be. The view was great, the snow was perfect, not too many people, and the temperature perfect. The hill varied in degrees of steepness from left to right.  Even the brave 11 year old who was on the hill with us, insisted that his dad go down the steep side with him (we did not venture down that side).  I think I may leave that hill for a father-son bonding experince on a later date.  We had a great time, and I was glad for the odd look received from my friend this summer that finally got me to go check out a great sledding scene.


(Sorry for the lack of picture, blogger is being difficult.)