2010: Oh the places we've been

2010 was a ridiculously awesome year and I can't wait to see what adventures 2011 will bring. And now, some of my favorite pictures from 2010:

Lyric of the moment: "There'd be no distance that could hold us back. So this is the new year..."

The 12 miles before Christmas

On Friday night we went to see Black Swan at the Little Theater and I reserved the secret balcony, which is awesome squared because it's a) a secret and b) a balcony. We got to watch the movie from our own little balcony room with comfy benches. They put a fancy reserved sign on the door and everything. I want to watch all movies this way from now on.

Black Swan was interesting, albeit slightly creepy at times. I like movies where you're not quite sure what is really happening and what is all the in character's head.


Saturday morning I went to running group at Fleet Feet and ended up running 12 miles. I hadn't run that far since the half marathon in September, and it's nice to know I still have it in me. Winter miles feel so much longer than summer miles though.

Lyric of the moment: "Cause I need freedom now. And I need to know how to live my life as it's meant to be..."

Snow Cheap Trail Race

Rocking my new headlamp

 I went to the first race in the Snow Cheap Trail series tonight. It was, as they say, an experience. It was a crazy, slippery trek through the fields and woods, uphill and down, over logs and under tree branches. The course is different every time and you don't know how long it is until you're done. Some people wear snowshoes but I don't have snowshoes, and I don't know how to snowshoe anyway, so I just wore my trail running shoes. I'm glad I went. I survived my first trail race and I didn't even fall! But I consider myself lucky not to have wiped out or gotten smacked in the face by a tree branch, and I feel like running another race might be tempting fate. Seriously, the whole time I was thinking "This is crazy. Only a crazy person would be doing this." Still, I have to admit it was strangely exhilarating not knowing where we were or how far we were going, just trying to stay upright and make it to the finish. Afterwards some guy came up to me and thanked me for setting a good pace. It was his first time too and apparently he was following me the whole time and trying to stay with me. Hilarious. I had no idea what I was doing. I was just trying not to get lost or injured. Mission accomplished.

Lyric of the moment: "But I'll be close behind. I'll follow you into the dark.."

If I am lost or broken

So I'm back to drinking tea again. Apparently my dislike of being cold trumps my dislike of tea.

It seems like the desire to be warm is my sole motivator as of late. Hot drinks, boots, scarves, tons of layers, and hugging my space heater are in. Skirts, dresses, ice cream and not being under a blanket are out.

I wish I was one of those women who could wear skirts in winter, but i have no idea how to accomplish this without a) freezing and b) looking all bulked up like some kind of abominable snowperson. I bought a pair of sweater tights because the name made them sound warm and cozy, but I haven't figured out how to wear them yet.

At what age do things fall into place and you find your personal style? At what age do you stop thinking about where your life is going and what you're going to be when you grow up?

I don't know why I thought it would be a good idea to run a trail race in Rochester in December. In the snow. In the dark. On trails. Snowy, slippery trails. Unfamiliar trails to boot. But that's what I'll be doing at 7pm tonight. If you don't hear from me in a while, I am lost and lying broken somewhere in the woods at Cobb's Hill. Please send cake.

Lyric of the moment: "Through the years we all will be together, if the fates allow..." (because you can't stop Christmas)

Love in the time of sleeplessness

I did not sleep well last night. Not well at all. Grrr. Hopefully it is just an anomaly in my otherwise fantastic sleep record. So on to happier, less sleep-deprived business.

Things I am in love with this week:

*The pizza delivery dude who, after I said "I'm sorry you have to drive around in the bad weather," replied, "I lead a life of danger and intrigue."

*The parents pulling their snowsuited up little kid in a sled down the sidewalk. Little kids in snowsuits are simultaneously the cutest and creepiest thing ever. Seriously. Watch The Brood and you'll know what I'm talking about. Who wants to pull me around in a sled? Just kidding. Who wants to watch movies and drink hot chocolate?

*When my boss said, in a conversation about personality tests, "I did well on those tests, but I always lied."

*Soup. Because it's cold and all I feel like eating is warmth. Bonus points for being in a breadbowl.

*The Song Garage Sale by Nerf Herder. I heard it on the radio and just laughed and laughed.

*Thursday. Because it's payday and funny TV night and almost the weekend.

Lyric of the moment: "I spent $34.95 on a very fancy scented candle. It smelt like strawberry Pop Tarts and oregeno. I rubbed it all over my body and wrapped it up to give it to you. But here it is at your garage sale, 25 cents at your garage sale..." (worst. gift. ever.)

Winter Armistice

It's no secret that Winter and I are not friends. Winter is cold and my body has a frightening inability to regulate its temperature in any weather cooler than 60 degrees. Since hibernation is not a viable option, I decided to join the Winter Warriors program at Fleet Feet. Basically, you get points for going to any of the regular Fleet Feet workouts or running in any races that Fleet Feet sponsors, and you can win prizes along the way. It doesn't matter how fast you are; the points are based entirely on participation. The point is to encourage people to stay active through the winter months. I don't need any motivation to exercise, but I figure Winter Warriors will help me embrace the cold and snow, or at least tolerate it.

I guess bad weather is like anything else. You can focus on all the things you don't like about it and get all grumpy, or you can accept that there are certain things you can't change and just try to make the best of it.

So this is my armistice with winter. I will try to run through the winter without complaint (well, mostly without complaint - I reserve the right to complain about hail because that icewad hurts!) and hopefully winter will try not to frostbite me.

Granted, it hasn't been that cold yet, but so far so good. I went to this week's Tuesday night, Friday night and Saturday morning runs and, as long as I keep moving I stay warm enough. Hopefully I can brave the arsenal of snow, sleet and wind ahead.

Lyric of the moment: "And when I wake tomorrow I'll bet that you and I will walk together again, 'cause I can tell that we are going to be friends..."