Busy week ending 3/7/10

Being so busy actually made me a bit crabby and jumpy this week.  I shouldn't be doing so much, and I know this.  Here is what I had going on:

(1) Running daily - 39 miles total this week, 17 on Friday Afternoon (2:25:28)
(2) Didn't do my regular weight lifting routine (Which I really hate now)
(3) Finish the poker table and deliver it (pic below)
(4) Pl Pr. Parks Meeting and Bike and Ped Trail Steering committee meeting
(5) Clean basement up a bit, and continue some other small woodworking projects (a medal hanger for "13.1__26.2"), and my hat hanger. 
(6) Hailey's first indoor triathalon (Saturday morning, 10 minute swim, 20 minute bike, and 15 minute run) - she did great and had fun

It really doesn't look like much, but the little things to do added in-between really took its toll on me.  Barb got the worst of it, sorry babe!  Anyway, vacation Apr 5th cannot come fast enough! 

So friday's 17 mile run, all lakeside and took off my headphones for the first time.  Very flat course, 40 degrees, low wind, no traffic.  Wow.  I've never felt so pleasantly exhausted.  I got a runners high on this one, at about the 2 mile mark, which I get normally on my shorter runs.  My runner's high:  I feel tall, stick straight ,doesn't feel like my feet are touching the ground, and the world stops around me (or I forget it is there).  A really enjoyable experience for that 10-20 seconds for sure.  When it was done, I wondered about what others feel when they hit theirs, is it the same, or is their experience different for that moment?  Back to reality ;)

The poker table.  It has been some time since I've built one of these.  I think this one is like the 42nd one I've built.  A lady from work had me build one for her husbands 40th b-day.  She was very happy with it.  I am learning a little bit more about how to upholster the vinyl rail without seams and "bubbles".  Here are pix:

Another month of running down, half way point

Another month of training comes to a close.  I am now half way thru my marathon training (by date only, not by mileage) :yikes:  Looking at my stats I am running just under an 00:08:30 min mile.  Very happy with that as it is very close to what I set for my goal marathon pace.  Although, my distance runs I do slow down toward the end of the route.  Yes I would love to hit a 03:45:00 for the 26.2, but talking with other marathoners I shouldn't be so crazy about hitting that mark.  Really, I just need to finish, learn, not hurt myself and have fun.

I turned 37 y/o on Feb 27th.  I celebrated the night before with friends and family - I had a "Beer Tasting party".  Tons of fun, and everyone had a really good time.  I had 4 tasting beers:

(1) Goose Island Sofie - A Belgian Ale that got our tastebuds ready for the treats
(2) Chimay Trappists - All three colors (White, Red, and Blue)
(3) Dogfishhead 90 minute IPA
(4) Rogue Chocolate Stout for the desert

Each had its own food pairing and they were served in a 3-oz glass.

I also lost a bet (another one sided bet).  So I had to jump into Lake Andrea for the Special Olympics Polar Plunge.  WOW!  It was cold!  The second I hit the fridgid water my body tightened up so hard that I pulled a muscle in my shoulder.  A lot of fun tho, and a worthy experience - I raised $250 ish for it too.  Thanks goes to e'one who donated :).  Here is the proof - I am the dood on the left: