A few other thoughts

It's odd, making two posts in a day.

I was just thinking, though, about Kish, my friend who's in Antarctica now. (My friend Deneen is in Antarctica as well. I was thinking about her, too, because I'm sending a package. These days, and probably forever (though I'll leave that up to them) where Kish is, Deneen is sure to be somewhere nearby (or vice versa)).

Anyway, I was thinking about Kish because before he and D left for the great cold South this year, we had talked about training together from a distance. I would train for the White Rock here, and Steve would train for the Antarctica Marathon there. Yes, there's actually an Antarctic Marathon. And not a "fake" one run in a building on treadmills. Actually out on the ice. Unfortunately, as it's turned out, Steve has not been able to train. I'm not there, of course, but as I hear it it's not really Steve's fault, or because of any lack of dedication or willingness, but because his job has made it impossible. He's still climbed Ob Hill about a thousand times, and is keeping in some training, but the marathon didn't work out. It's a shame. It would have been fun to have done it "together." Maybe, if I win the Lotto, I'll do the Antarctic Marathon myself someday. (I say "if I win the Lotto" because I understand it costs tens of thousands of dollars to do it. Transportation is difficult and expensive. It's apparently much worse than those regular tourist trips, cost-wise, and they are not cheap.)

In any event, I spent my volunteer shift mostly unpacking several thousand finisher's medals. Then I did a short run, as I said. Then I came home and had a big pasta dinner with a big boneless skinless chicken breast grilled on my trusty George Foreman, and a Shiner Bock. The perfect pre-Half meal. Now I'm doing school work, and taking a break to type in this blog. Anything to avoid doing what I should be doing... (Larry Sparks doing My Lord. Bluegrass just feels so genuine to me. I love folk, but it can seem so self-righteous sometimes. Rock and modern country are so often -- at least in my ear or imagination -- so commercial and produced that they sound more like politicians than musicians. Jazz is better, but it can be so ethereal and inaccessible (at least modern jazz can, except when I'm really in the mood). Big Band jazz is fun, but can seem too naive -- except for Begin the Beguine, my fav all time big band piece... just something about it. OK, OK, too much of that....)

I didn't feel very good running today. I just went 3 miles, as I said, but it wasn't an easy jog. I hope it's better tomorrow. I'm staying off my feet tonight, and I'll have an extra hour of sleep tonight, so I hope that makes it all OK.

Oh, and I was really sad to hear what happened in the U.S. Men's Olympic marathon trials today. It was the race to determine who goes to the Beijing Olympics next summer. Ryan Shay, one of the men thought to have a chance to make it (finish in the top 3) collapsed and died after just 5 1/2 miles. Of course, it was a terrible shock for everyone. He'd just gotten married a few months ago. No hint of any health problems. I suppose that when it's time, it's time. Even for elite athletes who can run sub-5 miles for 26.2. I'm going to be careful. Not push too hard and stay fueled and hydrated. I'm not worried, though. Nothing I can do about it anyway.

Going to get back to work now. Wish me luck....

Later...