Friday, December 6, 2013

Friday Mishmash

Last Saturday night, I asked my son Sam to bring me my bottle of Gatorade from the fridge.  I was lying on the couch, watching the A&M football game (ugh, terrible way to end the season), and he asked me where the straws were.  I thought, "how nice - he knows I'm laying down" - but this is what I got:
Blurry pic, but you get the idea...and for the record, it's dang hard to drink from such a long straw!

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Not saying I had a bit of taper madness going on this week (for the non-runners, it's when you cut back on your running in the week leading up to your race, so you have fresh legs for it), but I've reorganized my pantry, thanks in part to the inspiration from my friend Andi, who loves organizing more than I do...her idea of a good time is a trip to the Container Store and Ikea, which, of course, I'm on board with that.  I've also put up most of my Christmas decorations (can't get to the ornaments, of all things), and knitted like a crazy person.  OK, I guess I am saying I've had some taper madness.  It'll be over soon...

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I'm just going to put this out there - even though some of my favorite bloggers do this, I have to say that I'm not a fan of the "falling snow" effect that is on some blogs right not.  Why?  Well, because it startles me for one thing, and also, I keep thinking my floaters are getting worse.  There.  I said it.  Grinch, out.

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Here in south Texas, we really don't experience fall - we might, if we're lucky, get a week or two of lovely weather, but we usually go from summer to winter.  I was surprised, and obviously I'm not that observant, because we've lived in this house for over 13 years and I swear this is the first year I've noticed, but the trees in our "pond" area turned color:
By the way, it was 76 degrees on Wednesday when I took this picture.  Today?  We'll be lucky to hit 37 for our high.  Crazy Texas weather...

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Our half marathon is this Sunday.  The weather forecast keeps changing - the rain chances have been as high as 80% and as low as 10% (PLEASE, let that be the case), and it's going to be cold and windy.  I will admit to a bit of panic when trying to figure out what to wear...here's what I've culled it down to:
Gloves, either an ear-warmer headband or a beanie (although my ponytail presents a challenge with that), jacket, rain poncho (which can also keep out the biting wind while we wait to start), long-sleeved shirt, short-sleeved shirt, buff, jacket, capris, skirt, socks, shoes...

With our short intervals, we don't warm up as much as we would if we were running longer, so I think I'm going to need all of this.  I can shed the 89-cent poncho at an aid station once I get warmed up, and if I really get hot, Amy's husband should be spectating along the route, and I could leave my jacket with him.  But I suspect I'll keep it on the entire time.   No matter what, this weather will be better than the ridiculous heat and humidity of last year's race.

I'll have a race recap up on Wednesday, but be sure to come here on Monday for a really nifty review/giveaway.  Have a great weekend!

28 comments:

  1. Since Missouri beat your Aggies then you can root for us in the SEC game on Saturday. Come on, Shelley... M I Z

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    1. Ack, and you guys got Loftin, too...it was a good week for MIZ!

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  2. I like the snow thing on the blogs. In fact I was just playing with it - did you know if you swirl your mouse around, the snow swirls too?

    The fact that your trees have leaves is a little freaky to me - ours have been completely gone for a couple weeks now.

    It really, really sucks when the weather forecast is not good for a race you've trained for. But try really hard not to concentrate on that as it will be what it will be. You've got lots of options and if you dress in layers, even if it rains the whole time, you'll be fine! Can't wait to hear all about it!

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    1. I should send you a picture of my backyard trees - tons of leaves on them, still. Which is also why it feels like we deal with falling leaves for months...

      They've changed the forecast yet again, this time more rain, but at least not freezing rain? No matter what, it will be fun - and at least we're not running the Dallas Marathon (same day) - they've got snow and ice to deal with!

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  3. LOLOL. First chuckle of the morning. I LOVE my falling snow. Every year when it automatically starts on Dec. 1, while I am writing a blog, I am surprised and DELIGHTED! Christmas Fairy, out.

    I got a kick out of your running gear assemblage. It looks like me when I'm trying to dress nice for church! Too many factors and decisions to make.

    Can hardly wait for the race recap!

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    1. LOL on my Grinch to your Christmas Fairy...seems about right. :)

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  4. Snow startles me, too! Wait...you weren't talking about the real kind, were you :)

    Good luck Sunday! I'll be thinking of you as I slog through my 5K walk tomorrow (Saturday) in the sleet and 22 degree temp. I think I might need to walk in my Sorels!

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    1. Real snow would delight me...haha, can you tell I live in the south?

      Good luck yourself tomorrow - heck yeah, I'd wear Sorels! And carry an umbrella, too.

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  5. Love your choice of race shirt.
    I think it's Bondiband that has a beanie with a hole in the back for a ponytail. I got mine years ago and am always happy when winter comes around that I have it!
    Enjoy the race!

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    1. I just heard that Bondi Band will be at the expo, so I'm going to check this out!

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  6. LOL!!!!! Sam's straw is hilarious! Good luck with the race on Sunday Shelley!!! Crossing my fingers and toes for decent weather for you!!!

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  7. Ah, taper madness! Hang in there, Shelley, only a couple of days to go! I hope your weather cooperates. We had heavy rain forecast for the Seattle Half Marathon last weekend, and, though it was a bit windy, not a drop fell on us the entire race. Crossing fingers for the same for you!

    Meanwhile, I thought of you when I saw this new release:

    http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Yarns-Writers-Ann-Hood/dp/0393239497/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386360474&sr=1-1&keywords=knitting+books+new+releases

    What could be better than reading OR knitting than reading authors writing ABOUT knitting??

    Good luck on your race!

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  8. LOVE the straw!! Good luck on your race. I'll be cheering you on from here and hoping for good weather!!

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  9. It must take forever to get liquid to go that far up a straw! Funny, though LOL.

    Good luck with the race. Maybe the weather won't be horrible and I really am sending warmer vibes so it won't be freezing rain.

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    1. It did take forever, and then I was laughing so hard I nearly spit it out!

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  10. Love the straw! :0) Funny you mentioned the trees - I actually just noticed a "fall" tree at work for the first time ever. Usually our trees go from green to brown with no color change so this was a nice surprise! This crazy weather is going to make me go crazy - best of luck in your half on Sunday!!

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    1. Hmmm, if you just noticed "fall" trees then maybe it's an unusual occurrence for this southern area and I'm not that unobservant?

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  11. Love the straw!! HEs working on your lungs!! I sure hope your south of Dallas. I heard the marathon was cancelled.

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  12. Hahaha, Sam!! That really made me chuckle, as I'm sure it did you as well.

    Yes, just heard Dallas Marathon was cancelled, so I came here to see if your race was still on. (I don't know what area you are from in the large state o TX.) I hope you're sleeping well in preparation.
    I'm surprised Paco's snout isn't in the straw pic. Thanks for the laugh, Sam!

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    1. We are about 3.5 hours south of Dallas, and while it's very cold, we didn't get the ice storm that they did.

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  13. What race are you running? I just heard on the news (in Silicon Valley) that the Dallas marathon was cancelled. I'm thinking good thoughts for you!

    Rose in SV

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    1. Our race is still on - we are doing the BCS Marathon/Half Marathon - and from what I hear, many people who were going to run Dallas are now doing our race!

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  14. Catching up on blogs after a 3 day weekend and as always yours is the first I visit :) By now you have finished the race so: girl I'm so proud of you, you did it with all the setbacks you had this training season. I would say a trip to the knitting store for a treat is totally allowed :)

    We are having a pretty mild winter so far: no snow, no freezing (yet) and I love it. And I don't like that snow falling down on blogs either although I haven't spotted it yet.

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