Cheeseburger in a Can...Oh my!

Just when I've gotten over my twitching whenever anyone mentions spam.There's this....

Canned Cheeseburgers!

A marvel of german engineering. More info is here. This could be the start of a weekly post...quirky canned goods. Enjoy!

New Nine-Mile Route

Today I'm hoping for 9 miles. It's a balmy 40 degrees which is wonderful for this time of year. Using the google map features in my Runner's World Training log, I mapped out a new 9 mile route. It combines some of the usual routes but in a different configuration.

Be back shortly....

I did it! I ran 9 miles even thought about 10 but my quads reminded me that I was already pushing my luck. Overall pace was 11:47 per mile which is good...for me.

Christmas is still my favorite holiday

Lest anyone think I've forgotten my first love, christmas, based on my last couple of posts don't worry! It's always on my mind. However, I'm still putting christmas '07 away...and don't feel I can turn my attention to christmas '08 until '07 is done and put away...which should be soon!

Just to give you a hint of what I'm thinking for '08...fireworks (not real ones...light fireworks) based on Action Lighting's Light Storms. To see what they look like click the link below.

Light Storm

When I get the prototype made I'll post a picture. Plans are also in the works for redesigning my website. So while running, politics, football and other topics may pop up you can rest assured that thoughts of "christmas" are always lurking!

Super Bowl XLII

Wow, what a night for football! The Patriots won (of course) but so did the Giants (shocker)!?! I was really looking forward to seeing the Favre/Brady match up. Oh well, hopefully the Giants can keep the momentum going enough to make the game interesting.

And btw, Happy Monday!

Romney wins Nevada

Romney wins Nevada!

However in reading the headlines today you'd have a hard time finding that information. I think it's interesting how much the MSM is under-reporting Romney's successes and pushing McCain. To me, if liberal/progressive media types are hyping a "conservative" candidate that should raise a really big RED flag!

Just my two cents. Oh well...back to the football games...

Saturday Long Run

Well, today is Saturday which means it's my long run day. 8 miles is the goal. Only problem is the cold. The high is 35 degrees. I hate running in the cold, but tomorrow is supposed to be colder, and I certainly don't want to do 8 miles on a treadmill so I bundled up and took off.

This was a hard run. The cold made my knee hurt and my calves, which are normally tight, were even tighter. After two miles, I stopped to stretch a little and my knee really complained. I almost gave up but decided to see if I could walk out the cramp. I did.

I slowed my pace down to 12 min/mile and that seemed to help. I managed to complete the run...all 8 miles but the last mile was sheer determination and discipline. I was really happy when I was done. Now for recovery....

Stay warm!

Running continues...

Even though I haven't talked much about it, my love of running continues. In September 07 I completed the Philadelphia Distance Run (which is a half-marathon). My goals were to finish the 13.1 mile course in under 3 hours and healthy. I did both! My finish time was 2 hours and 43 minutes, and I was walking when it was over.

It was a lot of fun! In fact and as a result, several ladies (7) where I work have formed two marathon relay teams, and we will be competing in the New Jersey Marathon on 5/4/08. We're in the process of formalizing and naming the teams now.

Training is on-going. Yesterday I did 4 tempo miles on the treadmill. (ugh) Running 4 miles isn't bad, running it on a treadmill is deadly....even with the TV.

TistheSimpsons 2007 Christmas Light Show is in the books!

Well, this past weekend, the 'TistheSimpsons 2007 Christmas Light Show ran for the last time on Friday night and was taken down and put away on Saturday and Sunday. A picture is above. This year's display featured 27,000 lights and 96 channels of computer animation. The show included Christmas music from TSO, Aerosmith, Dr. Seuss and the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. I was really pleased with the response from the community. Lots of people came by to see it several more than once.

We also accepted donations for a charity that will build a safe play area for orphans/children in the Darfur region of the Sudan which has been wracked by intense tribal fighting and genocide. Mercy Corp offers a "playground kit" for $400. We collected $720 and every penny will go to the charity. As an added bonus, hubby works for Merck who will match the donation! So we were able to donate $1440 which should go along way to bringing lots of happiness to kids who could use a place where they can just be kids. Thanks to everyone who donated!

If you didn't get a chance to see the display in person you can go to www.tisthesimpsons.com and click on the links to 3 videos I've posted on YouTube. Again thanks for everyone who came by and made some Christmas memories!

New Year's Resolution 2008

I resolve to post on a more regular basis. Perhaps every couple of days. The topics may be more "eclectic" but hopefully interesting.

Best wishes to everyone for a Happy and Healthy New Year!