Memorial Day Weekend

Looking up at the East Block Parliament Building

Memorial Day Weekend meant road trip for us. We had been invited to a reunion in Ottawa - basically a gathering of people that had worked together at Nortel. It happened to fall on Memorial Day weekend so we decided to make it a longer weekend and head to Ottawa for the event and to get to see Tika.

The drive up was interesting as it was the Friday before Memorial Day and we drove through sleet as we entered New York State from Pennsylvania. The weather in Ottawa was similar to DC so it meant for a cool couple of days but started to warm up by Memorial Day.

We spent the weekend at a condo that we had rented. It was very convenient being right downtown and the fact that it had a well equipped kitchen meant that we could also relax a bit about where to eat and do some of our own cooking if we wanted - which we did.

The weekend was also Race Weekend in Ottawa with a full slate of 2k, 5k, 10k, half- and full marathons being run. A friend had registered for the 10k but was not able to run it so I joined 3 friends and ran in his place. Running in Ottawa is great - everything was green - the weather was not too warm and the views are fantastic. On top of that it seemed that the entire city was out supporting the runners. Even though it had not been a week since my half-marathon in Fredricksburg I ran a pretty good race, bettering my best 10k by over 2 minutes finishing in 47:56 - good for well within the top 10% of finishers.

After the race we went straight to the re-union and got to see some old friends. Some we keep in touch with regularly, others I had not seen in almost 20 years, but you would have thought it had been 20 weeks. We had a great time.

We also got to spend a good bit of time with Tika. We had brought some stuff up for her which meant she had to go through her place and do some culling of clothes etc, which she donated to a local charity. We also brought her up a new bike for her birthday. We went to ZenKitchen for lunch on Sunday, a birthday lunch, and did some shopping together. It was a great way to spend the day.

Monday was a beautiful day and Laura and I spent it relaxing and walking around Ottawa. Of course we did some shopping as well but it was just great to have a sunny, warm Memorial Day with no need to hurry to do anything.

It turned into a great weekend and I hope we will find time to go back soon - I now September I will be back as I have a race in Ottawa which I am looking forward to :-)

2013 Marine Corps Half Marathon

Yesterday was the running of the 6th annual MC Half - and my second running of the race. It is a great race. Lots of Marines supporting the runners and lots of other volunteers. The people of Fredericksburg go all out, lining the streets and playing music from their houses that line the course. Last year I was a tiny bit disappointed as I wanted to finish under 1:50 but was 32 seconds shy of that goal. This year I had two great races under my belt, a strong Van Metre 5 miler and a strong Cherry Blossom, both where I set personal bests in those races so my goal was to get the 1:50.

For those that follow me you will know that my Personal Best for a half-marathon is just over 1:44. The Marine Corps Half is very different though. It is a hilly course. There are rolling hills all throughout and though they may be small there are lots of ups and downs and they are taxing. Then of course you have Hospital Hill, which everyone hears about and dreads, but those of us that have run it before know that Hospital Hill is followed by a short flat piece and then a climb up and over the highway that is even more taxing.

I woke early and had a good breakfast, Canadian bacon, toast and fruit and headed down to Fredericksburg. I arrived at the start line with about 10 minutes to spare after taking care of all my pre-race stuff - so I was set. I started fairly close to the front of the almost 6300 runners - I think it only took 38 seconds to get across the start line after the gun start. Oh I should clarify - the Marine version of a gun start is a Howitzer. I had planned to start hard and then relax a bit mid-race so I could be ready for the big hills near the end. My 10K split was under 50 minutes - about 8 min/mile. The next 5 K I ran at about 8:15 so I could relax a bit and fuel up for the hill. The next 5K covered the big hills and I kept that at under an 8:40 and finished the last mile plus at the 8:15 pace before I started the hills. It felt really good. The final finish time - 1:48:00 - a solid 2 minutes ahead of my goal.

Next up - NorthFace Trail half-marathon - in two weeks.

Happy Mothers Day

This weekend is a great weekend. As a family we use this weekend to celebrate all the Moms in our lives. For us that means the kids spend Saturday celebrating Stepmom Saturday and then celebrating Mothers Day with their Mom on Sunday.

For Stepmom Saturday we grilled and then the girls took Laura to see The Great Gatsby at the Alamo. A great theatre to see that movie in.

For me Sunday means thinking about my Mom and being thankful that she is still as healthy and strong as ever and that she is still willing to talk to me after all I have put her through. The piles of pancakes and bacon she had to cook to feed me. The gallons of milk. The wondering where I was, as a small kid exploring our as a teenager out "with friends". My willingness to jump first and think later - usually as she is bandanging something up.

Thanks for tolerating me and thank you for setting an example of how to be the supportive parent. I love you.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Happy Birthday .... eh!

Today is Tika's birthday ... and now is legally able to do anything anywhere.

Not quite current ... but I love this picture

OK that is not a "Get out of jail free" card but she has hit that point in her life where her age going forward will not be the "I can't wait til I'm 15 so I can get my permit" "I can't wait until I am 18 so I can vote" "I can't wait until I am 21 so I can go to bars". From here on it will be - I can't believe I am ....

But we do wish her a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY. We are so proud of you. You have created a life for yourself that seems to make you happy. It has challenges, we know that, but you live up to those. You do know that no matter what we will always be there to help you out as well ... and I know your friends all feel the same way.

For today we do not want you worrying about things. Have a fun day and we will celebrate again when we see you in a couple of weeks.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

The Upgraded Grill

Added a smoker to my grill which already had a charcoal and gas side. I cannot wait to smoke a lamb leg

A Day in Atlanta

Last evening I returned from a quick 24 hours in Atlanta. It was a work related trip and not actually a full 24 hours in Atlanta - a 5 PM flight from Washington to Atlanta and a 5 PM flight back - but I did make the most of it.

The hotel was a great hotel. A new building with suite style rooms that are very nice. New appliances etc and a large bathroom. The room was actually larger than my first apartment. It was also located right downtown near Centennial Park which meant it was easy to find a place to grab dinner the first night. We found a nice brew pub that served very good casual fare. Their lamb sliders though were FANTASTIC.

The next morning we headed to our meeting in the northeast part of Atlanta and grabbed breakfast at The Original Pancake House. I think everyone knows I love pancakes and this place had GREAT pancakes. I did get a bit ambitious and had their full stack - 6 large blueberry pancakes - and of course I left a few bites (literally on the plate was 4 small bites).

After our meeting I wanted to have lunch at a place I have been trying to get to for about 5 years - Gladys Knight's and Ron Winan's Chicken and Waffles. Chicken and waffles is a southern thing but done right it is great. Jeff, who I was traveling with, was up for it but wondered how hungry I was after the breakfast I had - but I am never one to disappoint when it comes to eating. We got to Gladys's place at a good time - not too busy and I ordered up their original waffles, a southern fried chicken breast and some house potatoes (shredded potatoes with peppers, onions and cajun seasoning). I can safely say I was not disappointed in having to wait 5 years to final eat there.

So when someone asks what I do in Atlanta for a day I can safely say I eat a lot of good food :-)