Christmas

Had a great experience here in CO, we wanted to go to a Christmas eve service and we picked a church from a listing of area churches. We were floored, and blessed to find that our old pastor is here - we lost touch over the years and they are incredible people. Anyway, I hope everyone has a great Christmas. Someone loves you.

live4winter

For various reasons winter is my favorite season, mostly it's got to do with work. The middle of November to me is what April 15 is to an accountant. The winter gives me a chance to spend more time with my family and friends. One of our family traditions is skiing, here are a couple shots from last winter, with the king of the hill front and center.

We can usually make it to the mountains every year or so and it usually ends up being in Colorado. There are so many options there and the child care / ski schools are first rate. Now that the kids can basically ski on their own we decided to go someplace different last year, we chose Whitefish, Montana. It is an incredible place to ski, and the town is awesome too. The whole area is still very much small townish and the prices reflect it too.

We are going to Colorado this winter as the best deals were found there, and now that Vail Associates basically owns Summit county the lift tickets can be used at A-Basin, Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail and Beaver Creek ..., so we shouldn't get bored.

Anyway I have been doing a little "cross training" myself, not to be compared to those performing over the top psyco type of training, hoping to build a little more quad and back strength for the ski season. I'm surprised at how just a few exercises every other day can add to the overall condition. I can tell when I walk up the stairs (sans sandbag) that I have more snap in my step. I also noticed that improperly performed exercises will be noticed quite quickly - man my joints suck.

I have been going pretty light on the running since running Surf the Murph, I guess just about 50 miles for all of November. The runs have been mostly good but I don't have a great feeling about increasing the mileage. I guess I won't know until I try but just reluctant to do so. I'm also considering some other options for the back issue but not till after the holidays.

I've talked with or communicated with a few of us "Northern Burb Dudes" about getting together for a few winter runs. I've run Elm Creek, Taylors Falls (Interstate), Wild River and some trails down on the river around Coon Rapids Dam. Hopefully I can find a few new places before the snow gets unmanageable. I guess this too will have to wait until next year - oh well.

I hope this finds everyone in good health and good spirits this season. If I don't post before I leave for CO I wish everyone a Merry Christmas.