UP AND OUT

i successfully got up early this morning to do my long run. that is where my morning success ends. it took forever to run up those hills, and i mean forever! it took almost two and a half hours to run ten and a half miles! looking back, i did not eat right or hydrate properly yesterday. the humidity was also over 50%, and i always struggle when that is the case. there were several reasons to declare this run a failure, BUT, i was the only runner i saw. i passed several houses, and two cyclist, but no other runners, so i deserve high points for getting out there and doing it. for all the negatives, there are several positives, one, i actually got out of bed and did it, and two, i always feel that i am a stronger runner after running that course. there is so much uphill on that route there is no choice that to become stronger. one day i want to run it backwards and see how if feels. i am courious to see what the uphill/downhill ratio feels like. a flat ten mile course now should feel like nothing.

we had hospitality after the meeting, and they were our old friends eric and tammy wessman. we always have fun with them. i was really looking forward to seeing them when peter made the mistake of inviting frank along. i don't like him, he grates me the wrong way. he monopolized the conversation. we were not able to do a lot of catching up. eric is now the talk coordinator for the red line congregation, and asked peter if he would be available to give a talk at the last minute if the need arrives. it would be nice to go up there to see them since they have always come down to westminster.

there was a bridal shower for heather yesterday. spent too much on her gift, but, it was fun. it got me to thinking that i have not done enough with brandy. she is showing more independence from her mom and i need to encourage this. i was talking to her and emily at the hall today about having the two of them over one night. they both said they thought is sounded like fun. we also want to have andy and some of his friends over some time this summer for a day trip, or something. i know the kids are not out yet, but if i don't move now it will be august and we will be cramming to get things in before they go back to school.