Do you have Electile Dysfunction?

Electile Dysfunction: the inability to become aroused over any of the choices for president put forth by either party in the 2008 election year.

Funny pictures for the day.

Just some funny pictures for the day!

Those crazy runners!!!

Kristin is running a 10k as I write this blog entry from my laptop near the finish line. The race today is in Forest Grove which is at a slightly higher elevation than we live at, which is just enough for there to be snow on the ground. As I am writing, I am looking at a scuff of snow on the ground and some snow mix is falling and Kristin is out there running, with a couple hundred other people.

I will post some pictures after I get them online, but thought I would write about those crazy runners. I wish I was out there, but I haven't trained up enough to do a 10k yet and I don't want to injure myself.

Free classes from MIT

Okay, this isn't exactly new news, but it is news to me, and I think this is way too cool.
MIT, and many other top universities are giving away their classes for free, sort of. Here is the news article, and here is the link to MIT's OpenCourseWare.
MIT is offering over 1,800 classes, including some of their most coveted classes online for free. Basically the only thing you don't get is to raise your hand and ask questions and of course, you don't get the college credit's. But the education is free, which is amazing to me.

First Run Race Report

Kristin and I did the First run last night, or would it be this morning? Anyways, all the same.
Kristin and I knew from the start we wouldn't be setting any personal records, and it was supposed to be 24 degrees out, so we were more concerned with staying warm.
Kristin had three layers on over her body, two of them being running jackets. I had two layers, one a light base layer then a long sleeved running shirt that had a hood and 1/4 zip zipper. Both of us just had long sleeve running pants on.
Others were there who started the partying a little early who were wearing a light weight cotton shirt, with shorts, and that's it. One guy was wearing a costume diaper, and that was it! How they didn't freeze, I have no clue! The fastest men were wearing shorts with a short sleeve shirt, or a tank top. I can see how they stayed warm as they were flat out hauling, so I am sure they were burning hot.
Anyways, on to the race.
The race was a simple out and back, very flat course.
The start started with the New Years countdown, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 HAPPY NEW YEARS!! Turned and kissed Kristin and then the line started moving.
I got really caught up in the moment and I ran the first mile way too fast. I ran it at 8:48, which was too fast for me. I am in winter training, My body isn't ready to be pushed hard for 3.1 miles and I started out way too fast! I felt good, but I worried about the rest of the run. Since it was an out and back course I got to see the fastest runners running the other way. Let me tell you, those guys were hauling. The winner finished with an average speed of over 12 mph!
At the half way point, I was starting to feel the effects of going too fast that first mile. I took it easy until I was past the two mile mark. At the two mile mark I picked up the pace just a bit, then at the 2.5 I really started to push myself. I realized at the 2.5 mile mark, I may actually set my own personal record for a 5k (not that I have ran many, but all the same). I kept pushing through to 3 miles, only .10 mile to go and I really kicked it up. I was on the border of stopping at the side and giving up all I had to eat yesterday, but I timed it just right and got to the finish line without any bad side affects. I finished 28:41, which was a personal record for me, and I thought it was funny. I am not in that good of shape, but it was completely flat, so I was artificially faster. It was a good run however.
Kristin finished about a minute behind me and she as well set a really good time for herself. She finished in 30:01, which is a great time for her.
Considering neither one of us feel that we are in great shape, we are both happy with our results. It was a great way to kick of New Years!
After the race, we went to a nearby Irish pub had some food and we each had a glass of some nice champagne. We got home around 2:30 and we had a great time and we will probably do this again.