Finally Shamrock Fest

So this morning was a day I've been working towards for some time now. It started early. Six A.M exactly. But first on Jamie's family.

Excellent people, and her mother in particular is an excellent cook too. Very health conscious, which I love, but capable of creating delicious dishes. I've heard of a condition called "the health food halo" recently. Essentially, it entails the overeating of so called "health foods" for the sole fact that they are labeled "healthy" to the extent that the benefits of eating them are negated by the sheer caloric intake. I was guilty of the health food halo this weekend. I overate. But it was awesome. Fish tacos one night and then roast beef sandwiches on multigrain bread for lunch today. I enjoyed the company thoroughly as well. It was the sort of hopsitality that I've imagined all our hosts this summer would have. Or, at least, I hope they will have. I've always been blown away by the hosts of my Habitat trips, so I'm sure I won't be let down this summer.


Food and kindness aside, the race was excellent. We had the typical support from anonymous strangers. It was great for ninety percent of the race. By the home stretch all I could think of was: I want to stop... shut up. Funny how at mile three I felt like I could go on forever, but by the end I was profoundly tired. I really want to tackle the half marathon next, but I think I'll need a bit of training for that one. Five miles was tiring today, even on a very flat course. The rock and roll half is coming to Va Beach in September, so maybe I'll run thatt.

Both Jamie and I beat our guestimates of the race. I ran a forty one something race (as oposed to a forty five minute), and she ran a forty seven something(as oposed to a fifty minute). We both did far and above, in terms of rank. Our next goal is to run an 8k below forty minutes, and I'm confidant that both of us can do it. She thinks that she might even be around for the half marathon in September, and her Mom even said I was welcome to stay at their house, regardless of whether or not Jamie runs it with me. Looks like I've found myself another surrogate mother.

It was a bonding experience, and I'm glad to have gone through the process as one of a pair. It bums me out knowing that Jamie's graduating in the spring, but hopefully we can train for another race before that happens. Regardless, we'll be running together on the same Monday Wednesday Friday/Saturday schedule until May, so I'll have some nice cross training for the summer. In biking specific news, I haven't fixed the flat on my front tire. I'll be busing over to Shenandoah to see if they'll repair my rim (Chris seems to think that there's a spur or defect on the front rim popping the innertube that needs to be fixed) before I can return the bike to Dan. My Mom's coming down on Monday to bring my specialized allez. I'm psyched to see it and build it!

I wanted to thank our family, Amy Hissong and Dan Cappobianca, for their insanely generous donation to my trip. I checked it tonight and I was blown away. The two of you know that I consider you family, but it cannot be said enough! I love you and Andrew and Sarah more than I can articulate. Thank you for being part of everything I've done with this life of mine, and more recently for the soup and crepes. Whenever I'm back in Centreville I'll be saying hello, and seeing how life is going.

Life's had its share of highs and blues since my last posting, but in the end, I can say that life has been overwhelmingly good to me. Goodnight, good day, and peace out hombres!

Mark