So I just wanted to post about my hubby - today he did his 2nd half marathon here in Houston.  The first one was last weekend while we were in Albuquerque.  So I guess he's done a whole marathon now but just in 2 parts. :) I think this is so awesome.  He just started running earlier this year and has kept at it.  A lot of early (and I mean early!) morning runs and slowly working his way up while following the program.  He has done quite well, quite well indeed.

We were in Austin this weekend so instead of doing the long walk with FBF, we went to the Town Lake trails in Austin. 

This is a very nice system of trails that runs along.... Town Lake!  We got there about 6:15 and a lot of joggers were already out and about.  I would call us lazy but when we left it was absolutely packed so we qualify as not lazy. :)

It was quite relaxing to be walking on a dirt trail watching the folks on the water in their kayaks.  There were also some teams practicing rowing and they were neat to watch.  We started at the high school at Mopac and worked our way down past Congress. The first part of the trail is fairly flat.  Once you get near congress there are some grades but not too bad.  I did 5 miles total - Chad did a 5 mile jog and then met up to walk with me while I finished. 

This week I was a bit slack with the other walks.  I did go on Monday, but then wimped out on Tuesday morning.  Then claimed it too hot to go Tuesday night.  Rain kept me from going on Wednesday......  etc.  This is something I'll work on next week.

Tonight we went to see Ottmar Liebert and his quartet in Austin.  When we decided to go to this show, there were no Houston dates.  Since then they apparently added a Houston show... ah well.  Still a good excuse to get out of Houston and do something different.

Before the show, Chad took me to Mars for dinner.  I had the most wonderful wasabi Salmon... yum!

The show was at One World Theater.  This is a small venue - seating about 300 folks.  We were in the 5th row on the end.   It was nice to be able to see at a show without standing up!! :) The whole quartet did a great job.  Ottmar plays guitar - the quartet had another guitarist, a bassist and percussionist. The percussionist in particular was fun to watch as he used his hands for just about everything and never used a drum stick.  Of course the guitar was amazing - those guys make it seem so easy.  Once in a while they also tossed in some electric guitar.  Overall it was a great show - and a wonderful night out with hubby.  The only negative is I wish the show had been just a tad longer.

Finished up week2 of training with Fort Bend Fit. Usually the week ends on Saturday but tomorrow I have plans so I walked my long walk this morning instead.  This week I walked 8 miles (2 2-mile walks + 1 4-mile).  I skipped the 'easy' day but may get that in early tomorrow morning - just a short 20 minute walk.  No new blisters but my right pinky toe seems to be very upset with me.  I think a yummy foot soak is in order.

No spoilers -

Went to see WALLE yesterday.  Pixar does it again.  I'll just say I was so pulled in by the characters that I got teary-eyed at one point.  *sniff*

Today closes the first week of the fort bend fit training.  We did a nice 3 mile walk this morning.  Looking at my heart rate and pace data it was a good walk for me.  At the start I was slow and sluggish - my hips hurt, my shins hurt and I was worried.  BUT by the time we got to the half way point I guess I got my 2nd wind and felt good.  My pace picked up and stayed in the low to mid 16 minute mile range.  I felt really good about that.  I guess I need some warm up time. 

Next week I'll walk 3x during the week and then do a 4 mile walk with FBF on Saturday.

Today I did my first official 5K walk.  I say official because I have been walking about 4 miles once a week with a friend of mine for a month or so now.  The 5K walk was very nice - the temp was quite pleasant and the rain held off until later in the day.    My pace for the walk was around 17:40 so not too bad considering.  If I can shave a minute or two off of that in the next couple of months I'll be very happy. I did poke into my max heart rate zone twice during the walk for just a minute or two so I am working.

We  walked from my house to the park and then back to my house after the 3k.  This made the walk about 6 miles in total and makes itt the longest walk I've done.  No new blisters between my toes so that is a good thing.  My feet are quite sore, though. 

Tomorrow morning is the first official meeting of "Fort Bend Fit" and we will be doing a 2 mile walk.  I'm glad it is only 2 miles after the long walk today!

I spent Sunday afternoon photographing in Glenwood Cemetery.  This place is beautiful.  I was mostly happy with my selection of photographs.  the light could have been better (I didn't get my behind out of bed to get there at 7 when they opened).  It was fairly overcast and rain kept coming and going.  Still I think I got a decent selection.  I concentrated mostly on details of the cemetery. 

Comments are always welcome (encouraged even!)

http://www.pbase.com/skinnyorangecat/glenwood

   

Spent a few hours at the Bear Creek Criterium yesterday practicing with the 70-200mm lens.  It is the largest lens I own and I have a bit of a learning curve before I can use it really well.  I did get a few shots I'm happy with.

http://www.pbase.com/skinnyorangecat/image/97253508  (plus next 9)

Chadwick entered the Criterium.  He is in the first few images (blue jersey).   This was his first time doing this sort of thing and I'm very proud of him.  He has come a long way improving his riding and overall physical health.  I think he had a good time and will probably try this sort of thing again.  You can read about his experience on his blog:

http://blog.nuclearbunny.org/2008/05/17/bear-creek-criterium/

*No spoilers Below*

We went to see Iron Man tonight followed by dinner and drinks with some friends. I didn't know anything about Iron Man going in. I'd never read the comics and I'd ignored the media for the movie. I had heard from some online friends that the film was good.

I really enjoyed the film. It was action packed and fun movie. The CG was great.

Robert Downy Jr. did a great job in the role of Tony Stark. Tony Stark is a charming, smartass, genius and Robert brought that across very well. Couldn't help but notice that Robert got into great shape for the movie. Its good to see him with his act together and I hope he stays that way a while. Not until the end credits did I realize one of the characters was played by Jeff Bridges. He did an excellent job as well - his bald head and beard look was perfect and very cool looking. I'll also mention that Gwyneth Paltrow was the perfect assistant to Tony.

We also saw the trailers for the next Narnia and Indiana Jones. Both look like great movies. The Incredible Hulk.. mmmm don't know about that one.

Had an amazing shoe shopping experience today.  Hubby and I signed up to walk the half marathon with a friend of ours.  I decided I should make sure I'm wearing good fitting shoes before training really gets in gear.  I had heard that this store in Houston was just the place to go. They cater to runners but since you can walk in running shoes all is good and they welcome walkers.  Cory, the gentleman that helped me, spent a good amount of time asking me questions, watching me walk and looking at the wear on my current shoes.  Turns out my current New Balance shoes were not so bad for me afterall.  They have a neutral cushion which is exactly what I need from the way I walk and the wear on the shoes.  They are a bit short, however, as my toe comes right up to the end.  For everyday walking this isn't so bad but it can cause problems when really hitting the pavement.  Cory was very patient and very interested in finding just the right shoe for me.  For each pair I tried on he had me walk outside and observed how I was walking in them.  He would ask me questions about how they fit and if anything bugged me about them.  This is unusual - usually you get to walk around the store which just isn't the same as going out on the sidewalk and getting some momentum going.  The new shoes I bought are also New Balance but a different model and a whole size larger.  I also got some new socks that felt great and should help keep the blisters down. That should help a lot. 

Now there's no excuse - its time to hit the pavement!.

I have no excuses.  This gentleman is 70, can't get around without a wheelchair and creates some beautiful and inspiring images.  Look around.. you might be surprised what you find to take a photo of.

http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/looking-around-you-pays-off/

achooo!!

Just finished reading Every Second Counts by Lance Armstrong.  I enjoyed the book and I really admire Lance for all he has overcome.  He offers interesting insight and once in a while he even seems human instead of super human.  By the end, however, I felt the book could have been called I am Lance, I am Great.   The thing is if I think about it this would not even be an exaggeration.  He is an American hero and one we could all probably learn something from.  

I took a photograph.  One really talented photographer said "that is actually interesting".  Another talented photographer said "it just doesn't work for me".  I think I may have created art.

Hmmm...