No name post.

Be proud of every step you've taken in your journey as an endurance athlete - no matter how fast or slow - no matter whether anyone noticed or cared. Be grateful you've been given the gift of yearning for something quite glorious ... simply being who you truly are and knowing/doing what you truly love.

Scott Weber

Had to post this quote that appeared on the ultralist recently. I had a great time spending Thanksgiving with my son and enjoyed it greatly (even though at times it was lonely to be sick alone:)). I guess getting married at hardly 20 yo makes me appreciate "me" time that much more - something that I had close to none unless I went for a race, what was not very "alone" (and yes, I loved it exactly the way it was there).

Runs had been going well, despite continious cough (I heard it stays for another 5 weeks?). Monday morning I did an hour, and in the evening had my usual hardest leg routine and hill work on TM. This weight training keeps kicking my tushy, and I surely get DOMS - exactly 36 hrs after (what has an effect for Wed speedwork). Tuesday morning was dull with drenching rain while I set home watching for a window of break - got none, ditched the run, but made sure to get out right after work. It was quite a new (not really, but rare) experience to me. With days as short as they are, either time means dark streets. I hate wearing headlamp for my regular runs, and yes, I understand it means I am going slower as I move causiously, but it's so invigorating to be able to open up other senses. It was interesting to note how in the morning my runs start in complete darkness and as they progress, I can make out some contures more and more (I run on the bike path along Tryon park once I leave streets, and lit up part lasts for a mile or so, then it's trees around). Tuesday night it was more as I went out at dusk, and it quickly became darker, and actually much scarrier than in the morning, foggier (is it a word?) and almost creepy. All the sounds were alive around and I kept hearing animlas dashing around...it was fun in its own way. I am just glad I know every crack and hole on this path! Monika's Tuesday family night had pizza and salad - oh, by the way, I shed (finally) 3 lbs, 2 cm off my waist and 1 cm from the lower part (yep, that one always goes much slower!). Good thing, I was about to give up on all this healthy portioning! Nah, Ronda would kill me:) So, anyway, Wed was back to the track, and thanks to Mike for keeping appointment with me - that forces me to never stary away. We did quaters, and they were very even, so that's a start. More gym tonight.

I have another break coming! Weekend in NY! The wedding in CT, some time to visit Rockefeller center and the Big Tree, relive the memories of the past, visit with friends...I even plan to squeeze a longish run on Sunday! Thankfully it is my "downsize" week and only 2-3 hrs required:) Gotta love December, later I am out to Florida to visit my son Alex at school (he is doing great, we talk every Tuesday, and the sound of his happy voice and un-slurred speech makes me happy), and a couple of days after that, on 25th, Stephen and I are flying over the ocean to Russia for a week. Vinnie the Pooh we are:)

OK, since I won't be around computer, I want to wish everybody best of luck in WS100 lottery. I am fine whether I get in or not, I actually prefer if one of my two training partners (boyz, hear me?) get in, so I could go to this biggest ultra party relaxed as a pacer, but be happy to run it too - after all, I am on a quest for 10 year buckle at some point (before I break all my legs?? Knock on wood, so far neither of my fav chronic injuries are rearing their heads). Also watch out for North face 50k/50M championship in San Fran this weekend - all the big guns are after $10,000 purse! I predict Uli vs Matt and Jen vs Kami. Hardrock application came online a morning after I watched the video from this race - ouch! I desperately want to feel THAT pain, so I'll be sending it in come January 2nd. Nothing else is happening that's exciting. Some challenges in life, as usual, so I just want to shout out my biggest thanks and give warmest hugs to my best buddies keeping me afloat: Adrien, Mike, Monika, Stan, Anna and Gail. You rock, guys! (Funny thing is neither one of them reads my blog) And all of you who come and are interested!

I got a bunch of quotes from Joseph Campbell, and since I have no diary, I figured I'll stick them here so I won't loose them. Sorry, skip it at your own will:)

Participate joyfully in the sorrows of the world. We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.

The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure.

The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature.

The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.

We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

We're so engaged in doing things to achieve purposes of outer value that we forget the inner value, the rapture that is associated with being alive, is what it is all about.

What each must seek in his life never was on land or sea. It is something out of his own unique potentiality for experience, something that never has been and never could have been experienced by anyone else.

When you follow your bliss... doors will open where you would not have thought there would be doors, and where there wouldn't be a door for anyone else.

Your life is the fruit of your own doing. You have no one to blame but yourself.

Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again.