December??!

yeah yikes...it really is December...we kicked the month off with a great weekend...j's holiday party was friday...casino night with fake money...i really am a terrible gambler which is why i never do it with real money especailly my own....but i did get to play some black jack with Desiree Ficker and her boyfriend who is also an amazing runner and currently in 1st place for the runtex DC

Saturday was gray and relaxing with an hour watching IMHI while doing chores around the house...as i said to my buddy Chuck...cry fold cry fold...nothing like IM and laundry...after a carb filled dinner of a giant baked potato it was off to the crepe trailer for our Christmas party...crazy games like dodge ball and stick the lifesavers to your face...it was early to bed

and early to rise for the Decker 20k...yeah that was a challenge...but running with Jeremiah and Vishall was a lot of fun...i was really able to clear my mind of thoughts of the run....those bad ones that creep in sometimes...like this is really hard...and how does one course have so many hills...but conversation kept me on the right track...yeah it was a tough race but i finished strong and was happy over all...nutrition worked well too...i had a gel at 4 and some clif blocks at 8...with a recovery drink after...i liked the carboom even better than the clif gel...it actually tasted like a banana...so that was nice...i think i need to get the luna blocks...the clif ones are just a little too big for me to chew while on the run...i did like them though...i could always cut them up and repackage them...that could work...

plans for the group brunch fell through but j took me out for Indian buffet...totally yum...exactly what i wanted after a hard morning running...and what could be better after a run than an afternoon cooking...made the focaccia (started it on Saturday)recipe from Baking with Julia ...i think it is the best medium intensity focaccia that i have made...i put fresh basil, tomato, Maine sea salt and olive oil on top...it was really good...nice light open crumb...and a chewy crust...the dough was a lot easier to work with than others i have made in the past...i will make it again for sure...then some stuffed cabbage rolls (with modifications of course) for dinner...yeah those were tasty...for some reason they reminded me of my grandmother even though i don't think she ever made them.