Today's post is brought to you by the number 11, and the letter C:
... C, of course, stands for hand cream.
Why isn't this post being brought to you by the letter H, you ask? Don't be ridiculous. That wouldn't make a lick of sense. I don't even know why I bother writing for you people ... oh wait, I hardly ever do. Ha!
... Ha?
... see, that's funny (or not funny), because it's true. But sadly enough, today the Jennie has been felled by some sort of evil stomach bug, and it out of blogging (and Julbord-ing) commission. So you're stuck with me. Plus, I admire this whole every day kick she's started, and the response that many of you (or even just some of you) actually enjoy hearing about what we're doing on a regular basis, and feel closer to us for it, even if that stuff is repetitive and not the kind of thrilling things I usually reserve getting myself into action to write aboot. In any case, where was I?
Yes, right. In tragic fashion, after she had arranged a lovely Julbord (Swedish Christmas buffet) gathering with friends weeks ago, and had then also planned a variety of athletic pursuits in the three hours leading up to the feasting in order to enhance our appreciation of the meal, Jennie took ill. She did make it out to concert last night with Hasse and Elja and me, which was great fun - Veronica Maggio, Svenska pop artiste:
Veronica: typical, plain-looking Swedish person
... but this morning she was not up for much of anything, and especially not sampling a dozen different kinds of herring fishes. You know it must be pretty bad when Jennie's stomach goes off, because that thing is made of cast iron. She could eat a beehive and not break a sweat.
"Fredagsmys" a la Jennie
In fact, she was sick enough that I felt it was probably a good idea for me to stay reasonably close to home and make sure my lady was okay (it looks like she is). But this meant my plan of running the ~28km to Högbobruk and Julbord was also canned, which was unfortunate as I was excited about a point to point run for a change. It used to be that I could only get excited for long runs if they were big loops, or one long out and back; these days, I have grown used to loops upon loops. But really, I am used to the loops upon loops enough that I wasn't exactly put out by the change in the day's plans. Hemlingby is never a drag to run at, especially when the day looks like this!
For the record, these days the hours for enjoying daylight are between 9.00 and 14.30 ... or a little less, as those times are for sunrise and sunset. There ain't much of it - that there is the sun at it's zenith, just above the tress, circa 11.00 or so. So nice to see it!
We had some snow last week ... and then we had some rain ... and some temperatures up around plus four ... and then today it was back down below freezing again. This mean ice, as you can see from my perspective shot taken at the world's strongest man workout center at the Hemlingby trail head. After school on Friday I had gone out for a quick jaunt before our staff party started, and I had made it about two hundred meters from our building when I began to lament not having some sort of awesome, amazing Swedish winter running shoes that laugh at sheer ice surfaces the way Jennie's stomach laughs at hornet's nests.
Oh wait! I do have those. Why I didn't wear them on Friday I have no idea. I did not make that mistake again today. I can't remember if I talked about my Icebugs last year or not - but I figure if I can't remember, then probably you can't either. These are them.
The box says: "Developed and tested in Sweden; Fit to go Anywhere". They are not messing around.
... Ha?
... see, that's funny (or not funny), because it's true. But sadly enough, today the Jennie has been felled by some sort of evil stomach bug, and it out of blogging (and Julbord-ing) commission. So you're stuck with me. Plus, I admire this whole every day kick she's started, and the response that many of you (or even just some of you) actually enjoy hearing about what we're doing on a regular basis, and feel closer to us for it, even if that stuff is repetitive and not the kind of thrilling things I usually reserve getting myself into action to write aboot. In any case, where was I?
Yes, right. In tragic fashion, after she had arranged a lovely Julbord (Swedish Christmas buffet) gathering with friends weeks ago, and had then also planned a variety of athletic pursuits in the three hours leading up to the feasting in order to enhance our appreciation of the meal, Jennie took ill. She did make it out to concert last night with Hasse and Elja and me, which was great fun - Veronica Maggio, Svenska pop artiste:
... but this morning she was not up for much of anything, and especially not sampling a dozen different kinds of herring fishes. You know it must be pretty bad when Jennie's stomach goes off, because that thing is made of cast iron. She could eat a beehive and not break a sweat.
In fact, she was sick enough that I felt it was probably a good idea for me to stay reasonably close to home and make sure my lady was okay (it looks like she is). But this meant my plan of running the ~28km to Högbobruk and Julbord was also canned, which was unfortunate as I was excited about a point to point run for a change. It used to be that I could only get excited for long runs if they were big loops, or one long out and back; these days, I have grown used to loops upon loops. But really, I am used to the loops upon loops enough that I wasn't exactly put out by the change in the day's plans. Hemlingby is never a drag to run at, especially when the day looks like this!
For the record, these days the hours for enjoying daylight are between 9.00 and 14.30 ... or a little less, as those times are for sunrise and sunset. There ain't much of it - that there is the sun at it's zenith, just above the tress, circa 11.00 or so. So nice to see it!
We had some snow last week ... and then we had some rain ... and some temperatures up around plus four ... and then today it was back down below freezing again. This mean ice, as you can see from my perspective shot taken at the world's strongest man workout center at the Hemlingby trail head. After school on Friday I had gone out for a quick jaunt before our staff party started, and I had made it about two hundred meters from our building when I began to lament not having some sort of awesome, amazing Swedish winter running shoes that laugh at sheer ice surfaces the way Jennie's stomach laughs at hornet's nests.
Oh wait! I do have those. Why I didn't wear them on Friday I have no idea. I did not make that mistake again today. I can't remember if I talked about my Icebugs last year or not - but I figure if I can't remember, then probably you can't either. These are them.
The box says: "Developed and tested in Sweden; Fit to go Anywhere". They are not messing around.
my shoe model
seventeen carbide steel (steel carbide?) teeths per shoe
Yes: as with most Swedish-designed things, Icebugs means business. Yes, they stick to anything. Yes, they are also pretty performance-oriented running shoes. Yes, I think even with the spikes they are lighter than either of my summer shoe models, the La Sportiva Wildcat or my beloved Montrail Fairhavens. Yes. They are light, waterproof, fast, expensive, but worth it, winter shoes. I love 'em. The lack of suspension which keeps them light takes a little getting used to (my feet are feeling sore tonight) but considering I cranked out a pretty quick (for me) 18 km in them, and that takes me over 90 km for the week - an all outdoor, subzero, pitch-black-and-snowing-and/or-raining-kilometers-besides-today-kind-of-week - sore isn't entirely unexpected.
sunlight through the frost on the wild Christmas trees
I am currently in the top five people on the waiting list to try my hand at this race in April - the 80km, not the 160 - and I am super pumped. I had been deeply disappointed when the race had sold out in less than two days and I had missed getting in outright, but the organizers have said that in past years everyone on the waiting list has gotten the chance to run it, and hey, I'm in the top five, so that seems promising. I get a little giddy just thinking about the possibility of running 80km in one go; it sure keeps me excited to rack up some serious miles through the winter.
It's also amazing how things like wet and cold and dark don't actually matter so much any more ... so long as I can get myself started, I'm good. If it means telling myself I can stop after six km, that's okay. If it means telling myself I can grab a burger (or ten) at Max on the way home, that's also okay ... I honestly give myself permission, but after a few km of running I don't want to follow through with those plans any more. I just pit stop every lap, grab some banana or kanellbulle and slurp some Nuun, and I'm off again. I really like to run. And I'm really excited that I can put in three 20km runs on school nights and still come home functional, ready to mark and plan and launder and all of that other good stuff.
the festive horse-drawn wagon that does loops for families at Hemlingby - it's pretty heartwarming and sweet
And even though Julbord will have to wait for another time this Jul season, I still got to finish off my run with my favourite meal on earth; bacon and eggs with toast.
Today's toasts were topped by hjortronsylt (cloudberry jam) and local honey. Throw in some coffee and juice, and you've got it made. So delicious.
Anyhoo, we'll see if Jennie is back up and functioning tomorrow. And then Tuesday is Lucia, which is a pretty cool event over here. You know a day is big when it gets its own bulle.
Take care all! In all seriousness, I'll try and talk with you again soon.
- Richard.
2 comments:
good job Richard
Oh Jennie, I was certainly jealous of you with that julbord, but did not wish this stomach bug on you. Hope you recover quickly and are able to enjoy the festivities again soon.
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