The Vancouver Olympic Games are now over and in my opinion, this year did not disappoint! Would you agree? I love the Winter Olympics to begin with, remember, I grew up in Minnesota. Hockey, ice skating, snowboarding, yes, even curling, all were apart of my upbringing.
My favorite sport, snowboarding! Maybe it stems from my dreams of being a pro snowboarder, when I was a kid. I bought the board, boots, bindings, and gear. On the first day, I could not even stand on the hill. It was so bad, a friend who was teaching me, just gave up. He said, "I can't even help you." That was the push I needed. The next time, I was carving down the hill.
Problem is, I could never get over my fear of the jumps. Alas, my dreams of Olympic gold were squashed. But, I still love to hit the slopes when I get a chance.
I can't talk about the Winter Games without talking about hockey. I really didn't pay attention to the men's USA team until the final game. But when I did, I remembered why I love hockey so much. It's probably the most dramatic sport. I went to a high school where hockey was THE sport. When I watch the olympic games, it reminds me of when my entire school would cheer on our team during the state tournament. Fun!
I love the warm weather of Louisiana, but it's times like this that I miss hitting the ice or the slopes for some winter weather fun....
Monday, March 1, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Love this weather!
Is anyone else loving this weather as much as I do?
I'm a midwest girl at heart, so any time the temperatures dip, I'm outside. Couple that with the sunshine, and I'm a happy girl!
This is perfect running weather. Time to start training for my next half marathon. It's in June, so I have plenty of time, but training on the treadmill is NOT fun!
Knowing Louisiana, this is all going to change, it's going to get hot quickly. Then, it's back to the gym treadmill.
I'm a midwest girl at heart, so any time the temperatures dip, I'm outside. Couple that with the sunshine, and I'm a happy girl!
This is perfect running weather. Time to start training for my next half marathon. It's in June, so I have plenty of time, but training on the treadmill is NOT fun!
Knowing Louisiana, this is all going to change, it's going to get hot quickly. Then, it's back to the gym treadmill.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Best Tradition Ever!
I had the privilege of following the Bourgeois family as they built their Christmas Eve levee bonfire. This tradition is by far, the neatest thing I've ever seen.
Dozens of fires are lit along the levee on Christmas Eve and people in the area open up their homes to visitors. Basically, all the jambalaya, pastalaya, and gumbo you can eat.
The Bourgeois' have one of the most impressive bonfires, in my opinion. It's 20 feet high and covered in cane reed and firecrackers. The kids light it with roman candles and it is a sight that any description I try to give you, won't do it justice.
Building this bonfires isn't an easy task, especially this year. Thanks to the rain, family members had to trudge through waist deep water to cut down the trees. Rain also kept everyone from building the entire structure in one day. It really is an undertaking. They were out there three separate times.
If you ever have the chance to head down there on Christmas Eve. I would. I followed Bo Billy Bourgeois through the entire process. Towards the end of the night he told me once people see it, they come back. I'd have to agree.
Dozens of fires are lit along the levee on Christmas Eve and people in the area open up their homes to visitors. Basically, all the jambalaya, pastalaya, and gumbo you can eat.
The Bourgeois' have one of the most impressive bonfires, in my opinion. It's 20 feet high and covered in cane reed and firecrackers. The kids light it with roman candles and it is a sight that any description I try to give you, won't do it justice.
Building this bonfires isn't an easy task, especially this year. Thanks to the rain, family members had to trudge through waist deep water to cut down the trees. Rain also kept everyone from building the entire structure in one day. It really is an undertaking. They were out there three separate times.
If you ever have the chance to head down there on Christmas Eve. I would. I followed Bo Billy Bourgeois through the entire process. Towards the end of the night he told me once people see it, they come back. I'd have to agree.
Monday, December 7, 2009
That was a cold run!
Ran my first Louisiana half marathon this past weekend.
It can be summed up in one word....COLD!!!!
I'm from Minnesota and I've never run a race in 30 degree temperatures. There is just something about Louisiana, where it feels colder than it actually is. It must be the humidity.
Emily Turner and I finished in the expected time, two hours, 9 minutes, 20 seconds. I'm so proud of "Turner Time." That was her first half marathon, and she did great.
In fact, she ran better than I did. We probably could have finished earlier if we went at her pace, but my old bones started to ache, and I got a cramp in the last few miles. I do wish they had more water stations available in the last half, but maybe that's something the organizers will consider next year.
Emily's already talking about doing the Mardi Gras halfer, I can't commit until my knees stop hurting.
It can be summed up in one word....COLD!!!!
I'm from Minnesota and I've never run a race in 30 degree temperatures. There is just something about Louisiana, where it feels colder than it actually is. It must be the humidity.
Emily Turner and I finished in the expected time, two hours, 9 minutes, 20 seconds. I'm so proud of "Turner Time." That was her first half marathon, and she did great.
In fact, she ran better than I did. We probably could have finished earlier if we went at her pace, but my old bones started to ache, and I got a cramp in the last few miles. I do wish they had more water stations available in the last half, but maybe that's something the organizers will consider next year.
Emily's already talking about doing the Mardi Gras halfer, I can't commit until my knees stop hurting.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Did you see the storm?
That was quite a storm last night.
We all know that it rains all the time here in Louisiana. The only reason why I feel the need to comment on the storm is because it woke me up.
I am a heavy sleeper and never, ever, ever, wake up during thunderstorms. When I lived in MN, even if it was a tornado watch/warning situation, I still wouldn't wake up.
All that lightning had me pretty nervous, so I dragged myself out of bed and had to unplug all the electronics. Storms earlier this year, put my cable and internet on the fritz and that can't happen again.
The good news...the weather is about to take a turn for the better. Finally fall!!
We all know that it rains all the time here in Louisiana. The only reason why I feel the need to comment on the storm is because it woke me up.
I am a heavy sleeper and never, ever, ever, wake up during thunderstorms. When I lived in MN, even if it was a tornado watch/warning situation, I still wouldn't wake up.
All that lightning had me pretty nervous, so I dragged myself out of bed and had to unplug all the electronics. Storms earlier this year, put my cable and internet on the fritz and that can't happen again.
The good news...the weather is about to take a turn for the better. Finally fall!!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Successful 10 miler
I ran a ten mile race this past weekend in Minnesota. The race went wonderfully!
Trust me, it is difficult to wake up at 4 a.m. and prepare to run for an hour and a half. Sometimes I wonder why I do it. It seems crazy right? Why pay around $50 to run, when you can do that for free at home? I will say, it does give you a big sense of accomplishment.
Trust me, there are times when I want to quit during each run. In this race, mile 5-6 were awful! I kept weighing my options about dropping out, knowing I wouldn't, but I definitely thought about walking. I pushed passed it, and the rest of the race was smooth sailing.
I finished in 1:38:42. It was actually about a minute or so faster than I expected. I usually am a consistent 10 minute miler. The next race, is in December here in Baton Rouge. I'm gonna push for a faster time, but we'll see it is 13.1 miles.
Trust me, it is difficult to wake up at 4 a.m. and prepare to run for an hour and a half. Sometimes I wonder why I do it. It seems crazy right? Why pay around $50 to run, when you can do that for free at home? I will say, it does give you a big sense of accomplishment.
Trust me, there are times when I want to quit during each run. In this race, mile 5-6 were awful! I kept weighing my options about dropping out, knowing I wouldn't, but I definitely thought about walking. I pushed passed it, and the rest of the race was smooth sailing.
I finished in 1:38:42. It was actually about a minute or so faster than I expected. I usually am a consistent 10 minute miler. The next race, is in December here in Baton Rouge. I'm gonna push for a faster time, but we'll see it is 13.1 miles.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Sitting this one out
Tomorrow is the first LSU home football game of the season. I'm sorry to say, I am sitting this one out.
As much as I love college football, I don't enjoy sitting in pouring rain all day. Our morning meteorologist said we could get a couple inches of rain tomorrow.
When my colleagues were talking about tailgating this morning in the newsroom, I did have a moments hesitation about my decision, but I think I'm going to opt for staying indoors.
Here's why, whatever football game I go to this season will be my first LSU game experience. So, I want it to be a good one. Funny how I've lived here a couple of years and haven't donned my purple and gold at a Death Valley.
I'm waiting for sunny skies so I can take in all the fun and food without having to wear rain gear.
As much as I love college football, I don't enjoy sitting in pouring rain all day. Our morning meteorologist said we could get a couple inches of rain tomorrow.
When my colleagues were talking about tailgating this morning in the newsroom, I did have a moments hesitation about my decision, but I think I'm going to opt for staying indoors.
Here's why, whatever football game I go to this season will be my first LSU game experience. So, I want it to be a good one. Funny how I've lived here a couple of years and haven't donned my purple and gold at a Death Valley.
I'm waiting for sunny skies so I can take in all the fun and food without having to wear rain gear.
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