On Mondays, I usually run with the Taylor's Titans at the track an McLain HS, but a communication snafu occurred, and the gang had pizza at a location unknown to me. (Kathy owes me pizza for this one!!) So, I regrouped, picked up Dana, and headed over to Lake Yahola for a walk around the lake.
Her arm is still hurting, so running was out of the question, but a brisk walk resulted in a sweattyt-shirt, so I assume I got a little cardio benefit from it.Usually, there are awesome sunsets across the lake. Tonight, the cloud formations were not spectacular, but were picturesque all the same.
Tonight, the lake was busy. 20-25 people were fishing around the 3.25 mile perimeter, and we saw 2 other runners! Leave it to me to find that exciting, but I do.
A view of Tulsa from the far side of the lake.
Today was a day with no plans...no official plans, that is. We had thought about doing a little hiking at Turkey Mountain, but instead, slept in 'til 10:30. We were awakened by the phone...it was Jason asking if we could baby-sit Makenna while he and Jesse went fishing. .jpg)
Now Friday is usually Grand-Baby Day, but we jumped at the opportunity of a double dose of the sweetest little girl in the world! Plus, I got to try out my new camera! Makenna is crawling now at the speed of sound and is into anything within two feet of the floor be it a toy or not. Plus, anything picked up goes directly to her mouth! 
She is enthralled with our cats, and follows them all around the living room, although they always seem to stay just a couple of feet away.
Scooter endures a little "slap-petting".
Sassy is less than enthused with Makenna's excitement.After a few hours or constant running, or crawling I should say, Makenna went down for a nap. It was then that I decided it was time to do the first yard mowing of the year. My back yard had begun to resemble a jungle. 
I thought the grass was only knee deep, but was waist deep in places! Me and my old trusty mower went to work.
After 2 1/2 hours in my back yard, the job was done. Unlike last year, I did not burn up a mower trying to cut 2 foot high grass down to golf course length all in one swoop.
And today, I had my 1/2 acre baled, and all is well.
Last Saturday was the Lake McMurtry 50K. This was the last year for quite a while that I could run it, and although I kind of wanted to volunteer, I also wanted to run it one more time. Next year, Tatur is taking on the huge responsibility of hosting this race, and I have agreed to RD the event. I can only hope to come close to doing as good of job as Earl Blewett has done for the past 10 years.This race has had all extremes of weather. Last year is snowed just before the race and was brrrr cold and muddy. The year before, it was hot....up to 95 degrees and nearly melted me down to the point that I had my 1st DNF. The year before, it was wonderful weather, and the year before it was another mudfest having had rained all the night before.This year, we were treated to high water in the lake which resulted in 16 water crossings for those in the 50K. Tatur Uno and I took the early start so we could be through while there was still food. Secretly, I think Uno likes to have an extra hour or two for carbo(beer)loading after the race. We hit the 1st water crossing about a mile into the race. I looked left and right to see if there was a hope for crossing without wading, but no such luck!
I am no stranger to running with wet feet, but this was only the 1st of 16 crossings. The 3rd water crossing was waist deep, and I nearly baptised myself after stepping in a hole!
In retrospect, a canoe, waders, or a raft would have made this crossing easier!
Uno and I ran steady but slow enough that nearly everyone in the race who started 1 hour or 90 minutes after us was able to catch us and pass our sorry asses! But, Uno was quick to point out that he did not see any of these "faster" runners at the Hogeye Marathon last weekend. (Good point!)Still, we finished in 8:04 or so, just slightly faster than last years time, and we tore up a few hamburgers. On a very sad note, however, no one had brought any beer and Uno had to go without!I got to see a few people finish including my good friend, John Hargrove from Arcadia. We always finish close to the same time in our races, and this time, had I not taken the early start, he would have beaten me by a few minutes.
Here are a couple of other questionable characters hanging out at the race. Oh Captain My Captain (Rob Phillip) poses for yet another silly snapshot! John sits pondering as to where all the cute chicks are. Head Tatur is in deep concentration about how to shed 3 more pounds so he can be under 200 for the first time since 7th grade.
Next year, I will keep the race much the same as it has been for years. I would like to work the "Leap of Doom" back into the course if possible. I will have to get the park officials to give the OK to that as it may involve running through some of the campsite areas. Also, if anyone knows the history of McMurtry, I would like to be enlightened. For who is this lake named? Might make a good mascot for the race maybe?OMG! Look at that white boy jump!!!
It's been 9 days, and still no sign of Ginger. A sadness has settled in my back yard. Rocky and Jake are still mourning. Thank you all for keeping her in your prayers. I am just thankfull that I was able to get Rocky and Jake back.
I'm sorry I have not blogged much lately. Last Wednesday night, all 3 of my dogs got out of the yard and ran away. This has happened before and I have always found them nearby and brought them home. But this night, Jake (the puppy 1.5 years old) wanted to see the world. By the time I got their leashes and ran after them, they were off our street. I wondered if they might have gone to explore Turkey Mountain where I take them running, so I came back home, grabbed my headlamp, and headed out. It was muddy, so I was sure I could spot their tracks and at least tell if they has went that way and which direction they were going. But, I never saw a dog track. After an hour, Dana and I got in both vehicles and drove the neighborhood, and many areas within a 3 mile radius, and then walked for 5 miles on Turkey mountain looking for them, but never found them. At 3:30 am, we finally crashed on the couch and went to sleep. At 7:15 the next morning, my cell phone rang and someone had found two of our dogs. They were 3 miles away, and we rushed over to pick them up. Rocky and Jake were resting in a man's garage, totally wiped out from running all night long. Although they were only 3 miles away, I am sure they had been on the move for 9 hours, as they were so sore they could hardly walk. But, we did not have Ginger.
We have driven a few hundred miles, combing the neighborhoods and nearby suburbs looking for her. I have made 4 trips so far to the county animal shelter. (Amazing how they cannot tell you over the phone if they have picked up a chocolate lab. If they would at least tell me they had picked up a big brown dog that would help....but no, you have to drive down there to look and it so heartbreaking to see all the dogs there, and not find our Ginger!) We have also been to the animal shelter in Sapulpa and Sand Springs. At night, Jake and Rocky just howl and cry. It is so sad to hear them weep for her. Other than an overnight stay at the vet, she has never been away from Rocky since she was a puppy, and never has been away from Jake since he was born. Until now, she has never missed a meal, and has never been away from people who love her.It's been 5 days....
This afternoon, I picked up my nephews from school for a little run with the Tuesday night RunnersWorld group. They live in Skiatook, and don't get to run much with other TATURs except in races.
After letting them stock up at Quik Trip for after school snacks, we went by the store and picked out new trail shoes, which I thought they should have before Lake McMurtry the weekend after next. John opted for the Brooks Cascadia 3s, which I also use on trails.
Jeff chose the Adidas Supernova TR5s, which is also a good tail shoe.
Both shoes are flexible enough to use on pavement or trails, and have enough rugged tread to power through muddy trails, which we have certainly enjoyed lately.
I started our run slowly as I usually do, while the twins motored away with Tatur Dave. I figured he would give them an education!! I ran with Bobby, and then stopped at 2 miles and visited with Roman for 10 minutes or so before heading on north another mile. At mile three, I ran onto John walking. He had let Jeff and Tatur Dave go, and they ended up with 8 miles. John and I turned around at 3 miles out and headed back to 71st street. Tatur Dave and Jeff breezed right by us, and I told John to cut them loose, as their pace would KILL me. John and I ran steady for 1.5 miles with 2 quick stops at the water fountains. But with about 1.3 miles to go, two girls passed us, and John picked up his pace so as not to let them out of his sight. Subsequently, we finished our last mile at what seemed like an 8 minute/mile pace.
So, once again, a mid-week run that started out slow and uneventful ended up in an all out sprint. I am still buzzing!
After another feeding, we took them home. Along the way, we were treated to a spectacular sunset.
Then there was Jared, who lost 245 lbs eating low-fat subs. 
More recently, everyone was glued to their TVs (hopefully not eating Twinkies and pork rinds) watching normal people lose 100+ lbs competing for 1/4 million dollars.
running, and rollerblading!
Her arm is still hurting, so running was out of the question, but a brisk walk resulted in a sweatty
Tonight, the lake was busy. 20-25 people were fishing around the 3.25 mile perimeter, and we saw 2 other runners! Leave it to me to find that exciting, but I do.
A view of Tulsa from the far side of the lake.
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Scooter endures a little "slap-petting".
Sassy is less than enthused with Makenna's excitement.
After 2 1/2 hours in my back yard, the job was done. Unlike last year, I did not burn up a mower trying to cut 2 foot high grass down to golf course length all in one swoop.
And today, I had my 1/2 acre baled, and all is well.
I am no stranger to running with wet feet, but this was only the 1st of 16 crossings. The 3rd water crossing was waist deep, and I nearly baptised myself after stepping in a hole!
In retrospect, a canoe, waders, or a raft would have made this crossing easier!
Uno and I ran steady but slow enough that nearly everyone in the race who started 1 hour or 90 minutes after us was able to catch us and pass our sorry asses! But, Uno was quick to point out that he did not see any of these "faster" runners at the Hogeye Marathon last weekend. (Good point!)
Here are a couple of other questionable characters hanging out at the race. Oh Captain My Captain (Rob Phillip) poses for yet another silly snapshot! John sits pondering as to where all the cute chicks are. Head Tatur is in deep concentration about how to shed 3 more pounds so he can be under 200 for the first time since 7th grade.
We have driven a few hundred miles, combing the neighborhoods and nearby suburbs looking for her. I have made 4 trips so far to the county animal shelter. (Amazing how they cannot tell you over the phone if they have picked up a chocolate lab. If they would at least tell me they had picked up a big brown dog that would help....but no, you have to drive down there to look and it so heartbreaking to see all the dogs there, and not find our Ginger!) We have also been to the animal shelter in Sapulpa and Sand Springs. At night, Jake and Rocky just howl and cry. It is so sad to hear them weep for her. Other than an overnight stay at the vet, she has never been away from Rocky since she was a puppy, and never has been away from Jake since he was born. Until now, she has never missed a meal, and has never been away from people who love her.
Jeff chose the Adidas Supernova TR5s, which is also a good tail shoe.
Both shoes are flexible enough to use on pavement or trails, and have enough rugged tread to power through muddy trails, which we have certainly enjoyed lately. 
