Was a typical December day in Seattle…
Started off with an 8 mile run with Karen and her cousin Kevin along Lake Washington from Leschi toward Seward Park and back. Was nice to have someone along for the run (Kevin) who was repeatedly talking about how beautiful the run was (describing as “a true runner’s moment”, “noone who lives along the run has an excuse for not being healthy”, etc). From my point of view, I was just happy to have the run finished — only 5-6 weeks until the Carlsbad Half Marathon — wonder if I’ll be in Carlsbad on January 16, 2005? 🙂
After that, I pretty much just found shelter in the house.
I finally got through the last 40-50 pages of Theodore Rex , the second in a 3-part biography series by Edmund Morris, that covered the two terms of his presidency from 1901 (succeeding the murdered McKinley) to 1909 (refusing to run for a second elected term, allowing Taft to continue the Republican stranglehold). It was really an interesting book for me, since I knew so little about his presidency — he accomplished so much in eight years (Panama Canal, many Conservation initiatives, Trust reform vs. railroads and many others, 8-hour workday laws, employer liability laws, helping end the Russo/Japan war). Makes me interested in reading all of the presidential biographies, mainly as a way to learn about how our country got to where it is now.
Of course, it was much slower reading than what I’m used to (aka fiction). I’m really looking forward to reading Winterdance , which was recommended by Laura. Some light reading about the running of the Iditarod.