Save yourself $10 or more

To all fellow procrastinators out there, all you folks who intend to run the NC Marathon or half but haven't actually gotten around to registering: April 2 is the first date that the entry fee jumps up. So jump from here to http://www.ncmarathon.org or http://www.active.com and sign up. You'll save yourself the higher fee and make friends for yourself here at race headquarters, where we'll be able to plan better for food, amenities and other good stuff because we'll have a good idea of numbers.

Then, when you're feeling good about taking care of a task and saving a little money, you can go finish up those tax forms you've been avoiding. The clock keeps ticking.

Stalling, Part 2

Let's see. It's 15 degrees out there this morning. I just walked my older dog, who slid like crazy on the patches where yesterday's melting snow is now slippery ice. Like the county school system, my Tuesday running partner called off on account of the cold and ice. But I haven't run since Saturday, the sun is up, and I've been in this house for days it seems.

    It's scary how quickly I've lost my tough Ohio blood. A day like this would have been routine in Wooster with Pam, Patrice, and Beverly. We'd be grateful there was sun instead of gray skies, grateful that the wind isn't howling. I'd still be scared of the ice patches, but I'd force myself to be brave and try to keep up with them so I wouldn't miss any of the conversation.

   OK, here I go. Dena just inspired me -- if she can venture out, all the way up there in Madison (I think that's where she lives -- a far piece from Greensboro), I can go. I'll dig around to find my winter-weight tights that haven't seen much action in North Carolina, pull on my heavier mittens.

   It's weird to think that in two short months, the NC Marathon will be here, and it could be a hot day. There, that's a thought to ponder as I head out the door. Be careful out there!