Well, the first Grasshopper race is this weekend.  It is earlier than usual this year, and has caught me off-guard.  I’m never in too good of shape for this race, but this year is worse than usual.  I was telling Claire this morning on the way into the shop that I thought it was better than to be totally out of shape for a race like this instead of being just a little out of shape.  In years past I have made the mistake of thinking I was in better shape and falling apart by the time I reached Willow Creek.  I would get caught up with the “racing” at the front, and then by the time my body figured out what was going on, I would be in way over my head.  This year I plan on taking it easy for at least the first half of the race, and then hopefully have something left for the final climb up Willow Creek.   The conditions should be ideal.  I am a little bummed that the weather report does not predict heavy rain.  As A1 and I agree, the first Grasshopper should take place in pouring rain.  It should be quite sloppy on Old Caz though.  I am looking forward to that off camber corner towards the bottom that always has about 8 inches of mud to sink into.

Yesterday I went out and ran for EXACTLY 5 miles while Claire walked.  That is the thing about having a Garmin GPS on your wrist.  Here is a link to the loop. 

When we got home I put some sourdough bread and pizza dough together.  Claire put feta cheese and some other tasty stuff on it, including anchovies.

Oh, yea, on Saturday night W, C, and S are coming over for dinner.  W and I will be opening our first bottle of homebrew.  It is a “potentially dangerous” IPA.  We also have a lager in the basement right now bubbling away.