Five thing friday

I bet you thought I wasn't going to make it today? Ha ha. I had to get my 12 mile run in, then meet with the banker, so I - even I - was a little rushed for time today. But I am here to deliver your five things as promised!!

1. Speaking of my run. It was 5°F with a feels like temp of 5° when I started at 9:15am. When I got done at 11:30 it was 11°F with a feels like of 0°! It wasn't really too bad though. Other than... I wore my hydration pack with Tailwind fuel - thinking my body heat would keep it from freezing. It did - other than the hose I drink from was frozen solid!! I tried everything to get it to break free, but finally ended up just taking the vest off, removing the bladder, and holding it upside down to drink out of the giant fill port. So I only drank at miles 4 and 8. I need to figure something out about that. Anyhew, in case you've ever wondered how Electrolyte beverages work... there's a nice simple article here: Electrolyte Beverages Can Help Your Body Stay Balanced - But May Worsen Symptoms If You're Sick. 
2. In case you're unaware (and the only way you could be is if you're DEAD, and even then I'm not sure), a new president took office in the USA this week. Apparently all the maga-christians (not to be confused with real Christians) and other butt-kissers were up in arms because one of the people speaking at the inauguration suggested we all respect one another, be honest with one another, and practice humility - you know, some pretty controversial stuff (not!) - and then had the audacity to ask djt to show a little mercy. I did not watch the inauguration (are you crazy?), but I did enjoy reading the transcript of the Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde's homily: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mnJbCqkqpkMhADCJW6sPVNL-F5BKAkoM7ZMBTklhJNs/edit?pli=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawIAzVdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfKe0RO0zA5etXN--4lnts8Cqvlz1X8wAyC2sLu5Vdf6D89Wq8TaETUymQ_aem_0eh6AcO1vbHEZtwhshkcuA&tab=t.0#heading=h.m1otpqhbf168.
   
3. And, if I'm ever asked to give another sermon... I think I'm going to borrow heavily from Ben Sternke's 'Hope is a Crouched Tiger.' I found his account of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11) some really good news for dark days. It's not a long read, in case I'm never asked to preach again. Hopefully you will enjoy it as much as I did.
4. On a personal note (I don't think I've mentioned this before): I have weaned myself off the 25mg of Sertraline I'd been taking. First I went a week or so of every other day, then skipping two days, and this week I stopped altogether (this was my plan and not my doctors, so I don't recommend it). There was really only one "weird feeling" day. I'd been taking it for anxiety, and I just thought I'd see how it went without it. However, at the beginning of the year I did start taking Rosuvastatin for cholesterol. I was supposed to start taking this last year, but resisted because I'm not super excited about statins as a runner. I did have some muscle issues the first week or so, but I want to see what affect it may have on my upcoming blood test, then I'll decide if I want to keep taking it or not.
5. I'd shared this on FB to little fanfare, but it really is amazing how this simple trick helps me relax: “I know a ridiculous-sounding tip that could make your whole life more satisfying. You might be breathing too high up in your chest. To correct this instantly, pretend you’re breathing through your assh*le.” - Sasha Chapin (50 Things I Know)

 Okay, now you can rest easy for two reasons - you can breathe through your butt, and... the Five Things has been delivered! Go do something this weekend you've only dreamed about up until now... And don't forget to smile now and then.