The Rundown.

First of all, meet Sariah. She was my faithful race participant here in Korea. Between the two of us, we have 8 kids. It's a very small world when you move half-way around it, only to be sitting in church one Sunday when you meet another mom sitting there with her 4 kids including a set of twins, and incidentally she runs marathons too! Coincidental? I think not. So, as soon as Sariah got wind of O.W.R.D. (thanks mom, for the acronym), she was signed up, and my biggest supporter. We would pass each other on windy and cold Saturday mornings. Wave to one another around base in our running gear. And exchange emails back and forth about race morning plans and routes. And the best part?! When I said the race should start at 9:30 Saturday morning, but was showing up closer to 9:45 with my four kids in toe, she was arriving at THE EXACT SAME MOMENT with her four kids in toe. In other words, we are on the same page! Thanks for making it an event Sariah. I owe you. And since the Fisher house was plagued by a nasty flu/clod that swept through for the past ten days, she had only a 6.5 mile run under her belt as her longest run. She was only planning on going 9 on the big race day, but given the ideal conditions, the adrenaline and the fans, who could resist it, she ended up whipping out 11 hardy miles. So yay for Sariah. And I've already told her I'll come back out when it's her official 1/2 marathon race day.

As anticipated, when I woke up on Sunday morning my inbox was full of photos from friends literally all around the world(well, mostly around the US, but that's cool too). Meet some of the other race participants:

Team GERMANY:

My dad! My dad is the original Zackrison family runner. He ran his first marathon at age 40, and admittedly had no idea what he was creating at the time. He now has a family full of marathon runners. Like any die hard runner entering his "more mature" years, he has knee problems. He recently had surgery and certainly would have been pounding the pavement as only he can, were he not being a conscientious patient. So for O.W.R.D. he biked to his gym in Frankfurt, and endured additional cardio than he would have otherwise. I love you dad. I run for you!

Team PASADENA:


Rachel was my original source of inspiration for O.W.R.D. I'm still sorry that my participation didn't take place in Pasadena as it should have. But what can you do when you live in Korea. Look what Rachel and Zack found along their race course....

The best part, she titled the picture "Race day Korea love". Korea sends love right back at you! Wish we weren't five million miles apart. But thanks for giving me a reason to be a race organizer. It was a lovely event.


Team SANTA ROSA:

Sara B. (even though she should be Sara H., she'll forever be Sara B. to me). Sara ran a 8 or 9K and thanked ME for the opportunity. I've known her since we were 13 and SHE still makes me laugh as though I am a 13-year-old girl. I miss her and love her for running in O.W.R.D


Team MARYLAND:

Jana apologized for only being able to dedicate 2 miles on her treadmill to the event. But in my opinion she gets bonus points for being my longest friend, with whom I am still in contact. We were best friends in Elementary School! My heart broke into a million little pieces when I left MD and moved to LA because I had to leave Jana behind. And here we are almost 20 years later still friends!! I accept her 2 mile offering as one most dear. Thank you Jana and Ella her 5-year-old daughter, with whom I share a birthday, who acted as photographer.


Team DENVER:

Kathryn, another friend from junior high who gets to call my favorite state HOME. She and her friend Keri were inspired by the cause to run a full 10K, their longest running distance to date (I'm sure that is about to change!). Additionally, they taught two of their other friends (Erica and Shanna) to swim as their contribution. And EVEN got her husband Todd to agree to contributing his treadmill miles! Thank you Kathryn and company for the love and support. I am most impressed!!

Team MONTEREY:
Samantha is my friend who has lived in the same place as us for the birth of three of our four children. I don't know if I have any other friend who can make the same claim? Considering those births took place in Germany and Utah, that's unique. And she quite possibly ran the 13 miles that I am the most jealous of, since they were coastal miles. Way to go Samantha who will be running her first marathon in less than a month. I'm proud to have you not only as a friend, but a RUNNING friend!

Team ARIZONA:


Amber 14 weeks ago gave birth to her second set of twins, which means that she is now the mother of six. Yes, that's right, six children! She is my sister in law and dearest friend. Could there be a more triumphant finish line photo? She gives me some of the credit for her being a runner. You should read her post on her blog about it. Needless to say I'm in tears over it. We will race together again. I'm so glad to see you back in running action. I love you Amber!


Team NORTHERN CALIFORNIA:


Liz is my original running friend. I was living with her in college when she decided to run her first marathon. I used to watch her set off in the early morning hours wondering what in the world propelled her out the door. I wonder no longer, and only regret that I didn't join her sooner. She had a baby six months ago who went through open-heart surgery when he was 2 weeks old. I admire her physical, emotional, spiritual and mental strength to no end. She is my go-to-girl if there is anything I need back in the States. And she totally wins the prize for the cutest race day t-shirt. I'm terribly jealous that I didn't think of it myself!

Team SAVANNAH:

Eliza, my roommate freshmen year in college! Even though she has a 2-year-old and is in her second trimester of pregnancy, she STILL participated in O.W.R.D!! What more needs to be said about Eliza?! She is one of the most capable people I have ever had the privilege of knowing.


Team COLORADO SPRINGS!:


Kim moved to Colorado Springs the exact same time as us. She conveniently had kids matching up in age with mine, and the Newtons totally made our time in Colorado Springs that much more memorable. But the entire time I knew her, she never ONCE expressed interest in running. She was an amazingly supportive friend through all of my running endeavors, but I didn't ever suspect that she was moved by my running feats. Who would have guessed that World Race Day would be just what she needed to join the running world? She offered her original 5K and even got 12-year old son Jake to participate. They definitely win extra credit points for the snow in the background! (Kim, were your miles run outside?) Thank you Kim and Jake!



Laura, another Colorado Springs friend. Nothing gives me more pleasure than seeing non-running friends turn into running friends. Laura started running only about a year ago and will likely remain a runner for the rest of her life. Thanks for participating Laura!!

My friend Lori ran!! Lori is by her own admission un-athletic. What I love most about her participation is that it validates my claim that ANYONE can run. I'm so glad you participated Lori. And 3.1 miles is impressive. I hope it won't be your last race. Let's do one together when I get back.

And the best part about Lori participating was that it got Evan inspired as well. I'm all about bringing the younger generation along too. Evan ran for Henry, and Henry was totally smiling about that. Thanks Evan! I hope it was fun.


Team VIRGINIA:



My brother Steve and his cute wife Ie Li. With Mei Li and baby Stephen in toe, they are dedicated Zackrison family runners. They will be completing their own half-marathon later in the spring, but are always willing to rise up in support of a family event. Thanks for the moral support guys, and for ever encouraging me to love life in Korea!

And then finally, there is me:

I run for so many reasons.

I run for my girls. So that they will grow up strong and empowered.

I run for my son George that he will grow up knowing he was loved and watched over by his mother. And that if there is anything he wants to do, he should dream to do it. Because I tell him "Earnests don't give up." And I hope with all my running that he sees I really mean it.

I run for my Henry. He is ever faithful and good. I run to show him a little bit about the joy and the beauty in life. The world is gorgeous and it's for our enjoyment. I try to get him out there as much as possible so that he can see that for himself.


Oh yeah, and I run for Peanut M&Ms.

And I guess I run to feel empowered. And to remember that Earnests don't give up. And to remember that I can do anything I can dream of. And to remember that the world is a beautiful place. And to feel LOVED. And with all of your participation in our inaugural Official World Race Day, I totally feel the love. And I mean that most sincerely. God in all His glory has placed some of the most amazing people strategically throughout my life. That I have so many people to be inspired by and to admire is the blessing for which I can never fully express adequate appreciation.

Thank you all! On to the next race.


P.S. Due to a bit of technical difficulty, the official race clock is questionably accurate. But I'm basically sure that I ran my 1/2 marathon in about 1 hour 47 minutes. I'm pleased. I was aiming for 1 hour and 45 minutes. But what's the fun in achieving your goal on your first try? If you do, maybe you didn't set the bar high enough? Now I have a reason to come back and try harder next time.

P.P.S You can watch a little 1-minute video that Sariah's husband Adam posted to their blog. Just follow this linkity-link...

Happy Official World Race Day!!

We totally did it!! Detailed telling of the story to follow as soon as I collect more pictures from participants here and around the world.

It was a great day.

(Not only did I run a race, but I ate peanut m&ms and got to go out on a date with my boyfriend.)

A weather report.

The weather.com report for Saturday says: AM showers, with a high of 43 degrees. I think I will disregard the AM showers part of that report, and just be grateful that it will not be 23 degrees as it was that one time when I was running on a Saturday.



Saturday is the big day! Where has the time gone? Saturday is already December 13th?! And while my sister and brother are probably preparing right now to travel to LA, I simply strapped on my running shoes for a small sprint around Osan Air Base this morning. I didn't want to run too long, but wanted to make sure I am staying loose. So I decided to do a short three mile run around town before it was time to pick the girls up from school. I had my run end at their school and thought they would enjoy walking home with me. Especially if I let them take the short cut which involves stairs, since we wouldn't have the stroller with us.


Sometimes I'm just really wrong about what will get my ladies all excited. Ruby cried the entire walk home, and kept asking me why we couldn't just take a taxi. I'll have you know that it's maybe a third of a mile to get from their school to our house. That's how wimpy Ruby was today.



But for the three miles before I picked up the girls, I felt happy and carefree. And as I ran along I kept thinking of all my friends who said they would run with me on Saturday. (I hope you are all still planning on it. You are propelling me along!) And sometimes while I've been on my long runs, I've tried to remember every single person who said they would be running too, and visualize the last time I saw them and what we said to each other or what we did. And then I tried to imagine what life would be like if all of those friends were my neighbors.



And man, that would be dreamy.



So then I realize that is definitely asking for too much, but a World Race Day, that's definitely not asking too much of anyone. My friends Kim and Lori, they aren't even runners, but they are actually going to run with my on Saturday! So miles 1-3 are dedicated to you girls, and for your friendship and support!!



I hope Saturday proves to be a lovely day for our inaugural World Race Day event. I can't wait to wake up on Sunday morning to an inbox full of pictures of all my friends, (but of course not from brother-in-law Taylor, who said, and I quote, "count me--OUT") out there running for the cause of friendship. Love to you all already.



In other news, all of our Christmas packages got mailed. And for the sake of a family record, that was an event worth recording. And then the day AFTER all our packages got mailed, I remembered that I was going to sew some contributions for our silent auction at MOPS, so I kept the sewing machine out for one.more.night and sewed these little lovelies up:

Now that the sewing machine is put away, and the race has almost come and gone, I guess it leaves time for only one last Christmas activity, BAKING!

(Sometimes I calling Dec. 13th liberation day.)

Keep your fingers crossed for good weather on Saturday. But rain or shine, I will start baking that afternoon! What should I make first?

'Tis the Season.

Jane came home from school today and wanted a new hairdo. She went to the hair accessory drawer and came back with a handful of items. Rather than tell her how crazy she was, I just decided to place them all in her hair for her.






Looks like I made her day...



Which prompted Ruby to want to take a picture of me and Jane together.



But I was still just feeling happy that we even made it to school today! We were running VERY late this morning. So late that when my alarm went off at 7am, our house was as quiet as it is in the middle of the night. I couldn't understand it. I thought perhaps Darin and I had missed daylight savings or something, because it was really dark too. So I hit snooze (I know that this is very hard for you to believe Liz!), and thought I'd figure out the time mystery after 7 more minutes of sleep.

When my alarm went of 7 minutes later and still the house was so quiet, I was completely intrigued, so I climbed out of bed to investigate. I found all four of my children sweetly slumbering in their warm beds. Apparently it was not daylight savings day. It was simply a cold and dark, rainy morning.

You know how I hate the morning?! Do you remember how I think waking up is almost the worst part of the whole day?

When I saw everyone asleep, I simply couldn't stir a single one of them. I quietly as a mouse sat down at my computer and thought I'd check my email and that surely at any moment they would all come and find me in the dark office.

But minutes passed by. And I kept checking my clock wondering what I should do. It was 8am before any of them stumbled out of bed. School starts at 8am. And the girls are supposed to be at school at 8:30.

As I was putting the boys to bed tonight Darin over heard me telling them that I wouldn't let them sleep in again. And he said something like "Oh, did your alarm not go off again this morning?" And I said, "Oh no, it went off, but the children didn't wake up." And he said something like, "But you were awake?" And I said, "Yes, of course I woke up in time." And he said, "Well then, why didn't you wake them up?!"

He simply couldn't understand why I didn't wake them up. I tried to explain that it had been a late night for them and that if they were ALL sleeping in that long, it really must have meant that they were tired. And if there is anything in this life that I am sympathetic to, it is a tired soul. He totally laughed at me. He thought I was joking. But the funniest thing is, I wasn't joking at all, and until we had this conversation I thought I had mothered excellently this morning by letting all of my tired children sleep in just a little bit longer. Apparently I am wrong.

I'm really going to suck at waking kids up. I can see this now. It's never been a problem yet. Up until this point we have lived a life with kids who act as our alarm clock. We are going to be in serious trouble if I'm the one who is supposed to get us all going in the dark, cold, early mornings of winter!

But after I got everyone off to school LATE, I came back home to get things sorted out. Somewhere around Halloween time I thought it would be terribly quaint to hand make an enormous amount of Christmas presents this year. And so me and my sewing machine have been having some late nights together. When I got back home I decided that I should shake the schedule up and rather than sew late at night, try it early in the morning. I had my projects still out from the night before and I was in a quiet house all alone. I blasted my "Mary's Lullaby Christmas" CD (thanks Wiley's for my new favorite Christmas music!!), and for some reason every song sounded like the most beautiful song I had ever heard. I was sewing and crying simultaneously. And they were not tears of sorrow at all. Only tears of overwhelming joy and love. I think I was overflowing love for the peace and quiet in my house at 9am. That is a rare moment. And then I was overflowing love for all the people for whom I have been sewing. And then all the words of the songs about the birth and life of our Savior were simply overwhelming.

And it was ironic because just yesterday I was kind of feeling sorry for myself that I wasn't living in America (I know, it's a shocking confession for me to make on the blog. I know I had you all fooled into thinking I had adopted Korea as my homeland...). But I had been, feeling sorry for myself that is. There is just something about Christmas that while we get a lot of it wrong in the consumerism, at least we know how to celebrate it, and I was feeling like we're missing out.

But then this morning, in my house with my music, I got to realize again that the joy and magic are produced in the most simple ways. Music, a warm house, a beautiful fresh Christmas tree scent, being together, and my children and Darin who make it all worth it.

Good night.

Holiday Weekend Edition.

Thanksgiving was lovely. We had a glorious time cooking and ushering in the warmth and glow of the collective Holiday season that is now upon us. We brined a 20 pound Turkey over night, which produced succulent meat indeed. We cooked stuffing, and sweet potatoes, gravy, and pies. We had a house full of guests. It was lots of time together in the kitchen and at home as a family and with friends. Just as a holiday should be. And naturally, the only picture we have to show from it, is the one I took of the stuffing as I was posting the recipe to In Our Mix. Go figure.



The day after Thanksgiving while I was dreaming of my people back in the States doing Black Friday shopping, I took a bit of consolation in a Skyped phone call with my mother in Egypt while we cyber shopped together. It was a lovely way to spend two hours. Let's do it again next year mom!



But we did get to carry out one favorite after-Thanksgiving tradition as the Boys Scouts on base spared us the agony of a fake Christmas tree by importing 90 fresh trees from Oregon. We headed over to their sale Friday morning, and walked ourselves home a mini version of Christmas delight. Friday night was once again spent ushering in the joys of the new season.


(Is it okay that we don't require pants while decorating for Christmas?!)

Saturday I braved an incredible face wind (sort of like a head wind, only this one describes the situation when the wind blows directly and primarily in your face) and a rain/snow combo to complete my 10-mile run as promised. My foot went along with the program, and I am indebted to it indeed. I really wanted to run, so I'm glad my foot didn't stop me. But I was also really glad when it was over and I was back inside.

But the children needed an outing and it was a day ending in 9 (as in Nov. 29th), which meant right outside of the gates it was a "Market Day". The girls and I have gone several times, but the boys had never come with us. We ventured out into the cold to see what kind of Korean delights we might stumble across.

George scored this hat. Major Earnest is not entirely convinced that it was a good purchase. He is our ever vigilant fashion police, and this one barely scraped by.

But the girls' strawberry hats and scarves were completely endorsed and even bargained for by their loving father. When I walked up to the table and saw them, I knew I really wanted to buy them, but I said to Major Earnest I just wasn't sure I had enough fight in me to get them for a reasonable price. He just said to me, "How much do you want them for? I'm in the mood for a fight." And he totally got us a bargain indeed. (At which point I totally got a crush on him all over again.)

Of course, I think we are much stronger bargainers when we have our token blondes with us.

The next set of pictures we like to call: "Where Did Baby Jesus Go?"

So, as we brace ourselves for the realities of a Monday morning, we will treasure the time we were able to spend together for Thanksgiving. And as I may at times express a lack of enthusiasm for Korea, don't ever misunderstand that I am infinitely grateful to be together with Major Earnest and all of our children in the warmth and comfort of our home. Because one lesson I have sufficiently learned is, home is where your family is. And I am grateful indeed.

17 more days!!

Until I get to eat lunch of chocolate chip cookies, or peanut butter cup cookies. Whichever! I can hardly wait. And I can see that it has served as an added training incentive. Each run is dedicated to getting myself one day closer to a treat. I don't know if that's the right attitude or not, but I'm totally excited nonetheless.

It's just Henry is really loving the fact that he can have treats, and I can't. Like tonight, it was $1 scoop night at Baskin Robbins. We let everyone get their favorite flav, then we all sat around chatting at the food court. Henry casually says, "Hey mom, isn't this your favorite flavor? " And I said, "yeah, it's one of my favorite." And then he says, "I'll let you have a bite....  Oh yeah, just kidding, you can't eat any treats!"

And he thinks he's totally funny.

Today's run was less than inspiring except for the fact that it was tropical by comparison to Thursday's run. Thursday's run was during a snow storm, but I didn't let it stop me from completing 8.1 miles. The snow didn't stick to anything except my body, so I was pretty cold and wet by the end. And yet, it was still an inspiring run.

I have learned that sometimes adversity makes me bring out my A-game.

One thing I believe is universal about dedicated runners, and that is, we are all expert running- injury-diagnosers. My run today was mostly spent confirming a diagnosis I gave to myself about two weeks ago.

Two weeks ago I diagnosed myself with Plantar Fasciitis. It has something to do with nerve damage in the heel of your foot. Darin has been suffering from it for about 3 years, so I had him to validate my suspicions. I think I said something like, "I would rather turn into a cow than have Plantar Fasciitis." At which point I may, or may not have been guilty of being a drama queen.

So I scaled back my running over a few days, and had Darin teach me some physical therapy tricks, and I really thought I had been healed.

But today was a bit of a set back. So that's mostly what I have to say about today's run. But, I did it, and that's all that counts right now. And I will be running 10 miles on Saturday. So my foot better get better.

And while it was winter last Thursday, today was a glorious fall day. One that reminded me of the lovely pumpkin soup terrine that Darin carried back in his luggage from Florida (if that isn't true love, I don't know what is!):



And the delicious dinner of pumpkin soup and spinach salad that it prompted me to make last week.



And the lovely fall weather reminded me that I never mentioned our Veteran's Day trip to Nami Island where our friend Travis captured some beautiful snippets of fall:

Travis took no less than 700 pictures that day!  I should just make a post about Nami Island all of it's own...  

So, there you have it.  A running update, a treat update, and images of fall here in the Republic.  

Now it's time to focus on Thanksgiving! 

Rachel in all her humility...

Dubbed it "Unofficial World Race Day". But I'm just wondering, who's in charge of saying if something is official versus unofficial. Because if nobody's in charge of that, I think it should be called "Official World Race Day".

(Henry and George with best friend Cole and Jack getting their first race experience back in 2006)



My sister Rachel is going to run the Rose Bowl 1/2 Marathon on December 13th. My brother Zack is going to join her, and I can't.

Finish line, LA Marathon March 2006

Christine Z., Annee, Zack Z., Rachel Z.

Just how a finish line should be.

So, I will be having a satellite race here in Korea on December 13th. Perhaps an event switches from unofficial to official once there are more than three participants?! In that case, I'm happy to report that I have racer #2 looking to pre-register here in Korea (consider yourself registered Sariah. There is no backing out now!). My friend Liz will be racing in Northern California. Sara B., will you be running with us still?

My friend Diana, in support of the event, has already mailed me my finish line mylar blanket to be wrapped up in when the 1/2 is over. And there is even some speculation about a t-shirt. So things are really shaping up.

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays are my biggest training days. Those are the days that I hit the pavement outside. The rest of the time I hit the treadmill with Jane and Ruby bubbling in and out of the room as I run. But you do what you got to do when there is a race to prepare for.

The treats remain off limits until then. But let me tell you, the after race lunch is going to consist of: Peanut M&M, homemade chocolate chip cookies, and hot fudge sundaes for dessert. So if that interests you locally, you better start your training as well.

Three things about Tuesday's training run:

1. It was 32 degrees and windy. So that counts as my official first winter run. It's hard to get used to, but invigorating once you thaw out.

The always freezing Pueblo 1/2 Marathon

1st Saturday in December, 2006.



2. I ran past bullet shells. I wondered why, and I almost collected a whole handful, but then I just decided, some mysteries are best left unsolved.

3. I ran right past some jets landing on the runway. I would mention what type of Air Force jet, but I would hate to expose my lack of Air Force knowledge. And while I'm usually oblivious to jet excitement, I have to say there was something very thrilling about running, literally right next to those jets as they were landing.

So 26 more days until the big event. I will be trying to post training reports on a weekly basis. My intent is to stir up the enthusiasm. Perhaps with enough encouragement I will have my whole family at least running "with" me that day.

St. George Marathon Finish Line

October 2007

Mom, Annee, Rachel, and Dad.


So the question is, will anyone else join me?

To blog more often.

Because I do believe there is value in it.

Before Darin came home, when it was Saturday, which felt like mile 22 of a 26.2 mile race. As in, so close, but clearly not close enough to be done, we were needing some distraction and fresh air. I had heard of a hiking trail not far from our house, so we decided to find it.

We were actually on our way home from the fabric store, so we were in fact not dressed for a hike. But sometimes you must simply pull the car over and hike for goodness sake, prepared or not. It was just what the children needed (and maybe their mother too).





Some funny things about the hike...The girls got photographed again. Because Koreans like blonde hair. The hiking trail was laced with designated exercise spots with built in equipment. Koreans love to hike and exercise. The combination of the two, a dreamy idea for them. We found a little pagoda hut at the top of a hill. Koreans love little pagodas scattered about their hiking trails, we've seen it other places as well. At the top, I was slightly shocked to look out and see the scene. I had never realized before how metropolitan my neighborhood is. It doesn't really feel that way to me, but from the sight of it from above, it looks rather city-like.









In other news, I called my sister today in crisis. A plate of homemade chocolate chunk cookies was staring me in the face as I cleaned the kitchen this morning. It seemed as if they had been left there with the specific task to make me eat one. I came very close, but before eating one decided to call Rachel and ask her permission.

I said, "Hi, it's me. What are you doing?"

She said, "Eating dinner."

I said, "Is it dinner of chocolate chip cookies?"

And she said "No, it is not."

And I said, "Because I think I should eat a chocolate chip cookie."

And she said, "No, you really shouldn't. What good would come of it?"


And just like that, the crisis was averted.



Also, today, I have learned two things.




1. All the summer dresses must be put away NOW. As long as they remain in the closet, I will fight the same fight every.single.morning. That fight about how they want to wear a spaghetti strapped sundress, and how I think it is no longer appropriate. So after lunch today we bought a bin, and after I finish this post, all inappropriate dresses will be removed from the closet.



2. I discovered another reason I don't like Barbie stuff. All day long Jane has been Lacey, and Ruby has been Courtney. So named because we recently purchased the Barbie Diamond Castle movie. I'm sorry if it offends anyone, but honestly, the names Lacey and Courtney ruin my day. Especially hearing my cutely named daughters Jane and Ruby, substituting their names for such. Perhaps I should write a letter to Matel requesting a new naming strategy in the upcoming movies? When we thought we had lost Ruby this afternoon at the BX Jane went running about yelling "Courtney!!" and then she said to me, "Mom, we can not leave without Courtney." And I'm like, "Oh yes we can, we don't have anyone named Courtney in our family. Now if Ruby wants to come home with us, I would like that."


We came home with Ruby, but somehow Courtney is back too.



Oh well, I'm off to hide a whole bin full of clothes. I hope it helps me win more fights tomorrow!

After 40 days and 40 nights...

He came home!

And I am beside myself with joy. To celebrate, the boys insisted upon a party (as if that was a hard sell.). So we partied tonight. The treat fast came to an end. Our dreamy Fudgy Cake was baked. Oh, and fresh whipped cream was whipped up. Fudgy Cake never tasted so good, and that's hard to imagine because under normal circumstances it melts in your mouth.

Here is the recipe:

Mix #1:
1 c. flour
2/3 c. sugar
1/4 c. cocoa powder
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. milk
3 T. butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla

Mix #2:
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. white sugar
3 T. cocoa powder
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 c. boiling water

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 9" square baking dish. Combine dry ingredients from Mix #1. Add liquid ingredients & blend well. Pour into baking dish. Combine Mix #2 ingredients except water. Sprinkle evenly over top of Mix #1 in dish. Pour boiling water over evenly (don't mix). Bake 40 minutes. Serve hot with ice cream or whipped cream.


But while you are busy baking yourself some Fudgy Cake, the treat fast resumes. From my second 1/2 marathon in Boise, which prompted me to run my first full marathon in Salt Lake City, my sister Rachel has been my ever faithful companion. She has been at all of my races, except for the Durango marathon (I'm sure she wanted to be). Anyway, we are going to race together again. She will run the Pasadena Rose Bowl 1/2 Marathon in December. With my whole body and soul I want to be with her, but circumstances will prevent that. To show solidarity, I will be running a solo race here on Osan Air Base on the same day. The details are being worked out, but it's sure to be a great event. I'll be wearing race number 1, so it will be hard to miss me. Rachel is the one who inspired me to go this long without treats, and she is going to continue on until race day. So I will too. (However, if Darin bakes a pie from scratch on Thanksgiving, which is highly likely, I will eat a piece).

Good bye to our 40 lonely days and nights. Hello to celebrating family togetherness and the joy of being in love. It's never easy to sail the ship alone, but we do tend to come away from these experiences a little bit stronger and more humble.

Enjoy the Fudgy Cake. I've got Major Earnest now to distract me from eating treats! Good night.

Those were the days...

I had to steel this photo from my sister's blog. (I left all of our vintage family photos in storage.) Please enjoy this glimpse of Halloween circa 1989.