Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Hiatus
I'm taking a blog break. (maybe that's been obvious?) Co is suffering from some unknown condition. Until it goes away or is at least identified, I don't feel like looking for the fun, funny inspiring things in life and writing about them. Maybe I'm missing out by only wanting to write about the good things, but there you have it. So, cheers, and hopefully I'll be back at it soon.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
The powers of bleach
This falls under the tribulations part....
I'm still loving getting my house cleaned. But... Well, there are bound to be a few things that Willetta does that catch me by surprise.
She asked, after the first visit, that we get a few more cleaning supplies. Ok, no problem. She apparently decided that it would be good to store said things in the mop bucket we have. (not really a good choice - we use that bucket a lot, and have to unload and reload it. We'll have to fix this.) So, I need the mop bucket for something and pull out the cleaning supplies and the toilet brush that are stuffed in there.
And notice that the toilet brush head was resting in a plastic mug.
It's Co's plastic insulated mug from college. "mm, that's odd. Didn't I see Co use that mug for hot chocolate a few weeks ago? Did he decide to throw it out?" As I am contemplating the toilet brush in mug, Co rounds the corner and takes in the scene.
His mouth drops open, then forms a sad pout. He takes the mug from me, sighs, and grabs the bleach bottle and heads to the kitchen to clean the mug.
I'm still loving getting my house cleaned. But... Well, there are bound to be a few things that Willetta does that catch me by surprise.
She asked, after the first visit, that we get a few more cleaning supplies. Ok, no problem. She apparently decided that it would be good to store said things in the mop bucket we have. (not really a good choice - we use that bucket a lot, and have to unload and reload it. We'll have to fix this.) So, I need the mop bucket for something and pull out the cleaning supplies and the toilet brush that are stuffed in there.
And notice that the toilet brush head was resting in a plastic mug.
It's Co's plastic insulated mug from college. "mm, that's odd. Didn't I see Co use that mug for hot chocolate a few weeks ago? Did he decide to throw it out?" As I am contemplating the toilet brush in mug, Co rounds the corner and takes in the scene.
His mouth drops open, then forms a sad pout. He takes the mug from me, sighs, and grabs the bleach bottle and heads to the kitchen to clean the mug.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
10K Race Day #2
In my quest for my best 10K time, race #2 (of 3 or 4 this fall) was "The Great Pumpkin Chase." Great name. Would have been better if a bicyclist had led the race in a pumpkin costume, but there's always next year. I'd been told the course was nice and flat, plus there was the potential for fun as costumes are encouraged. I wussed out on this aspect however, because "fast" and "costumed" don't often go together. Plus, my costumer extraordinaire ain't feeling so hot.
It was beautiful running weather - sunny and cool. This always makes a huge difference to me. I always run better in cool weather. I was hoping to finish around 46:30 which means 7:30 minute miles. Six point two of them. I actually did a warm-up this time. They didn't have port-a-potties, so I ran 1/2 mile to a park and got to use REAL TOILETS as a bonus for my effort. :)
I think K, who was there also racing with his son, thought I should make a tougher goal. He kept telling me to work hard out there. A couple other roadrunners were there too - K and T, all doing the 5K option. It's always great having friends there at the start and finish. Keeps my mind occupied and relaxed. The race director told us of some minor changes to the course, which sets off a warning bell in my head that the course may not be so accurate.
The 5K race and the 10K race start together, and then the 10K course does a second lap. I started out a little fast (Gee, this seems familiar) but then settled down. I took splits at each mile marker - here they are:
Mile 1 : 7:07
Mile 2: 7:26
Mile 3: 6:09... WAIT A SECOND! ok, my best mile in HS was 6:00. um, no. no way was I running that fast. Oh well, good thing I have my GPS Forerunner with me to tell me how long the course actually is.
Mile 4: 7:17 (much more like it)
Mile 5: 7:17 (hey, that's pretty even!)
Mile 6: 6:32 NOPE, nice try.
Finish: 43:54
GPS reads: 6.06 miles. NOT 6.2.
Because I care, the actual mile splits from my GPS are:
Mile 1: 7.03
Mile 2: 7:19
Mile 3: 7:13 5K in 22:22
Mile 4: 7:19
Mile 5: 7:22
Mile 6: 7:18 - nice and even! Average pace per mile: 7:15
If I were to have maintained the speed of my last mile for another 0.14 miles (Grr, btw) I would have a 10K time of 44:56 or so. But because the course wasn't accurate, I'm not counting it toward my best 10K times. *sigh* Overall I felt really good while running, relaxed, not stiff. I lost my focus a little on the second lap, between miles 4 and 6. There wasn't anyone else around me, plus I was thinking about how far off the course might be. It must be said however, that Coach K was right - my next 10K goal will be a tougher. I didn't think at the beginning of this fall season that I'd be thinking that I could break 45 minutes. Wahoo! Gotta love the results of speed workouts.
K, K and T were there to cheer me through the finish. J finished not long after me. After cooling down, I find out that I came in second woman overall! Pretty cool! Even cooler is that this results in a $75 gift certificate to the host running store. Hee hee - now I can buy more running stuff. No, correction, now I HAVE to buy more running stuff. :)
It was beautiful running weather - sunny and cool. This always makes a huge difference to me. I always run better in cool weather. I was hoping to finish around 46:30 which means 7:30 minute miles. Six point two of them. I actually did a warm-up this time. They didn't have port-a-potties, so I ran 1/2 mile to a park and got to use REAL TOILETS as a bonus for my effort. :)
I think K, who was there also racing with his son, thought I should make a tougher goal. He kept telling me to work hard out there. A couple other roadrunners were there too - K and T, all doing the 5K option. It's always great having friends there at the start and finish. Keeps my mind occupied and relaxed. The race director told us of some minor changes to the course, which sets off a warning bell in my head that the course may not be so accurate.
The 5K race and the 10K race start together, and then the 10K course does a second lap. I started out a little fast (Gee, this seems familiar) but then settled down. I took splits at each mile marker - here they are:
Mile 1 : 7:07
Mile 2: 7:26
Mile 3: 6:09... WAIT A SECOND! ok, my best mile in HS was 6:00. um, no. no way was I running that fast. Oh well, good thing I have my GPS Forerunner with me to tell me how long the course actually is.
Mile 4: 7:17 (much more like it)
Mile 5: 7:17 (hey, that's pretty even!)
Mile 6: 6:32 NOPE, nice try.
Finish: 43:54
GPS reads: 6.06 miles. NOT 6.2.
Because I care, the actual mile splits from my GPS are:
Mile 1: 7.03
Mile 2: 7:19
Mile 3: 7:13 5K in 22:22
Mile 4: 7:19
Mile 5: 7:22
Mile 6: 7:18 - nice and even! Average pace per mile: 7:15
If I were to have maintained the speed of my last mile for another 0.14 miles (Grr, btw) I would have a 10K time of 44:56 or so. But because the course wasn't accurate, I'm not counting it toward my best 10K times. *sigh* Overall I felt really good while running, relaxed, not stiff. I lost my focus a little on the second lap, between miles 4 and 6. There wasn't anyone else around me, plus I was thinking about how far off the course might be. It must be said however, that Coach K was right - my next 10K goal will be a tougher. I didn't think at the beginning of this fall season that I'd be thinking that I could break 45 minutes. Wahoo! Gotta love the results of speed workouts.
K, K and T were there to cheer me through the finish. J finished not long after me. After cooling down, I find out that I came in second woman overall! Pretty cool! Even cooler is that this results in a $75 gift certificate to the host running store. Hee hee - now I can buy more running stuff. No, correction, now I HAVE to buy more running stuff. :)
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Free at last, Free at last
From housework, that is. If you had told me how nice it would be (okay, and I did have friends tell me) I wouldn't have understood.
We have hired a woman to help us clean the house. Seems extravagant to me still - I mean I am capable of cleaning. There's no reason I CAN'T clean the house. This has to be the thing that gets Co and I into the most disagreements. I want to work exactly as hard and exactly as long on cleaning the house as he does. No more. But when he is working those 70 hour weeks, he doesn't want to work on cleaning the house on the weekends. So I would do some cleaning by myself, and get really pissy because he wasn't doing anything. You can imagine the amiable side of me just trying not to say anything.... until I blow up. This is not a good way to spend our weekends together!
So we hired Willetta. Before she came, we spent, oh, 4 hours tidying our house. Its amazing the amount of worthless stuff that piles up.
Willetta came on Wednesday. She was here for over 4 hours. The house looks sooooo much better. She's coming again next Friday, and after that every two weeks. I can't wait.
Oh happy day!
We have hired a woman to help us clean the house. Seems extravagant to me still - I mean I am capable of cleaning. There's no reason I CAN'T clean the house. This has to be the thing that gets Co and I into the most disagreements. I want to work exactly as hard and exactly as long on cleaning the house as he does. No more. But when he is working those 70 hour weeks, he doesn't want to work on cleaning the house on the weekends. So I would do some cleaning by myself, and get really pissy because he wasn't doing anything. You can imagine the amiable side of me just trying not to say anything.... until I blow up. This is not a good way to spend our weekends together!
So we hired Willetta. Before she came, we spent, oh, 4 hours tidying our house. Its amazing the amount of worthless stuff that piles up.
Willetta came on Wednesday. She was here for over 4 hours. The house looks sooooo much better. She's coming again next Friday, and after that every two weeks. I can't wait.
Oh happy day!
Being Supportive
"What does this look like to you?"
(I get handed a gelatin prosthetic appliance.)
"A scabbed over cut made by something jagged?"
"Oh good."
Huh, must have gotten that one right.
Once it was painted and applied it looks pretty neat, don't you think?
(I get handed a gelatin prosthetic appliance.)
"A scabbed over cut made by something jagged?"
"Oh good."
Huh, must have gotten that one right.
Once it was painted and applied it looks pretty neat, don't you think?
Do you like Beans? Do you like George Wendt? Would you like to see a movie with George Wendt Eating Beans?
Moriarty, NM. October 13th. It’s time for the PINTO BEAN FIESTA! Complete with parade, cotton candy, food, and yes, a 5K and 10K race. Turns out Moriarty is one of the main centers of pinto bean production (not just a villain in the Sherlock Holmes stories) – something that deserves celebration, don’t you think?
I signed up for the 5K – "Coach" K discouraged me from doing another 10K, and he thought the faster speed of a 5K might be good for training purposes. I was told the race was small, fun, and on a flat course. Plus, I heard that if I won, I’d get some pinto beans as a prize.
It was a little cold that morning, and when I finally made it to the high school where the race starts (I took the wrong exit off the interstate) I was told to pick out a couple of pumpkins to take home. ??? But there it was, a horse trailer packed with pumpkins. I picked out a nice one, and the race director shouted at me across the parking lot to take another one. :) yay – good for carving!
I tried to do a little warm-up, but this is the part of the whole race morning aspect I don’t do well. I’m supposed to run for maybe 10 minutes before race start, but I always worry about missing something, an announcement, and plus, I’m going to be running as hard as I can in 15 minutes, so I never feel like wasting energy. I’m wrong, and I know it, but I’m also slow enough that it probably doesn’t really matter. So, after a half hearted jog around the parking lot, we were called to the starting line. I did the first half mile in 3:15 (oops, I’m supposed to be doing 7:20 miles…). The second half mile was 3:40 – that’s better. A little hill after mile 1 slowed me down. There’s a woman 20 or 30 yards in front of me, and I decide to catch up to her. Mile 2 was 7:30 – whoops, a little slow, concentrate. Then, my pacer’s shoe came untied! I was catching up to her, too. She didn’t seem concerned about the laces as I passed her. She must have stopped to tie it later, because I looked back a few minutes later and I couldn’t see her. More annoying at this point was the guy behind me with his (cute) dog which had on a jingly dog collar. I tried to go faster just to get away from the noise! We ended in one lap around the high school track. I finished in 22:14. I am really happy with that, a PR (personal record) by 46 seconds!
Even better, I won a burlap bag of pinto beans and a nice silver bracelet, because I came in first woman overall! I got interviewed by the local newspaper, too. Am I famous now? Maybe to the 1800 souls in Moriarty, or at least the fraction of that number that receives the paper. Additional goodies: a bag of Hatch green chiles, and a third pumpkin.
I signed up for the 5K – "Coach" K discouraged me from doing another 10K, and he thought the faster speed of a 5K might be good for training purposes. I was told the race was small, fun, and on a flat course. Plus, I heard that if I won, I’d get some pinto beans as a prize.
It was a little cold that morning, and when I finally made it to the high school where the race starts (I took the wrong exit off the interstate) I was told to pick out a couple of pumpkins to take home. ??? But there it was, a horse trailer packed with pumpkins. I picked out a nice one, and the race director shouted at me across the parking lot to take another one. :) yay – good for carving!
I tried to do a little warm-up, but this is the part of the whole race morning aspect I don’t do well. I’m supposed to run for maybe 10 minutes before race start, but I always worry about missing something, an announcement, and plus, I’m going to be running as hard as I can in 15 minutes, so I never feel like wasting energy. I’m wrong, and I know it, but I’m also slow enough that it probably doesn’t really matter. So, after a half hearted jog around the parking lot, we were called to the starting line. I did the first half mile in 3:15 (oops, I’m supposed to be doing 7:20 miles…). The second half mile was 3:40 – that’s better. A little hill after mile 1 slowed me down. There’s a woman 20 or 30 yards in front of me, and I decide to catch up to her. Mile 2 was 7:30 – whoops, a little slow, concentrate. Then, my pacer’s shoe came untied! I was catching up to her, too. She didn’t seem concerned about the laces as I passed her. She must have stopped to tie it later, because I looked back a few minutes later and I couldn’t see her. More annoying at this point was the guy behind me with his (cute) dog which had on a jingly dog collar. I tried to go faster just to get away from the noise! We ended in one lap around the high school track. I finished in 22:14. I am really happy with that, a PR (personal record) by 46 seconds!
Even better, I won a burlap bag of pinto beans and a nice silver bracelet, because I came in first woman overall! I got interviewed by the local newspaper, too. Am I famous now? Maybe to the 1800 souls in Moriarty, or at least the fraction of that number that receives the paper. Additional goodies: a bag of Hatch green chiles, and a third pumpkin.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
"Ow!" "Forget about it, it's in de past"
Co is finally feeling better after a week and a half, and 6 gallons of cranberry juice. He's back at work making prosthetics that make it look like some guy is being strangled by a bike lock. He used my bike lock for reference. I'm FAMOUS! Also, we now can proudly display a cast of a neck, just the front part. We'll have to incorporate it into our Halloween somehow.
For C&C and Jolly, looks like Co and I will be in the area next summer a few times! In July, I'm doing the Spirit of Racine Tri 1/2 IM distance, then in early September, I'm going to volunteer at IM Moo (Ironman WI) all day Sept. 7th. Both times I'm hoping to take a few days before or after to see you guys! I'll be doing at least 2 1/2 IM distance races next year (Gotta finish the 1/2 IM's under 6 hours!!!), prepping for IM Moo 2009. And I'm going to volunteer this year at the race, so I can wait in line the next day and register for the 2009 race before it fills up. I think I'll need to be in line at like 5 am. Not to mention ready to fork over $475. See, there are LOTS of people who like doing this stuff as much as I. Although, come Ironman race day, I'm bound to look like this:
For C&C and Jolly, looks like Co and I will be in the area next summer a few times! In July, I'm doing the Spirit of Racine Tri 1/2 IM distance, then in early September, I'm going to volunteer at IM Moo (Ironman WI) all day Sept. 7th. Both times I'm hoping to take a few days before or after to see you guys! I'll be doing at least 2 1/2 IM distance races next year (Gotta finish the 1/2 IM's under 6 hours!!!), prepping for IM Moo 2009. And I'm going to volunteer this year at the race, so I can wait in line the next day and register for the 2009 race before it fills up. I think I'll need to be in line at like 5 am. Not to mention ready to fork over $475. See, there are LOTS of people who like doing this stuff as much as I. Although, come Ironman race day, I'm bound to look like this:
And the new 10K goal is….
My tempo workout last week was at 7:25/mi pace for the first half, and 7:15 mile pace for the last half. My speedy speed workout last night was 6x800 on 3:15 with 3 min rest. I was really proud of the consistency in this workout, my repeats varied by less than 2 seconds. Plus, I could tell I was working hard the whole time. Coach K was really impressed too. It's so great working out with the group. Support and pressure all in one.
This means I need a new goal. I'm still focused on two more 10K races, one before Halloween - "The GREAT PUMPKIN CHASE", and one the 1st week in December. I'm going to shoot for 7:30/mi pace for the next one, which means 46:30. I think it will be a stretch, but do-able. For the second, I might be able to break 46 minutes.
Also, on an odd note, I think my car seat hurts my hamstring. More on this when I have done a few tests to determine exact cause. Very strange when sitting is painful, but running isn't. I may be purchasing a sheepskin seat cover...
This means I need a new goal. I'm still focused on two more 10K races, one before Halloween - "The GREAT PUMPKIN CHASE", and one the 1st week in December. I'm going to shoot for 7:30/mi pace for the next one, which means 46:30. I think it will be a stretch, but do-able. For the second, I might be able to break 46 minutes.
Also, on an odd note, I think my car seat hurts my hamstring. More on this when I have done a few tests to determine exact cause. Very strange when sitting is painful, but running isn't. I may be purchasing a sheepskin seat cover...
Monday, October 1, 2007
10 K Race Day #1
Corrida de Corrales on Sunday was to be my first 10K race in 5 years. The last one I did was in Illinois, and that race was my PR for the distance - 52:24.
I had a couple of things going against me. First I stayed up until 3 am the night before, and had to get up at 6 to get to the race on time. Not really my first choice, but Co has been yet again inflicted with a kidney stone, and had to go to the emergency room for pain and nausea medications Saturday night. The CT scan showed that the stone brought 2 buddies along with him, so the fun might last a while.
All the other reasons for potential failure pale with that one. But since I have to build the anticipation, here they are anyway. The last race was at sea level, this one's NOT - it's in the north part of ABQ at ~5600 ft. up. Even more, this course is on dirt/sand, while the previous race was on roads which is faster. Also, I hurt my hamstring last week. I didn't blog about it, being that I was so pleased with my track performance on Tuesday, but... Then Wednesday morning I went and did a strength and plyometrics class, and I went to my normal Yoga class at lunch. Seems I was a bit aggressive with the stretching or strengthening because my right ham was really sore Wednesday night, Thursday, and Friday. I even skipped my tempo workout Thursday because of it. And last but not least, I've only been training for a 10K for 4 weeks - hardly enough time to make real progress. My training books recommend 8 to 12 weeks.
Despite all the issues working against me, I prevailed! :) My Forerunner (GPS unit that tracks pace distance and HR) ran out of batteries before the race started, so I don't have a lot of detail (ok, no sighs of relief out there!). I forgot to charge it Saturday night (there were a few other things on my mind). I think I went out a little fast, but I'll never know - there weren't mile markers that I saw for the first 3 miles. I hit mile 4 feeling good, but getting tired at 31:33. Mile 5 at 39:27. Getting really tired now. Mile 6 at 47:12. And I beat my PR by finishing in 48:20! Woo hooo! That's more than 4 minutes better! ~45 sec faster per mile! That put me 2nd in my age group and 4th woman overall. I won a nice pottery vase as an award.
Coach K will probably make speed workouts more challenging now... Or set a much tougher goal to reach. Maybe I just won't tell him.
On the other hand, It'd be nice to break 47 minutes.....
I had a couple of things going against me. First I stayed up until 3 am the night before, and had to get up at 6 to get to the race on time. Not really my first choice, but Co has been yet again inflicted with a kidney stone, and had to go to the emergency room for pain and nausea medications Saturday night. The CT scan showed that the stone brought 2 buddies along with him, so the fun might last a while.
All the other reasons for potential failure pale with that one. But since I have to build the anticipation, here they are anyway. The last race was at sea level, this one's NOT - it's in the north part of ABQ at ~5600 ft. up. Even more, this course is on dirt/sand, while the previous race was on roads which is faster. Also, I hurt my hamstring last week. I didn't blog about it, being that I was so pleased with my track performance on Tuesday, but... Then Wednesday morning I went and did a strength and plyometrics class, and I went to my normal Yoga class at lunch. Seems I was a bit aggressive with the stretching or strengthening because my right ham was really sore Wednesday night, Thursday, and Friday. I even skipped my tempo workout Thursday because of it. And last but not least, I've only been training for a 10K for 4 weeks - hardly enough time to make real progress. My training books recommend 8 to 12 weeks.
Despite all the issues working against me, I prevailed! :) My Forerunner (GPS unit that tracks pace distance and HR) ran out of batteries before the race started, so I don't have a lot of detail (ok, no sighs of relief out there!). I forgot to charge it Saturday night (there were a few other things on my mind). I think I went out a little fast, but I'll never know - there weren't mile markers that I saw for the first 3 miles. I hit mile 4 feeling good, but getting tired at 31:33. Mile 5 at 39:27. Getting really tired now. Mile 6 at 47:12. And I beat my PR by finishing in 48:20! Woo hooo! That's more than 4 minutes better! ~45 sec faster per mile! That put me 2nd in my age group and 4th woman overall. I won a nice pottery vase as an award.
Coach K will probably make speed workouts more challenging now... Or set a much tougher goal to reach. Maybe I just won't tell him.
On the other hand, It'd be nice to break 47 minutes.....
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Full Moon, Fast Track
I had a great track workout tonight. I'm currently working hard at getting faster. I've had enough of this "I'm ok with always being at the back of the group" thing. I used to be faster - 23 min 5K, 52 min 10K. Ok, those aren't really fast numbers, but since moving to altitude, I've been running 10 to 12 min miles, and nothing else. Ugh. Its been 5 years of slow going, and I'm facing up to the fact that I'm not simply going to get magically faster by doing 3 runs a week, all at the same slow pace. I'm acclimated to the altitude, at least as much as I'm ever going to get, and its time to work harder.
K told me we were doing 8 x 800, and I was a little concerned about holding my pace. I'm training for a 10K PR, I'm hoping to go under 50 min. For that I should keep my 800 repeats under 3:35 with 3 minutes rest. It was a beautiful night, though, and my workout went really well:
1 3:26
2 3:30
3 3:26
4 3:29
5 3:26
6 3:24
7 3:21
8 3:16
with 2:45 rest in between. I think I could have gone under 3:25 if I had had 3 min rest. We ended just in time to see the full moon rising over the mountains, which had turned their characteristic pink color in the sunset light. Ahhh.
K told me we were doing 8 x 800, and I was a little concerned about holding my pace. I'm training for a 10K PR, I'm hoping to go under 50 min. For that I should keep my 800 repeats under 3:35 with 3 minutes rest. It was a beautiful night, though, and my workout went really well:
1 3:26
2 3:30
3 3:26
4 3:29
5 3:26
6 3:24
7 3:21
8 3:16
with 2:45 rest in between. I think I could have gone under 3:25 if I had had 3 min rest. We ended just in time to see the full moon rising over the mountains, which had turned their characteristic pink color in the sunset light. Ahhh.
Weekend Fun
So this is how weird life is.
Co is now taking pictures of my butt.
No, not that kind of picture... See I got this bruise.
I bought a new (used) tribike, and as I was taking it out for my first real ride on Friday, I noticed the tires were low. So, I was trying to turn around, and the new SPD clips on my shoes didn't unclip easily, and I fell over. Hard. On my right butt cheek. I haven't done that with my old road bike in years, but the new set up... Well, see I can't touch the ground while sitting in the saddle. Normal for a triathlon set up, but not what I'm used to. Anyway-
I got a really cool bruise.
Co had to take some pics for the bruise file. So, I'm standing in our living room (it had the best light) naked butt to the window as Co fiddles with the camera trying to get the focus just right. And this happens not once but twice, because of course on Sunday, the bruise was a different color - "mm, a bit turquoise today.." and more pictures were necessary.
Who says married people never have any fun?
Co is now taking pictures of my butt.
No, not that kind of picture... See I got this bruise.
I bought a new (used) tribike, and as I was taking it out for my first real ride on Friday, I noticed the tires were low. So, I was trying to turn around, and the new SPD clips on my shoes didn't unclip easily, and I fell over. Hard. On my right butt cheek. I haven't done that with my old road bike in years, but the new set up... Well, see I can't touch the ground while sitting in the saddle. Normal for a triathlon set up, but not what I'm used to. Anyway-
I got a really cool bruise.
Co had to take some pics for the bruise file. So, I'm standing in our living room (it had the best light) naked butt to the window as Co fiddles with the camera trying to get the focus just right. And this happens not once but twice, because of course on Sunday, the bruise was a different color - "mm, a bit turquoise today.." and more pictures were necessary.
Who says married people never have any fun?
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