Positive Thoughts

Mike, Jill and I got our 10 mile pace run in on this frigid morning. I am finding I have a lot of negativity going on in my head right now, so I decided to think positively about today's run. Here the positive thoughts I was able to come up with. It took me the whole 1.5 hours of our run to come up with 10 - oops - is that being negative again?

1. It is done.
2. We made our pace time despite the sub-zero temps - maybe it will be easier in "normal" temperatures.
3. It is done.
4. I got a free Botox treatment due to freezing of my forehead.
5. It is done.
6. Apparently there is no reason to worry about global warming - whew!
7. I get to sleep in tomorrow.
8. Only two more weeks until Mike is back to normal and we no longer have to hear about how much he is suffering during Lent.
9. When March comes in like a lion it goes out like a Lamb, so we are guaranteed a warm end to the month despite what Jimmy Groundhog says!
10. It is DONE - for one week at least.

Do you like the picture at the top of the blog?

Sneaky, Sneaky

Apparently our newest member to the morning running group is quickly picking up the sneaky tricks of the group. Last night, after concluding a long drive back from Madison, I checked the running poll. Truthfully, I was hoping no one had signed up for this morning. I was feeling exhausted after a couple nights of interrupted sleep courtesy of kids and was very open to skipping the 4:25 ringing (actually music playing) of my alarm.

However, my mood quickly changed when I saw our newest member - Rhonda - was signed up! I have only had the honor of running with her once. Of course, Mike was signed up too, but running with Rhonda helped me to overcome that.

However, this morning - no RwR (Running with Rhonda - I think I may have found her Internet pseudonym). Hmmm. Then when I checked the poll after returning from a nice run with Mike (forever after this to be known as Old Reliable) I noticed that Rhonda's line had "disappeared". I don't think it was an Internet virus reeking havoc either! Nope, a little known fact: I can check the history of entries for the poll! Yep, that is right folks! And what did I find in the history - "
3/5/08 4:51:19 AM CET Rhonda Participant "Rhonda" deleted

Rhonda, Rhonda - I know we are a funny bunch (even Old Reliable) but give us some credit! Do you really think this will save you from the wrath of the morning running group? We may give you some slack being a newbie and all, but this shows deviousness above beyond our normal allowances! I am sure Mike will be thinking of the appropriate penalty.

Nano Freeze

Apparently Christy made an offering to the running gods this morning after I called her at 4:25 am to tell her I was not running. I really did want to. Really. I even donned Jim's fleece robe, walked all the way to road checking several placed to see how bad the ice was. I hadn't heard the salt truck either. So, I decided I did not want to risk taking out the Page's mailbox (again). Needless to say, I did not fall into bed to a peaceful sleep. Nope. Christy's offering along with a cold walk at 4:25 in the morning had me wide awake. Did I contemplate getting up and running on the treadmill. Yep. Did I? Nope.

Which brings me to the Nano Freeze. Although could have easily convinced myself to skip the run, I decided to persevere and go for a run during Nate's wrestling practice. I tried to console myself with the thought of running to some great tunes my Nano. Something I have not done in quite awhile - as you know. (I am not like my husband who thinks it is perfectly okay to wear your headphones when you are running with someone. He thinks "What did you say?" qualifies as having conversation). Unfortunately, sometime ago the little hands in our house got a hold of my Nano and wiped all the songs off it. I have not put my race playlist back on it. It was a great list - lots of 80's songs. Anyway... since I don't have that playlist I have to forward through some not so inspiring songs. As I was doing so - it happened. Christy's sacrifice came through full force. My nano FROZE. Not at the end of my run either - 4 minutes into it. I thought maybe it was the cold. So I nestled it deeper in my layers hoping some warmth would revive it. No such luck. Apparently what they say in survival shows about skin to skin contact is not true. Christy must have really made a big sacrifice. It was probably her last remaining BudLight left in the house tonight and she probably promised to the running gods that she would not make Bryan run out for more. We all know how Christy cherishes her nightly BudLight!

My foot seems to be holding its own - knock on wood. I have to admit though, that my mental strength after this weekend's long run is waining. I know it is not going to get easier and I know it has just begun. Christy's dark side (half marathon) is beginning to look appealing. I will have to make a note to get her to write a "how-to" book on sacrifices to running gods. It seems to really work.