You asked for it.

I know it will come as a surprise, but my fellows in the Morning Running Group (I think we have to come up with a catchier name) have been HOUNDING me, yes, HOUNDING me to come up with our own dance routine. I know it seems odd, but they seem to think it would be quite a "memorable moment" for us to get together and perform a dance routine after completing a race or even just a morning run - just for the heck of it! I think they are secretly hoping to top the Antwerp Station Flash Mob.

Then I had an idea! Giving the MRG (Morning Running Group for those of you who have not yet had your morning coffee) their own personal dance routine would be the PERFECT Christmas gift for the group. Now, I have a good sense of my personal abilities and know that I could not do any dance routine justice. Plus, I know that some people in the group might take a little longer than the rest to learn the routine. And there would be those who would LOVE it so much that they would want to watch it over and over again. So, I came up with a great routine - even threw in a couple of extra 'double dream hands' for Tom and Mike and a couple of 'cranks' for Christy and Jill. Then I hired a profession dancer and videographer to film it.

So, here it is MRG - your 2010 Christmas Gift. I expect to see it make it's debut at Al and Sheri's party! BIG smiles everyone!

See more funny videos and Music at Todays Big Thing.

Distrubing Trend

I have seen a disturbing trend crop up on the weekly running poll. I don’t feel I would be fulfilling my “Master of the Poll” (not Pole, Mike was kind enough explain this to his friends who were having visions of a stripper pole. Just goes to show you the type of people he hangs around with!) duties if I did not call it out and try to stop it dead in its tracks.

It all started with one of our hibernators, Wendy, who when the Wisconsin weather starts to get a little bit frosty inserts behind her name on the poll “If above 20 degrees”. I believe her intent is to indicate that she will not be running if it is below 20 degrees. I think she really means 20 degrees, plus another 10 on some days or plus a warm bed on others since there has been many days where the kind Time and Temp Lady indicated it was above 20 degrees.

On this week’s poll another of our runners, not a hibernator, indicated “if above 0”. Hmmmmm.
I felt my stomach churn a bit at that. I believe neither the Cousins nor I have ever put a disclaimer like that behind OUR names. (Sorry Jill, I don’t think I can include you in this prestigious list since I believe you did do this last winter – I am sure Mike remembers the exact week).

Having grown up here, the Cousins learned long ago that town is considered one of the coldest spots in the states. Yes, even compared to our much more northern neighbors. I, not being a native Spartan, am just a quick study. This “coldest spot in WI” is not just in our head’s either. Many times I have heard the local meteorologist state this fact. And as we all know, they are ALWAYS right.

So…. getting back to the poll. Those people (hopefully only one, since I am sure this post will stop any other people from violating this soon-to-be new poll rule) who put this temperature caveat are obviously trying to get out of running without looking like the wimps they really are. Really, how many days can it be above zero when you are the coldest spot in Wisconsin! I am sure they think that any reasonable person would completely understand this threshold of intolerance. But they forget; their fellow runners are not reasonable or they would not be running much less at 5:00 in the morning in the dark with snow and ice on the ground and sub-30 temps. Heck – some of us (not me Mom) don’t even wear reflective vests in the dark morning! AND some of us expect FREE beer after a race, no matter what the distance!