You asked for it.....

I know that after several beers and glasses of wine the morning runners probably have forgotten that they sent me on an all important mission - to see if Jenny is the expert she claims to be. The fact is, she needs to send a certain Health Teacher a letter of apology. Yes, it is true, it is possible for fraternal twins to have different fathers. The phenomenon even has its own name - twinning! Jenny - I think you superiors need to reconsider their recent decision regarding your future at Viterbo! Here are the facts, because I know how you all love to doubt me!

For those of you who aren't morning runners - you will just have to wonder what you are missing. Maybe your curiosity will persuade you to join us in the morning!

On a running note - since this is a running blog - Mike and I enjoyed a warm morning run. It is nice when our local meteorologists are wrong. Instead of the single digits it was about 23. Hmmmm now I realize that it was above Wendy's magical 20 degree cut off. Hmmmmm.

Since Jill like the picture of the naked guy (and we know why!), I thought I would include another one.

More Snow

Another snowy morning, but Christy, Mike, Jill and I enjoyed a run anyway. Well, I am not sure if Jill did.

I think we might be getting a message via the Walgreen communication channel that we need to park some where else on snowy mornings. I think our cars are putting a crimp in the snow plowers schedule - although he has never given us a dirty look. At least I don't think so... it is pretty dark at 6:00 in the morning. I hope he just sees the silver lining and realizes it is a good time to enjoy his morning coffee!

I am sure we will get endless grief from Larry today. The forecast says -14 tomorrow morning so I think that we have cancelled the 6:15 run. I say THINK, but after Wednesday morning's run, where Jill actually wanted to run in 5 inches of snow, I know longer have faith in my running companion's sanity.

Another old Adidas ad:

Who are those crazy people?

That is what drivers were wondering today. My response was "Jill and Mike! That's who!" Yesterday with the prediction of snow on top of already icy conditions, I was all set to not run today. I queried Mike and Jill and expected (at least from my faithful companion Jill) hear "I agree! Let's NOT run". Instead winter insanity has set in 4 months early and they were determined to go! Ugh! So, of course, I felt obligated to go too.

And believe it or not, I should be thanking them (and my YakTrax) because it was a very nice run. Once again, the running goddess proved to me that you always feel good after running.

So - Thanks! (kills me to say it, but I can admit when I am wrong!)

We are runners

not really bright runners, but we are runners. Yes, Christy, Jenny and I braved the cold and icy conditions this morning! WE ARE RUNNERS! It was actually the icy, crunchy conditions that made the run hard, not the cold. So it was a good reminder that running in the cold isn't that bad. Really Wendy - you should try it!

We have run in colder and fortunately it was not a day that we ended the run looking like this:

minus the beard, of course!

Hello? Hello?

Anyone out there? I just wanted to encourage you guys to use the commenting feature at the bottom of each post. I would love this blog to be interactive and not just me talking out into cyber space. No obligation - I just wanted to know that your comments (nice ones, of course) are welcome.

MISSING IN ACTION. Again, I was SO excited - we had a full group signed up to run today and the temperature was NOT "below 15 degrees" (a magical number for a certain Disney Marathon runner amidst us), but yet only 4 lonely runners were sitting in their cars (to the tune of 5 little monkeys sitting on a tree). Hmmmmmm. That's all I'll say. (guilt, guilt, guilt)

Anyway... the Cousins, Sandy and I enjoyed a nice backwards run today. I realize now that I strategically goofed. Christy said we should run the "new" route backwards. I wasn't quite awake and throughout the run kept on bumping into her at corners - not knowing where we were going. I think she may have gotten frustrated which means that she will not be encouraged to take over the club position of "new route finder". Darn! I blew my chance!

I have updated my next goal and quote of the day. I know I have been avoiding updating these two areas of my blog, but I guess now I am committed to Chicago 2008!

8 miler - Relay Wendy

Wendy had many people helping her through her long run this morning. I think we are unconsciously training for one of those 100 mile relay events that we have talked about doing. I managed to get 8 miles in, ironically most without Wendy! It is the longest run I have done in quite awhile.

There has been a lot of talk about our next race. I found some pretty humorous old Adidas ads about running. This one reminds me of when I was training for Whistlestop with Judy, Jenny and Katie among others....

A new runner

We had a new runner this morning! Wendy's brother Mark joined us! He caught the running bug at Green Bay last year and has picked up running! He did great on our 6 mile run this morning!

I thought Jenny was going to take out a couple of the early morning black Friday shoppers at Walgreens! She was running a few minutes late and came careening around the corner, weaving through the shopper cars parked in the lot and came to a screeching halt next to us. She knows the Code!

I cold, but sunny run!

Happy Thanksgiving

A nice run with the cousins and my benefactor - Kwik Trip Lady. I was so happy that the run when better for her today. After all - I need her keep working so she can continue to support my vacations!

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Remember to tell those close to you that you love them!

Beer - What's good for you!

A balmy 40 degree run with Sandy, Jenny and Christy this morning. We all shared our "How I Missed the Big One" deer hunting stories - not! And of course we recounted every Packer play - not. But given it is WI gun deer season which means it is the week that your local beer distributors sell the most beer (not kidding), I thought it appropriate that I share some good news about beer...


I found this on another blog.... Of course it won't surprise any of you...

Beer consumed after an intense workout can actually help you rehydrate.Which is of course the exact opposite of everything you've ever read.

Researchers think the sugars, salts and carbonation in the beer assist with fluid absorption.

The beer study comes from Granada University in Spain, where a Sadistic Med School Professor apparently made 25 volunteers run on a treadmill in 104 degree heat until they were about to die but not quite. (Killing study participants is frowned upon, even in med schools where the professors could make great use of the cadavers for educational purposes).

Anyway, the researchers took some measurements from the nearly-dead participants, including their hydration levels, "concentrationability," and motor skills. (Is concentrationability even a word? Well, sure it is--at least after a few beers). Then they gave half of 'em a pint of Spanish lager, while the rest got water. Next, everyone got to drink as much water as they wanted.And guess what? Those who got beer had a "slightly better rehydration effect.


"The Daily Mail article also mentions that "sensible drinking of one or two units (of beer) a day can reduce the risk of heart disease, dementia, diabetes and Parkinson's disease." And that beer ingredients are a "rich source of vitamins and minerals."

See - Wisconsin marathons which have a beer tent after the race are just looking out for our health - it has nothing to do with tradition!

I was so excited

to run this morning, because there were 6 people signed up!!! All the chatting, stories, plans for the weekend AND Mike wasn't signed up! But I was so saddened when I got there and it was just me, Jenny and Christy. Not that they aren't good to run with except for the fact I knew it was not going to be a slow, relaxing Friday run! Where is Jill when you need her???? Speaking of absenteeism, the CU Girls were missing in action also. Sandy had given advanced notice, so she gets a lighter slap on the wrist, but Wendy, Wendy, Wendy. Where were you girl??? I had been hearing that you were up for the MIP (Most Improved Participation) Award! Way to choke at the end!!!

Anyway... good luck on the Turkey Trot!

Once again...

you missed it! A new route! However, fellow die-hard Christy did not. I guess it will be our secret little route only to be used by her and I. Of course, Mike was supposed to join us (the one who always gives me grief about new routes) but Christy said that he called her last night and said he THINKS he is coming down with a cold. So apparently just THINKING you are coming down with a cold is good enough excuse to get out of your commitments. I will have to remember that the next time my boss asks why I was absent from work. It is so nice too, because Mike can't open my blog due to his work having extra stringent computer security (I guess you can't blame them knowing Mike!). No e-mail backlash from him today!

Mexico - Day 2

I mustered another 5 mile run today. It was rough. I started out thinking I would run 45 minutes. 3 minutes into it I started to think - 'I am on vacation - 30 minutes is acceptable'. Then I got to 30 minutes and I thought 10 more minutes is doable. Once again I quickly started to shorten that, but then when I was close to 4 minutes, I was over 4 Miles and I thought - I should do 5 - so I ended up doing 5 and about 45 minutes. I tell you - that dreadmill is tough even when you are looking out over an ocean. The fitness room was hoping though! There are 8 treadmills and about 6 elliptical and about the same number of bikes and pretty much everything was filled! Everyone is trying to work off the Mud Slides they had the day before.

So - here is a helpful running hint I found. It is a video that shows how to tie your running shoes so they don't come untied. Plus, you can just pull on one of the strings to untie it. This confuses me though - since I do that with my double knots too. Maybe I am just strong!

Batting 1000

I see I have had over 1000 views of my blog since I started it! Wow! Thanks Guys! I hope to keep you entertained in the coming year!

Once again I ran on vacation! Jim and I are in Mexico at a Kwik Trip meeting courtesy of Jill. Actually not - Miller was kind enough to send us. Any Whoo.... I got myself out of bed and went and ran on the dreadmill. It was tough - looking out over the ocean and all. Larry would have been proud - I persevered and made it through 5 miles...tough with that view - wave after wave after wave.

I started on the random program and after it took me to 3.5% incline I said "enough of that!" and switched to the manual program. 1.0% is good enough for me... supposedly that is the incline you should be at to best compensate for the advantage of the treadmill. Of course the last 15 minutes I took it down to 0% - I am on vacation after all.

Miller really was asking a lot when they asked us to come here. Laying by the pool all day, drinking 'Mud Slides' (No Miller Lite is available so I am okay". We don't have to even get up and get our drinks - they bring it to us. Our only complaint is that the drink cups aren't quite big enough. I thought the Mexicans were generous! Of course I managed to somehow get a nice red hue to my skin although I was being careful. Jim somehow managed to avoid this - we still haven't figured out how - no it is was not due to excessive Mud Slides!

Hope all is well in WI - we saw it was 26 degrees today!

Wind Sprints?

A blustery day! When the cousins and I were on the back side of the Middle School it felt like we were standing (running) still! But as always, when we were done it felt so good. It has been so tempting to not show when I heard the wind outside, but I am so glad I did~ And not just because I won't get any grief from Mike.