Conspiracy

I have decided that there is a conspiracy to make our lives more difficult by television manufacturers or more precisely the manufacturers who produce the remotes for their TV’s. Why is it that the softest drop of a remote on to the floor (which happens often as anyone knows) causes the battery door to pop off and the batteries to go skidding across the floor under any nearby furniture. Why is it that toys whose batteries are in need of change at a much greater frequency than remotes are locked behind a screwed in battery door? Why is it that remote manufacturers can't take a cue from toy manufacturers and make a battery door that stays on in all types of bumps, falls etc. Why? I ask you! Why?

Sorry not related, but I had to get it off my chest!

Dogs, Dogs, Dogs

I was thinking a lot about Sandy and Wendy on my run this morning. I decided to venture out of the park and run on a couple of local roads. There are a lot of loose dogs, but it also seems like everyone has a dog - especially the small yappers that love to bite. As I was running I saw three dogs ahead of me jaunting down the road - one big one and two little yappers. They were running away from me, so I could watch them for awhile. As I neared I got to watch the big one "due service" to one of the little ones which made me think they were strays. Of course, since they were out for a Sunday stroll and I was not - I caught up to them. There was a lot of barking and yapping and "GO HOME". I saw the big one had a collar, so I knew they weren't strays. Plus after what I had just witnessed him doing to one of the yappers, I figured he must be in the mood for lovin not fightin. The left me alone, but the whole time I was imagining Wendy and Sandy hugging each other in the middle of street!

It wasn't a great run. It was one where I just had to tell myself - it is better to be running slow rather than not at all. I did 5.5 miles at an average 9:31 pace. Makes me nervous for the pace runs coming up. It was just so hard to get my body moving. Not sure what it was, the blizzard I had yesterday or the fact that I dreamt I was running a half marathon. I might have not run in in reality, but mentally I had! It make me appreciate Wendy's Disney marathon all the more. I can't imagine how hard it is to run a marathon without being used to the heat. Yes it is warm down here and a little muggy - mid 70's. Good Job WENDY!

ps. the spell check option doesn't seem to be working for me, so please excuse any typos!

Texas run

I didn't think I would be able to post from Texas, but it looks like I can. My Mom was having problems with her connection, but it works poolside - life is so rough. Have to go to the pool to go on the internet!

I got a 5.5 mile run in this morning. I tried to pick up the pace which I accomplished with an average 8.44/mile which included the 10 minute warm up. It was a struggle though. It always seems that the day after a flight it is hard to run. Of course it could have had something to do with the abrupt change of running in 65 degrees! It was a little windy too.... but it could be worse down here.

When we were sitting on the plane an older man sat down across the aisle. Just before he sat down I caught a glimpse of his shirt and I thought it looked like last year's GB t-shirt. It was all I could do not to ask him which marathon it was for. He must have been wondering why I kept glancing at him. The young man next to me was with him, so I finally said to him "I was wondering what marathon his shirt is from". He said "I think it is Des Moines." I was finally satisfied.

A good flight down, a little bumpy and delayed 15 minutes but that was it. I hope MIke was able to get out of Chicago okay.

I will be thinking about you guys tomorrow when I am running in 70 degrees!!!!

You know you are a Sparta Runner when....

A slushy, not fun, run with WENDY, Sandy, Mike and Jill. I believe Christy and Rhonda went also, just later and from home. Thanks for going early with me....

There a lot of things that you do which tell you, "You are a RUNNER (in SPARTA)!" Here are some, I am sure others will add more.....

In no particular order - beyond when they pop in my brain:

1. When you see a person running on the street you either give them a friendly honk or wonder "Who the heck is that and why don't they run with us?


2. While everyone is sleeping you are up running, and while everyone is awake you are sleeping.


3. You know that Body Glide is not found in an "Adult" store.


4. You have no problem being seeing in a fluorescent orange, reflective vest even though you are no longer in Safety Patrol. Plus, you refuse to believe that you look dorky. You look like a safe runner! Gol' Darn It!


5. You use "just finding new running routes" as an excuse to a police officer as to why you were taking a very 'odd' route to your children's school.


6. You know that there really isn't any temperature that is too cold to run in - at least that is what you tell people.


7. You know which friends keep their doors unlocked so you can run in and go to the bathroom at 5:00 am.


8. You want beer that has a lot of carbs in it. No Michelob Ultra for you!


9. You know which dogs have electronic fences and if you don't you ask a friend who does know.


10. You know that a Fuel Belt does work better than a water bottle tied around your waist with a string.


11. You spend more time thinking of new nicknames for your fellow runners than you do setting your goal time for your next race.


12. You have been known to look at the minute numbers on your alarm clock and think that they were the hour causing you to leap out of bed at an hour even more ungodly then 4:30!


13. Your face has mysteriously appeared on the body of an elf doing a cute little jig.


14. There a number of things you said you would never do, run a 10K, run a 1/2 marathon, run a marathon, run another marathon, get up in the morning to run, run in sub-zero temperatures, run on holidays, run in the rain, wind, snow, but yet you keep on doing them!


15. You seem to lose your ability to remember a route you have ran many times before when you are with other runners.

Missed Opportunities

A nice run with WENDY, Jenny, Sandy and Mike this morning. No rain/drizzle as forecasted and only a couple of streets are still covered in slush.

We missed a once in a lifetime opportunity today! We could have been the new bakery's first customers! The owner would have been eternally grateful, so when we hung out there Saturday mornings at 5:00 am without buying a single donut, he would have been fine with it.

This morning Jenny and Sandy were having a hard time remembering our route. I had a really funny thing to say about it, but I lost it in the excitement of the new bakery! Darn!

What a group!

It must be a record! Today 10 people ran - at various stages - this morning! 10!!! Can you believe it? What a fun group! It makes it so much easier and enjoyable to roll out of bed on a Saturday morning to go for a run. Of course Jill and Sandy get the medal since they started at 5:30! Now we just need to get the new people to come and experience the joy!

It came to my attention this morning that a bit of clarification is needed regarding the purpose of this blog. I appreciate that others respect me SO much that they expect this to be a truth based, factual and unbiased account of all happenings connected to our runs. Fortunately for me, however, the Power is in the Pen! There will be no clarifications of the truth, apologizesfor errors in stories, redemption of those who actually did tell their wife where weekday morning runners meet. Got it people (Tom)!?!? I mean, you do want this to be a funny blog - right?

Organs - the musical kind!

We finally got to welcome Rhonda to the morning running group! A good run - no ice and just a dusting of snow! Off to register for Chicago, but first.....Apparently organs are now "cool", next the accordion will made a come back. It makes me hope that at our next church service we will hear something new!

I have great sympathy for this girl's parents. I can only imagine the dislike they now feel towards this song. Any parent who has a child learning piano can understand how excruciating it can be to listen to a song for the 1,000th time! And this song is 5 minutes long!

Be warned - you will not want to click on this rendition of "Carry On My Wayward Son" in places you don't want it to be heard... like work. However, someone may just think you brought a radio in.

So Sorry!

A break down in running club communication happened this morning! One of Three's Company was supposed to join us this morning for the first time, but true to Jack Tripper's style - messages got crossed! Poor Rhonda showed up at Ginny's instead of Walgreens this morning. We were wondering where she was. Personally I was shocked that she would open herself up to the ridicule of the group by missing her first morning. Of course this doesn't stop Sandy, Wendy or Jenny and occasionally Jill! She covered her tracks though, by leaving a note on Christy's car. Smart girl! She saved herself a day of vicious e-mails from Mike!

Although we do have to admit that we now have all become concerned about the state of Rhonda and Tom's marriage. How bad it must be that he can't tell her where we start in the morning! I know he was struggling with sharing his "running friends" with her, but come on Tom - be a bigger man!

It was warm this morning, but quite slippery. Quite a few colorful adjectives were coming out of Jill's mouth.

Warm but slushy

We welcomed back Sandy this morning!

Mixed blessing this morning - a balmy 34 degrees which made it feel like we were running on 6 inches of sand due to the softened snow covered streets. Sandy had the brilliant idea to walk for a little while. We all happily joined her.

No funnies this morning. I figured I needed to give you a break after this weekend's post.

trudge, trudge, trudge

Not an ideal day to run 2 hours given the 2 inches of freshly fallen snow. I prefer sub zero temperatures over 2 inches of snow. Oh well, such is life in Wisconsin.

I recently read that Green Bay has hit the big time. It has decided that instead of giving t-shirts to first time marathoners, it will provide the latest and most technologically advanced apparel. I was able to get a picture of it before it was released to the media! Don't worry - I am sure the model doesn't do it justice. Tom and Mike will make it shine!

Ode to the Cousins

After Jill and I ran in -9 temperatures, it made me realize how much the Cousins deserve a little something special in the blog this morning after running in -17 (or more) yesterday. So, my Ode to the Cousins:

Ode to the Cousins

Oh! On that frozen morn

Two cousins did clothes adorn.

For ahead of them they did see

5.5 miles of sheer stupidity.

The weatherman said 40 below!

The cousins said "We still will go!"

In Wisconsin it is never to cold

for these two cousins oh so bold!

So out they ran side by side

With only their frozen breath as their guide.

Cars passed with drivers gawking in wonder

As in to the cold these two did blunder.

As they returned to their abode

They said "Oh what a story to be told!"

The two knew this story would cajole!

Agreed it was - A better tale than the Ice Bowl!

So hats of to Christy and Mike

who showed us their running might!

The rest of us were snug in beds

Thinking "My! What boneheads!"

-9

Yes - a bit chilly AGAIN today! Luckily no wind.

We are hoping it will warm up a bit - soon!. Mike is threatening to take drastic measures. He said if it doesn't get above zero soon he will come dressed as one the Green Bay Packer Bikini Girls. THAT should convince Mother Nature that the cold weather is making us go a bit crazy. Don't worry - the rest of us won't be taken in by Mike's madness.

Notice all the smiles on the faces of the MEN around these girls. Then take a look at the woman's expression in the upper right hand corner. I have to say - I agree with her!

He Who Shall Not Be Named

The cousins and I enjoyed a nice snowy run today. It would be interesting to see who lives on Habhegger street - there must be SOME reason why that street never gets plowed!

We also saw 'He Who Shall Not Be Named'. He didn't run with us, so he doesn't get his name in the blog! Apparently his Ipod his friend enough for him on cold, snowy days. It will be interesting if his Ifriend is still so great when he is slogging through 26.2 miles! Plus technically his 'friend' is banned at USATF races. What kind of 'friend' is banned from races! Luckily for He Who Shall Not Be Named, GB doesn't enforce the rule.

School is on time... so better get going!

Definitions

"Something utterly foolish or unreasonable" is one of the definitions for 'insanity'. I am pretty sure that a couple of drivers were thinking that when they saw Tom (see - mentioned your name again!) Bryan, Jill and I running this morning. I know for sure that my husband did. I actually think the definition for crazy is more appropriate: "distracted with desire or excitement". We were so distracted by the excitement of running that we were utterly foolish and unreasonable and went running when the temperature was -14 without wind chill! My car thermometer actually read -19. How cold was it? My Garmin actually froze.

I am sure there are the skeptical out there. So to prove we ran, we had Christy take a picture of us!

By the way, Jill and I ran 7.5 miles. Tom and Bryan ran 20 minutes longer.