Good Thing

Tom showed up this morning to run with CU Gals, Kwik Trip girl (sounds like a super hero doesn't it?) and me. It was a good thing too, because with all the running we have been doing together we are starting to run out of things to talk about on those long run. I had started to search for some "new blood" and had found this guy. Don't you think he would be the perfect person to have along on a long run? I only hope I don't sound like this after the marathon - it would be possible.

He Who Shall Not Be Named - Again

He who shall not be named shall not be named in this blog again until he runs with us again. We saw him running twice TWICE this morning! He was kind enough to give us a wave. He must have had his pink Ipod turned down since he did respond to a hello. Although, apparently not low enough because he didn't respond to any our our kind remarks after he had passed. I know that after hearing about Jill's experience of listening to wresting stories for 2 hours during Friday's run we have more fun without you! Really! We do!

Monday Mornings

A blustery morning with CU Gals, Jenny and one of the cousins. We were all feeling our pace run at the beginning. Jenny and CU Gals decided not to run long and I didn't get any takers on my suggestion to do hills. Hmmmm . Wonder why?

By the end of the run everyone must have been feeling better because, CU Gals and Jenny decided to go another 1.5 and I came home and surprised myself by doing a mile speed work on the dreadmill. I think I was able to do it because I could tell myself it would be over in less than 9 minutes. I didn't bail even when I found my Ipod out of battery power!

So, due to my extra work out - no additional humor today.

Tom

There you go Tom, I mentioned you in the blog. I just want to make sure you life is complete.

Now, that that is over - Mike and I ran our 14 mile pace run this morning. We achieved a 9:02/mile pace. Man, it was a struggle for me. Mike was very patient with my sudden needs to stop and have a drink of water, which conveniently would happen as we were going up a hill. To our credit though, we took a hilly route. I think of it as the Judy route, since it was on of my first long runs and I was with Judy and it goes out by her house. A loop around town with BC thrown in and then out 16 to old 16 to the end and then down that county road to the railroad tracks and back along the interstate. It was a little hard to see the potholes and cracks in the road that early in the morning, but no twisted ankles.

Remember to have Larry in your thoughts and prayers today since it surgery day. I am confident he will come out of the surgery with a smile on his face and some sly comment to Judy.

However, no matter how bad you feel after a surgery or after a hard run, you probably don't feel as bad as this guy. Although he remembered to get his beer - so it couldn't have been that bad.

April Fools

No prizes today for best April Fools day joke. I guess the wind was bad enough. I fully expected Mike to have something up his sleeve, but nope! I was so disappointed that even though it is April Fools - I have no interesting tidbit of information or humor to share today.

However, I learned once again how much you discover about your friends when you are enduring a 3 hour run with them. Sandy and I had many deep and soulful discussions during our 19 miles together. She told me a goal of her and even though I promised to keep it a secret, I found it too inspiring not to share. If you ask her, she will definitely deny it, but she intends to really step up her fitness regime. Ultra? 50 state member? Ironman? "What could it be?", you ask. Well - as they say - a picture says a thousand words, so here is her goal:

Congrats to Judy, Larry and David

Congratulations to Judy and David for finishing another marathon and doing well despite the conditions! And to Larry too for his Half finish! Not many people can say they did that a week before hip surgery!

A good Monday morning run with Cousins, Jenny and Sandy. Warm and no rain.

Just one little rant not related to running. Last night we watched No Country for Old Men. It won the 2007 Academy Award for Best Picture. I have decided that since all movies are so predictable these days that in order to get a "Best Picture" award it has to make absolutely no sense. It had potential to be a great movie and I was eagerly awaiting for the great ending to tie it all together! As I realized the minutes were ticking closer and closer to the end end of the movie I became more and more amazed that they were going to produce a great ending in so little time. Then the movie suddenly ended. Jim and I just looked at each other in disbelief and shook our heads. Nothing like going from anticipation to frustration to make you not like a movie! I think we will just stick to the mind numbing simple movies. Apparently, we don't have the culture to appreciate the good ones!

Monday's are always hard, so sometimes it helps to start the day with a little laughter. Make sure you watch it all the way through....

Good Run

3 hours and 19.04 miles later I can say that it was a good run. I got initiated into the "Features" run today and despite some of the horror stories I had heard about it, it went well. The conditions were ideal with the wind at our backs and sun to keep us warm. Sandy and I plug along and were able to keep the conversation up even at the end. No tears, no swearing and no childbirth stories.

Good Job to everyone! Sandy, Wendy, Bryan, Julianne and Jenny!
Kudos to Sheri, Al, Russ and Mark!!!
And forever gratefulness to Dan for being a GREAT sag wagon! What luxury!

I am feeling really really good! Yeah!

Before the rain

Kwik Trip Girl, Cousins, CU Gals and I got the run in before it started raining too hard. The CU Gals must be feeling good since this is the second day in a row they went long!

Sorry, short post this morning. I guess the run took all my energy!

Back

Tough run this morning. A perfect storm... recovering from a cold, not dressing warm enough (it is officially Spring after all!), getting used to central time again and getting up at 4:30 for the first time in over a week. Whew. I even had to sit in my car for a minute or two and gather my strength!

What are the signs of a heart attack? Yeah - I can just hear Mike now - "Well, you know you are 40...."

Time for some positive thoughts and a spring picture:

Steamboat II

Another treadmill run this morning. It was a little struggle to begin with since I am fighting cold. Nothing serious, but a factor none the less. A good 4.6 mile run at a good clip. I got a little sick of the political conversion on CNN. It should have chosen a different channel. I guess that is something I would have learned if I took Treadmill 101.

Great skiing so far. I think this is the first year that I haven't experience any soreness in my legs. I guess the running is paying off. It could be a little warmer for spring skiing, but it is nice since the snow doesn't get icy overnight meaning good conditions all day.

Got quite the surprise yesterday on the last run. A snow boarder (of course) streaked by us. Not as in streaking = fast, but streaking = butt naked. Not a stitch of clothing on him except for his snowboard boots. Believe me, even though it was low on the mountain, it was not streaking weather! His butt cheeks looked pretty pink and he was protecting his jewels from frostbite. Maybe it was his idea of male birth control since I doubt that any of his little guys survived the freezing temperatures!

A good memory to chalk up to St. Patty's Day!

Steamboat I

A good treadmill work out this morning. Since it is the DREADMILL I allow myself to go shorter time but faster. My legs feel real good after Friday's long run. The felt good yesterday too. Well, not much to report. Just getting the kids ready to go skiing. So I had better assist!

New Start Time

Mike and I decided that the morning running group should start at 4:00 instead of 5:00. It is so much fun! Actually, it wasn't that bad. Of course a temperature of 38 degrees didn't hurt any. That and I am leaving on vacation and Mike is going to see the "new Love" this weekend. Being able to look forward to good times does help on a long run.

It felt good though. Much better than the 2:30 run and even the 10 mile pace run. It was just what I needed. Well, Jim will only be patient so long, so I have to be short this morning. Here is a picture of me so you can be thinking about me all week:

Getting easier

It was almost 30 degrees this morning. It makes running so much easier. I noticed that people are getting out of cars faster and lingering a bit longer after the run. Pretty soon we will be getting our lawn chairs out and enjoying a beer before heading home.

There was a lot of talk about who was running when this weekend. I realized I should adjust the poll.... e-mail coming to you soon.

What the ????

I am sure the number of hits my blog has gotten went up significantly today due to people checking and rechecking to see if I had posted yet today (JILL?). Sorry folks, my Internet was worse than dial-up speed this morning, so I wasn't able to post right after running.

Jenny and Mike got reacquainted this morning after a long period of of not seeing each other. I was sadden to see that no hugs were exchanged just a polite handshake. I am sure they will get close again. We have many hours ahead of us for them to renew their kinship.

It was the usual Monday morning of Christy complaining all the way! Geez - you would think those halfers would be happy since they don't have to run 2:45 this weekend, but NOOOOO. Now we are running to fast! She did try to take the high road and say it would be her pace run (5.6 miles - so hard!). You know I am just joking Christy! Someone has to make up for Mike's Lent promise and it takes Jill, Jenny and Me to do so!

Here is a great article for the women in the group - especially those that are nearing the a day when they will enter a new, but older age group category!