Good Ones!

I found these Nike Running ads on one of my favorite running blogs -Runny is Funny. I had to share them....

All of us early morning Wisconsin (COLD!) runners can probably say that Nike got the idea for this ad from us since it has happened to us at one time or another...... Sadly, though they got the reality part of it wrong. Because we all know that it it was real, she would have icicles on her eye lashes and pony tails!



Now this is one that goes out to Mike. He always scoffs at us women when we talk about wanting to lose those infamous 5 lbs. Maybe this ad will put it in terms he will understand.



This one I know they got after watching me during the last 3 miles of the Twin Cities Marathon. And yes, I was talking out loud to no one but myself.

A different day

Well, remember when I said that I actually "enjoyed" running on the treadmill while in the Boat? Today was a different day.

I knew it wasn't going to be a good run when I looked in the mirror and said to J, Today is my first full day as 42 and I look it. Oh my. As I was walking toward the fitness center, I found myself thinking that I would rather not be doing this. And of course everything went wrong when I got there.

First, I have to say that I don't like the new set up in the gym. They got one big screen TV to replace 3, but the equipment didn't get moved back. So, unless you are on one of the two (very popular) elliptical machines right in front of it, you have to turn your head in at least a 45 degree angle to see it. Of course, then you can't hear it either. Naturally, the treadmills are at the ends of the row... the worst spots.

I got on one though. Got things moving when I realized that I was going to need a LOT more distraction than the 45+ degree TV viewing angle would provide. I then realized that I forgot to switch my iPod holder for the one with the belt clip. I made the mistake of putting the iPod on the machine. You know what happened. Within 30 seconds I hit the headphone cord and my iPod went flying. Luckily, it was unscathed. Then I realized I was HOT. I saw the treadmill on the far other end of the line of equipment was free and had a fan. So, I moved. Got situated again. Started listening to my audio book when I accidentally hit the chapter ahead button. UGH!!! So, I switched to podcasts. I had listened to ALL of them already. ARRGH.

On top of all of this my body was not happy. My first few steps I believe I let out a pretty audible groan as the jiggle of my butt was amazingly painful. So, I ran 2 miles. Pathetic. But I did it. Better than nothing. Plus, I have been downhill skiing on a BIG MOUNTAIN for 2 days. My legs have been getting quite a workout, so it is not like I have been slacking.

Plus - I am 42, I deserve a break today!

ALMOST an embarrassing moment

Luckily yesterday I managed to avoid a potentially very embarrassing moment......

On the slopes of Mt. Werner in Steamboat they have mesh type banner signs which warn you to slow down or not jump. They are usually placed where runs are merging. Well, this year I noticed that they had some new signs. One that caught my curiosity was W.H.O.A Partner - Slopewise. I figured that they must have some new partnership with the WHOA group, but couldn't figure out what WHOA stood for. I thought I would see some explanation of it somewhere on the map or in the Gondola building, but no such luck. I meant to ask a lift operator what it stood for - because you know me, I need know what is going on! - but I kept on forgetting. Later in the day I finally got it.... it wasn't W.H.O.A Partner, it was Whoa Partner! As in cowboy on his horse - Whoa Partner!!

I could only imagine the look of bewilderment that I would have seen on the lift operator's face as I asked what WHOA stood for. Jim assured me that it would have been in the top 10 for the stupidest question asked by a skier. Whew! Sometimes forgetfulness is a good thing!

We are looking forward to skiing today. 4" of new snow at mid mountain and 6" at the top.

First Run in the BOAT!

My first annual run on treadmill in Steamboat Grand.

It is the only place I enjoy (look forward to....nah!) a treadmill run. I am not sure why that is. Maybe because I am on vacation and all is good? Maybe because since I normally avoid running on the treadmill, it is different enough to make it interesting? Maybe because I have no gauge of whether or not it is a bad or good work out except for how my body feels? Maybe because I allow a shorter work out since I tend to try and do a much faster pace? Or is it because I get to sleep an hour later and still run at 6:00 am! Hmmmm. I just don't know. But the good thing is that I like doing and usually get a least 3 runs in.

Today I decided to try an interval run where I ran fast during the show and recovered during the commercial. Unfortunately, I started with the WRONG channel. Who knew that CNN had such long news periods. And to make it worse it was typical 24 hours news channel "no news trying to look like new" It was all (25 minutes until I changed the channel) on the Chile earthquake. Now, don't get me wrong, I have sympathy for them. But it happened yesterday and I would think there would be SOME other news to report. Especially when they weren't giving us any news anyway.

So I switched to network news. Much better. And of course the first story was about the inaccuracy of exercise machine and watches estimation of how many calories you burn. Not good news, but not surprising. I have never paid much attention to how many calories I have burned except after a 3 hour run! Needless to say they all OVER estimate the amount of calories you burn by quite a significant amount. Now that is NEWS!!!!!

So, my work out when well. 45 minutes at a pace over 1 minute per mile faster than my pace run on Friday and Yes, I did have the incline at 1% except for the last minute.

I don't get it.

So, just to start off - I had a nice 8 mile pace run with Christy this morning. Well, the company was nice, but the run wasn't. I continue to hang on to my "I gave blood" excuse. It really has wiped out my energy in runs. However, the 8 miles did go by quickly - THANKS Christy. I hope giving up Bryan for Lent is going well.

So - a little vent here. I just don't get people sometimes. I just deleted a comment from my blog which was from a person pretending to be a friend or an 'interested' runner when in actuality they were trying to get me to go to a shoe website. Well, I am at least giving the benefit of the doubt that it was a shoe site and not a virus site. If it was a virus site, then well this person has WAY too much time on their hands. I mean, who has time to go find running blogs and post a comment about running shoes (complete with misspellings) just to get me to go to a site to get a virus. Did I mention that they mentioned Prada sneakers???? Oh yeah - I think I will give up my dependable Asics Nimbuses and switch to Prada. I am sure they pay good attention to the needs of a runner like me. I wonder how high the heel is? At least that way when I fall I will fall forward - towards the finish line!

I also don't get the virus thing. I don't understand how this gives people a thrill. They never actually see the frustration and damage they do. Maybe their imaginations provide better images than what happens in reality. I just don't get it. Sometimes I feel it just is an indication of the weird evil in the world. A sad thought. Why do people feel the need to cause harm to people they will never see? Okay, getting too deep here. I went for my run already today, you would think I would have all this energy out of my system. Maybe it is just because I am getting my haircut today (LOVE the massage during the shampoo (Can I fall asleep right here?? Please???)) AND I am leaving for vacation tomorrow!!!! Whooo HOOOO!!!!

Alarm Clock

A nice group of runners this morning... I am referring to number of runners not types of personalities! It was a little slick with the dusting of snow, but warmer than it has been.

The last post starred Christy. So today's will feature her lovely spouse, Bryan. The quote of the morning that literally stopped my conversation with Tom and Mike because it was too good to let go without comment was from Christy, "I am worried about Jake's birthday, I am not sure what to get him. Bryan suggested an alarm". Yes, you read right, an alarm. Now, this comes from a man that has no problem buying not only one tractor, but a SECOND one! AND he has a corn picker and as Tom pointed out, he isn't even a farmer. However, Bryan had a well thought rationale for all of this.... There isn't any tax on farm equipment purchases. Ah.............

I guess Christy and I are headed to Minneapolis today for a tractor's worth of shopping since there isn't any tax on clothes! Oh, and we need to pick up a nice alarm clock. Like this one.... I have to say. It would get you up, but there would be a lot of swearing (from you and your neighbors) as you tried to find the flying thing in a dark room while half awake in order to shut the darn thing off!

Crabby Apple

Today I cannot shake my crabby apple mood. My run this morning did not help. I am still struggling. At one point I made a conscious effort to focus on the positive aspects of the run.... it was light out, I could hear birds chirping which means spring is on the way, there was warmth in the sun which means spring is one the way, my new running jacket seems to be working well, most of the ice was off the sidewalks. Unfortunately I was only able to keep this up for 5 seconds.

So, this morning I went in search of an appropriate Oscar the Grouch video. However, while listening to this song, I realized that it is much more appropriate for Christy our self proclaimed long run grouch. She has been trying to complain less and be more positive during our long runs (and sometimes during our regular runs) by saying such things as "I will be really happy when this run is over." She knows she isn't quite getting it, but we will give her an A for effort because.... We Love YOU Just the Way You ARE!

Christy has been struggling to come up with something to give up for lent and a brilliant idea just occurred to me! It the perfect thing because not only will it be a sacrifice for her, it will also greatly benefit others! It is much better than her sacrifice of limiting herself to one dessert a day (now you know why she runs) She should give up complaining during running. Notice that I didn't limit it to long runs. She needs to really sacrifice - all runs!!! What do you think??? Yes, I am really asking, so there is a poll at the top of the poll for you to indicate your thoughts. I know I haven't wowed you all with my technical know-how for quite some time, so I thought I would expose you all to a new gadget - blog polls.

Also, you will notice that I did some updating to the blog page. Long over due.

Lastly, in attempt to end this poll on a positive note, I am happy to report that I actually finished the paper's Sudoku puzzle today. My husband tells me that Sunday has the hardest puzzles... so I am particularly pleased!

First official long run

I guess I should be happy since the first official long run of the training season is done.

It was painful.

The night before I had called C to tell her that if I wasn't there, don't wait for me. I was experiencing a sudden onset of nausea and thought I was in for a long night. I had heard too many nasty stories of 24 hour stomach bugs. Maybe it was my body's way of trying to get out of it since I had a solid night of sleep - dead to the world.

In the morning I was still feeling nauseated, but still able to run. Plus I didn't want to not go and then feel fine later in the day. I would rather go and quit the run early if needed. Too many times I have felt icky before a run just to have it disappear a few miles in.

Near the end of the first hour I was already thinking.... boy, I wish this was the end of the 2nd hour. NOT a good sign. A quarter of the way into the next 1.5 hours I was already thinking about telling the cousins and Tom to just go on. It was one of times where every time I looked at my Garmin I thought "Only ONE minute has gone by?????".

I managed not to bail as we ran by the vehicles... at that point I was able to think... I CAN do 45 more minutes. But not long after I told the others to just go. Of course I forgot that they are all Garmin sluts. So, not long after they slowed their pace down in order for me to catch up. Don't go thinking that they are kind and sensitive running friends because they are not. Nope, they don't care about me, they just care about my Garmin. The were lost with out me and my Garmin. Fortunately my slow, slow pace eventually made them give up and they went on their way.

I did finish, a little shy of 2:15, but only by 2.5 minutes, so that is just fine considering how rotten I felt.

Blood and the Olympics

Today is one of those days that I have so much to say that I don't know where to begin!

So, let's begin with a topic that is always interesting... blood.

I gave blood for the first time this week. (pat on the back) However, after today's run I have decided that I will not give blood during training season (I can't say "racing" season with a straight face). I thought it would probably impact my running because I remember running with some of my fellow morning runners and them saying they were struggling because they gave blood. However, I read up on the issue (no surprise to those who know me well). I learned that it can take 3-4 weeks for your body blood haemoglobin levels to return to normal. I was thinking it would be a couple of days. I have a hard time maintaining my iron levels under normal circumstances, I can only guess how hard it will be for me to recover after giving a pint (of blood, not beer - in my dreams). I was actually a little surprised I was able to give blood since in the past my iron levels were too low. However, this week I was taking an iron supplement in addition to my multi-vitamin. Now, I am sure that iron is a nice little mineral as minerals go, but I am sure those of you who have taken an iron supplemental can support my testimony that it is not NOT nice to other vitally important and daily bodily functions. So, although I believe it is the right thing to do, I will not be giving blood until October.

So, on to more cheery subjects. Did you watch the Women's Downhill on the Olympics last night? OMG. OMG. You could use this race alone to develop an updated montage for the ABC Wide World of Sports' catch phrase, "Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport… the thrill of victory… and the agony of defeat… the human drama of athletic competition… This is ABC's Wide World of Sports!" (I looked hard for the original video montage, with no success).

The course was very hard and icey after being slushy all week and then freezing the night before making for some spectacular crashes which they only can be at 60mph. Amazingly, they all walked away and afterwards they reported that none of them were seriously injured.

Particularly sad was the women from Italy(?) who is the second skier in the montage. She wipes out within 25 feet of the starting gate. Wow.... you gotta feel for her. And adding insult to injury, she had to be wearing an ALL WHITE ski suit. Now, any woman can tell you that an all white, skin tight outfit is NOT flattering, even if you are an Olympic athlete. You look more like a dough boy (or in this case - girl) not a hard trained, rock hard Olympic athlete. Obviously it was a man who came up with the design.

Take the time to watch the video... if you can without say OH! or OUCH! it is a good indication that you have serious issues and you should pick up the phone right now and get some therapy!

Still learning about each other

Today my husband and I had one of our rare runs together. We opted to run while the boys were at basketball practice. We ran the first 5.5 together and then he continued on for another 5 miles, meeting us at home. On this run I found that after 11 years, I still continue to learn new things about him.

Obviously it was Valentine's weekend since he ran without his ear buds. Normally he doesn't understand why I think listening to an iPod while running with someone defeats the whole reason to run with someone. He says he can still hear me. This is kinda true since he does tend to hear me when I am repeating what I just said in addition to giving a dirty look. However, I don't think this counts, but he apparently does. I should take what I can get since the day before I had to inform him that Valentine's Day was on February 14th, not the 12th. This honestly surprised him. To be fair to him (and because he will quickly point this out to anyone who mentions this blog posting to him) I should admit that two nights before I turned to him and said "Just so you know, I am not getting you a Valentine's Day card". He believes this means that it should be no surprise that he does not know what date V-day actually occurs on. Hmmmmm.... again... we have different levels of expectations.

Anyway.. got a little off track here. So, on this run with my dear, dear, husband I learned that he is a SIDEWALK runner and I am a ROAD runner. Now, in the summer this would not bother me too much, but in the winter when running on sidewalks means leaping over rock hard snowplow mounds at intersections; tip toeing over ice spots from snow that melted then sheeted over the sidewalk and then froze; and praying that my ankle doesn't twist as I run over sidewalks that had not been shoveled (GRRRR) I find this practice somewhat ludicrous. Especially when the road is nice and clear. So, there were many times during our 5 miles when I was running on one side of the road (against traffic) and he was running on the sidewalk on the OTHER side of the road. Makes for great conversation. This should not have surprised me since he tends to be a pretty law abiding person when it comes to pedestrian type activities. He leaves it to me to be the family law breaker when it comes to crossing the street before the street light flashes the white (you are allowed to) walk person (all the while shaking his head or giving the "I am NOT with her" look). Also, on previous joint runs he often urged me to get into a single file formation even though the car he believed was 'upon us' was in actuality just a 'glint of sun off the roof in the far distance' to me. I wouldn't be surprised if the next time we run together he brings a long a rope with two loops to hang on to, just like you see pre-schoolers using on field trips.

But I must say, despite all this silliness, I do love running with him and am thankful we have something we can do together, even if he is wearing his ear buds. It wouldn't be any fun if I couldn't rib him about something!

Runners World

I have been having long and serious thoughts about my relationship with my Runner's World subscription. Simply said - the thrill is gone. When I see it in the mailbox I think "Eh - there it is." instead of "Oh Boy! It's here!"

I am not quite sure why this is. Maybe I am wondering if they are following down the road of the guy who edits Men’s Health who was sacked because he had a unique way of handling his old responsibilities. It just seems to be the same ole, same ole. PLUS the Penguin is gone!

Granted - I am not normally the magazine type, but I thought things were different between me and RW. Apparently not. No, I probably won't cancel it because I subscribe through my niece's fundraising effort, but it is kinda depressing. It is sad when something you love so much loses its appeal and excitement. It reminds me of when I realized that my relationship with The Complete Running Network was, in my eyes, dying. There are only so many times that I am willing to go to a site only to find that there are no updates. The anticipation and excitement of reading something new only to be disappointed time after time. And believe me, I gave CRN many, many chances to redeem itself. If felt like I was losing touch with a good friend, but as with everything, I came to understand that sometimes you have to let go. I had to recognize that all the work I was putting in (navigating to a website is hard after all!) was just not being reciprocated and it got removed from my favorites list. Harsh, I know, but necessary. Tough Love.

I am happy though that I have found a replacement in Shut and Run's blog. Her post today was TOO FUNNY!

Cold Pace Run

Today we opted to do a pace run. Ugh.

I am not a fan of pace run even in ideal conditions. Today was not ideal. The temperature hovered at zero. Plus all the ice chunks from the snow earlier in the week provided some additional challenges. BUT we did it and a decent pace considering the conditions..... 8:46. That is about 30 seconds per mile faster than what we normally do in the winter. It was a short one - only 5.5 miles, but since training hasn't official begun, I am FINE with that. Plus I think running in the cold is more strenuous so that added 2 miles - right? Oh - and I was running without Shiner (dog) pulling me along... so even harder!

Now I can take joy in the fact that I don't have to run tomorrow AND I have tomorrow off!

New runner blog to follow

I have been casting about and lurking around trying to find a new running blog to follow. I think I may have found one: Shut up and Run. I even left her a comment to see if I could get some free champion running apparel. I have to say, I love their bras.

Confirmed

I checked and I am definitely registered for the Fargo Marathon on May 22. I have another compulsion to add to my pre-race obsessive compulsive disorder. Since I some how goofed my registration to the LOTTERY for the NYC marathon, I have become a nervous Nelly.

I got excited too when I went to Fargo Marathon's merchandise page. It looked like they might have something to tempt my credit card before the race. However, when I went to the page there was only coffee mugs, bumper stickers for the 2009 race. It was hard, but I resisted.

So I went on trying to find something else to get me JAZZED about running the Fargo Marathon. The only thing that got my heart beating - in a good way - was the course elevation chart. It looks relatively flat - doesn't it? Or are they putting it at such a large scale that the changes don't look too bad? Sorry, I can't get it any bigger. However, I will tell you that those "BIG" valleys in the first half are LESS than a 20 foot change in elevation. That can't be has bad as the last street bridge at Chicago or the Hill from Hell (my name, not the official one) over the last 4 miles of Twin Cities (and I swear to you the hill lasted the ENTIRE 4 miles!). So right now - big grin on my face.