Part II - Wendy, Wendy, Wendy

I was so sure Wendy would be there, as promised, this morning. But at 5:01 (true to Morning Running Group code) Mike and I took off with no Wendy. He was trying to hold me back and wait, but the code was calling. I even reminisced with Mike about the time (way back when we had to walk 5 miles through snow just to meet to run) when Wendy would ask all of us to start at 4:45! Just goes to show you that times change!

Last night when I was surfing the web, I came up this motivational advice. I didn't think I would have to pull it out this morning, but here it is. Just for you Wendy....

(5.5 Miles with Ethanol Man this morning)

Favorite Excuse for Not Working Out: I'm Too Tired
Wed, 10/24/2007 - 11:30am by FitSugar

We all have a favorite excuse for not working out. If yours is "I am just too tired," I have something to tell you. Exercise will give you energy. For reals!

When you are tired, it is difficult to remember how great you felt at the end of your last workout. Chances are really high you felt better post exercise than you did before, and you probably felt more relaxed too. Exercise promotes oxygen exchange, out with the stale air and in with the fresh. Motivate yourself with the carrot of the post exercise euphoria!

Exercise can help you sleep better, and a night of restful sleep will help you stay more energized the next day.

When I am feeling weary and therefore wary of exercise, I have to work through the mind games I play to talk myself out of exercising. Once I finally get moving, I find my energy is there and I am for a full workout. So fight the "too tired" excuse with the mantra "exercise to energize." It may be a little cheesy, but sometimes all it takes is two words to get me off the couch.

Wendy, Wendy, Wendy

Last night when we were running Wendy said she would DEFINITELY join the morning running group. She told me that if she didn't too feel free to send out a ridiculing e-mail about her. I however, decided to take the high road. In my ever constant effort to aide my fellow runners, I did an EXTENSIVE on-line search for motivational tips to send out to Wendy. The tips were originally for weight loss, but is just substituted 'running in the morning' for "weight loss'. What the heck - it is all the same... right? After all how much time do you think I have in the morning!

Here they are:

• Post a picture of yourself running in the morning if you are trying to run in the morning.
• Post a picture of yourself running at the time of morning you and would like to run at.
• Post a picture of a running celebrity you would like to emulate. Jessica Biel perhaps? Here's a pic of her in a bikini. Maybe Jackie Warner is your motivation, here she is.
• Post a picture of something that you would like to do while you are running in the morning, and thus extend your life, for example chatting with Mike about how good it feels not to have to run through the sprinklers for once.
• Post a picture of an outfit you would like to feel comfortable in while running in the morning, maybe some cute jeans or a hot string bikini?
• Post a picture of a reward you'll give yourself after you've stuck to it for a while. Maybe a brochure to a resort, a new necklace or it could even be something as small as a new CD... as long as it motivates you.
  
• Fit's Tip: I would post the picture (or pictures) someplace that will really motivate you such as on the fridge, in the pantry, where you keep your gym clothes, in your home gym, on your mirror, etc.

Here are a couple more:

• Buy a packet of small, smiley-face stickers from Office Depot. Choose six different colors-one for each fitness achievement. Put them on my office calendar after your workouts. A red face stands for a morning you had to run with Mike. A yellow for days below 30 degrees, Green for days Mike isn't there, and so on. This way, you can really entertain your office mates with your colorful wall decorations! I am sure that the stickers will fit with in the CU's decoration rules.
• The absolute best motivator is the astonished look you often get from your fellow morning runners when I’m show up to run in the morning or on really cold days much less on a regular day!

On a side note... my foot is doing good! I ran 5 miles two days in a row and it feels pretty good!

Two days in a row

I took a chance and ran two days in a row, but kept it shorter today - 3.5. I felt it more than yesterday, but not too bad. However, I think it was wise not to go the full 5.

I have been interested to read the blogs of people who experienced the Chicago Marathon this year. There seems to be a growing backlash aimed towards the race due to the race director not apologizing and essentially saying it was the fault of the runner's that there wasn't enough water. I have heard to things - due to the runners using water to cool their bodies (dumping it over their heads) they ran out of water. Second - that it was due to poor preparation by the runners. I find it interesting that the Twin Cities marathon run the same day did just fine. True, it was probably a little cooler that far north, but still it makes you wonder.

4.8

Up to 4.8 miles this morning! I was feeling it in my foot a little bit, but that is okay. I am not sure if I will run tomorrow am or not. I might, but go shorter distance. I haven't run two days in a row in a long time, so it will be interesting.

I can tell that I haven't been running. I am experiencing muscle soreness again! It is odd how it feels good - at least I am running so no complaining from me!

I hear people talking about marathons.... will be interesting to see what people have planned for next year!

3.8 and counting

Sandy did such a good job of guilty us in to coming that we were all there this morning. Unfortunately it backfired on her since she was sick, but felt that she couldn't miss after she gave all of us a hard time! Mike even skipped his favorite activity (second to watching Packer Games, of course) Beer Tasting! He was not going to chance the wrath of Sandy!

The running seems to be going well. Part of the adjustment is just getting into the rhythm of early mornings again!

Wow

Okay - I didn't run again since my last post, but I saw these two videos from the Chicago Marathon and couldn't believe how close the men's and women's finishes were! The women's was particularly amazing or sad depending on your perspective. Check them out:

Men's Finish

Women's Finish

Mantra of the Month (NRR)

Ran 3 miles today. My foot felt pretty good, but on to my Mantra of the Month (NRR - Not Running Related)

MANTRA OF THE MONTH (drum roll please) ESTATE PLANNING and WILLS

My running friends got my well intentioned lecture this morning. If you are blessed with having a parent still with you, give the the best gift you can give at Christmas and help them get some Estate Planning advice. Yes, I know it is a touchy subject, but it shouldn't be. It is so helpful to the survivors to have a plan in place. This alone is so valuable. Plus, you will save a ridiculous percentage of the estate (in my opinion) from going to Uncle Sam.

TWO - WILL, WILL, WILL - say it again people - WILL. Get one! We all know we should get one, but it seems to rank right up there with buying swimsuits, vacuum cleaners and getting the furnace serviced yearly. Yes, we know we have to do it, but it just is not fun to think about. It is so easy to put off, but think about your surviving family and children. They will know your wishes (preventing family arguments) and be able to follow through with them. And once again - it will prevent a large percentage of your estate from going to the government for administering your estate since you didn't have a will. It is not complicated - you can even go on-line get a template, fill it out and have it notarized. It is one of those things lawyers (according to my husband) don't charge much for since it is so simple - plug and chug.

So, say it with me - Estate Planning and Wills are GOOD things!

2.0!

I joined the morning runners for 2 miles this morning. I was able to run and that is good news. By the end I was feeling my foot, but it was better and that is good news!

It was so great to be back with the group - even if Mike was there (you know we love you Mike!) Here is a great article about running with groups. I think it touches upon many of the things we enjoy in our group.

Also - a shout out to Rhonda S.! Way to go on your first half marathon!

1/2 mile Whoo Hooo!

I got the okay from my PT to try a half mile today. A cold and staying in a hotel (meaning my first run in over a month had to be on a DREADMILL) could keep me from giving it a go! And it was a success! No more sharp pain! I believe next I can up it up to a mile or mile and half. I am not sure I can run that far anymore!

As a result of my good mood I offer a humorous video to you. Make sure you can hear the music. It will bring back memories. I expect a similar performance from Tom, Mike and Bryan at our post GB half marathon celebration!

It has been awhile

Whoa - Badgerrunner is back on the scene! Well, not actually - just seeing how many of you are still out there. I know it doesn't help my readership when I don't post for weeks on end - but injuries will do that to you. I will get to that later.

So, I saw this picture and I had to post it. Maybe some morning Mike will show up dressed like the caped crusader who ran this marathon - in a very respectable 3:39. Yes, he registered as Peter Parker. I can't imagine running 26 miles with that face mask on - of course - he is Spidey!


So, my recovery from PF is going slowly, but it seems to be getting better. Matt and Bob at Innovations have been excellent. I am starting to do some impact - hoping like a bunny for 90 seconds three times a day. Yes - funny to watch. I might be able to run SHORT distances this weekend if it goes well.... keep your fingers crossed!

A full group

A full group this morning. Sandy joined us too! I don't think she could take another day of e-mailed delivered guilt! Even though we were glad she wasn't back, we still wouldn't tell her all the stories from the weekend. It's called being a good running partner. Remember the saying - "My job is to be your running partner (parent), not your friend!" 6 miles.

Oh Sandy...

Isn't there a song in GREASE called "Sandy"? We missed you this morning, but more your loss since you missed all the good stories from the weekend! Wendy has an excuse, so I am not going to give her a hard time! We will have to make sure we run through the park on Wed so you can pay your fine by running through the sprinkler!

I nice run with Jenny and the Cousins. They did 6, I did 5.

Stormy Weather

Jill, Christy and I enjoyed a 7.7 mile run through a thunderstorm. Luckily, during the worst of it the wind was at our backs, so it was an enjoyable ride. I actually enjoyed it because it was substantially cooler than my last two runs. The biggest bummer was seeing red maple leaves that had fallen around a tree.... meaning fall is around the corner which means winter is not far behind - but enough of that negative talk!

rain vs humidity

Today was one of those days where I wondered if I would have gotten just as wet if it was raining. It was SO humid today! Pea Soup! I think rain would have been more enjoyable. Of course if it had been raining (as I had hoped when I looked out the door this morning) I would not have run.