Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Better late the never

Yes Fans - I did run this morning, but I also had to "run" to work, so I my blog didn't make my morning 'to do' list.

I hate to admit it, but Sandy, Wendy, Mike and I were talking about doing Chicago next fall. Hmmmmmm - I might.

Okay, I haven't given you anything to laugh at in awhile, so since school is out and the national spelling bee was last week, I thought this video was appropriate. Does it make you remember your own middle school awkwardness?

Monday, June 4, 2007

No rain

Again! No rain to allow me to go back to bed, but actually this morning I wanted to run. I needed the recovery from all the laughter that Tom S. gave us on Saturday night - not to mention all the food, wine and beer. (See Tom, I always find a way to work you in!)

A nice usual run with Sandy and Christy this morning - making and talking about all our plans for Butterfest weekend. I guess I can pretty much count on no one wanting to run next Monday!

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Shoot! It's not raining!

Imagine an aerial view of Sparta at 4:35 this morning and "Shoot! It's not raining!" would appear in 2 big dialogue bubbles in the skies above the city!

Poll

Which is worse:
  1. Getting up and ready to run only to realize when you go outside that it is raining.
  2. Thinking it is going to be raining in the morning (b/c you made the mistake of trusting the weather forecast) therefore anticipating being able to go back to bed, but it ends up being dry?
So, Mike and I did our 5.5 miles this morning like good soldiers. It felt a little better then Tuesday, but I will be happy when I get my groove back!

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

What Beer, Brats and ....

a week off or running feels like! Ugh! Okay, it may have been the heat too, but Christy and I were struggling this morning. Or maybe she was just being nice! But we got 5.75 miles in and are looking forward to the next run which has to be a lot better!

Talking about pain.... at the recent half/marathon adventure, my SIL - the Dr. - told us that we shouldn't take ibuprofen before the run due to how it is processed through the body. Tylenol would be better (but not for the post race beer consumption). Jim decided to risk it, but it raised the question in our minds. I came upon this article about it. You should really read the article, but I know you are busy, so the recommendation is:

"Based on what we know from research, the use of Ibuprofen can impair health and performance if taken in larger doses and if in combination with dehydration due to altered renal function. Endurance training and competition is highly dependent on your body’s ability to move fluids through the kidneys. The restriction of this fluid movement can cause numerous adverse effects including dehydration, hyponatremia and kidney failure. All of which do not bode well for a PR. For races and hard training sessions, the risks seem to outweigh the questionable benefits.
Therefore, the use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS), ibuprofen) should be reserved for post-exercise and taken in moderation. A proper warm-up and good fueling practices may do more for you to prevent muscle soreness and inflammation than popping a few Ibuprofen.

Friday, May 25, 2007

First run after the big Race!

A beautiful run this morning with the Cousins. We are still filling the effects of our race or maybe it is the sluggishness that follows a week off from running. Still, it was good to be back out there. I was feeling lonely without my morning runs!

Best picture from the Green Bay Marathon my title is


GIVN'ER!


(Tom - not just a mention of you, but a picture too!)

Monday, May 21, 2007

Green Bay CellCom Half and Full Marathon!


WE DID IT! What a great achievement for everyone!

This photo is before the race, but I think we would look even happier after the - and not just because of the beer!

I was able to make my goal of setting a new PR - 1:51:14 - 2:25 faster then my previous best! My strategy of running a comfortable fast pace the first half and then trying for negative splits the second half worked! It was a much less painful experience than St. Clare's.


I was so proud of the rest of the group too! A lot of personal achievements/goals were reached! Plus it is just a great group of friends to enjoy the experience and a few beers after the race! It is after all "All about the Beer!"

Friday, May 18, 2007

Last pre race run

I cool 3.27 mile run this morning with my half marathon partner -Mike . It is going to be a little cold race day morning if the weather forecast is right, but we are EXCITED! Gotta go send e-mails to the group!

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Race Ego Booster

Mike and I had a great run this morning. 4 miles at a 7:54 pace! I thought I was just struggling, but it was that I was running fast! Mike was focused on talking about a topic he is passionate about. I told him he will have to talk about it at the race and he will have the best time ever! A cool morning, but I was determined not to wear tights!

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Post Mother's Day run.

A nice 4+ mile run today. (Forgot my Forerunner). Jordan, Mike and I. I think illness has taken out a couple of the marathoners.

So, a few benefits of running:

Running is better than sex. Well, aerobically speaking, that is. An adult weighing 150 pounds will burn about 520 calories running for 40 minutes at about 7:30 pace. That same guy or gal will only burn 192 calories having sex for 40 minutes. (I put that one first since I know it would be the one that interests you most.)

I am sure Larry would LOVE to chime in here, but I can't help but thinking that it must have been a guy writing this article... come on - 40 minutes? Obviously the person does not have kids.

There is evidence that shows long distance runners have higher IQs, do better in school and earn higher incomes than non-runners. The thinking is that all of that time we spend out there running allows us to sort through problems and generally exercise our brains while we exercise our bodies. Of course, that assumes you’re thinking about something other than the bacon cheeseburger you’re going to have for lunch.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Life on the Other Side

This morning I got to experience life on the other side or what Mike experiences most mornings. It was me and Mike, Jordan (newbie) and Tom (see I mentioned you again!). I felt like the President running with his Secret Service! The topics were quite different too... no talk of child birth, or which sports bra is best! I have to give them credit though, no football talk. I think they were just being kind since I knew the route and they didn't want to get lost.

The marathoners ran this morning too, but of course they were wimpy like marathoners can be and ran at 5:00 instead of 4:45. (I wonder what route they ran?)

Hopefully we didn't scare Jordan away. We had a good run going. 8.17 miles at a 8:32 pace. Come back Jordan, it gets easier.

My Google home page gives me new fitness tip everyday. Today it was "Surround yourself with people and things that promote a healthy lifestyle.". Isn't that true!

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Birds Chirping

It was a much cooler 60 degrees. It is amazing how different it feels with lower humidity. A nice 5.9 mile run with Sandy and Jill this morning. It was one of those many morning runs that made me love mornings in Wisconsin.

Monday, May 7, 2007

Thoroughbreds

A great group of 6 thoroughbreds running this morning. Mike said we sounded like horses. I am sure he meant the type that win the Kentucky Derby! A 5.77 mile run. Another new route.

Benefits of Running in the Morning (just one more reason)
Research has shown that people who exercise in the morning keep their metabolism elevated for hours and thus get a jump on burning calories. Studies also show that people who start each day with a workout tend to stick with their programs longer.

Fuel up First
Grab a banana before you hit the gym, and it may actually help you slice off more calories in the long run. Shoot for 100 to 200 calories to nibble on: Yogurt, a piece of fruit, peanut butter and crackers, or half an energy bar are all excellent choices.

I remember when

As I was struggling through this morning's run I remembered a time when I would take a week off after a half marathon to recover! I should go back to those days! Plus a weekend of yard work! Needless to say my body and brain were feeling it this morning. The sprinkles were the least of my worries! Fortunately Mike and Jenny didn't give me endless grief when I shortened our run to 5 miles. Sometimes you just got to give yourself a break!

Sunday, May 6, 2007

St. Clare's Half

A good half for everyone! I ended up being my PR by 9 seconds. Not a huge improvement, but still.... Jim also got a PR and I think a couple of other people did as well as place in their age groups - those speed demons Jenny, Katie and Judy. RESULTS

I would still like to improve that at GB. I need to hold myself back and not go out so fast. So my strategy will be to run about an 8:45 for the first 5-6 miles and then increase pace to 8:30. The hard part is beating those negative thoughts the last mile especially "Where the Hell is the finish line???"