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!

Positive Thoughts

Mike, Jill and I got our 10 mile pace run in on this frigid morning. I am finding I have a lot of negativity going on in my head right now, so I decided to think positively about today's run. Here the positive thoughts I was able to come up with. It took me the whole 1.5 hours of our run to come up with 10 - oops - is that being negative again?

1. It is done.
2. We made our pace time despite the sub-zero temps - maybe it will be easier in "normal" temperatures.
3. It is done.
4. I got a free Botox treatment due to freezing of my forehead.
5. It is done.
6. Apparently there is no reason to worry about global warming - whew!
7. I get to sleep in tomorrow.
8. Only two more weeks until Mike is back to normal and we no longer have to hear about how much he is suffering during Lent.
9. When March comes in like a lion it goes out like a Lamb, so we are guaranteed a warm end to the month despite what Jimmy Groundhog says!
10. It is DONE - for one week at least.

Do you like the picture at the top of the blog?

Sneaky, Sneaky

Apparently our newest member to the morning running group is quickly picking up the sneaky tricks of the group. Last night, after concluding a long drive back from Madison, I checked the running poll. Truthfully, I was hoping no one had signed up for this morning. I was feeling exhausted after a couple nights of interrupted sleep courtesy of kids and was very open to skipping the 4:25 ringing (actually music playing) of my alarm.

However, my mood quickly changed when I saw our newest member - Rhonda - was signed up! I have only had the honor of running with her once. Of course, Mike was signed up too, but running with Rhonda helped me to overcome that.

However, this morning - no RwR (Running with Rhonda - I think I may have found her Internet pseudonym). Hmmm. Then when I checked the poll after returning from a nice run with Mike (forever after this to be known as Old Reliable) I noticed that Rhonda's line had "disappeared". I don't think it was an Internet virus reeking havoc either! Nope, a little known fact: I can check the history of entries for the poll! Yep, that is right folks! And what did I find in the history - "
3/5/08 4:51:19 AM CET Rhonda Participant "Rhonda" deleted

Rhonda, Rhonda - I know we are a funny bunch (even Old Reliable) but give us some credit! Do you really think this will save you from the wrath of the morning running group? We may give you some slack being a newbie and all, but this shows deviousness above beyond our normal allowances! I am sure Mike will be thinking of the appropriate penalty.

Nano Freeze

Apparently Christy made an offering to the running gods this morning after I called her at 4:25 am to tell her I was not running. I really did want to. Really. I even donned Jim's fleece robe, walked all the way to road checking several placed to see how bad the ice was. I hadn't heard the salt truck either. So, I decided I did not want to risk taking out the Page's mailbox (again). Needless to say, I did not fall into bed to a peaceful sleep. Nope. Christy's offering along with a cold walk at 4:25 in the morning had me wide awake. Did I contemplate getting up and running on the treadmill. Yep. Did I? Nope.

Which brings me to the Nano Freeze. Although could have easily convinced myself to skip the run, I decided to persevere and go for a run during Nate's wrestling practice. I tried to console myself with the thought of running to some great tunes my Nano. Something I have not done in quite awhile - as you know. (I am not like my husband who thinks it is perfectly okay to wear your headphones when you are running with someone. He thinks "What did you say?" qualifies as having conversation). Unfortunately, sometime ago the little hands in our house got a hold of my Nano and wiped all the songs off it. I have not put my race playlist back on it. It was a great list - lots of 80's songs. Anyway... since I don't have that playlist I have to forward through some not so inspiring songs. As I was doing so - it happened. Christy's sacrifice came through full force. My nano FROZE. Not at the end of my run either - 4 minutes into it. I thought maybe it was the cold. So I nestled it deeper in my layers hoping some warmth would revive it. No such luck. Apparently what they say in survival shows about skin to skin contact is not true. Christy must have really made a big sacrifice. It was probably her last remaining BudLight left in the house tonight and she probably promised to the running gods that she would not make Bryan run out for more. We all know how Christy cherishes her nightly BudLight!

My foot seems to be holding its own - knock on wood. I have to admit though, that my mental strength after this weekend's long run is waining. I know it is not going to get easier and I know it has just begun. Christy's dark side (half marathon) is beginning to look appealing. I will have to make a note to get her to write a "how-to" book on sacrifices to running gods. It seems to really work.

What a Birthday Run!

There was a lot of comments today about what a great blog it had better be today. Come on people... don't you know that a 40 year old can't handle that pressure:


What an amazing run with the group today! Three new runners - Russ, Andy and Katie! Welcome. I thought at first that they just came for the donuts, but they ran an hour with us and then headed out. Come again! I believe there were 11 people running - including WENDY - even though it was below 20 degrees! Way to go Wendy! Tom and Andy started at 5:00 to get their time in --- DEDICATION. (See Tom - I can say nice things about you!) I have to say - the 2:30 run did not bring back pleasant memories. As Christy said - it is like childbirth. The first time you are excited and don't know what to expect. The second time, when the labor pains start - you think, Oh yeah - I remember this and it is NOT fun. That is what I was thinking this morning.

Well, believe it or not, I could not find anything really funny about turning 40 on the Internet. People have finally realized that turning 40 should be a CELEBRATION! So, here you go... also to get you in the mood for tonight.

Last run in 30's?

Today may have been my last run in my 30's. Well, it was definitely my last run outside in my 30's. I may do a quick speed work run on the dreadmill on Friday.

A pleasant and laughter filled run with the cousins this morning. Aren't you bummed you missed it?

A little humor for hump day - WARNING - if at work you may want to shut the door/plug the earphones in etc...

Surprise!

Mike and I got a pleasant surprise this morning.... Wendy joined us! It was a balmy 35 degrees out. Yes, there were some slick spots, but overall the roads weren't bad. Of course, after a winter like this one - it doesn't take much for us to think the roads are in "good running condition".

You would think that we would be so thrilled at her surprise participation that we would have been willing to run longer with her. Nope. Unfortunately, she asked just as we were coming to the end of Hill St. As my Mom says, "Once he sees the barn, you can't keep an old horse from going back" or something like that.

Here is a little something for your Monday morning:

Back?

Well, I ran today and my foot felt alright. I am icing it. It will be interesting to see how it feels throughout the day and even more importantly - tomorrow morning.

It felt great to be with the group again! Miss you guys! But man! Was it cold! It took us all a little off guard. Hopefully, this will be the last of bitterly cold.

So, in hopes of a soon to be here warm spring....

Jinxed!

Larry jinxed me! I was feeling good, not too many aches and pains from running and then LARRY had to send out a marathon tip on how to deal with INJURIES and of course that jinxed me! When I was down in Texas my foot started to bother me. It is the same bothersome foot that loves to make my life difficult, but a different pain and different spot then when I had Plantar Fasciitis. Well, then I went to running club and ran with Judy who must have been channeling Larry’s voodoo, because it hurt even worse. Today when I got up, I could barely walk on that foot.

The bad weather today actually worked in my favor. I was able to get into my podiatrist instead of the usual month wait. He said it could either be my PF flaring up in a different spot or a stress fracture. He ordered an x-ray which didn’t show a stress fracture, but he said that didn’t necessarily rule it out. So then it was on to a bone scan which is more sensitive. I haven’t gotten a diagnosis yet, but it did show a “hot spot” in the area where the pain is. So, that may mean stress fracture. I am not sure if I hope for it to not be PF since if it was it would mean that I may be headed down a road of it being a chronic problem. Or if I should hope for it to be PF since a stress fracture probably means being off 6-8 weeks! However, I am glad it is happening now instead of before Chicago.

In the spirit of Valentine's Day I thought I would share the following tidbits of wisdome. Plus,I thought Mike could use some good schooling in the art of LOVE.

HOW DO PEOPLE IN LOVE TYPICALLY BEHAVE?
"When a person gets kissed for the first time, they fall down and they don't get up for at least an hour." Wendy, age 8

CONCERNING WHY LOVE HAPPENS BETWEEN TWO PARTICULAR PEOPLE
"No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something to do with how you smell ... That's why perfume and deodorant are so popular." Mae, age 9


ON THE ROLE OF BEAUTY AND HANDSOMENESS IN LOVE
"If you want to be loved by somebody who isn't already in your family, it doesn't hurt to be beautiful." Anita C., age 8

"It isn't always just how you look. Look at me. I'm handsome like anything and I haven't got anybody to marry me yet." Brian, age 7

"Beauty is skin deep. But how rich you are can last a long time." Christine, age 9

REFLECTIONS ON THE NATURE OF LOVE
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too." Greg, age 8

"All of a sudden, the people get movies fever so they can sit together in the dark." Sherm, age 8

CONFIDENTIAL OPINIONS ABOUT LOVE
"I'm in favor of love as long as it doesn't happen when 'The Simpsons' is on television." Anita, 6

"Yesterday I kissed a girl in a private place ... We were behind a tree." Carey, age 7

"Love will find you, even if you are trying to hide from it. I been trying to hide from it since I was five, but the girls keep finding me." Dave, age 8

"I'm not rushing into being in love. I'm finding fourth grade hard enough." Regina, age 10

SOME SUREFIRE WAYS TO MAKE A PERSON FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU
"Tell them that you own a whole bunch of candy stores." Del, age 6

"Shake your hips and hope for the best." Camille, age 9

"Yell out that you love them at the top of your lungs ... and don't worry if their parents are right there." Manuel, age 8

"Don't do things like have smelly, green sneakers. You might get attention, but attention ain't the same thing as love." Alonzo, age 9

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF TWO ADULTS EATING DINNER AT A RESTAURANT ARE IN LOVE?
"Lovers will just be staring at each other and their food will get cold... Other people care more about the food." Bart, age 9

"See if the man has lipstick on his face." Sandra, age 7

"It's love if they order one of those desserts that are on fire. They like to order those because it's just like how their hearts are --- on fire." Christine, age 9

WHAT MOST PEOPLE ARE THINKING WHEN THEY SAY "I LOVE YOU"
"The person is thinking: Yeah, I really do love him. But I hope he showers at least once a day." Michelle, age 9

"Some lovers might be real nervous, so they are glad that they finally got it out and said it and now they can go eat." Dick, age 7

HOW WAS KISSING INVENTED?
"I know one reason that kissing was created. It makes you feel warm all over, and they didn't always have electric heat or fireplaces or even stoves in their houses." Gina, age 8

HOW A PERSON LEARNS TO KISS
"You can have a big rehearsal with your Barbie and Ken dolls." Julia, age 7

"You learn it right on the spot when the gooshy feelings get the best of you." Brian, age 7

"It might help to watch soap operas all day." Carin, age 9

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
"It's never okay to kiss a boy. They always slobber all over you ... That's why I stopped doing it." Tammy, age 7

"If it's your mother, you can kiss her anytime. But if it's a new person, you have to ask permission." Roger, age 6

"I look at kissing like this: Kissing is fine if you like it, but it's a free country and nobody should be forced to do it."

HOW TO MAKE LOVE ENDURE
"Don't forget your wife's name ... That will mess up the love." Erin, age 8

"Be a good kisser. It might make your wife forget that you never take out the trash."
Dave, age 8

WHAT IS THE PROPER AGE TO GET MARRIED?
"Eighty-four! Because at that age, you don't have to work anymore, and you can spend all your time loving each other in your bedroom." Judy, age 8

"Once I'm done with kindergarten, I'm going to find me a wife!" Tom, age 5

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
"On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date." Mike, age 10

THE GREAT DEBATE: IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
"It gives me a headache to think about that stuff. I'm just a kid. I don't need that kind of trouble." Kenny, age 7

CONCERNING WHY LOVERS OFTEN HOLD HANDS
"They want to make sure their rings don't fall off because they paid good money for them." Dave, 8

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!