- It's on my bucket list
- I know I can do it, as in train for it
- I just don't know if I want to commit to the training hours.
What would you do and why?
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Tuesday, January 31, 2012
HELP ME!!
Should I run the Chicago Marathon in October? I can train in 18 weeks and this marathon is in 9 months, but fills up in one month, so I need to make a decision.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Days Go By...
I realized this weekend how I loathe winter: short days, cold weather, coats, boots, hats, gloves, and slush. I have never been out of the country, but want to go somewhere warm, sunny, and tropical right now. I want to lay on the beach holding a my ice cold seltzer water with lemon and watch the kids play in the sand/surf.
***WE INTERRUPT THIS BLOG TO YELL "JAKE DON'T MAKE YOUR SISTER THROW AWAY YOUR DIRTY EARWAX Q-TIP! THERE'S A TRASH CAN IN THE BATHROOM-THAT'S GROSS!"***
I want to feel warm breezes blow gently through my hair as I taste the salt on my lips and feel the warm sun on my skin. Take me there. Actually, scratch the "watch the kids play in the sand/surf", I want to be there with my husband only. My dad will happily watch the kids for me, right?
I just want to go to Fiji. My husband doesn't like to fly, and won't fly unless he absolutely has to (like that time he HAD to go to a bachelor party in Ft. Lauderdale) *insert an insanely painful looking eye-roll*
Can someone please convince my wonderful husband of 13 years that this place NEEDS me?? I really really really want to go. Maybe for our 15 year anniversary? I'll save my pennies, I promise...just take me there.
Incidentally, as I was looking for pictures of Fiji, I found another blog that said "the most depressing day of the year is the 3rd Monday in January". Today is the 4th Monday in January. I don't know if I would say I'm depressed, but irritated and tired of this crappy weather.
Maybe I'll go to a tanning salon today and imagine laying on the beach while in a tanning bed? HUGE THANK YOU to my Wifey, Diane for letting me get nekkid in her basement to use her tanning bed!!
CHEERS!
***WE INTERRUPT THIS BLOG TO YELL "JAKE DON'T MAKE YOUR SISTER THROW AWAY YOUR DIRTY EARWAX Q-TIP! THERE'S A TRASH CAN IN THE BATHROOM-THAT'S GROSS!"***
I want to feel warm breezes blow gently through my hair as I taste the salt on my lips and feel the warm sun on my skin. Take me there. Actually, scratch the "watch the kids play in the sand/surf", I want to be there with my husband only. My dad will happily watch the kids for me, right?
I just want to go to Fiji. My husband doesn't like to fly, and won't fly unless he absolutely has to (like that time he HAD to go to a bachelor party in Ft. Lauderdale) *insert an insanely painful looking eye-roll*
Can someone please convince my wonderful husband of 13 years that this place NEEDS me?? I really really really want to go. Maybe for our 15 year anniversary? I'll save my pennies, I promise...just take me there.
Incidentally, as I was looking for pictures of Fiji, I found another blog that said "the most depressing day of the year is the 3rd Monday in January". Today is the 4th Monday in January. I don't know if I would say I'm depressed, but irritated and tired of this crappy weather.
Maybe I'll go to a tanning salon today and imagine laying on the beach while in a tanning bed? HUGE THANK YOU to my Wifey, Diane for letting me get nekkid in her basement to use her tanning bed!!
CHEERS!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Turbo Fire!
Holy Crap! Has anyone ever heard of Turbo Fire? Turbo Fire, is "Intense Cardio Conditioning", as explained on the front of the DVD set. I bought Turbo Fire last summer, okay, and I did it for...oh...45-ish days, before I decided that my training/cross training for my half marathon would be my only workout.
I got a bug up my butt, and decided to run my big, fat, mouth...Put a challenge out there to a friend of mine Jeannette; who accepted, putting my big butt to the test. So Jeannette got her Turbo Fire in the mail Saturday and texted me that she was FREAKING READY!! Today was our first day of the "Intense Cardio Conditioning".
Mind you I am a runner, a half marathoner, tri-athlete (okay...mini triathlon, but I still did it-don't judge me!), and I did have 3 kids (2 -9lbers without epidural- don't even get me started on my birth stories). My knees and legs are KILLING ME. My calves are still on fire! The good news is, when I finished I felt pretty damn awesome and was really ready to do a round of yoga.
I guess this is really a follow up to my "Resolutions/Healthy eating blog post" from the beginning of January. I'm still going strong. I have been eating really well, drinking a shit-ton of water, and just generally feeling pretty good in my own skin.
I quit running for a month. I announced to my running group on Friday. It's a bittersweet break. I love my pals at F'NRC. They are really my rock, but I've got to get this butt of mine a little smaller, so it's not so hard to run 5 miles. I'm not sure if it's because I'm getting older and unconsciously aging myself with my upcoming birthday or what. Anyhow DAY ONE is over and now I can move on.
What do you want to do? What (other than yourself) is standing in your way? What are your goals for 2012, how are they coming?
So I will leave you with this tip today:
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
I got a bug up my butt, and decided to run my big, fat, mouth...Put a challenge out there to a friend of mine Jeannette; who accepted, putting my big butt to the test. So Jeannette got her Turbo Fire in the mail Saturday and texted me that she was FREAKING READY!! Today was our first day of the "Intense Cardio Conditioning".
Mind you I am a runner, a half marathoner, tri-athlete (okay...mini triathlon, but I still did it-don't judge me!), and I did have 3 kids (2 -9lbers without epidural- don't even get me started on my birth stories). My knees and legs are KILLING ME. My calves are still on fire! The good news is, when I finished I felt pretty damn awesome and was really ready to do a round of yoga.
I guess this is really a follow up to my "Resolutions/Healthy eating blog post" from the beginning of January. I'm still going strong. I have been eating really well, drinking a shit-ton of water, and just generally feeling pretty good in my own skin.
I quit running for a month. I announced to my running group on Friday. It's a bittersweet break. I love my pals at F'NRC. They are really my rock, but I've got to get this butt of mine a little smaller, so it's not so hard to run 5 miles. I'm not sure if it's because I'm getting older and unconsciously aging myself with my upcoming birthday or what. Anyhow DAY ONE is over and now I can move on.
What do you want to do? What (other than yourself) is standing in your way? What are your goals for 2012, how are they coming?
So I will leave you with this tip today:
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
You are the secret to your own happiness, you are your own best advocate. If you won't stand up for your health and happiness, who will?
Cheers!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Energy
Energy...we equate it to healthy, vitality, youth, and positiveness. Right? Energy is the fountain of youth.
Truth is energy is pretty amazing. We are all made up of energy, and energy is all around us. Energy is the foundation for everything we do, we have, we are, we will be. Kinda crazy, right?
So when you are laying in bed and it's time to get up you think about how you have "NO ENERGY" you just CAN'T get up. It's no use, you're too tired. blah blah blah.
Think about energy. Think about something that gets your heart pumping. Imagine being in a car and someone suddenly stops in front of you, and your heart jumps to your throat and pounds like it's never pounded. Think about the last time you rode a roller coaster. Think about when you almost trip down stairs and catch yourself. Think about how you feel, how that FIGHT or FLIGHT adrenaline takes over your entire body.
Now... are you more energized? Well, if you're not, you're not doing it right. Try it again.
Energy CREATES energy. Positive energy created POSITIVE energy.
Want more energy? Do something positive today for someone or yourself. SAY YES to your kids, when you'd normally say NO, then soak up their positive reaction.
Energy is so amazing. Every.single.day is a new day, make it YOUR day. OWN IT!
Cheers!!
Truth is energy is pretty amazing. We are all made up of energy, and energy is all around us. Energy is the foundation for everything we do, we have, we are, we will be. Kinda crazy, right?
So when you are laying in bed and it's time to get up you think about how you have "NO ENERGY" you just CAN'T get up. It's no use, you're too tired. blah blah blah.
Think about energy. Think about something that gets your heart pumping. Imagine being in a car and someone suddenly stops in front of you, and your heart jumps to your throat and pounds like it's never pounded. Think about the last time you rode a roller coaster. Think about when you almost trip down stairs and catch yourself. Think about how you feel, how that FIGHT or FLIGHT adrenaline takes over your entire body.
Now... are you more energized? Well, if you're not, you're not doing it right. Try it again.
Energy CREATES energy. Positive energy created POSITIVE energy.
Want more energy? Do something positive today for someone or yourself. SAY YES to your kids, when you'd normally say NO, then soak up their positive reaction.
Energy is so amazing. Every.single.day is a new day, make it YOUR day. OWN IT!
Cheers!!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Today is January 16, 2012. Yesterday was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. On MLK day the kids get out of school to pay tribute to this man. MLK was a pretty amazing guy. Born 1/15/29 in Georgia to a preacher. The middle child of 3.
Did you know that he never finished high school? MLK skipped 9th grade and 12th grade and went straight to college. He questioned the teaching of the bible and the Resurrection. But went on to become a Doctor and minister of his own church at 25 yrs old. He had 4 of his own children, and won a Nobel Peace Prize. After he was murdered, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It wasn't until 1986 that Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was made a federal holiday.
His famous "I have a dream" speech is quite moving. My favorite part of his speech is:
If you're a parent, talk to your kids today about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tell them what he did for Americans. Look at your own life and decide what is holding you back, and how you can change the effect.
Cheers! Happy Birthday Dr. King!
Did you know that he never finished high school? MLK skipped 9th grade and 12th grade and went straight to college. He questioned the teaching of the bible and the Resurrection. But went on to become a Doctor and minister of his own church at 25 yrs old. He had 4 of his own children, and won a Nobel Peace Prize. After he was murdered, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It wasn't until 1986 that Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was made a federal holiday.
His famous "I have a dream" speech is quite moving. My favorite part of his speech is:
We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.This part of his speech speaks to me on so many levels, and is true in all walks of life. Whether you are purple, green or blue, you have your own struggle you have to overcome. Battles that may pale in comparison to what the Negros were faced with then, but battles that affect your children, your future, and your life wholly.
If you're a parent, talk to your kids today about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tell them what he did for Americans. Look at your own life and decide what is holding you back, and how you can change the effect.
Cheers! Happy Birthday Dr. King!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
I need some UMMMPH!
I swear this is NOT a running blog, but I have to share this story. It actually starts yesterday.
Yesterday was Wednesday. Wednesday is my "therapy" day. On Wednesday I meed a group of people to run. We are the Frankfort-New Lenox Run Club (or F'NRC or Rucking Funners). Anyway, this is the best group of runners a girl can ask for. We are really a support group, a bitchin' group, an ass-patting group, and a "you-know-you-can-push-harder-than-that" group. It's just about the best thing that came into my life since running.
Yesterday I woke up looking forward to our run, knowing I could pretty much blow off my day cause I was gonna ROCK this four miler, like no one's business. I get my kindergartner on the bus and jump in the jeep to head over to LifeSource for my donation: a pint of O+. Not thinking about my run later...I workout on donation days all the time. BFD.
Meanwhile, I'm eating good and getting lots of hydration, cause I feel so good about my run. I check facebook and find that I've been named "leader" of the 10:00 pace group (rock on!). feeling cockier as the hours pass, I post on my own Facebook wall: FOUR MILES! I'M GOING BALLS TO WALL, BABY!
Pack up, head out, get there and take our picture (my 12 year old is in the orange shirt, I'm to the right of her).
So...we start our run and feeling good, cocky, over-confident...and in passing tell my 12 year old who she can stick with since she's "slower". Start my garmin and think HELL YEAH, let's get it on!
After one mile, I was spent. I felt like the energy was just completely draining from my hips down, legs like bricks, then I had a hard time even WALKING.
MEANWHILE...(at a 8:40 pace) my 12 year old is running with the big dogs at the front of the pack, (don't tell her she's slow!) I turn at 1.5 miles cause I can barely keep a slow jog at this point and am walking more than I'm jogging. so I finish my mile at 10:04 and rest was just trying to stay alive. 3 miles in 38:16. yeah.
Megan ran 4 miles in 41:00 even. But her first TWO miles were ran at an 8:40 pace!
So today is the day of the big snow, the first significant snow of the season. Today is also Thursday. On Thursday I run with the "nooners". Don and Julie kind of own the Thursday noon run. I jumped in about a month ago and don't ever keep pace or distance, but I run anyway. We decided that we would brave the weather. There was about 3" on the trail when we started, the wind at our back. I turned at 1.5 miles they kept going for 3.25 miles. My run ended at 3 miles 42:36 (which was expected because of the snow and all the pictures I took of the beautiful snow fall).
So I ran 3 crappy miles last night, and ran 3 productive miles in the snow today! Here are some amazing photos of the trail today:
Yesterday was Wednesday. Wednesday is my "therapy" day. On Wednesday I meed a group of people to run. We are the Frankfort-New Lenox Run Club (or F'NRC or Rucking Funners). Anyway, this is the best group of runners a girl can ask for. We are really a support group, a bitchin' group, an ass-patting group, and a "you-know-you-can-push-harder-than-that" group. It's just about the best thing that came into my life since running.
Yesterday I woke up looking forward to our run, knowing I could pretty much blow off my day cause I was gonna ROCK this four miler, like no one's business. I get my kindergartner on the bus and jump in the jeep to head over to LifeSource for my donation: a pint of O+. Not thinking about my run later...I workout on donation days all the time. BFD.
Meanwhile, I'm eating good and getting lots of hydration, cause I feel so good about my run. I check facebook and find that I've been named "leader" of the 10:00 pace group (rock on!). feeling cockier as the hours pass, I post on my own Facebook wall: FOUR MILES! I'M GOING BALLS TO WALL, BABY!
Pack up, head out, get there and take our picture (my 12 year old is in the orange shirt, I'm to the right of her).
So...we start our run and feeling good, cocky, over-confident...and in passing tell my 12 year old who she can stick with since she's "slower". Start my garmin and think HELL YEAH, let's get it on!
After one mile, I was spent. I felt like the energy was just completely draining from my hips down, legs like bricks, then I had a hard time even WALKING.
MEANWHILE...(at a 8:40 pace) my 12 year old is running with the big dogs at the front of the pack, (don't tell her she's slow!) I turn at 1.5 miles cause I can barely keep a slow jog at this point and am walking more than I'm jogging. so I finish my mile at 10:04 and rest was just trying to stay alive. 3 miles in 38:16. yeah.
Megan ran 4 miles in 41:00 even. But her first TWO miles were ran at an 8:40 pace!
So today is the day of the big snow, the first significant snow of the season. Today is also Thursday. On Thursday I run with the "nooners". Don and Julie kind of own the Thursday noon run. I jumped in about a month ago and don't ever keep pace or distance, but I run anyway. We decided that we would brave the weather. There was about 3" on the trail when we started, the wind at our back. I turned at 1.5 miles they kept going for 3.25 miles. My run ended at 3 miles 42:36 (which was expected because of the snow and all the pictures I took of the beautiful snow fall).
So I ran 3 crappy miles last night, and ran 3 productive miles in the snow today! Here are some amazing photos of the trail today:
Here are my pals Julie and Don
This last pic is really the reason for the blog tonight...check out the snowy eyebrows/lashes!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
SNOW! SNOW! SNOW!
This winter in Northern Illinois, has been...let's say a bit disappointing, especially for the 12 and under crowd. Last year we had a nice snow the day after Thanksgiving. This year I was out grilling our dinner the day after Thanksgiving. No White Christmas, 45° on New Year's Eve. It's just, ya know...an anti-climatic winter. It's warm, even. Today, January 11, 2012, the temperature is supposed to be 55°, it was 58° yesterday. Really?
Well, ladies and gentlemen, tomorrow begins our first "winter storm watch". This just in from the National Weather Service:
Last February 2 (my birthday, incidentally). We had a FREAKING BLIZZARD here, complete with emergency warming station set up by the Village. This picture is in the morning, only a few hours into the blizzard.
Here's one after my pal and I finished SHOVELING the driveway:
So, needless to say, my kids are SO EXCITED about the snow forecast and so am I! Bring it mother nature!
Cheers!!
Well, ladies and gentlemen, tomorrow begins our first "winter storm watch". This just in from the National Weather Service:
ALERT 1 - Winter Storm Watch
A WINTER STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9:00AM CST FRIDAY, JANUARY 13
Issue Time: 3:13AM CST, Wednesday Jan 11, 2012
Valid Until: 11:15AM CST, Wednesday Jan 11, 2012
Back to summary
WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNINGTHROUGH FRIDAY MORNINGUrgent - Winter Weather MessageNational Weather Service Chicago IL313 AM CST Wed Jan 11 2012
Mchenry-Lake IL-Kane-Dupage-Cook-Kendall-Will-Lake IN-Porter-Including The Cities Of... Woodstock... Waukegan... Aurora...
Wheaton... Chicago... Oswego... Joliet... Gary... Valparaiso
... Winter Storm Watch IN Effect From Thursday Morning ThroughFriday Morning...
The National Weather Service IN Chicago Has Issued A Winter StormWatch... Which Is IN Effect From Thursday Morning Through FridayMorning.
* Timing... Snow Will Develop By Midday Thursday And Continue IntoFriday Morning.
* Accumulations... Snowfall Totals IN Excess Of 6 Inches ArePossible.
* Hazards... In Addition To The Falling Snow... Winds Will IncreaseTo 15 To 25 Mph With Gusts Up To 35 Mph By Thursday Evening AndContinue Through Thursday Night. The Strong Winds Will CauseConsiderable Blowing And Drifting Snow... Especially IN OutlyingAnd Open Areas. Wind Chills Are Also Forecast To Drop To NearZero.
* Impacts... Accumulating Snow Will Likely Make Travel DifficultFor The Afternoon Commute Thursday... With Travel ConditionsPossibly Becoming Treacherous And Even Dangerous IN Open AreasThursday Night Into Early Friday Morning.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions...
A Winter Storm Watch Means There Is A Potential For SignificantSnow... Sleet... Or Ice Accumulations That May Impact Travel.Continue To Monitor The Latest Forecasts.
Last February 2 (my birthday, incidentally). We had a FREAKING BLIZZARD here, complete with emergency warming station set up by the Village. This picture is in the morning, only a few hours into the blizzard.
Here's one after my pal and I finished SHOVELING the driveway:
So, needless to say, my kids are SO EXCITED about the snow forecast and so am I! Bring it mother nature!
Cheers!!
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