FIRST Training Program

http://www.furman.edu/first/2006%20marathon%20training-first%20marathon.pdf

Looks like we need to start June 3 to get in an 18 week training program!

No Sweat Trail Run

I think even Amber wouldn't produce a sweat in this dry Arizona air! I went for a run this afternoon in South Mountain Park. Our resort is right at the tip of this massive park, so I grabbed a trail map and headed out. The weather has been surprisingly chilly today. Nothing Pittsburgh like, I mean there are still plenty of blue-lipped kids swimming in the pool, just not sane adults like yesterday when it was hot. With the cloud cover (some say its actually smog), an afternoon run was totally feasible. I was thinking I needed to do it early in the morning before it got too hot, but not true. I like the cacti!

The Story of GU

Came across this ad in Trail Runner magazine on our flight out to Phoenix. Thought you gals might like it:

There's a girl who loves to run
100 miles, for her, is just fun
She needed nutrition
Which came to fruition
When her dad, a doctor, made bars...the first ones.

But the bars made the girl's stomach mad
She got sick, cried, told her dad
Knowing just what to do
In his lab he made GU
Changing food-on-the-go forever, not a fad.

Now the girl and thousands more
Eat GU, the fuel they adore
Running for miles
With big happy smiles
Finishing races, with no muscles sore.

A huge thanks to Dr. Vaughan and Laura D.
Without them, where would we be?
Sick on the trail
To no more avail
With GU we reach the line, where we all want to be.

New Shoes

Finally connected with the guy at Athlete's Foot to go in and get a new pair of shoes. He also informed me that he will be getting in a computer system that analyzes your running and tells you what types of things you need in a shoe. He is on a pilot program, so it should be coming in within the next week or two and then he will have it for two months. Thought I'd let you guys know, if you are interested.

Moraine State Park

I've been working up in New Castle this week, so I thought on a gorgeous spring Friday afternoon, I'd hit up the trails after work. It was beautiful! I picked a spot to park along the bike trail and wandered through some swampy forest and eventually came out to the lakefront.

Spring Showers Lead to Downpours

Headed out the door this morning on a misty spring morning and just as I was marveling about how absolutely perfect the temperature and amount of precipitation was, it started to downpour! Oh well, I like the rain, it just made it a bit chillier than I expected. Its turned out to be an absolutely dismal grey day!

You Tube - Treadmill video - MUST SEE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv5zWaTEVkI

Next time we coreograph a dance at the Y, we should consider using the treadmills!

Sunday morning run in the snow

Since I can't honestly remember the last time I went for a run, I consider it a big accomplishment to get out of bed this morning and head out into the cold. I do love running in the snow, so it was enticing to get out there admist the fresh dusting. Nathan joined me and we did a pretty short run, but if felt so good!

Small Success...

So - after MANY weeks of not running I got pretty sick of the switch back and forth between the eliptical and spinning and decided to go for a run. How could I not? The warm air was calling my name yesterday so I braved the slushy track by my house and knocked out 3 miles. Not fast, but hey, I've got an extra 12 or so pounds strapped around the middle. Boy did that feel good!
Plus, I'm sick of listening to all the people who say you can't do anything tooo vigorous when you're pregnant. PSHAW.

Ultra Sahara Marathon

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/news/story?id=2772368&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

[seriously, never in our lifetime...]

[Snowy/Icy] Hill Training

Alright - my running the past week has purely been comprised of running (normally in full work garb, though I change into hiking boots) between my house and wherever my car might happen to be parked. I've been experimenting with some different routes. One up on St. Leo, just a short run to Gregory, or the long haul out to 18th!

Geriatric Gym

I am not going to stop until I come back home....

So I got to the gym this morning at six, right as it opened. It is relatively nice for a hotel gym - as in the equipment is actually NOT broken. Within ten minutes, all six machines were being used and there was a line. The best part was that everyone else was at least 50 years older than me! It was funny. So I did some biking and then left to let the old folks have a seat...
Miss you guys!

Fabulous Find (Yes, I am a Nerd)

So I went for my six mile jog this morning in the constant but relatively light rain while it was just 55 degrees. ( I know that I am not getting ANY sympathy from you guys.) I had misestimated how long my loop was and instead of five miles I ended up with six and a half! And of course I had to use the facilities so I tried to go into another section of the resort to no avail. And last night at dinner we had a long conversation about alligators and how they are everywhere and jump out of the canals and lakes. So there was no way I was going to find a secluded bush....BUT I did find a middle school that had a lovely rubberized track for the speed work on thursday. It was kinda dark but there were several other runners so I'm totally down!

Frost Bite

Well, so I decided to go for a run this morning, even though it was -2. But I figured that Lisa and I did it a few years ago, I have a balaklava, it's for extreme temperatures! So, I whipped it all out, put on my running tights, layered on my shirts and a jacket, put on my coat and mittens, and even a hat on top of the balaklava. AND goggles (like cool looking ski ones). So, I was bundled. I hustled out there and started moving. Then I remembered why we hated he balaklavas, you feel like you're going to die because you can't breathe out of your mouth and whenever you do it's a constant freeze/burning feeling with each inhalation and exhalation. I was out for about 30 minutes. When I came back in, I stretched did my usual crunches/pushups then jumped in the shower. I noticed that my legs were kind of tingly, but figured it was a-ok. I got out of the shower and my legs were all itchy. I started scratching to realize that there were huge rashes all over my calves and thighs. Very gross and puffy red. I put on some lotion and they just kept itching, which I refrained from scratching. I don't know if it was heat/cold rash or frost bite (probably not), but it was horrible. It is gone now, but still. I thought I would share with you my running horrors. I miss running with you all!! Take care.

Rainy Run

Wow. Look at the alliteration....Two blogs in a row...
So this morning, I drove to Ft. Lauderdale Beach for my now annual Sunday morning run. It was cloudy and raining but 65 degrees. After dashing a half mile down the beach to the bathhouse for a pit stop, I was warm enough to actually enjoy the rest of the 8 mile run. Aside from the strong wind gusts and the lack of being able to lay in the sun afterwards, the run was nice (slow but nice) and gave me hope that I could actually run long distances again...Since I had extra time in the day, I went to the pool/jacuzzi. It was incredible. No one was there due to the rain and it was really warm. I swear the pool was at least 90 degrees, if not 95. (The Y's pool is about 84 as a frame of reference). The length of the pool was probably about 40 meters so I did at least a quarter mile if not a half. To top off my overly productive day I spent the next two hours getting my facial and massage. I think we all need to pamper ourselves more often. Miss you guys!

Muggy Morning

So I did my 4 miles a couple days ago...and I guess based on my extreme out of shape-ness my HM goal time should be about 2 hours. So I get up at five this morning to do my 800s and it is already 72 degrees. Once I leave the building, I get slammed by a wall of humidity...yuck...yesterday was perfect and it wasn't a running day (65 degrees at wake up time). So my 800 splits: 3:51, 3:52, 3:58, 3:55....The last two everyone decided to leave for work so I was totally dodging cars. I felt like a slug even with being somewhat consistent. I can't wait to be in shape again...and more excitingly - have people to run with.

Sneaker Revelation

Alright - I swore I would never do it, but I wore sneakers from the Y to the office today. I always made fun of those people (sorry, Lisa, I think you do it sometimes), but once you do it...geez...I don't know if I can ever go back. It was so glorious and so quick of a walk without clomping in heels amidst the salt & ice and under the heavy load of gym gear, computer, massive purse, lunch, breakfast...you get the point.

Thanks to the Y again for providing a hot shower when our pipes are frozen!

Jessie Akpan - Miami Marathon

http://ing.activeresult.com/miami/?event=&posted_p=t&refresh=300&bib_list=&bib=&last_name=akpan&first_names=j&x=19&y=6
Congrats to Jessie! [I'm 99% sure its her first marathon.]

Snowy Sunday

So fortunately, Megan and I actually got out of bed to meet each other, otherwise neither of us w0uld have run. The schedule called for a six mile run this morning - and we were close at 5 1/2...but might I add that we did about four hills on Beechwood and then went up Murray...so the extra hill work makes up for the shorter distance....Very excited to get back into running!

Fresh Snow in East Stroudsburg

Amber and I had a fresh snowfall to make tracks in on Thursday morning. Friday morning was single digits and no run for us...

Happy [belated] Anniversary

We forgot to celebrate the one year anniversary of Crazy Daisies on January 12th! We're back to a cycle of running we've already done - Hermitage, East Stroudsburg...and the much warmer - Florida - for Lisa! I have to say Hermitage was comprised more of a week straight of desserts after every dinner and no running at all. I took running attire to run on the treadmill, but somehow debits and credits enticed me away from the Comfort Inn exercise room. East Stroudsburg has already been more productive than that, though not up to our previous year's standards. Amber and I are looking at a low of eight degrees tomorrow morning for our scheduled 5:30 a.m. run.

Half Marathon Training

Alright, Lisa and I have it scheduled in - "Just a Short Run" 1/2 marathon on March 31. We're just in time to start a 10 week program. Technically we should have started Tuesday this week, but we'll just have to work extra hard. Here is the schedule I'd like to follow:

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,sss6-238-244--9369-7-1X2X3X4X5X6X7-8,00.html

This is the 3 day a week schedule we used similar to the marathon plan for Nashville.

What do you say?

Oh The Hills

Amber and I set out this fine chilly morning (19 degrees-ouch) in matching red shirts and black tights....cute...we did the traditional Beechwood loop (mini-version - only going to Murray) and actually did it in 40 minutes...I'm somewhat impressed due to our lack of consistent running and our fear of the Beechwood hill....but we survived and were actually smiling when we finished - or was that just our faces frozen in place!?!?!

Did you actually run?

Yes, everyone, that is the question that Geoff asked me as I walked in the door at 9:05 this morning. Megan and I met for a cold and rainy run through our old stomping grounds of Shadyside. We did seem to cut it short but we were both satisfied to have gotten out of bed to face the inclement weather!

FitLinxx

All logged in and set under the FitLinxx system! I lifted for the first time in many moons and was really sore the next day(s).

The Post-Prenup Run

Lisa and I enjoyed an early (well, actually kind of late by our running standards, but I haven't been as insane about getting up at ass-o'clock - Nathan's phrase - in the morning to run) Sunday morning run on the ole Prenup Route! It was a chilly one!

The Prenup Run

A fantastic start to an amazing day!

Pre-Pre Nuptial Run

It was the first weekday run after we've all moved away and it brought back so many lovely memories of the past...running down a deserted E. Carson street in the dark...crossing the .7 mile long Birmingham bridge...running shirtless at least one day every month in unseasonably warm temperatures...It really made me miss our runs in the past but got me excited for 1) Saturday's actual pre-nup run and 2)the actual possibility of us being able to run together again in the mornings!!! Miss you girls!

Sitting Idle

So I know that for some people it will remain crazy for the next month or so....but I've run one time since I got married (YES - exactly one month ago!)...I need some motivation. I know I don't want to train for a marathon during tax season again...but there has to be something we can do and then go on long runs together...it's been way too long...any suggestions are more than welcome!

Old Route

I was driving along Wible Run Road the other day, reminiscing about some of our past runs there. I always did like that route, but I'm not sure anyone else did.

Soliciting Donations

I had a vision last night that maybe I could petition some of our favorite running apparel stores & magazines to donate to the worthy cause of my Prenup Run. Well, some do not see it as such a worthy cause. See Patagonia's response:

Congratulations and thank you very much for contacting us about this opportunity, but I'm afraid that we will have to decline. Resources thatmight otherwise go to donations have been earmarked for another purpose:Patagonia has elected to donate its dollars and goods to non-profitgrassroots environmental organizations. These groups work to protect theenvironment and to educate people to reduce the daily impact that we have onthe earth. By donating to these groups, we are helping to promote andprotect the environment for everyone.

Don't get your hopes up for any free goods, I've also gotten negative responses from Adidas, Nike and Title IX.

People with Courage

Jen (Bain) Reilly relayed this story to me last night and I think it is hilarious! She is a third grade teacher and she had her kids working on a collage of "People with Courage." She brought in a bunch of old magazines from home (including an old Geedunk). Well, it happened to be the one we were featured in and one of her kids cut out the picture of us and Jen said, "That's a good choice - those people DEFINITELY have courage - they run marathons!"

How cool is that? We are hanging on the wall of a third grade classroom, included in a collage of "People with Courage!"

50 Marathons in 50 States in 50 Days...

Crazy daisies

Now - this is sheer craziness! Have you guys heard of this guy? Check it out....

http://www.endurance50.com/press/press10.html

Honorary Crazy Daisy Members

Congrats to Jeb & Lisa Schreiber on their completion of the Erie Marathon!

Running + Biking + Swimming = Triathlon

Hit by a Train (no, not really)

It was the coolest thing today - as I was running down 12th Street across the overpass to the tracks, a train came right at that moment. It was still dark out and the headlight was bearing down the tracks. I did a fun route - down Carson Street to the Smithfield Bridge, then up 2nd and back across the 10th Street Bridge and up the hill. Miss running with you girls!

Regent Square - Run Around the Square

http://www.runhigh.com/2006%20Results/2006%20Results%20A/R082606AF.html

Frigid Missoula

Running in Montana was fantastic. We (Nate, Katie, Mr. Troxell) started our run at a mere 48 degrees - how wonderfully chilling! We started on the far side of University of Montana's campus and ran along the Clark Fork River and back - this was scenery that makes Runner's World magazine frequently - a runner's dream run!

"I saw the reflectors on your shoes, but you should watch your back."

5:30 am, sun is just beginning to rise - I was running down Oporto Street, which is really more of legs just working against the force of gravity to keep yourself upright since it is such a steep hill, and at the bottom a jeep pulled up next to me and said, "I saw the reflectors on your shoes, but you should watch your back." I was on the SIDEWALK! So unless he normally drives on the sidewalk, I think I will probably be okay.

Covered for 2 sessions of snooze

I think this is the first time since I've moved into my new house that I have actually used my down comforter! This morning after my first alarm went off I pulled the covers up and enjoyed 2 delicious snooze sessions before getting out of bed for a Southside run with Nathan. We went on the trail down by the river, which was nice for the most part. There were some bugs and cobwebs to deal with, but other than that, it was a good morning for a run.

Back on Land

Back On Land

Well...just to let everyone know - I am back; just in time to save my plants and finally get some running in. Alaska was beautiful, but running on a boat while it is moving is not good for the stomach. I did manage to get a lot of stationary bike in (in between the 8,000 meals that are served a day), but treadmills just aren't my thing. There was an outdoor track around the top of the boat too, but the wind was so strong, I could barely walk up there! I guess they probably get more use out of that when they sail to the Caribbean.

One success however - David gave us some good swimming tips! We were pretty excited about the lap pool on board, but of course it broke the first day we were there, and was out of commission for the rest of the week. Oh well, I can't complain - I had a great time!

Forgotten undergarments

Yes, top and bottom both were forgotten today. Its a hazard of not having my house unpacked yet. I think I attempted to find those two items wherever they may have been packed, but somehow got distracted last night. Oh well, a tank w/ shelf bra and a reuse on the bottom had to suffice.

On another note - Kung Fu Fighting is stuck in my head!

Run home to the S'Side

Ran home from the office to my new place - 22 minutes! [Faster than the bus?]

Chicago 2007

Just put it on my calendar...in addition to all the great people we normally run with, I've got some others lined up to run it - Heather Lievens (my brother's girlfriend), Matt & Krystal Hawkins, maybe we can convince Carlynn and Erica to do it again??, AND Nathan????

Across the Stateline

I ran all the way to Lansing, IL today! (You may be thinking Lansing, MI, but no - that would be way across the stateline.) Sounds like a big feat, but it was only 15 minutes to get there, which was a perfect place to turn around to then complete my 30 minute tempo.

Actually, I take back the words I implied about it not really being a big feat...the heat and humidity makes anything outside of the comfort of A/C a VERY large feat!

10k Training Schedule

http://www.halhigdon.com/10ktraining/10kadv.htm

Alright - I think I need to get back on some type of schedule for running with a goal in mind because I've been pretty sporadic and quite wimpy in the runs I have done lately. I'm leaning towards this Hal Higdon one for the Great Race. It would start two weeks from now, so I may just do weeks 7 & 8 two times in a row. I'll be in Chicago/really Indiana next week, so it would be a hard commute to run w/ you guys, but hopefully when I get back I can jump into meeting up a few times a week. A swim in the river is sounding good today...

Rain definitely preferable

SO this morning I went for my first non-city of pittsburgh run. It was nice to be able to explore some new neighborhoods and be so close to the trails at Frick Park...but it was kinda lonely and not as much fun. ANd not to mention that it was one big hazy fog. It NEEDS to rain. It is getting VERY nasty outside.

Rain Preferable

Of the two days I ran out here in Indiana, both of them rained. I sort of planned the first day, but today was not planned. I didn't even realize it was raining until I saw a big flash of lightning and heard thunder rumbling in the distance as I was lacing up my shoes. I thought, eh, what the heck, it will be fine. I got outside and it was POURING down rain, so much so that my contacts were falling out of my eyes and I pretty much had to keep them closed. It was very refreshing though and it let up a little towards the end to where it was just a light shower.

I got back into the hotel and the guy at the front desk thought that it was hilarious that I would like running in the rain (which he assumed I did since I had done it two days that he saw). Gotta love the friendly Hampton employees!

Solidarity

Yesterday was the ultimate test. It was my first run in a LONG TIME in the city of Pittsburgh without Lisa or Megan! It was kind of hard, especially to get out of bed, but I did it. Now, the real test will be if I can do that on a regular basis. I miss not working out with you guys all the time. At least I did get to see Lisa Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings. That helped. :) What will we do to fill the gap? Plan evening runs?

The 'burgh is hazy today and makes my hair a pouf ball. I look like a dead poodle! Sans the curl.

Talk to you chickadees later.

A Rainy Run in Indiana

Feel like its busy season again...sitting in a hotel, writing about my lastest running escapade. Well, I am in Munster, IN - very small town, mid-Western feel to it. Got up for a run this morning and it was pouring. Running in the rain is always pretty cool, though, so I headed out for a short jaunt.

Deja Vu II

So...today I met Geoff and Rusty at Max & Erma's...and (not surprisingly) I saw the trainer from the Y as well...It just really throws you off when you see people out of their normal context....

So new idea - everyone move in with Lisa so we can all run together in the morning and drive to spinning together again...it's too sad to do it solo 100% of the time...

Nonexistent Water Stop

Remember how we used to stop at the Get Go down near the 40th Street Bridge during some of our long runs? Well it is all boarded up! Don't know if its just being renovated or what happened, but don't plan on stopping there anytime soon!

First Official No-Lisa Run

It was a sad day in Three Rivers City...our first real run when Lisa doesn't live in Shadyside anymore.

Results - Brentwood Firecracker 5k

http://runhigh.com/2006%20Results/2006%20Results%20A/R070406AB.html

Everday Mojo

"The pain of discipline is less than the
pain of regret."

Es Usted Rapido?

Don't mean to go crazy w/ the posts to the blog , but I am trying to keep up/catch up w/ all the fun stuff that's been going on!

I read this article in Outside magazine:

Learn Spanish and other languages while you train w/ this smarter-than-average spinning class

Do you break out in a cold sweat at the thought of language lessons? Here's an even better reason to perspire. San Francisco-based Connect18 is launching spin classes that promise to tone your gray matter as well as your glutes. While riding a stationary bike, you'll take virtual tours of countries like Mexico and Italy via a big-screen, cycle-centric travel documentary...

A Delayed Blogpost [last year's Firecracker 5k]

For the sake of those who missed this last year (you would not have even THOUGHT of doing this today) and in honor of one of our fave running buddies/cheerleaders

Brentwood Firecracker 5k

So the Brentwood Firecracker 5k was a fizzle this year. Well, it was still super fun, but there was lots of rain involved and it was tough to stick around shivering for the door prize drawings (which none of us won), let alone the parade. We had 2 supporters too - Kathryn and Noah!

Oh well, there is always next year, as it is becoming a tradition embedded in celebrating the Fourth of July. (This was Nathan and my 5th year!)

YMCA staff and Max & Erma's waitress

I went to lunch at M&E's today and who was our waitress, but the very tall girl that works upstairs at the Y. It was a weird double-take-out-of-context situation.

Damien Rice and The Buggles

John's hint - Condoleezza

Megan's hint - anytime he plays it, he asks who it is and the girl who normally gets it right wasn't there today

Answer - Damien Rice

[The other one I had to ask Nathan...and then I verified it on iTunes.]

Two Days in a Row with Matt

Matt and Krystal were in town over the weekend and I got to do two fantastic runs - (1) Saturday morning the group consisted of Matt and myself, along with Krystal and Lisa and we went up Beechwood, did the trail loop in Frick Park and then came back down Shady and (2) Matt and I headed up to Highland Park and actually ran around the reservoir.

It could happen to anyone...

...well, maybe not. I totally forgot about a small event during the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge. I don't remember what mile marker or leg we were at - it might have been the last 8 but definitely the last 16. Amber and I were running through the woods (well Amber was, I was doing some kind of "fast" movement) and all of the sudden my klutzy tired feet hit a root and I went sprawling across the woods floor!!!! But I do have to say, out of all my falls (we're up to three now) this one was the best and softest...I could've laid there the rest of the day! So my streak of being the only one to trip and fall reigns and grows....Oh yeah, and today I was walking in the Strip and tripped with my left foot and the back of my right knee that has been aching since the hike was subjected to shooting pain....I think I need to retire. But no! since I've been determined by all my coworkers to be NUTS I have to keep up my reputation!

Solo Wasatch Back Run

Rachel Carson trail x 5:

Mark Sanderson and Leon Deitlaf completed their solo run of the 175 mile WBR course in approximately 45 hours. They started around 12:30am Friday and finished at about 9:30 Saturday evening. By the time they arrived, all of the runners were gone and the course cleaned up. We had closed off lower Main Street in Park City for the finish with chute, balloons, banners, etc., but for their arrival there was only a sidewalk with no crowds, announcers or cheers They finished in front of the Prime Steak House, running through a yellow caution tape held by my 7-year-old twin nephews. Mark's and Leon's families, Dan's, Tanner's and my families, and a few mildly curious onlookers at the steak house were the only people to see them complete the run. I don't know exactly what I expected, but their finish was one of the best moments I've ever seen in sports. We had received reports that Mark, in particular, was really struggling, even hallucinating at the top of Ragnar, leg 34. We saw them at exchange 35, where their families who were providing support were obviously very concerned about their condition. Dan and Tanner met them at the roundabout and ran down Main Street with them. When they crossed the finish line, they turned and quietly hugged each other. Then they hugged wives and family, and thanked us for giving them the opportunity. Leon told us it had been fun but they would never do it again. Mark apologized to Dan for taking so long and making us wait for them. Dan, who is about as sentimental as you and Dee, had tears in his eyes. I went home and pulled out George Sheehan's book, "Going the Distance," in which he writes about his final days dying of prostate cancer. There he makes the point that every victory is fleeting. None lasts beyond the moment. Afterward, process again begins of trying train to get back to the pinnacle. Most never get there again. And as we age, only with tremendous effort can we achieve a level that is something less than we once were. Those thoughts fit the occassion. I'll hold image of Mak and Leon embracing in my mind forever, but they found their limits and likely will never go their again. As Mark said, for the first 125 miles or so of their run, when runners along the course told them they were nuts, he thought they weren't. The last 50 miles or so of their run, he agreed with them. Fortunately for us, they were just crazy enought to show all of us who saw them stuggle down Main Street what human beings are capable of.

Happy Birthday, Amber!

"For the last two years, I've been a long-distance junkie, spending beaucoup hours prepping for half marathons, full marathons, half Ironmans and even a full Ironman, dismissing any race requiring less than three GU packs or later than a 4 a.m. wake-up call as not worth the price of registration..." - from the editor's letter in Her Sports + Fitness magazine

Sound familiar?

Bring on the next marathons - combo of Marine Corp and Chicago?!?!

Runnin' Down a Dream

http://www.gcc.edu/UserFiles/File/news/gedunk/Spring06.pdf

Check out page 16!

KABOOM!

Just printed off the registration form for the Firecracker 5K! (only $12 before june 24)
Can't wait. This is a new tradition in the making, I'm sure. Of course, Megan and Nathan are well ahead of the rest of the crew....hoping it will be as beatiful as last year...I need to find my special hair tie. Stars and stripes forever.

A Lonely Run

I ran all by my lonesome today...odd feeling. Can't wait to see you guys tomorrow morning!

And the training goes on....

Well - it appears as though we've picked up another victim to join us in our training and also the psycholers....our very own Grant McKinney!
My favorite thing though, is Deborah's idea about bringing him to spinning: "OH, and I'll def. be at spinning...Grant may even start coming to that. BUT
we will NOT be sharing a water bottle."

Let the madness continue....I just have to say that swimming is quicking becoming my favorite event to look forward to....very strange...

Sleeprunning

You know - I noted via my RSS feed of the Crazy Daisies sight that there were no new postings and somehow I felt that was normal since I was thinking we didn't do anything this morning. In fact, that is false, but I think I may have been sleeprunning during our jaunt this morning. I honestly didn't have too strong of a recollection of it until I really started racking my brain. Odd? Well, yeah for the Reverse-Wilkins!

The Wisdom of John

DRINK TIL IT'S CLEAR ...

(AND if you don't get it ask your neighbor)


Well Said John...spinning class is back to its crowded, difficult self...Always a good time when the right instructor shows up...

AND WE'RE OFF!

So the first official practice of the triathlon training program went off without a hitch as we slowly crept into the pool at 5:30...well more like 5:45 by the time we got our swim caps on... But, personal distance records were set and Amber and I both left the pool with smiles (even after I compared the workout to a track workout!). So here's to the summer of multi-sport training!

The Amazing Race Application

Someone from work forwarded us an article from KDKA that they were taping Amazing Race interviews to be sent in with the application. People from GYF have always told Amber and I that we should do it together, so we got all of our stuff together and hauled it up to Wexford to tape ourselves. All said and done we had to have a picture of the two of us (ALL pictures I have w/ Amber include Lisa and MOST of them have Lisa in the middle, but I found one that we cropped her out of. Sorry, Lisa.), individual shots of one another, copies of passports, a completed application (very long) and an interview tape. For our interview we did a typical day in the life of Megan and Amber - started at 4:45 am w/ alarms going off and ended at 10:30 pm after an evening of pizza at Michaels. It was very fun!

Next stop - Indianapolis for the semi-finals...then LA for the finals...then - the WORLD!

2 HOTT 2 drive

So...yesterday after a productive triathalon strategy/planning session, I made my way back to my car (which had only been parked for 1 hour mind you) - and nearly burnt my hands off trying to turn the steering wheel!! All I can say is.....at least I didn't get a ticket!

No A/C and No John

enough said.

Military Training

I learned a new workout via Katie & John via Deb & Nick. Katie, John, Nancy and Dave (John's parents) and myself ran down to the local park and then did the military workout - 1 chinup, then twice that amount in situps and pushups. We went up to 3 and then worked our way back down. Katie and I got some good help from John on the chinups. We then did some yoga in the freshly mowed grass!

High Altitude Training

Got some good high altitude training in...I got into Denver on Thursday and then got to run with all the jackrabbits on a field access road on Friday morning - it was H-O-T!!! I ran without my shirt!

Friday a.m. I ran in Breckenridge w/ Nathan. We had a beautiful A-frame house with all windows in the front and a gorgeous view of the mountains. We were back in an area where houses were somewhat spaced out, so we got to run up the road a bit.

We also got some good hiking in - snow, lightning, elk and moose make for great adventures!

No more basketball shorts in spinning class!!!!!

Can I just reiterate that sweaty butt-cracks are disgusting and unappreciated!?!?! In my opinion, since the gross sweat boy spent so much on a ring, can't she turn around and spend a few dollars on shorts that actually stay on his body!?!?! Or is sharing a few sips every day from a water bottle sufficient enough?

....alright, sorry guys, carrying an extra 35 pounds to work made me VERY cranky this morning...

GOOOOOOOOO!

Well, getting back in the saddle with waking up at 4:30. ew. don't know how much longer I'll keep that one up....
So the exciting news of the spinning class day is the inseperable couple got engaged! Nothing says 'I love you' like sharing a water bottle :)

Its Nathan-Training Time!

Nathan and I did a Southside run on this sunny Sunday afternoon. Fun times - there's no turning back now, Nathan!

The Marathon

Alright - here are the splits I had...I don't think this was a model marathon pace:

1-3 26:31 (also included a pit stop)
4 8:33
5 8:11
6 8:18
7 8:34
8 8:28
9 8:23
10 8:32
11-12 18:21
13 8:28
14 8:49
15 8:43
16 9:00
17 11:05 (quick stop for stretching w/ the guys)
18 9:34
19 9:01
20 9:16
21 9:20
22 10:12
23 9:41
24 9:56
25 9:57
26.2 11:06
finish line 7:54 (honestly, it took me that long to get through - get water, get aluminum wrap, get a medal, get the chip off your shoe, get your picture taken)

Clearly there was some kind of "wall" in there.

Nashville Here We Come!

It wouldn't be a marathon trip without staying up until 1 am to finish the packing...and making the labels for the mixed CDs I made! Can't wait to show them to you guys and can't wait for the finish line!

These Boots

Seconds before I was about to make an early dismount from the bike, John makes everyone running the Nashville marathon raise their hands...(only me Amber and Deborah did) and then he played our theme song!!! It was like he was reading our minds! I was just afraid that maybe he peeked in and saw us practicing this morning...that would be embarrasing...only one day til departure!

30 Minutes + Striders

I thought this last easy week of training would never come! Yeah for only 30 minutes of running and some easy feel-good striders to follow!

Uh-Oh

This was Amber's reply when we started learning her choreographed dance and Lisa asked, "How do you do that walking thing?"

The guys are in for something good...

The Countdown Begins

Can't believe that in six days we'll be done with the (1/2) marathon!! Just spent a little time tranferring the course onto a Nashville map. It helped me visualize the course a lot during Vegas and it's just one of my special quirks...I do believe that we hit almost every numbered street they have (well 4th through 18th). It is very loopy but does go through every park possible. I just hope that the last park we hit in the 22-24 range has some people/bands for encouragement and is not just a dead trail...guess I'll check that out next.
Oh yeah - I went to Dick's to return my shorts that I didn't like and I found a stunning red longsleeve dri-fit shirt (similar to Debo's blue underarmor and Amber's blue champion shirts) to wear at the beginning of the race. I know this is not recommended but if those shorts fit that should come in the mail tomorrow than I'm going to wear them with the lovely birthday sportsbra. That's what the lube stick is for, right?
well - that's enough rambling for now...can't wait to see what the boys' cheer squad has in store for us!

A Good Smelling Run

I think I smelled RAMPS! I'm not positive what they smell like, but if I had to guess, I think I smelled some! Other than that, I smelled a freshly cut baseball diamond, a blooming lilac bush and burning wood.

There is a football field in Kingwood, WV, but unfortunately no track around it. I decided to just run for 3 - 8 minute segments. This ended up being a loop from the middle school to the hospital and wasn't bad at all.

To top it all off, I had some good-smelling feet when I took my running shoes off at the end of the run!

Definitely a morning person

Well, since I lacked motivating people to get me out of bed in the morning I thought I'd take advantage of having some free nights and enjoying the sunshine. well. there was a lot of traffic. and a lot of runners and walkers and dogs and other random people just getting in my way. Yesterday I did the mile repeats but decided that I would fully use mapmyrun.com and do it in the neighborhood before GOTR. The very slight hill on Amberson obviously got to me by the third lap (much better than doing 12) but still not a bad showing: 6:49, 6:48, 6:58.
Today doing 8 miles did not go as well as I am just too worn out to do much running after work. So I ran through Frick Park which was just lovely but probably ended up doing closer to 7 miles. oh well... excited for our last long run on Saturday!

The Mountains of WV

Absolutely gorgeous run in Kingwood, WV! Set out to do 8 and came up a little short, but I think we covered the whole town! The stars were beautiful, the birds were chirping and it was good to run with Amber again. It was also the first run with the ring. Ah, spring!

April Showers

Lisa and I enjoyed a few spring showers on our 15 mile morning run. Other than that, fairly uneventful. We did try out eating jelly beans while running. Works out pretty well except for opening the package.

Track workout + IM softball + pick up game of football = SPRINGTIME

7 X 800 at target pace of 3:28-3:33 - 3:28, 3:28, 3:34, 3:27, 3:39, 3:41, 3:34. Personally, I felt a little lethargic, don't know if it was the fact that I had done spinning in the morning, the mugginess of the air or that I was just tired. Lisa did great, though!

Get well soon John - VERY SOON

Five days before the official end of the tax season and I wake up at 4:30 to catch the bus for spinning...So after a solo Inflexible Club meeting I go in with Megan and Steve (His 1st time!). Five minutes later Emery shows up late as always but proceeds to walk to the front of the room! I almost walked right out, but instead I should do something since I did get up rather early. Emery proceeds to put the music on softly, like always, after stating "I have no idea what this music is" um yeah. So I just ignored all his commands as he pushed the rest of the class up a big hill - to a fast techno song....oh yeah - my favorite part was watching everyone do jumps off of the beat when the song kept saying "Feel the rhythm". So Amber and Deborah - I'm glad you were busy/not here. And Megan - I hope Steve will come back and try a real class.
Thanks for listening guys - I needed to rant a little to get my day off to a better start....apparently I've been promoted to baby trust returns....I'm totally clueless.

Lisa's Birthday Run

We did a NEW morning run - up Negley to the reservior in Highland Park and then back down Highland. Mapmyrun.com says it is just under 4 miles from the corner back to my house, so by the time you add in the distance b/n it is up over 4 miles.

I also mapped the inner and outer loops of the reservoir - inner is 1 mile and outer is 1.7 miles.

Trial Run of the Jelly Bellys and the Ice Bath

Our peak mileage run before the marathon - 3 weeks to go! We tried out the power jelly bellys and were all huge fans. I also did an ice bath once I got back home. One thing I would recommend is being ready for the shock and being prepared to pass out. As I was easing myself into the bath tub filled w/ cold water and ice I seriously felt my body being like, "what is going on here? We might shut all power down and you will pass out." Then I was having images of Nicole wondering what is taking so long and finding me frozen and drowned in the bathtub. Didn't happen, but it COULD have!

The Competition

Just found out that James Boazzo is running the Country Music Marathon 1/2 marathon in training for a marathon he is running in Alaska in June. I promptly called Ryan to tell him that he would have to beat him.

AAARRRGGGHHH

Just got several emails saying that my shorts are on back order 5-7 and then 10-14 days!!!! How am I supposed to test wear them if they come seconds before we leave for the marathon!?!?!?!? And I got all that cool energy stuff too! Well Megan - I'm glad you got the jelly beans for us...

6 x 1200 target of 5:15

5:00, 5:03, 5:04, 5:05, 5:09, 5:13

Join our Inflexible Club!

For those who can't touch their toes our inflexible club offers many benefits - mainly appearing to stretch while actually catching extra zzz's before our 6 am spinning routine. Its magnificent - consider a membership today!

A Reverse Wilkins!

Yeah for an alteration on our typical 5 mile route into Oakland!

Police report filed

15 mile run via Shady Avenue and the Southside to downtown and back via the Strip and Liberty. I ended up adding on a little at the end too - I went up Fifth and wound around through the school and through the old hole in the fence; haven't done that in awhile.

So the first time I called 911 to file the police report no one answered - made me feel very safe. Second time I called I talked to someone and they sent a police officer to see me...in the office; yeah, I wonder what gossip that started. Anyhow, she was really nice and I am actually glad we filed it quickly because they said they have a lot of officers on duty in the Strip and will try to find him based on my description. If so, I could be called in to ID him.

12 x 400 Target 1:35

1:33, 1:33, 1:35, 1:36, 1:34, 1:35, 1:35, 1:37, 1:35, 1;37, 1:35, 1:34