Animal or Not?!?

OK, so as much as I had planned, I did not make the September to Remember 100. I ended up with 81.26 miles. Still good, but I did not meet the goal.

I was on track and then WHAM! I experienced a few very bad, no good days at work. It's hard to run with a pouting lip dragging on the ground, so I didn't run. By Friday I was pretty much over the tongue lashing I took from the so-called boss, so I plotted a potential plan that I could still make goal. It would require a few hard runs, but I can't claim to be an animal if I don't run like one.

Friday I created my plan of revival. Saturday, I ran the 17 miles from my home to my cross country meet. It was awesome. I got a sore toe, a sore calf and a bathroom pic which I can't get off my phone.

I logged the miles I ran and totaled it up, I was at 71.26. OMG! That's almost 30 miles to go in 3 days. No can do! is what my toe was shouting. So on Sunday I succumbed to a bike ride for ice cream. My friend Don and I biked to Friend and of course we pigged out on ice cream. waaaay Yummo! I'm still left with almost 30 miles and now two days to go: Mon and Tues.

Just for fun, I recounted my miles and guess what? When I added my 17 miles, let's just say I didn't add the 10 spot. Great news! I am really sitting at 81.26. I can do this!!!! I superexcited again. The evening was all organized: John, football game. Attend and bring home. Jake, soccer. Hubby pick up at football game, take to soccer and bring pizza home for dinner. Can salsa with the garden goodies picked my dh on Sunday, put kiddos to bed, kiss them goodnight and them I'm off for a 10 miler at 9pm. hahahahahaha That's right folks. 9pm rolls around and guess what I'm doing? Still making salsa, making salsa and making salsa. That 10-miler does not happen as this animal was still making salsa (did I already say that? lol).

I suppose at this point one could say, "do the 18.74 miles today". Now that would be total animal. And who knows; as spontaneous as I am, I just may run it out. So, what do you think? Should I find my grrrr and "Just Do It!" or go home, spend time with my kiddos, attend the CAbi party my friend is hosting, run the 45 minutes I'm scheduled for, shower, hot tub and crawl into a nice comfy warm bed?

I'll never complain....

about my job again! :P

PG-13

I've heard about people biking naked, but have yet to join the ranks. What do you think about a virtual RIDE NAKED for 1-mile day? Slowest time wins.

:p


p.s. just kidding!

Caffeine Please!

Here we go! Today is: thank goodness it's friday pic day. Every friday until the end [whenever that may be] is designated [tgif pic day]. If you'd like to participate/share, send me an email: nikemomof2[at]gmail[dot]com OR comment and I will link to your tgif pic. oh happy friday.

T.G.I.F.'er pics:::::
Marcy
Marci
Melanie
Cheryl

Coffee was slammed down earlier, now I'm wishing I had that flat lifeless diet pepsi from yesterday. It's been one helluva week and I haven't run since Monday. :( I have four days to go in the September to Remember and 35 miles that need to be ran. Double sad eyes. :( :(

Anybody got any bright ideas to get it down without killing the knees in the next 4 days? I could just go pull off a 20 miler after my cross country meet tomorrow before the big Husker game. GBR! I've never done anything over 13.1 at a time. Maybe this would be the way to find out what I really got, or not! :P

Later: I went and plotted a run from home to my cross country meet in which I have to be there at 8am. Here's the route which consists of a 17.41 mile run. hmmm...it's a thought. :)

You Have to Trust in Something

Read this. It's a bit long but it's a fabulous story of an amazing journey.

Find What You Love

It's Me, the Teacher You Left Behind

Dear Mr. Principal,

Hi! It's me, the Teacher you left behind. Remember me? Probably not. Did you hear the praise I received from a parent tonight at conferences because I told them, from the heart, that I thought their foster child was awesome? Probably not. Did you know that I am awesome too? You do know that I make a positive difference, don’t you? Probably not. You don’t ask me how I’m doing or what is going on in my life. Did you know I have two children of my own? Well, I do. I enjoy watching them play soccer and football. Oops, sorry to ramble on about my personal life, I know you don’t care. I know because I am the teacher you ignore.

Why do I know you ignore me? Because you pass me in the hall and if I’m lucky, you will say hello. I know it’s all my fault because you told me I don’t have any interpersonal skills. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry that I have students who love being in my classroom. I know I’m not supposed to be a good teacher because your unsure if I’m professional or not.

Did you know that it takes a minimum of 28 times of being told something positive to potentially erase a negative? And it only takes ONE time of being told something negative to make a major difference in someone’s life. I know about the word negative because you told me I was negative. Is there anything else about me I should know? I would really like to know me because obviously I don’t. I was for sure I was a positive, happy, talented, team-playing person who has a heart, a mind, a voice who is more than willing to take on challenges, set goals and make the impossible possible. I must be wrong once again. Wow, it appears as if I’m always wrong. I’m sorry, I should listen to you more just because you say so, or you heard so, or do you really know?

I was also told by someone that I matter. Is this true? Should I believe them? Please tell me how to react because IF I do matter, than I need to make a change in my life. I know you think so little of me, and hardly have the time to tell me I don't matter, or do matter, or don't matter. I guess it all depends on what perspective you look at it from. I know I'm responsible for your perspective. I know this because you told me so two years ago.

I really do wish we could work together forever. You have made such an impact on my life. However, I regret to inform you, this is where I must draw the line and stand up for myself.

I am a teacher, a leader, a mother, a friend. I am a person who cares, who is positive and who is always looking to make difference. A gosh darn positive difference! I’m sorry you can’t contribute to my growth anymore, but you chose not to do so from the beginning. You see, I refuse to be the teacher you left behind. I refuse to be the person whom you impose negative feedback on because you don't know better. I have the guts to ‘live life’. I have the guts to stand up for what is right and to move on to brighter horizons. I have the guts and drive to live positively, to believe in myself and others and to seek a leader who cares.

I know this may be quite a shock to you or maybe not, it doesn't really matter anymore; but I’ve always believed in me and known who I am, what I am capable of and what I am not capable of. I am in touch with my weaknesses and have friends, family and peers who constructively support my growth. I have always known I matter, that I am positive, that I have interpersonal skills and that I have the skills to lead others. I don't need you you to tell me who you think I am, because I already know who I am and I am a PERSON WHO MATTERS!

Signed,
A Teacher Who Won't Be Left Behind.

In case you were wondering...

I love commercials and this one cracks me up. :D

Monday's Running Report:
Ran with my cross country kiddos today, I think they ran. :P Ticks me off when they walk more than they run and I can't run by/with all of them unless we run around a track and we don't have a track at our school, so I have to have them on the honor system.

It was hot and super windy as we ran .55 miles to the park, 3.13 miles around the park and then another .55 miles home. I averaged an 8:40 pace for the 3.13 miles and used the .55's as a warm up and cool down. I thought about going out later while my little kiddo had soccer practice, but I opted to sit and yak it up with the other parents for a little social networking action.

Alarm is set for 4:30 am and the plan is to run 40-45 minutes. I'm supposed to run 60 minutes, but the dh is out of town, my oldest has a football game I need to get him all packed up for and I have parent-teacher conferences. Oh Happy Tuesday!

Saturday's Results

What is not normal behavior [cheating on a run] for me boiled down sheer exhaustion and just plain running out of time to do all the thingies I had yet to do before 'party time'. So, I was forced to succomb to the pressure of everybody's voices "your going to run how far?" "why?" like I'm nuts or something. Therefore, I only ran 33.59 minutes of the my scheduled 75 minute run.

Let me tell you, those 33.59 minutes, were ANIMAL minutes. Those minutes rocked as I bitch ran myself around that track! I was in awe as I really did not feel like this was 'me' running this pace and I questioned how long I could sustain. But I had in my mind, that I wasn't going to run easy anymore; I'm going to tear it up with my heart and guts everytime I'm on the road. :) Here's my breakdown:

Total Distance: 4 miles
Total Time: 33.59 minutes
Mile 1 avg pace: 8:40
Mile 2 avg pace: 8:23
Mile 3 avg pace: 8:26
Mile 4 avg pace: 8:30

Later today you'll find me back on the road [no track this time] to finish my minutes, 41.01 to be exact cause I need the miles for the September to Remember 100 hosted by JKRunning. I currently stand at 60.5 miles with 10 days to go.

If You Ran Without Sacrifice,Congratulations. You Just Jogged.

Running hurts. It always has. Woolly mammoths didn't just roll over onto a plate and serve themselves up to prehistoric man with fries and a shake. They had to be caught - and running down woolly mammoths was a bitch. Guess what? Running is still a bitch. But one with a purpose. It teaches us that good things do not come easy. It teaches us that we are capable of more than we think. It teaches us that hard work will be rewarded and laziness will be punished. Don't expect to learn those life lessons from running's shiftless stepchild, jogging. Next time you suffer on the roads or trails, suffer proudly. It means you run like an animal. ~ Pearl Izumi

Today is our first cross country meet of the season (1 of 4). It's a bit chilly outside so I'm hoping those that don't have an "animal" in their heart, will run like an "animal" cuz they want to get warm. :)

I also have to run 75 minutes today which it is my goal to run like a bitch. Oh, I am a bitch. OK, run like an animal. I'll have to take on the track - 32 laps of track goodness because my kiddos will be with me as dh is smoking ribs and pork loins today for my good friend Don's birthday bash. Yummo! Back to running: My goal is to average 8:50 mile and who knows, if that animal really kicks in, maybe I'll hit an 8:30 mile. Run on!

This is Don who is turning 60 on Wednesday. He rides like an animal. :)

Rollercoaster of Life

Today is: thank goodness it's friday pic day. every friday until the end [whenever that may be] is designated [tgif pic day]. if you'd like to participate/share, send me an email: nikemomof2[at]gmail[dot]com OR comment and i will link to your tgif pic. oh happy friday.

Here we go:
Marcy ~ [the dedicated t.g.i.f.'er]
Shelly
Cheryl


Need I say more??? ahahahaha

Run Easy is an Oxymoron

What is it about running that scares people so much? Why do people feel they have to put friendly modifiers next to running so everyone can feel good about it? Well, here's the ugly truth. Everyone shouldn't feel good about running. It's hard. It hurts. Running requires sacrifice and heart and guts. Any attempt to water it down with feel-good adjectives is a slap in the face to those of us who hold running sacred. If fact, if you're running easy, odds you're not running at all. You're jogging. So do us a favor, don't run easy. Run hard. Run like an animal. ~ Pearl Izumi

Reflecting upon this advertisement I read in Runner's World, I realized that I only live part of my life sacred, hard and like an animal. This morning I gave an unofficial notice of my resignation to the principal. So when the official letter is written and necessary paperwork is filled out, I will officially be done at the end of first semester.

My goal is to: Live hard. Live like an animal. My POA [plan of action] ...well, is still in the works but I'm moving forward, ridding myself of all the crap and waking up a happier person every day and celebrating that the sun has risen again [after I have run-lol].

One of my ultimate lifetime goals is to be self-employed so I will either hit it hard as a photographer 1.1.09 or if the next few months don't play out as I have planned I will begin to pursue my PhD in instructional technology from UNL [GO BIG RED!]. Until then....grrrrrrrrrrr!!

p.s. I've decided to do the FULL Lincoln Marathon in May 2009.


Hope is the most treacherous of all human fancies. ~ James Fenimore Cooper

Dear Diary!

3:54pm

I've got about 6 minutes to spare so I thought I'd send you a little note about what's been going on lately. It's been a few days cuz it's been a busy few days. :)

I took Jacob to the doctor today. He had these crusty blisters on the side of his nose and cheek. Well, your not going to believe it...[interruption, phone rang, it was dh. he talks a lot....3 minutes about a coupon to bed, bath and beyond......like a girl. i get every detail. i don't like all the details, just the bottom line. oh well, luv him anyways!]...he has a classic case of infitiago . $65 later for a prescription and we are headed home for the rest of the day. Yeah for me! I get to take a nap!!! I woke up to my dh's snores at 3:44am and my alarm went off at 4:30. I didn't sleep the 46 minutes in between.

I teach pilates for athletes every Wednesday at 5:45am. I love it, but I don't. I want to give up the class, but I don't. I've got a great group of groupies that come and they love my class. That is a good thing, but that's what makes it hard for me to give it up. I guess by the time the taxes are taken out of $8/class plus gas for a forerunner to and fro at 19 mpg. and I drive 18 miles to the YMCA, I'm probably paying a few cents to teach the class each week.

I'm beyond the original 6 minutes....I'm 5 minutes over the time I said I would spend writing to you. There is so much more to fill you in on. I need to leave because I'm going for a 23 mile bike ride. My friend Don [who biked RAGBRAI with me] has 23 miles to go to hit a total of 4,000 miles for the year. How awesome is that?? Hence, we are going to ride, stop at the 4,000 mile mark, take pictures of him kissing the ground and then off to the FOX Bar for a $4 schooner [that's a big-ass beer]. Good times and happy days. Gotta run. Will check in later.

p.s. We rode 23 miles last night for my friend Ken who hit 3,000 miles. We also went to the FOX Bar and had drinks. I had a Blue Moon with an orange slice - it was fabulous! Good times were obviously had by all. I'll try to add some pictures later. :)

9:48pm
I'm baaaack! A schooner + 1/2 full. Ride was great! Celebration after was great. We only had 23 miles to ride so we rode to Princeton and back. We performed a great line and then BAM! Ken had a flat. Ken has had more flats than anybody I know. I have yet to have one this year after a triathlon, 500 miles [5 days in a row, 100 miles each day], RAGBRAI, 4 more century rides and just plain road training.

Calculations state that between the 4 of us, we have over 11,000 miles. That's totally amazing. I wonder how many I have on my body between running, biking and swimming since January??? hmmmmm... and then there's the miles of a spoon going from ice cream bucket to my chops....that's a double hmmmmm!

I had a PMTI [patty melt with thousand island on the side] with my schooner. Totally recommend as runner's fuel. :) Doesn't that look yummy??

I am staying home tomorrow with my little infitiago infected man. He is contagious until about 1pm [when the meds have taken over] and then we're off to Omaha for a soccer game. I love the idea of a day off with a kiddo that technically isn't sick. Makes the day more fun as we can still play and be normal without a throw-up bucket or cold medicine. Oh! and the schooners were only $3. JACKPOT!

Here's a few more pics. I'm getting tired and need to get to bed so I can get up and run.

T.G.I.F. picture day...

Hot Links to other T.G.I.F. photos. If you want in, send me an email at nikemomof2[at]gmail[dot]com and I will link to you. Oh happy friday.

Marcy
Shelly

And so the story goes...

Did I ever tell you I was born with two heads? [1.1.09]
I want to be a runner. Will this gear work?
Run? NOT!
And Brenda loses her bra again...

The Human Slinky

This is a way cool video....here is Veniamin doing the The Human Slinky. Enjoy!

And to compliment Marcy's poster of pot directions...

Do you ever feel like your being watched?

Who's the Boss?

When a dog is acting insanely crazy this is called Kujo-State. Word has it kujo-state lasts for 5-10 minutes depending on how well [or not] you handle the dog. What do you do? Grab the dog, throw him on his back, put your face firmly up against his, bite his ear and show him who the effin boss is.

(summary of my morning run)

Urban Dictionary definition of Kujo-State somewhat revised by me.

100 mile + 100 Push Up Challenge

Current events state I have run 26.8 miles for the September to Remember 100 mile challenge hosted by JKrunning. With 22 days and 73.2 miles to go, I need to lace up my Mizuno's and pump up the volume. I pulled out my trusty and handy Razr V3 to bust out the keys on the calculator and totaled up only 3.327 miles a day for the rest of the month. Piece of cake and chocolate cake toboot.

My training schedule currently has me running a total of 94.3 for the month. I'm feeling pretty good about that unless my nubs hit the wrong fingers on the keypad. yikes! AND if I'm on...that's a double chocolate mocha latte as well. :)

My 8 yr old son, Jacob, and I started the the 100 push up challenge. I pushed out a magnanimous amount of 10 and Jacob made me look extra wimpy by doing 20. Strong fart! :) We're off and I'll keep you posted on our progress.

IF you are into healthy eating and like banana bread, I suggest trying this recipe. I made them for dh and I, as no child within a million miles would ever like a muffin made out of honey, whole wheat flour, applesauce wheat germ and flax seed. OK, so my kiddos proved me wrong. That is how good they taste. Here is the link: Whole Wheat Honey Banana Muffins. I modified the recipe by using homemade applesauce instead of oil, added 1/3 cup flax seed, 2 tsps vanilla, 1 tsp banana flavoring and about 1.5 tsps of cinnamon. You can cut the recipe in half as it makes lots. Try it and let me know what you think.

Get ready now for thank goodness it's friday pic day. Every Friday until the end [whenever that may be] is designated [T.G.I.F. pic day]. if you'd like to participate/share, comment and I will link to your T.G.I.F. pic. Oh Happy Friday is on it's way!

Here's Day 11 tee laying on top of my sweaty cross country clothes. Guess what I've got on?? That's right! A bikini and a glass of wine ready to unwind in the hot tub. :) {OK, so I ditched that idea and put on other sweats and a tee. Kiddos needed picked up from practice.}

Rural Running for the 1 Miler

today i ran for 90 minutes {per my training schedule}. i committed to running reid's virtual 1 mile race and as the day was approaching i was concerned about getting it all in. [a 90 min run, a 1 mile race, soccer practice, company, kiddos and a Husker football game]. GBR!

we got back from Chicago last night and i took some time after the local football game and catching up with my kiddos to mentally prep for getting up a 5am and running so i could be the super woman i think that i am and do everything that i think i can do as quick as i can do it. {gag!} i hit the road at 5:30am. i run country roads because i get some great hill training, and i can take Harley {our black lab}. when i head out before the rooster crows i always take a flashlight and wear a red blinker so some country hick farmer doesn't mistake me for a cow and run me down cause he thinks i got out. you can never be too safe in rural nebraska. :)

my first 8 miles i keep at a steady pace [approx 9:30 mile]. not super fast, but not super slow but a pace i am happy with just to stay in shape until i commit to my next race {other than virtual}. i saved the 1 mile race leg for the last 1 mile and i hit a 7:42 pace. i had to climb a couple of hills and actually hit the [bend over when you are done in the middle of an intersection] threshold.

overall i was pleased with my run and felt even better about checking off two of my "todo's" for the day before 7:01 am. thanks reid for hosting and congrats on your sub 5min mile.

Huskers 35 - San Jose State 12
GBR!

T.G.I.F. pic links

Marcy
Brenda

here we go.... it's T.G.I.F.

i'm loving chiciago and i'm not ready to go home! we fly out at 3pm. waaaahhhh! :) truth is, i'm dreading the taxi ride to the airport and this time i've packed a puke bag and a bagel for backup. i'm a motion sickness type of girl and the last taxi ride about did me in. we got this maniac cab driver who pulsed the gas the whole ride in between peeling out and around on the shoulder to get in front. i was to the point i didn't know if i was going to puke or poop my pants. yikes!

got up and ran 3 miles this morning to tick off some of the sept 100. i actually only need to add 15 miles to my current sept training schedule, not miss a run and i should be good to go! i coach cross country so i'll be running with the kiddos and i'm thinking i can get in my extra 15 at practice.

let me know if you've got a T.G.I.F pic and i'll link to your post. have a great day and [run on!] [bike on!] [swim on!] or whatever you do [on]. :)

p.s. the lawn is finally done!

Rain No More

so i'm back at the argo tea cafe, for free wifi of course, drinking a chai latte. it was a wet and wild day along michigan ave. i'm guessing i took in about 6-7 miles of walking down the michigan mile, state street, and grand street to name a few. i found some great bargains at sports authority - underarmour 1/2 off. i love UA so who could turn that down? i found 2buckchuck at Trader Joe's. 2buckchuck is a cheapo wine that is supposed to taste fantistico. we'll see how good it is waking up in the morning. heehee and then i hit Tiffany's. bought an Elsa Perriti ring. i've definitely died and gone to heaven now! and my finger will look good going there. :)

i made three trips back to the hotel to dry off with my blowdryer and of course i had to take a bathroom picture along the way for Marcy.

of course mine doesn't compare to hers as my face is hiding behind the camera and the mirror is like yucko! if that was our hotel mirror, i'd be asking for a refund. lol i'll have to work on my composition by using a different camera.

well, it's been a great day in the city. the night is young and i'm going to catch dinner with my husband's bosses wife.

Quick Peek at Thursday in Chicago

woke up early for a 30 min run. it was raining so i opted for the fitness facility at our hotel. it was awesome! i should've checked the place out sooner as i was bummed to see that i missed the 6am yoga class. oh well. hate to wear myself out too fast when i've got shopping to do!!! :)

it was tough getting online to jot a quick post as free wifi does not exist in downtown chicago. i did find this argo tea cafe off of state street, which is perfecto. i would recommend the breakfast burrito {and it does comes with free wifi}. :)

anyways, i'll have to chat later about my cab ride to the hotel. it was less than appealing as i about lost my oats on the cab driver. tata....i'm off to burn up the cc.

Day 10 & Chicago here I come!

i'm off to Chicago this afternoon! dh is going to a tech conference and i'm going to play. i'm thinking about taking in a food tour and renting a bike to do my own exploring.

we are staying near the pier so if you have any [gotta do's] while i'm there, let me know; i've got my camera, running shoes and a credit card...ohhlala

Day 9

it's not too much of a froot loopy day. :( there was a tragic accident [2 of them to be exact] which took the lives of two high school boys friday evening. you can read the
article here for some details if you like.

hold your children close and tell them you love them everyday. life can change in a split second, a second you will never get back.

Labor Day Ride

billowing gusts of wind hitting 20 mph forced us to push even harder on our journey from Conestoga Lake to Friend, NE. we averaged a low 7-9mph as we rode our way south to hwy 33. we hit hwy 33 and we were home free. ok, somewhat. the winds were more in our favor, but we still had to pedal strong through Crete, Dorchester and Friend. the run was great as we averaged approx 18.5 mph. we hit Friend and filled our tummies with the yummo ice cream at the local quick shop.

of course, one cannot eat ice cream alone. oh no. we spotted some big a$$ trucker cups sitting atop case after case of pop. we hit the jackpot as we discussed all the possibilities one big a$$ trucker cup could provide. voted top dog favorite: a margarita keg. we each purchased one, laughing all the way home while we sipped on 100 oz of diet pepsi resulting in the birth of : [trucker cup club]. ohyababy!

Cycling for Ice Cream

Century Ride
September 14, 2008
Gravy you in?

this route takes us to Friend where the best quick shop ice cream exists. it's a gotta have.



the route may change as you never know what Nebraska winds will do that do :) but no matter the route, the goal is to stop for ice cream around mile 50.

anybody else in? virtual riders? set up your own century and ride that day and hop on that bike. ride on!