Really??

It snowed last night. Not just a little, like, 6 inches. Are you kidding? Yes, the trees looked beautiful with the heavy, wet snow stuck to them, but enough already. I can wait until next winter for that....

We've gotten snow in northern Illinois in March before, but come on....the good news is that I did not sign up for the 8K Shamrock Shuffle, which took place today. Hats off to the runners who hit the streets of Chicago this morning in the snow, and 30 mph wind.

The other good news is I have run. Well, last Sunday....3 miles in just under 30 minutes, so that's very good. I've done weights this week, but no running. Why? Because my knee hurts. Not when I run, or walk, but when it bends, like when I sit. Taking the week off has helped and it feels much better.

So, I'll be back in the running game tomorrow. On the stupid treadmill. Send the spring karma my way, I'm going to need it!

TGIF!

Today's quotes came from the first sentence in 6 of the blog author's favorite books...the italics are my fill-in....here we go!


1. "In a hole in the ground there lived evil."

2. "Life isn't easy, but that ain't no matter."

3. "After dark the rain began to fall again, remember that the sun will shine again....."

4. "Release yourself from the hold of the Spanish galleon."

5. "There was a hand in the darkness, and one in the cookie jar."

6. "Accidents ambush the unsuspecting, so be prepared."

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Portillo's chocolate cake, tomorrow my plans include returning B's library books and Sunday, I want to NOT have to shovel!

It's FRIDAY!!

1. Why do we have to pay taxes?

2. Working out and eating better are now habits.

3. I have to believe!

4. I had never heard the phrase "_____" and it _____. (okay, I got nothing for this one..sorry!)

5. I updated my blog, the way I always do.

6. How was I to know I'd run TWO marathons.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to pizza, tomorrow my plans include taking the car in and Sunday, I want to workout and hang with Brian!

Biggest Loser

On this weeks episode, the contestants were sent home for a week to spend time with their families. After being home for what appeared to be 30 seconds, each received a tin of sugar cookies. In the message DVD included, they were told they would be running a half marathon. For each cookie eaten, they could add 5 minutes to any other contestant's time....all for the $10K prize. (as a side note, only ONE contestant ate a cookie in an effort to sabotage another contestant's time, thus adding 5 minutes to her time, and causing her to lose the $10K prize. Nice...)

All seemed shocked that they had to run a half. I was too. I realize they have been working out for awhile, but had they done enough for a half marathon? It appeared each contestant had a coach or someone familiar with running alongside them during the half. And, to their credit, most of the contestants finished, the top 2 in around 2:24/2:25.

But, I still wonder if this sends the right message. 13.1 miles is still a long way. And for those who have never done distance running, shouldn't it have been approached with a bit more training? Even one of the contestants said "isn't a half marathon something you do when you're DONE with the Biggest Loser, not while you're still doing it?"

In the first running controversy, Dane gets voted off and decides to train with his wife for a marathon. We know how that all turned out. And now a half, just sprung upon them?

I like the Biggest Loser. I like that it sends the message of "eat right, work out and lose weight", albeit extreme for television.

But the running thing bugs me. In the world of running, haven't we all paid our dues during training for marathons or halfs or whatever the distance of choice? Twice now, the show seems to have trivialized the importance of proper training and preparation.

I just don't get it......

Nirvana? Not exactly.....

You know when you have one of those runs when you feel like you can go forever, everything feels good and natural? Well, today was NOT one of those runs...

If you've read my blog throughout the 2008 marathon training season, you'll remember the Phoebe Runs. Coined from the "Friends" episode where Phoebe runs all crazy with Rachel and Rachel is mortified. Today was a Phoebe Run. Nothing flowed, nothing felt natural, everything felt forced. I hate runs like that. Makes me want to hang up the 'ole Sauconys and call it a day.

Since I try to find something good in it, I did cover 3 miles in just under 33 minutes, which isn't bad all things considered. And yes, I always, always feel better after a run. Even a crappy one.

This 3 miler officially kicks of the half marathon training program for the half I'm running in June. There will be no full marathon this year, as I need a break from the insane time commitment. I will be in Chicago on marathon day, likely volunteering for the American Cancer Society. And I will run more marathons, just not this year.

So, stick around for the half marathon training fun, and let's hope for less Phoebe Runs and more kick-ass-I-can-do-anything runs..

Friday Fill-In!!

1. When I look to the left, I see the wall.

2. The family room is the room that has the best view in my home.

3. Let it work itself out.

4. Dirty deeds done dirt cheap!

5. Voting is a responsibility that all qualified citizens must share.

6. If you have any comments feel free to leave 'em!.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging with B, tomorrow my plans include sleeping late and running and Sunday, I want to run outside!

Moving Right Along...

Yep, that's me. Walked almost 5 miles on Friday with my sister. It was a beautiful day. Took the entire weekend off, mostly because it rained the entire time and the thought of the treadmill was enough to make me stay far away. Today, I did 3 miles in 31:18. Yahoo..Not a bad pace. It was a good day to run - cloudy, cool and damp.

In case you're dying to know, my goal - at some point this year - is to run a 9:30/10:00 minute mile comfortably and consistently.

On another completely unrelated note..anyone out there looking for AVON? Well, even if you're not, you are now, and I'm your girl! Check out my webpage and all the fantastic products! You can order online and have the products shipped directly to you. Or, if you're interested in becoming an AVON rep, let me know! Thanks!

It's Back! Friday Fill-Ins!

Here we go...

1. Holding the door was my last random act of kindness.

2. Another place, another time.

3. Follow your gut in matters of the heart.

4. Coffee, tea or more coffee!

5. ????? separate paths.

6. Our nice weather today reminds me that there is a new season on the way!!!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging out, tomorrow my plans include a basketball award ceremony and Sunday, I want to sleep late.

New Layout

As you can see, I have a new blog layout. However, if you look at the top of the page, there's all kinds of crap that showed up after I copied/pasted the new layout info. And I have no idea how to get rid of it. I've tried to copy/paste again, and said crap still shows up.

If you have any ideas, let me know..I love the layout, but can do without the goofy stuff on top!

Running and Not Running..

First, the running part, namely me! Yep, hit the treadmill twice, 2 miles each time. I'm easing back in, or getting away with as little as possible. Either way, I am actually running the entire time. Yahoo.

Now, the not running...this has been a big deal in the marathoning world. One of the contestants of Biggest Loser was voted off last week (he lost 100 lbs), and decided to run a marathon with his wife. At the end of the show, they are filmed crossing the finish line AND wearing the medals. With a 3:53 time. When I saw this, my first reaction was "how the hell does a guy who just lost 100 lbs and has not properly trained for a marathon finish in 3:53 and it took me 5:30???"

Then we find out its not true. According to the stories, they were driven 3 miles on the course and were disqualified. Neither the Biggest Loser guy or his wife are listed in the race results.

Now, I don't know how much say they had in how their finish was portrayed at the end of the Biggest Loser show last week, but come on....they knew they were driven, knew they were filmed crossing the finish AND with the medals.

26.2 is not a distance to you take on half-heartedly. Trust me. It's hard and it will kick your ass even if you do train properly.

One would like to think they'd come forward and apologize for the misrepresentation of the whole thing, but I don't think that has happened. Loser is right..