My friend Mary Anne sent this to me. I'd like to take a moment and share some words of wisdom. From Larry The Cable Guy. I know it's an "oxy-moron"....but he's a funny guy!
The Wisdom of Larry the Cable Guy......
1. A day without sunshine is like night.
2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
6. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.
7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.
9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.
10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.
13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.
14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?
15. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?
18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
19. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?
20. Why do psychics have to ask you your name?
21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, 'What the heck happened?'
22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.
23. Light travels faster than sound.. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
24. Life isn't like a box of chocolates . It's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Doing Some Training
This Florida summer heat is tough to train in. Being a lazy runner by nature, it's not helping matters much. Luckily my good friend Ed is a running maniac and he lights the fire beneath my Asics. He likes to run at 6:30 am. I like to lay in bed at 6:30 am. Sometimes it's more fun to dream about running anyway. I'm wicked fast in my dreams. Pun intended.
Ed, Bob and I ran on Wednesday morning. I ran 3.5 miles and the guys went on to finish 4 miles. It was the first run I've had in 3 weeks where I could actually breathe. Feels good to breathe when you run , ya know?
This morning Ed came and picked me up for my very first speed workout at the track. I knew he was coming at 6:30 but I still stayed in bed until 6:10. Nice. My husband tried to wake me at 5:30 when he was leaving but I'd changed my mind about getting up by then. I contemplated calling Ed and being a slacker but I figured in the time it would take to find my phone and make the call, I'd be awake anyway. Up I got. Good thing too because Bob W. was supposed to come with us but he overslept! Ha!! He must have needed the rest.
The down side of getting up 20 minutes before a run is....I didn't eat. So I didn't have the energy for the workout Ed planned. I did half of his workout and spent the other half walking around the track while he ran. I need a good nutritional plan. I've never been good about eating. I need to change that. Starting T-O-D-A-Y. Please pass the chips. To me. And I'll take a Bud Light with those thankyaverramuchhhhh.
Saturday is the 4th annual Hurricane Run. As I'm sure you all know, Florida got hit with Hurricane Charlie 5 years ago. It was pretty bad. In fact, we have families still recovering from it. Very sad.
The team will be meeting at this race Sat morning. Jim and Bethany will be away for the weekend. That means I have to pay attention this time and get a good race report out to them. Usually I just do whatever they say..."ride their coattails" you may call it. That's what I call it anyway. I'm a coach for this project, but I tend to be the more emotionally and verbally encouraging coach vs the training, physical and teaching coach...(Jim and Bethany's job)...I like the "hearts and flowers" part of coaching I guess. I like the "hearts and flowers" part of everything, as a matter-of-fact. The team already knows what they need to do before, during and after the race. I guess they'd notice if I tried to slip a little tea party in there somewhere. Or tried to get them all to sing "Mama Mia" by Abba. I might try that one anyway. Like a motivational anthem, if you will. Hey...maybe I can talk them into doing "The Hustle" as a warm up/stretch! I think that would work nicely. Don't you???
Ed, Bob and I ran on Wednesday morning. I ran 3.5 miles and the guys went on to finish 4 miles. It was the first run I've had in 3 weeks where I could actually breathe. Feels good to breathe when you run , ya know?
This morning Ed came and picked me up for my very first speed workout at the track. I knew he was coming at 6:30 but I still stayed in bed until 6:10. Nice. My husband tried to wake me at 5:30 when he was leaving but I'd changed my mind about getting up by then. I contemplated calling Ed and being a slacker but I figured in the time it would take to find my phone and make the call, I'd be awake anyway. Up I got. Good thing too because Bob W. was supposed to come with us but he overslept! Ha!! He must have needed the rest.
The down side of getting up 20 minutes before a run is....I didn't eat. So I didn't have the energy for the workout Ed planned. I did half of his workout and spent the other half walking around the track while he ran. I need a good nutritional plan. I've never been good about eating. I need to change that. Starting T-O-D-A-Y. Please pass the chips. To me. And I'll take a Bud Light with those thankyaverramuchhhhh.
Saturday is the 4th annual Hurricane Run. As I'm sure you all know, Florida got hit with Hurricane Charlie 5 years ago. It was pretty bad. In fact, we have families still recovering from it. Very sad.
The team will be meeting at this race Sat morning. Jim and Bethany will be away for the weekend. That means I have to pay attention this time and get a good race report out to them. Usually I just do whatever they say..."ride their coattails" you may call it. That's what I call it anyway. I'm a coach for this project, but I tend to be the more emotionally and verbally encouraging coach vs the training, physical and teaching coach...(Jim and Bethany's job)...I like the "hearts and flowers" part of coaching I guess. I like the "hearts and flowers" part of everything, as a matter-of-fact. The team already knows what they need to do before, during and after the race. I guess they'd notice if I tried to slip a little tea party in there somewhere. Or tried to get them all to sing "Mama Mia" by Abba. I might try that one anyway. Like a motivational anthem, if you will. Hey...maybe I can talk them into doing "The Hustle" as a warm up/stretch! I think that would work nicely. Don't you???
Sunday, August 10, 2008
NP Endurance Project...
I'm going to start this post with Jim's weekly update. It's a little long, figured I'd give my blogger friends the option of skipping it in favor of my more humorous update to be posted soon after this one....LOL
A Word From Coach Jim
Hello Team!
First of all GREAT weekend for all of us that went to the race at Punta Gorda, some of the highlights: Sherry set a tremendous personal record and Jacki also. Great improvements. Bethany was the overall female winner, Josephine the grandmaster winner, and medals for Tess, Kim, Cindy, Frank, Ed and Jim.
Some points about our Big Run... The Saturday, October 11th FCA Half Marathon in Sarasota/Lakewood Ranch. (http://www.runfca.com/)Each of us should register on our own via Active.com. Active.com will want you to register with a username and password. We will be providing the race organizers with our list of YMCA North Port Endurance Project team members so that we’ll all be entitled to any team discount. We should register as soon as possible to avoid any potential increase in the $45. listed fee. So please plan on registering asap for the FCA run.
Keep the following information in mind… On Friday, Oct 10th, our Endurance Team will be having a pasta dinner party at Kim's house in North Port. This gives all of us a chance to go over race strategies, questions or concerns. This will be a great opportunity to calm any jitters and have a relaxing evening before the BIG DAY! Time TBA (Does anyone have a "cutoff time" for eating the night before a long run. Let us know...) Kim will make the pasta, sauce and a punch bowl. (non-alcholic). We can decide who can bring what when we get a little closer to the date. (bread, desserts, salad etc) We are working on having one person (Kim) pick up all the race packets at once. We can give them out at the pasta party. For those who cannot make the party, let one of us know and we'll be sure to get you your packet before the race.
For those who have not yet had their race day shirts embroidered, you can drop one off at the desk at the YMCA anytime. Please put your name in the bag so we can get your shirt back to you.
Our week ahead training mirrors this past week. We want to hold onto the progress we’ve made thus far and protect ourselves from injury. Allow time to rest and eat some good vegetables. Strength training target the core muscles, safely exercise your abs, obliques, lower back and glutes. Have two good days of cardio training equaling 30 min. one day and 45 min. the next. Plan on a weekend run of approx six to seven miles.
Some of you may be running the “Hurricane Run 5k” on Sat. Aug. 16. Bethany and Jim, and Josephine and Frank will be out of town for this. The plan for the following Saturday (Aug. 23) is for a group run on the beautiful trails of Oscar Scherer State Park. Our goal is an hour to an hour and a half run on Sat. Aug. 23. This is our own event-- and Ed and Joan Morgan will be providing the optional post run breakfast at their RV. (They‘ll be camping overnight and ready for our training run Sat. morning.) We will start that run as early as we can so that we can enjoy the run, the breakfast, nature and still have ourselves back to North Port by mid morning. We’ll figure out who’ll drive, etc. sometime the week of Aug. 18...
Please register at Active.com for the Oct. 11 FCA marathon asap.
Endurance Team Coaches
A Word From Coach Jim
Hello Team!
First of all GREAT weekend for all of us that went to the race at Punta Gorda, some of the highlights: Sherry set a tremendous personal record and Jacki also. Great improvements. Bethany was the overall female winner, Josephine the grandmaster winner, and medals for Tess, Kim, Cindy, Frank, Ed and Jim.
Some points about our Big Run... The Saturday, October 11th FCA Half Marathon in Sarasota/Lakewood Ranch. (http://www.runfca.com/)Each of us should register on our own via Active.com. Active.com will want you to register with a username and password. We will be providing the race organizers with our list of YMCA North Port Endurance Project team members so that we’ll all be entitled to any team discount. We should register as soon as possible to avoid any potential increase in the $45. listed fee. So please plan on registering asap for the FCA run.
Keep the following information in mind… On Friday, Oct 10th, our Endurance Team will be having a pasta dinner party at Kim's house in North Port. This gives all of us a chance to go over race strategies, questions or concerns. This will be a great opportunity to calm any jitters and have a relaxing evening before the BIG DAY! Time TBA (Does anyone have a "cutoff time" for eating the night before a long run. Let us know...) Kim will make the pasta, sauce and a punch bowl. (non-alcholic). We can decide who can bring what when we get a little closer to the date. (bread, desserts, salad etc) We are working on having one person (Kim) pick up all the race packets at once. We can give them out at the pasta party. For those who cannot make the party, let one of us know and we'll be sure to get you your packet before the race.
For those who have not yet had their race day shirts embroidered, you can drop one off at the desk at the YMCA anytime. Please put your name in the bag so we can get your shirt back to you.
Our week ahead training mirrors this past week. We want to hold onto the progress we’ve made thus far and protect ourselves from injury. Allow time to rest and eat some good vegetables. Strength training target the core muscles, safely exercise your abs, obliques, lower back and glutes. Have two good days of cardio training equaling 30 min. one day and 45 min. the next. Plan on a weekend run of approx six to seven miles.
Some of you may be running the “Hurricane Run 5k” on Sat. Aug. 16. Bethany and Jim, and Josephine and Frank will be out of town for this. The plan for the following Saturday (Aug. 23) is for a group run on the beautiful trails of Oscar Scherer State Park. Our goal is an hour to an hour and a half run on Sat. Aug. 23. This is our own event-- and Ed and Joan Morgan will be providing the optional post run breakfast at their RV. (They‘ll be camping overnight and ready for our training run Sat. morning.) We will start that run as early as we can so that we can enjoy the run, the breakfast, nature and still have ourselves back to North Port by mid morning. We’ll figure out who’ll drive, etc. sometime the week of Aug. 18...
Please register at Active.com for the Oct. 11 FCA marathon asap.
Endurance Team Coaches
NP Endurance Project Week 5
Week 5 already! Wow!! The whole team is just coming along phenomenally well. Everyone showed their dedication, training and team spirit at yesterdy's Run 4 Reason 5K. Five team members were away for the weekend on various adventures (or had to work) so we had 10 of us there.
We basically met in registration before the warm up mile. While I was standing there talking (of course) in walks SHERRY !!!!! I knew her as soon as I saw her. Cute as a button with those dimples and full of energy. It felt like we'd known each other for years. Her husband Scott is also a sweetie, what a beautiful couple. Sherry rocked the 5k with her 26:23, taking 1st place in her age group. YAY Sherry!!! Meeting Sherry was the highlight of the day for me. We could have visited for hours!!! (Hugs Sherry) =)
The team ran a warm up mile and came back for stretching. It was a very hot, very humid morning. We all felt it. I hadn't run for 2 weeks, I had the flu, so I didn't expect to run too well. And I didn't...LOL (thoughts are THINGS) BLAHHH.....anyway, we lined up and took off. We cheered each other on as we passed each other. I had trouble breathing and had to stop 3 times. I was surprisingly ok with this since I expected to have some trouble.
I ran with Kim, another JUST Kim, not Kimberly!! Pretty fun! Found a new friend and she lives near me. We'll be running together, I'm sure. I saw many, many friends. Yuli, Bill, Carol, Bob, Jack, I can't even name them all. I love that part of being a runner. I look forward to seeing everyone just as much as running the race. The running community is friendly and FUN!
Bethany took Overall First Place female, Josephine took Grand Master female. Nice job ladies!! Jim, Ed, Tess, Frank, Cindy and yours truly (ME) all placed in our respective age groups and went home with medals. Pretty nice looking medals too. I pulled a Nitmos and wore mine all day. The people at Publix were all pretty impressed...I even let them touch it. I know, I know....I'm good like that. I'm thinking of having a "Come See Kim's Medals" party. You're all invited. Should be fun. And quick since I only have about 6....teehee
Before the results were announced, Jim gathered us for the cool down mile. I calmly told him I was skipping that. He just as calmly told me I was NOT skipping it. Then I reminded him that I am my own captain. He can't really tell me what to do. He said ok. After winning that one, I decided I WANTED to run the cool down. So I did. Kinda. I walked a lot of it just cuz I could. You know, being the captain and all. I would have stopped a little earlier but Tess has an issue with running an odd distance. She made us keep going for the full mile. I like Tess, so I did it. I guess you could say I did it for you, Tess!!
The good thing about having the flu is, I'll be healthy for the rest of the season. I hope.
We basically met in registration before the warm up mile. While I was standing there talking (of course) in walks SHERRY !!!!! I knew her as soon as I saw her. Cute as a button with those dimples and full of energy. It felt like we'd known each other for years. Her husband Scott is also a sweetie, what a beautiful couple. Sherry rocked the 5k with her 26:23, taking 1st place in her age group. YAY Sherry!!! Meeting Sherry was the highlight of the day for me. We could have visited for hours!!! (Hugs Sherry) =)
The team ran a warm up mile and came back for stretching. It was a very hot, very humid morning. We all felt it. I hadn't run for 2 weeks, I had the flu, so I didn't expect to run too well. And I didn't...LOL (thoughts are THINGS) BLAHHH.....anyway, we lined up and took off. We cheered each other on as we passed each other. I had trouble breathing and had to stop 3 times. I was surprisingly ok with this since I expected to have some trouble.
I ran with Kim, another JUST Kim, not Kimberly!! Pretty fun! Found a new friend and she lives near me. We'll be running together, I'm sure. I saw many, many friends. Yuli, Bill, Carol, Bob, Jack, I can't even name them all. I love that part of being a runner. I look forward to seeing everyone just as much as running the race. The running community is friendly and FUN!
Bethany took Overall First Place female, Josephine took Grand Master female. Nice job ladies!! Jim, Ed, Tess, Frank, Cindy and yours truly (ME) all placed in our respective age groups and went home with medals. Pretty nice looking medals too. I pulled a Nitmos and wore mine all day. The people at Publix were all pretty impressed...I even let them touch it. I know, I know....I'm good like that. I'm thinking of having a "Come See Kim's Medals" party. You're all invited. Should be fun. And quick since I only have about 6....teehee
Before the results were announced, Jim gathered us for the cool down mile. I calmly told him I was skipping that. He just as calmly told me I was NOT skipping it. Then I reminded him that I am my own captain. He can't really tell me what to do. He said ok. After winning that one, I decided I WANTED to run the cool down. So I did. Kinda. I walked a lot of it just cuz I could. You know, being the captain and all. I would have stopped a little earlier but Tess has an issue with running an odd distance. She made us keep going for the full mile. I like Tess, so I did it. I guess you could say I did it for you, Tess!!
The good thing about having the flu is, I'll be healthy for the rest of the season. I hope.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
NP Endurance Project Week 4
Four weeks into this project and everyone is doing so well!! It was extremely evident that all of us have a huge competitive streak in us during week 3 at the track. We all shot off that starting line during the mile test like the cops were chasing us. I thought I heard "Chariots Of Fire" playing in the background!
I had an injury malfunction that day, which is why my time is not posted. I went back to the track last week with a small group of us who hadn't been timed yet but I threw a nutty on Coach because he made me go slow. (HA!...notice how coaches get the glory AND the blame????) Anyway, I conned another shot at the timing mile...be funny if I came in even slower....LOL...I'll post my updated time when it happens.
This week we had a scheduled 10K with the team. There were about 4 people missing. We were running the Firecracker 5K route twice. Unfortunately, I've been sick all week and can't breath while sitting, never mind trying to run it. So I was the water girl. Very important job actually. Everyone was so happy to see me!! LOL
It was a little muggy (and I wasn't even running) We stretched and Jim gave a briefing on the route. He explained that this was not a timed race, we were doing a long run. People should be able to talk while running this pace. I honestly thought I'd see Bob F come flying down the road in about 22 minutes, so I was happy to see him keeping his endurance pace. Bob, Ed and Michelle came through first and I handed them water as they passed by. Then came Linda and Tess. I walked with them while they had some water, then yelled out something "coachingly supportive". (I'm sure it helped immensely) Next came Sherry, Cindy, Jana, and Coach. I walked back to the YMCA and waited for them to finish the last half of the route. Everyone was happy with their run. They ran 6.2 miles! That was the longest run ever for a few of these runners. I could see the pride in their faces when they came in. I remember the first time I ran 5 miles. What a feeling! It's so weird when you first start running. Even one mile seems so far away. When you turn and look back at where you just came from and can't see the whole route, it's one of those "WOW" moments. Very, very satisfying.
This run was all about finding that comfy, enjoyable pace. These runs are so very important for marathon training because if you've never run a half before you don't really realize what it takes to get to the finish line. You think it's speed. You don't want to be last. You worry about running over the finish line behind the street sweeper. You worry no one will be there to cheer for you when you do make it. But it's so not about any of that. Not the first 13.1 race you run anyway. This first race is about it being a gift you're giving yourself. It's about finding out you have it inside you to endure this race, meeting fellow runners from all over the USA, seeing the beauty in something as simple as a person on the sidelines with a bowl of strawberries. Sounds kinda corny, but it's all true. When I hear people talking about their race experiences, I hear them give their finish time, but then the stories come. No two are alike. Everyone of them are so special, and every time I get lucky enough to catch someone telling their story, I feel the pride in their voices. I see it in their faces. This Endurance Project is even more special because we're all going into it as a team. We have each other to train with, ask questions and ease each others' nerves. We will have different finishing times, but we'll really have finished it together.
A NOTE FROM COACH JIM
Hope you all are well and feeling great,
The consensus for Saturday morning is that we will meet at the Edison College. Registration is 6 – 7 am race starts at 7:30.
We like to get there about an hour before race time, allows enough time to complete registration and warm up, etc. The plan for us who are at that race will be to warm up (mile or so easy….) then do the race 3.1 miles, then re-run/walk the race course again for total mileage that day approx 7.5. NOTE. That’s the goal distance for all who don’t make it to the race in Punta Gorda. Do an equivalent distance this coming weekend.
Friday is the “rest day” so we can be full of vim and vigor Saturday morning. Remember this week’s “assignment” is at least two days ab/core strength training (your choice, crunches, planks, stability ball, roman chair or mat-work.)
Add to the core training two days ( a 3-miler, a 4-miler) of cardio/easy running before Friday. IF your legs/feet/knees/hips/hamstrings, etc. feel on the brink of injury--- Avoid pounding them…Advisable to do non-impact cross training for the time duration of 30 minutes one day and 45 another day.
Keep our eyes on the prize ie: being strong and injury free on October 11 to complete the 13.1 miles.
Bob and Michelle have a great trip to PA!
I had an injury malfunction that day, which is why my time is not posted. I went back to the track last week with a small group of us who hadn't been timed yet but I threw a nutty on Coach because he made me go slow. (HA!...notice how coaches get the glory AND the blame????) Anyway, I conned another shot at the timing mile...be funny if I came in even slower....LOL...I'll post my updated time when it happens.
This week we had a scheduled 10K with the team. There were about 4 people missing. We were running the Firecracker 5K route twice. Unfortunately, I've been sick all week and can't breath while sitting, never mind trying to run it. So I was the water girl. Very important job actually. Everyone was so happy to see me!! LOL
It was a little muggy (and I wasn't even running) We stretched and Jim gave a briefing on the route. He explained that this was not a timed race, we were doing a long run. People should be able to talk while running this pace. I honestly thought I'd see Bob F come flying down the road in about 22 minutes, so I was happy to see him keeping his endurance pace. Bob, Ed and Michelle came through first and I handed them water as they passed by. Then came Linda and Tess. I walked with them while they had some water, then yelled out something "coachingly supportive". (I'm sure it helped immensely) Next came Sherry, Cindy, Jana, and Coach. I walked back to the YMCA and waited for them to finish the last half of the route. Everyone was happy with their run. They ran 6.2 miles! That was the longest run ever for a few of these runners. I could see the pride in their faces when they came in. I remember the first time I ran 5 miles. What a feeling! It's so weird when you first start running. Even one mile seems so far away. When you turn and look back at where you just came from and can't see the whole route, it's one of those "WOW" moments. Very, very satisfying.
This run was all about finding that comfy, enjoyable pace. These runs are so very important for marathon training because if you've never run a half before you don't really realize what it takes to get to the finish line. You think it's speed. You don't want to be last. You worry about running over the finish line behind the street sweeper. You worry no one will be there to cheer for you when you do make it. But it's so not about any of that. Not the first 13.1 race you run anyway. This first race is about it being a gift you're giving yourself. It's about finding out you have it inside you to endure this race, meeting fellow runners from all over the USA, seeing the beauty in something as simple as a person on the sidelines with a bowl of strawberries. Sounds kinda corny, but it's all true. When I hear people talking about their race experiences, I hear them give their finish time, but then the stories come. No two are alike. Everyone of them are so special, and every time I get lucky enough to catch someone telling their story, I feel the pride in their voices. I see it in their faces. This Endurance Project is even more special because we're all going into it as a team. We have each other to train with, ask questions and ease each others' nerves. We will have different finishing times, but we'll really have finished it together.
A NOTE FROM COACH JIM
Hope you all are well and feeling great,
The consensus for Saturday morning is that we will meet at the Edison College. Registration is 6 – 7 am race starts at 7:30.
We like to get there about an hour before race time, allows enough time to complete registration and warm up, etc. The plan for us who are at that race will be to warm up (mile or so easy….) then do the race 3.1 miles, then re-run/walk the race course again for total mileage that day approx 7.5. NOTE. That’s the goal distance for all who don’t make it to the race in Punta Gorda. Do an equivalent distance this coming weekend.
Friday is the “rest day” so we can be full of vim and vigor Saturday morning. Remember this week’s “assignment” is at least two days ab/core strength training (your choice, crunches, planks, stability ball, roman chair or mat-work.)
Add to the core training two days ( a 3-miler, a 4-miler) of cardio/easy running before Friday. IF your legs/feet/knees/hips/hamstrings, etc. feel on the brink of injury--- Avoid pounding them…Advisable to do non-impact cross training for the time duration of 30 minutes one day and 45 another day.
Keep our eyes on the prize ie: being strong and injury free on October 11 to complete the 13.1 miles.
Bob and Michelle have a great trip to PA!
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