Crazy...

Did a 5.2 mile run this morning. At our Wellness Center! OK. I will stop mentioning that place! But I love it! Now, I will attempt to do some homework/paperwork while watching the Twins game. I was just watching part of the pregame show, and this following song was playing while showing this season's best clips and plays...


I remember when, I remember, I remember when I lost my mind
There was something so **PLEASANT** about that face
Even your emotions had an echo in so much space

It's definitely amazing how well this team plays together. Ya, there are the Yankees that are worth millions of dollars, but.... do they have the team cohesion that the Twins have?

And when you're out there,without care
Yeah I was out of touch
But it wasn't because I didn't know enough
I just knew too much

I mean.... did you smell it? Smell it guys! (Thanks Cuddyer for the tapping of the nose signal.... smell it guys... smell the win!)

Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
possibly

Boof Bonser... I remember the game I went to this summer. The Tuesday night game that they stunk so bad...that they called up Boof from the minor league... I wondered...who names their kid Boof? No one. He did it. He changed his name to Boof 5 years ago... he was John Paul!

And I hope that you are havin' the time of your life
But think twice, that's my only advice

Who wouldn't be having the time of their life on that team? Santana and his 1000 strike out... Radke pitching again.... Morneau and his 33+ homeruns... Hunter and his 30+ homeruns...

Come on now who do you, who do you, who do you, who do you
think you are, ha ha ha, bless your soul
You really think you're in control

Who could forget all the times Ron Gardenhire lost his cool... But, only when it was necessary.... he argued for a reason... Like when Cuddyer had a home run and the umps said no go...

well,
I think you're Crazy
I think you're Crazy
I think you're Crazy
Just like me

Who isn't crazy these days! I think Punto and Redmond are two peas on a pod... but they love what they do!

My heroes had the heart to live their lives out on a limb
And all I remember is thinkin' I wanna be like them.

The Twins... our heroes!

Ever since I was little, ever since I was little it looked like fun
And there's no considence I've come
And I can die when I'm done

I have always enjoyed watching the Twins...come rain or shine. Win or lose. I will always be a fan of theirs!

But maybe I'm Crazy
Maybe you're Crazy
Maybe we're Crazy
Probably!
Probably!

Good luck Twins... Reach for that Central Division Championship Title!

Lyrics by Gnarls Barkley

Frozen toes

Last night was our regular volleyball night. We were scheduled to play at 9, which I thought was perfect since I had class until 7 and then a meeting until 830. Well, our meeting ran a little late and I was late to get to volleyball. There's nothing like having to change from your "teacher" clothes to your sweaties in a bar bathroom!

Well, I made it, just in time to play a little in the end of the 1st game. (We play best of three.)

And.. Oh... My.... God..... The sand (dirt..with gravel...and maybe some sand) was wet and soooo cold! It was a whopping 42 degrees outside....dark (obviously)... and moisture was falling from the sky!!! One of those types of mists that when you look in the light you could have sworn it was snow falling from the sky. And I am positive it would have been snow if it were 10 degrees cooler!

As far as the games went??!

We won 1...and lost 2. 6 players.... lost.... to a team of 4... 4 INTOXICATED LOUD MOUTHS!!! Pathetic! I know I wasn't playing my best becuase I didn't have complete feeling in my toes... and all I could think about was my frozen toes!

I think we only have 1 or 2 weeks left ... and then were done! That's okay I guess. With this weather, I am losing interest in playing out there! Plus, I can stay home in my sweaties and watch Greys Anatomy!

Tomorrow??? I am shooting for a 5 mile run!

Happy runnings, y'all!

It's WONDERFUL!!

Look at this $20 million dollar fitness center!! 107,000 square feet of Wellness and Fitness! I am so excited I went back to school! Now I actually get the chance to use this Student Wellness Center I was paying for when I was getting my undergraduate degree!

I headed there after class tonight at about 7ish. It looked awesome from the outside, I could only imaged what it looked like on the inside! I got in there, and I am sure my jaw was hitting the floor. If you saw our old fitness center, you would have had the same expression as me!

Some stats:

• 15,000 square-foot weight and cardio floor, which includes 109 weight machines and 57 cardio machines
• 200-meter running track, with windows along most of the perimeter to give runners the sense of being outside
• In the center's Spin Studio, exercisers can bike along to projected images of scenic parks on a large screen. If nature isn't exciting enough, the studio also has a disco ball, strobe lights and a smoke machine for a club-like feel.
• The center also has three full basketball courts and a multi-purpose activity court for roller hockey and indoor soccer.

So, I took the thrillmill for a ride! At about mile 2 I spilled my water all over the belt of the thrillmill and chose to switch to another machine....I didn't want to kill myself! From there I finished my third mile and was outa there! What a great feeling - to be running again! In a week in a half I plan to run a 5K with my parents for Homecoming weekend! It should be pretty fun!

Oh, and I can't forget to mention how proud I am of my TWINS!!! They have made it to the playoffs! Now, if they can just beat KC tonight! I will be thrilled!

Happy runnings, y'all! (I can say that now that I am back on the horse again!!!)

I Did it, and it felt great!

Woke up this morning. Changed clothes and put on my running shoes...and out the door I was! No music, no garmin, no monitor...just the sound of my shoes hitting the pavement! Ahhh...what a wonderful feeling! Almost like finding a long lost love! What a way to start the day. I only ran a couple of miles, but I got out there, and I did it and it felt great!

Now, I am just doing some homework, watching a little golf, and waiting for my delicious Lasagna to be finished! I figured I would make a good pan of home-made lasagna to take for lunches this week. I am sick of peanut butter sandwiches, yogurt, and apple. I need some substance man!

I will be spending the rest of the afternoon doing homework. From there I plan to head over to my aunt's house for dinner. We are having a "going away" dinner for my cousin's fiance. He will be heading to the middle east again and will be gone for a few months...I believe.

Happy runnings, y'all!!

Go Vikes....go Twins!

Autumn is here...and so is change!

Autumn is here...already.

With the change in seasons, I have decided that it is time to change part of my lifestyle.

Currently, I am and have been going to school during the day and working with my students, going to class 3 nights a week, and spending a minimal amount of time doing homework for those classes.

It has been driving me crazy that I haven't been able to get my runs in. (Come monday, I will have been on a two-week hiatus from running..yuck) I have been rushing between school and class, running errands, volleyball (yes, this is necessary), and spending a little of my time with friends...."cooling off" from the stressful week of kids and classes.

Now, it is time for some change. Now that I know what it is like to teach full time and take part in graduate classes full time, I know what I need to get done, and when I need to do it. There is no reason why I can't take 4-5 hours out of my 120 waking hours in the week to run. NO REASON. I think....

The BRAND NEW Wellness Center opens on monday! You have NO idea how excited I am! YES!

That will hopefully keep me from using the excuses I have been using lately....too dark, too wet, etc. This will allow me to go for a run at 7pm after class on tuesday and thursday if I would like. I am only going to use it as a last resort, as I do not care for running on thrillmills now... but will make the best of it...especially when winter comes around.

With a side note on the "lists"....

Tomorrow's list consists of:

• Run in the AM
• 2 Action research abstracts
• Action research plan of action
• Action Research Matrix
  
• Meeting with a group for an assignment
• & a little R&R to mentally prepare myself for the week!

It might look like a lot, but I hope to get it all done tomorrow. If I get this done, then I will be able to use my "spare" time during the week working ahead....on bigger projects!

Happy Runnings, y'all!

"Pain is weakness leaving your body"

-USMC

Lists

I don't know how many of you make lists, but this girl does and has been doing so in an excessive amount lately. I have come to the conclusion that it is a form of sanity and procrastination. It's not just that I am overwhelmed with the numerous things I need to get done, it's this fear that I am going to forget to do them.

Like I said, it is a form of procrastination. I need to get something done, but before I do anything, I need to make sure I know what I have to do and what needs to be done first. I make lists in between working with students. I make lists during class. I make lists while reading my texts in bed. I make lists while eating lunch in the lounge. I make lists about what I need to do for class, for school, errands, etc. I am starting to find lists in every binder, in my desk at school in multiple drawers or folders, in my purse (God they're all over in there).... I am surprised I haven't put on my list *Take a shower* or *Pack a lunch*.

Blogging is another form of procrastination. Which, I only allow myself to do occassionally now, as a bribe for getting my work done. (for example: I typed up 1 of my 3 abstracts tonight that are due thursday which allowed my to post on my blog) I feel like I am doing an Behavior Plan on myself...


Here is what my current LIST looks like. I capitalized the word "list" becuase it is THE .. LIST!

• Type three abstracts
• start action plan
• Go for a run
  
• Read Beautiful Mind
• Do conceptual approaches interventions
• Study guide for Chapters 1-3 for WJIII
• when it isn't too cold and dark...RUN
• Read Articles
• Find more abstracts for research project
• Phone a friend :)
• Chart students' progress
• Learn more Spanish...I have a lot of spanish speaking students (yes, in ND)
  
• Wash the damn dishes!
• Fall asleep watching Sports Center...since you miss most games
• Talk to my roommate (sis) ... in person
  
• Do part 1 and 2 of Assessment Case Study Project
• Find my sanity
• Go for a run?!
• Update students' grades
• Start thinking about all the RT projects I need to do while in the classroom....headache..
• Ask myself why I have the sniffles...
• Be to bed by 1130 at the latest....I think.
  

Now, I am not posting for simpathy.... That's what I call my parents for!

*hahaha*


.....I am just wondering how many of you out there are list writers!

....my time is up. I must be getting back to typing my papers...and day-dreaming about our new gym opening in 6 days! It's HUGE! Once I get the chance, I will take a photo and share...

Happy runnings, y'all! Run a few miles for me! :)

Sex Panthers

Well, I finally have a picture of our awesome volleyball team! There are 3 volleyball 6 week sessions during the summer. We took 2nd place in the first session, 1st place in the 2nd session (which I was unable to play championship night), and are currently working on holding our title for this 3rd session. For those of you who are wondering how we came up with the name Sex Panthers...well, let's just say it came from the movie Anchorman. We all have our unique names and numbers on the back....

From left to right (player name & number):

Moe, pi sign
Simmer, 4
B Willi, 2% (sis' fiance)
Teach, K-12 (that's me)
Jim, 20
Count it, 1 (sis)

Not pictured: Candy, -4


Everyone wants to be a Sex Panther! I am sure going to miss volleyball when it's over. It's the one thing I really look foward to each week!

Annual Potato Bowl

This weekend is Potato Bowl weekend at UND! It's a big deal around here. With it being harvest season and the temperatures dropping to 65 degrees, the farmers have been out "pulling" potatoes just in time for the festivities! And man are there potatoes around here.

Thursday night was our anual "French Fry Feed" and once again records were broken. The feed was put on by the local potato plant for free. There were 4,620 pounds of fries consumed and about 162 gallons of katsup! Craziness! I chose not to clog up the arteries this year!

Today is our first home football game against Winona State and we are going to kick some butts! But...this girl won't be going. Just got too much stuff to do!

Oh and P.S....the weather is crappy here! Typical ND football weather I guess! We have this nasty cold front coming through which brought tons of rain this morning and highs in the 40's for the next few days! Brrrr! And I think there is snow in the forcast for parts of the state tomorrow! Yeeks! So, I didn't get to run this morning, and I don't know if the Tour de Forks will be happening for this girl tomorrow! We'll see!

What is your child living?

CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE
Dorothy Law Nolte


If a child lives with criticism,
he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility,
he learns to fight.
If a child lives with fear,
he learns to be apprehensive.
If a child lives with pity,
he learns to feel sorry for himself.
If a child lives with ridicule,
he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with jealousy,
he learns what envy is.
If a child lives with shame,
he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with encouragement,
he learns to be confident.
If a child lives with tolerance,
he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with praise,
he learns to be appreciative.
If a child lives with acceptance,
he learns to love.
If a child lives with approval,
he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with recognition,
he learns that it is good to have a goal.
If a child lives with sharing,
he learns about generosity.
If a child lives with honesty and fairness,
he learns what truth and justice are.
If a child lives with security,
he learns to have faith in himself and in those about him.
If a child lives with friendliness,
he learns that the world is a nicer place in which to live.
If you live with serenity,
your child will live with peace of mind.

What is your child living?

I Wanna Run!

I got out of class tonight at 9:45. That is early considering we are usually there until 10:00. But, before that, I was to school this morning by 7:40 and didn't get home until 4:45. Craziness. I was hoping to get home by 4:00 to take a nice jog before class tonight. Nope. I forgot I had a Middle school meeting to attend, and then there just wasn't enough time. Now, I just got out of class and even though my eyes burn and I am somewhat mentally drained....i am itchin'. Yes...itchin' to run! God I would so love to go out for a run RIGHT NOW! I ran monday and it was a wonderful feeling. I haven't had a 1 hour free time in the last 24 hours to do any running and my body is CRAVING it! If I wasn't such a chicken, I would just go out and do it, but I won't. It is dark. It is scary. Tomorrow, I go and go until 7pm, maybe 6:30 if we're lucky...and from there, I think I am going to go for a nice LONG run! (That is if volleyball happens before I get out of class, otherwise, I will be hittin' the sand!) I have until 7:43...sunset! I best be getting some studying done tonight before I hit the hay!

Happy Runnings, y'all! (4 Days until the Tour de Forks!)

100th Post!

Yes, this is my 100th post! Aren't well all lucky?!

After completing my 5k run in the Badlands of Medora this past weekend, I will be looking forward to starting fresh and really concentrate on becoming a better runner. Before my race, I was so focussed on just getting the mileage down, hoping to not take in any injuries.

Will I ever be able to run 3 miles?

Is it my shoes? Is it me?

Did I get a few good 3 milers in this week?

Am I ready for these 6 miles today? 8 miles?

If I go out tonight, I won't be doing any running in the morning...or will I?

Will I be able to get this long run in before I have to head to work?

Am I going to be able to run 6 miles and then stand on my feet for 4 hours, .... or 5 hours and enjoy working with any customers??

So what if I only ran twice during the week? So what if I had a couple beers last night? So what if I ate a heavy dinner? Will these things really make a difference?

Does it matter that I didn't run the entire time I was out there? How am I supposed to focus on quality when training for half marathons are so focussed on quantity?

Why can I run 3 miles one day, and then struggle with 2 the next? Why can I run 6 miles and then struggle with 3 miles two days later?

Will I ever be ready for this half marathon? Will I be ready for this 10k trail race? Will.... I...ever...be...ready? ....Mentally? ......Physically?

These are just a few of the many the things that have consumed my mind during the whole training process.

"Top results are reached only through pain. But eventually you like this pain. You'll find the more difficulties you have on the way, the more you will enjoy your success."

...So true...so true. And it describes me as a person....as a runner. And, somewhere in my training, I had forgotten this quote. I need to remember this quote. I do enjoy pain. I have always enjoyed the pain I have gained from doing anything physically active. Doesn't everyone? Doesn't it give us a sense of accomplishment? Especially when it follows a run we never thought we would get through? Or a 10 mile bike ride with wind gusts up to 25 miles per hour...leaving our quads feeling like jello?

*sigh*

Now, it is time to push myself a little harder. Push myself to become better; faster, stronger, and heighten my endurance. With some wonderful advice from you all, and a little extra research and reading, I have decided to tweak my future workouts. Thus, hoping that my schedule with school and classes won't deter me too much from my running. I am not going to "train" for a specific race right now. Yes, I am still going to run. God yes, I am still going to participate in some shorter races. (who would give up that...with free t-shirts and all?) I am still going to log those miles. I know I can run 6 miles now. I know I can do 8 miles. I know I can take part in a 10K race.

I just want to become better... I am going to run for me.... not for a race....

JUST...FOR...ME....

Training: WEEK 19

Monday: 7.38 miles rollerblade
Tuesday: 5.84 miles bike
Wednesday: OFF
Thursday: OFF
Friday: OFF
Saturday: 3.1 mile Medora Badlands Trail Race
Sunday: OFF

TOTALS:

• __3.1__ miles run
• __7.38__ miles rollerblade
  
• __5.84__ miles bike
  

Post Run Results

Today was my 10K Medora Badlands Trail Run. When I started to train this summer, I was initially training for a half marathon for this same day. With summer school consuming most of my time, and weekend events, I had a hard time getting my long runs accomplished.

A month and a half ago, my Dad and I decided instead of running the half marathon, we would just cut back and train for this 10K. Okay. Sounds good. I can run 6.2 miles over 13.1 miles. This won't kill me.

In the process of training, I continued to get some long runs in, logging up to 8 miles on those long runs. Thinking that would be sufficient. I knew that I needed to do some hills, but was lacking in that department with my city being flat and the fact that my gym was closed due to the opening of a new one.

Today, I was mentally ready. I had filled my head with positive thoughts. We got out there, signed up and shortly after that headed to the starting line. It was there that I think I partially lost my mental-readiness. One of the other 10k'ers was telling me how one of the guys that was putting the race on said running this 10k will be like running a half marathon. Great. So, we got to the starting line, and I kid-you-not, the starting line was a cattle gate. yes, a cattle gate. Mind you, this area is full of cattle and horses. And, not too long after waiting at the starting line did 6 horses join us.

And we were off. It was the coolest(or should I say, the most unique) start of a race I have ever ran. We were off and running, and right beside us for the first quarter mile were those horses. From there, it was mostly downhill the first mile. Great! That only means that the last of 6 miles was going to be mostly uphill. I forgot to mention that we were told that if we felt we couldn't do the full 10k, to finish after the first loop, making it only 5k. And that is just what we did. I couldn't have imagined doing another 2 mile loop. I was dying out there. And we weren't the only ones.

So, we finished the race with 5k. Which we felt was atleast 4 miles for how long we were out there. I am pretty sure some of that was measured and marked wrong. Oh, well. It was a nice accomplishment and we do get a really nice shirt out of it. They will be mailing us a long-sleeved easy breath black shirt! I can't wait.

Now, I have a handful of short distance races coming up and would like to improve. So, this is where you elite runners come into the picture. Here is my issue: I want to be stronger. I want more endurance. I want to be faster. I want to be a better runner. I want any input into how I can train to become all of those. Or atleast work to become those. Keep in mind I am only able to run 3-4 times per week due to a crazy schedule already! Any input would be wonderful! I am hoping to run Mon-Wed-Fri-Sat, cutting out wednesday if things are two crazy!

I look forward to hearing some wonderful ideas! Plus, if anyone has any ideas to some healthy quick fix meals, I would love to hear them!

Happy runnings, y'all!

Upcoming races

Knowing me and my personality, I am not one to do things once and then go on with my life. No. Not now. Even though I have a race this weekend which I am TOTALLY excited for, and I am already thinking of my next race.

I don't want to wait until the 5K Turkey Trot the day of Thanksgiving.

With that note, I came across a few shorter races that take place before Thanksgiving.

Wonderful!

I need to keep them short, just becuase I know I won't have ALL the time in the world to devote to training and long runs and so forth.

So, this is what I came across.

• 2.62 mile "Bridge Bash" (9/23/06) - this is a run that if I participate I will be able to take part in the 1/2 or full marathon at a discount price next May...
• Tour de Forks! - I heard this on the radio, but didn't catch the day. I could do the 5K or 10K.
• 8K Veterans Day Cross Country Race - I would love to participate in this, but I am worried about the fact that they say it is for runners not walkers and the course closes when the last runner completes... am I the only one that finds that weird? Maybe I am just reading into it wrong...it is late
  

Those of you readers out there (that I know personally) are more than welcome to join me! I would love it! I really want to do the first two for sure! And I think the Veterans day Race would be interesting. It starts after a memorial service.

Anyway ... this girl must be heading to bed! It's been a long day!

Happy runnings, y'all!

Odds and Ends

At the near end of my long run Sunday, I came across a path.

Yes. A path .... in this town.

Truth be told, I was looking over at a new "building" that was just finished and noticed a water fountain...perfect! ( I think the building has to do with the water system) I had gone 5 miles already and was dying of thirst!

Once I was there I noticed this ASPHALT path, heading UP a hill.

Okay, so it wasn't a hill .... It was a dike. A new dike that was built after the flood of '97.

Anyway. I ran up it ( yes, there was an incline) and noticed once I got to the top that there was this hidden path behind the dike.

I couldn't believe it!

So, yesterday, when Sis asked me if I wanted to go rollerblading, I knew just where to go. It was a mile to the path, then we went as far north as we could, turned around and went south to the end of it and back. With all that, we came to 7.3 miles! Who knew!

So tonight after class, I decided to venture out on my bike and hit up that path. I felt I needed to get out and do something, plus I thought it would help my knee. A little cross training with little impact...hoping to strengthen it. Nope, still sore. I am going to blame it on the rollerblading. Darnit. I just hope this pain goes away before Saturday. But, I did get in 5.84 miles on the bike before sundown!

What a beautiful night. Sunset to the west, and a HUGE moon to the east. Absolutely Gorgeous!

I thought to myself...September might be my favorite month of the year.... in regards to the weather. Warm during the day, nice and cool at night.

*Sigh*

But, I must admit...being a true North Dakotan, deap-down-inside I look forward to the change in seasons....


TWINS:
What the heck is going on with the Twins? They lose a game to the Yankees...big. They win a game against the Yankees...somewhat big.... and then they lose a game to the Yankees....very big..again.

Then, I wake up Monday morning, turn the Today Show on, and find out that Bert (a Twins announcer) got suspended for a couple games due to using profanity when he thought his mic was off... plus, they were possibly going to fine the team as well.

Now, tonight agains the Devil Rays, Cuddyer hit a homerun and was not given credit for it!!!! Some kid in the second row caught it, dropped it back into the field and they played it. The Umpire didn't count it as a homerun, Coach Gardenhire was "talking" with the Ump and was then kicked out of the game! GOOD GRIEF! What is going on! Atleast tonight was an 8-0 shutout! Wahoo!

New tunes...continued...

Thanks everyone for the artists/songs! Some of you had made comments that it would be easier to give suggestions if you knew what kind of music I liked. Makes sense. I like all sorts. For running, I am really getting into punk. I love rock. Hip Hop, rap, reggae, 60's, 70's, not so much the 80's (sorry people). So, here are just a few artists that I like and have on my Nano currently:

• Something Corporate
• Beatles
• Barenaked Ladies
  
• Black Eyed Peas
• Kt Tunstall
• Blue October
  
• Ludacris
• Cat Stevens
  
• The Guess Who
• Janis Joplin
• CCR
  
• Van Morrison
• Metallica
• No Doubt/Gwen Stefani
  
• Bob Marley
  
• Matchbox Twenty
• The Beach Boys
• Death Cab for Cutie
• Red Hot Chilli Peppers
  
• Foo Fighters
• Chicago
• Christina Aguilera
• Tantric
• Hinder
• Dave Matthews Band
• Ben Harper
• The Pussycat Dolls
• James Blunt
• Jack Johnson
• Nickelback
• Pink
• Shakira
• Elvis
• Billy Joel
• oh..and the list could go on and on...
  

New tunes

Okay runners, and non-runners...I need your help!

I am getting sick of the tunes I have on my Nano. Most of them have been overplayed on the radio and I need something new or different! I love all kinds of music, as long as it is upbeat for running. I will take any suggestions! I just need something different!

On another note...I just completed my last long run before my race saturday. Oh was it painful. Not really painful, but just hard to get through. I don't know what the deal was. I guess I just wasn't there....hmm.. It will be interesting to see how this trail race goes on saturday!

Happy running, y'all! I look forward do getting a lot of good suggestions for music!

Training: WEEK 18

Monday: OFF
Tuesday: 3.3 mile run
Wednesday: OFF
Thursday: OFF
Friday: OFF
Saturday: OFF
Sunday: 6.31 mile run

Totals:

• 9.61 miles run

* Kind of a slump week...due to teaching and classes! Grr.

Animal School

I received this video in my email yesterday and just had to share it. For those of you who work with children, or have children will hopefully enjoy this. It sure made me think, and I know that I have worked with most of those "animals". This video is more directed towards parents, but sure made me as an educator think. The video is so true, and it emphasizes the fact that we need to look at our children/students as individuals. That's all I am going to say! Just watch the video!

Click here for the video. Make sure you have your volume up first!