Today I feel like a biker?

I don't mean I've turned into a biker chick!  I kind of...sort of...feel like a biker now too.  I bought my first ever pair of bike shorts yesterday.  They really make a difference on a long ride.  12 miles yesterday.  I think I like biking better than running!  But I can't think that way...not until after the damn marathon is over :)

If you like a shady flat paved path then Centential bike trail is perfect.  Or Waterfall Glen for a slightly less shady more hilly gravel path.  I promise not to turn into an obnoxious biker who rides in the middle of the street without regard to traffic!

Columbia Woods has a parking lot near the trail

Biking is so much easier than running!!

I've received feedback that comments are difficult to post and I changed my settings so posting should not be an issue now (hopefully).   Please test for me by posting a comment today! For all the email subscibers, I will add a link to every post with a link to my blog (so you can comment) as well a link to my donation page.  You will also start receiving my blog earlier in the day (I hope).  I think I finally figured out how to change the delivery time.  Turning into a real techy geek...never too old to learn new things. 

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. “

Mahatma Gandhi

I am learning as I if I were to live forever...Not sure I am living like I will die tomorrow though :)  So...pick a day and live as if you were to die tomorrow!

Fundraising...need $71.40 per day for 116 days to hit my goal...remember it's all for the children and families of RMHC.

Your friend Newbie

Link to my blog

http://newbiemarathoner.blogspot.com/

Link directly to donation page

http://teamrmhc.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1008711&supid=359448020

Finally feel like a runner... Kind of...sort of...

It hit me like a lightening bolt...Not an actual lightening bolt...luckily!  I felt like a runner today!

Found a new favorite place to run.  It's great for short runs because it's flat as a pancake.  The little boys and girls playing soccer/baseball at this park are so adorable!  They run as fast as their little legs can carry them.  

Ran 3 miles without walking at all!  I only stopped once, at one mile, to stretch (damn shin splints!)  Might not sound like an accomplishment but in the recent past I walked too much during my "run".  Now if I can only keep running for another 23.2 miles...hmmmm....I have how many more weeks to train???

Armed with my coach's plan for "speedwork" (one mile easy, 1/4 mile hard, 1/4 easy, etc) and her voice in my head, "Come on Sue you can run faster/farther... Don't stop!"

Outfitted with my Nano (instead of Iphone), my cool new Garmin, and comfy LuLuLemon running skirt.  (Yes, I look like I am about to play tennis but it is for running too) 

Captured the first day I felt like a runner.  You can't see the sweat pouring down my face!

What do you feel like today?


After my run, I called Gail (she said I could use her name now) to inspire/pester her about signing up for the run she mentioned.  Remember... it's ok to be pushy when you have the best intentions at heart!    She corrected me and said she was not "thinking" about running the race, she had actually signed up!  Her words...not mine..."I signed up with two friends because we were turning into fat asses."  Too funny!  Gail and her friends signed up for the Color Run.  It looks like a blast and Gabi and I will run it next year.

Please donate...P.S.  I need to raise $71.25 a day for the next 117 days to hit my goal!

http://teamrmhc.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1008711&supid=359448020

Your friend Newbie

Ironman? Um...no!

Making progress on my fundraising goal...slow but steady progress.  Since my collection jar is working so well at my work I decided to ask for a real MCD collection box.  Created a sign to go with it and decided to "Dare to Dare" and asked the owner of Carlucci's in my building if he would display it for me.  He said of course!  And donated $20.  Thank you Graciano!  (He is on the far left)

Added a QR code to my sign so hopefully will receive larger donations too but every dollar helps!

On to my "running" story I mentioned yesterday.  If you're still reading my blog or not deleting the daily emails you must be interested... right?

I think my coach is trying to secretly turn me into a triathlete/Ironman.   Um...no!  My cross training seems to involve longer and longer bike rides...I thought I was training for a marathon :)  Said she was going to throw me in Lake Michigan to see how well I could swim.  Now that is tough love J  Maybe she has too many clients and is trying to offload one of them!

Quote to ponder today

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. “

Mahatma Gandhi

As always...please donate

http://teamrmhc.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1008711&supid=359448020

NewbieMarathoner

Obnoxious Runners!

I read a funny article in Runners World magazine.   No... I don't have this up subscription to this magazine it was given to me by a fellow runner.  I don't really consider myself a runner...maybe if I get faster I will!

The author was also a newbie runner and described how he offered advice/tips/stories to anyone who would listen...or didn't really want to listen but runners tend to go on anyway!  I laughed and totally identified with his story. 

I apologize if I made your eyes glaze over while you "listened" to any of my running stories!

Or in my case...French Fries!

But, I don't apologize for trying to inspire you.  I've been somewhat successful in inspiring others (the purpose of this blog).  David continues his Crossfit workouts...lest he has to contribute $5 dollars instead of $1 to my collection jar.  GK (I told her I would not mention her in my blog :)) is "thinking" about signing up for her first race to be able to indulge in her love of wine and food.  I can relate!  Philip is finally making progress on his blog and goal to raise money for the school children in Nigeria.  Philip, I think you "owe" me an update this week...  If I didn't mention you, please feel free to add your updates on my blog.

I was jokingly called a pushy dame recently...but it's OK to be "pushy" when you have the best intentions in your heart!

Having apologized, I will not bore you with a "running" story today.  But...tomorrow I will share the story of how I think my coach is secretly trying to turn me into a triathlete and eventually compete in Ironman.  Um... no! 

A funny and unrelated photo...compliments of Gabi.

Please donate

Your friend Newbie

 http://teamrmhc.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1008711&supid=359448020

Today I am giving you a bouquet of kittens

Gabi sent me a bouquet so I am sharing with you too :)

Gabi sent this to me and it made my day...thought it might bring a smile to your face too :)

“If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” -Steve Jobs, Stanford commencement address 2005

This quote has nothing to do with kittens but my blog (like me) doesn't always have to make sense...does it? 

My answer is to Steve's question is YES!  I went for my longest ever bike ride (17 miles-marathon cross training) with my dear friend and marathon inspiration.  Beautiful morning...sun was shining but the bike path was shady.  Low humidity with a gentle breeze.  Birds were chirping and chipmunks crossed my path.  Luckily no black cats crossed!

Had breakfast with Gabi.  Will graced us with his presence for lunch :) And now I am writing my blog...which I truly enjoy...not sure of my plans for the rest of the day...but not having plans is nice too.

So....ponder Steve's question and answer in your own mind or feel free to post and share your thoughts.


Please donate
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Your friend Newbie 

Comfortably Numb

Is that the way I feel after my long run?  Hardly...more like hot, sweaty and exhausted :) 

Woke up at 5:30 am today to go for a long run after staying out too late to see Roger Waters play The Wall at Wrigley Field.  I received a last minute invitation.  Do I want to see The Wall at Wrigley Field?  Of course I do!

Perfect night and awesome show!  I haven't heard The Wall all the way through since college.  Even then I was more of a Club950 kind of girl.  A great club with an underground feel...the smell of cloves cigarettes wafting through the air while everyone danced to Psychedelic Furs and the like.  As a suburban girl going off to college in the big city I thought it was soooo cool to hang out at Club950.  Unfortunately, it has been replaced by a BBQ restaurant.  The only constant is change!

 Lyric from Pink Floyd

“And then one day you find
Ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run
You missed the starting gun”
― Pink Floyd, Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon


DON'T MISS THE STARTING GUN...START ON YOUR GOALS/DREAMS/UNSEEMINGLY ATTAINABLE IDEAS TODAY!

“You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.” -Wayne Gretzy

Wall Stage

In front of Wall Stage

Please donate

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NewbieMarathoner

You can't always get what you want...

Think you probably know this song...Yesterday was a long day...for many reasons...and it made me think about this song and wrinkly old Mic

You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes well you might find
You get what you need

You are probably thinking...of course I know this song!  I'm sure you have a point/message for mentioning it...

My point/message is...yesterday I got what I needed when I was having a bad day.  I woke up to Happy Anniversary wishes from my work colleagues.  My son texted me that he had actually read my blog and liked it!  My friend Gail finally figured out how to post on my blog and is now a frequent poster (thank you Gail!).  My friend Sharlene, that I have known since 7th grade, sent me an email that she is a daily email follower and is finding out so many new things about me.  How funny since I've known Shar for 34 years!  And my friend Mark, who is also following, professed he will donate "soon".  Mark, what is your definition of "soon"? :)

A suggestion...if you are having a bad day...hug a baby...a child...a teenager or a cat/dog.  Luckily I have access to a 10 month old baby.  My friend Danielle's baby is adorable and so sweet.  Her smiles and hugs would cheer up anyone. 

Perfect thought for today...and no I did not draw this...I am not that creative.   My advice...not that I always follow it...Live in the present like a 10-month-old baby!

Please donate

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Your friend Newbie