What are you running for?

I signed up to receive a quote of the day from RunnersWorld.com.  This is today's quote:

"I believe in using races as motivators. It's hard to keep an exercise program if you don't have a significant goal in sight."

Bob Greene, fitness instructor


I had to share and blog about it, because it still truly amazes me how much everything is connected in life, and this quote just fits with my life at the moment.

A few weeks back, I went for a run into the park near my house.  Depending on the device I am using, it is roughly a 3 mile loop from the house into and around the park and back.  It was later than my usually 5:30am run, and in my opinion the park was crowded!  LOL.  (There are about 3 people I usually see on my runs, that day there were more than 3!)  As I ran my loop I was passing walkers and saying good morning, and then up ahead I came across a lady running.  When I got to her, I said good morning, and commented on the cooler weather.  It was not 75 at 7am!  She fell in step with my pace and we chatted for the next few miles.  I found out that she has a Husky, named Jake.  She is an early riser like me and enjoys running.  She gave me her email and phone number and we decided to stay in touch.

I emailed her as soon as I got home!  I have lived in my neighborhood for 11 years, and this was the first time I found an early riser who wants to run.  I couldn't let this one get away.  Mrs. H and I have been meeting at 6am for the past 3 or 4 weeks.  During our runs we chat about our families and work and it helps the time go faster.  One day I mentioned that I would like to run another half marathon.  I have not been on a regular running routine in years. (12 years ago I was training for the Flying Pig Marathon and my running partner had to have foot surgery.  Then we found out we were having a baby and I hung up my shoes.  Bad decision, but I will have to tell that story another day!)  I had been eying up the Tyrenena Beer Run, but had not committed to it yet.  She was game, so we are now officially signed up to run the half barrel race on November 3, 2012.  

This quote says he uses races as motivation.  I am motivated to finish my second half marathon.  Mrs. H is helping me achieve the goal.   We are following this program that she found.  We need to find a 10K in September as part of our training, got any suggestions?

I am excited to be running again, for real.  I have dabbled in running for the past 11 years.  SwimChick's birth changed so much in my life.  I love my kids and they are old enough now that I can start to focus on me.  Running has been a part of me for a long time.  (My 25 year High School class reunion was this summer!)  I became a runner as a freshmen in High School.  It wasn't until I joined the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire track team in the fall of 1987, that I understood running.  I miss that time out on a run with my friends and my thoughts.  I miss the way my body looked too.  As the quote states, I need a race to keep me motivated.  Having a running partner again, helps too!

Mrs. H, thanks for being in the park that day and becoming my running partner.  I look forward to our early morning runs and chats.  Thanks!

Off n Running,
AnnMarie   

101 in 1001 Update

Well, I have not forgotten about my list, I just have not been very good at updating it!

If you go to the link at the top of this page you will see that I have crossed out the items that I have completed.  Some of them are still in the works and some I am not sure that I still want to do.  But I made this list and we will move on from there.

Here are some more photos from Brewer games we went to this year (2012): 

Outside Miller Park in May.  Just me and the kiddos.

Gotta love the Racing Sausages!

I like this shot, might have to remember it for the Christmas Card this year. 

More Racing Sausages!!!!

Practicing his pitching!

I have crossed off #39!  I took the kids to a Brewer Game with the MOMS Club on half price day, May 23, 2012.  Then my parents took us as a whole family to a night game on July 2, 2012.  Both games were fun.  The photos above are from the day game.  We walked around the concourse and did some fun stuff for a bit. 

Off n Running,
AnnMarie

How is your bucket list coming along?

Happy August to you all,

We have had a busy summer.  Baseball, swim practice, dance, ...  That is just the stuff we HAD to do.  We have been taking time to have fun too.  We have been babysitting the neighbor kids this summer too.

Just before school let out in the spring, I had the kids write down 10 things they wanted to do this summer.  We have done some of the items and since it is the beginning of August, I thought I would post some of what we have done.

They both listed swimming, visit the farm, go to Great America, go to the zoo...  Enjoy.

I will post a few photos here...

Ballboy at bat, early in the season.  Nice green grass there.

Swimchick and Dancing Princess at a Girl Scout 100 Year Celebration at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI.

In May, I registered Dancing Princess for Girl Scouts.  She is so excited.  She gets to be like the big girls now. 

At a beach on Lake Michigan, playing in the sand.

 We went to a Nature Center.  Here the kids are looking for frogs in one of the dried up ponds.   

 We ate lunch there too.

We then went on a walk to the tower, it was all enclosed so not too scary!  It was a fun day.

Playing at the mall fountain is always fun.  Especially on these crazy hot days!

Grandma & Grandpa took us to a Brewer Game.  It was great, we stayed the WHOLE game AND they won!!!

Sleepy boy!  Got up early and fell back asleep on the couch.  We have had the air conditioner running, so he was cold and snuggled into his Chess blanket.

Our latest adventure was a trip to Six Flags Great America.  We had fun, even though we spent more time in line than on rides.  Got to cross off this activity on their 10 things they want to do this summer!

Off n Running to another fun activity!
AnnMarie

And the winner is....

Oh my goodness, where do I start with this post. Hhhmmmm....

Back in 2010, I dabbled in Homeschooling. During my time I found Erica over at Confessions of a Homeschooler. I started to follow her blog and get some fun stuff in my inbox every day. I really like her printables for the PreK and Kindergarteners. I also like her Road Trip USA posts. (I am thinking of purchasing ,these to do over summer months with the kids, so we can all learn more about the USA!).

Anyway, one day this week or last, Erica posted about this online photography class. It sounds wonderful! I talked to SwimChick and Ball Boy, both seem interested in the class. Erica was offering a free class to one of her readers and I filled out the "raffle tickets".  Then, I resolved to sign them up on Monday.

Well, tonight when I checked my email, there was a message from Erica. I WON THE PRIZE!!!!! Woo Hoo, praise God. If you are interested in this course, check it Erica's website for the link.

Off n Running,
AnnMarie

Quote of the Day...

"Like the marathon, life can sometimes be difficult, challenging and present obstacles, however if you believe in your dreams and never ever give up, things will turn out for the best."

Meb Keflezighi, U.S. Oympic marathoner

Read this today and thought I should share it.  What are you dreaming of that has become a marathon in your life?  For me it is building a Shaklee business!  I became a distributor back in 2008!  I was fortunate enough to attend one Global Conference, what an awesome experience that was.  Being there and meeting some of the Top Distributors was really cool.  I even got to meet an Olympic Champion.  For me, meeting those people was like meeting movie stars.  

But for some reason, when I return home, life moves on and my dreams of building a business get pushed to the back burner.  I think I am going to print off this quote and hang it in my house to remind me that my dream of a successful Shaklee business is like running a marathon, too.  I am at mile 11 right now.  That is about where those thoughts of doubt start to creep in and you want to give up.  By mile 12 or 15, you get a second wind and start to believe you are really going to finish this thing!  A friend of mine shared this funny YouTube video that really does do a funny job of going through all the thoughts... Watch here! 


Here's to your marathon...


Off N Running,
AnnMarie

Shaklee Saturday

Happy Shaklee Saturday to all my readers.

Today I am going to talk about our awesome Sports Nutrition line.

Shaklee's Sports Nutrition has been helping fuel athletes for years.  There are 3 products that are labeled Sports Nutrition:  Energy Chews for Before/During activity, Performance for During/After and Physique Shake Mix for Recovery after your activity.  Watch the Sports Nutrition video on my website, here!

Energy Chews:  These come only in Lemon Lime flavor.  I use them in the afternoons, when I know I have to be up later for work.  Or if I am taking a class of some sort, they help me to stay focused.  I use one at a time, but the label says a serving is 2 chews.  They have a bit of green tea caffeine in them.  I love them.

Performance Drink Mix:  This comes in Orange and Lemon Lime.  My favorite is the Orange.  On hot summer days this is better than Kool Aid!  It comes in a small container with 19 servings or the Jumbo container that can be mixed in a 5 gallon team cooler.  I get the Jumbo sized in Orange because we are Orange kind of people!  We have a small container of Lemon Lime, but it seams my family prefers the Orange.  This is an awesome alternative to Gatorade or those sorts of drinks.  It is full of natural ingredients to refuel your body during activity. 

Physique Shake Mix:  This only comes in Banana flavor, which is yummy.  My husband and kids like to add banana to it.  I prefer it as is!  This is a muscle recovery product so you wont feel sore the next day.  I can't wait to put it to the test after a half or full marathon.


My testimony:  I love all of these products.  On Sunday, June 3, my husband and I rode a 25 mile bike ride for charity.  I have never ridden that far before.  I had also not been on my bike in weeks.  When we got ready for the event that morning, I mixed up an Orange Performance and a shaker cup of Physique.  I was going to give them both the test on this adventure! I only have one water bottle holder on my bike, so I brought my water.  I was wishing for a swig of Performance at about mile 10 and beyond.  The ride was nice, we started in the downtown Milwaukee area, rode over the Hoan Bridge and into the southern suburbs and back.  The route went along the beautiful lakefront.  The road itself was mostly smooth :)  But I could feel my legs and body needing a bit more than water.  When we finished our ride and got back to the car, I felt that wobbly leg feeling you get after being on your bike for 2 plus hours.  I got out my Physique shake and pretty much chugged it.  The yummy banana flavor hit the spot for me.  We loaded up our bikes and hoped in the car, we had baseball practice and a swim meet to attend that same afternoon.  I didn't stretch out or anything, just hoped in the car.  Sipped my Performance on the ride home.  Off to our family filled day we went.

Fast forward to Monday morning.  The day after an event is really the testing point for me.  I didn't have any  muscle soreness at all on Monday morning!  That is awesome.  Was it because of my post race beverages or the ride was not that strenuous, I am not sure.  But I am going to say it was because of my drinks of choice!  Thank you Shaklee for some amazing products.  I am going to train for a half marathon this fall and let you know how these products help me out in that adventure.

Off n Running,
AnnMarie

CD Review: A Place To Belong, A Circle of Friends

This is my first CD review.  I want to thank the B & B Media Group for this AWESOME CD by Lisa Troyer in exchange for my honest review. 

It is my understanding that this CD is a companion to a book also written by Lisa Troyer.  After listening to this CD over and over for a few weeks, I am curious in the book that goes with it.  I really enjoyed this album.  The music is soothing and helps me stay grounded on a stressful day.

I loved this CD and can't wait to read the book.



Off N Running,
AnnMarie