Just do it???

JUST DONE!

WE DID IT!

You know what?

WE DID IT!

packin'

Getting everything together to head to Madison. Updated ipod and now charging.
No turning back now!

Last run!

Just completed my last pre-race run, which I extended from 30 to 33 minutes because "Carryout" came on the radio. I ran towards the Obama household because an announcer said they arrived last night, but I didn't see anyone other than various armed police officers. It was nice of them to come home to say good luck and farewell to us.

t.

J-Chip Timing TEXTS!

Friends and family can sign up here to have a text message sent about your race progress and finish in real time! Awesome!

HOLY HEAT

Did you happen to check the weather lately????? I thought the heat was supposed to break..... Uhhhh... NA!

As of today the temp for Sunday is low of 64* and a high of 86*!

Sllllow and low

I've allowed myself to sleep in each day this week until 7:00--a transition from the 5:30 runs I grew used to. I ran 30 minutes today and 30 on Monday (skipped yesterday altogether), approximately 3 miles each time. The dogwood trees (?) were in full pollination this morning at Harold Washington Park. It looked beautiful and snowy. And then some got into my mouth, causing a coughing spell. Nature!

GOT....?

Got Shirt--check
Got Shorts-- check
Got the will, nerve, drive-- check, check and CHECK!

1 WEEK!

Need I remind you? No, I need not!

80 minutes = 8.73 miles
Ghetto superstar!

70 minutes = 7.93 miles
Rockin' it like a hurricane.

60 minutes

60 minutes = 6.86 miles
I don't feel like barfing! Irish oatmeal is bubbling away on the stove and I'm gonna eat!

Also, since February 28, when I ventured out with this lil' Nike+ chip in my shoe, I have run 188 miles. Holy smokes!

O.M.G.

Check it! You know where we will be after running 13.1 miles? Shoving brats in our gullets:
http://www.bratfest.com/

Sometimes I suck because I am too lazy to run. Boo.

t.

Oh yes, and hello chafing!

It can't go unnoted that I have experienced my first real chafing tonight as well! Armpits and inner thighs will get a nice dose of Vaseline. I think this means I'm a real runner!

Better late than never?

After a 3 hour nap, I had a 1.5 hour run (without stopping!). I have no idea how long it was, but I'm guessing 8 miles maybe? I haven't had a good long run yet that coincided with a strong and steady pace, until tonight! The last three miles I ran facing west, and I looked up and saw a crazy beautiful rainbow in the sky. It wasn't raining here today, so I figured it must have been Lauryn telling me to get my butt in gear and use the last two weeks for training! (Or just to enjoy the run and the process that will lead up to our main event in two weeks!)

I'm definitely feeling nervous. I know I can run half of it, and after that it will all just be a grand surprise!

Happy trails!

After a couple prolonged tantrums--both from a loving two year old and his mother--I begged baby's daddy to come home from school an hour early yesterday so that I could run. And he did. And I did. And what a difference a run can make. My energy increased and I felt more peace than I had hours earlier. I ran for 36 of my intended 45 minutes, stopping early because I saw a friend and her children and wanted to walk home with them.

Tomorrow I will go to Madison and hope to see the route of the race. I'm packing my shoes. And short shorts.

t.

Anxiety Dreams

Have you started having anxiety dreams about the race? Last night I dreamt that race day had arrived and I had forgotten to distribute the shirts. Doi.

Currently waiting for our building's water service to resume so that I can shower off the sweat from this morning's treadmill run. My knee is achy. I am stinky.

so i love this new exercise machine at the club... it is a cross between a treadmill, stair stepper and elliptical! i cant wait to go back today to jump on it for awhile, since i am not going to go out in the rain to run.
im telling you, i am going to be in the best shape by the time i turn 40!
feeling inspired.

No new insight here--just a reminder that our race is less than 3 weeks away!

5.42 mile run this morning and now to the bath before anyone else wakes up in this house.

Gettin' Hammered!

An equation:

2 year old kicking me in the head because he had bad dreams and was moved to mom and dad's room

+law school husband who eats loud chips after midnight in an attempt to stay awake while reading

+a lovely cat who decides 3:30 A.M. is a good time for barfing all over the house

=my life

On my run today I tried half a pack of raspberry flavored Hammer Gel which lists "Long Chained Maltodextrin" as its top ingredient. Was it good? No. Did hit help me run longer or harder? No. Actually, I had to stop to drink it and then walked to the nearest water fountain for further hydration. A 6.5 mile day, all told.

The shirts arrived to me printed and ready for wear. They are so beautiful and perfect.

t.

Really MTV? Really?

So there's a wizard over at MTV that decided to play the following three videos in immediate succession this morning, as soon as I stepped on the treadmill at the gym:

Sky Ferreria's "17"
Jay-Z's "Forever Young"
Florence and the Machine's "Dog Days Are Over"

Say wha'?! Needless to say, all thoughts, as always, were with and of Lauryn.

the birds head is stuck!

It is sometimes impossible to get a good run in. I am finding more and more things lately that hinder my training!


So I just get warmed up running a nice wooded trail near my house that even has a nice scenic reserve with a boardwalk! With wonderful smelling lillies of the valley in the breeze....when I get the call (Mariah) "Mom one of the birds is stuck under the computer desk!" Me "why is the bird out??!" Riah "I let it out on accident! Mom! It's head is stuck and I am scared (with heavy sobs). So much for this run!
The bird was safe and unstuck by the time I made it home. Mariah on the other hand was not!


Oh yeah quick note, we got two parakeets that Sidney fell in love with at one of Addisons friends houses and they gave them to us. I have to find the supply of crazy pills that the kids keep slipping me.

Going to try again today....

5 Month Marker

Today marks the 5 month anniversary of Lauryn, Steven, and Shanna's passing. The longest months I've lived. And it's heartbreaking. And every time I have to explain this accident--have to explain the loss of my sister to someone who hasn't yet heard--I'm so hurt. And I try to live each day with her memory and spirit in my movements and thoughts because the alternative is that I let the grief crush me. And it may. It still may. Because it isn't fair that I have to live the rest of my life without my little sister. It isn't fair that I don't get to talk to her and watch her graduate from high school and get to go shopping with her for all that stupid college stuff that Target and Bed, Bath, & Beyond put on lists of "Dorm Room Essentials" and I don't get to lecture her about the perils of underage drinking and what douches college aged guys can be ('tis true). And I'm so very sad that she is gone.

COUNTDOWN!

Dear Family and Friends,

One month from today, 14 people will unite as Team LaurynxAddiction and run in the Madison, Wisconsin Marathon in memory and honor of my sister, Lauryn Kay Mustain. Our countdown has begun! We are strengthened by your encouragement and advice, your kind words and warmth. Your donations have allowed us to establish The Lauryn Kay Mustain Memorial Scholarship, which will be presented to a member of East Troy High School's Class of 2010.

Training for our race has provided me an outlet for the overwhelming loss of my young, vibrant sister. I listen to songs she loved during pre-dawn hours along Chicago's Lakefront Trail. Sometimes I cry. Others I run longer than I ever conceived.

Brewer game + Bar food + Run= yucky

Went on a staff outing yesterday to Brewers game... had a couple beers and ruben rolls (will never eat them again). What was I thinking??!
Met my running date planning on going 6-7 miles.....yeah, not so much, sorry Russ. Made it 5 miles then felt sick for the rest of the night.
Next long run planned for Saturday morning.

Yeah im ready Sis! In it to win it!

After a 2 day break, I'm back and, ahem, in it to win it. Went to the gym this early morn and ran 5.10 miles, saw Florence + The Machine and all of "My Chick Bad" without interruption. The clock is tickin' y'all.

[Cue jock jams]

Y'all ready for this?

t.

The pettit

Went Saturday morning to run on the track due to the icky weather.

Did 20 laps = 6.125 miles, in aprox. 1 hour. Not too shabby for this non-runner.

Also got more confirmations for donations! I have awesomly wonderful friends!

My chick bad?

Running along on the treadmill this morning until a man interrupts to tell me my 45 allotted minutes are over. The kicker: He does this during "My Chick Bad" which, I think we can all agree, is a fine piece of art from Mr. Ludacris.

Shot BLOKS

When your husband comes home from a banquet at 3:30 in the wee hours of the morn, there is little to do other than watch this infomercial. And think of running. Consider running. At 4:03 ("cuz then I'll just have it over with!"). In Chicago. Because you are an idiot.

I actually went back to sleep until 5:40 before hitting the Lakefront Trail for a long 7 miles: "Beautiful Girls" and "Carryout"; that "Break break your break break your hearheart" song and "Bad Romance" to boot. I ate a Clif Shot Bloks chew at mile 4. Delish. Now, I'm spent and about to eat McDonald's breakfast.

Treadmill vs. Tracy

I ran at the gym because I wanted to watch MTV. No joke. I think treadmill running is hard though--I get super sweatygrossyucky. But the videos! So I'm trudging through a 5 mile run and this comes on. Totally not cute. I started to listen to the lyrics:

Run fast for your mother, run fast for your father
Run for your children, for your sisters and brothers
Leave all your loving, your loving behind
You can't carry it with you if you want to survive

I miss Lauryn so much every day and running allows me to focus on this loss, this missing. I will run fast for my sister. In 45 days, I will run fast for my sister. 

t.

READ ME!

CNN article ABOUT RACE TRAINING!

I checked the weather before deciding my plan of attack on Saturday, deciding to stay indoors and run on the treadmill. Did 5.5 miles before a "prom emergency" occured that required my immediate attention. My friend Kim's daughter hated her hair and I had to come to the rescue. Crisis averted... she looked beautiful!
Starting to feel a bit more confident that I will actually be able to do this marathon thing.

Logged 3.5 miles on Saturday morning (opted to run in shorts and a t-shirt because I didn't realize how much the temperature had dropped in the night; bad choice) and 5 miles this morning while watching a new Snoop and Kid Cudi video and aaah Rhianna's "Rude Boy." Fan.Tas.Tic.

t.

Your body's like a carryout

A sweaty 6 miles that I almost quit on; paused at mile 4, took off my jacket and tied it around my waist and continued on at a slow pace. Asian tourists asked me how to get to the Lakefront Trail. I saw a male cardinal and a pile of vomit. I heard "Say Ahhhh" and "Carryout" (a new favorite).

5.5 while listening to B96 ("Oh girl, it's your birthday. I know you're thirsty. Open wide and say 'Ahhhhhh'. Lemme hear ya say 'Ahhhhh'." Barf!). Newspaper man told me I keep "gettin' earlier and earlier every day." No Gloria Estefan on B96.

Recovery

It took me all weekend to fully recovery from the 10 mile run I accomplished Friday morning. My left knee hurt and my stomach was doing flips. Yesterday I went to the gym and did the elliptical for 45 minutes and then concentrated on weight machines. This morning I turned the alarm off at 5:31, but when I woke up at 7:00, the babes were still sleeping and I didn't have an excuse not to run. I did a quick 5K around Hyde Park, towards the beach Hen and I walked to last summer at 57th street, and then back up towards home. Gloria Estefan again.

10!

Went running this morning while the moon was still high in the sky and completed the 10 miles I set out to run. Highlights included the newspaper salesman yelling "EYE OF THE TIGER!" at me and listening to "Ghetto Superstar." Towards the end of the run, on my trip back towards home, I was circling a path in a park nearby and actually ran across two park bench seats because I was feeling, um, boastful. And strong. And like a ghetto superstar.

t.

Back on track

after my brief week off from running due to strep thoat i am back in training mode. Did 6 miles on the treadmill last night in 73 min. not bad. waiting for the weather to turn back to spring (as it snows outside my window right now) so i can get back outside.

i am hoping to go into the club tonight to get everything set up so i can start training there... life please slow down.

i have a sad day today... my dear friend from my old church has passed away unexpectedly due to a blood clot that traveled to the base of her scull. her funeral is today, can i say i hate those things??!! she would have been 50 years old this month, leaving 3 children and a husband.

i am running for you lauryn, i love you.

This requires a separate post!

Check it!

Nuts. In my shoe.

5.25 on treadmill culminating in finding a small nut in my right shoe after run was over. Should I blame Henry?

3, 5, 3, 10

My goals for the week are to run 3, 5, 3, 10. I haven't run 10 before, but I know I have it in me and have been referring to this for some tips on nutrition, stretching, and mindful running. Today's early treadmill run felt okay, despite some lower back pain I've been having (I attribute this to a 31 pound kid who keeps saying "Want mommy to pick you up"), although I ran slowwwww. I finished with weight machines and looked, predictably, like a sweat monster. Seriously, I would get off of a machine and there would be a sweat mark as though Slimer from Ghostbusters had been on the leg press with me. TMI? Never.

Go East Troy Trojans! Fight for Victory!

Today I ran here. In these. For real.

Pros: East Troy High School is very close to a milkshop shop.

Cons: Track running sucks. Like really, really sucks. It is totally boring and I hated it.

6.1 miles but, man, I feel like garbage now.

2 MONTHS TO GO!--um, yesterday

I had a grand plan to post a motivational "2 months to go!" message but then looked at the calendar and realized that the day came and passed yesterday. So. 2 months. Move it!

Still sore from kickboxing, I took 2 Advil and a banana before my run this morning. I intended to run 4 miles, but then songs kept coming on the radio that I wanted to hear ("Tic Toc" and "Telephone"!) so then I ran up and down the sidewalk in front of our apartment building. Beyonce ripped my heart out with "Halo" and I almost started to cry but then recovered when Young Money's "Bedrock" (grossest song ever?) followed. Ah, Mr. Flintstone... All told, 5.73 more miles under my belt.

I'm off to get Dunkin' Donuts.

Did you say FREE???

yes you heard me right... i got a free family membership to elite fitness thru the Wave! It is an awesome fitness club with many classes to choose from! i am sooooo excited to get started! i dont know what i will do first, a yoga class during lunch? palites for runners? TRX Suspension Group training (this one looks awesome)! of course i have to go thru my evaluation and orientation before starting, but so looking forward to it. only one thing lacking.... my coffee wont be waiting for me when i get home...
lisa

Cardio Kickboxing+Tracy=Disaster

I thought it would be a good idea to try a cardio kickboxing class at my gym this morning. I was wrong. So wrong. I am so very uncoordinated, so very clumsy. It was a good, high impact workout but man alive, did I look like a fool. Will I go back? Of course, if only because when I came home the coffee had been made and was waiting for me.

A terrible, terrible mistake has been made.

Look, I'm not perfect. I made a mistake. A terrible mistake that warrants expletives. Today I figured out how to use the radio tuner on my iPod while the Nike+ is recording distance. Pretty awesome, huh? So I was running along to boring interviews on Saturday NPR (Does no news happen on the weekends? This is what NPR leads me to believe.) and then, bam, I'm listening to this and CANNOT CHANGE THE STATION MID-WORKOUT.

You cannot imagine how horrible running the final 2.5 miles (of 7.3 miles! Woot! Woot!) listening to Garrison Keillor sing a song about Seattle is. Please, don't imagine it. Save yourself.

But HERE is a video that has nothing to do with running and everything to do with cutest kid ever:


t.

Elliptical (50 minutes while watching MTV's MADE) due to knee pain and then coffee in the bath. Aaaah.

100K!

I have a confession. Truly. Are you ready? I'm awesome. There. Now the world knows. And you, too.

Today my total distance accumulated passed 100K, thanks to a 5 mile run (south to the Point and The Museum of Science and Industry--which we will be visiting later after the sleepy heads in the next rooms wake up!) in drizzle. I hit my alarm multiple (ahem, 5) times before getting out of bed to run but now feel great. Returned home with coffee and drank it in the bath while reading. Fantastic morning.

t.

I had to run this afternoon, if only because my lunch consisted of a milkshake and onion rings. 6K in the sun! Lots of bikers along the trail. Lesson: I need to buy new running bottoms to fit my non-existant ass.

t.

sick and tired of being sick and tired!

thought we were done with strep throat, boys both had it, finished their meds last week. what do i get saturday morning?? a little sore thoat that turns into the ugliest, nastiest sight by evening... yep mom got strep! Suck!
back to work today, still feeling crapy, but have to feed the germ factories... if they turn on me i am doomed!
hope to resume training soon, havent ran since thursday! yikes.

4 miles in wind and 38 degrees. Have I mentioned how I loathe Chicago wind?

Prairie Dog X-ING!

Only to outdo Lisa, I encountered beasts in the wild during my last run (5K along paths in a huge park adjacent to Jen's Denver home): prairie dogs. Say wha'?! See, there was this man standing and staring at two prairie dogs in the grass. I thought "He must be taking his very tame pets for a walk" but then he walked away from them and I saw a whole field of prairie dogs peeking out of holes. I paused my workout, shot a short video with my iPod (lest Mr. Leonard doubt my sighting), and ran on.



I was able to run in shorts and a t-shirt and it felt great. Jen and I went to yoga before hitting Sonic for milkshake happy hour.

Home safe and sound and ready to get back into training!

Mile High!

Here's my FML story: got dressed in the dark (gym clothes always out and waiting for me), put on shoes, and left the house. Wondered why my left pant leg felt wet in the back. Oh. Because it was covered in cat barf. FML.

Hit the gym for elliptical (45 minutes) and machines this morning.

I've packed running shoes and apparel for the next few days in Denver. Will the oxygen deprivation get to me? Surely.

t.

63! 63! 63!

i am really liking my new shoes. i have ran outside twice now about 3-4 miles on each run and my body didnt hurt like it did in the past. today is suppposed to get up to 63 miles so i am planning on going out for a nice LONG run... maybe 6 miles?!

turkey x-ing!!!

need to keep my ipod on a lower volume in the future. as i ran yesterday and the sun warmed my face i fell into a peaceful stride....UNTIL a dozen turkeys came clucking across the road right in front of me! i had nowhere to go so i had to wait until these stupid UGLY birds crossed the road, which is a harder task than one would think... they dont have a leader so i think they take turns follwing one another. unbelieveable. i will have to start running with my phone so i can document such encounters.
happy training team.

4.0 in 42 on treadmill whilst watching MTV. Thank you, Rhianna and Lady Gaga. Anyone else grossed out by "Say Aah"?

t.

slacker

so i didnt run at all this weekend! i did get new shoes, this should have inspired me to get out there. but no. i had willing volenteers to paint my kitchen so that is what got done on saturday. sunday my excuse is having to put the house back together and going to the wave game... they needed me there to cheer them on. clinched 1st place and on to the playoffs. so i had some work and some play but no run.
planning a 3-4 mile after work, pray for no rain and for the wind to die down (that is a killer for me!)
rock on team!

2 miles. Cry. Continue.

Daylight Savings, how I love thee. I went out at 6:00 and walked a block, looked towards the very dark lake, and turned back towards home; it was too spooky. I set out again an hour--and sunrise--later for my long run of the week. The wind was brutal against my legs--it felt as though every step forward resulted in two steps back; like running in, what I can only imagine, a Dyson vacuum feels like. At mile 2, I paused my workout, sat on a bench, looked towards storm clouds over downtown Chicago, and cried. Everything was too hard: running against wind, waking up too early, being without Lauryn. Too damn hard. Everything.

I took a few breaths, wiped my tears with Lauryn's mitten, and set off again. Puddles and mud and wind. After another 1.5 miles, I turned around. With the wind behind me, I visualized I was being pushed towards my goal. My pace picked up (despite skipping Gloria Estefan; really dude?!) and I ran beyond my start point, down to Promontory Point, and then back again.

8.0 in 1 hour 13 minutes.

5K in rain

I intended to have my long run this morning, but as I stepped outside into the rain and fog, decided to opt for a 5K run instead. I saw very few people on the trail, which affirmed my suspicion that I was either stupid or awesome. Feel free to weigh in on the matter.

t.

you are my sunshine

after the heavy fog, and down pouring rain the sun decided to peek out just as i was leaving work. i think it was a sign that i should go out for a run, so i did. my first 3 mile, non-stop, outdoor run... yeah me! now back to the marathon of life... dinner, homework, showers, laundry, oh yeah cant forget Survivor tonight! better get my cape on. see you at the top!

Mittenless!

Today was my first run sans hat and mittens. When I stepped outside I thought I'd made a mistake--the wind was whipping through my clothes. After warming up, I ran 7 miles but it took a loooooong time. Tomorrow I'll try strength training in the morning at the gym rather than any cardio work.

t.

Oh, maybe this is how to do it...

So after the last month of struggling on the Pettit Center track, I hurried home to try a long (for me) outdoor run. I wanted to shoot for 6 miles, since my longest has been 5.5. My headphones weren't charged so I did it without music, and...well, I don't know EXACTLY how long it was, but it was about 6 miles, maybe longer, maybe shorter. It's mostly a running path, so I had to estimate the route with the car. I did it, and it was the most fabulous and frightening run ever. There is a thick fog here, and it was dark. I navigated deep puddles that were bigger than my backyard, didn't get abducted as I ran along the woods (which border train tracks--creepy, right?), and made it up the big hills around the Wauwatosa Highlands. Like Tracy, I sweat. A lot. So, I was drenched. I rang my hair out. Yuck. BUT, I did it and it took me less than 50 minutes. So, I need some combination of fog, outdoors, no music, fear, and darkness to be successful, but I have finally left behind my weak runs with lots of little stops and slooooooowwwww miles. I'm on my way!

Is it raining?*

[Mike to Tracy upon seeing her return from the gym]: "Is it raining?"

I sweat. A lot.

Today I ran a solid 5 miles on the treadmill and realized that I personally find it more difficult than running outside. And so I sweat. My refrain was "I never quit on a run" even when Gloria Estefan (really dude?!) came on my iPod. Who else ran today?!

*Alternate titles for this post include:
Sweat Monster Attack!
Are you wearing a bib?
Did you jump into a pool?
Wow. You look totally gross.

Easing into the weeeeek

I ran 4.78 in about 35 minutes today--a male voice came on my iPod after my run and told me it was my fastest mile yet! I ran south along the lake and it smelled fishy. Now my house smells like cinnamon rolls (take THAT, Lisa!), which is so much better.

Let's have a good week of running!

t.

Are the Wosinskis--Steve and Eric ("Jimmy")--joining our team?! Reports indicate yes! A big welcome to them!

I think that early morning training caught up to me last night when I fell asleep at 9:00 on top of the bed and, ahem, whined when Mike told me to at least get under the sheet. Hope to be well rested for tomorrow morning!

t.

first "outing"

gearing up for my first outside run today... i dont have all the bells and whistles that will tell me what i did and how long i did it for (maybe i will drive my car around my route and get the distance :P )
hoping to get to a shoe store today, i try to cram everything into the short time my childrens are away.
will let y'all know how i do.

View From Here

7.25 in 53 minutes (pace of 7.24 per mile?) in 25 degrees along the lake. I ate a banana before I left for fuel. I need headphones that don't fall out of my tiny ears. Here's a pic from my phone that I took of the sunrise while running.

7.0 miles in 57 minutes along Lakefront Trail as the sun rose. Stunning, despite big sheets of ice that I had to shimmy across.

3 months

It's the 3rd. The 3rd day of the 3rd month of the year. 3 months without Lauryn. I began to feel anxious about the impending date last night, knowing the sadness the 3rd entails. I tried to make cupcakes at 9:00, but remembered I used all the eggs. So I knit and looked at a photo of Lauryn and missed her and sighed big sighs.

I couldn't open my eyes this morning at 5:31, when my phone chirped me awake. I dressed, grabbed my water, and stumbled outside. I set the elliptical timer for 45 minutes at the gym and plugged away whilst watching CNN anchors discuss C-sections and the financial implications of said procedure on the ENTIRE MEDICAL SYSTEM (wow. no guilt there, jerks.). 3.49 miles at a resistance of 3. I did some weight machines but, you know, only kinda. Tonight I hope to go to hatha yoga after dinner (where, it must be said, I will meet a 2 week old!) in order to relax my mind during the really difficult spot in the evening.

Bought eggs on the way home. Cupcakes are in the oven. Lil' H turns 2.5 tomorrow.

fatty boom-balatty

must run tonight! my wonderful boss brought in a Kopps burger with the works... fries and a strawberry shake. yes i ate it all.
looking forward to getting outside this weekend. yipee 40 degrees!!!!! melt some of this dirty white crap.

4

4 miles in 45 minutes on the treadmill left me loads sweatier, thirstier, and cherry cheeked than Sunday's long run. I want to try going outside in the mornings (big warm front coming this weekend!, but have to plan according to sunrise.


xoxoxo,
t.

Gear

Dear Nike+ iPod Sport Sensor Kit,
You are my very best friend.
Love,
Tracy

So the equipment arrived: iPod nano (yellow; inscription LaurynxAddiction), arm band, headphones, Nike+ chip, play list. I couldn't very well not run.


7 miles. Outside. Along Lake Michigan. In the snow.


When I began running, I felt as though I was running in place. I reminded myself that distance, rather than speed, was my goal for the day and that if it took hours to run 7 miles, so be it. It didn't. It took 51 minutes, at a speed of 7.17. My iPod told me. Can I say that upon hearing my iPod congratulate me on my goal I literally threw my arms in the air, Rocky style? I can.

Vinyasa

Went to a morning vinyasa yoga class and stretched hard; a more no-nonsense instructor than at the hatha class from earlier in the week. She rubbed a Tiger Balm-esque potion on my shoulders that I can still smell, three hours after the fact. I did a handstand against a wall and held the crow pose momentarily.

(I look like a cliche when I am walking down the street with an Envirosax bag with my yoga mat in it, holding a latte from Starbucks, whilst talking on my iPhone. If I had cute yoga clothes and/or nice hair, I'd be one of those women I hate.)

Mr. Jablonski reports, via facebook, that his training is beginning today!

Keeping up with Big Sister

Lisa sent me a text last night that she ran 5.2 miles in 70 minutes! Amazing! I was going to, ahem, take the day off today, but I considered her message a challenge and went to the gym this morning. I ran 5 miles, walked 0.5, and watched the 1995-ish movie "Higher Learning"--all about the trials and tribulations of college in 1995. I saw this on a date with someone. Nic Watson? (Anna and Jess: you'll appreciate that.) I may go back to the shoe store to see if my knee pain is caused by my form or my shoes because, meeeowza, is it hurting. I have paper cups of water freezing right now.

xoxoxo,
t.

The Message

Hi Team!

I am taking the day off and resting my knee. I ended up going to yoga last night and it was lovely--I'm hoping to make it a weekly practice. The snow was blowing outside and it was so nice and so very peaceful. All my thoughts turned to Lauryn and my love for her.

Also, we can welcome a new team member--Ryan from Madison! He is a co-worker and friend of Mercy's who will be running the full marathon on May 30. Lauryn's best friend, T.J., is also going to register to participate in the half with us, if I can twist his arm hard enough.


The women's shirts were delivered and reports are they are lovely. The design for silk screening is in process, but will be completed soon.

I sent out an email today requesting donations via a PayPal account so that we can advance the scholarship. I'll include the text of the message here as well, lest you would like to copy/paste it somewhere:

Dear Friends and Family,

As you are probably aware, my beautiful sister, Lauryn Kay Mustain, was in a traffic accident on December 3, 2009 which tragically took her life. At 17, she was funny and bright; beautiful and bold. Her loss grips those who loved her daily--she was pure joy.

In honor of her spirit and the life she led, I am organizing a team to run in the Madison, Wisconsin Half Marathon on May 30, 2010. Team LaurynxAddiction is currently looking for support to raise money for a scholarship to be presented to one of Lauryn's peers in the East Troy High School class of 2010. We aren't a group of runners though--we are just a team of people who love Lauryn and miss her wit, her laughter, and her sloppy kisses. Please consider donating via our secure PayPal account and, if you are able, come cheer us on in Madison! Please feel free to pass this message along to those who may find it of interest.

Best to you and yours,
Tracy VanDeBoom

...but I just ate half a donut so...

Today I ran 4.5 miles in 48 minutes at 6.1 and then walked 0.3 miles (5 minutes) as a cool down. My legs started hurting immediately during the run and now I am feeling pain in my left knee (usually the source of any running related pain). I may try a Hatha yoga class--per Mary's recommendation--tonight if Kid will sleep early enough. Also, I just ate half a sprinkle donut. So that's that.

3.5 miles on elliptical in 43 minutes, followed by weight machines (torso twist, seated leg press, arm press), and 10 minutes on stationary bike to finish. It wasn't a particularly hard workout, so I don't know if I will do more later or call it a day.

4 miles in 44 minutes at pace of 6.1. That's all I got.

Mary completed her first 30 minute run WITHOUT STOPPING today! Great job, Mary. She's been training outside in the cold Minnesota weather, despite the ice and snow on the trails. Wow.

Watch For Zamboni Crossing

Yesterday Anna and I ran at The Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee. Despite the cold--running around the track of an Olympic ice rink--it was really great to get off the treadmill. The Zamboni did not plow us down (although I did get anxious when the skaters marred up the newly glossed over ice; I see where Kid L VDB gets his distaste for chaos) and we ran between 3-4 miles, although we both lost track of laps. I now long for the Nike + Sensor for my shoes; I like the idea of keeping track without me having to, uh, keep track.

I think the idea of a Paypal account is awesome, so will get on that so that people can donate directly to the scholarship fund if they opt to. Now we need a scholarship name!

Lisa has also made an event page via Facebook and invited people to join us.

My quest for yellow shirts at the Pleasant Prairie outlet mall ended in disappointment, so I will try to order the shirts after littleBIG Kid goes to bed tonight.

The snow has started falling in Chicago, which may make my morning gym time difficult. Boo to this stupid winter weather.

Lastly: tonight's fortune cookie fortune was "You will become more passionate and determined about your vision" and my Chinese word on the back was "She" (ta). Why is Lauryn exclusively using fortune cookies to communicate with us?!

3. Too early. Disco stick.

Today I ran 3 miles and walked 0.5 before getting off the treadmill. I was hard--I felt like my energy was low (um, yeah, at 6:00 in the morning that's not too shocking) and my knees hurt. The euphoria of starting to train for this has worn a little. But what I did run hard to was Lady Gaga's "Love Game" (raunchy as all get out) because I remember singing that with Lauryn on the way to Lisa's house a few months back (around birthday time, as I presented her with her ShamWow! kit). I still miss that kid.

Sponsorship?

Hi TeamLaurynxAddiction!

Lisa and I were discussing sponsorship and raising money for our run today. Any money raised would go towards a scholarship fund that we establish in Lauryn's name. Are you all interested and, if so, any ideas regarding going about this?

I will order the women's shirts this weekend, so please let me know your preference if you have not done so. Any yellow shirt from this site works, although I suppose it would be nice if we all aimed for the same shade of yellow. Leaning towards this in "Lemonade" though.

Best wishes for hard training!

xoxoxo,
t.

4 miles at 6.0 speed (~45 minutes), stopping for 0.15 of a mile between 3 and 4 to catch my breath. Realize that This American Life does not increase, but rather decreases, my personal endurance.

"...'cuz you're fit buy my gosh don't you know it" & Jillian + Tracy = tru luv always

Today, 30 Day Shred (Level 3) kicked my fanny. Around the block. A lot. Really hard. And kept going. But after a brief recovery and because I was already gym-clothed and sweaty (and due to the beauty of a napping toddler), I did various strength/yoga/balance games on the Wii Fit. I love you, Wii Fit, even when you tell me I am an amateur at single leg extensions.

6! 6! 6!

6 miles in 70 minutes while, ahem, VH1 Countdown was on (oh Adam Lambert, how you reign!), wearing adidas Supernovas--but now my left knee hurts like nobody's business, so I might not be repeating that again.

6 miles.
6 miles!

...."But it doesn't matter"

[Stepping on soapbox.]

In The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer, the beginning of a chapter begins with discussion of positive attitude and excuse-making. In sum, when you come up with an excuse not to train or run try to tell yourself that whatever it is DOESN'T MATTER.

My quads were sore today. Very sore. During Gremlin's nap, I would have rather stayed in bed knitting, watching "Judge Judy" yell at someone, but I told myself that the sore legs didn't matter. As soon as Mike came home, I left for the gym and ran 4 miles (in 40 minutes). I feel great.

We are doing this, together, for Lauryn. For her spirit. Because she would think we were nuts. Because we love her. Because we miss her.

Team: think of an excuse not to run or train. Then tell yourself it doesn't matter and do it.

[Stepping off soapbox.]

baby steps

well didnt quite get to 4 miles but did do 3 in 38 minutes. I need something to do while running... i dont have VH1 or anything for that matter to look at except a wall. It is torture to watch the distance/ time. Going to fire up the i pod, maybe that will help (but need some new "butt kicking" songs on it to inspire and keep me going.
Addison and Lexi are showing interest in signing up, i told them if I register them they are doing it. I will confirm it with them this weekend so i can get you the shirts required.
just keep runnin', just keep runnin', just keep run-nin' run-nin' run-nin', what do we do- we run!

Like, uh, 5:31 A.M.

Set my alarm to go off at 5:31 so that I could get to the gym at its 6:00 open and run before school responsibilities again swallow my husband (i.e. afternoon/evening kid wrangler) for the day. Ran in adidas Supernova Glides that I bought last July for general gym-ish activities. 4 miles in 41 minutes while, again, watching VH1 because I am old. Doesn't Adam Lambert resemble kd lang? I will always run hard during Lady Gaga. I used some weight machines (seated leg press, chest press) afterwards, stretched, and was able to read in the bath before Gremlin rose from slumber. It's only 7:54 A.M. now--not too shabby.

Whachu talkin' 'bout, Jabo?!

According to Mr. Earnest F. Mustain, a Mr. Sam(uel?) Jabolonski has REGISTERED for the half! Great news and hollering all about my tiny apartment has commenced. Sam was Lauryn's great love and we know that he misses her as we do. And do you know how long Sam estimates he can finish this 13.1 mile beast in? 90 minutes. O to the M to the G. Needless to say, I'll be meeting up with him at the finish line three hours later for a round of hugging.

(My day so far has been spent chasing a naked two year old through the house. This is training, no?)

Jillian Michaels hates me. In lieu of going to the gym tonight due to school responsibilities (Future Supreme Court Justice Leonard, I'm looking in your direction), I opted for strength/cardio/abs with Jillian Michaels and her "30 Day Shred" program. I tried this months ago, pre-gym, for 22 days straight with no visible results other than sweaty clothes. So I just completed the workout for Level 2. Still makes me feel like barfing, but not as much. There. Work out done.

1/2 Marathon!

I am now a contributor to this blog!

45 minutes on the elliptical and then straight home to a crying kid--no strength building, no stretching, nada. Not the most productive session, but something before the ten inches of snow expected tomorrow, which I assume will keep me indoors.

So here we are.

Today I ran five miles--longest distance--in new Mizuno Wave Nirvanas while the VH1 Top 20 countdown was on. I'm so totally old that I opted to watch this. Forgot water bottle and used an old coffee cup from my car. Felt like puking when I was done, but I was proud.