Average "Ho" Triathlon

It's been a couple weeks since the Average Joe Triathlon but I had to get this picture of WHORS in wetsuits out on the blog! Gwen(a friend of Sheri's) placed 2nd in her division and Leslie was awesome as the virgin triathlete placing 3rd in her division! Sheri had an AWESOME bike ride and I enjoyed a tall cool one at Zorbas after the race.
I think all sports should require latex headgear, don't you?

A Call for Charities!

Ladies,
I have great news! Extreme Pita is offering Women High on Running, not Relay WHORs but ALL WHORs, an AWESOME opportunity to make a difference. As many of you know Extreme Pita (EP) is one of the top sponsors for this years Great River Relay Team. Troy, the owner, had read about us in the paper earlier this spring and fortunately, Leslie is one of his best customers, catering food for her events. When approached about a sponsorship, Troy didn't even bat an eye and said "YES" with great enthusiasm.

EP called back today with a FANTASTIC idea...and we'd like to take it one step futher! During the month of JULY, anyone (us, our family, friends, co-workers...ANYONE) who eats at EP should save their reciepts and turn them into YOU. (reciepts can then be turned into me). At the end of JULY, Troy will tally the receipts and the WHORs will recieve 10% of the total.

What WE would then like to do is take half of that money and donate it to a charity of our choice. We are such an influencial and positive group of women. I believe we, together, have made differences in many lives...not just our own. But this is our chance to contribute even more...to be something even bigger, even GREATER. this is our chance to MAKE A DENT, maybe to CHANGE someone's life. Please join me with enthusiasm in this effort!

So two things ladies:
1) start spreading the word!!!! I have an email set to go out tonight to 98 people (of which none of you are recipients...though I might make you one, so you can copy and paste my email if you like it). Encourage your co-workers to go out to a group lunch. EP Delivers too! i can honestly say it's one of my favorite "fast food" places to eat. spread the word, collect reciepts!
2) POST a charity you think is fitting for the WHORs. I'd think we'd want to focus on women or children....but anything is an option. So please post here. On MONDAY next week, I will put the charities to a vote and have one designated by Wednesday. (that way we can have a charity to tell people about!)

So....spread the word, save reciepts and POST a charity if you have one in mind!

4th of July MSUM 10K

These are some SMOKING HOT ladies! How could they not be with Barb's awesome FLAG SHORTS and matching STAR bondi band!
Thier times were HOT too! Turns out that Marilyn likes to PR on hot sunny race days with some crazy 45 minute finish! If you look closely, she's holding an ice cream scoop she won as her prize for placing in her division! Nice Job Marilyn!

Heidi and I came across the line at 55:34 (8:59 pace....not a second more!) ....hunched over and ready to puke on the sidelines. Coffee never tasted so bad in the tummy!

Barb ran an awesome 6 miles...her first 6 miles in months, months, months! 1:07 and change. It should be known that she would have come in earlier, but with one mile left to go...she heard them announcing the winning finish times for the 50+ womens category....and said "what the HELLO?!?!?!" and decided to take a stroll. Uh Barb? they were announcing the 1 Mile finish time, not the 10K. Get your arse moving! :)

Bottom line is....aren't we all adorable?

Great River Relay Update

Preparations are in FULL swing for the Great River Relay of 2008! Sounds like Krista and Marilyn are scoring some good loot for the van decs....and Jen Dees is just plain ol' score awesome vehicles. Imagine us pulling up to the starting line in a 1970 Volkswagon Van, pimped out with hippie paint all over. That's right girls! Jen's got her thinking cap on and some of us lucky girls will be rollin' in a VW Van, pulling up to exchanges in our WHOR-ish Hippie attire! Jen, does this thing have air conditioning?

Rumor has it that there's been some planning going on for choreographed dance routines when we pull up to some major exchanges. That's right girls.....we dont' just run, we dance too! And it's all in the name of that Homecoming Title we want to bring home! uh...no. I am not kidding. So stay tuned....more info on the way!

Next on my agenda is to find a place that can hook us up with a great sound system that projects on the OUTSIDE of the vehicles. If anyone has some ideas, let me know.

How's everyone's training going? The heat? The hill workouts? Hope everyone's looking forward to our triple run coming up on the 15th and 16th!

The Garbage Didn't Get Taken Out Today

I'm working full time for the first time in over 17 years at my new business. We've been open for two weeks and I'm ready for a vacation. I get up and am at the gym by 5:30 4 days a week, then I shower, go to work, come home exhausted and hungry with no energy to cook, let alone do the laundry, dishes, pay bills, go to the grocery store, the list goes on. Changing the channel on the tv remote is all I can manage some nights.

I'm healthy, and have a very supportive husband who has recently taken over the task of grocery shopping and has even been known to clean out the refrigerator and iron. I also have an only child- a responsible 17 year old with her own car, no less.

So this is my point- How do you W.H.O.R.s do it? Sweet Spot- how do you stay so positive and productive- especially when there must be days you'd rather stay in bed? Dr. J- how do you manage the demands of two small children, a thriving practice, and still find time to run marathons? HeidiHo- how can you work full time, be a mom AND a dad, and still have time to exercise and have a social life? I could go on and on-every one of you is extremely busy with work, family, running. Party W. has more energy than her grandchildren; GiGi works 3 jobs; Pink Miles juggles her career with being a new wife and stepmother; Special K has three little ones at home and a husband who travels frequently; and then there's GI Jane...she outlasts men a fraction of her age!

Yet you all put a priority on fitness, health, and friendship. I know it has been said by many before, but it is so true- you all are an inspiration to me and I marvel at your strength and committment.

I would never have had the confidence to open Foot Solutions without the experience of training for and completing a marathon and the amazing encouragement and support offered by this unique group of powerful accomplished women.

My business is doing well- more people are coming in every day, and I've had some really amazing successes already. Most people choose to wear the shoes and orthotics they buy home because they feel so much better than what they were wearing when they came in, and at least 2 customers asked us to throw away their old shoes for them.

Things will settle down as I get more comfortable with running the business-the learning curve is pretty steep for me right now- accounting is my Achille's heal. I'm sure I will eventually find a balance between work, family, and friends. Until then, though, know that I'm cheering you on from the sidelines, even though I've had to bow out from many group runs and activities.

I will be at the Fargo Marathon Expo on Friday all day- come find my Foot Solutions booth and say hi! It would make my day!

Whors Jingle the Bells!

The WHORS brought in the holiday season with bells on at the Jingle Bell Run on Saturday. Kathleen captured Santa's magic and was absolutely glowing in her jolly red suit. Ann (where are you?) brought all the antlers that topped off our pink winter wear.