Sunday, November 23, 2008

Little Black Dress for MS

I just got a save the date card for the Little Black Dress for MS Luncheon. It's $350 for a table of 10; or $35 each. How many tables do you think we can fill??
Thursday, February 5, 2009
11:00 AM -1:00 PM
Ramada Plaza Suites

The speaker is national cycling champion Maureen Manley.

Benita

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

GRR8 Review!

Per usual, the WHORs had a GRR8 showing at this year's Great River Relay! With 24 amazing women, there was no shortage of personality, enthusiasm and creativity and therefor brought home a repeat Homecoming Team Award ANNNND a newly aquired Pimped Out Van Award! After starting at 8:30am on Friday morning, enduring 89 degree heat...and humidity that must have been in the 90% range, our finish time was 34:32:00!

As you can imagine, there are tons of stories to go around. 24 women, 4 vans and 34 hours...lends itself to much to be said. Here's what I can say: I still cannot get over the feeling and thought that flooded over me at super on Thursday evening. It's rare, if not impossible, for us to get 24 women to go out to eat together in Fargo. To have 24 excited, anxious and smiling women in La Crosse, WI sitting at one table, sharing a meal was awe-inspiring. I cannot get over it! It was impressive, to say the least, to see 4 matching, base-thumping vehicles pull into the starting line, driving down the road and making thier way into the major exchanges. It was even more impressive to come upon the sea of PINK, jacked up on adrenaline and cheering for not only our team but other runners as well. And from the awards we brought home, it's clear that other teams thought much the same as well!

If I were to give a highlight for each individual on the team it would be the following:
Georgia McCormick and Lynae Lardy: first, big props to Lynae for coming on board in the 11th hour, with women she's never met! You rock girl! Together, Goergia and Lynae took 13 total tricks, probably the most of any running pair! Though I wasn't able to witness this on my own, rumor has it that Georgia was absolutely adorable when lei-ing the cuty boys on the course, skipping to her prey with a school-girl smile.

Jen Dees and Marilyn Laliberte: "cheese and rice!" could there be a funnier pair of runners! To no ones surprise, these two were among some of the strongest runners on the team...and put up with some grueling humidity and hills. We learned that Marilyn's favorite hobby is to scare the shit out of the midnight runners by hiding in the bushes and acting like some crazed freakshow when they run by. Jen...err...Winky Man made another appearance in the midnight hours, narrowly avoiding an arrest, but recieving a tremendous amount of "Oh my God's!" from other teams and volunteers!

Ann Anderson and Jenn Sabourin: These two get an award for good sportsmanship...and taking the LONGEST relay leg to date; 9.5 miles in one shot....without complaining mind you! Together, they literally danced thier way through this leg (I have pictures to prove it!)and finished with a smile. This was Jenn's first race ever...and farthest distance ever. Kudos! To no one's surprise, Ann got to see lots of tits throughout the relay, a dream come true for her ;)

Krista Andrews and Michelle Donarski: These two are addicted to the song Jump on It..and probably will make it the theme song of the race. Michelle ended her third leg by thanking everyone for helping her do something she never dreamed she would do. What Michelle? you never thought you'd run with 24 women, for 34 hours in nasty sweaty clothes, uphill for 16 miles? Come on! Krista is so proud of her new found body cooling system to which she affectionately calls her treasure chest ;) And you rocked that third leg with Michelle girl! Nicole's got some competition next year!

Leslie Brunette and Tracy McKinnon: Okay, so Leslie still has gas...and Tracy's a puker. Ladies! shame, shame! I have to give Tracy some credit. She had a tough task of trying to keep up with Leslie...who pulls out paces we've never seen before. And both of you mastered those hills on your final leg with avengence! they seemed worse than last year! Oh!!! Also new this year! Leslie has some bullhorn competition. Donna's learned to work that sucker pretty well too!

Mandi Mathison and Kristin Engstrom: These two might have been the most perfectly matched runners if you look at thier paces. Their strides were synchronized at nearly every step! It was fun to watch. Mandi made a new best friend in Leslie...gas girls! And it sounds like Kristin E made the itty bitty titty committee and was one of many who showcased thier breasts to Ann's van!

Kriston Wenzel and Sheri Paulson: After running her first leg, Kriston Wenzel declares she feels so good, she could run the whole 205 miles! Ask her again at the end of her third leg and all she can muster is "move, I have to go to the bathroom!" :) Kudos to Kriston though! Another WHOR runs her farthest distance during the relay! Sheri was probably the biggest social butterfly during the relay :) seemed like everytime we were ready to depart...sheri was off with another team chatting it up; or was she campaigning for a homecoming vote? :)

Barb Grande and Stephanie Hammes: Now this is an easy pair for me to provide commentary on. After 24 hours of being awake, Grande gets dilerious! If there's one thing this woman knows for sure, it's that she runs with Donna (uhhh Barb? you run with Steph) and hands the baton off to Heidi (uhh...again? You hand off to Leah!) She was also NOT impressed with Ragnar's evaluation and ranking of "moderate" hills. Just wait for the video..."this is not F*&%ing MODERATE!" she shouts! And steph was another of our great new WHORs! This girl came to the team looking to get out of her comfort zone...and that she did! She ran those "Not F%&*ing moderate!" hills with a smile on her face....or was it laughter? And my god, what a smile she has. Steph is Hot!

Leah Swedberg and Kim Skarphol: personally, I couldn't have had a better running partner. Kim was motivated and easy going....but also motivating for me. I took my first outdoor dump while on the run...joining the ranks of some of the best; Jen Dees, Diane, Leslie. Though our pace was compromised by the episode, Kim patiently waited for me to emerge from the cornfeild to continue on our 8 mile journy. Kim..."whoo hoo-ed" and sang her way through that run...and the two that followed. She donned her handmade whor-ish running skirt on our final leg.

Heidi Bierdeman and Jenn Quast: Alright....Quast is naughty, naughty. This girl has double D jugs and has a fetish for flashing! Thus, the beginning of heaven for Ann...and the coordination of the itty bitty titty committee in Van I. You know Jenn? I feel a little ripped off....that you didn't take it all off when you jumped in the lake after your last run! Heidi had one of her best runs on her second shift...and while showcasing a stellar performance, she unknowingly took one for the team. her Illuminite longsleeve was sacrificed to kill the largest, grossest spider one's ever seen randomly crawling around in a vehicle. the spider was so large, it's guts stained the interior of the vehicle and are still stuck to Heidi's shirt.

Donna Aho and Sue Rusch: As previously noted, Mrs. Aho found a new calling...working the bullhorn. She took delight in harrassing Barb up her "not F&*$ing Moderate!" hill by telling Barb if she doesnt' move her ass, she's gonna make her do it again. If my memory is correct, Donna and Sue were the only pair who had to run in the pouring rain. They ate quite a few bugs and hopped a number of frogs that night!

Robin Quade and Diane Rusness: Can you guys hear the angels singing? Robin successfully navigated her way to the finish line this year! Yay!!! But she must have ran that last leg so damn fast that she could only drink 1 ounce of her huge-ass beer at super that night. We thought Robin was going to face plant in her pasta! Diane was fun to listen to. She had some pure adrenaline in her viens this weekend...every time she finished her run, she wanted to go out and run some more! She might also get the award for best dressed WHOR; coming to the starting line in her leopard print pants...and strapping a cowbell to her waste pre-run. Swing those hips Diane! More cowbell please!

So...I am sure that other's can add thier comments and a funny story or two. I could go on and on about the kitties and the nasty sherrifs department, the horror-film hotel leslie booked and the joke about the man with the big round orange head...but some of those are better told live :) in summary...it was a blast....and overwhelming blast!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Good Luck at GRR!!!

I want to wish the WHOR GRR teams good luck this weekend!!! I'll be rooting for you and can't wait to see the video upon your return!
Tracy C.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Olympic Women's Marathon

Did anyone else watch the marathon on television? I was so excited to see it knowing Gabriela was running. Unfortunately, she wasn't in the lead pack, so I never got to see her. She finished in 2:53:45. The detailed results are here. I can't wait to talk to her an hear all her stories.

I felt so bad for Deena Kastor. I can't imagine the agony of breaking a bone while running- and to not finish the race after all that training and promise- I hope she can come back. Paula Radcliff is already talking about 2012 here. I watched the pain on her face as she ran. I doubt many would have been able to finish in as much pain as she was.

The GRR running team will have to tap into their Olympic will next week. I'll be cheering you on from here!

Benita

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

On The Minds of Moms

Kathleen Wrigley and her adorable children are on the cover of a new magazine available at Hornbacher's called On The Minds of Moms. There is a wonderful feature article on her and super photos of her and her family.
Check it out online at http://onthemindsofmoms.com/ or pick up a copy.

It's great to see her get recognition for the wonderful wife and mother that she is!

Way to represent the W.H.O.R.s Kathleen!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Upcoming Races

Wow! GRR is right around the corner! Training can't completely prepare you for the experience- the intensity of the comraderie, the heat, the excitement of the race and all the other teams- I'm so excited for you all! Have Fun!

Since I can't be with you at GRR, I'm hoping we can participate together in some local races coming up this fall. Dick Beardsley's for one, I didn't think I would be able to run, but now I have decided that the shoe show can wait a few hours. I'm looking for a partner in the relay-anyone interested?

Another event coming up October 18 is the "Step Out Walk to Fight Diabetes". This is more of a walk than a run, so it would be a great family event. There is no entry fee, and no set distance. You walk/run for 30 minutes, either inside or outside. There will be breakfast, door prizes, and Games Galore. I plan to nordic walk the event. I would like to invite you all to join me in supporting this worthy cause. To learn more, or to join the team, check out the team website at http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?pg=team&fr_id=5392&team_id=320172

Looking ahead to December, the Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis is December 6 this year. The entry fee is $25, and they ask you to raise $100 to get the "official hat". I know we've run this in the past, but I thought it might be fun this year to actually form a W.H.O.R. team, dress up, and really be a presence at this fun race. What do you think? Is this an event that we want to support?


Benita

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Bondi Bands

Like this post is soooo important! :)
I will be placing the order for bondi bands on FRIDAY, August 8th. if you wish to order please email me or post your order here. As I mentioned last night, she has several NEW styles posted on the site (www.bondiband.com). Additionally, she now carries these styles in "children's" sizes as well...in case your daughters are stealing them from you!

We currently have an order for 30 which prices the bands at $4.25 each. if we reach an order fo 50, the bands will be $4.00 each. I doubt we will reach 75 bands again...but should there be a desire for that many, they will be $3.50 at that time.

just let me know if you are ordering...and what you wish to order. thanks!

Innovis Health

Thank you to Jen Jones Dees and INNOVIS HEALTH for the $1000 donation to Women High on Running! Absolutely outstanding! Absolutely amazing! We are a lucky group of women....a fortunate group...to have such support from the businesses in our community.

Who would have thought three years ago when we started running as a very small group of friends that we would expand into a large group with a "name", running as a team for a greater cause than just ourselves? We are so lucky.

It is my understanding that no one went out knocking down doors to gain these sponsorships. They were just presented as an opportunity...and these businesses came on board. I am sure they all have their own reasons for supporting us...but let's keep them in mind as we run this upcoming relay. They are keeping our personal costs down so that we can just run....to have a lifetime experience...to focus on why we got into this in the first place, fun, camaraderie and a personal challenge.

our current sponsors are as follows
Innovis Health $1000
Extreme Pita $500 + Hospice Fund Raiser
Coldwell Banker $500 in-kind
Great Plains Cycling Club $250
Northern Improvement $150
Wells Fargo Insurance $150
Bank of the West $150
Fantasy's $150 inkind costumes and make up
Granite City $150 (gift certificates for post party)
Dick Beardsley Running Company $150 in kind
Hornbachers $100 gift certificate
Walmart $50 gift certificate

I look at that list and just think....wow.

$218.68!!!!

Leslie is a ROCK STAR!
In the last 2 weeks, Leslie has turned in nearly $500 of reciepts for Extreme Pita! Can you say "WOWSER!" holy schnikes! Nice work Leslie. Our grand total for Hospice to date is $218.68, which is really, really cool! I through it out there to see if we coudl get to $100 in EP reciepts and we totally did it ($127)! But don't stop collecting them~!!!!!!!

In talking with Hospice, I learned that it costs just about $300 for one child to go through thier Youth Journey Program. I am not asking you to dig into your own pockets...not by any stretch. What I am asking...is can we get to $300? And I really think we can! Keep eating at EP....or if you are doing a staff lunch, suggest EP as the group location. We have until the 17th......that's 12 more days. WE CAN DO IT!

again, here's where our money has come from:
127.18 EP
25.00 donation
20.00 state bank
46.50 garage sale

nice work ladies! We should all be so excited!

Monday, August 4, 2008

Hospice Update

Yay!
our Extreme Pita reciepts are now at 87.67! (876.70 total) NICE Job Ladies! remember to keep collecting reciepts until August 17th. And if you have any, feel free to bring them to me this week to any of our runs!

also, the garage sale was a success. though the effort was small (and last minute) Women High on Running sold 46.50 worth of "Stuff." so I will bring that to the bank today ;)

with that, I think we are currently at $179.17 that we have raised for Hospice :) That's good stuff!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Last Call for Alcohol..........

.............I mean last call for your music requests for the relay. 10 smokin' hot cds are ready to rock n roll, hip, hop 'n beebop our way to the relay. HOWEVER, I will happily burn another cd (or two) if I get enough requests. I have about 20 songs on each cd so....post your requests here or email me or Tracy and if I get 10 or more songs we don't already have, we'll have another cd in our GRR '08 collection. Please let me know the song title and the artist. Thanks!

Workin' Our Corner

It was Hot Hot Hot at the 2.5 mile mark of the Dick Beardsley Run for Life 5 mile run on Wednesday nite! Way to go Whors! Runners couldn't help but smile as they approached our corner with music blaring, whors screaming and super soakers consuming their targets!
Kim was the flashiest whor winning the best dressed prize. The whor offspring looked absolutely adorable in their pink bling as well. I seriously think we should have had a prize for Nicole's belly button! That rocks, girl! And a shout out to those whors who represented by beating the heat and running the race, Barb, Donna, Georgia and Marilyn! Way to go girls!

updates

first...very cool. I recieved an email last night from Erin Pilkington of Ragnar. Here's what she wrote:
Leah, Looking forward to seeing the WHORS in a few weeks. Its teams like you that make it possible for us to do what we love! We appreciate the WHORS and everything you do for Ragnar!

That was neato...and it's because of all of our teammates! We make this race fun for them. Those that have done this before have been told this same thing from other Ragnar staff :) Get ready to rumblllllllle!

Women High on Running now has a bank account. If you have sponsors waiting to write out a check, please make it payable to Women High on Running. When the account was opened, we were GIVEN $20 from State Bank. A quick survey of the captains determined that the $20 would be given to Hospice. Yay!

On that note. Remember that Extreme Pita EXTENDED our fundraising time frame to August 17th. Please continue to collect reciepts. If you need a new flyer for your offices, let me know...i'll send it via email with the new deadline.

Walmart gave us a $50 gift card yesterday. We'll use that to help with water and/or food....or whatever. ;) Also, Granite City gave us $150 in gift cards. We'll likely use these either on the road (if we find a Granite City to have supper at)...or have our post party catered by Granite City. thanks Tracy for scoring that one!

finally, remember to bring your garage sale items tonight, if you wish to sell.....and bring your Pita reciepts if you have any.

I will be sending our triple run schedule today or tomorrow. We will get the ball rolling on Tuesday monrning. See you tonight at the corner :), see you tomorrow at the ramp, see you at Jen's cabin for a hilly hot run. Just hoping to see you soon!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

My Garage Sale

K...here's the deal. I, Leah Swedberg, am having a garage sale this Thursday evening and Friday morning/early afternoon. I have invited a few other people to contribute to the sale....since my stuff's not that cool...and I don't have that much. Anyway...a thought came up today from Leslie Brunette...and I am willing to open it up to the group, as long as it doesn't make my life difficult ;)

If you have ONE box (I am thinking paper box or slightly larger)of stuff ....or 1-2 larger items you'd like to get rid of....but don't necessarily want the money for it, I'd be happy to try to sell it on behalf of the WHORs and we can add that money to the "charity kitty."

If this is somethign you want to do...bring your stuff to Beardsley this WEDNESDAY NIGHT. (I will have rollie's truck.) Have it priced, unless you want me to make the call on it, and mark it with a "W." If it doesn't sell...it's going to the boys ranch. And please let me know in advance if you are going to give me a box....because I am nervous about getting 24 boxes of stuff I may have to price and find a place for ;)

Monday, July 28, 2008

Beardsley Half Marathon

Earlier I had sent a email inviting everyone to my lake home after the Beardsley Half for a Post race Party on September 6th.

Unfotunately, I found out recently I have to go to a shoe show for Foot Solutions at Mystic Lake Casino that day. Not only am I not going to be able to have you all out, I won't be able to run. I really regret having to rescind my invitation.

Another time, perhaps!

Congratulations Jenn Sabourin

Jen Benjamin is now Jenn Sabourin! Congratulations Jenn. It was a beautiful wedding...and the best wedding dance since my own in 2004!

Lake (sneaky way to say HILL) Run !!!!!

Laides!!!!
You are all welcome to come to my Lake Place on Saturday, August 2nd for a hill run. I would plan to be there by 7 am so that we can get started before it gets too hot. To get the most devine scenery, we will start at the Pelican Lake EAST PUBLIC ACCESS. From there we will run the South Pelican Lake Road to Highway 59 and back.

The total distance (if you want to run the whole thing) is about 8 miles (or so-maybe a little more.) BUT you do not need to run the whole thing. You can turn around where you want. It will be an "out and back" so distance is definately your choice.

After we are done, I would be happy to host coffee at my cabin (21268 county hwy #20) or we can hit the ADORABLE coffee shop in Pelican Rapids!!!

For those of you who aren't familiar with the lakes area--we are about 40-45 minutes from Fargo. You take I-94 to the Downer (#15) exit. Take a Left at the stop sign and head towards Downer. Downer has 1 stop sign. Go through it. Stay on that road through 2 more stop signs. At the 3rd stop sign, you should be at the Roadhouse restaurant.

Take a right at the Roadhouse. Follow that road through Cormorant village. You will come to another stop sign and will then be at the Pelican Lake Zorbaz. Turn Left.

Follow this road past my cabin (21268) for approx 4 miles. You will see signs for the Castaway Camp. Turn Left onto the road that leads to the camp. If you see the Catholic Church with the Green statue of Mary-you have gone just past the turn!

Follow this road past the camp to the public access parking lot. We will be waiting for you there!!!

Be there or be square!!!!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

updates

Extreme Pita 10% total is now at 31.52. A few people mentioned this morning that they have reciepts out there....so just bring em my way when you come to the runs or whatever!

Here's the plan for the DBRC water station next Wednesday. I will report to the store at 6:00pm (per thier request) and get our location assignment. I will then TEXT those of you who mentioned you'd be helping and let you know the address. (robin, leslie, jen and sydney, krista and lily, Sheri P, Diane, and Donna??? (if I missed you let me know!) If you can be there at 6:45 to finish setting up, that's be GREAT! As far as a patio afterwards, yes, that's still the plan if anyone wants. We'll determine the place after our shift. I know some of you are running too! Awesome! We'll connect back up with you at the end of the race (at the store) if you want a frosty to replenish your carbs :)

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Hospice of the RRV

After a very close vote, Hospice of the Red River Valley has been chosen as the beneficiary of our Great River Relay efforts! Yay! Our contributions, no matter how big or small will help to fund programs for youth dealing with the loss of a parent or loved one. Keep encouraging your friends and co-workers to collect thier reciepts from Extreme Pita over the next two weeks.