Complement your running with lifting weights

Fresh start

Recently, my nike+ thingie told me I ran 1km in 0 minutes and 12 minutes respectively, neither was true. I got a new set and recalibrated and now everything is good. but why does nike not let you count the calibration distances? so annoying.

new challenge!

mail me at emi@lovegun.net if you want to be in on the next challege. starting monday dec 29. 

we were all too slow!

the challenge was over because we ran out of time!

meguchan, you're the winner!

congratulations!

Rewards for running

Today I was having afternoon tea with friends at Grand Hotel. As we were about to leave, a young man came up to ask what I was doing that evening. Flattered, I told him I was about to go home to my family to play with my children and miraulously refrained from saying "my kids are almost your age". 

Afterwards, all I could think was: "I've got to keep up the running". 

lazy people

It's dark, so dark. In Sweden, you need to wear a headlamp to go running this time of year. Morale is very low. I went to the gym today, only ran 3 kms on the treamill, it was just too boring. Seems to be the same for the rest of you, with the exception of Meaghan. I guess I'll just see you running again after Christmas and your new new year's resolutions.

til then - I'm cheering for you.

Meet the winners - GURO!

Hot runner Guro is 27 and a political scientist. She lives with her boyfriend in Olso, Norway and works at TNS Gallup, in media research.
This is what she has to say to you, fellow runners.

How did you get involved in the runwithe challenges?
I am a fan from the Letters to Marc Jacobs-days. I was thrilled when you started blogging again, and I decided to give the Nike+gear a try. And it's so much fun. You're a good coach!

Have you always been a runner?
No, I started running in August. But I was sportif in my younger days.

Why do you run?
Because it feels great! And now I have talked so much about my newfound love for running to friends and colleagues, I have made it impossible for myself to stop.

How often do you run?
I run less frequently in wintertime, but I try to run twice a week.
When do you run?
After work. I am not a morning runner.
Do you run alone or together with someone?
I always run alone.

How far do you usually run?
About 10 km. The first 3 kms are the hardest.

What kind of shoes do you run in?
Some old Nikes, I will replace them during the January sales.

What music do you run to?
Nowadays I run to Mika, Kylie, REM, Kent, Depeche Mode and the Juno soundtrack. I downloaded some of the top ten powersongs, Eye of the tiger and Van Halen's Jump, but I got tired of them, it felt like such cliches. But one of them really works: Pump it by the Black Eyed Peas.

How do you beat the "I don't want to go running" moods?
I try to change my mindset into thinking that running is a reward in itself, but I am not at all there yet.

Megan, I can't keep up!

But will probably try to run and perhaps even tomorrow in order to catch up with you!

Enna, are you running with us

DO IT! sending you an invitation to join now.

kom igen

nu är det ju inte ens så kallt, bara grått.

Treadmill

5 kms on the treadmill today. So boring and yet...good. Niki was with a bunch of ladies, as was I, in the company of Kate Perry and Britney. 

Rewards for running

I kept the dress. Rewards for running should be rewards, not the insane kind of uffering felt when returning a great dress to the store. Reward yourselves!

visst känns det bra, jenny?

Allt är inte löpning

Man kan träna på andra sätt också. Läs Doreen, hon har bästa träningsbloggen. Smart, rolig och med små utsnitt ur verkligheten. Det går inte att inte älska henne. Ni ser, folk kan inte hålla händerna borta!

Like I said

The Nike + interface has its flaws. One of them is that you can not set an exact time for a challenge to start. Another is that if one starts a challenge the same day another is finished, and the winner participates in the new challenge, his or her kms are counted twice. Not fair. So I tried to set the new challenge start for Nov 26 to leave everyone a day to rest. Now, for some reason, Nike+ changed it to Nov 25. Why, I have no idea. And it might be that your kms from morning of the 25th don't count, because it wasn't yet the 25th wherever Nike is (Oregon). I'm afraid this might be the case.

I'll mail Nike+ to see if they can reset the challenge start to reflect our time zone.

YAY GURO!

And we have a winner! Guro brings it home!
CONGRATULATIONS!

love
-e

ps. want to participate in the next challenge? mail me emi@lovegun.net
I know it's bothersome that you have to mail me each time, I blame Nike for not making a better interface.

MOST RECENT CHALLENGE RESULTS:

Meaghan 27,8 kms

Lina A 19,5 kms

Emma 6 km

Want to join?
Mail me!
emi@lovegun.net

I give up

All 3 kids sick and I have a cold too. I'm giving this run up, thinking Jenny S, Meg or Gurostavn will win today or tomorrow.

Am trying to work with tiny human attached to me at all hours. Work progress: so-so.

Snowed in

In Stockholm, we awoke to a magic winter landscape. It's beautiful, but for runnrs, it's tricky as some of us are not yet equipped with winter running gear. Personally, I had planned a run outdoors, which then turned in to a planned treadmill run at 4.30 pm, only to find out my local gym closes at 4 pm. 

I give in to red wine, Chet Baker and enjoying talking to Anders while he cooks dinner for us. 

Meet the winners 5 - Reen!

Reen came out of nowhere to bring home the victory last challenge. Or out of nowhere isn't really true, she comes from Malaysia, where she's running with us. She's supernice and started running for a reason. Read up below.

How did you get involved in the runwithe challenges?

Through LFTEC. When I took up running and struggled to keep doing it, the runwithe challenge came to mind. It really motivates me to run when I see that I am lagging behind.

Have you always been a runner?
No.

Why do you run?
Mainly to lose weight which I have steadily put on over the years. Earlier this year, my BMI was almost in the 'Obese' category. So I started eating more healthily and joined kick boxing classes. Kick boxing then became somewhat expensive, so I took up running in October. It's a really good and way cheaper alternative, although I am still at the stage where I find it really hard/painful.

How often do you run?
I try to run 3 times a week... but if I slack off during the weekdays, I'll do a long run on the weekends instead.

When do you run?
Varies on how my day is. If I am going to have a long day at work, I'll try to run in the morning. I really like running at night in my housing area, though. The neighborhood is really pretty at night.

Do you run alone or together with someone?
Alone.

How far do you usually run?
I aim for at least 3kms (which sometimes doesn't happen!) and more than that on the weekend.

What kind of shoes do you run in?
New Balance.

What music do you run to?
Mika, Prodigy, Morcheeba, The Beatles, Travis, Foo Fighters. Really random.

How do you beat the "I don't want to go running" moods?
I think about the scale. The fact that I've lost some weight in the past month is enough to keep me going for now. But then again, since I am still new to running. I might still be a bit enthusiastic about it. We'll see :)

Rewards for running

Dear runners, this is my reward to myself for running so much. I can barely afford it. If I decide to keep it, I will post a pic here to show you what it looks in real life on a suburban mom of 3.

ps. How do you reward yourselves?

ps2. Decided, almost crying, not to keep it. Here it is in reality. It's even comfy! But bills bills bills. So sad.

Guro!

Wow.

4 days 20 kilometers

Or I will not meet my goal.
But if I do, you will see me at 36 kms within 4 days.
watch me.

help.

Rough run

So this morning, before breakfast and before I was barely awake, I ran 6 kms.
It was good and I will have to do it again tomorrow to reach my goal of 50 kms in 4 weeks that I thought would be so easy.

But tomorrow, I might try to run to old advertising hits, to create the fantasy that I'm a running commercial.

I'm going for "Mad about the boy". Any other suggestions?
Ps. Reen and jenny, I promised you each a CD with my best running music. However, my son killed my computer with that very music on it. I will make the CDs but you will have to wait.

love
-e

Lina in the lead!

Outside the box!

När era km inte syns i en challenge

Men de syns i er profil - ge inte upp. Nike+ är lite trög. De laddas in efter ett tag.

Glömde iPoden hemma

Plötsligt känns det meningslöst att springa. Är det så för er också? Att utan räknaren springer man helst inte? Att hjälpmedlet blivit ett tvång i sig?
Är det bra eller dåligt?

Såg just mitt eget mål

Har 8 dagar på mig att springa 30 km.
tjena.

Och syrran knappar in

Vi andra måste ta upp kampen mot de här Serneholts. Vi blir helt utklassade. De är kanske en superbreed.

Det går djävligt bra för Jenny S nu.

Lisa Å, Linda B, vad håller ni på med? vakna.

from one mom to another

I love you, Britney Spears.

New challenge, new rules

Ok, a new challenge just begun and you're all SO welcome to participate and tell your friends to come join us too. And they should join now! Cause otherwise they might be to good for us - here's the new rule:

If you're entering the challenge when it's been running for a week or more, you can't have more kilometers than the leading runner already in the challenge. Like say the person in the lead has run 20 kilometers in this challenge and you join having run 32, then you can't join that very challenge, but you're more than welcome to sign up for the following challenge, just mail me at emi@lovegun.net

Also, some of you have wondered why my challenges aren't listed in the Nike+ galleries.
It's because if they are, male pro-level runners invariably join and I have to sort them out one by one and it's just a pain. They're trophy hunters and they never read the small print.

Congratulations + new challenge

Congratulations Larians!
Ready for a new, somewhat shorter challenge? First to 48 kms?

It's starting now.
Mail me if you want an invite
emi@lovegun.net

Results for the previous challenge:





Koko 7.39 km

Off to Spain/France

So I won't be posting and won't be running either. 

I'll be HIKING whatever that is like, I've never done it. 

Ran 5 kms on treadmill today, hard work, boring and gruesome. 

But I did it. 

And my baby was taken care of by professionals. 2-1.

Two nice ladies for every baby.

Always something. 

love

-e

Jenny and the winner!

You will receive a CD with a playlist that will make you run even on your most tired, "don't feel like going running" days. Jenny, jag lovade dig den här för länge sedan så du får den även om du inte vinner.

-e

BEST TO RUN TO RIGHT NOW

womanizer with britney. 

NO JOKE, IT'S FANTASTIC!

IT WILL CARRY YOU UP THE HILLS

your chance to beat me

I'm off to London for 4 days and won't be running.

I expect you to seize the opportunity to take the lead. 

Serneholts! Åberg!

Lousy day, good run

I had lousy day work wise but running cut the worst of it.
Every time I write about running I sound religious. I don't mean to but I do.
It was good and sweaty and honestly felt better after than during.

I thought about money/no money.
I listened to Kate Perry and Britney. It worked.
I then admired the beautiful boobs of old women at the bath house.
I should have told them.

I bet they don't get boob compliments too often.

Meet the winners 4 -Marjan Esfandiari

Foxy Marjan Esfandiari is the most recent runwithe challenge winner. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and works as an assistant buyer at an online retailer. But in the picture above, she's visiting Sweden, enjoying a tasty tunnbrödsrulle. I've never met Marjan in real life, but that doesn't matter when you run together. Only this time Marjan ran longer in a shorter period of time than I did. Than any of us did. Here's how Marjan did it all.

How did you get involved in the runwithe challenges?

I found runwithe through lftec (and ltmj before that). The runwithe challenges actually came at a perfect time when I really needed the extra motivation to run/exercise.

Have you always been a runner?
Yes and no. I've started and stopped running at different points in my life but it's not something that comes easy for me. I think in the months that I have been participating in the challenges on runwithe I have improved a lot!

Why do you run?
I run because it makes me feel good. It's an added bonus if it improves the way I look too.

How often do you run?
It depends on the week but my goal is 4 times a week.

When do you run?
This varies but most recently I have been going early in the morning before work. It was really painful at first but it's worth it.

Do you run alone or together with someone?
Always alone.

How far do you usually run?
I sort of have to base this on how much time I have. Before work it's usually 5-6 kilometers. Weekends I try to run further and just last weekend was the first time I ran 10 kilometers without stopping.

What kind of shoes do you run in?
Saucony Grid Stabil

How do you beat the "I don't want to go running" moods?
I just try to think about how good I'll feel after I'm done.

Thank you Marjan!

Run with me!

Join by mailing me emi@lovegun.net and I'll send you an invite.

You need to have the Nike + kit and iPod touch or iPod nano. Then you just get going. Running only, there are other challenges for walkers.

WE have a winner!

Congratulations McMarj! Get ready for your Meet the winners-interview!

Jenny

Klart du snart kommer klara milen. När jag sprungit en månad kunde jag bara springa EN KILOMETER!

Restoring runs

I lost a run this morning and was so frustrated. But with the help of unknown friends on the worldwide web I restored it. So if this ever happens to you, I can help!

love

-e

Where you feel the 10 km mark most

In the butt.

Friday

For the first time ever, I ran 10 kilometers today and it wasn't even that bad. Have you all broken that barrier already?
It took me a few months!
But now, it was easy.

GO GURO

GO GO GO GURO!

Koko's in the lead

She's running outside the box!

And she's almost 10 kms ahead of the rest of us.

Keep going!

iPod woes

I lost my iPod in Spain, but thought I had all my runs saved on my computer.
Important notice: your runs are only stored on your iPod until you upload them to nike.com

There are 20 kms that only I know about. You will never see them. Until, I guess, til you look at the rock that is my body!

On the plus-side, it might be good to know that the white flat nike+ thingie that you plug into the iPod survives a good warm/hot wash cycle.

Give Josefina a real challenge!

Come on Gurostavn, McMarj, Jenny Serneh! Beat Josefina!
My iPod currently will not compute but I will take you on Josie.
This win shall not be yours so easily.

-e

new challenge.

can anyone beat Josefina?

Congratulations all the way from Portugal. 
now, new challenge!

Runners, mail me!

If you want to be invited to this or any upcoming challenge, please mail me emi@lovegun.net
Mark the subject "run for the hills".
Then I'll add you to my mailing list and you'll keep getting invited til you tell me to stop.
This includes all of you.
You need to provide the e-mail address you use for Nike+ or the invite won't work.

I'll be away for a few weeks, chances are one of you will win the current competition. A new competition is set to start Oct 7th, wether this one is over or not.

love
-e

Meet the winners 3 - Karin

Charming, funny never-lost-a-boardgame Karin really shocked all of us when she won the most recent challenge. Not because she won, for afterall it was a COMPETITION and she hates losing, but because she won by running. She has never been a runner. She's used to taking long brisk walks, imagining she's wearing tweed, walking about some British region where she'll soon open a door to a lovely little cottage where she'll have tea and scones with clotted cream.

But now, she runs like the wind. Here are the secrets behind her win.

How often do you run?
3 times a week.

When do you run?
At night, usually before dinner.

Do you run alone or together with someone?
Always alone. I don't see the point in running together.

How far do you usually run?
Until last week, only a little more than 5 kms. But I realized that I had to run further in order to win. So last Sunday I increased the distance and ran 11 kms. So I guess now you can say I run between 5kms and 10.

What kind of shoes do you run in?
Nike, no clue what kind.

How do you beat the "I don't want to go running" moods?

I've activated the robot brain - there are no excuses to not go running. No matter what kind of excuse I give my self, I have to get out there. And now, I actually want to go running. I never thought I'd get there.

What music do you run to?
Robyn and Justin Timberlake

What is it that you like about running?
Being alone.
I also like to notice my improvement, that I can run faster and further....

Any winning tip?
Get into the competition! Josefina and I were so close along the way, the suspense was killing me, and there were others behind us, getting closer all the time. Without Josefina, I'd never have run as far as I did this weekend, so I guess you can say a huge slice of my progress is a result of the challenge.
-------
That's all from Karin. She's off to Nice to celebrate her win. Seriously.

ANA

Ana is in the lead right now. She's outside the box. You can be too, if you want to join this challenge but don't have a Nike+ thingie. Just mail me your kilometers. No cheating!

-emi

Congrats Karin!

Karin won. Now, time for next challenge: FORCE OF NATURE
mail me to receive an invitation if you want to join.

emi@lovegun.net

Meet the winners 2 - Clara

Clara won the "Run for victory. And great legs."-challenge. She really does have great legs. Clara is a talented copywriter, a wonderful friend and a hilarious dinner companion. She lives in the apartment of your dreams with her handsome husband and lovely kids. You want her around, like, all the time. Just perhaps not when you're in a competition. Cause she's likely to win. In her high school days, she was a very fast junior sprinter and hedge runner.

How often do you run?

I aim for 3 times a week, but that never happens cause life is so unpredictable.

What time do you prefer to go running?
Always at night, preferably before dinner, but sometimes after. Am too tired in the mornings.

Do you run alone or with somebody else?
It's just me. Me against time!

How far do you usually run?
At least 5kms but not further than 10 (so far) and everything in between.

What shoes do you run in?
New Balance

What music do you run to?
No music so far. The sounds of my breathing and panting are my only company. I will start running to music, I just haven't made any playlists yet. I think it will improve my running even more.

What do you like about running?

I like being outdoors, spending some time by myself. I also enjoy watching my own improvement.

Any winning secrets?
Try to consider your running as a privilege. Think of running as a moment of luxury instead of as a disgusting thing you need to carry out. Go running even when you don't feel like it. You'll never regret a run, but you're likely to regret not running.

Try to find your winning instinct, I'm sure it's there somewhere. When you find it, you're invincible.

Perhaps my most even run, ever

Flatliner.

Music: Stan Getz and João Gilberto

join the blog network

still not sure what it will be used for, but join it, facebook users! ------>

ps. I ran without the nike+ thing today, as I'd forgotten the thing at work. so annoying. feels like running in vain!

Meet the winners 1 - Josefina

All of you have not met Josefina, so let me start by telling you that she is a wonderful person. It's also her birthday today.

Josefina is the nicest programmer I've met. She's also very funny. She's from the north of Sweden and talks in the most appealing dialect.

She tells me she runs in Nike+ shoes but she can't remember the exact model.
Here are some more winning answers:

How often do you go running?
I try to run at least three times a week

When do you run?
Post work during the weekdays and mornings or early afternoon during the weekends.

Do you run together with someone?
No, mostly I run by myself.

How far do you usually run?
At least 5kms.

What do you listen to?
I listen to talk radio. Documentaries. When I listen to music, I tend to go for pop. On my most recent run, I listened to all saints, sugarbabes and amy winehouse.

What do you like about running?
I like how it clears my head and I like the exercise. I also like the competition. No way I would have run this much without the challenges.

Would you share your key to success, the secret behind your win?

I don't really have a secret. I think I just lucked out.


-----
sure. luck. see how modest she is? she was the winner. she ran further, faster. luck had nothing to do with it.

New concept:Meet the winners

Perhaps you'd like to meet the winners?
Starting today, I will make small features on your fellow runners.
Coming up: Josefina and Clara.

who could be next?
YOU.

way to go karin

out of nowhere, karin takes the lead, shocking us all by her newfound athleticism.
go karin, go!

Running?

Where are you running today? What's the weather like? What are you wearing? What are you listening to?

curious greetings from someone who's had problem getting running lately.

Grattis Clara!

Clara vann. Hon får hemligt pris. Det får du också om du vinner, nästa gång.
Nu utmaning börjar idag - först till 6 mil!

Bug found, don't despair

Ok, it seems next time you run, all your kms/miles are reloaded into the challenge.
So just keep running.
-e

Nike crashed by weight of human race?

I'm a little worried, but I don'tthink you should be. Keep running and I'm sure the correct stats will show shortly.

I tried calling Nike+ customer service. The estimated waiting time exceeded 20 minutes.
Let's try to forgive them and their silly race.
Soon, only ours will count.

Addicted to E-type

If there's a more inspiring song when you're tired than Campione, I want you to tell me what it is.

Addicted to Lance 2

Yesterday I ran faster than I felt like, just cause I wanted to hear Lance again.
I ran 5 km. I ended the workout. I was faster than ever. But no LANCE!
turns out he only gives you praise if you tell the iPod you will run 5km in advance.

poo poo. don't repeat my mistake.
-e

Addicted to Lance

I'm addicted to hearing Lance and Paula tell me I'm so great. At the same time intrigued, how do they split the praise? has any of you figured this out?

-e

JOSEFINA IS THE WINNER!!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS JOSEFINA, you made it first to 50 kms!
Are you in Stockholm?
Let's celebrate with lunch next week.

and now...a new challenge!

I'm Yelena Isinbayeva

I didn't run as fast as many of you, but I ran faster on my 5kms than I've ever done before. Paula Radcliffe told me so.

This is how I felt afterwards:

The drama

so ok,perhaps not every day. but often enough! I love interaction!
talk to me!

Improvement please

I love it that you're here, and that you run.
But would it kill you to comment?
I post questions every day, no one replies.
It's tragic.

What I saw

I saw horses and nature.
on my return, I saw my son fighting a pop star.















He'd already beaten the feared NASA-knight.



















I listened to Bollywood-tunes as I ran.
But I need to find a better selection before I recommend any such songs.

What did you see today? Where?

love.
-e

På svenska

Pröva själv.
Jag är ett litet tåg. Tuff tuff tuff.

Baring my soul for you

Dear fellow runners/readers, I'm about to tell you my cheesiest secret. When I run up a hill, and the entire body screams no, I have a secret weapon.

I tell myself "I'm a little train, choo choo"
the steam engine that can not be stopped.
works like magic.
will you still respect me in the morning?

-e

Without the Nike+ thing, indeed

I went running yesterday and today and both times I forgot the friggin iPod and thus have NO logged kilometers despite the fact that I covered 9 km in sweat. Oh well, vanity, I'll do it over. another day.

Also, know what happened to me? I had my Nike+ thing calibrated wrongly. Turns out I've been running much faster and further than I've thought.

Since I forgot the iPod at home, I couldn't run with music and so had to focus on birds singing, the scent of raspberries in the forest, the sight of ripe blueberries and the sound of my own breathing. My thoughts came and went.

The entire time I was missing the music like crazy.
Kylie-Life=1-0

Without the Nike+ thing

If you run without the Nike+ mojo, I'll just post your stats below. No cheating!
Above, proof that my PT is taking his job seriously.
If you need help I can help you, because he helps me.
-e

where are you?

are you all on vacation?
I now have two runners, sans nike+ things.
that'll be fine, but come on! I know you're here, I can see you.

If you're tired

I tried running to this, and it worked really well.

Paradisio - Bailando 03.48
Spinning Around 03.27 Kylie Minogue
Daft Punk - Around The World 04.02
Cant Get You Out Of My Head 03.50 Kylie Minogue
Rock With You 03.41 Michael Jackson
K-Jee 04.13 MFSB
Beyonce Feat. Jay-Z - Crazy In 04.08
Missy Elliott & Lil' Kim, TLC - Ladies Night 04.23
Rihanna - Umbrella ft. Jay-Z 04.19
Touch My Body (Remix) 03.25 Mariah Carey ft. Bizzy Bone
Shirley Temple - Come And Get Your Happiness 02.38

Back!

I'm back and ready to run with you.
I used to look with pity on runners.
"There goes another suffering new year's resolution" I would scornfully remark as panting suckers in sweatpants moved past me.

Then I wanted to start running, but thought I needed a personal trainer. And I can not afford one of those.

How lucky then, to find out that I live with one!
Do you?

ps. Yes, that's him in the background, working out with Joel.

Summer break

Bye, I'm off on a wireless less vacation.

Back in a few weeks. If  you get down on yourself beacuse of your running, mail me at emi@lovegun.net

I was you!

But now, after 30 some runs, I'm feeling joy instead of pain and misery.

It will happen to you!

-e

trying to create a new challenge

on the slowest connection known to mankind.

game over

well run everyone.
that was too long though, the "first to 30 km" challenge was more exciting.
I'll put up another one soon.

love
-e

Thankyou bus drivers

Recently I've received unexpected help in my endeavor to work out.
Stockholm bus drivers are on strike and as a result, I'm walking everywhere, fast.

Thank you, underpaid laborers!

way to go, hot to trot!

I was just about to can the whole challenge!

playlists

know what?
I'll make all 3 of them. when I have time. cause I want to.

you can look forward to running with me &

Aishwarya
























me & kylie


















I might even have you try running with me and the 80-year old republican shirley temple.

yay!

yay linda! yay hot to trot!
I was beginning to think I was alone in this.
come on jackert and mcmarj!

love!
-e

Ok, how do you feel like running?

Dear people, I'm planning playlists for this upcoming week's running.

Which one are you most interested in running to first?

Disco

Bollywood

30s and 40s music

New challenge

Most distance in 30 days

Game over

Congrats Simonji.
new challenge coming up soon.

ps. Simonji, how unfit are you really? With close to 900 completed km?

Come on people

You can beat me, and Simonji seems to have completed today's run. There's no reason you can't win this challenge!

I've had an incredibly long day. So glad it's over.

Tuesday

No run for me today, but that brisk walk yesterday wowee.
I feel the burn still.
I'm already thinking my behind is getting a little higher?
As in perkier.

Perhaps I can soon throw away my favorite ass enhancers, Oroblu's Shock-up with Brazilian effect!

How are you doing there people?
Tomorrow:

Be with baby
Work a little
Work out
Take other kids to swim school
Go to party

tell me your lists. if you can after having viewed the shock-up

challenge!

ps. if you can't join, mail me at emi@lovegun.net and I'll send you an invite.

Sunday

I think I lost you all. That's ok. I'll be writing this for myself, to stay sane. just that last sentence proves it's already too late!

Ran yesterday, but not today. Yesterday was good, I felt strong. it was easy.
today I have a massive cold and am quitting breast feeding.

But I don't feel sick and when life gives you melons, you'd better enjoy them.

Thursday

So yesterday I didn't run, but watched babies and saw my friend Lotta. But today I ran and it went well and I'm happy about that pouch for the Nike+ thing so I can run outdoors with regular non-Nike+ shoes and still get valuable help and cheers from Lance Armstrong.

I've also created a program for us, ladies.
Are you with me? Would you like to start tomorrow or Saturday?

I've never experienced runner's high. When suddenly it's so easy to run that you don't really have to think about it.

At a recent dinner we discussed this and sounded like 13-year olds discussing orgasms.

"I think maybe it happened to me once".

"It's happened to me, it was the greatest."

"I've never even been close. I don't think I'm ever going to experience it."

One friend described it as feeling your head floating through air.
She'd experienced it, but only after running so hard she really thought she'd die.

Have you experienced it?
I ran so hard today (for me), I was sweating more than I have in years. I ran 3 km. You can laugh now.

And you need to know that 24-K's Don't Go There is the best running song for unfit people. You can't be still while hearing it.

Today marks an important change for me - friskis&svettis are closing their baby sitting services for the summer. And next week they're closing all together, for a brief renovation project. This means I have to start running outdoors, without the help of the friendly helpful treadmill.
I'm scared.

-e

Tuesday

No running today, it was a rest/recovery day after all that running. But I did take two long walks with stroller and baby. And friend.

I tried to convince my friend to start running with me, but she said she had no motivation what so ever. Or time. She already looks good and she's pretty healthy. I had nothing to say. I hardly know why I'm doing it myself, I just have a strong feeling I will eventually love it. I want to be strong and fast and lean. Untouchable.

Also bought a pouch to keep that Nike+ thing in when I'm not wearing my special Nike+ shoes.

I was going to run tomorrow, but Lotta asked for help for the first time ever, and I'm so excited to get to see her again.

You'll all have to run for me.
Tell me how you're doing/what you're doing/ what you're doing instead of running. Pile it on!
-e

Sunday and Monday

I went to the gym both yesterday and today.
Yesterday, with the kids. I felt almost guilty for bringing the kids, don't they move enough?
But they liked it so much, Vanja went to three classes in a row.
Joel only to one, Family workout.

And in between that, I managed to run.
I love the treadmill, I need it, with its friendly display of time, incline and speed.
I think I'm getting stronger, but it's still pain. Though I love pretending I'm strong and sweaty like Linda Hamilton. Or Clarice.
You hear what decade I'm still living in.
Yes, that would be a different millennium.

Today I brought only one kid to the gym and discovered one of the benefits of headphones - you can't hear your baby scream.

I did my workout and then picked her up. I think Niki screamed for perhaps 5 minutes, in the arms of kind babysitting ladies. Turns out all she was asking for was a mashed banana, she just couldn't verbalize it. But thanks to the powers of my psychic mind, I could give it to her and put an end to the screaming. Unfortunately, mashing the banana meant no time left for weights.

oh well.

I ran to Kylie, over and over again. try it!

Saturday run

I didn't run yesterday, but today, Saturday I did. Before breakfast, running on empty. It was hard, but made a little easier with the help of Blondie and Clash, the latter with some of the weakest backing vocals I've ever heard. Touching.

Tomorrow, Kylie! Did you run today? How far? How fast?

Friday's music

Are you with me ladies? Are any males reading this or should I address the audience as a group of leotarded femmes?

This is what I'm running to tomorrow. Anyone can run with me at this level, I'm on the treadmill. Just the other day I managed to run for an entire kilometer without stopping. And the only reason I managed to do so was because Madonna kept screaming Deeeper and deeper in my ear. Without music I'm nothing.

But know what? That Nike thing is also magic. After each workout, Lance Armstrong tells me I'm so great. The way he tells it, I believe it. Kate Hudson, bah.


Ok, playlist:

• Keep it Coming Love KC & The Sunshine Band - 4.28
• Fantasy (Puffy remix with ODB) Mariah Carey 4.53
• Hanging On The Telephone Blondie 2.35
• Police On My Back The Clash 3.15
• Don't Go There 24-K 3.31
• Cant Get You Out Of My Head Kylie Minogue 3.50
• Dancefloor Kylie Minogue 3.25
• Spinning Around Kylie Minogue 3.27
• Let's Talk About Sex Salt N Pepa 3.30
• Everything's Just Wonderful Lily Allen 3.31
• Independent Women Destiny's Child 3.44
• Just A Little Samba Ugly Duckling 3.21
• Touch My Body (Remix) Mariah Carey ft. Bizzy Bone 3.25
• Young Americans David Bowie 5.09

If you try any of these, tell me how it was for you.
love
-e

ps. No I won't run all those songs, but I love flipping between songs when the going gets tough. Young Americans is for you as you dance home from your run, freshly showered and close to delirium due to post work out bliss syndrome.

Test

Does this work?

This is where we're starting

• 3 kids
• work
• little/no money for other activities
  
• adrenaline
• favorite jeans
• it feels so good

these are all reasons I've taken up running

have to clean up now, but soon I will tell you what music I'm running to.
if you tell me what you're running to.