Think First

I am still recovering from Madonna floor seats. With that being said, I am going to bring a story back from the archives. This one will be good for a big laugh.

Almost every summer I run the Firecracker Run in Excelsior on the 4th of July. This particular summer, Jessie and I were running late (not surprising). We get in the car, get halfway to Excelsior and the gas light dings. BING Low on gas!!! Well I have never run out of gas in my entire life. Not to the point where the car stops. So I get a little nervous because we are late and still have a little ways to go to get to Excelsior. So we hold our breath and focus on getting to the run. We'll worry about the gas later.

After the run, we get in the car and start driving home. BING Low on gas!! CRAP CRAP. Well the best news is neither one of us has ANY money. No cash, no debit card, no credit card, nothing. We drove to the race and now we have to make it back while the car is DINGING. 

Both of us are little worry-warts. So we are panicking and starting to craft a plan. Hold on tight for this one folks:

Jessie: Well we have to go home and get money and then we'll go get gas. 

Me: OK

Jessie: But I don't think I should stop the car because what if it doesn't start or keep going?

Me: Um??!?!?

Jessie: So I think I'll slow down as we go past the house, you jump out, and I'll keep going. 

Me: OK

Is there anything wrong with this scenario?? Why am agreeing to jumping out of a car and does anyone think this is a good idea??

So Jessie slows the car down to about 8 miles per hour, I open my door, look out the door at the moving pavement, turn my body towards the back of the car, panic for a moment, and then jump out.

I hit the pavement, my sunglasses fly off my face, I do a couple rolls and then I bounce up and limp/run into the house. Remember-I don't want the car to run out of gas.

I grab the money, I limp/run down the street and get back in the car.

Jessie: Oh my gosh are you okay???? 

Me: Yes but I scraped in between my butt cheeks when I hit the ground. AND I lost my favorite sunglasses!!!

Jessie: I was so worried when I lost sight of you. And you aren't supposed to jump out of the car backwards. It's like a treadmill, why would you ever go the wrong way of the moving ground???

Me: Yeah that was so stupid.

So we get gas and then start laughing uncontrollably. 

It really is NOT smart to attempt to jump out of a moving vehicle. EVER

But it is very funny in hindsight.

I still miss those sunglasses. 

Commitment, Crimped Hair, Karma, and Upgrades

What do commitment, crimped hair, karma, and upgrades all have to do with each other? MADONNA. A once in a lifetime opportunity. Madonna had not been to the Twin Cities for 25 years (which would have made me only 3 last time she was here). We decided that the 4 of us girlfriends were going to go. So we waited and bought our cheap tickets for nosebleeds seats only a few days before the event.

Madonna was playing two shows, Saturday and Sunday. We had tickets for Sunday - a WORK night ;) 

Commitment: When going to a Madonna concert for probably the one and only time in your life - you do not wear a turtleneck sweater and loafers. You wear a Madonna outfit. You ask around and find a crimper for your hair, you buy a lace dress and cross necklaces, you buy an 80's crimped hair wig, you wear a fur coat, put your hair in a side ponytail, and tight roll your jeans. 

Upgrades: So we go the Xcel center and get many claps and whistles while crossing the street. Once there, we walk around and scope out all the other Sunday night Madonna go'ers. Not many look as good as us...but I am biased. Then we ride the long escalator up to the 200 section to our seats. While we are messing around getting our picture taken, a nice woman walks up to me and says in a calm voice "would you girls like to be upgraded to floor seats?"

 After the shock of realizing what just happened, we all screamed like little school girls and took off DOWN the escalator. "How do you even get to the floor seats? I've never been down there?" Once in a LIFETIME.

Did this really happen? I attribute this to a couple of factors. 
Commitment
Karma - I do not necessarily believe in luck, but in karma. Many people will say I am very lucky. I believe I am very blessed in all aspects of my life but I also believe in karma.

But when talking to my mom about my experience she said "what is karma?" Not in the sense that she had never heard of it, but seriously- what is karma? How do you get it? How do you reap the benefits? etc

This made me stop and think. What exactly is karma?? Before I looked up the real definition, I started to think about what it means to me. 

It means that I try every day (as best I can) to put out good vibes into the world, do good for others, listen to everyone, be respectful, not get too angry when someone cuts me off while driving, treat my body with respect and admiration, take deep breaths, send cards to my friends and family, have a positive attitude most of the time, and overall be a good person that others want to be around. 

Here are some internet definitions of karma:

• From Urban Dictionary: Karma is a word from the philosophy of many Indian religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism). The basic theory is that the universe runs according to certain laws, all described by one word 'Dharma' (Sanskrit) or 'Dhamma' (Pali). The basic theory is: 'cause and affect'. The laws (Dharma) decide what affect is beget from a given cause. Karma is the 'cause' part of this theory. In other words, your actions - mental, vocal and physical are your Karma (plural). 

• From Free Dictionary.com: The total effect of a person's actions and conduct during the successive phases of the person's existence, regarded as determining the person's destiny

• From Merriam Webster: the force generated by a person's actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to to determine the nature of the person's next existence

Spend a moment and decide what karma means for you, go do it, and see what happens. Maybe you'll get upgraded to floor seats to see Madonna. 

Her show was incredible.

Have a great week and remember that karma can be both good and bad.

Go put some good karma out into the world.

Rules of Zombieland

Sometimes I have a hard time using my imagination. This may seem strange because I have creative outfits for running, I create fun work outs for my classes, I create crazy fun vacations, but sometimes I have a hard time letting my mind expand. For example - I can not watch movies that require imagination. Any super hero movie - fall asleep. Disney is sometimes worth staying awake for. Scary movies can get boring if they are too far fetched. Movies that want you to "figure out your own ending" are way out of my book. But today's blog is about a movie that I actually like that requires imagination "ZOMBIELAND" and it's fitting since yesterday was Halloween.  If you have not seen the movie, here is the trailer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m9EVP8X7N8

I think there are some valuable lessons from this movie and they  use "rules" in their zombie killing. I'm going to go through some of them and how they can apply to real life and give you articles to read as resources.  But keep these rules in mind in case there is a zombie apocalypse one day.

Rule #1 - CARDIO

Now this one is fairly self explanatory. To me this means exercise. For a long time this has been my passion in life. To push my own body, to share my knowledge, to motivate others, and to move at least a little every day. There are so many many many many benefits of exercise. Here are just 50.

http://www.lifetime-fitness-routines.com/benefitsofexercise.html

Rule #2 - DOUBLE TAP

This rule is really about making sure you run over a zombie twice with your car to make sure they are dead. But let's just think about what this can mean in life. What about follow through? Seeing something until it is done? Setting a goal. Following through. Here is an article about following through with your goals.

http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/learn-the-art-of-following-through-5-steps-to-ensure-you-will-achieve-your-goals/

Rule #3 - BEWARE OF BATHROOMS and ALWAYS BRING A CHANGE OF UNDERWEAR

Let's be honest. This is just a good guiding principle for life and needs no further explanation. In all of my running, I know to beware of bathrooms - especially porty pots. 

Rule #4 - SEATBELTS

Also so very self explanatory. Please wear your seatbelts.

Rule #5 - GET A KICK ASS PARTNER

This applies in so many avenues of life. Get a kick ass friend, spouse, pet, work out buddy, etc. So many studies have proven that if you have a connection to someone or something else in the world, you will live longer. We are meant to connect with others in this world and have them help us out when needed. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/business/retirementspecial/for-older-adults-close-connections-are-key-to-healthy-aging.html?_r=0

Rule #6 - A LITTLE SUNSCREEN NEVER HURT ANYBODY

Again - so true. As a fair skinned girl from the northern parts, this rings true in my book. Once you've had a few bad sunburns, you know why you need sunscreen. However, read this article for some good information on the debate over Vitamin D. 

http://experiencelife.com/article/the-vitamin-d-debate/

I have only highlighted my favorite rules, but for a complete list of the zombie rules, click here.

http://www.zombielandrules.com/

Sometimes I may lack imagination and creativity, but as you all know...............

Have a great first of November and I hope you all enjoy what is left of fall before the great holiday season.

As always - if you enjoy my blog - do me the honor of spreading the word to friends and family.

Lindsey

A Weekend of Firsts

This past weekend I went to St. Louis to run the Rock 'n Roll half marathon. Among the "firsts" from this trip included: touring Busch Stadium, eating a bacon wrapped hot dog, setting a personal best in the race, going up to the top of the arch, and meeting my college friend Aimee's beautiful new baby Moriah. 

But most importantly, the biggest "first" involved a dog.

So when driving back Jessie and I decided to stop at the same gas station in northern rural Missouri that we had stopped at on the way down. We pull into the parking lot and I say "ugh! what person lets their dog wander around in the gas station parking lot not on a leash?"  I get so frustrated when dogs are not on a leash especially in a busy location.  So I pump gas and realize this dog is trotting towards me.  I panic because I don't want the dog to get hit by a car, so I try to get her to come near me. She does and the people next to me say "she's been here all week. We come here twice a day and we have seen her for many days." What???? These people have just been letting this dog run around a gas station for days?  I have a deep pit in my stomach.

Now the dog has run into the gas station and I follow her in so I can chase her back outside. The woman working says someone has DUMPED the dog at the gas station over a week ago. Who does this??????

By the time I walk back to the car, I know what's about to happen. There is a family standing by their car and the mom says "just take her home" and the guys on motorcycles say "I would take her if I wasn't on my bike." Jessie and I look at each other and without speaking....put the dog in the car. There was NO way I could have left the dog there to die.

She was calm, sweet, mellow, chill, happy, and content. The next day she went and got a rabies shot and a bath/groom/haircut. Now check out the cutie...SO CUTE!

Have you ever "saved" anyone or any animal? It is the most amazing feeling in the world. I know all animal lovers can relate, but they talk to you. My first dog Rio jumped right into my car when I adopted her from a family I did not know and I knew that I was "saving" her. With this dog, she nuzzles up to me and Jessie like she's saying thank you. When we looked through the glass at the groomer's she sprinted across the floor and put her nose up to the glass. Her eyes say it all. "Thank You" 

I have to say, picking up an abandoned dog at a gas station was the best "first" thing I have done in a long time.

Remember, picking up a dog is not the only way to save someone. It can happen at any moment, at any time, and with anyone.

"To the world you may just be one person but to one person you may be the world."

Have a great weekend as fall (aka snow) has hit Minnesota. Hug those you love and save a dog :)

As always, if you enjoy my blog, do me the honor of passing it on to friends and family.

More Fun

So apparently I took my own advice last week about having fun because after I got back from vacation, I just continued to have fun.

• My very first Minnesota Landscape Arboretum visit on a beautiful fall day.
• Painting ceramics at Color Me Mine (I am NOT an artist or very creative).
• Played Phase 10 at Chatterbox with friends
• Valley Scare (haunted houses and roller coasters)
• World's Largest Corn Maze Run
• Fall fun including pig races, launching pumpkins through a cannon, laying in a corn pit, and jumping on a giant air pillow
• LYNX WNBA play off game
• Talked on a professional panel to a group of seniors at St Cate's
• 3 movies (Trouble with the Curve, Here Comes the Boom, and Perfect Pitch). All were fantastic.

Arboretum

Valley Scare

Corn Maze Run

Pumpkin Cannon

Corn Bin

Giant Pillow Jumping

MN LYNX

Pig Races

Arboretum

But the best example this week of having fun starts with "gangnam style" Below is the music video to watch so you have an idea. This guy is from Korea and made this video and it exploded in around the world. One night a couple weeks ago when I first watched the video I got out of bed at 11:15 to try the dance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0

Now pause for a moment and picture an 80 year old woman doing this dance. Because that is the video you are about to watch. My best friend's grandma practiced the dance for weeks so they could do the dance together.  Three generations of women dancing to gangnam style. Amazing. She was choosing to have fun. (The video starts out a little dark but gets better).  

http://youtu.be/gR-JquF_pfk

Take a moment to read this article about laughter to remind yourself why it is so important.

http://www.helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm

Happy fall, go eat or drink some pumpkin and remember to laugh.

Lindsey

Too Much Fun

This last week I traveled out East to visit my friend Kendra from Truman who live in Pittsburg and also on to visit two of my brothers in Maryland.

It has been two years since I have seen Kendra. We ate great food, drove to a beautiful lake, went power shopping, made a veggie jack o lantern, went to a birthday party, ate more great food, ate Pittsburg popcorn (amazing!!), drank tons of coffee (me), and enjoyed catching up. Too much fun.  No matter how much time passes with out chatting, we can always pick up where we left off.

Then I had my first Mega Bus experience. Now I have never been on the bus before and heard a few horror stories. It picked up at the Pittsburg Convention Center and dropped off in Frederick, Maryland. As normal before a road trip and after a large cup of coffee I have to use the bathroom. So I have about 20 minutes before we load up and I wander through the convention center...with my suitcase in tow. I end up wandering through the Pediatric Oncology and Heptology Nurses Convention to find a bathroom. They looked at me really funny....but success I found a bathroom! 

The bus was a hit. No puking on board by anyone, no screaming or crying kids. Just quiet, peaceful riding. Perfect solution.

I get to Maryland to hang with my older brother Blair and younger brother Derek. More good eating, relaxing, and catching up. 

One evening we played Monopoly. When was the last time you played Monopoly (if you don't have kids!)? I wanted to hang up the game when it started to feel too much like real life. I had $5 to my name and I was rounding the part of the board where Park Place had hotels built on it. (Rent was $900) "How am I supposed to get past all of these hotels without landing on it before pay day?" and then what happens? I get paid my $200 salary and I land on the "Pay Income Tax of $200" spot. Damn. So real life. It wasn't like that when I played when I was 10 years old.

But a big reason I went out was to run with Blair for his first half marathon. We committed to this back in the winter or spring. He did not start out as much of a runner...but I am. In my usual excited way about athletic endeavors I said 

• what a great idea!
• we can do it together
• it's ONLY a half marathon :)
• it will help you set a goal
• if you sign up, I'll come visit

And so we trained throughout the year and the day arrived. We went over pre race prep, clothing, eating, and our strategy. 

Strategy = run until you get tired and then walk.

Race morning came and it was gloomy, wet, rainy, and perfect. Us fair skinned people love the cooler weather. We started out, ran, walked, ran, walked, I took pictures, happily ran along, and encouraged him and we were already at mile 10! At mile 12 a lady walked by me and said

"You are having TOO much fun" 

She shook her head and laughed. She said.."I have been behind you guys the whole time watching you take pictures, run along, and laugh" I told her it was Blair's first race and she said "OOoohhh a race virgin...perfect" She was so funny and I guess I hadn't realized how much fun I as actually having. Such a great thing to share with my brother. And who says half marathons aren't fun???

 And we DID IT! His first (and surely not last) half marathon. We turned a non runner into a half marathoner.

So think about this? When was the last time someone observed you having TOO MUCH FUN? 


Here is an article for thought. It is about healthy habits for kids. But oddly enough they can fit adults too. My favorite suggestion - PLAY. Have FUN

http://www.lifetime-weightloss.com/blog/2011/9/11/8-house-rules-for-healthier-kids.html

Have a great week. Now go out and have so fun and play.

Your One and Only Life

First of all - I LOVE fall.  Everything about it. The trees, the food, the new sweaters I bought, etc.  The leaves are turning colors and crunching on the ground.  My dogs lift their nose into the air and smell the freshness and then roll in the leaves.  

Hopefully you can all enjoy fall as much as I do. Drink a pumpkin spice latte or eat a pumpkin flavored food. It's good for the soul. 

But today's post comes from a movie I went to today.  "Won't Back Down" with Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis. It is a movie about a mother whose daughter is suffering in a failing school. She partners with a teacher to take over the school because they care about their children being treated fairly and getting an education. I won't give away the ending....but go see it!!

A quote from the movie. "What are you going to do with your ONE and ONLY life?"

WOW. Ponder that quote for a minute. What are you going to do with your one and only life? How are you going to live? What is your legacy? How will you spend your days? What are your priorities? Whose life are you going to influence? Are you taking care of yourself? Are you treating your one and only body well?  

Blog is short and sweet this week.

What are you going to do with your ONE and ONLY life?

Go out and LIVE IT!!!!!