Three Things Thursday

1. Countdown to running group reunion! In just over two weeks I get to see some of my favorite running buddies when we tackle Runaway to the Bay, a 55-mile relay from Oshkosh to Green Bay. So excited for this first-year event. Not only for the running aspect, but just getting to hang out with these girls, who I logged so many miles with last year.

2. I had an iPod failure on multiple runs this week. Monday night (when I decided to run in circles for 10 miles), I was all set to try out a new play list. See how the music matched up with the run, if I needed to move songs around, etc. Well, apparently I started with the wrong play list and didn't realize it until 4 miles into the run. Sigh. This is why I try to only have one play list loaded on the iPod Shuffle at a time. And then last night? I'm less than a mile into my run and the music fades to nothing. Nope, no transition between songs. I'm talking mid-song. The iPod was dead as a doornail. Guess I should listen the next time the Apple Lady says, "Battery low." At least I learned I can still (barely) run for 3 miles without tunes or a friend to talk to.

3. In non-running news, guess what happens when there's no new TV on, college basketball is limited to the weekends and you need something to entertain you on TV? You get sucked into a series that you're almost ashamed to admit you like. At least I did. And that's how I've managed to watch 2 entire seasons of Gossip Girl in the last 2.5 weeks. Can't. Tear. Myself. Away. I have Season 3 in my hands right now, and I've been good in terms of limiting how much I watch. I told myself I needed to do other things this week, like run and read this thing called a book. But I can assure you there will be more Gossip Girl viewing this weekend.

Three Things Thursday

1. After running Tuesday and Wednesday I decided to take tonight off. Really it was more that I was already at work late, I was starving and I had a few errands that needed to be done. So no running.

2. I won't have that excuse next week. It's the return of the week-long furlough, those great "unpaid" vacations my company has gotten into the habit of giving employees. I'll be spending most, if not all, of the week at my parents' house. There will be time for running. And hopefully some strength training and biking. And since my Dad is recuperating after having carpal tunnel surgery, I'm sure there will be some shoveling if there's snow. And I won't forget about that training plan I need to write. Or books I have to read. I'm pretty sure I'll find some ways to fill a week's worth of me time.

3. Does anyone else watch "Revenge?" OMG. I love this show. As in, I cannot miss a minute of it. So. Good. It's my must-see TV show. And considering I don't watch a ton of TV, that says a lot.

Three Things Thursday

1. Nothing like going from capri-wearing 50 degree weather to mid-20s and snow in a period of 24 hours. Oh well, such is weather in Wisconsin. Since it was still snowing pretty heavily, blowing and dark when I got out of work tonight I opted to get my run in on the treadmill at the YMCA. Nothing too exciting about the run. 5 miles. A decent pace. And a somewhat cranky IT band. Hmmm. Hasn't been bothering me too much lately. Also haven't been running on the treadmill lately. Coincidence? Maybe. But making a mental note to spend some quality time with my foam roller yet tonight.

2. After I got done with my run I wandered over into the weights area. GASP! And I even did a few reps on some of the machines! GASP! Not gonna lie though. I'm a little bit intimidated in that area. Especially since the  machines are new and I'm not quite sure what everything does. What I do know is that I need to figure out some kind of strength training routine. Because I think it will help if I incorporate that into my training. After I got freaked out in the land of weights, I headed back into the cardio room and spent 15 minutes on the stationary bike. Call it cross training if you want, but really it was an excuse to catch some of the Badger basketball game.

3. Speaking of Badgers and basketball. Yes, they won tonight. Snapping a three-game losing streak. And the added bonus was that the win came on the road. But that's not the important thing. On Sunday I get to see Renee! We're going to the Kohl Center to see the Badgers take on Nebraska. But we're meeting early to watch some football - hello the Packers are playing - and talk about all sorts of things, not limited to but including Badgers, running, triathlons, Ragnar Chicago and Revenge. Can't. Wait.

Three Things Thursday

1. I been a bit AWOL in blogland this week. Both on the reading/commenting front and the posting front. But I blame it on the library. See they sent me an e-mail on Monday and told me there was a copy of Glee, Season 1, Vol. 2 waiting for me with my name on it. Even since the end of October when I finished up with the first half of Season 1 I've been waiting patiently for the next chunk. And now that I have it, I love it. The Madonna and Lady Gaga episodes were amazing. I've got 2 episodes left to watch of Season 1 before I'm done. Then comes the question. Do I wait until Season 2 is released on DVD, cross my fingers it's available somewhere on the Internet or do I just cave and order the season pass on iTunes? I'm leaning towards the iTunes option at the moment.

2. Even though I've been slightly obsessed with Glee I have managed to run. I went for my first run post-RnR Las Vegas on Monday. I didn't have any set plan as to how far I'd go. I just wanted to run to see how it felt. And you know what? It felt good! I ended up doing 6 miles Monday and a 4 mile tempo run on Wednesday. My legs were a little tired tonight, but I pushed through for an easy 3.5 miles.

3. It's weird not having any races penciled in my calendar at the moment. I've got ideas swirling around in my head though. Maybe after the holidays and I get my fill of Glee I'll sit down and write about a tentative 2011 race schedule. Maybe.

Three Things Thursday

1. Apparently I like to jump on the bandwagon late. Example: The Sookie Stackhouse series. They've been around for how long? And I just read the first installment back in August? Well since then I've gotten through eight of the 10 books. And I've got about 100 pages left in book No. 9. But it's taken me a bit longer than I expected. Because I've been distracted by something else.

Glee.

Yeah, it only took me almost two seasons, but I finally watched my first episode on Monday night. Loved. It. But the library wants its DVDs back on Friday. And I've still got 6 more episodes to watch. Either it's going to be a few late nights or I'm going to start racking up a late fee. My money's on the late fee.

2. My sports bras and I are not getting along this week. Well actually just one of them. I wasn't thinking on Saturday when I got ready for the St. Joe's 5K and put on a sports bra I've had trouble with on longer runs. So midway through my 5 mile jaunt home it started. The chaffing. And now I've got a big ole raw spot on my chest, right where my regular bra sits. Kind of painful. It was healing up OK, but for some reason I wasn't thinking again last night when I packed for my 5 mile run on the treadmill. D'oh! Needless to say I've been gooping it up with Aquaphor or Neosporin all week.


3. I'll be channeling my inner diva tonight. After work I'm heading over to Fleet Feet Fox Valley for Diva Night with a friend. I've been told there will be a bunch of cool things going on, including a cooking demo, chair massages, raffles and bra fittings (probably a good thing given my luck with sports bras this week). I'll be back with a full report on how it went on Friday!

Three Things Thursday

1. I need to vent for a moment. I had plans today people. The weather man told me it was going to be sunny and 40. So I planned ahead, not only packed my gym clothes, but also a set of outdoor running gear. Because my plan was to take a short lunch and sneak out of the office a tiny bit early so I could change into running clothes and head off for my 5-mile run right from work in order to take full advantage of the spring-like weather.

That plan ended up being a total failure when I was stuck at work an hour longer than I was planning on. Meaning it was just starting to get dusky when I finished up. And even though there were sidewalks, I really didn't want to run outside by the lake in the dark. Especially since I was going to have to rely on Gus to tell me when my 5 miles were up.

So I headed over to the YMCA and even though I didn't want to, I did my 5 mile run on the treadmill. Kind of grumbling in my head the entire time. Took it nice and easy (hey, the plan says an "easy" run). Finished up 5.4 miles in 56 minutes. This weekend I will return outdoors for my 7-mile run.

2. I haven't watched The Office since Halloween. Too many things going on, not enough time to sit in front of the TV. But I had to watch it tonight. Because Baby Halpert was born. And I couldn't miss that. The result of watching the episode? I was instantly reminded that I need to find myself a Jim (both character- and looks-wise) and I need to catch up on the episodes I missed and start watching regularly again.

3. I just realized that I have an indoor tri on Saturday. Oops. I feel like I'm ready as far as the bike and run go. But the swim? Yeah, the last time I dipped a toe in the pool was back in January. During the last indoor tri. So I guess I'm going to wing it in the pool and hope for the best. And of course, just have fun.

The library folks were reading

Apparently it pays to whine about a library request on a blog.

Because today when I checked my email? There was a note from the library folks. A note telling me that Season 4 of The Office was waiting for me.

Needless to say I hurried over to the library during my lunch break and picked up the DVDs. And then promptly hid them in my car so they wouldn't taunt me the rest of the work day. But I couldn't resist. When I got home from work tonight? I popped in disc 1 and watched the first two episodes.

I was in heaven.

Some must-see-TV and a chipmunk

I admit, I'm not much of a TV watcher. Yes. I used to be able to watch TV and I had my list of shows I needed to watch.

But the last year or so? That list has dwindled. I don't know if it's because what's on TV is just so bad or because I can't sit still for 30 minutes or an hour. I dunno. But the list? It's almost non-existent.

When the fall TV season came on this year, I had a very short list. Grey's Anatomy and 24 when it started up in January. Well, October came and a night out with the girls for a drink or two became more important that sitting in a chair and keeping tabs on what was going on with Meredith and McDreamy and Izzy. I keep thinking I'll catch up with the Grey's gang, but at the rate I'm going, it might be summer before that happens.

Then 24 started up in January. And if there was one thing that was certain, it was that on Monday nights at 8 p.m. I would be parked in front of my TV for my date with Jack Bauer. Same place I've been for the last six season when Jack's saved the world. And I was doing good. Then a boy happened. And I missed a few episodes. And it was hard to catch up. So Jack's probably mad at me. Heck, we've probably broken up by now. Because I think I'm like eight hours behind on his latest saving the world from terror campaign.

Jack. I promise. I'm going to catch up. Hopefully before the season finale. I've still got, what, six hours? Gulp.

The boy did introduce me to a new version of must-see-TV though. The Office. Yes, I admit, up until a couple of months ago, I had never seen an episode. But we watched a few while I was visiting. And I was hooked.

I immediately came back to the City on the Water and reserved Season 1 at the library. I flew through it. Same with Season 2 and 3. I love 'em all, Dwight. Michael Scott. Stanley. Angela. Kelly. The Temp. I love 'em. But I admit, my favorites are Jim and Pam.

Sigh.

Jim.

But the end of Season 3? Where Jim comes back from the job interview in Manhattan, sticks his head in the conference room while Pam is talking to the cameras and asks her out to dinner. On a date? Oh my gosh!

And then the credits roll.

And the library? They aren't getting me the Season 4 DVDs quick enough. Must. Watch. Season. 4. Now. But it's not in yet. Some other fool is taking their sweet time. Probably will keep the DVDs too long, rack up a late fee and make me wait.

Must see more episodes of The Office and find out what happens to Jim and Pam and their date.

****

And speaking of dates. I went on one Friday night. It was one of those blind date varieties. In terms of looks he reminded me of Theodore (the chipmunk on the right) from Alvin and the Chipmunks and in personality? It was like hanging out with a 30-something man with the mentality of a college sophomore who could only say the word "Awesome" like a wanna be Boston boy. Kind of annoying. Needless to say there will not be a second date.

Don't mess with Jack

Jack's back. So good. And Tony? Apparently he's not dead.

Can't wait for part two tomorrow!

Don't mess with Jack

Umm, I think I need to be super productive today. Clean my bathroom. Clean my kitchen. Vacuum. Oh yeah, laundry. And I need to do it soon, because tonight?

Jack Bauer returns.

After a really, really long time.

And once the opening credits of "24: Redemption" begin to roll, I'm not moving from my comfy recliner. It will be good. And the 2-hour movie will tide me over until January, when my weekly dose of Jack Bauer goodness returns.

It couldn't stay in the non-evil category could it

Remember how I said my cable company wasn't so evil? Back in the day when they finally decided to get their butts in gear and offer the Big Ten Network?

I was a happy girl. I could finally watch my Badgers and not have to curse at the television because I didn't get the stupid channel where 70 percent of the games were televised.

I take it back.

My cable company? It's inching back towards evil.

This time it's the local FOX affiliate. There's been contract issues. And if they don't resolve it by Oct. 2? No more FOX. And that my friends? Could be very, very scary.

Three words: Green Bay Packers.

Yup. It's the station the Packer games are broadcast on. If it disappears I don't want to imagine what would happen. The entire Northeastern part of Wisconsin will probably erupt in a riot or blow itself up. Or blow up the cable headquarters. Either way. It won't be pretty.

And if that isn't enough, think about this.

No FOX would mean no Kiefer Sutherland. No 24.

If all of a sudden I can't watch the Packers or 24, the cable company would return to its evil status. I would be a very very unhappy Badgergirl. Even if I could still watch all of the Badger games.

Maybe cable isn't so evil.

I seriously need to think about forking over the money and getting my cable back.

Consider the following:

I could be watching Andy Roddick take on Fernando Gonzalez in a U.S. Open fourth round match. Roddick's amazing. His match Friday night? When he came back from almost two sets down to win it in four sets? Incredible. And I don't think I even need to argue about the eye candy factor.

But I don't have cable. And the tennis match? It's on the USA Network. Which means, I don't get it.

So what have I been kind of sort of watching for the hour and a half? 90210.

Needless to say, I'd rather be watching Andy.

Even if I had a road map, I was still Lost

I'm not a big TV watcher.

My Must See TV Schedule? It consists of two shows. Count 'em. Two. Grey's Anatomy and 24. Not hard to remember. And this season? It was only one show since 24 never even started due to the writer's strike.

I used to watch more TV, but then I realized there were so many other things that I could be doing with my time. Things I enjoyed. So I dropped a few shows. One of them was Lost.

I used to watch it religiously. But then they did a crazy thing and went on something like a three-month break mid-season last year. And I was confused about what was happening on the island. So I decided to give up my weekly dose of Lost.

But now? I've found myself flipping through the channels and stopping when I get to an episode of Lost. And I find myself wanting to watch it. But I've missed so many episodes, if I wasn't confused before, I'm definitely confused now. And if I wanted to start watching it again? Realistically, I'd probably have to go back to the beginning.

Then I remember. It's summer now. I have a little bit more time. And the episodes? All four seasons of them are available online. So I could technically catch up in time for the new season to start in the fall. And then it would be like I never left the island.

So I'm toying with it. I printed out an episode guide tonight so that I can make sure I'm watching the episodes in the right order. I'm not aiming to finish watching all four seasons in the next two weeks or anything. I'm thinking a few episodes a week might be doable.

Because I never stopped watching the show because it stunk. I stopped watching it because it took a really really long break. And I got confused. And forgot what was happening and was just too darn lazy to refresh my memory.

My memory's calling for a refreshment though. And I think Lost just might be what I need to keep me occupied through parts of this summer.

That cable employee had a good watch

I'm impressed.

The cable man? He apparently wears a watch. And it's apparently set ahead.

I can't justify the crazy cost of cable. I had the "expanded basic" package. It gave me channels like HGTV, ESPN, USA and TLC. And occasionally I would watch those channels. But I'm not much of TV watcher in general. I have better things to do with my time rather than sit in front of a glowing box. And besides, most of the stuff I do watch, I can find on network TV.

So I made the decision the other day. Cable TV had to go.

I called the company, put in my request and set up the appointment for the technician to come and monkey around with the outside cable box and haul away the box that was hooked up to my TV. I was told he was going to be here "sometime" between 5 and 8 p.m.

Great. You know how that works. I figured the guy would either show up early and I wouldn't be here yet because I'd be on my way home from work or else he'd come knocking at my door at 8:15 p.m.

I was lucky today.

I pulled into my driveway and there the cable truck was parked.

At 4:55 p.m.

The cable man did his job, took the box and he was gone by 5:15 p.m. Nice.

So now I have fewer channels to choose from when I want to waste time. But I'm saving $40 a month. Which I'm not going to argue with.

Now if only I can find the remote control that came with my TV. Seems I've managed to lose it.

This crying over television shows? It has to stop.

Was I the only one or did anyone else bawl like a baby when Meredith and the Chief put Meredith's mom to rest?

Because I totally bawled. Like a baby. I admit it.