June is a great time for running -- June Dingo thread....

[kerc]

Hi, welcome to june. It's national running day, get out there!

[Plady]

Kerc - You drink a soda or are you just jazzed up on running and shopping?   I watched Biggest Loser.  It and Glee were the only things I ever made an effort to watch while we still had tv (canceled it yesterday )  Anyway, yeah, I think you could do it.  I was inspired as I watched the formerly morbidly obese ladies shrink past my own weight.  I had a rough week on my low carb life last week, I was cheating here and there which apparently coincided with whatever time of the month it is that makes me bloat out like a dead seal on a hot day.  Today I seem to have shrunk and my weight is once again down in the 140's (I'd like to end up in the high 130's) so I've got hope again.  Anyway, I bet if you really do keep at the running and maybe do some dietary tweaking you could totally hit your goal.

Hit the pool early this morning and did lots of brick saving.  Sadly I don't think my brick would consider me much of a hero, I managed to get it to the side of the pool with its neck stabilized but the catch was it was underwater the whole time.  I'll have to work on that.

U/SR: Just got the word that there are two tiny ut. fibroids but nothing to worry about otherwise.  Turns out that all the stooping and squatting and bending and straightening seems to be really helping my effing hip.  Who'd a thought exercise would help?  JK I know all of you knew that already!

Happy June!

[kerc]

Originally Posted by Plady 

Kerc - You drink a soda or are you just jazzed up on running and shopping?

Jazzed up on shopping? er, no. Just annoyed that I cannot find anything to wear that's remotely stylish, appropriate and affordable. But on the dietary tweaks .... June is soda + alcohol free month for me. I figured the 200 calories in a beer every day weren't helping. And soda always = less water drinking.

Pleased to hear the hip is better....even if it is sort of better.

[MelW]

I have a bad habit of not posting for a few days because I get behind and overwhelmed by what I want to say vs. the capacity of my brain to remember it all long enough to post. Then I make a plan to take notes, and the toddler steals the pen and  tries to tattoo herself/her sister/her doll/the fridge with it and I give up... So thank you for the June thread (plus nap-time) for helping me post.

Real, Gaye & Jen, terrific races and fun race reports!!

La, I love the spontaneous compliment from the drive-by-runner.

RR- I've been doing daily short bike rides, and fit in a 40 min. swim yesterday. I really, really miss running. And bootcamp, which I can't do with my current work schedule, since I teach both evenings that it's offered. My weight is the same, but I'm feeling softer and less strong and cal feel a little love handle creeping up my back over the past couple of months. I want to run hard and feel strong again :(

NRR- It's my birthday tomorrow, and my gift from the family is that they're going away Sat/Sun and I get to stay home all by myself!!! The weather is supposed to be fantastic, so I'm planning a hike up the valley, and maybe my first lake swim of the year (hit the ocean last weekend, but didn't really swim because I had both kids with me). Part of me feels like I should go out on Saturday night, but the temptation to go to bed early and sleep well is pretty strong, too.

[sparkletruck]

Oh my golly MelW that sounds like a PERFECT birthday!!! I know what Im asking for next year

Kerc - Ive never in my life had a PCP. I just went to a gyno when the need arose, but pretty much, unless Im about to die of pneumonia, I havent gone to doctors..... but yes, dr. dh is good for strep tests

[Mel38]

Originally Posted by MelW 

 Then I make a plan to take notes, and the toddler steals the pen and  tries to tattoo herself/her sister/her doll/the fridge with it and I give up...

[JayGee]

Part 2 of my 3 part workout for the day is done ~ 2000 yards in the pool.  Group ride to come tonight!  Today is the MOST perfect summer day.  Bright sunshine, low humidity and a toasty 91 degrees.  After the big kids got out of school at 10:30am, we had lunch with friends and headed to one of the pools on the Air Force Base to swim.  The pool was SO freaking cold!  But anything feels refreshing when it's this warm.  Now everyone is relaxing and enjoying some down time at home.

kerc ~ I think 15 lbs by Labor Day is totally do-able.  In fact, I need to lose about the same amount.  A month of bingeing/depression has ballooned me up to almost 130 (and I'm only 5'1", so that's in the "overweight" range for my height).  I'll join you in giving up the beer.... as soon as we finish off the 12 pack of Killians I picked up this past weekend .

MelW ~ that sounds like the best birthday weekend, ever!  Enjoy!

[tjsmama]

Yep, still tired. In theory, I could have gotten a nap this afternoon, since we got out of orientation early. In reality, um, not so much. And now I have a 7 am meeting with my nurse educator tomorrow, so that's one less hour of sleep I will be getting tonight. At least I can (kind of) sleep in on Saturday. Although not too long if I want to get a workout in, and then shop for a wedding present and something to wear to a 5 pm wedding.

The upside of orientation today was that they let all the flex employees go home at lunch (yet we still get paid for the full day) because the afternoon was going to be about benefits, which we don't get. So, I got to go to DS's preschool class picnic, and I'm so glad. It was nice. And sad. I got a little teary about his last day of preschool EVER. Sniff.

Then, since we had the time (and really, there was no way DS would have let me nap anyway), we went to the Y. I had zero motivation, but I forced myself to get in and swim 1000 yds. That's about all I could make myself do, but at least it's something, right?

[Plady]

Originally Posted by JayGee 

Today is the MOST perfect summer day.  Bright sunshine, low humidity and a toasty 91 degrees. 

Um.  I'm glad you like it.  I'd be dying in that heat.

MelW -   Enjoy your quiet weekend!  Mine is Friday.  Dh and I are going on a two night w/o kids to Seattle to see U2.  I had tickets for last year and then they canceled the tour but as it turns out it is much much more convenient this year.

RR: Well, I failed at getting a run in for National Running Day but I did finally get my bike out and ride it in and out of town instead of driving.  My goal - which I am stating out loud here for accountability purposes - is to use my bike for at least one round trip to town each day.  On a typical day I'll have to go in two or three times.  Often I'll stay in town trying to stay busy just to avoid another trip but I've got so many things I need to do at home I hate to feel like I'm wasting hours that way.

[doctorjen]

Here's the race list for the June thread. Please PM me if you'd
like me to add something for you!

: dingo race list
:

Naughty Dingo - Dances with Dirt Devil's Lake Trail Marathon - July 9

Realrellim - Middle Park Half Marathon - July 9

memiles - Warrior Dash - July 16

Nemesis and dh - Minnesota Warrior Dash - July 23

tjsmama - Courage Classic Bike Tour - July 23-25

Realrellim - Lookout Mountain Triathlon - July 23

MotivatedMama - Beach to Beacon 10K - August 6

tjsmama - Ironman 70.3 Boulder - August 7

bec - Bangs Lake Multisport Festival (Olympic distance triathlon) - August 14

tjsmama -  Venus de Miles Road Ride - August 28

mommajb - Indy Women's Half Marathon - September 3

bec and bec's dh - Warrior Dash Upper Midwest - September 17

mommajb - Columbus Marathon - October 16

bec - Hot Chocolate 15K - November 5

Naughty Dingo - Seattle Marathon - November 27

 Other places to find the Dingos:

: cooking blog :

knitting blog

We have a private Yahoo group. Submit a request to join and mention your MDC
username in the request so we know who you are.

We also have a private location map. Send a PM to eksmom to get info
and join up.

Why are we called the Dingos?
See this post

Edited by doctorjen - 7/4/11 at 7:40am

[doctorjen]

2011 Dingo Race Results 

babybugmama - Walt Disney World Half Marathon - January 8 (First half of Goofy challenge) - 2:21:14
babybugmama - Walt Disney World Marathon - January 9 (Completion of Goofy Challenge) - 5:08:02
Nickaroloberry - Disney Marathon - January 9, 2010 - 4:59:14 (PR!)

HomeBirthMommy - Walt Disney World Marathon - January 9, 2010 - 6:12:57

Realrellim - Frosty's Frozen 5 and 10, 10 miles - Jaunary 15 - 1:33:51

Tjsmama - Yeti Chase 10K - January 22 - 1:05:18

Realrellim - Snowman Stampede 10 miles - February 19 - 1:29:05

Nickarolaberry - Scrub J 10K - February 19 - 1:01:42

JayGee - Ofallon YMCA Indoor Triathlon - February 26 - 47:14

modmom - Disney Princess Half Marathon - February 27 - 2:16

Runningmommy - 10K - March 5 - 47:16

Nickarolaberry - Sarasota Half Marathon - March 13 - 2:03:50 (PR!)

Nickarolaberry - Springfest 5K - March 19 - 26:43 (PR!)

MelW - CVRR Half Marathon - March 20 - 2:10:51 (PR!)

poppywise - Oakland Half Marathon - March 27 - 2:34:57 (PR!)

Mel38, poppywise - Cooper River Bridge Run 10K - April 2 - 1:09:18 

bec, and bec's dh - Reach Out and Run 5K - April 9 - 37:40

Nickarolaberry - 10K - April 9 - 58:45 (PR!)

Realrellim - Platte River Half Marathon - April 10 - 1:57:38 (PR!)

Geofizz - runcbus 10 miler - April 10 - 1:34:42

Penelope - Lincoln Half Marathon - May 1 - 2:17:42

Bec - Indy Mini Half Marathon - May 7 - 2:43:20

Naughty Dingo - Lake Monona 20K - May 7 - 1:50

Naughty Dingo - Syttende Mai 20 Mile - May 14 - 3:15 

tjsmama - Summer Open Sprint Triathlon (converted to duathlon due to weather) - May 22 - 1:34:23

Mel38 - Charleston Sprin Triathlon Series - May 22 - 1:31:07

Naughty Dingo - Madison Marathon - May 29 - 4:29:43

Realrellim - Bolder Boulder 10K - May 30 - 55:33

tjsmama - Bolder Boulder 10 K - May 30 - 57:13

doctorjen - Streator YMCA Memorial Day 5K - May 30 - 27:39

bec - Naperville Triathlon - June 12 - 1:51:24 

tjsmama - Loveland Lake to Lake Triathlon - June 25 - 3:40:16

Realrellim - Grand Park Run for Independence - July 2

doctorjen - Streator Run for Glory 5K - July 2 - 26:27

2010 Results

Edited by doctorjen - 7/4/11 at 7:43am

[Nickarolaberry]

Hi all. Subbing.

[JayGee]

Yesterday's training day ended well with 23 miles on the bike with some women from the local bike shop.  And I made a new friend!  I already started today with a 3 mile run before everyone got up.  I'm planning to run M-Th mornings, between 2 and 3 miles through the summer, and then do a longer run on Saturday or Sunday morning.  At least by getting all the running in early I'll avoid the heat/humidity and be able to do a swim or bike during my regular workout time.  Plus, I really like starting my day off with a run.

First full day of summer break here ~ we're buying new swimsuits for all 3 kids, going to the library and making a plan for the next 2 1/2 months.  I do not want to fritter away the summer.  So far we're doing a reading program (designed by me), a weekly adventure every Friday, a weekly science experiment (ideas from scientist dingoes appreciated), and all three kids made Sunshine Math binders to work through over the summer.  Plus lots of pool time, playing time, and enjoying our almost-done backyard time!

[sparkletruck]

Go Jaygee!! That reminds me to get some sort of program going for these kids, even if its just "strewing" [workbooks around the house].

On that subject dd1 is a voracious reader, as I know other 8 year olds are on this thread. She reads at the upper end of the 9-14 level which is getting harder for me to find age appropriate books (i.e. no preteen sexual inuendo, body image concerns, menstrual initiation etc.) Any suggestions?

OMG, I came here to say something that I thought must have been worth posting for and now I totally cant remember! Maybe later ....

[kerc]

Originally Posted by sparkletruck 
On that subject dd1 is a voracious reader, as I know other 8 year olds are on this thread. She reads at the upper end of the 9-14 level which is getting harder for me to find age appropriate books (i.e. no preteen sexual inuendo, body image concerns, menstrual initiation etc.) Any suggestions?
 

myself as we're gearing up for summer.

Erin's reading Percy Jackson right now, having finished Harry Potter.

We read The Magician's Nephew as a family (the first book in the Narnia books). I liked it and I'm not a fantasy reader.

She also just read The Indian in the Cupboard, which she liked and I'm pleased that there's apparently a whole series. I don't love the "Indian" part of it, but it provided a nice context to talk about stereotypes.

[LaLaLaLa]

Mel and Plady--Happy Birthday!  Both of your plans sound wonderful.  I hope they mark the start of the best year ever.

JayGee--I'm jealous that your summer is starting already.  We had so many snow days this year, my kids are in school until June 23rd.  I'm so done.  For the past week I've forgotten to send stuff to school with my kids nearly every day.  Library books, homework folder, gym sneakers, and, today, a note saying DD can take the bus home instead of being picked up as usual.  Ugh.  My mom-self is rapidly deteriorating.  I need a vacation.

As far as science stuff, have you done liquid chromatography?  Cut a strip of coffee filter, put a dot with a dark marker, pen, or food coloring on it, dip the bottom below the dot in water or acetone or rubbing alcohol (depending on the ink type) and watch the ink separate into its components.  When I was teaching I ran a crime lab and we used this method to determine which of several black pens wrote the note from the killer, as each formula of ink has a specific signature.

We also made oobleck at one point, which is cornstarch and water and is a non-Newtownian fluid (the faster you stir it, the harder it gets to stir), which can lead to a nice discussion of Newton's laws and the exceptions to those laws.

We also made density columns using all sorts of stuff, the instructions for which I found on the internet.  If you pour slowly enough, you can very dramatically pour something of higher density through lower density fluids without completely destroying everything.  I used food coloring for the different substances, which made for a pretty layered column. 

Fun summer!

I ran just over 3 miles this morning and right this moment should be using my time wisely to vacuum the rug.  Instead, I'm here on the internet, where I will probably remain until I frantically need to get into the shower and pick up DS to go meet my mom an hour away for lunch.  My grandmother will be there, too, which is stressful as she is 83 years old, still living on her own, and is becoming more and more addled all the time.  I wish I could help my mom more, as she is frustrated and upset most of the time.  It sucks to get old.  It also sucks to watch people you love get old and in the process lose every part of their personality bit by bit.  Almost all of the grandmother I knew as a child, the smart, sarcastic, funny, kind, fearless woman has faded away.

[Geofizz]

Missed the June thread.  Waiting on Elliot to get picked up after a PTO meting so I can photocopy my final, get donuts, and give the final.  Then I have a faculty meeting.  Without the playdate solution I'm hosed.  C'mon.  Show up lady!!
 

Originally Posted by kerc 

myself as we're gearing up for summer.

Erin's reading Percy Jackson right now, having finished Harry Potter.

We read The Magician's Nephew as a family (the first book in the Narnia books). I liked it and I'm not a fantasy reader.

She also just read The Indian in the Cupboard, which she liked and I'm pleased that there's apparently a whole series. I don't love the "Indian" part of it, but it provided a nice context to talk about stereotypes.

http://geofizzgirl.livejournal.com/142087.html

http://geofizzgirl.livejournal.com/139158.html

Science experiments:

Last week was maps week for DS:  I checked out a bunch of books on maps and got him a compass.  Next will be birds week - bird books and a kite.  A friend loaned us a water toy where you can build locks in a canal, and we've been doing that after DS got obsessed with understanding how the Panama Canal is made.    We've also used a kitchen thermometer to figure out what temperature we like our drinks (coffee, cocao, water, ice water, orange juice), and then to figure out how long it takes a hot cup of coffee to get to each of those temperatures for a couple of different cup styles (insulated, ceramic, metal).  For the Death of the Dino fans, we've dropped different sized objects (mostly different sized bouncy balls) into a dishpan of flour and measured how big of a crater it makes.  We experimented with dropping the different objects from higher up. 

[sparkletruck]

Books:
Walk Two Moons
Island of the Blue Dolphins
The Mysterious Benedict Society (series of 3)
From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E.
Gaia Girls Way of Water
Alanna: The First Adventure (series of 3)

This last one was where my concern started. She found it recommended in Cricket. Then one day she asks me "what's puberty?" because the 13 year old protagonist (who is Joan of Ark basically) had just started her period and was getting breasts [but is trying to hide the fact that she's a girl so she can fight). And I thought, ok no Superfudge, no Are you There God...?

Science: We made various parachutes (different sizes and weights), measured and weighed them all, then attached them to eggs (string and duct tape in equal weights) and dropped eggs off the house -> looking at gravity and air resistance...

[JayGee]

Books ~ anything by Andrew Clements, Kay is readying "The Report Card" right now and Jacob enjoyed a few of them this school year; is Ramona past her level, because we've enjoyed lots of Beverly Cleary too.  Jacob is reading a book called "Belly Up" right now that he's really into; it's about a hippo that is mysteriously murdered at the zoo and is actually very funny (yes, I've read it...).

Thanks a MILLION for the science ideas!

[LaLaLaLa]

Penelope--Everything about me is better when I get more sleep, too.  It's just a matter of logistically making that happen.  It usually doesn't happen here.  Right now it's 9:45.  Kids are in bed, DH is addicted to some dumb computer game again (Everquest, maybe?) that he hasn't played in years, so I should really just go to bed.  Instead I'll putter around for hours until it's late and be tired in the morning.  Even when I see it, I am helpless to stop it.    Congrats on the mostly good evaluations!

Lunch with my mom and grandmother was okay, although my grandmother, who used to be the best gift-buyer I know, has no idea about the existence of Mother's Day and Father's Day.  Both are baffling to her, and she said she asked several people in stores before Mother's Day if they had heard of it and they all said no.  She is similarly skeptical about Father's Day.  She also asked if she's missed DD's birthday, which is in July.  Then she was trying to talk to me about buying a new TV, but had lost the word TV and any descriptive terms that might have helped the conversation.

On my way home I decided to stop into the blood drive up the road and see if I could sneak in without an appointment, as it's been two months and one of my resolutions this year was to give blood as often as possible, despite (or, knowing my personality, probably because of) my fear of needles.  Two different nurses poked my fingers and tested, because maybe the first nurse did it wrong?  Or my left hand potentially had more iron than my right hand?  The end result was a refusal of my blood today.  Ack.  DS, who is five and gets dragged on errands like this, thought it was super-funny that I got poked in two different fingers.

My problem then was trying to get the nurses to talk to me about a time frame in fixing this lack of iron.  I asked the nurse when I'd be eligible to try again.  She said I could try the very next day.  I asked if it was likely I would have raised my iron levels by then, and she had no answer.  I asked if 12.2, the level of iron in my blood, and 12.5, the level required for donation, were really far apart, and nobody answered that one, either.  What I was trying to get at was this: Is it likely, if I go home and take an iron pill, that my level of iron will have increased by .3 by tomorrow?  A week from now?  A month from now?  What is the iron scale like, and how hard is it to move up .3 on it?  Could I fluctuate that much over the course of a single day, or is it going to take some effort?  I suppose it must be hard to have knowledge of something and then have someone asking you questions about it that are so elementary, you can't even get at what they are trying to ask.  I'd think, though, that a common concern when blood is refused would be how fast the problem could be corrected.

The end result is I was told to eat more meat and spinach.  I'll try to remember the iron pills, too.

No running tomorrow, as DS doesn't have school on Fridays and we have a playdate in the morning.  I dropped off my car at the car-fixing place tonight, in the hopes that they will be able to change the oil and fix, for not too high a price, the knocking sound when I apply the brakes.  The place is just over 3.5 miles from my house, so it's likely I'll end up carrying DS piggyback there sometime mid-afternoon tomorrow, since I need my car to get the kids to DH's work when he's done so I can get to my work on time.  I don't know of anyone I could tap to drive us there, so walking it may be.

Have a good evening, morning, and weekend!