I have some encouraging news this week. I ran an entire mile before slowing down. Yay! Finally. I’m seeing real improvements in my running. I felt good, I think I can push myself to run another quarter to half mile next week.

I solicited advice from some of my friends who are runners. They said when they hit a wall like I did last week, they tell themselves to “shut up and run,” and try focusing on other things. So I did, and it worked. That and a little MC Hammer on my iPod, too!

I thought it was hardest to get going again once I’d slow down. Today was also the first day I felt my weight on my knees and ankles. It wasn’t painful like a strain or pull, but a strong pressure. That will go away as I start to lose weight.

There’s a new 7k in March I’d like to participate in. It’s the Get Lucky Run 7k by Team Ortho. That’s the group I’m doing the other races through. A 7k is 4.3 miles. That’s a scary distance, then again I have to run 13 miles for the half marathons. It’s March 20th, so I think I’m going to wait to sign up. I first want to make sure the weather is good. No more running outside in cold, crappy weather!! However, I’m going to keep running/training like I’m running it. If not, I’ll find a 5k to do in April.

Coolest rings ever!

They’re handcrafted interlocking LEGO inspired rings designed by RubyGirl. You can buy them on ETSY.

(Thanks to @jojeda for posting on Twitter)

I have the best friends! I recently said I had hit a wall and needed some new workout music. I got TONS of suggestions.

So instead of keeping the awesome list to myself… I thought I’d share the list with you.

Here they are, in no particular order:

• Rage Against the Machine
• KISS - Detroit Rock City
• Thrice - Beggers album
• Rihanna - SOS, Disturbia, Pon de Replay, Run this town, Hard & If it’s Lovin’ that You Want
• Madcon - Beggin
• John Waite - Change
• Cascada - Every Time We Touch
• Zapp & Roger - I Can Make You Dance
• Timbaland f/Justin Timberlake - Carry Out
• Notorious BIG - Hypnotize & Juicy
• Madcon - Beggin’ & Liar
• Walter Meego - Forever
• Stereophonics - Superman
• Bruce Springsteen - Radio Nowhere
• Nickleback - Burn it to the Ground
• Lincoln Park
• Matt and Kim - Daylight

Other new songs I discovered/have yet to get sick of:

• Prince
• 311 - Down, Don’t Stay Home, Beautiful Disaster, All Mixed Up & Come Original
• Lady GaGa - Summerboy, Telephone, Boys Boys Boys,
• U2 - Get on your Boots
• Britney Spears
• Christina Aguliera
• New Kids on the Block
• Beastie Boys - Interalactic
• B52’s - Love Shack
• Baby Bash - Cyclone
• No Doubt - Tragic Kingdon album
• Pat Benetar - Hit Me with your Best Shot
• Janet Jackson - Feedback
• Black Eyed Peas

OK, I’ve picked myself up off the floor. I wiped away my tears. Took a deep breath, put on my running shoes and walked my butt into a gym. I forgot how scary and intimidating joining a gym can be. Everyone looks so fit and healthy. Maybe in a few weeks I’ll look like them. Ha!

As my second day on the treadmill, I forgot how good it feels to run. I did run at a slower pace, but it helped me run more comfortably for a longer time. I’m disappointed in myself for not running longer. I definitely should have ran more than I did. I ran to one song and would walk to the next. I wasn’t sore. I wasn’t exhausted. I also wasn’t eager to run another few minutes.

I have to get over this mental block. When I started running, I could barely go 30 seconds without huffing and puffing. Now I can run 5 minutes. That’s a big deal for me. I somehow keep telling myself I can’t run longer than 5 minutes.

I think it’ll get easier to run as I lose weight. Think about it, when you carry a heavy bag of groceries, you walk slower. Why? Because it’s extra weight holding you down. It’s no different for me. I’ll be able to move faster when I have less to carry

This is my weekly goal: I want to run longer than 5 minutes.

I’ve hit a wall. Burnt out. I will throw myself on the floor and pound my fists on the ground because I don’t want to do it. I’m talking about running.

It was fun. It was exciting. Then it got painful. Now I’m lazy.

I’ve ran twice since the Polar Dash. That’s no good. I have three half marathons and a duathalon this year (June, July, August & October). I’m seriously regretting that decision. But it will feel good when I get the Team Ortho medallion. It will feel better crossing the finishing line.

I’ve been sick this week, so I’m hoping to start training again this weekend. Saturday should be good. By then my sore throat and earache should be gone. I think I’m all caught up on sleep now too (thank you Extra Strength Tylenol PM).

The number one thing that helps me run is music. I’ve been looking for new songs and need your help. Any suggestions? I’m sick of Britney, Christina and all other 90’s pop songs.

By coincidence, I met my dad for lunch today across the street from the dome. He works right next to it, so it works out. As we finished up, two of my coworkers walked in to get people’s reaction/thoughs to the Metrodome. Their story was about the difference between the Metrodome and the Superdome in New Orleans. Both are domes, both are loud, but theirs is new and shiny. Our sucks.

My dad was interviewed sort of by default. There weren’t many people in the restaurant. He was a good sport. We had no idea what they were going to ask, so I think he did a good job.

Here’s a link to watch the story.

Oh, and the New Orleans reporter, Juan, is really cool (despite his prediction the Saints will win). We hung out with him tonight at (where else) Gluek’s.

This past week has been a busy one. I don’t know why, but I decided to see a band almost every night last week.

Wednesday I went to Gluek’s to see Root City. It’s sort of become a staple in my week for a few reasons. Most importantly, Root City is a great band. They’re local and have a totally unique sound. They’re sorta R&B, sorta Southern Rock, sorta funk, sorta blues, sorta jam band. I don’t really know how to categorize them, but what they have works and they’re great. They have a guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, saxophone, sometimes trumpet and beatboxer (And he’s not like the kid in your Senior year English class that would beat box, Heatbox is phenomenal. He’ll loop his own vocal beats to create a complete one-person band. In fact, watching his performances online doesn’t even showcase him fairly. He’s a must-see live act).

Gluek’s (pronounced Glick’s) is usually filled with regulars and people looking to have a good time. Gluek’s, in a few words, is a dive in the middle of Downtown. Most people sit around the bar or are up dancing in front of the band. You can wear a dress, or you can wear jeans and a sweatshirt. No one cares. Cover is $5 and the band plays from 9:30 until 1.

Thursday: I went to a TweetUp (Twitter meet up) at Nye’s in Northeast. After listening to a few people sing screech fumble through live piano karaoke, I suggested we head to Mayslack’s to hear The House Band. Yup, the band is called House Band. This band has three guitars (one might be a bass, I can’t remember), a keyboard and drum. The thing that’s cool about this band is each of the musicians in the band have a different style, and each will take a turn at being the lead. Every time the song changes, the style and groove does too. Me likey.

Mayslack’s is another dive. There’s no cover there on Thursdays. It was pretty casual: wear jeans and a t-shirt you’ll fit in fine. The employees shirts say they have good meat (as in hamburgers). I had the fries, they were delish. The band will start jamming at 9:30ish.

Friday: I jetted out of work and headed to The Fine Line. I went to see 8 Switch. But I got there late and only heard two songs. I was bummed. The songs I did hear were good though. They play dance music, the band is big enough that they can cover a range of generes and styles. I like that 8 Switch has a female singer and horns section. You don’t hear a lot of horns and saxophones in local bands (or any bands these days) adds a lot and really fills out the music.

I like seeing shows at The Fine Line. The stage is huge, the lighting is great, the acoustics are solid. It’s also smaller, so the shows are more intimate, you can get very close to the stage. Oh, and the bartenders have a heavy hand with the liquor bottles. One thing that does bug me is the ATM is broken. So be sure to bring cash, or you’ll have to walk to an ATM. Annoying. 8 Switch plays a lot of private shows, so it’s hard to catch them in concert. A lot of the band members are in other bands around town too, which makes public gigs hard to coordinate. Cover at the Fine Line varies depending on the show.

Saturday: I was a music stalker. A friend called and said Root City was playing at Crave in St. Louis Park. Usually there’s a different band playing on Saturday nights. I ended up going with my parents for a drink and dessert. My coworker Carly also met up with us. There’s no cover at Crave, but because it’s a restaurant, you can’t have a spot at the bar or a table without ordering food or drink. The food is really great, I like their sushi too. The band plays in the bar and it’s an “up close and personal” performance. I was sort of bummed that the whole Root City ensemble wasn’t there, but there’s no way they all could have fit in the small performance space and they would have overpowered the entire bar. The band was literally crammed in the front corner of the restaurant. I’d suggest finding a spot near the restaurant side of the bar, that way the band isn’t too loud and quite literally, in your face. Parking is a little tough, however there is a ramp that’s not attached. Valet parking is only $3, so in my opinion, in the winter it’s worth the generous tip and paying $5.

After listening to Root City for a bit, Carly and I went to the Fine Line. Another coworker of ours has a band and they were headlining that night. Six Shot Love is a Blues/Rock band. They play a mix of covers and original songs. Cole has a gritty voice which sounded great at the Fine Line. I’ve only seen him play at Blarney’s at the University of Minnesota (and it’s more of a bar than live music venue).

Now that it’s said and done, I’m tired, but I think it was worth it. I like seeing live music. I get to dance a little, I get to unwind and I get to hear new music. All three are things I like. Going out on Wednesdays may not make sense to most people, but for me, it’s perfect. It’s half way through the week and gives me something to look forward to Monday & Tuesday. Then Wednesday I get to see the band, enjoy myself and boom! It’s Thursday - the week is practically over.

I got to write a package yesterday. It was a sad one. A school bus driving back from a game crashed head on into a car. The roads were slick and likely to blame for the accident. Everyone on the bus will be okay, just bumps and bruises. Unfortunately, the mother in the car died. Her husband and three-year-old child survived.

I didn’t do the interviews for this story, infact I didn’t even leave the building. Two of my coworkers did the story earlier in the day. Heather was in Renville, where the accident happened. Paula, a senior producer, interviewed the family here in the Twin Cities. I used their information, video and interviews and wrote the story. Reg voiced it. Then our photographerTony edited it (given we didn’t have much video to work with, he make it turn out so much better than I visioned).

It’s been a long time since I’ve written a package. I love doing it. I hope someday to field produce because I like the challenge of writing longer stories and really telling people’s stories and giving good information.I prefer writing happier stories, but unfortunately, that’s not always possible. Hopefully I’ll get the chance to do more of this in the future.

Here’s a link to see it.

Tonight my station did a story about a new diet program. It’s the first time the Mayo Clinic has created an official diet. There is a “Mayo Diet” that’s been out there for a while, but it’s not from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

The world-class hospital broke down dieting into two parts: “Lose it” and “Live it.” They’re easy steps. The doctors break them down to make everything understandable. There are pictures and examples. The book is colorful and not overwhelming for all the information in it.

These are the tips from the Lose It section:

1) Eat a healthy breakfast.
2) Eat at least four servings of veggies and three servings of fruits each day.
3) Eat whole grains.
4) Eat healthy fats.
5) Exercise at least 30 minutes a day.

I know, they’re simple. They’re things you’ve heard before. However, the diet has more to it than just that.

For instance, you can’t eat sugar, unless it’s naturally found in fruit. No restaurants unless it fits in your meal plans. And here’s the doozie that opened my eyes: you can only watch as much TV as you’re working out. Which means if you want to watch a whole episode of NCIS, you have to work out for 60 minutes.

The book’s creators say by following their plan, you can lose 6 to 10 pounds in two weeks. The diet is strict, but doable. It’s more of a lifestyle change than a diet (which is nothing new in terms of diets). However, unlike other diets, this book is created by world class doctors. There’s no gimmick. There’s no buying bars or shakes. You don’t even have to buy measuring cups.

I’m not necessairly going to do this diet, but I am going to implement some of its techniques. I think they’ll help me reach my goals of being healthier this year.

Here’s the story we did on the news.

Ice Feeshorama 2010 was a blast. First, Lake Mille Lacs is big and beautiful (that’s what she said). In fact, we had great weather, which made it so much better than I imagined.

Being the newbie, I didn’t know what to wear. I wanted to be warm enough and tried multiple clothing combos. I finally settled on (among other things) a pink sweater, gray vest, white hat and white boots. I also had pink sunglasses, so I looked like Ice Fishing Barbie. I don’t care, I think I looked cute, I was warm and, comon, the nickname is funny.

As we approached the lake, everyone kept asking if I’d freak out by driving on the ice. I didn’t really care, I mean, it’s 18 inches thick and there are dozens of other cars and ice houses. If it weren’t safe, they wouldn’t have been out there.

Once we all took out our food and liquor (and there was a lot of liquor) we headed back outside and played a little in the snow. After a while, Joe helped me bait a hook and explained the basics of ice fishing. I did get a chance to snowmobile too.

Joe cooked up some yummy bacon-wrapped shrimp and venesin. It was delicious.

Then, after the sunset, a few of us got in the car and drove back to the cities. The rest stayed.

I’ll post pics in a few days.