tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69846693617958583652024-03-14T04:02:04.058-06:00Susie Wargin's BlogSusie Warginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13948333893308534353noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984669361795858365.post-69319635947243478852011-01-24T09:42:00.001-07:002011-01-24T09:55:40.174-07:00Press On: My PR and BQ in AZ<div><br /><br /><div>The week before I ran my second marathon, my coach suggested I find a manta.<br /><br />A mantra?<br /><br />Yes. I needed a positive thought to counter the mind games. One never knows when the games will start, but somewhere along my 26.2 mile trek through Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe my brain would start playing tricks, emit negative thoughts and make the time and miles slow to a snails pace.<br /><br />I struggled for days to find my mantra.<br /><br />Finally the night before Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona, it came to me via text. Just like his bat when he played baseball, Clint Hurdle had perfect timing.<br /><br />I actually had an thought earlier in the day when my sister-in-law Lynnette and I were riding a packed light rail back from the race expo in Phoenix to our hotel in Tempe. We boarded the train with a dad and his young son with multiple disabilities. Once we were seated the father leaned his head on his son’s wheelchair and closed his eyes. Dad looked exhausted.<br /><br />What happened next would make anyone smile. Out of nowhere, the son extended an arm as best he could towards his dad. Without opening his eyes, his dad grabbed the gnarled hand and held it tight.<br /><br />I thought, when the going gets tough tomorrow, think of this moment. Run for the boy who can’t. Run for his dad who loves him.<br /><br />Later that night a text crossed my phone and put the heart warming image into two words.<br /><br />Every day former Rockies manager Clint Hurdle texts inspirational messages to a large group of people. For some reason I’m fortunate enough to receive them. My husband also gets them and we marvel at how often one of the quotes he sends along applies directly to something going on in our lives.<br /><br />The text was a lengthy quote from our 30th President, Calvin Coolidge. It talked about persistence, talent, education and determination. It was the last sentence that got me:<br /><br />“The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and will always solve the problems of the human race.”<br /><br />Press On.<br /><br />I found my mantra almost exactly 12 hours before race time.<br /><br />I dreamt about the saying all night long. Press On, Press On, Press On. When mile whatever got tough I would say “Press on. Because you can.”<br /><br />I told myself to think about the sweet boy in the wheelchair and his loving father. I’d think about Clint’s daughter Maddie who was born with Prader Willi-Syndrome. The chances of her running a marathon someday, while not impossible, are not likely.<br /><br />Armed with my manta the next morning, I crossed the start line with one main goal: finish the 26.2 miles. I had been fighting a tweaked quad muscle for two weeks prior to the race and had my doubts if it would hold up.<br /><br />I felt a little pain in the first couple miles, but once it warmed up, my leg felt good. Sometimes it would bug me but I’d think “Press On.” What was a little ache compared to how those kids feel every day? Nothing.<br /><br />For the fun of it, I had written down a few checkpoint times on my wrist to coincide with a 3 hour 55 minute marathon pace. Finishing was my main goal, but if at all possible I wanted to finish in less than four hours (my first marathon was 7 seconds over four hours).<br /><br />When I crossed the 5K, 10K and 13.1 markers, I was ahead of the times on my wrist. Press On.<br /><br />Unlike my first marathon, many of the miles melted together and the mental game I was prepared to play never really surfaced. Every time a negative thought entered my mind, I recited my mantra. Press On.<br /><br />I did have one more goal in the back of my mind, something Lynnette brought up the night before: if I finished in 3 hours and 50 minutes or less, I would qualify for the Boston Marathon. It’s the Mecca of marathons and while I always hear about people qualifying, I never thought I could be in that group.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BFn5Qrmbb8U/TT2upGUvj4I/AAAAAAAAACo/6Jzve7AFkI8/s1600/Susie%2Band%2BLynn%2BAZ.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565796735595286402" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 172px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 237px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BFn5Qrmbb8U/TT2upGUvj4I/AAAAAAAAACo/6Jzve7AFkI8/s320/Susie%2Band%2BLynn%2BAZ.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Well, turns out I am a part of that group. I earned a BQ (Boston Qualifier) in AZ with a finish time of 3 hours, 49 minutes and 5 seconds and set a new personal record (PR) shaving 11 minutes off my first marathon. Press On.<br /><br />The next day, I texted Clint to thank him for the mantra. He replied back with a congrats and “Will tell Maddie ‘Susie Wargin’ did good today”. Maddie always uses my last name which cracks me up and makes me smile.<br /><br />Susie Wargin did do good… but it sure didn’t happen alone.<br /><br />Press On</div></div>swarginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00828405774841286093noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984669361795858365.post-6329496470774434732010-11-15T10:25:00.001-07:002010-11-15T10:27:20.935-07:00What’s your password?Passwords.<br /><br />We need them for everything: email, paying bills or shopping for the holidays. Anywhere we click, we need a password.<br /><br />So what’s your password? I don’t really want to know, I just want you to think about the following:<br /><br />Is your password something easy to remember that you can type with your eyes closed? What if you used a password that actually made you think every time you typed it?<br /><br />We are about to embark on another season of resolutions, so I offer up this one: make your password(s) a goal, a positive thought or just something that makes you stop and think.<br /><br />I started doing this in April. I was dealing with a stress fracture and torn labrum in my hip and I couldn’t run because of it. One day I was prompted to change my email password and instead of racking my brain for another combination of the kid’s names and birthdays, I decided to make a positive message: Myhipis100%. <br /><br />I was far from 100% at the time, but it fulfilled all those upper/lower case, number, and symbol requirements, so I figured “why not?”<br /><br />For 3 months I typed that password countless times every day and lo and behold, my hip got better. Granted, I was resting it and being smart in my rehab, but I know it didn’t hurt to think “Myhipis100%” over and over and over again.<br /><br />Every 90 days we have to change our passwords. When my next prompt to change came about, I was starting to take walks pain free. So, I decided my new password would be “ready2Run”. This one really made me think every time I typed it because I usually pressed the shift key too soon and had ready@Run. During those 90 days I started to run.<br /><br />I was recently prompted to change again and now my current password uses numbers and letters from my next goal: the <a href="http://arizona.competitor.com/">Rock & Roll Marathon</a> in Phoenix on January 16th. Each time I type my new password I smile because six months ago I was on crutches. Today, I’m training for a marathon.<br /><br />What do you want to do? Lose weight? Eat healthier? Be a better person? <br /><br />Don’t wait for the next prompt. A change today could make a difference for life. <br /><br />All from a simple password.swarginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00828405774841286093noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984669361795858365.post-36939647826881115662010-09-16T10:54:00.002-06:002010-09-16T10:58:53.574-06:00Women in the locker room... and RomeI never call into sports talk radio. I listen all the time, but never have the urge to call.<br /><br />That is until the topic of Inez Sainz pushed one of my hot buttons: women in the locker room.<br /><br />Inez is the sports reporter for Mexican TV whose name (and everything else) is popping up in national headlines because of her visit to a New York Jets practice last weekend.<br /><br />Inez felt like ball drills during practice were being deliberately thrown her way so players could get a better look at her. Then after practice, while waiting to interview quarterback Mark Sanchez in the locker room she said: "It was an uncomfortable moment because you are in the team's dressing room and they are obviously changing clothes, showering — doing what they do every day in the locker room. So being a woman, obviously it was a bit uncomfortable."<br /><br />I have four words: Welcome to American football.<br /><br />I’ve been in and around a men’s locker room since I was a sophomore at Broomfield High School. I was an athletic trainer for the football team, and while it wasn’t acceptable in 1985 for a woman to be in the men’s locker room, our training table was right outside the always-open door. I taped up just about every body part imaginable, so I consider that close enough to being in the locker room.<br /><br />For the last 13 years, I’ve been in professional and college locker rooms too many times to count. Yes, there are naked bodies - that tends to happen when people shower and change clothes.<br /><br />When I heard Jim Rome talking about Inez and the gray area that separates “locker room chatter” from harassment, I felt compelled to call and talk about my experience.<br /><br />I received a very warm welcome from Rome’s producer Jason Stewart when he found out my background and what I wanted to talk about. In fact, after spending about 10 minutes on hold with a guest scheduled in the following segment, J-Stew asked if he could call me back in 20 minutes. First class.<br /><br />After he called back, I listened as Rome re-set the scene about Inez. He gave his thoughts, which are very similar to mine, and it boils down to this: there is no black and white in this situation. I wasn’t there first hand to hear or see what happened so I am basing my thoughts on what Inez and others around the situation have said.<br /><br />Here’s my take (and then some):<br /><br />No person, regardless of anatomy, should walk away from a locker room feeling harassed, degraded or otherwise. That is unacceptable - period. However, while that line is drawn in permanent marker, it’s edges are blurry. That’s where either trouble can start or relationships can be built.<br /><br />Contrary to what some players might think, I (and I’m guessing most other women) don’t walk into a locker room hoping to check out “packages” as Clinton Portis would say. In fact it’s quite the opposite.<br /><br />For starters, 99.9% of the guys are very conscious of wearing towels to and from the shower and facing their locker when getting dressed. If there does happen to be a time when I catch a glimpse of bare skin below the waist, I immediately look up. I could probably tell you the ceiling material in every locker room.<br /><br />Depending on the day, the locker room can be a great time to build relationships with athletes and being a woman is a huge advantage. Keep in mind: I’m married with two kids, I’m not looking for THAT kind of relationship.<br /><br />Here’s what I’m talking about: before or after a practice, most guys are loose and hanging out at their lockers which are usually littered with pictures of family. Considering I’ve gone through two pregnancies in these 13 years, most guys know I have kids and there’s no better conversation starter than children. Sometimes I talk more about family with a guy than sports. No microphone, no camera, just chatting. That’s the kind of relationship I’m talking about.<br /><br />Many of these initial bonds have grown into much more over the years. Take Clint Hurdle for example. I used to talk with him when he was a hitting coach and his wife Karla and I were pregnant at the same time. When his daughter Maddie was born with a genetic disorder and they wanted to spread awareness about Prader Willi Syndrom, they called me to do the first story. What an honor.<br /><br />But back to Inez and now on to her credibility. I hate to question it, but when she showed up to a Super Bowl media day in a wedding dress and asked Tom Brady to marry her, I was suspect then. Those suspicions have now grown after seeing her appearances this week on multiple news shows, taking pictures with people on the streets of New York and looking wide-eyed at her profile pictures which appear on both her station and personal websites.<br /><br />I’ll say this much: I’m 40, stay in shape and am proud of it. However, I don’t have to wear spiked heels, tight jeans and a blouse with a V neck to my belly button to feel good about myself. Its inappropriate dress for just about any workplace and a locker room is no different.<br /><br />Things like this make my blood curl because I, along with so many other women in my profession, have worked and continue to work so hard to be professionals who are accepted as equals to our male counterparts. Stories like these set us back a few steps and it takes much longer to regain those steps than it did to lose them.<br /><br />Lastly, to her concerns about plays in practice being thrown her way so guys could get a better look-see. Newsflash: they pull this stuff in every sport and it doesn’t matter if you are a man or woman. I’ve had footballs kicked my way, baseballs ground out at my feet and hockey pucks slapped into the plexiglass in front of my face. Usually I’m not standing by myself when this happens, but rather with members of both sexes. Players like to mess with the media - they test us and try to see what we are made of.<br /><br />After 20 years in radio and TV, I know what I’m made of and I have to admit being in the locker room is one of the best parts of my job. It’s a way to get to know players beyond the X’s & O’s and give viewers/listeners a different into their lives (if appropriate).<br /><br />I was able to articulate most of this on Rome’s show but have added quite a bit more here. Apparently I have a few things to say about this topic, thanks for hearing me out.<br /><br />Did I mention I never call into sports talk radio?swarginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00828405774841286093noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984669361795858365.post-31165148714845770092010-09-08T10:05:00.002-06:002010-09-08T10:18:26.409-06:00Did you really ride 107 miles?<div align="left">Yes I did.<br /><br />I’ve been asked that question quite a few times since the <a href="http://deercreekchallenge.com/">Deer Creek Challenge</a>. 107 miles and almost 13,000 feet of climbing. I talked the talk in our 9News promo and I biked the bike on August 30th.<br /><br />My partner in crime for just about every cycling event is my younger brother Ted. We decided we weren’t real keen on riding in the dark when the course opened at 5:45am (plus he wanted the extra few winks of sleep – didn’t really matter to me because waking up anytime after 1:45am is sleeping in for me!).<br /><br />So I picked him up at 5:45 and as we pulled into the Botanic Garden’s parking lot, it was impossible not to notice the hundreds of vehicles already there – maybe we should have started earlier.We got on the road by 6:35 and started climbing Deer Creek Canyon. It was a little chilly but we warmed up quickly with all the vertical miles. At aid station #1, we stopped, enjoyed some food and chatted a bit with amazing volunteers and other riders. This theme continued at every aid station… more on that later.<br /><br />Next was the climb up City View which has some breathtaking scenery enjoyable from a car, but on a bike all you notice are the endless false summits. Just after finishing one steep climb, lo and behold another one stares you in the face. That was tough. We had a two word saying throughout the ride starting with “Really” and ending in another word not suitable for family reading. We found ourselves saying it quite often.<br /><br />From there we cruised down Foxton Road. Wow, that was a chilly decent. I hadn’t been down this road before and kept debating on whether or not to stop and put on my wind jacket. I never did and by the time we hit the bottom turn around, I was frozen. Thankfully my brain was working well enough to get my first stamp of the day to verify we had made it to a checkpoint on the century route.<br /><br />Turning around and climbing back out on Foxton warmed us back up and we stopped at another aid station. The aid stations are so important for fueling the body but we later realized that we spend WAY too much time at them – mostly my fault because I get to chatting with people… whoops.<br /><br />The rest of the route took us down High Grade, back up Deer Creek Canyon and then around the Evergreen/Conifer area before re-hooking up to City View for a SECOND trek on that fun road. This portion of the ride was by far the toughest biking I’ve ever done. My quads were toast and I had to stop a couple times just to try and breathe some life into my legs before the next climb.<br /><br />Along the route we had a few more “stamp stops” to prove we were there. When we finally rolled back into the Botanic Gardens for our final stamp, Ted and I headed straight to the jersey tent for our official Deer Creek Challenge Century jerseys. I wear it very proud.<br /><br />Ready for the staggering stats from our day on the inaugural Deer Creek Challenge?<br /><br />I was on my bike seat for 7 hours and 50 minutes.<br /><br />We were on the course for almost 10 ½ hours.<br /><br />Yeah, we didn’t cross the finish until 5pm. Ted’s wife and my nieces had been waiting to surprise us since 3:30 - we thought we would be done much sooner.<br /><br />Regardless of the time, it was an amazing event – very well organized, fun and there’s no question we will be back next year.<br /><br />With two lessons learned of course:<br /><br />1. If you do the math, we spent a combined 2 1/2 hours between nine aid station stops. Granted, we ran into old friends and met new ones, which is half the fun with these events. But next time, we’re putting a time limit on stops.<br /><br />2. Maybe we should have started earlier. :)</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514577407143578578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BFn5Qrmbb8U/TIe27y8wC9I/AAAAAAAAACE/tvwaALwJB2g/s320/8-10+Deer+Creek+Finish+1.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="left"></div><p align="left"> Getting my final stamp at the finish line to show that I indeed rode the Century (+7!)<br /></p><p align="left"><br /><br /></p>swarginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00828405774841286093noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984669361795858365.post-47266219618991046942010-06-21T18:13:00.001-06:002010-06-21T18:13:44.703-06:00I have a what??<div><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">2010 was supposed to be the year of big time athletic events for me. A full Ironman trialthon, a 1/2 Ironman tri, the Triple Bypass and the list goes on. My head wanted to prove that turning 40 isn't a barrier to what our bodies are capable of, but rather a gateway to the incredible feats we can train it to do. My body had different ideas.<br></font></div><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">It's always easy to point fingers when there is a setback in life. This one is my fault, although I am convinced it started in Vancouver during the Olympics (which was the last time I blogged - yikes).<br><br></font></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">Those 25 amazing days were also 25 exhausting days. I didn't realize it at the time because we were so driven by the Olympic buzz, but my body was breaking down little by little every day. I would wake up early to get in a workout, then proceed to work 16-18 hours. No rest and no days off makes for a very unhappy inside!<br><br></font></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">When I came home, I didn't take time off to rest then either - I just kept training. Swim, bike, run, swim, bike, run. Some aches and pains began to develop. It started with my lower back, then went to my left hip and eventually to the right hip. The pain was "do-able" though and with massages and a few trips to the chiropractor, I thought I was OK. I wasn't.<br><br></font></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">In mid April I went for a 6 mile training run. I had it perfectly timed before I had to pick up the kids from school. I knew something was wrong from the start: my gait was completely off but like an idiot, I kept going. My right hip really hurt, but the pain subsided about mile 2 so I figured I was fine. Wrong.<br><br></font></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">About mile 4, the pain was back and excruciating. By mile 5 I really needed to walk but coudln't because if I did I would be late to get the kids. Lesson learned to give more time for those "just in case moments!" <br><br></font></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">Long story short, that night I could barely walk, climb stairs or pull my pants on standing up. I walked with a cane for a couple days. Over the next couple weeks it got a little better but my limp was very noticable. Finally I made an appointment with a hip specilist.<br><br></font></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">The initial diagnosis with Dr. Xenos at Steadman Hawkins (who is awesome) was simple enough - likely a torn labum muscle in my hip. But after the MRI, the story was different: the initial stages of a stress fracture AND fraying of the labrum muscle. A stress fracture and muscle tear? Wow. <br><br></font></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">For two weeks I was on crutches to eliminate any weight bearing activities which helped so much. Thankfully both problems were caught early and once they heal I shoudln't have any lingering issues. My limp is almost gone now and I've been cleared from the crutches unless I have a "bad day". <br><br></font></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">Unfortunately most of my kick butt events are out the window. No Triple, No 70.3 Boulder, No Ironman in November. I'll be lucky to be ready for one triathlon this summer and I usually hit 3-4! Thankfully I have been able to bike during this time will be able to ride in my 14th Courage Classic at the end of July, which is very important to me. <br><br></font><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">I have taken my workouts down a notch which is not easy for me. I usually climb hills on my bike with great ease but have had to slow down and spin my pedals like crazy so I'm not pushing too hard. It's tough to pass guys that way but my ego is coping :)<br></font></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">I have decided my new motto is something Dr. X told me last week: "Let pain be your guide." No more working through pain on any kind of workout. If it hurts, stop and rest. For most people this makes naturally sense, but for us "Type A" folks, it's very tough to stop and rest. <br><br></font></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">Truth be told, this injury couldn't have come at a better time: I still turned 40 this month and have two amazing vacations planned with my family. I'm ready for the R&R.<br><br></font></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">Now, where's the pool boy?</font></p><br>Susie Warginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13948333893308534353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984669361795858365.post-81563454380774277622010-02-14T19:52:00.002-07:002010-02-14T19:55:58.201-07:00The Pink Inukshuk Hat<div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Forget the sold out red mittens, that's not what Denver wants from the 2010 Winter Olympics.<br /><br />Everyone wants the pink hat and it's nowhere to be found!<br /><br />I bought the pink and white striped hat last week at the little gift shop inside the International Broadcast Center. I like pink, I had a 9News jacket that matched it and was having a bad hair day (lots of rain and humidity mixed with curls is never a good thing). I thought it was perfect. I had no idea it would spark a storm of e-mails and Tweets.<br /><br />It started with an email from Michelle in Greenwood Village: "Susie - I was watching the 4:00pm news cast and was watching you from the Olympics. I am very interested in where you got the pink beanie. I love it. Any help on where I can get that would be great."<br /><br />Then came an email to our Web Team from Laura: "Can you tell me where Susie got her pink and white Olympic hat?"<br /><br />Soon another email from Nick: "Hi Susie, My wife loves your pink hat! I assume you got it at the Olympics? I am scouring websites trying to find it and I'm not having any luck. Would you mind giving me some details about it so that I might be able to find one for her?"<br /><br />And then there were the Tweets: @<a href="https://webmail.gannett.com/OWA/redir.aspx?C=d951f3f9189f44e2ba81721394be82a5&URL=http%3a%2f%2ftwitter.com%2fsusiewargin" target="_blank">susiewargin</a> Where did you get the pink striped Vancouver hat you wore last night (with your pink jacket)? I LOVE IT! Now I'm on a mission!<br /><br />And there are more. I've tried finding it on the web; the tag says www.vancouver2010.com but it's nowhere to be found in the official store. So, I'm offering to buy them for viewers and bring them back. Last time I checked, the gift shop still had quite a few, but by the time the Games are over, I might have their entire stock!<br /><br />Just goes to show: you never know what can come from $25 and a bad hair day! </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438298237665626146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BFn5Qrmbb8U/S3i3bw6xSCI/AAAAAAAAABQ/eoYdwlASvvU/s320/CIMG4874.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">Matt Renoux and I enjoying Opening Ceremonie in the NBC compound<br /></p>swarginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00828405774841286093noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984669361795858365.post-26843313240286117522010-02-07T13:11:00.005-07:002010-02-07T13:16:26.269-07:00We have arrived!<div><div><div><div>It's Sunday morning in overcast Richmond BC... time to catch everyone up on our Olympic journey so far.<br /><br />Saturday was a long day of travel. I was up early at 4am (not nearly as early as I usually wake up though, so almost sleeping in) for an 8:30 flight from DIA to Seattle. After being dropped off at the airport by my husband, Matt Renoux and I checked a bunch of bulky bags and equipment in at the United counter. They all asked if we were going to Miami for the Super Bowl. Nope, 25 days in Canada.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BFn5Qrmbb8U/S28e59sVFEI/AAAAAAAAAA4/KNFYdAnfz40/s1600-h/Crazy+Dietz.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435597256421348418" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 132px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BFn5Qrmbb8U/S28e59sVFEI/AAAAAAAAAA4/KNFYdAnfz40/s200/Crazy+Dietz.jpg" border="0" /></a>We flew to Seattle and met up with our "warden" Tim Dietz who is in charge of all the Gannett folks here (he's the nut in the Canada hat). We also met up with a few co-workers we will be working closely with from our Gannett stations in Phoenix and Minneapolis. After a rental car pick up, we were off to cross the border.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BFn5Qrmbb8U/S28elUtGhwI/AAAAAAAAAAw/Rh9oYZfVt4w/s1600-h/Crazy+Dietz.jpg"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BFn5Qrmbb8U/S28elUtGhwI/AAAAAAAAAAw/Rh9oYZfVt4w/s1600-h/Crazy+Dietz.jpg"></a><div>Matt and I made a few stops along the way. Lunch was way overdue and we also shot some water scenes for a story he is working on. I took pictures of the two "tokens" my kids gave me and will continue to do so throughout the trip. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BFn5Qrmbb8U/S28e6GpWXjI/AAAAAAAAABA/ktaNPpx4lGM/s1600-h/Froggie+and+Legoman+in+Seattle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435597258824769074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BFn5Qrmbb8U/S28e6GpWXjI/AAAAAAAAABA/ktaNPpx4lGM/s200/Froggie+and+Legoman+in+Seattle.jpg" border="0" /></a>The pink frog is my daughter Sam's and the Lego Skeleton man is Justin's. Pretty funny huh?<br /><br />Eventually we did make it into Canada and to our hotel in Richmond. I have a suite, Matt does not. I found this out when I made the mistake of saying how nice our rooms are with the couch and living area. He said "what living area?" Whoops... he has a big room with two beds. I felt bad.<br /><br />After "settling" into our rooms for all of a 1/2 hour, we boarded the train to take us to Vancouver. It was packed at 7pm at night and the games haven't even started. Matt & I were both hauling big backpacks with our laptops and cameras so we take up a little extra room. About 25 minutes later we were in Vancouver.<br /><br />We made our way to the IBC (International Broadcast Center) which is where we will spend all our time when we aren't shooting stories and running down athletes. We got our credentials checked and laminated, except for Matt. There was a discrepancy on his birthday from his passport so he wasn't allowed in the IBC. Like the suite, Matt got the short end of the stick. Poor guy.<br /><br />We spent some time in the IBC getting to know our workspace, checking out where Bob Costas will do his show and most importantly, where they are feeding us. We will be well taken care of if/when we find time to eat!<br /><br />When we left, we found a somewhat sulking Matt Renoux blogging in a food court by the train station. We boarded back to Richmond for the hotel and I unpacked. My home away from home already looks like home: piles have formed, electronic devices are all plugged in and my snacks have taken over the ice bucket.<br /><br />This morning I ran 12 miles on a gorgeous flat, dirt trail that is a block from the hotel. Water lines one side of the path and gorgeous houses line the other. It was amazing. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BFn5Qrmbb8U/S28e6lhav_I/AAAAAAAAABI/VaM7O7t2tvM/s1600-h/Fences+Olympic+Oval.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435597267113000946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BFn5Qrmbb8U/S28e6lhav_I/AAAAAAAAABI/VaM7O7t2tvM/s200/Fences+Olympic+Oval.jpg" border="0" /></a>I ran past the Olympic Oval where Speedskating will start on Saturday. What an incredible venue this is just from the outside (notice the security fences - two layers between that path and the venue). I can't wait to watch an event in there and since it's only a mile south of the hotel hopefully that will happen!<br /><br />Today's plan includes a story on the IBC so we can show you what it's like behind the scenes. When you watch us live on TV or see Brian Williams on Nightly News, you only get the one view. Our "IBC Cribs" story will show you everything (except the set where Costas sits - that's off limits - but I will show you the hallway he will walk in!).<br /><br />So far, I'm very impressed and can't wait to dig my heels even deeper into these games, cities and venues!</div></div></div></div>swarginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00828405774841286093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984669361795858365.post-62953645971228495102010-01-27T13:02:00.001-07:002010-01-27T13:02:24.285-07:00Stuff, stuff and more stuff<DIV>Stuff, stuff and more stuff</DIV><br /><DIV> </DIV><br /><DIV>Perhaps you've seen the promo on 9News by now: Matt Renoux and myself surrounded by cases and cases of STUFF. Those aren't props people! Those cases have already been shipped to Vancouver for our coverage of the Olympics. Scary part: that's not the last of it.</DIV><br /><DIV> </DIV><br /><DIV>I don't know what was in those cases and quite frankly I'm afraid to ask for fear I'll be taught how to use whatever is inside... old dog, new tricks, not on this trip please. I've already learned how to shoot and edit and that's scary enough. Oh and all that STUFF (camera, laptop, tripod, battery charger, etc) wasn't even with the STUFF that was already shipped. No, I'm responsible for hauling it to DIA and making sure it arrives safe in another country... they trust me too much.</DIV><br /><DIV> </DIV><br /><DIV>Actually I lied about not know what was in ALL the cases. Renoux (we are already on a last name basis) and<I> </I>I split a case. So our Sorrels, heavy jackets, and sweaters are all touching each other. Good thing we aren't afraid of cooties. </DIV><br /><DIV> </DIV><br /><DIV>I'm really glad we sent all our sub-zero wear too: it's been too warm for snow to stay on Cypress Mountain where the snowboarding and freestyle events take place. Its just 20 minutes outside of Vancouver. Probably should have sent up my spring wardrobe (I don't have one, it just sounds fancy).</DIV><br /><DIV> </DIV><br /><DIV>But back to the STUFF. So we've already shipped a you-know-what-load of it to Vancouver and there's more equipment to take. Then there's the issue of packing personal belongings for a 25 day stint away from home. I've tried to block this thought from my mind because it's a little overwhelming and here's why:</DIV><br /><DIV> </DIV><br /><DIV>On top of working 16-18 hour days, I'm going to attempt to fit in training for my full Ironman which is right around the corner on May 1st. So I need work clothes and workOUT clothes. </DIV><br /><DIV> </DIV><br /><DIV>Herein lies my problem: I think I own, in general, more workout related clothing than nice clothes for work. I love them. I have more layers than an onion and those layers can take up a lot of room in a suitcase. I'm afraid by the time I pack my workout clothes (which will be packed first), there won't be any room for nice STUFF. </DIV><br /><DIV> </DIV><br /><DIV>It wouldn't be the first time this has been an issue. This idiosyncrasy of mine drives my husband mad... which is why he has his own bag for packing - there is no sharing (unless he has room for some of my STUFF).</DIV><br /><DIV> </DIV><br /><DIV>Time will tell how the personal packing goes. Matt and I take off on February 6th and start going live in the evening newscasts sometime the following week before the games begin.</DIV><br /><DIV> </DIV><br /><DIV>And if you see me in workout STUFF, you'll know why.</DIV><br /><DIV> </DIV><BR>Susie Warginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13948333893308534353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984669361795858365.post-1677319023466333412010-01-04T09:15:00.000-07:002010-01-04T09:20:19.549-07:00Vancouver here I come!<span>One of the questions in our yearly personal reviews at 9News is: "What would you like your next assignment to be?" For the last 5 years, I've answered that with one response: "Covering the next Olympics." When I was filling out my 2009 review a few weeks ago, I had to find a different answer.<br /><br />It has been my dream to be assigned to the Olympics since I started at 9News and it has finally come to fruition! I’m thrilled beyond belief, but not for reasons you may think.<br /><br />When I tell people I’m going to Vancouver for the 2010 Olympics, they think it’s a cushy, glamorous job where I get to hang out with Lindsey Vonn and Shaun White for a couple weeks. It’s not really like that. In fact, we are gone for 25 days (without our families), we don’t have time to attend many events and we’ll be lucky to sleep more than 3-4 hours a night. Sounds fun huh? Oh it will be!<br /><br />In my profession, these are the events we live for: the action is everywhere and everybody wants to know more about it. We have countless Colorado athletes involved, most of whom we’ve already interviewed and I can’t wait to report on not only their success, but also the success of Team USA as a whole.<br /><br />The Olympics are unlike any other sporting event. The games bring together the worlds’ most talented athletes on a stage that can cause us to toss aside political and religious views. Instead, our hearts feel the sweat and tears every athlete puts forth as each one represent his or her country and shows unparalleled pride in the process.<br /><br />Pride in country.<br /><br />Those words have been the underlying theme every time I’ve asked one of our Colorado athletes what it means to be an Olympian. As proud as they are to represent our great country, I will be just as proud to report on their accomplishments.<br /><br />My dream assignment does come with one negative: leaving my family. I will miss my husband and two kids like crazy. My son turns 10 on February 13th and the guilt of not being home for that milestone bums me out more than him. I have never missed a school party; my kids and their classmates have come to expect my chocolate chip cookies, but those will be absent on Valentine’s Day. My 7 year old daughter likes the fact she will be the “Mom” while I’m gone, but other times I find her in tears because she doesn’t want to be the only girl at home.<br /><br />Thankfully my mother-in-law is coming in from Florida for two weeks to help my husband and my family will be helping out as well. My guess is that my son will have a bigger and better birthday with me gone!<br /><br />So, while there is guilt, I feel good about leaving my comfort zone and crossing north of the border for the first time on February 6th. I will keep you up to date from now until my return on March 2nd as to what we are working on, who we’ve talked to and any other fun stories we come across while we are there.<br /><br />In the meantime, still lots of work to do before we go so I’d best get back to it ‘eh? </span>Susie Warginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13948333893308534353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984669361795858365.post-89577531301893589872009-12-11T12:56:00.000-07:002009-12-11T14:36:35.182-07:00Rockin and Rollin My First MarathonWhen I saw the full page ad in a running magazine, I knew it would be a piece of cake to get my husband there as a spectator. The question was: would it work with my crazy schedule of working home Broncos game and the Steve Fairchild show on Sundays?<br /><span style="font-size:0;"></span><br /><br />Turns out it was perfect. December 5th in Las Vegas was the weekend after CSU's season finale and the Broncos were out of town. My Hold 'Em playing husband was all in: My first 26.2 would be the <a href="http://las-vegas.competitor.com/">Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon</a>.<br /><br /><br />Somewhere along the way, my husband decided he'd like to run the 1/2 Marathon. This coming from a man who never liked to run and sometimes mocks my rationale for loving the sport. I signed him up anyway, and told him he owed me the entry fee back if he bailed.<br /><br /><br />This was the Rock 'n' Roll folks first year taking over the Vegas Marathon. In 2008 the race had 11,000 entrants. This year there were 27,100!<br /><br /><br />Some interesting tidbits before I get into the race:<br />35% were running the full or 1/2 for the first time (including us)<br />59% registered were women (sweet!)<br />85% traveled from outside of Clark County where Vegas is located<br />175 Musicians made up 35 bands and used 325 guitar picks as course entertainment<br />250 High School Cheerleaders and 500 Pom Poms stayed upbeat from start to finish along the routes<br />The medical tents went through 75 one-pound jars of Vaseline (can you say friction?)<br /><p></p><p>We flew in on Friday (the race was Sunday) and were invited to a VIP/Media party Friday night which was a lot of fun. I met Frank Shorter for the first time and a lot of the elite runners were there as well. I noticed they weren't eating and drinking like we were - very interesting.</p><br /><br />Saturday was just a fun day in Vegas. Mike played poker and I went shopping with my brother and his wife at the Outlets. We went to bed at a good time and tried not to be nervous for Sunday morning.<br /><br /><br />The cold snap that hit Colorado this week went through Nevada first and while the temperatures weren't in the single digits, it was in the low 30's race morning with a little breeze. I brought full length tights but opted to wear my capri tights thinking I would get too warm. I was wrong.<br /><br /><br />The start was really cool. A Cher impostor sang the Star Bangled Banner and a fireworks display lasting about 15 minutes filled the sky. The first wave of 1,000 runners were off at 6:15am.<br /><br /><br />Each corral of 1,000 went about every minute. I expected mass chaos, but it was very organized and there wasn't any congestion after crossing under the start banner. We headed south down Las Vegas Blvd for less than a mile, then turned around and went north down the strip.<br /><br /><br />Both sides of the strip were closed (for the first time ever) and it was surreal to see all the runners in front, in back and eventually on both sides of the road. A local TV station was carrying the race and all the hotels had the broadcast going on their big screens which was really cool.<br /><br /><br />About 3 miles in, I noticed coverage was focused on the elite runners and I wondered where they were. Not a minute later I saw them running the other way down the strip. Now I knew why they weren't drinking wine and scarfing cream cheese and salmon crackers on Friday!<br /><br /><br />I stayed comfortable when running on the strip except for my fingers (thankfully I brought gloves). All the bodies and buildings helped create warmth. The problem came when the marathoners peeled away from the strip.<br /><br /><br />They sent us out west for a few miles and with nothing to block the elements, it got chillier and chillier. My left knee started to give me a hard time (I had tweaked something a few weeks before in a training run and it never healed) and the cold didn't help. People were starting to walk for extended periods of time including me.<br /><br /><br />I had been walking through aid stations from the get go, subscribing to the Jeff Galloway theory that I would be stronger in the final miles. But at Mile 19, I thought I was done running when a sharp pain jolted through my leg. I almost called my brother and told him to forget about waiting at the finish because I was going to be a while.<br /><br /><br />But, I was able to keep up a fast walk for probably a 1/2 mile and decided I'd try to run again. My knee/leg buckled in pain. OK, I'll just walk fast and try again in a few minutes. The next time I tried, it didn't hurt so I figured, keep this pace and just go. I somehow had won a mental and physical game with myself and got through the next couple miles with mostly running and a little walking.<br /><br /><br />At Mile 22, I had a wave of energy and euphoria sweep over me for some reason. I found a pace where nothing hurt and stuck with it. I never stopped the last 4.2 miles and was even able to kick it up a notch in Mile 26 when most people were walking.<br /><br /><br />I was smiling and singing when passing a DJ or band. I ran by a speaker blaring "Baby Got Back" and sang along. Then in the final 1/2 mile, a band was there singing Billy Idol's White Wedding and I crossed in front of them right at the end of the song when the lyrics go "More, more, more, more, more!!" I pumped my fist and screamed the words with them. I felt awesome.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QGIKs11JrD0/SyK261InXTI/AAAAAAAAABY/cPQuQWzmrys/s1600-h/12-09+Rock+%26+Roll+M+S+%26+L+2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 217px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414090823864638770" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QGIKs11JrD0/SyK261InXTI/AAAAAAAAABY/cPQuQWzmrys/s320/12-09+Rock+%26+Roll+M+S+%26+L+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The finish line was emotional. I was running hard because I wanted to get under 4 hours and knew I'd be really close. I stepped across the line, welled up with tears, grabbed my finisher medal and saw my time: 4:00:07. Seven seconds over 4 hours. I thought back to the times I walked, stopped to stretch or fiddled with the toiler paper on my one bathroom break.<br /><br /><br />But I couldn't be that disappointed. I finished, and at a couple points along the race, I didn't think I would. Mike wailed through his race in 2 hours and 32 minutes, about 20 minutes faster than he thought he would. The first-timers were a success in Sin City while my sister-in-law finished her 9th half-marathon in 1:53!<br /><br /><br />Now it's time to look for the next one. Perhaps Rock 'n' Roll Denver in October 2010... but only if I can talk CSU into a bye that weekend and get the Broncos on the road :)Susie Warginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13948333893308534353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984669361795858365.post-22425937646760513342009-12-01T13:32:00.000-07:002009-12-01T16:00:16.090-07:00Ode to my BroThere's a day to celebrate just about everything: Birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Black Friday, Take Your Kids to Work Day and the list goes on.<br /><br />But what about Sibling's Day? (Actually there is one in the works for April 10th but that kind of detracts from my blog entry here).<br /><br />Besides, a Sibling's Day shouldn't be designated to just one day. When is the last time you did something nice, unexpected, or just dropped a quick note to a sibling? Trust me, it can feel very rewarding to do something for your brother or sister... and it feels even better when they do something in return.<br /><br />As I look back on 2009 and ahead to 2010, I am reminded how special my only sibling is to me. My brother Ted and I have always been close, but this year was different.<br /><br />I'm not sure if we are making up for lost time when I was in college and he was in the Air Force, or if we are just at a point in our lives where we realize how cool it is to hear someone say "Wow, you did that for me?"<br /><br />A few of my favorite memories include:<br /><br />* Two trips up Lookout Mountain as we trained for Ride the Rockies. I beat him up the first <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QGIKs11JrD0/SxWFa65fh6I/AAAAAAAAAAk/3BamFbQoM2s/s1600/D1+Ted+and+Susie+SW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 178px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 125px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410377224889010082" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QGIKs11JrD0/SxWFa65fh6I/AAAAAAAAAAk/3BamFbQoM2s/s320/D1+Ted+and+Susie+SW.JPG" /></a>time. He kicked my butt on the second trip a few weeks later. I smiled the whole way up because I knew he worked his rear off between the two rides.<br />* In June we spent 7 days together riding 380 miles for Ride the Rockies. No families, just him and me, plus 2,000 friends we made on the tour. We soaked in everything, from the small towns to the big mountain passes. I remember "knocking" on his tent door one frigid morning in Leadville with a hot latte for him. He looked like a 5 year old at Christmas.<br />* In September I competed in the Harvest Moon Triathlon at the Aurora Reservoir (1/2 Ironman distance). It was a hilly course on both the bike and run. At about mile 12 1/2 I was running up<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QGIKs11JrD0/SxWFbHXk-PI/AAAAAAAAAAs/sEu6SHzIX9c/s1600/9-09+Harvest+Moon+Zoe.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 176px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 115px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410377228236421362" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QGIKs11JrD0/SxWFbHXk-PI/AAAAAAAAAAs/sEu6SHzIX9c/s320/9-09+Harvest+Moon+Zoe.jpg" /></a> yet another hill, cursing under my breath and wondering if I had enough juice to run the final 1/2 mile. I looked up at the top of the hill and saw a guy wearing a Copper Triangle jacket and thought "Hey, I have a jacket like that." Turns out so does Ted. It was him with his wife and two girls ringing cowbells and cheering me on. Total surprise. Suddenly I had wings as he ran with me a bit and I finished on a high.<br /><br />Still to come:<br /><br />* Las Vegas Marathon in December. I am running the full marathon while my husband and Ted's wife are running the half. Ted is our support staff. He has it all mapped out and is set up to receive text messages from all our timing chips so he can keep track of where we are. Most importantly, I'll have peace of mind because I know he'll be checking on my hubby (who had brain surgery in January). It's a little ironic because Ted "babysat" Mike the day after he came home from the hospital so I could take our son to his basketball game. Now he'll watch over Mike running 13.1 miles less than 11 months later!<br />* Ironman St. George 2010. Next May I am competing in my first full Ironman distance triathlon. Because of some previous commitments, my husband can't go, so I asked Ted if he would be up for a road trip to Utah. He didn't even hesitate saying yes.<br /><br />I hope I've reached out to him as much as he has for me, but as I look at this list, I think I have some work to do.<br /><br />If you have a sibling (or two or three), take a couple minutes and think about what might bring a smile to him or her. It doesn't have to cost you a penny, only your time.<br /><br />Wouldn't it be nice to hear "Wow, you did that for me?"Susie Warginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13948333893308534353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984669361795858365.post-34764593382835332822009-08-31T13:54:00.000-06:002009-08-31T14:18:58.900-06:00How an old school #7 helmet is feeding familiesWhenever I speak to groups, I always leave time for questions at the end. Inevitably I get asked “Who’s your favorite athlete to interview?” It’s a tough question, but there’s only one answer.<br /><br />I’m not trying to name drop, but I’ve talked to, met, and/or interviewed some pretty incredible athletes and people. Gordie Howe, Lou Holtz, Bill Walton, Tom Jackson, Johnny Bench, Charles Barkley, and Shaq come to mind when thinking nationally.<br /><br />On a local level, there are all the favorites like Patrick Roy, Joe Sakic, Ray Bourque, Todd Helton, Larry Walker, Carmelo Anthony, Shannon Sharpe, and the list goes on.<br /><br />But it stops at John.<br /><br />As a native of Colorado, orange and blue runs through my veins just like so many in this state. My parents watched Bronco games every Sunday and usually had friends over. The kids would go in the basement to watch the games and listen to our parents yell fanatically upstairs when the Orange Crush smothered opposing offenses and Craig Morton made big plays.<br /><br />But then came John.<br /><br />He changed everything about the Broncos, although it took a little while. Sometimes he made mistakes, newspapers poked fun at his teeth, and people wanted to know what kind of candy he gave out at Halloween.<br /><br />But all the bad moments were forgotten when gave Broncos fans back to back Super Bowl wins. He can’t go anywhere without someone wanting an autograph, a picture or just a hand shake.<br /><br />Thankfully I’ve been in settings where I didn’t have to stalk him to meet him.<br /><br />During my time at 850KOA, I’d ran into John at various functions, but never had a chance to sit down and interview him. As luck would have it, however, I was covering the Arena Bowl Championship in Las Vegas in 2005 and his Colorado Crush won.<br /><br />After the game, John and I sat in a room with the championship trophy between us as I conducted an interview. It didn’t matter if it was the AFL trophy or the Lombardi, I was interviewing John Elway, one on one, for the first time in my career.<br /><br />He was incredible as usual, and continues to be. John always remembers my name AND my husband’s name every time we see him.<br /><br />Which is why we opened up our wallets this weekend for Food Bank of the Rockies and dropped some dough on an old school helmet with John’s signature. Did we spend more than we were comfortable? Absolutely. But given today’s circumstances, Mike and I figured, what the heck.<br /><br />The memento brings a smile to our faces every time we look at it, and the money we spent will bring many more smiles to children who take home Totes of Hope from FBR every Friday afternoon so their families have food for the weekend.<br /><br />If you need a reason to give, there are plenty out there. Find what works for you and you’ll feel better about today than you did yesterday.<br /><p align="justify"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QGIKs11JrD0/SpwqzN0u-bI/AAAAAAAAAAc/-zVkRbdbpnA/s1600-h/Elway+Helmet.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376219114546067890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 169px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QGIKs11JrD0/SpwqzN0u-bI/AAAAAAAAAAc/-zVkRbdbpnA/s320/Elway+Helmet.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>Susie Warginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13948333893308534353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984669361795858365.post-87627356566980361762009-06-29T17:58:00.000-06:002009-06-29T18:00:58.716-06:00Slackers? I don’t think so!A couple months ago, two of my longest-known friends e-mailed me separately, but in the same week, about how their difficulty in staying motivated to work out. So, I set out to find an event they could work towards, and that I could do with them.<br /><br />I tried looking for a 5K, but with my crazy training and event schedule this summer, there wasn’t one that fit in, so I signed us up for the next best thing: the Slacker ½ Marathon!<br /><br />Don’t worry, I didn’t tell them they needed to be ready for 13.1 miles within two months. The Slacker has a relay option, so I told them I would run the first part (5 ½ miles), then I would meet one of them at the relay point and run or walk with her, then meet the other girlfriend at the next relay point and do the same the rest of the way. They were both up for it without a second thought. I was psyched.<br /><br />Both Sandy and Debbie started walking and jogging more and more every day because we had set this goal. They both knew the other two girlfriends were counting on them to be ready. If you’re having trouble getting motivated to workout, set a goal with a friend that you don’t want to disappoint – you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.<br /><br />Race day was a blast. Both girls live in Parker and arrived at my house promptly at 5am because we had to be to Georgetown to hit the shuttle busses no later than 7am. Plus, a stop at Starbucks in Idaho Spring was a must!<br /><br />I’ve known Debbie since preschool and Sandy since 8th grade, so needless to say, we go back a ways. We had the best time chatting and laughing in the car on the way up and back. That time in the car was time we never get together – I’ll always remember that.<br /><br />The event went great. I started from the base of Loveland Ski Area and ran to Sandy pretty quick. Downhill events are fun because you can go much faster than usual (however my legs paid for it the next day!).<br /><br />Sandy and I then jogged and walked the 2nd leg. We talked and caught up on more of life than we had in the car.<br /><br />Then with 4 miles to go, Debbie was waiting for us at the 3rd relay point and the three of us went to the finish. Both legs of the event with my girlfriends flew by because we were enjoying each other’s company, talking about how much fun we were having and soaking in the scenery that we never take the time to see when cruising along in a car on I-70.<br /><div><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QGIKs11JrD0/SklVXLx6C7I/AAAAAAAAAAU/2G82kP-xOE4/s1600-h/6-09+Slacker+Finish.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352903488894012338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 195px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QGIKs11JrD0/SklVXLx6C7I/AAAAAAAAAAU/2G82kP-xOE4/s320/6-09+Slacker+Finish.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br />We held hands across the finish line and had a time of 2:21 – not bad for 3 chicks just having a good time together! Now for our next goal….. :)</div><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QGIKs11JrD0/SklVXLx6C7I/AAAAAAAAAAU/2G82kP-xOE4/s1600-h/6-09+Slacker+Finish.jpg"></a> </p>Susie Warginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13948333893308534353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984669361795858365.post-79512013875205783042008-12-22T14:42:00.000-07:002008-12-22T14:45:59.469-07:00Covering another losing Broncos locker room<p><br />I have covered 8 home Broncos games in 2008. After a 3-0 home start this year, I was loving it: guys were happy, talkative and sticking around long enough so I could grab an interview for my 5:40pm live shot in the locker room. <br /><br />The last few losses haven’t quite been the same. <br /><br />The Broncos have lost 3 of their last 4 home games – Dolphins, Raiders and now the Bills. Losing locker rooms are never easy, but I do give a lot of players credit, as many of them will face the music and own up to whatever mistakes they made during those losses. <br /><br />After an opening drive touchdown, I thought for sure I’d be dealing with a winning post game group after this last game against Buffalo. Not so much. <br /><br />The locker room opens up after Mike Shanahan finishes talking at the podium, which is in a different room underneath Invesco Field. Once coach is done, they open the doors and about 30-40 of us descend upon the players. Reporters, photographers, engineers, anyone with a credential (and someone without – more on that in a sec). <br /><br />Everyone kind of splits up and looks around. There wasn’t a lot to choose from this week as a lot of guys took the chance while the lockerrom was closed to get showered, dressed and scram. <br />But there were still a few we could gaggle around. We started with Brandon Stokley. The last two Denver plays on offense came his way – one went over his head, the other he dropped. He made a great comment about how there was no reason for him to drop it and that’s why he gets paid – to catch and hold on to the ball. Ownership – I like it. <br /><br />From there we grabbed Tatum Bell, Ebenezer Ekuban, Jamie Winborn and DJ Williams. DJ told reporters he was only going to talk for 30 seconds. Don’t tell him, but we got him for about 2 1/2 minutes. <br /><br />I was hoping DJ would talk just a little longer because I wanted to talk to him for my live interview. Unfortunately as made it clear he was done with questions, Rod was saying “and now let’s go to the locker room at Invesco Field where Susie Wargin is standing by.” I could only stand and babble a few things. Thankfully, the guys at the station have been doing this long enough, they had some sound bites from earlier ready to go just in case a live guest didn’t pan out. <br /><br />Needless to say, the locker room was pretty quiet, except for one instance: some young guy with a pass around his neck was escorted out for taking pictures with his cell phone. Not sure what he was taking pictures of, but the PR staff was not happy with him. I didn’t recognize him and he didn’t have a media credential for the locker room, obviously he slipped in with whatever credential he did have. <br /><br />Word to the wise this holiday season: don’t try and pass yourself off as something you’re not!</p>Susie Warginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13948333893308534353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984669361795858365.post-80722041493721423442008-12-10T10:06:00.000-07:002008-12-22T14:52:44.499-07:00What list is YOUR name on?Question: What are three things we wish we had more of?<br /><br />Money, time and health.<br /><br />But what if you used a little bit of money to help schedule your time and you felt healthier in the process?<br /><br />I’m talking about signing up for an event. It doesn’t matter if it’s a one mile walk, a 10K, a charity bike ride or an Ironman triathlon. Something, anything where your name is on a list for an event.<br /><br />Sending in an application and an entry fee accomplishes so many things. For starters, you are paying money for it. Why would you throw that money away and not show up? Add to that, now you are being held accountable for preparing your mind and body for the event (or at least you should be if you want to cross the finish line). Most importantly, chances are you will improve your health in the meantime.<br /><br />So what list do you want your name to be on? I know the snow has started to fly, but there are a multitude of winter events in Colorado and many events for 2009 have already opened up for entries. I’ve included a few of my favorites at the end of this blog. Let me know if you sign up for something<br /><br />I’ve been wanting to write this blog for a while, but I was waiting for my name to show up on a list that I never thought I’d be on: a list for an official Ironman triathlon. Next June I’ll be heading to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles. Yes, it’s crazy, but my name is on the list and here’s the proof (scroll down to the “W’s” to see my <a href="http://www.nasports.com/participants/participants.php">name</a>:<br /><br />How crazy it that? Completely… but I can’t wait.<br /><br />As for suggestions, a favorite I did last year was the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.winterdistanceseries.com">Winter Distance Series at Chatfield</a> Reservoir. You have a choice in distance, the events are smaller than most, and the group is really fun. You can run or walk all of these and the spacing between the races gives you plenty of time to increase your mileage in between if you desire.<br /><br />12/20/08 Rudolph’s Revenge (5K/10K)<br />1/18/09 Frosty’s Frozen 5 (5M/10M)<br />2/21/09 Snowman Stampede (5M/10M)<br /><br />For other ideas, check out the calendar at ColoradoRunnermag.com <http:>Susie Warginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13948333893308534353noreply@blogger.com0