Stillwater resident participates in winter ‘ultramarathon’

A marathon wasn’t hard enough for Jeremy Lindquist.

So he set out at 6 a.m. Dec. 27 to trek 150 miles through the snow on foot, carrying camping gear on his back. And he hoped to finish in 48 hours.

“I always had this desire to see how much farther I could push myself,” the 26-year-old Stillwater resident said.

He decided to do that as one 16 competitors registered for the 150 Tuscobia Ultramarathon, which first occurred in 2009. The course starts and ends in Park Falls, Wis. There are also 35 mile and 75 mile foot races, as well a cross-country ski race and fat tire bike race.

The races take place on the Tuscobia State Trail. “The trail is actually an old railroad grade,” Lindquist said.

According to Lindquist the trail is popular with snowmobilers and dogsleds drivers. He planned to wear flashing lights and reflective material to ensure he’s visible to motorized traffic. He’ll also be wearing a GPS tracking device in case of an emergency, and there will be checkpoints along the trail.

Although he has run marathons, this is the first event of its kind Lindquist has run.

Lindquist used to run door to door carrying the Gazette in middle and high school, and he graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2010 with a degree in kinesiology, which he described as exercise science. Now he works as a running coach and personal trainer.

He started long-distance training for marathons in 2012. He’s been conditioning himself for the ultra marathon for three months.

“As soon as the weather started getting colder, I was out every Thursday night camping out and then running on Friday,” he said.
Jeremy Lindquist prepares for a training run at Afton State Park earlier this year. The Stillwater resident set out at 6 a.m. Dec. 27 to run the 150 mile Tuscobia Ultramarathon in Wisconsin. (Submitted photo)

Jeremy Lindquist prepares for a training run at Afton State Park earlier this year. The Stillwater resident set out at 6 a.m. Dec. 27 to run the 150 mile Tuscobia Ultramarathon in Wisconsin. (Submitted photo)

He’d go to a state park and camp out before running the next day. Some days he’d run eight to 12 hours. With his background in fitness, Lindquist said he felt pretty confident that he knew his body and was capable of finishing, provided he stayed calm.

“My biggest fear is letting my mind get away from me and freaking out and making some poor decisions out there, rather than just keeping my focus and my cool,” he said. “If you start freaking out, you’re setting yourself up for trouble.”

On a 150 mile trail, there’s plenty of time for a runner’s mind to wander. But when he runs, Lindquist makes a conscious attempt to pay attention to signals from his body.

“One thing I’ve always done when I’m running is … looking into my body and making adjustments along the way,” he said.

But sometimes he simply takes in the scenery and tries to just “let it happen.”

Although he hoped to finish the race within 48 hours, he said it would be a success if he completed the race.

“Just finishing it is, obviously, going to be a big accomplishment for me,” he said.

Finishing would give him a baseline to which he could compare future performances.

Ultimately, he wants to do even more arduous races. He mentioned the 350 mile ITI Iditarod Invitational race in Alaska as a possibility.

“I’m a very goal-driven person,” he said.

Contact Jonathan Young at jonathan.young@ecm-inc.com

Source: http://stillwatergazette.com

Allure Holiday Savings

Save 10% instantly when you purchase anything in-store or receive 20% off your sales total as in-store credit applied toward a future purchase. Now until December 20th. 

Source: http://www.ilovestillwater.com/

The Sphinx Covered In Snow Are Fake

Here’s definitive proof the photos of the Sphinx covered in snow are fake.

Images circulating on social media Friday of a snow covered Sphinx are in fact of a miniature model at Tobu World Square theme park in Japan. This image of a snow covered Sphinx were widely shared on social media Friday. The image appeared after Cairo saw its first snowstorm in many years.

However, the photos are actually of a miniature model featured at the Tobu World Square theme park in Japan. The theme park has several replica models, including Narita Airport, the Egyptian pyramids and Versailles.

Source: http://www.buzzfeed.com

Common but Major Mistakes in Social Media

The definition of Social Media is very simple. Social Media is a form of electronic communication by which people makes online communities and forums. Social Media is playing a vital role in passing era and it’s getting popular day by day. By Social Media people are sharing, creating and exchanging their ideas, information in multiple communities and networks. Most importantly Social Media is a user friendly platform from which everyone can get what they want like, creating communities by any aspects, promoting different kind of businesses etc. Social Media is a web-based platform, application and technology where people interact with each other online like, Facebook, Blogs, Twitter, YouTube etc.

Let’s talk about the mistakes which people commonly makes in Social Media. Human make mistakes but to learn by mistakes is the best way to overcome and be successful. Therefore, I would like to discus some of the common mistakes in social media which hurts your business traffic. For doing any work perfectly you need interest the most, if you will have interest you can make it and if you don’t have than its sure you will make mistakes and your work will not be perfect as it should be. Interest is a key which enhance and rise your expertise, skills and abilities. Mostly every work seems easy for us but when start doing that practically than we find it’s not really easy as it seems. Matter-of-fact is that it is true. Here are some common mistakes that I will share below with you and after reading these mistakes, you will be good enough to handle Social Media.

Do not Ignore Social Media

Social Media is important and basic need for your business. Without Social Media you cannot run your business that much successful as it should be.

Talking without listening is not Right

Talking without listening your visitors and customers is really not good for your business. As we all know that customer is the first and important priority.

You think “Likes” is equal to “Sales”

In Social Media, Mostly brands trying to achieve maximum ‘Likes’ on their brands and products etc. But it does not mean that millions of ‘likes’ can make millions of ‘Sales’, Not at all. On social media having affirmation is fun, but it is not ultimate goal. Got so much ‘Likes’ ? Do you think its end of the game? Probably not. Therefore, it means getting ‘Likes’ does not make visitor to consumer.

Don’t you Analyze?

If you do not analyze that means you are not sincere with your work. Analyze means study or examine in detail and typically so as to explain and interpret it. By analyzing your work or brand from head to tail you can present it more perfectly. If you have measurement and analytics tools, you can put more perfection and give more attraction to your brand.

Well as we know there are many social networks available like, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn etc. What you think about your brand promotion? Will you put your brand on every social network? Whether you will not be able to give proper time to them all!

Well, hope you will consider these mistakes and will try to resolve it. Social Media is another world so keep exploring it and make new ideas and share them all over the world. Social Media has got a big influence on different businesses, making new relationships and sharing information and much more. All you have to do is to overcome your mistakes and be a perfect one.

Source: http://socialbullets.com

First-term Sen. Karin Housley leaning heavily toward GOP run for Governor

“The women’s groups and activists that I have spoken with — and even some of the female lobbyists, even DFL lobbyists — have all pledged their support,” says first-term Republican Sen. Karin Housley, who is considering a run for governor.
In an interview, Housley confirmed that she is leaning heavily toward a run and likely will make a decision early next year.
It’s difficult to assess the degree of support Housley would have among GOP activists who determine the party’s endorsement, especially since she would be one of a field of seven candidates.
But her gender could be a game changer.
“Being a woman is an asset,” she said, indicating she would exploit that distinction. “Not to diminish the male candidates, but you do bring a whole new perspective. Not the same old, same old.”

Housley, who lives in St. Mary’s Point, represents a district that encompasses Stillwater and Forest Lake.
She does expect some criticism about running for governor as a relative political newcomer.
“I’m just a freshman legislator. [But] there have been other candidates for governor who aren’t even as qualified as I am,” she said, noting that she owns a realty business and has written a book on finance, “Chicks Laying Nest Eggs.”
Housley has experience jumping into the deep end of the political pool. After incumbent state Sen. Ray Vandeveer suddenly quit the race in 2012, Housley entered the GOP primary on the last day of candidate filings and went on to win.
She won’t rule out running in a gubernatorial primary but said she would seriously seek the GOP endorsement.
She says that after conservative women’s groups, donors and business groups recruited her, she posed the possibility to her family — professional hockey coach and former NHL star Phil Housley and their four children. “They were all on board and supportive,” she said.
Housley said she did a search of Minnesota governors and their backgrounds, which convinced her that her credentials are sufficient to run a credible race in a short period of time.
“The month of January will be enough time to get everything in order and jump in,” she said.
Housley also confirmed another political tidbit: If she decides to join the governor’s race, she would be the first woman to run for Minnesota governor as a Republican.

ALERT: You Are Peeling Oranges Wrong

How do we know you are peeling oranges wrong? Because you're peeling them at all.
Since citrus season is about to get into full swing, we should really be eating oranges correctly. We're already well-acquainted with having a tiny bit of clementine skin stuck under our fingernails (I may or may not have some there as I type this), and the season only just got started. Sometimes you stumble upon a photo that immediately makes you feel like a total idiot. That is exactly what happened when we saw this photo from Sara at JewelPie.

 

Sara doesn't peel an orange at all, but rather makes a few small cuts and then just rolls the thing out like a Vitamin C-based red carpet for her mouth. After learning that we've been eating apples wrong and bananas wrong this year, it seems only fitting that oranges would be next. What are we eating right? We'll keep practicing and get back to you.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com

Dealing with Difficult Customers/Clients

It is easy to work with people you like, and it is even easier to work with people who like you. But that's not always the case. Sooner or later, you'll have to deal with a difficult customer.

Difficult customers come in a wide variety. There are those whose personality rubs you the wrong way. They may not be difficult for someone else, but they are for you. And then there are those who are difficult for everyone: Picky people, know-it-alls, egocentrics, fault-finders, constant complainers, etc. Every salesperson can list a number of the types.

But perhaps the most difficult for everyone is the angry customer. This is someone who feels that he or she has been wronged, and is upset and emotional about it. These customers complain, and they are angry about something you or your company did.

There are some sound business reasons to become adept in handling an angry customer. Research indicates that customers who complain are likely to continue doing business with your company if they feel that they were treated properly. It's estimated that as many as 90% of customers who perceive themselves as having been wronged never complain, they just take their business elsewhere. So, angry, complaining customers care enough to talk to you, and have not yet decided to take their business to the competition. They are customers worth saving.

Not only are there benefits to your company, but you personally gain as well. Become adept at handling angry customers, and you’ll feel much more confident in your own abilities. If you can handle this, you can handle anything. While any one can work with the easy people, it takes a real professional to be successful with the difficult customers. Your confidence will grow, your poise will increase, and your self-esteem will intensify.

1. RESPECT. It can be difficult to respect a person who may be yelling, swearing or behaving like a two-year-old. I'm not suggesting you respect the behavior, only that you respect the person. Keep in mind that 99 times out of 100 you are not the object of the customer's anger. You are like a small tree in the path of a swirling tornado. But unlike the small tree, you have the power to withstand the wind.


2. EMPATHY. Put yourself in the customer's shoes, and try to see the situation from his/her perspective. Don't try and cut him off, don't urge him to calm down. Instead, listen carefully. If someone is angry or upset, it is because that person feels injured in some way. Your job is to let the customer vent and to listen attentively in order to understand the source of that frustration. When you do that, you send a powerful unspoken message that you care about him and his situation.

CRACK THE EGG

Imagine that you have a hard-boiled egg. The rich yellow yolk at the center of the egg represents the solution to the customer's problem, the hardened white which surrounds the yolk represents the details of the customer's situation, and the hard shell represents his/her anger.

In order to get to the yolk, and resolve the situation, you must first crack the shell. In other words, you have got to penetrate the customer’s anger. Then you've got to cut through the congealed egg white. That means that you understand the details of the customer’s situation. Finally, you're at the heart of the situation, where you can offer a solution to the customer's problem.

When it comes to dealing with difficult customers, remember this:  You can say and do everything right and still not be able to diffuse the situation. Don’t carry it over to your next customer or take it out on your team. Simply take Confucius’ advice: “…be careful in your actions.” Do your absolute best to avoid problems from occurring in the first place.

Source: http://www.davekahle.com

World’s Largest Gingerbread House Stands 20-Feet-Tall

Breaking News from ABC | ABC Sports News

They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and that’s certainly true this holiday season.

The largest gingerbread house ever built, standing 20 feet high and composed of 39,201 cubic feet of gingerbread, has been constructed in Bryan, Texas.

Officially recognized by Guinness World Records, the tenaciously tasty treat was built by the members of the Traditions Club, a private golf club. They said they kept with the Guinness rules requiring that the entire outside structure was edible.

“We ate it all along,” Bill Horton, the club’s general manager, told GoodMorningAmerica.com.

“In fact,” Horton continues, “The first day, when the Guinness World Records gentleman came, I was walking him around the building and in his British accent he asked if it was edible. So I bent down, picked up a piece that had fallen onto the ground and ate it. He looked at me and said, ‘Either it’s edible or you’re an idiot.’”

The gingerbread house is made up of 22,304 pieces of candy and took about a month to build.

“There’s loads of Twizzlers, loads of peppermint sticks, and spun-sugar glass work,” said Horton. “Six-inch lollipops are all along the front, and plenty of green and red Life Savers.”

But the world record-winning recipe doesn’t stop there.

The spice-filled structure was made with 1,800 pounds of butter, 7,200 eggs, 225 gallons of molasses, 7,200 pounds of flour and close to 3,000 pounds of brown sugar. Combined with the massive amounts of candy, the house totals 36 million calories.


Besides the daily maintenance the gingerbread house requires, in addition to dealing with impending inclement weather, one of the biggest problems the club members encountered was in the form of Mother Nature.

“We’ve had a lot of bees during the day. It was covered in bees,” Horton explained. “Once we started applying a lot of the icing, we had to call a beehive specialist. Normally this time of year there’s no more bees, but I guess they can’t resist this amount of sugar.”

The gingerbread house, equipped with a Santa who sits inside, is open until Dec. 14. The club is donating all the profits from the project to the St. Joseph Trauma Level II Program.

Source: http://abcnews.go.com

Someone Else's Love Story Book

By: Joshilyn Jackson

I fell in love with William Ashe at gunpoint, in a Circle K

For single mom Shandi Pierce, life is a juggling act. She's finishing college; raising her delightful three-year-old genius son, Nathan, aka Natty Bumppo; and keeping the peace between her eternally warring, long-divorced Christian mother and Jewish father. She's got enough to deal with before she gets caught in the middle of a stickup in a gas station mini-mart and falls in love with a great wall of a man named William Ashe, who steps between the armed robber and her son to shield the child from danger.

Shandi doesn't know that her blond god has his own baggage. When he looked down the barrel of the gun in the gas station he believed it was destiny: it's been exactly one year since a tragic act of physics shattered his universe. But William doesn't define destiny the way other people do. A brilliant geneticist who believes in science and numbers, destiny to him is about choice.

Now, William and Shandi are about to meet their so-called destinies head-on, making choices that will reveal unexpected truths about love, life, and the world they think they know.

Someone Else's Love Story is Joshilyn Jackson's funny, charming, and poignant novel about science and miracles, secrets and truths, faith and forgiveness; about falling in love and learning that things aren't always what they seem--or what we hope they will be. It's a story about discovering what we want and ultimately finding what we need.



Source: http://www.valleybookseller.com