Comments (21)

By kilax, July 15, 2009 7:36 am

Steven and I received an invitation (okay, from Chipotle) to attend a free screening of the film Food, Inc. tonight. The only reason I know what this film even is (despite having read many books by its contributors) is because I’ve been reading about it on many food blogs (here, here and here). From what I’ve read, I get the impression that this movie is going to make me feel sick to my stomach. And possibly very upset. And disappointed.

Here is the description of the film that I took from their website:

In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation’s food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government’s regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation’s food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, herbicide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won’t go bad, but we also have new strains of E. coli—the harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults.

Featuring interviews with such experts as Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), Michael Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto) along with forward thinking social entrepreneurs like Stonyfield’s Gary Hirshberg and Polyface Farms’ Joel Salatin, Food, Inc. reveals surprising—and often shocking truths—about what we eat, how it’s produced, who we have become as a nation and where we are going from here.

It feels silly to feel nervous about seeing a film. But when I see things like this, I never forget them. It’s like I have a special part of my brain that stores memories of bad/scary/disgusting/freaky things. That’s why I can’t watch films like Saw, or The Silence of the Lambs, or Se7en. That’s why I don’t look at the peta website. These disturbing images stay with me forever.

Who knows though. Maybe I’ll leave the film feeling inspired.

Comments (14)

By kilax, July 14, 2009 6:55 pm

I just realized I am completely unexcited about something I should be very excited about right now.

In fact, I don’t think I would be too upset if the event were canceled.

That makes me feel really sad.

What’s wrong with me?!

Please let this just be a phase.

Comments (19)

By kilax, July 12, 2009 3:05 pm

Welcome to week 4 of marathon training! If you click on the activity links after the dates, it will take you to the Garmin connect website for full stats.

Day 22 | Monday, July 6: Cross-train for 30 minutes Rest

Ugh. I felt mopey and was suffering from a sugar withdrawal headache so I did nada for cross-training and went to bed early.

Day 23 | Tuesday, July 7: Run 3 miles

I keep repeating this, but I absolutely have to start doing these shorter runs slower. I ran the first 1.5 and last .5 miles of this run with Steven. We started out fast and I didn’t want to slow down. I also don’t want to over-train though! I promised myself I would run slower on Wednesday, but Wednesday’s run never happened.

Distance: 3.01 miles | Time: 26:10 | 1: 8:49 | 2: 8:52 | 3: 8:25 | 4: 00:02

Day 24 | Wednesday, July 8: Rest

I felt frustrated (and sorry for myself) since the moment I woke up on Wednesday, so I took the night off to relax.

Day 25 | Thursday, July 9: Run 6 miles

Six nice easy miles, at a comfortable “conversational” pace – check!

Distance: 6.00 miles | Time: 57:01 | 1: 9:25 | 2: 9:29 | 3: 9:47 | 4: 9:35 | 5: 9:24 | 6: 9:19

Day 26 | Friday, July 10: Run 3 miles

Three hot, accidentally race pace, PISSED OFF miles.

The two highlights (low-lights?) of this run both involved kids getting into my way ON PURPOSE. I wish I was imagining this, but their actions were obviously intentional.

The first time I was on the loop around our neighborhood park. I saw two kids on one motorized bike coming my way so I got over to the right edge of the path. They started swerving back and forth and back and forth over the path, crossing dangerously close to me before quickly swerving out of my way. The kid driving gave me a malicious look. I think it is the same kid getting in the way of cars on the street two weeks ago. What the heck?

The second time, I saw a kid dribbling a ball in the sidewalk, so again, I got over in the right edge to get away from him. When I got near him, he made eye contact with me, then he dribbled the ball in front of me and I had to stop and jump into the grass. What the heck?

Parents, anyone, reading this, what should I do? I doubt it is worth saying anything to these kids, but it is seriously frustrating me. These are not young awkward kids trying to figure out sidewalk etiquette. They are being little sh*ts on purpose. Maybe I should just stick to the early morning hours before the terrors get out of bed. Or try REALLY hard to ignore it.

Distance: 3.00 miles | Time: 26:34 | 1: 8:54 | 2: 8:56 | 3: 8:40 | 4: 00:02

Day 27 | Saturday, July 11: Run 6 miles at marathon pace

I set my regular alarm for 6:00, but had to rely on my kitty-cat alarm clock to wake me up at 7:30. Thanks Data! (Funny thing is, he started waking me up at 5:30 on Sunday. He’s a kind of unreliable alarm clock!)

Look! A talking shoe!

It was cloudy when I got to the park, so I was excited, thinking I wouldn’t be running in the sun. That quickly changed though! I got really hot right away. I was too lazy to put my hydration belt on, and ended up stopping at the car THREE TIMES for water. Yikes. I need to wear the belt next time!

The deceiving skies…

… quickly turned to sun!

I took a photo of my awesome bruised wrist to share with you all. I look forward to running as one of the few hours of the day when I don’t have to wear the stupid splint and wrap.

Pace runs make me so nervous and stressed out. I feel like I am constantly looking at the Garmin to keep on track. I feel guilty if my pace goes up at all. I much prefer the method we used for the half marathon – just putting the miles in, at ANY pace. I know this is the way to becoming a better runner though!

Distance: 6.00 miles | Time: 53:15 | 1: 8:55 | 2: 8:52 | 3: 8:57 | 4: 8:49 | 5: 8:55 | 6: 8:40 | 7: 00:03

Day 28 | Saturday, July 12: Run 11 miles

I found a new out-and-back trail to try near our house, but was concerned about getting too far out on the trail away from a toilet. The park by our house has a loop that goes by three separate toilet facilities (!!!) but I am getting kind of sick of running there. When I told Steven my dilemma, he suggested I run to the park by our house, then do a few loops there, to change things up a bit. I have always been a bit nervous about running on the shoulder of the street (especially with a 55 mph speed limit!), but it went well, and it was fun to run somewhere different for the first and last 2 miles.

Not driving there created another dilemma though – I couldn’t bring extra water. My hydration belt (this one) only holds maybe… 16 ounces total? And it LEAKS. I was definitely dehydrated today. I have been looking for a belt that holds more water, or a hand held water bottle, or maybe even a camelbak. Actually, I am really interested in camelbak, but worried about my back getting all sweaty and gross. What do you like to use for hydration? Have any of you used a camelbak?

Edited to add: My brother-in-law was disappointed that I didn’t mention I tripped over him and five of his friends on my way out the door that morning. So… Andrew (my BiL) was in town with his friends for a Cubs game on Saturday and the Brewers game on Sunday, and they all stayed at our house. It was fun seeing him and his friends, and finding spots for all of them to stay (three couches, one bed, one air mattress, and one sleeping bag!). Data enjoyed sleeping on their dirty sheets after they left. Ew Data, ew.

Distance: 11.00 miles | Time: 1:49:58 | 1: 9:42 | 2: 9:38 | 3: 10:24| 4: 10:08 | 5: 10:09 | 6: 10:03 | 7: 9:58 | 8: 9:46 | 9: 9:56 |10: 10:08 | 11: 9:59

Week Summary: 29 Miles

I seem to have fallen prey to the “I can eat anything I want, I am training for a marathon” mentality. Well, if that were true, would my jeans be this tight? My diet has been disappointingly junky lately, and feeling restricted by my wrist and moody all week surely didn’t help. I get through my runs just fine, but know I could perform better if I ate better, and lost a few pounds. I haven’t mentioned it, but I took my weight loss tracker off the site awhile ago, and stopped weighing myself. I didn’t want that to be a focus during training. I want my focus to be on feeling healthy. I’ll get there.

The end of week 4 means I am 25% through the training program! The marathon will be here before I know it! I just found out you can track the racers online during the race, so I will make sure to post all of that info closer to the actual date.

Comments (17)

By kilax, July 10, 2009 6:58 am

If you could take a ride in a hot air balloon over any city, what city would you choose?

Definitely Rome. That seems like a silly answer since I lived there for so long, right? Well, it’s because I am so familiar with the area that I would love to travel over it. I would love to see the city streets from above and relive all of my adventures (in memory) during the ride. I would just have to make sure the ride was in the spring or fall – hot air balloon rides are, well, hot! And it is SUPER hot in Italy over the summer.

I’ve never been on a hot air balloon ride, but I would love to one day, over ANY city. And I would love to go to one of those hot air balloon festivals. The balloons are just so beautiful and fascinating!

Side Note: I would love to hear my family’s answers on this – who wants to go on a hot air balloon ride with me? I know they have them in Galena! And I would love to hear stories from people who have gone!

Comments (16)

By kilax, July 9, 2009 5:44 am

I am borrowing the “I’ve Come to Realize” Meme from Marla, because I am pretty sure you don’t want to read about how much my wrist hurts, all of the things I cannot do because of my wrist, and how frustrated I am. Oh yeah, and this is a fun meme, so borrow if you want!

1. I’ve come to realize that my chest-size. . .
is directly correlated to my weight – the smaller I get, the smaller they get.

2. I’ve come to realize that my job. . .
is extremely secure, and that’s important right now.

3. I’ve come to realize that when I’m driving. . .
I am my most impatient.

4. I’ve come to realize that I need. . .
to learn how to relax.

5. I’ve come that realize that I have lost. . .
my connection with mainstream society (implying I ever had one).

6. I’ve come to realize that I hate it when. . .
people tell me what to do.

7. I’ve come to realize that if I’m drunk. . .
uh… I am never drunk. I rarely drink.

8. I’ve come to realize that money…
shouldn’t define who you are, but a lot of people let it.

9. I’ve come to realize that certain people. . .
will never change, so it’s best I ignore them.

10. I’ve come to realize that I’ll always. . .
be a little bit impatient, no matter how hard I try not to be.

11. I’ve come to realize that my sibling(s). . .
are nothing like me.

12. I’ve come to realize that my mom…
is an extreme worrier when it comes to her schoolwork/grades.

13. I’ve come to realize that my cell phone. . .
is good enough for me.

14. I’ve come to realize that when I woke up this morning. . .
I still felt frustrated.

15. I’ve come to realize that last night before I went to sleep. . .
Steven was talking to me about something and I feel asleep. Oops.

16. I’ve come to realize that right now I am thinking. . .
is it time to go home yet?

17. I’ve come to realize that my dad. . .
is one of the most supportive  and non-judgmental people in my life.

18. I’ve come to realize that when I get on Facebook. . .
I get frustrated when I have lots of messages in my inbox. I still like email.

19. I’ve come to realize that today. . .
is going to be better than yesterday. I am not sure how…

20. I’ve come to realize that tonight. . .
I have to run those 6 miles I put off yesterday to sulk and cry on the couch.

21. I’ve come to realize that tomorrow. . .
I will be the only one in the office on my team.

22. I’ve come to realize that I really want to. . .
take a day off to myself to catch up on sleep.

23. I’ve come to realize that the person mostly likely to repost this is. . .
not sure about this one!

24. I’ve come to realize that life. . .
is about journeys, not destinations.

25. I’ve come to realize that this weekend. . .
met my expectations. More or less.

26. I’ve realized the best music to listen to when I am upset. . .
something upbeat to snap me out of it.

27. I’ve come to realize that my friends. . .
are not always who I think they are.

28. I’ve come to realize that this year. . .
I’ve made huge progress in my health.

29. I’ve come to realize that my exes. . .
deserve happiness.

30. I’ve come to realize that maybe I should. . .
be more cautious of what I say.

31. I’ve come to realize that I love. . .
laying in the sun doing nothing.

32. I’ve come to realize that I don’t understand. . .
many people’s interests, but I try to.

33. I’ve come to realize my past. . .
is somewhat irrelevant.

34. I’ve come to realize that parties. . .
are not for me.

35. I’ve come to realize that I’m totally terrified. . .
of being injured.

36. I’ve come to realize that my life. . .
is completely in my control.

Comments (21)

By kilax, July 6, 2009 3:43 pm

I didn’t ask the doctor, but I am pretty sure I shouldn’t play any sand volleyball for awhile.

I had x-rays done of my wrist and forearm – no fracture! The doctor wants me to immobilize it (keep it in the splint) and ice it for 30 minutes each day. He was concerned by the amount of swelling and the fact that I cannot twist my arm without pain, so he wants me to make an appointment with an orthopedic specialist this week. He thinks the specialist may want to do an MRI and see if my tendons (or whatever they are called) are messed up. He thinks physical therapy may be in store for me, but I am a bit “yeah right.”

I am gaining more mobility each day, so I am excited. I can use my right hand fingers today! I am going to see how it feels tomorrow before I call the specialist.

Thank you for all of your well wishes! I will keep you updated.

And as you can probably guess, it will take me a bit longer to get to your blogs, but I will, eventually!

Comments (16)

By kilax, July 5, 2009 11:47 pm

Welcome to week 3 of marathon training! If you click on the activity links after the dates, it will take you to the Garmin connect website for full stats.

Day 15 | Monday, June 29: Cross-train for 30 minutes

The only cross-training I felt like doing when I got home on Monday was moving back and forth from the pantry to the couch*.

But, there was an intervention by the US Postal Service! Jen generously offered to send me her yoga DVD after my “Yoga fail” post, and it arrived! I was too excited not to try it.

She included a nice letter, telling me how happy she was knowing the DVD would go to good use. She mentioned that another friend sent her some books, and this was her way of returning the random act of kindness by “paying it forward.” I will have to do that as well!

A letter and DVD from Jen!

The DVD is Louise Solomon’s Total Body Toner. She mixes yoga and pilates and calls is “Yogalates.” The DVD is set up into 4 segments – abs, upper body, lower body, and total body. I decided just to start with abs (which she called “abdominals/waist/pelvic floor”). I even got Steven to try it.

Louise Solomon is fairly annoying, and we both felt like she was forcing us to breathe and go through the moves too fast, but I felt like it was a good way to force myself to stretch. Because sometimes, I don’t stretch before or after running.

My favorite yoga pose – nap time

*I didn’t get to do this cross-traning. I feel asleep after dinner while Steven was watching Valkyrie, and woke up to him making popcorn for us and Data**. Yum!
**Data LOVES popcorn. It is the only human food he eats, besides fish.

Yoga time: 20:00 (est.)

Day 16 | Tuesday, June 30: Run 3 miles

Tuesday was another speedy 3-miler with Erin. I think we should do a 5K together. I bet we could push each other to sub 25:00. I wrote that crossed out section on Tuesday night, then read her Wednesday post and she suggested the same thing! We signed up to run the Rally for Autism 5K together on August 15th! She also had the idea to volunteer with the PAWS group at the Elvis is Alive 5K on August 6th. I am so excited! I have been wanting to volunteer at a 5K for quite some time.

It was 65°F and overcast when we ran – perfect conditions for a run if you ask me! I think I do best in cooler temps. We ran hard, but I didn’t get as sweaty as I normally do, so I skipped the shower (shh!!!), changed right back into my work clothes (another skirt) and went back to my desk. I know hotter days are ahead, so I am grateful for a simple workout like this! And I am really starting to get into the swing of the midday workout. I really look forward to it – it’s a nice break!

As a side note, perfect running weather does not translate into perfect sand volleyball weather. I am in a Tuesday night league with some coworkers, and it’s been gloomy every time we have played so far (okay, just two times).

Wonderful volleyball weather! Not!

Distance: 3.09 miles | Time: 26:42 | 1: 8:23 | 2: 8:56| 3: 8:35 | 4: 00:46
Volleyball time: 45 minutes

Day 17 | Wednesday, July 1: Run 5 miles

Wednesday was another day of shockingly cool temps. Steven joined me for the first two miles and the fourth mile of this run, then did sprints while I did the fifth. And that is after he did P90X Legs & Back and Ab RipperX. He is hardcore.

My splits are all over the place. Oh well. It was supposed to be a comfortable run, and I did what felt comfortable! It was almost like a tempo run. Almost. Okay, a BIG almost.

I wore one of my anti-nip shirts. I am nipping out, but you can’t tell, because the shirt is so swirly!

Distance: 5.01 miles | Time: 45:16| 1: 9:15 | 2: 9:24 | 3: 8:46 | 4: 9:39 | 5: 8:09 | 6: 00:02

Day 18 | Thursday, July 2: Run 3 miles

Since we were driving to Guttenberg, IA on Thursday night, I decided to save time in the evening by running during lunch. But sadly, without my lunchtime running buddy, Erin.

I was super hungry before my run (after having oatmeal, cereal, a banana, and an apple) so I had a pack of Watermelon Luna Moons. I like the way the Luna Moons taste, but they are impossbily chewy! The only way for me to eat them is before a run when I can pick the bits out of my teeth!

I ran to the Adler Planetarium and back. I think it might be time to take this “comfortable” pace advise more seriously. I think I am pushing myself too hard. I feel fine now, but don’t want to get burned out.

I had my cell phone with me, so I took some crooked pictures while I was running! (Like in that movie Yes Man, Steven pointed out.)

Crossing Lake Shore Drive is a royal pain in the a$$. I had to stop both times. This is the only time the Chicago crossing guards have come in handy, in my experience!

I see my goal…

…and back to Chicago!

It is SO windy right by the lake! This definitely slowed me down!

The Ferris wheel at the Taste of Chicago

The Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies

Distance: 3.01 miles | Time: 25:22 | 1: 8:25 | 2: 8:31 | 3: 8:22 | 4: 00:02

Day 19 | Friday, July 3: Rest

Day 20 | Saturday, July 4: Run 5 miles at marathon pace

I just can’t say no. My grandma called me on Thursday and said, “There is a 5K in the neighboring town of Garnavillo at 8:00 am on the 4th! Do you want me to call and get the info?” How cute. Of course I want you to, Grandma. Even though I wasn’t planning on running a 5K!

My parents, grandparents, aunt, sister and her boyfriend, and Steven walked the 5K while I ran it. I started off entirely too fast. I am not really sure what I was thinking. I know I was expecting less people to be running, but there must have been at least 50 people there, and at least 10 finished in front of me.

My grandpa, aunt, me, Steven, my mom and grandma

I won my age group with a time of 24:51 (a new PR), but was the only one in my age group! I won a free pancake breakfast, which I gave to Steven.

After I was done with the 5K, I ran back to Steven and we finished together. Then I finished off my scheduled 5-miler pretty far away from my 9:00 minute mile marathon pace goal.

Distance: 5.01 miles | Time: 43:33 | 1: 7:46 | 2: 8:12 | 3: 8:17 | 4: 9:44 | 5: 9:29 | 6: 00:02

Day 21 | Sunday, July 5: Run 6 miles

This run was super slow, because I ran so hard the day before and because my wrist hurt. Steven kept me company by riding a bike with me while I was running.

Distance: 6.01 miles | Time: 01:03:45 | 1: 10:47 | 2: 10:48 | 3: 10:59 | 4: 11:00 | 5: 10:34 | 6: 9:30 | 7: 00:04

Week Summary: 22 Miles

I have stuff to say, but am having such a hard time typing with one hand, it will have to wait.

Comments (20)

By kilax, July 4, 2009 10:55 pm

When we got to the beach today we saw that someone had set up a huge slide at the top of the sand hill, with a pump to run water down it.

There was a huge ramp at the end of it.

My brother Nick got some major air going down it.

I went down a few times.

It was a lot of fun.

Until I landed on my wrist. I can’t move it too much right now.

As long as I can run I don’t care. I may have to see a doctor though.

It’s really hard to type with my left hand only.

Editor’s Note: Check out the awesome splint & sling that Steven and my Grandma made me! And here’s a video of my sister’s boyfriend going down the slide.

Comments (18)

By kilax, July 2, 2009 7:05 am

Because today is an 8-hour workday for me, I took the 6:25 am train instead of the 5:23 am train.

Wow. What a difference an hour of sleep makes. I woke up with a bounce in my step, instead of feeling like zombie-woman.

It’s a reoccurring theme here – my struggle to get enough sleep. I fill my days too full and make my expectations too high. I set myself up for failure and exhaustion.

It makes me very disappointed in myself that I am still struggling with this. Being healthy is not just eating well and exercising. It’s a triad of eating well, exercising AND getting enough rest.

I tried to combat my exhaustion by taking naps the past two weekends. But a 2 or 3-hour nap in the middle of the day? Or two 1-hour naps in one day? That doesn’t seem right (even if it feels right).

I’ve been putting a lot of hope into this 3-day weekend at the river with my family – that it will be relaxing and easy-going. I imagine myself sleeping on the beach, closing my eyes and relaxing on the boat, having relaxing conversations with my (immediate) family, enjoying leisure activities… we’ll see. I’ve learned it’s best not to have my expectations too high (ever, really) when going somewhere where my imaginary schedule has to be coordinated with 9 others people’s.  

And however the weekend turns out, what happens when I come back? I’ll still be skimping on sleep, I’m sure.

Comments (14)

By kilax, July 1, 2009 11:45 am

You know what’s exhausting? Trying to give someone what they want, when what they want is constantly changing*.

I am sick of trying to figure people (and their mood swings) out. I know it’s their issue, not mine, but still, it’s exhausting and wearing me down.

My therapist pointed out that when someone is really detail oriented and likes to pick things apart, that by letting it ruin my day, I am doing the same thing – focusing in on the irrelevant details. What a good point. So I am working on not letting the small things build up, but in the meantime… ugh. I feel like I am constanlty being attacked.

*Because they are crazy, and want one thing one day and something different the next.