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By kilax, April 16, 2010 5:10 am

What herbs/spices do you love? What herbs/spices do you loathe?

And the big question: cilantro – disgusting or delicious? (poll below)

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Yum, I could go for some salsa!

I love garlic, vanilla, nutmeg, paprika, rosemary, anise, cayenne pepper, oregano, dill, cumin, cinnamon, and yes, cilantro. I recently have started to think I may not like fresh parsley and maybe turmeric and marjoram.

I thought to ask this because Steven shared an article with me about why some people hate cilantro. Apparently, some of the substances in cilantro (modified fat molecules called aldehydes) are also found in soaps and bugs. So when some people eat cilantro and their brain searches for past associations to the food, all they can connect to is associations to soap or bugs, so the brain marks the flavor as a threat.  The good news is, you can re-wire your brain, if you want to…

Interesting (or not) fact: when I was a kid my mom was in some Herb Club and used to drag me along with her once a month. I remember I hated the way everything smelled. Now, I think it would be pretty cool to go to something like that! Oh, how times change.

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By kilax, April 15, 2010 4:44 am

• Finding out our city is starting a community garden (after writing this!), buying seeds and planning out our plot
• Lunch with a friend today to celebrate her birthday
• Upcoming races with friends (four separate races with Erin, Kate, Tori and Robin)
• Running with Steven
• My parents visiting in one month!
• Finally scheduling a haircut for next Friday (it’s been 8 months – I got a coupon in an email the same day I wrote this, and my mom sent me money – yep, how sad is that?)
• Trying archery with Erin and her husband
• Discovering “new to us” trails in Lake County
• *cross your fingers* Sleeping in on Saturday
• Planning a top secret costume for a somewhat secret event
• Moving to a new desk at work… next to a window! With a view of Lake Michigan!
• A trip to DC in May
• Wearing jeans to work on Friday
• My personal chauffeur driving me to the train station
• Steven getting the Datsun licensed and registered*
• Iron Man 2
• Knowing I have over 10 vacation days and not being afraid to use them
• My friends and their growing families
• My happiness with considering me, Steven and Data to be a “family”
• The weather
• Netflix on the wii (frickin’ rocks!)
• Steven’s cooking/baking
• Emails from friends
• Receiving running socks and gu from Kalli’s giveaway
• Sharing recipes with friends
• That I am one payment away from paying off my one credit card
• That “my things I am not excited about list” is much smaller and mental, not written
• Finding a “good” deal on a Shepherd’s hook to hang our bird feeders on (the hope is that Data can watch them from inside… turns out Data is totally freaked out by this thing)
• Posting this!

What are you excited about?

Make a list! You may be surprised how long it gets. I was sure surprised by mine!

The Shepherd’s Hook that is so scary

Data observing from the window

*Put that on there to see if you’re reading, babe**!
**aka, Maaaaaat Damon

Comments (28)

By kilax, April 14, 2010 4:34 pm

A lot of the things I write lately are so negative or introspective. I hesitate to post it because who wants to read that crap? And really, it’s not me. But, I know that saying the things I am thinking will make me feel better. And inevitably, someone can relate, which makes me feel even better. So, I’m okay. Just thinking.

Are you fully engaged in what you are doing?

You know, at work, at home, in your social life, in your exercise routine… are you engaged and committed to your activities (responsibilities?), or are you just going through the motions?

I ask because this topic has come up quite a bit lately at work. And it made me wonder if I am engaged in my “outside of work” life. Sadly, I don’t think I am. I wake up in the morning planning when I will get to go to bed that night. I sit down to watch a movie with Steven but think about sleep. I rush through things so that I can get to the point where I feel “relaxed,” but I never get there. I work out almost every day, but I am like a robot – not thinking about what I am doing, just doing it. And why? Where is it getting me?

I know that I feel better about doing things when I am doing them with purpose. And the purpose doesn’t have to be anything profound. It can be to make me feel good/happy.

New goal: be engaged with what I am doing. Find purpose.

Do you ever feel like you are just “going through the motions”?

Comments (49)

By kilax, April 13, 2010 6:30 am

Let’s see if I can make this make sense… to someone…

Most days, I have these “aha!” moments where I learn something new about myself. It is exciting, because it makes me feel like I am one step closer to inner calm and happiness – the more I know about me, the more I can do to live my life in a way that makes me feel good. At the same time, I am thinking “why does it take me so long to figure these things out?!”

For example, this morning, I was on the train, thinking about my run tonight. I was thinking about how I wonder if we are doing an interval run, and that I don’t feel like running intervals or running in our neighborhood. I wanted to do a simple run, somewhere different.

Then it clicked. I DO like variety.

This is huge for me, because I have always thought of myself as a person who likes schedules and structure. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how wrong I have been. Sure, schedules and structure make me feel “in control,” but variety and spontaneity make me feel alive! It’s as simple as eating something different for lunch, seeing a friend during the week, running somewhere new, picking up a new hobby, or doing things out of order. Or even, at work, being called into a meeting unexpectedly. Sure, it throws things out of “control,” but it challenges me.

So maybe I need to spice things up a bit. Maybe I don’t thrive on structure and schedule like I always thought.

Do you ever have these “aha!” moments about yourself, where you figure out something about your personality?

Other “aha!” moments I have had lately – really, things I have figured out:

• I feel best when I put my needs first
• I can be too needy in relationships and for attention, and need to be careful not to come on too strong
• I feel genuine happiness and excitement for my friends when they succeed, but at the same time, I feel down when they are going through rough times
• I do not have any entrepreneurial interest
• It is not important what I think others expect of me, but what I want from me

Comments (36)

By kilax, April 11, 2010 5:42 pm

Training for… the Wisconsin Half Marathon on May 1.

Day 169 | April 5, 2010: rest

Day 170 | April 6, 2010: 6 m run + strength

I did some strength during lunch (yawn).

I met Steven at the local running store after work, and he enthusiastically (sarcasm) told me that the salesperson was recommending the Brooks Beast to him – the super orthopedic shoe (Steven’s words). Apparently, the salesperson was extremely surprised that Steven has not had any issues with the Adidas shoes he has worn for over a year. The salesperson thought they were entirely the wrong fit. Steven was bummed to get such a heavy shoe, but hey, if they work…

Out of curiosity, I asked the salesman if I was wearing the right shoe. He watched me run for maybe 2 seconds then said “Nope!” Hmm. How can you make an accurate analysis that quickly? He said the Adrenalines have too much support for me and cause me overpronate, and recommended the Ravenna, which has a little less support. Well, since I have two fairly new pairs of Adrenalines, and limited cash, guess what I am doing? Yep, no new shoes for me!

Have you had your gait analyzed? How do you decide which running shoes to wear?

Steven and I both had our gait analyzed at the same place and had shoes recommended to us there… so it strange they are saying we have the wrong shoes, a year later.

After wasting a bunch of time trying to find a new hydration belt (any recommendations?), we finally left to do our run at the Independence Grove Forest Preserve. We ran a mile warm-up and cool-down near 10:30, and four tempo miles at 10:00. I was blowing snot rockets the whole time. I think Steven was thoroughly disgusted. You do what you gotta do!

I felt a bit off in the beginning of the run. I think I am turning in to one of those people who takes awhile to find their running groove. I wonder if that means I am meant for longer distances. Probably not. Ha! Do you think people are built to run certain distances? Which do you think you are meant to run?

I thought the sky looked really pretty!

Steven stretching… look at those beautiful runner’s legs! I am not sure about how he is holding his hands… must be some special balancing technique.

Distance: 6.0 | Time: 1:00:46 | 1: 10:17 | 2: 9:58 | 3: 10:07 | 4: 10:00 | 5: 9:49 | 6: 10:30

V Bar Pushdowns: 3 x 15 @ 30 lb
Biangular Lat Row: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb
Lateral Raise: 15 @ 25 lb, 2 x 15 @ 37.5 lb
Biangular Chest Press: 15 @ 30 lb, 2 x 15 @ 50 lb
Shoulder Press: 3 x 15 @ 20 lb
Pectoral Fly: 15 @ 45 lb, 15 @ 60 lb
Arm Curl: 2 x 15 @ 25 lb
Hip Abduction: 3 x 15 @ 115 lb
Hip Adduction: 3 x 15 @ 55 lb
Shin Developer: 3 x 20 @ 10 lb

Day 171 | April 7, 2010: cross

I had a super busy day but managed to sneak in a quick bike workout during lunch. I felt like I pushed myself a bit more than I usually do.

Bike Time: 40:00 | Distance: 7.63 (Set on “Forest Ride”)

Day 172 | April 8, 2010: strength

I did a quick strength workout during lunch.

Leg Curl: 15 @ 30 lb, 15 @ 40 lb, 15 @ 20 lb
Leg Extension: 15 @ 30 lb, 15 x 2 @ 45 lb
Seated Leg Press: 15 x 2 @ 70 lb, 15 @ 90 lb
Shin Developer: 3 x 20 @ 10 lbs
Hip Abduction: 3 x 15 @ 115 lb
Hip Adduction: 3 x 15 @ 55 lb

Day 173 | April 9, 2010: cross

I used the bike during lunch and did 3 sets of 20 shin developers at 10 pounds. The whole time I was riding the bike, I was wishing I was on a real bike, outside.

Bike Time: 45:00 | Distance: 8.01 (Set on “Forest Ride”)

Day 174 | April 10, 2010: 10 m run

Steven and I ran 10 miles in the Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve. It was a beautiful run! We ran right before sunset, and saw so many deer. I really love seeing wildlife.

The run felt really good too. I think we’re ready for the race! I just wish I would have carried more water with me. We were both really thirsty!

Distance: 10.0 | Time: 1:43:30 | 1: 10:12 | 2: 10:21 | 3: 10:23 | 4: 10:33 | 5: 10:35 | 6: 10:21 | 7: 10:24 | 8: 10:14 | 9: 10:15 | 10: 10:05

Day 175 | April 11, 2010: volunteer

I volunteered as a course marshal at The Race That’s Good For Life – a race Erin‘s running club puts on! I was in charge of an intersection close to the race start. I made sure that people didn’t cross the intersection while there were runners/walkers going by. There were four events – a Women’s 5K, a 5K walk, a Youth mile, and a Men’s 5k – starting between 9:00 and 9:50.

Erin ran the 5K and I got to see her speed by! I wish I could have seen her at the finish! She came back and met me at my intersection after the race.

Do you see Erin?

There she is!

Right after the majority of the kids ran by our spot, one little kid wiped out, so I took him to the first aid area. Boy, did he talk my ear off! He told me the race should have been a bike race, since he is “as fast as Lance Armstrong.” He also talked to me about how awesome Lance is for riding his bike and having cancer, that he thinks runners should start out slow then speed up, and discussed religion a bit. He was 7. What a goober. Kids can be so funny.

Week Summary: 16.00 miles

I tried to take it easy this week. I’ve been having slight aches in my right shin and left heal. Last year, it was my left shin and right heel (hmm, could this be related?) and I ignored it then couldn’t run for months. I may cut back to only two days of running a week if it will keep me injury-free. We’ll see!

Does anyone have any good advice on preventing and taking care of blisters? Steven tends to get them. We are hoping the new shoes do the trick for him, but could use some input as well! We did think this article had some good ideas… but what are your tips? Check out the painful one below.

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By kilax, April 10, 2010 5:22 am

We thought Data has been doing so well with his walking, it was time to try running:

At least admit it is impressive we have him walking on a leash!

So, what’s the strangest thing you’ve seen lately?

Comments (42)

By kilax, April 9, 2010 5:21 am

Growing up, did your family take a lot of photos? Do you take a lot of photos now? What do you photograph?

I ask about family first, because I think the reason I am so in to taking photos now is because my mom and grandma always were. ALTHOUGH, IT IS NOT OKAY TO TAKE PICTURES OF PEOPLE WHILE THEY ARE EATING (I am talking to you, mom + grandma).

I loved going to my grandma’s house when I was a kid and looking through all of her photo albums. And even though she has a digital camera now, she doesn’t have a computer (I know, I know) so she prints out a ton of photos and I still love to look through them!

I think that taking those random photos at family/friend gatherings is such a great way to remember things, and spark conversation too.

Of course, now, I am like my mother and grandmother. I take photos of everything. People, animals, food, buildings, cars, peoples’ cars that are parked poorly, crazy stuff I think people won’t believe I saw unless I show them a picture… but NOT PEOPLE EATING!!! I like to back up all of my photos on to our external hard drive, and even put copies in our safe, because they mean so much to me.

When I wrote this, I didn’t have any photos in mind to share, but that seems kind of silly, so here are a few of my favorite photos from when I lived in Rome (click “continue reading”).

Continue reading 'Friday Question #108'»

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By kilax, April 8, 2010 4:47 pm

I hate writing the “why I haven’t been blogging” post (especially since I know as soon as I hit “publish” I will probably start blogging every day again) but a few nice people asked if I’m okay and I thought I should say something.

I’m okay. And I’m not too sick. The cold I got came and went fast (woo-hoo) and now I just have the task of blowing my snot-filled nose every 5 minutes. Bet my coworkers love that.

I am extremely worn out though and the allure of blogging and reading blogs seems to have temporarily left me. I don’t feel unhappy, just uninterested.

I think this means it is time to refocus on what my blog is. I usually love writing and reading, but I need to be careful that blogging does not have too big of a focus in my daily life. It can’t be #1, you know? I don’t feel like it is, but I do feel like I give it too much importance.

And while I haven’t been writing, I’ve been thinking about how vague and generic my writing has become. I feel like I don’t share many personal things. Not that I want to be scandalous, but I just feel like I have lost touch with what this blog is.

So, I am going to be feeling things out. Or, going back to how things were when I feel back up to it. Who knows. I do have a Friday Question written for tomorrow and am still writing my training posts. So, I’m here. Just not fully feeling it.

Do you go through periods where you lose interest in blogging?

The last time this happened to me was in August. It definitely happens.

Comments (40)

By kilax, April 4, 2010 5:53 pm

Day 162 | March 29, 2010: rest

What a great way to start the week – no exercise, and pizza (x3).

Day 163 | March 30, 2010: 6.5 tempo m run (4.5 + 2) + strength

During lunch I did a strength workout:

V Bar Pushdowns: 3 x 15 @ 30 lb
Arm Curl: 3 x 15 @ 25 lb
Pectoral Fly: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x15 @ 60 lb
Shoulder Press: 3 x 15 @ 20 lb
Lat Pulldowns: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb
Leg Curl: 15 @ 30 lb, 15 @ 40 lb, 15 @ 20 lb
Shin Developer: 3 x 20 @ 10 lb
Leg Extension: 15 @ 30 lb, 15 @ 45 lb, 15 @ 45 lb
Seated Leg Press: 15 @ 70 lb, 15 @ 70 lb, 15 @ 90 lb

Then Steven and I did a 6.5 mile tempo run when I got home. We did a 2 mile warm-up, 3 miles at tempo, and a 1.5 mile cool-down. We started the run in a forest preserve by our house, but about 2 miles in, a cop drove around with a megaphone announcing that the park was closing in 10 minutes. I was surprised! The park is supposed to close at sunset, and it was still pretty light out. We ended up driving home and running in the park by our house. Of course, Jack (the Garmin) got all confused going from one location to another. Ugh. At least our splits were where we wanted them!

It was almost 60 degrees, a bit windy, and if the bugs hadn’t been flying into my eyes, it would have been perfect out!

Distance: 6.5 | Time: 65:47 | 1: 10:35 | 2: 10:34 | 3: 9:36 | 4: 9:36 | 5: 9:37 | 6: 10:26 | 7: 5:22

Day 164 | March 31, 2010: yoga

Steven and I did the Core Yoga Flow segment of the YogaWorks Fit Abs DVD in the evening. Yep. Still harder than it should be.

Day 165 | April 1, 2010: 5.5 m run + strength + cross

During lunch I did a strength workout (not too much upper body since I was SORE),

V Bar Pushdowns: 3 x 15 @ 30 lb
Leg Curl: 15 @ 30 lb, 15 @ 40 lb, 15 @ 20 lb
Shin Developer: 3 x 20 @ 10 lb
Leg Extension: 15 @ 30 lb, 15 @ 45 lb, 15 @ 45 lb
Seated Leg Press: 15 @ 70 lb, 15 @ 70 lb, 15 @ 90 lb
Hip Adduction: 3 x 15 @ 55 lb
Hip Adbuction: 3 x 15 @ 115 lb

and a little bit on the bike.

Remember how it was 45° last Saturday? Well it was 82° on Thursday. We kind of skip spring here, I guess. Have I mentioned I am NOT a warm weather runner? Ugh. I need to toughen up! Are you a warm weather runner? Or do you prefer cool temps like me?

Steven and I ran step-down ladder intervals: 1600, 1200, 800, 800, 400 with 400 recoveries and a mile warm-up and quarter mile cool-down (oops). It actually went pretty well, despite the heat and terrible wind that hit us every time we were running south.

Oh, and I kind of got the lap button to work on Jack. Kind of.

Distance: 5.5 | Time: 57:13 | 1600: 10:48 | 1600: 10:01 | 400: 3:08 | 1200: 7:16 | 400: 2:49 | 800: 4:35 | 400: 3:03 | 800: 4:16 | 400: 3:05 | 400: 2:00 | 400: 3:20 | 400: 2:47
Bike Time: 30:00 | Distance: 5.09 (Set on “Forest Ride”)

Day 166 | April 2, 2010: 3 m run

I think I spent about two hours contemplating whether I should run or do some other sort of exercise. I hate it when that happens. I waste so much time. And I am just trying to do what is best for my body, but I haven’t developed the perfect “trust your body” instinct yet.

Reasons not to run:

1. I woke up with an incredibly sore throat.
2. I only got 5 hours of sleep.
3. My left heel is sore.

Reasons to run:

1. It is 75° outside.
2. I probably won’t get to work out on Saturday.
3. Running might make me feel better.

In the end, I went for a run and told myself I could take it easy and turn around whenever I wanted. So I ended up running 3 miles. And it was HOT. And WINDY. I am not sure which was worse. The wind was so strong I could not hear my MP3 player (which died 2 minutes into my run) but the sun was so strong I had sweat above my lip (it was that sticky sweat you get when you exercise when you are sick… does anyone know what I am talking about?).

Toughen up Kim. Toughen Up.

Sweaty Run, Sweaty Girl

Distance: 3.0 | Time: 28:24 | 1: 9:44 | 2: 9:20 | 3: 9:17

Day 167 | April 3, 2010: rest

Day 168 | April 4, 2010: 6 m run

We were (well, actually, are) in Kansas City visiting Steven’s family, so his parents took us to the English Landing Park for our run.

It has roughly three miles of trails that run along the Missouri River.

The first half of our run was sunny and windy (about 75°) but some dark clouds soon came in and it rained for the last three miles. The cool rain actually felt refreshing! I didn’t want to run in the sun (because I was congested and it aggravated my eyes) so I welcomed the rain and clouds.

Distance: 6.0 | Time: 1:04:03 | 1: 10:40 | 2: 10:47 | 3: 10:48 | 4: 10:53 | 5: 10:41 | 6: 10:10

Week Summary: 21.00 miles

Remember when I wrote this post about how I didn’t get sick all winter? Well, I didn’t get sick during the winter, but I certainly woke up with a sore throat on Friday, that turned into congestion on Saturday and has me taking Sudafed like it’s my job. Running has actually made it temporarily feel better, but I feel like crap at night. I may have to take it easy for awhile, but that is okay with me… because my left heel has been bothering me a bit too! It’s time to back off a bit unless I miraculously feel 100% better on Monday!

I haven’t mentioned this (I think) but our goal for the May 1 half marathon is just to finish without injuries, and have a good time – time as in FUN, not time as in hours and minutes. Last year Steven had to take a few months off after our half because he hurt his hip flexor, and we are just trying to avoid that.

So, what I am saying is, it’s no biggie if I have to back off of running a bit, because I am sure I could run 13.1 miles right now if I wanted to! What’s important is staying injury-free!

Update: I forgot, I told Christina I would link to her makeup bag giveaway. Check it out!

Comments (32)

By kilax, April 2, 2010 6:47 am

Yikes. A coworker just came in to the office, and told me (after calling the police) that she just saw a woman run a red light and hit a police officer on an ATV who was turning left on a green arrow. The police officer flew off of the ATV and landed on the ground. My coworker said the police officer was talking after it happened, so he survived .

The woman who hit him was talking on her cell phone (holding it up to her ear) when it happened.

For a few years, I know it was illegal in Chicago to talk on a cell phone while driving if it was not hands-free. I am not sure if it is still a law, because a few people were fighting it, since there are not signs up indicating it is illegal.

Either way, many of you said you talk on the phone while driving. I don’t want to preach, but please be careful!

In other “road” news, Steven and I saw a Lamborghini at 4:50 am this morning when he was driving me to the train station. A Lamborghini?! In Round Lake?! I thought the only time one was in Round Lake was when we were driving it!