Comments (28)

By kilax, March 31, 2011 9:44 am

1. I did not want to get up to meet the Grayslake Running Club (GRC) this morning. I was just exhausted. So I got out of bed to sign in to the GRC website and take my name off of today’s run, and realized, since I was up, I might as well go! Plus, I don’t have anyone’s phone number, and what are the chances they would look online before they left to meet at 5:30? I ended up running 9 miles with them and 6 on my own. Has meeting friends to run ever been the only thing that got you out the door to do it?
2. I saw a fox this morning during my run! He crossed my path then stopped to look at me, then kept running. I snapped a picture with my phone. You can really see him, right? (no)



3. This has been my highest running mileage month ever – 145 miles!!!
4. This morning, as I was driving to meet the GRC to run, I was thinking about how much I love my Infiniti FX35 (2005 model). I’ve had it for almost two years now. I love the performance, the way it sounds and looks, but especially the little details. I love being able to control the stereo from the steering wheel. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the proximity key – I never have to get a key out to get in to my car or start it! When I have a car at work, I always forget you have to have the key out to start the car. I highly recommend Infiniti. What is your favorite car brand? Please don’t say GM.
5. Speaking of my car, I backed it in to something on March 1 and effed it up. I was so embarrassed and disappointed in myself. I can’t really say much about it now, because insurance is still getting worked out, but I can say that Steven was amazing it getting it taken care of for me, and right away. It’s all better now! Phew. (P.S. Good thing we got a tax return this year and had some extra cash!)



Oops.



All better!

6. I asked for a new three-tube bird feeder for Christmas because squirrels destroyed mine last year. My dad’s mom gave me this nice new one. Check it out though! These squirrels are relentless! I don’t mind if they eat the food – just please don’t eat the feeder!



7. When I first heard Jennifer Lopez’s new song “On the Floor,” I didn’t like it. But then it got stuck in my head and I had to buy it on iTunes. YOU know what is stuck in my head now? “Black and Yellow.” No way in hell I am downloading THAT! What song has been stuck in your head lately?
8. I wanted to see Burlesque when it came out in the fall, but it didn’t meet our “see in the theater” criteria. I finally came from Netflix last night though! I loved it. It was a nice, fun, cheesy, mindless movie with dancing and singing (and lots of scantily clad women). I love fun movies. And I love Christina Aguilera!



9. My brother is getting married this weekend (photo of him and his fiancee below)! Yay! Are any of your siblings married? My older brother is, but I wasn’t able to go to their wedding, because I was living in Rome.



10. And this last tidbit is kind of long! In fact, this whole thing got kind of long. Oops. I thought it would be short. Anyway.

Do you guys know what this is? Does it look like something a vegan would eat?

It’s seitan (vital wheat gluten). Steven’s actually made it before. Last weekend, he was experimenting with the texture of it, trying to make it less “sponge-y” and more stringy.

You can buy vital wheat gluten and work with that, but Steven started from scratch, with a bag of flour and water, then worked with the dough for about an hour.

Hey, Kim, do you see what is in he top right corner of the photo?

Then he spent an hour soaking it. After that, he split it up into different pieces, and experimented with cooking it different ways for a few more hours (and he also made a pizza during all of this).

On Sunday, Steven cut the seitan in to strips, coated it in flour, and fried it. Nom.

Here are two of the pieces, that he prepared differently. You can kind of see the one on the right is more stringy/meaty, and the one of the left is sponge-y – still some experimenting left to do!

Steven makes me feel kind of lazy. Ha ha. He is amazing. He will tackle any project with confidence. I would be scared away from trying something like this, but he sure isn’t!

Comments (27)

By kilax, March 30, 2011 5:02 am

I wasn’t going to write these mental running tips up, but then Erin encouraged me to, and wrote a nice blog post that mentioned me sharing the tips with her, so I felt inspired. Thanks Erin!

My three biggest setbacks*, while running the Chicago Marathon (my first and only marathon to date) were:

1. subpar training (due to having three stress fractures)
2. weather
3. lack of mental preparedness

Now, those first two things weren’t really in my control – but I could have been more prepared for the mental challenge of running a marathon. Before I tackle another one (and it’s in the plans!), I asked the Grayslake Running Club (GRC) president if the club could host a clinic on the mental aspects of running. The GRC delivered! Last Thursday, I attended “Get Your Mind Right; Mental Training/Motivation for Runners,” facilitated by Jenny Spangler – a US Olympian and current running coach.

Spangler started by giving us her top three mental tips for running, then answered questions.

1. Know the purpose of your run – whether it is a tempo run, speedwork, long run or just a fun run, know why you are running. Think about it before you go on your run. Having this in mind will give you purpose and keep you going.
2. Visualize your races – when preparing for a race, spend 5-10 minutes (2-4 weeks prior) a day visualizing the race. Visualize the course, yourself crossing the finish lines, you running in all sorts of weather conditions, any obstacles that may arise (pain, etc.). The visualization will help you mentally prepare and build confidence that you can complete your goal. And again, the goal can just be to have fun! And she didn’t say this, but I think it is good to visualize yourself just doing any run!
3. Use mantras – have a few mantras you use during the race when you start to struggle. Using a mantra will divert your mind and help you transcend pain. Have a few for different circumstances. Repeat them and practice them before races.  Always picture yourself in a positive way!During the clinic, we actually brainstormed mantras and shared some. I have been using the one Erin put on the Road ID she gave me:

Run Strong, Think Big!

I also came up with:

• Don’t crap your pants
• Bagel
• Pain is temporary, quitting is forever

And a few other people had some good ones:

• Be a machine
• There is no wall

Do you have a mantra or mantras you use? What is it/are they? The mantra can be for running or life! For example, when I was feeling a bit down years ago, I would say “Today’s going to be a good day” in my head over and over as I walked to work.

If you need help creating a mantra, there was recently a fun Runner’s World article about doing so(read here)!

After the mantra discussion, we were able to ask Spangler questions. I won’t go over it all, but there were a lot of good discussions! Since I struggled with feeling lonely, despite being surrounded by hundreds of people, during the Chicago Marathon, I asked Spangler how she dealt with loneliness as a front of the pack runner, and what she thinks about, being up there by herself. I mean, surely, those elites get lonely, right? Right?!

Well, it turns out that Spangler thinks about running. Her form. Her breathing. Her pace. Her mind doesn’t wander like mine. She is a associative runner, not a dis-associative runner, like me. You can read about the two types of runners here – but basically, associative runners think about form, stride, posture and are focused. Dis-associative runners fantasize, reminisce, talk with friends and let their thoughts wander. Yup, that is me.

Are you an associative or a dis-associative runner?

So, she didn’t really have any tips for me. Which is fine. I will figure that out, I know it!

As I write this, I remembered to mention that the heat really did slow me down at the Chicago Marathon. But, was it the heat’s affect on my muscles? Or, was it a mental affect? My GRC friend, Terry, and I have been talking about he runs faster in the summer. I told him I run slower in the summer, but as we talked more about it, and I talked to Steven, we decided maybe that was a mental thing too. I mean, yeah, they say you slow down a certain percentage for every degree over 55°, but maybe part of it is mental. Maybe I will do better in the heat this summer. That is, if it ever warms up!

*And don’t get me wrong – I thoroughly enjoyed the marathon, but have a lot of improvement there

The winner of the Life is Hard, Food is Easy Giveaway is #12, Mica! Mica, please email me your mailing address, and I will send it your way!

Comments (17)

By kilax, March 29, 2011 4:52 pm

Leaving work today, one of my coworkers totally called me out on the fact that I am wearing a spring jacket.

That’s my spring jacket. And me, admitting myself to a Psych Ward.

That’s damn right I am. I have been wearing it for a few weeks. I got my winter jacket dry cleaned last week and I refuse to wear that thing again. Sure, I am freezing, but I am stubborn. WHERE IS SPRING?!?!

That is what I told my coworker. And she pointed out that I still had the rest of my winter gear – hat, scarf, gloves – but was missing the coat. Sigh. Can’t I live in my little alternate universe where it’s warm sometimes? Jeez.

Seriously, I didn’t mind the cold throughout November – mid March. I expected it. But now? It’s getting on my nerves. Just a little bit.

I even changed my masthead to a picture with snow in it. Because there might as well be snow if it’s not going to warm up.

WHOA, was has gotten in to me? Forget that – I was SUPER SICK of snow. Okay, I found something to be grateful for – the snow is at least gone!

Comments (16)

By kilax, March 29, 2011 5:01 am

I think I need one of these –

Do you have a yoga towel? Do you use any yoga props besides a mat (strap, blocks, etc.)?

I forgot that Jen loaned me a yoga towel when I took my first hot yoga class with her. I could have used one last night! I was dripping with sweat during almost all of the 90°+F 75-minute Vinyasa class I took with Lauren. I was so sweaty that my mat was drenched and I couldn’t do downward dog without my back legs slipping – and that was after putting a regular bath towel on the mat! The towel scrunched up and kept moving around – and it was too short!

The class was really good. I think I like the Vinyasa Flow style, better than doing more static poses. I was able to keep up for most of the class, and felt limber and exhausted (in a good way), afterward. It’s amazing to see what some of the people in the classes can do. I love watching the other students, even though I probably shouldn’t!. One girl got into a headstand while the rest of us were doing a wide legged forward fold. I guess she just felt inspired. She made it look so easy!

Do you like a particular style of yoga more than others?

I liked getting so sweaty. It made me feel like I was working hard… even though I was in a heated room. Ha ha.

Lauren and I met at a coffee shop before yoga to chat, then went out for a quick drink before I had to catch my train home.

It was a fun meet up! I feel spoiled, meeting two bloggers, two days in a row! Hmm, who’s next?!

I had a lot of fun chatting with Lauren about her running, how she ended up in Chicago, her work and her other interests. I hope we get to meet up again! She’s sweet and fun.

What a long day though! I left my house at 4:30 am and didn’t get home until almost 10:30 pm! I am feeling tired today… maybe yoga made me too relaxed!

Comments (17)

By kilax, March 28, 2011 7:25 am

While strapping your yoga bag around your neck instead of your shoulder may seem like a good idea at the time, be cautious – it may result in an ugly (and painful) mark on your neck:

And while I am at it, what is up with these weird-o marks that appeared on my neck after my long run on Saturday?

So bizarre. I totally edited them out of the photo on my blog from earlier today!

Do you ever have random marks appear on  your body? Or any interesting birthmarks?

Sometimes I get scratches on my chest from Data walking on me at night and accidentally scratching me. And I have bruises on the tops of both quads from the strength close. We do this move where we march in place and pump our arms with dumbbells/kettlebells. The less coordinated people (read: me) end up hitting and bruising themselves. When I got that massage a week and a half ago the masseuse commented on them. Ha ha.

Comments (12)

By kilax, March 28, 2011 6:05 am

Yesterday I got to meet Kim from Girl Evolving!!!

Kim lives in north central Indiana, but every once in awhile, ventures over to the Chicagoland area. Every time she mentions her Chicago trips on her blog, I comment “We have to meet up the next time you are here!!!” (creepy much?) – and we were finally able to yesterday.

I love Kim’s blog because she is upbeat, positive and has a great sense of humor. She’s a very good, concise writer (doesn’t babble on like I do). And she is a runner… and she likes to experiment in the kitchen… and she has an ADORABLE cat (Hi, Mosie!!!).

(Photo stolen from Kim’s blog)

Anyway, we met at Panera yesterday and chatted for about two hours. In hindsight, maybe I should have picked a table more toward a corner because I was being loud and laughing almost the entire time we were together. Sorry, Panera patrons – I have a loud laugh!

Kim is one of those people who is exactly like you picture her (friendly, upbeat, positive, funny, and she’s so cute!) from reading her blog – that is probably another reason I like her so much – she is genuine.

I was sad when she had to leave to make the long trip home, but hopefully we can meet again. Thanks for going out of your way to see me, Kim!

When I got home I was telling Steven all the funny things we talked about (especially about Mosie), and one the things I mentioned was that Kim and her husband Dave like to watch silly movies and make fun of them, like Steven and I do. I thought this was kind of a weird thing to do (because we do it on purpose), and was surprised that Kim did it as well, but when I told Steven, he didn’t think it was that odd! So tell me,

Do you like to watch silly movies just to make fun of them?

I know Erin does… and that seems like something Mica would like to do (if she had the time with all of her school work!).

I was telling Kim that our favorite movies to make fun of are sci-fi movies. Especially ones that involve travel to outer space. Or aliens. Kim said they like making fun of Disney movies. And I know she recently watched Honey, which is also a fun one to watch and laugh at.

But I also said to Kim, I am NOT happy when I watch a movie that is “supposed” to be good and it ends up being bad. Like Winter’s Bone. Really? Really? And Easy A… a lot of people liked that, but I sure didn’t! My sister said I was too old for it. Ha ha.

Side note: Can anyone surpass my bag lady status for the day?

I finally get to take a hot yoga class with Lauren tonight… which means one extra bag and some other random things I don’t normally drag to work.

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By kilax, March 27, 2011 5:55 pm

My next race is the Fools 5K on April 2nd.

Day 519 | March 21, 2011: 7 m run (1 mile, 2 mile, 2×800) + cross

This session of speedwork seemed particularly daunting – 1 mile with 400m recovery, 2 miles with 800m recovery, then 2×800 with 400m recovery in between – but it went well! I ran loops on the roughly 800m path in the neighborhood park, and the workout flew by. My legs felt most taxed at the end of the two-mile portion.

While I was running my first 800, another runner ran on the outside of the path, so I stopped to chat with her during one of the recovery intervals. Turns out she is training for the Madison Marathon. She lives really close so maybe we’ll run together sometime!

Distance: 7.0 | Start Temp: 48° | End Temp: 49° | Time: 59:38 | Avg Pace: 8:31

In the evening, Steven and I went on a walk on the new trail by our house. The bridge is getting close to being completed!

Distance: 3.85 | Time: 1:10:32

Day 520 | March 22, 2011: strength class

We did another kettlebell workout. This workout had less of a focus on cardio and more on strength (so less kettlebell swings, yay!). I felt spent when I was done, but not as wobbly as the week before! I didn’t have much energy during class, so I think I may have been half-assing it a bit.

Day 521 | March 23, 2011: 4.5 m run

Lunch time run in the gym. Confession – I am a little bit treamilled-out. I am sick of running on that thing. But I run during lunch so I don’t have to get up early, and so that I can spend my evenings with Steven. I wish I could run outside during lunch, but yeah… I wouldn’t get very far with my measly one-hour lunch break!

Anyway, this was a simple and easy run at 6.4 mph. I just wanted to get my legs moving after the previous night’s strength class.

Distance: 4.5 | Time: 42:15 | Avg Pace: 9:21 | Incline: 1.0

Day 522 | March 24, 2011: cross

Recumbent Bike Time: 45:00 | Distance: 7.62 | Set on “Manual,” Resistance Level 5.0

Day 523 | March 25, 2011: 7 m run (tempo)

I ran early in the morning with my pacer friend from the Grayslake Running Club (GRC), Terry. The plan was a 2-mile warm-up, with 3 miles at tempo, and a 2-mile cool-down. I knew if I ran with Terry though, that we would be speedy – so I did 5 miles at tempo with a 2-mile cool-down. And boy, did that cool-down feel good.

I was out there wearing tights. Tights! In the end of March. Will spring ever come, for real?

Distance: 7.0 | Start Temp: 22° | End Temp: 23° | Time: 1:00:29 | Avg Pace: 8:38 | 1: 8:32 | 2: 8:20 | 3: 8:16 | 4: 8:20 | 5: 8:33 | 6: 9:21 | 7: 9:01

Day 524 | March 26, 2011: 16.85 m run

I met some fellow GRC friends in Grayslake for this long run. It was a good run to do with friends – I needed distractions from the awful wind!

I started off pretty fast with two of the men in the club, then left them to run slower with some other women for the remainder of the run. I didn’t want to get too burned out. And it’s hard to tell if I was or not. My body felt fine, but the wind pushing on me from all directions was making me feel exhausted. And I had to stop and get water in the last few miles. I think I didn’t properly fuel the day before the run (I had a bad headache and took a long nap then didn’t have any appetite).

After the run we ate at Something’s Brewing – the coffee shop where we met in the morning. I usually don’t feel hungry right after a long run (takes a few hours or a day) but I still got a bagel and apple! I know that ideally, I am supposed to eat within 30 minutes after a long run. Do you feel like eating immediately after a long run?

Run stats: I wore my orchid Asics Cumulus 12s. I wore tights with shorts over them, Under Armour Cold Gear, a windbreaker, gloves and a headband. I took GUs at 4 miles, 8 miles and 12 miles. I drank 32 ounces of water. We stopped quite a bit – to get directions from the run leader, go to the bathroom, get water, wait for people, and at mile 7, to walk across a railing to get over a flooded part of a trail!

Distance: 16.85 | Start Temp: 24° | End Temp: 29° | Time: 2:32:11 | Avg Pace: 9:11 | 1: 8:49 | 2: 8:47 | 3: 8:52 | 4: 9:08 | 5: 8:55 | 6: 8:59 | 7: 9:49 | 8: 9:02 | 9: 9:09 | 10: 9:05 | 11: 9:32 | 12: 9:28 | 13: 9:14 | 14: 9:08 | 15: 9:29 | 16: 9:25 | 17: 8:00

Day 525 | March 27, 2011: yoga

When I woke up, all I could think was YOGA. My left calf felt so tight! I did the Yoga Works Beginners DVD to stretch out.

Week Summary: 35.35 miles

Well, I am getting the miles in, but I feel like a slacker when it comes to cross training, strength training, and yoga! Even though the year has been going well, and I feel like I am ramping up my mileage smartly, and haven’t had any serious pain, I still worry about injury. When will I ever get over that fear?!

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By kilax, March 26, 2011 3:02 pm

Back to rockin’ the tea. At least I have this awesome tea cup from my sister. Too cute! I think I laugh every time I use it.

I may or may have not picked up this box of tea (below) because it had a lion drinking tea on the box… adorable!

And yummy!

Anyway, talking about my emotional eating issues is getting a bit old. I don’t want someone to take a glimpse at my blog and think that is all I talk about, because really, I tend to be a pretty happy person (at least I think?) no matter my size. I just want to be healthy and feel good. I don’t when I eat a sh*t ton of sugary crap!

I recently bought a copy of my favorite emotional eating book, Life is Hard, Food is Easy, by Linda Spangle, to reread. I first read this book in the summer of 2004, and it really resonated with me. Spangle talks about why we overeat (stress, boredom, sadness, you know, all that) and suggests real ways to deal with our emotions instead of eating. Something about this book just really makes sense to me. I think I need to reread it once or twice a year. I wish I could describe it better.

I bought an extra copy of the book to give away. I figured someone out there may benefit from reading it as well.

And with that, I will try not to talk about this so much…

Life is Hard, Food is Easy Giveaway Rules

1. To enter the giveaway, leave a comment saying you would like to be entered in the giveaway.
2. This giveaway is open until 5:00 PM CST on Tuesday March 29. I will use random.org to select the winner. I will announce the winner on Wednesday March 30.
3. This giveaway is open to all readers.

Comments (30)

By kilax, March 25, 2011 1:53 pm

What kind of computer do you use? How long have you been using it? Do you like it?

I have a Dell Latitude D800 (on the left above) that I have been using since September of 2004. And I have an HP Mini (on the right above) that I have been using since April of 2009. My Dell has been reformatted numerous times, as well as had the motherboard and other various things replaced. I really like it… when it works. It’s been acting funny lately, and Steven’s going to look in to it. The HP Mini is awesome for traveling because it is so lightweight! I take it downtown with me every day!

I’m curious to hear what other people are using!

Side Note – I had my sister order me new running shoes with her Amazon Prime account yesterday and they came today! Holy crap that is fast! Thanks, snister!*

I love new running shoes! How often do you get new running shoes? I have been rotating between two pairs at a time. This is my third pair of Asics Gel Cumulus 12s. I got the lavender ones this time.

Ooo, and know what else I love? Working from home and dressing like a bum! Oh yeah… sweatpants all day long, baby!

*No Dad, I did not misspell “sister” – that is a word that Christina and I call each other.

Comments (39)

By kilax, March 24, 2011 6:07 am

Erin took me shopping at The Limited on Tuesday and I now have pants that fit! No belt required!

I actually got a few other things too, like this sweater:

I actually bought it to match this cute top,

but I felt bloated today so I wore the white top instead. Erin actually suggested the whole ensemble! Well, minus the lack of shoes and messy hair. There is still work to do here. No one can fix that.

I have to thank Erin for waiting while I tried on approximately one zillion pairs of pants and two zillion dresses. And a few tops. I did come home with two dresses! My younger brother is getting married on April 2nd and I thought it would be fun to buy something new for the wedding!

So far, everyone thinks I should go with the purple dress. What do you think?

I am happy I have some pants that fit now. I felt so sloppy before. I was hesitant to spend the money on pants, because I hope to be needing new ones again in a few months, but it’s worth the money to feel comfortable in the meantime.

I also think I was a little scared to shop at The Limited. I had never been in there before and was worried they wouldn’t have clothes to fit a bigger girl like me. But they did! And the salespeople were really nice!

Have you ever felt too intimidated to shop in a certain store? For what reason?

I remember one time Steven and I were on Michigan Avenue and decided to stop in the Armani Exchange (was that the store, Steven?) or something similar and we basically walked in… and walked out! We didn’t belong in there!

Time to announce the two winners of the Sony W-Series Walkman MP3 players!

Number 29 and 52! That would be Chad and Kristi! Congrats! Please email me (kimilax@yahoo.com) your mailing addresses and I will send the MP3 player your way.

As a reminder, you can buy the Sony W-Series Walkman MP3 player here for only $48.99! That is a special discount for ilaxSTUDIO readers!

I have really been loving mine. It’s so nice not to have cords in the way of my run, or have to worry about carrying an MP3 player on my arm or in my pocket. And the sound quality is AWESOME.

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway!