Comments (39)

By kilax, March 23, 2011 4:37 pm

Guess I didn’t get very far after this post.

Help me! I seem to have fallen off of the healthy eating train. I had been doing so well since the beginning of the year, but since last Friday, I have been struggling with emotional eating big time. I’ve been eating lots of junky foods and feeling junky.

When all you want to do is stuff your face with junky food, what do you do to combat that urge?

Things that don’t work for me:

1. Self-talk – telling myself I have to make a certain weight goal by a certain date makes it worse, and so does telling myself I need to eat healthier so I feel good when I exercise. I know I can still run even if I am following a crappy diet, so that doesn’t do the trick.
2. Looking at “Skinny” photos – having “inspiring” photos around doesn’t help. Even though they are of me when I was feeling my best, health-wise.
3. Keeping a food journal – makes me even more neurotic.

Things that do work for me:

1. Being busy
2. Distractions – emails, reading blogs, magazines… exercise…
3. Working out in the am – it makes me want to eat healthier during the day
4. Not eating out (at restaurants that give you huge portions) – I don’t know when to stop eating/how to “say no” to the bread basket!
5. Making sure not to bring too many snacks to work
6. Drinking lots of water
7. Drinking tea – I can drink the tea Amy sent me from Belgium in the tumbler that Kayla bought for me at Disney World!

My new tumbler – I am looking down because Data was trying to escape out the front door while Steven took this picture!

So, seriously, any advice? Usually I get to a certain point with eating healthy (and subsequently losing weight) and it all comes crashing down. I start the binge cycle and gain all the weight back and feel like crap. I really want to avoid that. I want to be normal about food. N-O-R-M-A-L!!!

Sigh.

Okay, if normal is not possible, I want to be semi-normal. Or at least sane.

Comments (13)

By kilax, March 22, 2011 4:27 pm

As a continuation of my similarities/differences to parents post – another difference? My mom is completely selfless and I am completely selfish.

Example? Awhile ago Erin mentioned that Charlotte from The Great Fitness Experiment was going to Cedar Falls, IA to do a book signing. My parents live very close to Cedar Falls, so I immediately thought “Ooo, I can ask my mom to go to the book signing and get a signed copy of the book for Erin as a surprise!”

So I sent my mom an email casually mentioning the book signing and she immediately called me to ask if I wanted her to go. No hesitation. You ask her for a favor and she is ready and willing to help.

Me, not so much. I say no. My mom called me last two Sundays ago to ask if I could make cookies for a bridal shower the following Saturday and I told her no – that I didn’t have time. And I felt like a total bitch. She does so much for me. Why can’t I make the time?

Anyway, she went to the book signing. And I gave her bad instructions – you had to pre-register to participate in some cooking thing that I didn’t know about. She got there too late to participate but too early for the reading so she just sat there and waited. By herself, until Charlotte spoke.

She absolutely loved Charlotte and called me to rave about her after the reading/signing.

Charlotte and my mom

She kept saying how nice and upbeat and fun Charlotte is. She sure does sound that way. I wish I could have been there! Instead, I sent my mom on her own. What a sweetie! My mom gets major props for always being supportive and giving… and selfless.

Who is the most selfless person you know?

My mom also does sweet things like send me packages at work. She sent this bear for St. Patrick’s Day!

Comments (12)

By kilax, March 20, 2011 10:23 pm

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

Day 512 | March 14, 2011: yoga

Yay! I started my week off with yoga. I did the Yoga Works Beginners DVD and really pushed myself – my muscles felt sore (Or maybe they were just sore from Sunday’s race? Ha ha.)!

Day 513 | March 15, 2011: 5.25 m run (2x(4×400)) + strength class

400s sounded easy after running a 5K two days earlier. Ha. They started out easy. I was working hard and covered and sweat at the end!

I did a 1 mile warm-up (@6.5mph/9:14mm), the first 4×400 @7.8mph (7:42mm) with 1:30 recoveries (@6.5mph/9:14 mph), and a 2:30 recovery (@6.5mph/9:14 mph) between sets, the second 4×400 @8.0mph (7:30mm) with 1:30 recoveries (@6.5mph/9:14 mph), followed by a 1 mile cool-down (@6.5mph/9:14 mph).

Ugh. I think I have a callus forming on the left side of my left foot, where I land on it. And I don’t know what to do about it. It hurts sometimes. I am trying to land more in the middle of my foot and not so much on the outside, but it’s hard!

Distance: 5.25 | Time: 45:15 | Incline: 1.0

In the evening, I went to the Grayslake Running Club (GRC) strength class and played worked out with kettlebells for 45 minutes! It was fun! And intense. I was definitely walking funny the next day! And the next day… and the next day…

Day 514 | March 16, 2011: rest

Day 515 | March 17, 2011: 12.7 m run (4 + 8.7) + 2 m run

So. My sore legs – that damn kettlebell workout really got to me. In a “holy crap, have I really not been using those muscles?!” sort of way. I started off this long run with four slow miles in my neighborhood. I finally felt warmed up around mile 3.5.

Then I went to Grayslake to meet 3 people (at 5:15 am!) from the running club. We ran 4.5 miles, then about 7 more people showed up (at 6:00 am), and we ran another 4.2 miles (the bonus .7 miles was a cool-down). My legs felt really great when I was runinng with the club, and despite the wind, we were pretty speedy!

This was another long run where I felt like I could just keep going. I wanted to, but had to go back home and work. Oh well. Maybe next time I can keep going!

Run stats: I wore my orchid Asics Cumulus 12s. I wore bermudas and a long-sleeved wicking shirt (and gloves for the middle 4.5 miles). I stopped and took vanilla bean GUs at 4 and 8.5 miles and drank about 12 ounces of water.

Distance: 4.0 | Temp: 50° |  Time: 39:10 | Avg Pace: 9:47 | 1: 9:50 | 2: 9:44 | 3: 9:47 | 4: 9:45
Distance: 8.7 | Temp: 49° | Time: 1:19:04 | Avg Pace: 9:05 | 1: 10:18 | 2: 8:57 | 3: 8:54 | 4: 9:12 | 5: 9:17 | 6: 8:56 | 7: 8:49 | 8: 8:26 | 9: 6:11

In the evening, I ran two miles with Steven! I miss running with him. We are running a race in Kansas City in April with his dad and brother, so maybe we will run together a bit more now.

Distance: 2.0 | Start Temp: 66° | End Temp: 66° | Time: 23:34| Avg Pace: 11:45 | 1: 11:11 | 2: 12:18

Day 516 | March 18, 2011: yoga

My legs were still killing me on Friday (from Tuesday’s kettlebell workout), so I did some yoga. It helped a little bit.

Day 517 | March 19, 2011: 8 m run

On Saturday’s run, I finally felt like the muscle soreness in my quads was going away. FINALLY!

The 8-miler was supposed to be a sort of tempo run (all 8 miles at 9:10 pace), but ended up being a slow mile, 6 miles near tempo, then a fast mile – for an average of 9:10. Ha ha. Oops. At least the pace felt nice and easy (which was a shock, considering I ate out the night before, and was very full when I woke up).

The funny thing about this run is that it was in the 20s, but I was in Iowa, and all I brought was capris. The capris worked fine, but at the beginning of winter, I would have been wearing tights if it was in the 20s! Ha. I will have to remember this when it starts getting cold again next fall.

Distance: 8.0 | Start Temp: 25° | End Temp: 27° | Time: 1:13:02 | Avg Pace: 9:07 | 1: 9:34 | 2: 9:16 | 3: 9:14 | 4: 9:07 | 5: 9:15 | 6: 9:10 | 7: 9:10 | 8: 8:10

Day 518 | March 20, 2011: rest

Week Summary: 27.95 miles

Well, I got my rest week! I feel laaazy! Oh well.

Comments (16)

By kilax, March 19, 2011 10:41 pm

I sometimes still sleep with stuffed animals.

Well, actually, I use a little throw pillow at home, but my sister just gave me this Yoda, who is pretty sweet. So I may regress back in to that habit…

Or maybe not. I woke up with Yoda’s gray hairs all over my pajamas this morning and that was kind of weird.

When I was a freshmen and sophomore in college, I slept with Stitch (from Lilo & Stitch). Then I made Minou (the cat) my junior year, and slept with her until I moved to Illinois in May of 2007… and Data promptly destroyed her. Then I started using a small pillow.

When did you stop sleeping with stuffed animals (if ever)?

I don’t know why I like having something in my arms when I sleep. Is that weird?!

Comments (35)

By kilax, March 18, 2011 5:39 am

Have you ever had a professional massage before? Did you like it?

From here

Guess who is getting their first ever professional massage today? This girl, right here:

Maybe they can help with some of my shoulder tightness:

Okay, that last picture may have been a bit of a dramatization.

But I have seriously never had a professional massage before! I have heard some people love them, some people hate them, some say you have to find the right person… I am just going to go for it and see what happens.*

*I am going with my sister and future sister-in-law as sort of a bachelorette party sort of thing. I did not set the massage up and have no idea what it is – I do doubt it is a sports massage (which is probably what I really need) though!

Comments (27)

By kilax, March 17, 2011 12:25 pm

Oh my gosh it is WARM outside. Is anyone else rockin’ the flip flops?!

I’m so happy it’s getting warm. That is all.

Comments (84)

By kilax, March 17, 2011 3:58 am

I received a pair of blue tooth enabled wireless headphones for Christmas and have had a lot of issues with them.  I emailed Adam to ask him what he thought of his Sony W-Series Walkman MP3 player, because I loved my Sony Walkman MP3 player, and though I might as well stick with a brand I knew and loved.

The Sony W-Series Walkman MP3 Player

Well, Adam loves the MP3 player. And, he hooked me up. And essentially, two of you as well. He contacted his Sony rep, who sent me a MP3 player to try out, and two to give away!

Below is what I think of the MP3 player. My review has a few interesting notes in it, because in my mind, I was comparing the MP3 player to the wireless headphones and phone combo I had been using while running before.

Me wearing the Sony W-Series Walkman MP3 Player

Details

• 1.68 GB of music capacity (2 GB total)
• playmodes: Normal/Shuffle/ZAPPIN (more on that below)
• approximate battery life of 11 hours
• 1.5 hours to do a full charge (3 minute charge for 90 mins of music playback)
• USB mini-B connector
• format(s) Supported : MP3/ AAC/ WMA (DRM)/ WMT Capable
• comes with S/M/L earbuds, and MP3 holder

Pros

• comfortable/no bouncing/stays put
• water-resistant
• great sound quality
• wireless
• MP3 player built in
• quick to charge/long battery
• controls are intuitive and easy to access while running
• turns on when you “pull apart” the two headphones (see picture below)
• voice tells you what is going on (if on shuffle, changing playlists, etc.)
• easy set up, no software required (option for content download manager for iTunes)
• easy to make playlists/transfer music from iTunes & Media Player – just drag and drop!
• no “skipping” (like my wireless bluetooth headset does with the phone)
• quick song changes with jog lever (crucial – so you are not holding your arm up to your ear (while running) waiting for it to change!)
• inexpensive – it’s originally $60, but click on this link to get it for only $48.99

You just pull the two headphones apart and that is what turns the MP3 player on!

Cons

• no radio
• no screen interface (but this did not bother me – the voice in the MP3 player lets you know what modes/etc. you are selecting)
• computer connectivity issues – this is probably JUST ME and my POS computer, but the computer did not recognize the MP3 player as a drive for the longest time – Steven had to fix it (and I still kind of have issues) – you can see the directions he used here

Don’t Know

• there is a feature I didn’t check out that much – ZAPPIN – quickly scans songs so you can find the one you like with the tempo you desire
• operating temp – the manual says it operates from 41°F-95°F – I run in very cold temps in the winter, and hope it works…
• durability over time – I have only used it a few times

Overall? I love, love, LOVE this MP3 player! And am not surprised. Sony makes great products!

Sony W-Series Walkman MP3 Player Giveaway Rules

1. I will give away two (2) of the Sony W-Series Walkman MP3 Players
2. To enter the giveaway, leave a comment telling me when you would use this MP3 player, and what you would listen to on it.
3. To get an extra entry, “like” Sony’s Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/sonyelectronics, and leave an additional comment letting me know you did.
4. This giveaway is open until 5:00 PM CST on Wednesday March 23. I will use random.org to select the winner. I will announce the winner on Thursday March 24.
5. This giveaway is open to all readers.

Comments (28)

By kilax, March 16, 2011 5:45 am

Have you guys ever done a kettlebell workout?!

Image credit

I think I’m in love!

That’s me, looking like death, in the front on the right. Photo Credit: Essential Fitness, LLC.

I’ve been taking a group strength classes from Essential Fitness with seven other members of the Grayslake Running Club, and last night was our first kettlebell workout.  Those things are F-U-N! The perfect combination of strength and cardio. I just wonder how my quads will be feeling later on today… I was dripping in sweat and worn out by the end of the 45-minute class! My legs even felt a bit wobbly when finished. Awesome.

I am really happy I decided to join this strength class. It was kind of a last minute thing that I signed up for, but I have been really enjoying it. Something about doing strength workouts with other people makes it a lot more fun.

And our instructor, Brian, from Essential Fitness is awesome. He gives clear instructions, does all the moves with us, is upbeat, and has a great sense of humor. I highly recommend him for personal training if you live in the northern suburbs of Chicago! I am going to be bummed when our strength class is over, and am already thinking I might have to have a few more sessions… maybe with Steven!

Brian gave us some Essential Fitness shirts last night! Schweet!

Do you like group strength classes? Or do you prefer to do your strength workouts on your own? Have you ever hired a personal trainer?

Comments (21)

By kilax, March 15, 2011 4:46 am

What’s that in my hand?!

It’s my first Green Monster!

Ha. I have to laugh. I have read about these smoothies for so long on the blogosphere and have never had one. But Jen corrected that for me and Steven on Saturday night! She made one with hemp milk, Sun Warrior protein powder, frozen bananas, spinach, avocado and ice (did I forget anything?).

And – it was DELICIOUS!

Jen and her husband told me and Steven that these are not the best smoothies they’ve ever made, but I was very impressed. Darn, does this mean I have to invest in a Vitamix now?

Just kidding. We are kind of anti “specific-use kitchen appliance” in our house. And we don’t have the room. But I could see myself making these things from time to time if I did have a blender.

Do you ever make smoothies? What do you like to put in them?

Comments (42)

By kilax, March 14, 2011 5:28 am

Well, I used my pacer, Terry, at the Rotary Shamrock Shuffle 5K in McHenry yesterday,

and have a new PR of 23:54! That is 57 seconds off of my old 5K PR of 24:51 (from July of 2009)! Woo hoo!

Terry is a friend of mine from the Grayslake Running Club. I cannot thank Terry enough for coming out early on Sunday morning (on the first day of Daylight Savings Time, and after a night that included a few drinks, no less) to pace me! Thanks Terry!

As you can see from the photo above, we started right at the start line. It was a small race (somewhere between 100-200 people) and not chip timed. I felt like I started too far back at the Frosty Footrace and wasn’t going to make that mistake twice (I also remembered to double-knot my shoelaces)!

Terry had worked out a plan for us to hit just below 24:00. We would start out fast, get our adrenaline going, then try to take it easy the second mile, and finish strong.

Mile 1 – 7:24 – Well, we sure went out fast! After I got used to the pace, and got up some small hills, I felt good.

Mile 2 – 7:42 – I got in to the swing of things and felt comfortable at this pace. I was thanking volunteers and cheering on other runners who passed us (only a few) and runners coming back from the out and back. My legs felt kind of heavy, but it was no big deal. I commented to Terry on how good I felt.

Mile 3 – 7:59 – This was when my brain said “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” and my stomach said “WHOA, I DON’T THINK SO!” My stomach started to twist and cramp (I ate too much the night before). Terry stayed a bit ahead of me to keep me going. He was awesome and motivating, saying things like “Remember when Pre ran with that foot injury?” (we had just watched Without Limits together) and “Only 4 minutes left!,” “You can do this! Use your inner mantra.” Terry really helped me keep going, especially thinking about only having four minutes left to run, as opposed to a distance! Again, thanks Terry!

Mile 3.1 – 00:54 (7:59 pace) – Despite my desire to sprint out the finish, I could only muster an 8:00mm effort! But I still got my PR!

Garmin stats here (notes: it was in the high 20s, and we ran a warm-up mile at 8:17 pace).

Here’s Terry encouraging me at the finish:

Smiling because I knew I was going to make my goal (click to make larger):

Excited about the clock time (again, click to make larger):

I’m still not sure on my final time, but it was probably 23:54!

Yay, we did it!

Of course, we stuck around for awards, and I got second place in my age group (20-29) – the icing on the cake!

What a great (early) start to the day. I kind of thought I was done racing 5Ks after Frosty, but this one made me feel confident and strong! I have a few coming up that are just for fun, but I may try to race a few more this summer or next winter. I just love the cold weather races.

Thanks AGAIN to Terry! And a HUGE thanks to Steven, who got up super early and waited around before the race for an hour, during the race, and after the race for another hour, AND took all of these photos. He is so supportive of my running and I really do appreciate it. And I do miss running with you, Steven!

Confession: we took a two hour nap after the race! That lost hour really affects me. And I did take my “pre-game” nap the day before the race (picture below). Ha ha ha.

And one more time: Yay!