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By kilax, April 30, 2011 12:17 pm

The winner of the Nike + Sportband is Kim. Kim, please email me your address and I will send it your way!

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By kilax, April 28, 2011 1:24 pm

Have you ever changed your course of travel (while driving) to follow a cool car (or get a closer look at something)?

I was driving to an appointment during my lunch break today when I looked in my side mirror and saw a truck hauling a red Datusn 280Z (I think) on a trailer. The truck pulled in to a gas station, and I quickly made a turn to go check it out. Unfortunately, I think the truck was just using the gas station as a shortcut (which is illegal, right?) and was going down the road in the other direction. For a split second, I thought about following it, then logic got the best of me and I turned around and kept on my way to my appointment.

Why do I give a crap about a Datsun 280Z? Because one sits in our garage. And has been. For a long time. It’s Steven’s project car, and it’s really close to running reliably (I think?).

The red Datsun looked really nice, and I think Steven would have liked to see it!

I used to always tease Steven about the time that we saw a DeLorean and he followed it almost all the way to the owner’s home. I guess I can’t really tease him anymore!

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By kilax, April 27, 2011 12:19 pm

(well, if my credit card doesn’t eff up)

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By kilax, April 27, 2011 6:12 am

In December I won a Nike + Sportband and planned on giving it to someone for the holidays. After discussing it with Steven, we decided that person wouldn’t use it, and the Nike + Sportband has just been sitting on a shelf since then, not even opened!

Surely one of you would use it, or know someone else who would? Maybe a newer runner who does not have a Garmin?

While walking/running the Nike + Sportband keeps track of:

• pace
• distance
• time
• calories burned

I’ve never used one, but you probably have to calibrate it, then can upload your workout data and look at your stats online.

Anyone interested, or have a friend/family member who would use it?

Nike + Sportband Giveaway Rules

1. To enter the giveaway, leave a comment telling me who would use this – whether it’s you or someone else.
2. This giveaway is open until 5:00 PM CST on Friday April 29. I will use random.org to select the winner. I will announce the winner on Saturday April 30.
3. This giveaway is open to all readers.

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By kilax, April 26, 2011 4:31 pm

Guess what I get to try when I get home (in case the title didn’t give it away)?

Yum. Homemade bagels.

Our bagel quest has not been very successful. Seriously, DON’T get a bagel if you go to NYC. You will be scarred for life (alright, try them, but get some to bring home and put in your freezer). Or you will have to make friends with someone in NYC who will send them to you.

Nearly everyone I tell about our bagel quest asks me “Why doesn’t Steven just make some?” Jeez, what is he, my personal chef/baker? Muah ha ha, I guess so.

Steven was a bit hesitant to start experimenting with bagels, because it took him a long time to perfect his bread recipe, and it was a lot of work. But, the work has begun. We will be eating a lot of bagels in the future until he makes them perfect. And that is fine with me. I have about a gazillion races coming up and could use the carbs.

The annoying thing is, I have to wait until I get home at 8:00 PM to eat a bagel. I have my strengh class tonight. I almost want to skip class just to go home and try one. Maybe toasted? With peanut butter?

And speaking of my strength class, I am not sure if I will sign up for May. I am feeling pretty “meh” about having another weeknight committment. Speedwork starts on May 17th, and will be once a week until sometime in September. I have running club 5K meetings every other week (local friends – mark your calendars for a 5K on August 6th!). And I like to go to the free summer concerts at Independence Grove on Tuesdays in the summer. Last night I went home and didn’ t have to do anything and it felt so nice to just veg out and be a lazy smackaroo.

How many nights a week do you have things scheduled to do outside of the home?

For awhile, it seemed like we had something going on almost every night. Fun things… but I get so drained!

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By kilax, April 25, 2011 7:27 pm

Alright, I need to get something less depressing up here! Thanks for all of your support on my previous post!

My next races are the Provena Illinois 5K on April 29th and the Christie Clinic Illinois Half Marathon on April 30th.

Day 547 | April 18, 2011: rest

Day 548 | April 19, 2011: 4.5 m run (5 x 2:00 min fast/2:00 min easy) + strength class

This speed workout looked really easy on paper – warm-up, 5 x 2:00 minutes fast with 2:00 minute recovery (each), and cool-down.

It was NOT easy. I mean, I wasn’t killing myself, but I was happy when the two minutes were over. Maybe it felt so hard because I hadn’t done speedwork since March 21st? Oops! Hopefully I will stick with speedwork more once the Grayslake Running Club weekly speed sessions start in May.

I ran on the treadmill during lunch. I feel all wobbly when I start running on that thing. It’s weird. Anyway, I ran 10 minutes @ 9:05mm pace, and the fast/slow intervals at 7:30mm/9:05mm. Then I cooled down for 10 minutes with a 10:00mm.

Distance: 4.5 | Incline: 1.0 | Time: 39:48

In the evening I attended my weekly strength class, which was a CrossFit motivated workout where we rotated through stations, then did boxing intervals in between.

Day 549 | April 20, 2011: rest

Day 550 | April 21, 2011: 8 m run

In the morning, I ran 8 miles (at a 6.3mph/9:31 minute per mile pace) on a hotel treadmill. At first, I thought the treadmill was too bouncy, but then I realized I actually liked the cushioning! The 8 miles were boring, but easy.

Distance: 8.0 | Incline: 1.0 | Time: 76:20

Day 551 | April 22, 2011: rest

Day 552 | April 23, 2011: rest

Day 553 | April 24, 2011: 21 m run

I headed to the Rollins Savanna for a 20-miler. The Savanna is a huge loop with a smaller loop attached that adds up to about 5ish miles. I figured 4 times around that and I would be set. I would stop at my car for water and GUs as necessary.

I started out slow then met up with two runners from the club for miles 2-7.8. Running with them helped me speed up. Then I was on my own. Back to slow town. My goal was 9:45s. It just wasn’t happening. I expected the run to be physically hard after eating like crap for four days, but it wasn’t. My mind just wasn’t quite in it. And it was windy, of course!

I listened to podcasts and was just doing my thing, stopping every now and then to get rocks out of my shoes. Around mile 12, I felt a stabbing pain in my outer right knee when I started to run after stopping. I got my knee brace from my car, and felt better immediately, but whenever I stopped, the pain was intense. Like, crying, gasping, hobbling intense… for about 10 steps until it went away.

I took this picture during a walk break in mile 15. I also saw a coyote or fox on the trail too.

I came up with a new mantra during this run- don’t stop, because it effin’ hurts to start again. I finished out 21 miles, knowing I could have done 5.2 more, but it wouldn’t have been my best effort.

I took an ice bath when I got home. My knee felt better. I iced it, foam rolled, remembered to take drugs. It hurt to go downstairs, and felt stiff after sitting. Yay, fun times. My knee hurt like this at the end of August and went away after awhile. I am hoping that happens again.

Run stats: I wore my orchid Asics Cumulus 12s.  I wore bermudas and a short sleeved tech tee. I grabbed my windbreaker and gloves and wore them from miles 7.7-16. I took GUs at 4, 8, 12 and 16 miles . I drank 52 ounces of water. I walked during miles 16 and 19.

Distance: 21.0 | Start Temp: 45° | End Temp: 56° | Time: 3:29:33 | Avg Pace: 9:58 | 1: 9:59 | 2: 9:53 | 3: 9:35 | 4: 9:18 | 5: 9:14 | 6: 9:18 | 7: 9:04 | 8: 9:06 | 9: 9:41 | 10: 9:56 | 11: 9:57 | 12: 10:08 | 13: 10:07 | 14: 9:59 | 15: 10:23 | 16: 11:00 | 17: 10:22 | 18: 10:34 | 19: 10:34 | 20: 10:46 | 21: 10:26

Week Summary: 33.5 miles

Yeah, this wasn’t my best week. I really thought my body was enjoying those rest days – I had been sore for a couple of weeks and it finally went away. But on Sunday morning, when I was walking down the stairs to go on my run, I felt that knee pain. It just came out of nowhere. Let’s hope it goes away soon so I can finish out these next few races I am registered for!

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By kilax, April 24, 2011 1:12 pm

On the 5th I mentioned that I had a family member in the hospital having surgery to remove a tumor. Later that day I mentioned the surgery went well and they were recovering. I tried not to go in to too many details, because it’s not my story, but I would like to share a bit more.

We found out in March that my mom’s dad had colon cancer. He was the one having surgery on the 5th. He is still in the hospital. He just came out of ICU this Friday, but still has a myriad of problems. He still has cancer in his body, a weak heart (has always had that), liver problems, and pneumonia. He also cannot remember how to swallow and is rapidly losing weight. He can somewhat speak, but it’s more like mumbling and hard to understand him (although seems to be getting better).

A few weeks ago, we found out my mom’s mom had a tumor. She also has colon cancer. She had the tumor removed on Thursday, and seemed to be recovering well (can talk to us, normal pain, etc.). But the doctor told her yesterday that she still has cancer in some of the lymph nodes they took.

Steven and I went to Dubuque, IA on Wednesday night and stayed there through last night. We wanted to be there when my grandma had surgery and spend time with my grandpa.

I hate to say this, but I have to be honest (and I have been with my family) – I had a very hard time being in the hospital. I still feel too raw from all the time we spent there in August/September when Steven’s mom was ill. Some of my family members are staying overnight in the hospital, and while I felt that I should, I just couldn’t do it. We stayed at a hotel. And I feel kind of rotten, but I did the best I can. I am really happy I got to spend that time with my grandparents and my family, even though I felt so torn inside.

The latest news is that both of my grandparents are having heart issues today. It’s kind of a day-by-day game of seeing how they are going to be. It’s really an emotional mess for everyone.

So I am feeling a bit emotionally checked out and anti-social. I don’t feel like blogging or communicating. I just feel blah and worried and upset. And useless that I can’t do more. Or be there more. Or be effective when I am there.

So you know the drill – I may be quiet for awhile, I may not. I have a fun event this upcoming weekend that I know will pull me out of my meh-ness.

And thank you to all of my friends who have been supportive, and to all of you.

Here is a cute picture of my grandparents from our wedding. They’ve always been so incredibly energetic, healthy and fit (fun note – all my life, people have mistaken my grandma for my mom – it happened again last Thursday!). This whole cancer thing is such bullsh*t and really pisses all of us off.

I mean honestly, all of my life, I thought, I want to be as happy and full of life when I am their age. I want to be doing things when I am older (they are in their mid 70s). And I guess that is the thing – my grandma said that my grandpa always told her, “No one should be sad for me if I die. I have lived the life I want to live.” And he has. I just hope he gets to keep on living that life.

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By kilax, April 20, 2011 5:12 am

When I was in Kansas City on Monday, I had a chance to meet up with Laura, who reads my blog.

We only had a short bit of time to meet, but we had a blast chatting. Laura is a great conversationalist, and such a sweetie (and what a knockout – she’s so pretty!). I think everyone needs a friend like her – she’s a great listener and shows genuine interest in what you are saying – just being around her makes you feel good about yourself. 

And would you believe that Laura has two young kids? She doesn’t look like it! Her 18 month daughter, Ava, was actually there when we were chatting, and she was being such a sweetie, just playing with her books, then showing extreme interest in my Chai Latte to-go cup right before we left (she was being so cute – pretending to drink out of it (it was empty)).

Laura was training for the 2010 Chicago Marathon when she found out she had a stress fracture in her hip! And it’s taking forever to heal. She said her plan now is to take a full year off from running, then start back slowly again. We decided we’ll have to do a race together someday! She suggested the 2012 Chicago Marathon (Laura lived in Chicago the first 10 years of her life, before moving to near Kansas City).

When we were chatting, Laura told me that she found my blog through a comment I left on the blog of a friend from her running club. That person has since stopped blogging, which is a shame – I could totally relate to her and loved her blog. But I am happy it brought me and Laura together! She is a total sweetheart and I can’t wait to meet up with her again!

Our conversation got me thinking – I read so many blogs now, that I can rarely remember how I found that blog in the first place! Some, I can, but not many. I think I find a lot the same way Laura found mine – by comments on other blogs.

Do you remember how you found the blogs you read? Any fun stories to share about finding blogs? How did you find my blog? 

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By kilax, April 19, 2011 5:09 am

• Learn how to play tennis
• Go horseback riding
• Wear a bikini?
• Go to Guttenberg, IA, at least three times
• Not get injured over the fourth of July (2009 injury, 2010 injury)
• Learn to fly (and land) Steven’s radio-controlled airplane



• Conquer running in the heat
• Go on a hot air balloon ride?
• Attend as many of the LCFPD Tuesday Night Concerts in the Park as possible
• Go on lots of picnics!
• Bike the entire Des Plaines River Trail
• Go kayaking for the first time

It’s not too early to start making my summer “to do wishlist” is it? The few bouts of warm weather we have had have got summer on my mind. The sun and warmth just makes me feel so good! Of course, today it is dreary and rainy… but you’ll have that.

Is there anything special you want to do this summer? Or something new you want to try?

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By kilax, April 18, 2011 5:33 am

We were in Kansas City this weekend (Sunday) to do the Trolley Run with Steven’s dad, David, and his brother, Andrew.

The Trolley Run is a point-to-point 4-mile race that starts in Waldo (a neighborhood in Kansas City) and ends in the Plaza. AND… the race is mostly downhill. Now, this is an elevation map I can get behind!

This was my first point-to-point race. Admittedly, I was a bit nervous. Leave our car at the finish and take a bus to the start?! What if the bus lines were long? They weren’t. The race was incredibly well organized. We got right on a bus and got to the start with an hour to spare.

Have you ever done a point-to-point race?

The race was also incredibly organized, corral wise. There were six corrals, based on pace, and we were in the center corral. They started the corrals a few minutes apart to prevent crowding, and it worked well – I never felt like I was going to get knocked over, or like I was blocked in by people.

When we were waiting in our corral to start, one of Steven’s close high school friends randomly recognized us! He ended up running most of the race with us, so that was exciting. He’s a really cool guy.

On to the actual race. It was the perfect temperature for a race – low 50s, and a bit sunny. The four of us (and our friend, most of the time) stuck together for the race and kept an even 11:15ish pace (Garmin stats here) the entire time, except for when we stopped at the water station in the end of mile 2.

It was fun to run together, and it felt nice and easy (I think for all four of us – which is good – two people in our group didn’t start to train until two weeks prior to the race).

The post-race food was a bit crowded, but other than that, it was a perfect race. I was surprised by how laid-back, yet still organized, the race was. I felt like the race was more chill than Chicago races.

Our official finish time was 45:52, which was just under the average finishing time 46:02. I thought it was interesting that of the 8,418 finishers, 4,909 of them were female, and 3,509 were male. I wonder if it is common to have more females than males?

During the post-race, someone handed me a brochure for the 2011 Kansas City Zoo Run, another 4-miler. My brother-in-law, Andrew, was already encouraging me to run it, and when I saw what animal they were sponsoring this year, I knew I had to:

The Black-Footed Cat! Aww!!! It would be fun to do another 4-miler. This was my first one. Have you raced a 4-miler before?