Comments (17)

By kilax, August 18, 2011 2:35 pm

My website was down for a bit this afternoon so I contacted tech support at powweb (my web host). My site came back up during the first 10 minutes of our chat, but I wanted to know what caused it to go down. Here is (part of) my conversation with tech support:

Kim: Ok – it seems it might be working now
Tech Support: Great!
Tech Support: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?
Kim: Well, just wondering – do you know why the site sometimes goes down like that?
Tech Support: I have run a tool in your account and resolved the issue.
Kim: So is there anything I can do to prevent it in the future?
Tech Support: Kim, you will not experience the issue again.
Kim: What caused it? Was something wrong with a database? I notice a lot of down server time and I want to make sure I am not doing something wrong.
Tech Support: No, Kim. There was no issue with the database.
Kim: So what did you have to fix?
Tech Support: I have run a tool in your account and resolved the issue.
Kim: Can you not tell me what the tool does or what the issue was?
Tech Support: It was a tool to fix the issue with the permissions.
Kim: So those sometimes get off set on their own?
Tech Support: I appreciate your patience. I am researching on the issue but I will return in 3-4 minutes with some more information.
Kim: Thanks!
Tech Support: Thank you for holding.
Tech Support: There was permissions issue in the account. Hence, you had experienced the issue. I have run a tool and resolved the issue. You will not experience the issue again.
Kim: So you don’t know how the permissions settings got off?
Tech Support: It was due to a technical glitch.
Kim: So this tool prevents the glitch from ever happening again? Cool.
Tech Support: Yes.
Kim: Great.

Ugh. So. Worthless. They won’t tell me ANYTHING. All* of my conversations go like this.

But it is good to know I will not experience the issue again. Phew. No more glitches for me!

If you are self-hosted, which webhost do you use? Do you like their service?

I’ve been using powweb since summer of 2006. I have had a lot of little issues, but not too much website down time overall (so maybe it’s not that big of a deal). I like having tech support chat as an option, but they kind of suck. But at least it usually gets the problem fixed.

*I am not exaggerating. They are all this bad.

Comments (23)

By kilax, August 16, 2011 5:35 am

On Friday night my grandma was showing me some photos she took of a double rainbow a few weeks earlier. I was really surprised – I had never seen a double rainbow before, or a rainbow where you could see both the beginning and end.

On Saturday it rained on and off all day. Between the rain were bouts of sunshine. When we got back from the beach we all noticed something a little special outside – a double rainbow over the river (click all images to see larger)!

It was really breathtaking. We stood out there for awhile just staring at it.

I don’t have a fancy camera that could catch the entire rainbow, so I did a quick photostitch of it:

The view from my grandma’s house is just amazing. No wonder her and my grandpa built the home to retire in!

When was the last time you saw a rainbow? When you were a kid, did you think there was a pot of gold at the end of rainbows?

I really did. It kind of sucks that there isn’t!

Comments (6)

By kilax, August 15, 2011 5:33 pm

I am training for the Milwaukee Marathon on October 2nd.

Day 659 | August 8, 2011: rest

Day 660 | August 9, 2011: 6.5 m run

I think the reason I have been able to get so many miles in lately is because I was barely in the office for most of July! I was either on travel, in training (off-site) or off, and I had a lot more free time. Now that I am back in the office for most of August, I am going to have to get creative to get those miles in! On Tuesday (and Wednesday), that meant a run after dinner, which of course, means coming back to the house at mile 1 to go to the bathroom. Hey, I don’t mind stopping to go to the bathroom – it just means carefully planning the run.

I was trying to run “fast,” so besides the bathroom break, I think I stopped twice to catch my breath (sad) and once because a moth flew down my shirt and in to my bra! I had to stop and pull him out. Then he flew away. Ha ha.

It was actually cool out, and I felt good while running, but when I stopped, I was drenched in sweat! And my August “fast” is not the same as my winter “fast.” Oh well. At least I can run!

Distance: 6.5 | Start Temp: 72° | Finish Temp: 69° | Dew Point: 58° | Time: 1:02:11 | Avg Pace: 9:33 | 1: 9:46 |2: 9:35 | 3: 9:34 | 4: 9:36 | 5: 9:35 | 6: 9:21 | 7: 4:41

Day 661 | August 10, 2011: 5 m run

Another after dinner run, another potty break at mile 1. This run was slower though. I really wanted to keep going when I was done, but I was kind of freaked out about my plantar fasciitis, so I called it quits at 5. At least I had (barely) negative splits!

Distance: 5.0 | Temp: 73° |  Time: 50:52 | Avg Pace: 10:09 | 1: 10:35 | 2: 10:19 | 3: 10:05 | 4: 9:55 | 5: 9:54

Day 662 | August 11, 2011: 4.25 m run

I avoided doing a strength workout during lunch by running with one of Erin‘s work running club buddies instead. We ran north on the lake shore path. I think the run should have been easier, but I was still tired from my run the night before.

Distance: 4.25 | Temp: 75° |  Time: 42:38  | Avg Pace: 10:02 | 1: 9:25 | 2: 10:36 | 3: 9:56 | 4:10:10

Day 663 | August 12, 2011: 18 m run

I went to Guttenberg, IA with Steven and Erin for the weekend. Now, I’ve done long runs in Guttenberg before, but I wanted to try something new, so Erin and I drove to the Heritage Trail in Dyersville (a 26-mile trail that runs all the way to Dubuque).

I was worried about using the trail, because the website said it was closed due to flood damage, but luckily, enough of it was open that we could run out and back as far as we needed to go (I had called to check earlier in the week). There was definitely flood damage though – some of the trail was washed out, and the crushed limestone was very uneven in some spots. But that didn’t bother us!

There was a small fee to use the trail, and you could either buy a daily or yearly pass. This was the first time I had to pay to use a trail but didn’t mind – hopefully the money goes toward fixing the trail. Have you ever been to a trail/park where you have to have a pass to use it? (no one asked to see ours)

The weather was strangely cool! I think it was in the low 60s when we got started. And we got started close to 8:00! Kind of funny, considering last week’s long run started at 5:00.

The trail was very open when we started, and I was worried it would all be open farmland! But I was surprised by some beautiful shading (and just in time for the sun to come out).

We took walk breaks every 2 miles or so. There were also a few “I have a rock in my shoe!” breaks, one animal observation break, and a potty break, which required detouring off of the trail in to a neighboring town to use the Casey’s gas station (I brought 32 ounces and bought 33+ ounces and drank it all plus a bit of Erin’s water. I took GUs at 4, 8, 12 and 16).

The run was a lot of fun. I love exploring new trails and it was awesome to have all that time to chat with Erin. The run just flew by! It was done before I knew it, and at a 10:46 average pace too! I think I could have kept going, even thought I was starting to fade a bit around mile 15.

Distance: 18.0 |  Time: 3:13:59 | Avg Pace: 10:46

Day 664 | August 13, 2011: 1.95 m run + River Run for Ryan 5K (3 m) + 1.55 m run

On Saturday, Erin and I ran 2(ish) miles to the start of the River Run for Ryan 5K, then ran the race. After we got back, I ran a few more miles just so I could be over 40 for the week. Ha ha. I just wanted to see if I could do it!

Day 665 | August 14, 2011: rest

Week Summary: 40.25 miles

Oops. All I did this week was run. Bad bad bad Kim. But! The runs all felt good. And my plantar fasciitis is starting to go away, now that I am wearing that boot thing at night.

And maybe I can count the swimming on Friday-Sunday as cross-training? And the very little bit of skiing on Friday? Yes? No?  Okay, okay – hopefully next week is more varied!

One cool thing to mention – last year I wanted to run over 1000 miles, but didn’t, because of my stress fractures. I made it to 843.85. Well, I passed that number this week! I am currently at 853.4 (you can see my mileage on my sidebar, below the blog links)! Looks like I will make it over 1000 this year (hopefully)!

Comments (7)

By kilax, August 15, 2011 6:21 am

A month or so ago, Erin and I planned a trip to Guttenberg, Iowa for this past weekend, and it just so happened that there was a 5K on Saturday! Coincidence? I think not! As soon as I found out the 5K was going to be the same weekend we were visiting, I told Erin we had to run it (along with a million other things we did that I will have to post about later!).

It was the Fourth Annual River Run for Ryan,  held in honor of six-year-old Ryan Hunt of Garnavillo, Iowa. Ryan has mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), and all of the proceeds benefited the National MPS Society and their research to find a cure. Ryan’s dad was the MC (and maybe the organizer?) of the race, and his mom and two siblings were there too (picture below). They seemed like such a great family and I was really happy to participate in a race that helps someone local out. I love the community support feeling that was there.

So, on to the race. Our plan was always to run two miles from the cabin we were staying in to the race, then possibly back. However, when we woke up Saturday morning, it was raining and thundering/lightening on and off. Erin and I were being pretty indecisive about whether or not we were going to run to the start or get a ride. But when we saw a break in the clouds, we decided to go for it.

Running to the start

It was overcast while we were running, but as we arrived the sun came out in full force and the temperature soared! We were drenched in sweat just from our slow warm-up (I should note we both ran 18 miles (and skiied and swam) the day before and were feeling a bit sluggish). We were hoping for light rain during the run, but everything was more beautiful in the full sun.

We still had to register when we got there, and the lady registering us said “Wow! You two look like serious runners!”  Ha ha. I thought that was cute. I told her we ran to the race, and I think she was surprised.

Erin and I both wanted to run negative split 5Ks. I wanted to start out slow, since I am not in racing form, then speed up. The race was an out and back to a track at the Althetic Field. We ran sort of down the main street in Guttenberg, then back along a raised path along the river.

I stuck with Erin for maybe the first quarter mile of the race, then she took off. I ran my first mile in 8:33, and was worried that was too fast! But I wanted to run negative splits, so I tried to keep it up. I ran next to a woman from Minneapolis for a bit during the second mile, and we chatted about the hot summer weather’s affect on running, how beautiful Guttenberg is, and marathon running. My second mile came in at 8:39. DARN! No negative splits for me. I tried to run that last mile somewhat faster, and sped up as I ran across the river path, and felt the cool breeze on me. I passed a lot of runners, which was new for me (I was also passing a lot of walkers, because the 1-mile walk associated with the race went along the path – kind of bad planning but whatever).

I sprinted to the finish and my last mile came in at 8:14. I didn’t feel like I was going to die, but I was happy to be done! My final garmin time was 25:28.

Erin was already done when I finished. We both commented on the fact that the race was only 3 miles long! Not a true 5K! We think they may have had us turn too early. Oops. Oh well.

We hung around for awards, because you never know with a small racing field… and lo and behold, we both got second place in our age groups! Good thing my best friend is in a separate age group, right? Ha ha.

We ended up not running back to the cabin (we rode with Steven) and then the weather turned funky again and rained on and off for a lot of the day. Not too much to keep us from attending the ski show or going back to the beach, but hopefully I will be able to blog all about that later!

Comments (15)

By kilax, August 11, 2011 12:38 pm

• The sleep support helped with my plantar fasciitis! I woke up with no pain and have felt great so far today! I did have to figure out how to adjust it so my foot didn’t go numb, but I didn’t mind sleeping in it once I figured it out. Hopefully I am on the road to recovery.
• The women’s bathroom on my floor at work is being remodeled so I have to go one floor below (or two above) mine. Apparently this means I wait until the last minute to go, then I quite often get stopped by someone to chat on my way down there. Pretty soon I am going to be doing the “I have to pee” dance in the hallways if this keeps happening.
• I’ve had a $200 Banana Republic gift card for two years and had only used $15 on it! Who does that?! Do you have any really old gift cards? We still have some from our September 2007 wedding! I decided it was a shame I hadn’t used the Banana Republic one and asked Erin to help me pick out some new clothes (Thanks a million to Erin!). Ta da:

• Does anyone else have a million and one mosquito bites? Wah, I am so itchy.
• We booked our November flight to New York City last week! We were able to get (imo) a very decent price on the flight, and because we are staying with friends, we can stay for quite some time. And my sister and her boyfriend are going to be there as well (but staying in the city). Can’t wait!
• Speaking of travel, my passport is not up to date (it has my maiden name on it) and it makes me feel so trapped. Not that I travel out of the country much, but that’s how it makes me feel! Steven and I plan to renew our passports this fall.

Comments (9)

By kilax, August 10, 2011 11:36 am

My sister unknowingly created a new fun meme on her blog. I posted it below – feel free to answer on her blog, mine, or your own! 

1. The clothes in my closet are mostly …
2. I usually go to bed around …
3. My favorite magazine is …
4. My favorite color is …
5. A blog I visit every day is …
6. Something I collect is …
7. I clean my floors every …
8. I shower every …
9. The perfect temperature for me is …
10. My biggest weakness is …

My answers:

1. Work clothes are black, white and gray. Workout clothes are blue and pink. Street clothes are red, pink and orange. (see my closet here)
2. 10:00 pm – too late!
3. Runner’s World and Running Times
4. orange
5. google.com/reader/ (I am too far behind every day to visit all my faves! I usually read them then come back later and comment)
6. Star Wars Hallmark Ornaments
7. never (okay, when people are visiting or it is visibly dirty)
8. day (hate showers)
9. running – 35, hanging out outside 75, being at the river 90+
10. Junk food/being a lazy smackaroo

I like it hot at the river… but have to stay in the shade when on the sand!

Have you played ladder ball? It’s fun!

Comments (21)

By kilax, August 10, 2011 6:28 am

Yesterday I excitedly told Steven and a few of my coworkers how much better my left heel felt after wearing my running shoes Sunday-Tuesday. It was like the plantar fasciitis (PF) pain was never there! I was HEALED!!!

Whoa, slow down.

I woke up around 2:45 to go to the bathroom last night, and the pain in my left heel was so bad that I nearly stumbled out of bed. I had to hobble to the bathroom. Then this morning, it was so intense that I couldn’t fall asleep on the train.

UGH!!!

I bought one of these (to wear at night) to see if it will help:

This is my third time having PF. I had it in 2009 in my left foot and 2010 in my right foot. Icing it, rolling it on a ball, and wearing supportive shoes have helped in the past, so I hope those things speed the healing process up! It never hurts when I am running – it’s hurts when I get up after being stationary for a long time.

Has anyone else had PF? How did you deal with it?

Comments (15)

By kilax, August 9, 2011 4:54 pm

Ugh, I noticed on my walk to the train that Ann Taylor already has fall clothes up in the display windows. No! I don’t want summer to end. But this top is cute. What a neat neckline. And I could use some more red shirts (and why is this top up with the fall clothes if it doesn’t have sleeves?).

I actually have a love/hate relationship with the summer (heat). I want it to be really hot when I visit my family on the Mississippi River, but running in the heat makes me miss the cold weather*. Oh well. The best part about being out of school is that I don’t have to dread going back to school at the end of summer. I am in control of my time now (kind of)!

In April, I made a “this summer, I will…” list. I haven’t done everything on my list, but it’s not too late!

What do you want to do before summer ends**?

*I do feel like I have improved my hot weather running a ton this year. Not how well I perform, but how hard it feels.
**It my mind, summer is half a state of mind/half weather. It ends when I feel like it’s over or when the weather gets freaking cold – whichever happens first.

Comments (7)

By kilax, August 9, 2011 6:39 am

We had a two hour de-briefing meeting last night to discuss the running club’s inaugural 5K. It was really interesting to hear every one’s feedback on what went right and what could be improved upon for next year. I kind of felt like I was getting the whole picture of the complexity of putting a 5K on. We talked it all out before – but what you plan isn’t always the exact same of how things happen! And since I was only a runner and sort-of volunteer, there was a lot that happened that I didn’t know about because I simply wasn’t there. That kind of reminded me of our wedding, because Steven planned the whole thing and I just showed up, but later on, I heard all these stories from different people about things that were going on when I wasn’t around.

Anyway, WOW, there is still a lot to be done with the 5K. We need to document this year’s processes and files so we have them for next year, send thank-yous, send out a survey to runners, and I still have lots of updates to make to the website. The great thing is though, we met with the Library Foundation last night and they were so grateful and excited about the success of the race. The final numbers aren’t in yet, but I think we raised a lot of money for the library.

And I thought this was fun – our club president had these medals made for the core 5K team members:

Comments (20)

By kilax, August 8, 2011 6:01 am

I finally got to try kayaking yesterday! It’s something I’ve wanted to try since last summer.

My brother Anthony and his wife Amber were in town, and we were looking for something local (and  inexpensive!) to do, so kayaking it was! It was everyone’s first experience with kayaking.

We went to the Independence Grove Forest Preserve, where you can rent sit-in single person kayaks for $10 an hour and double person kayaks for $12 an hour. Steven and I both got our own kayak (I think he was worried I would tip him if we shared) and Anthony and Amber shared.

Independence Grove has a 115-acre lake, so that is where we did our kayaking (the red line below shows where we kayaked – about 2 miles in 1 hour).

I often run around this lake, so it was neat to be on the water, experiencing new views!

We didn’t get any instructions on kayaking, so we all just got in and went for it. I didn’t find it to be tiring, and thought it was pretty easy – but we were on a lake with no current! I’m sure it’s much harder on a river. And I was not that great at turning and getting close to other kayaks without hitting them (ha ha). And I kept getting water all over my legs when I paddled. But! No one tipped. I think it would be hard to tip these.

Kayaking was really fun and I would like to do it again – even at the same place, since there were parts of the lake we didn’t explore (we forgot about the back half). And I would like to try it on a river someday (or some place with a current). I think I might get to this weekend, when we go to Guttenberg, IA!