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By kilax, June 13, 2012 5:10 am

Now that the trail near my home is more visible (from the road) I see people on it all the time! It’s exciting! Every time someone runs by I say “that could be my new running friend” and Steven has to hold me back from chasing them down.

It’s odd, but I do think the fact that part of the trail is now out in the open, rather than back in the woods, has increased its traffic. I wonder if all of these people didn’t know about the trail until now? What a shame!

Are there any paths you run on, or places you go, that you feel many others don’t know about?

Unfortunately, I have not been one of those people utilizing the trail this week. I worked downtown Monday-today and while I had plans to get runs in, a bad headache, working late, and not wanting to get up at 3:00 to run squashed those plans. I am worried I won’t get much of an opportunity to run this week (because of weekend travel plans) but it really doesn’t matter! I am the only one who cares how many miles I get in, and I am not even training for anything! Stupid runner’s guilt!

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By kilax, June 12, 2012 7:16 am

This week’s challenge: What do you do with your race medals?  Show us. Even if you get rid of them, show us that. 

I’ve only been racing (and placing) for about four years so I don’t have many medals. Right now, they all fit on one medal holder, which I won from Kayla last year.  

My medal holder is in my closet. I think it should be the first thing you see when you walk in the house*, but… yeah. It’s in the closet. 

One medal gets to be on display in a public area – the medal from my first marathon – Chicago 2010. Erin got me this schweet shadow box for Christmas that year. 

From what event are the majority of your medals?

I think this is my countdown:

Marathon: 4
Half Marathon: 7**
Nautical 10 Miler: 1
10K (AG placement): 1
5K (AG placement): 9***
5K: 2
Relay: 2
Novelty: 3

*Just kidding. Sort of. 
** One half did not have medals.
***A few placements have not had medals.  

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By kilax, June 11, 2012 1:43 pm

During lunch I went to Ulta to look for new eye shadow. Okay. Eye shadow, period. I usually don’t wear makeup.

Geesh. I had forgotten I even went there, until I went to the bathroom… and did not recognize myself.

Wearing more eye shadow could take some getting used to. I don’t look like me. Maybe that is a good thing? Muah ha ha.

How much effort do you put in to your facial appearance?

For me, it’s usually clear brow gel and mascara (when I go in to the office, if I am not, it’s no makeup).

Comments (35)

By kilax, June 11, 2012 6:16 am

After a few years of running races, I have figured out that summer racing is not my forte. I definitely get stronger at running in the heat each year, but not so much at running fast. Just running and not feeling like hell (which is a huge accomplishment for me).

So I approached the the Allstate Life Insurance Chicago 13.1 Marathon this Saturday as a fun run. When Erin asked me what my goals were for the race on Friday night, I hadn’t even thought about it yet. So I told her I would like the race NOT to be my slowest half marathon ever… which I was pretty sure I could accomplish because I walked a half marathon in 2010.

I was really looking forward to running in Chicago. Since I live so far from the city, I tend to overlook most city races. It’s usually a hassle to get down there. BUT! Now that Erin lives so close to the city, maybe that will change. Ha ha ha. (Thanks for letting me stay over, Erin)

Race morning started early – 4:20 am wake-up, 1.8 mile run to catch a bus at Millennium Park. Britt and I had talked about meeting up to ride to the race together, and despite tons of buses and hundreds of people we easily found each other. It was fun to catch up with my coach! I miss my weekly running (which turned in to life) chats with Britt.

The bus got us to the South Shore Cultural Center very early – 5:40 maybe? Britt and I chatted then found some other running bloggers! I think most people had the same plan – it’s hot so let’s just run for fun!

Back: Amanda, Kayla, Zach, Sara, Maggie, Deanna
Middle: Amanda, Cary
Front: Charlyn, me, Britt

Sara and I were in the same corral, so we lined up together (with her friend Keren) for the 7:00 am start. I LOVED that there were so many corrals for this race. It made it much less crowded on the Lakefront Path. I never felt like I didn’t have enough space or that people were in my way.

I didn’t want to start out too fast. I ran the first mile with Sara and her friend then told them I was going to drop back. After running the first few miles sub 10:00, I decided an overall sub 10:00 time would be a fun goal (<– making race plans during the race – good or bad idea?).

The course was well supported with lots of water/Gatorade stops, misting stations and even some towels (which were warm but whatever – I used it to wipe the sweat off my face). And the course was beautiful! We ran around the South Shore Cultural Center area for a bit, then headed north on the Lakefront trail. Beautiful views. Hardly any shade, but beautiful views.

My only race spectator was Erin, and I was looking forward to seeing her at the northern most turnaround point. Erin had a big bucket of Red Vines that she was handing out, and they were a huge hit! (photo below from Erin)

I slowed down for the last few miles. No pain, just feeling hot. No final kick, but I was really excited that I was still feeling so strong, and am getting better at running in the heat (it was 70° when I started and 80° when I finished).

I finished in 2:08:17.  Not my slowest half! Not even my second slowest. Maybe third slowest? Ha ha.

I made my way to the beach and called my mom to wish her a happy birthday. Then I ran in to bloggers again, including Kelly, who won first place in her age group in the 5K!

After a bit of chatting, I got on a bus back to Millennium Park. The ride back took a lot longer than the bus ride down. I ran the 1.8 miles back to Erin’s place from Millenium Park. That run was a lot slower than both of my morning runs. Ha ha.

And now I am not signed up for any more races for the rest of the year (well, forever, actually). It feels weird, because I am normally signed up for a few things in the fall, but I have been taking it easy this year. I have another half marathon on my radar, as well as a 50K. And maybe I will pick up a few 5Ks. Maybe. 

Comments (7)

By kilax, June 10, 2012 8:50 pm

Highlight of the Week: Successfully running a half marathon in the heat and feeling strong (hopefully I’ll have a race report up tomorrow!).

Monday | June 4, 2012: 8 m run + 1.45 m walk (with Steven)
Loc: Millennium Trail around Round Lake and back, Temp: 72°/70°, Time: 1:20:32, Pace: 10:04 avg, Difficulty: easy/medium
Tuesday | June 5, 2012: 4 m run + 8 m run
Loc: Neighborhood, Temp: 51°/52°, Time: 38:34, Pace: 9:38 avg, Difficulty: tired
Loc: Millennium Trail around Round Lake and back, Temp: 67°/66°, Time: 1:23:38, Pace: 10:27 avg, Difficulty: medium
Wednesday | June 6, 2012: strength class
Strength: hurdle bars, medicine balls and dumbbells, Difficulty: easy
Thursday | June 7, 2012: rest
Friday | June 8, 2012: 8 m run + strength
Loc: Millennium Trail & around Round Lake, Temp: 76°/80°, Time: 1:26:18, Pace: 10:47, Difficulty: easy/medium
Strength: large soft balls and dumbbells, Difficulty: hard
Saturday | June 9, 2012: 1.8 m run + 13.1 m run (Chicago 13.1 Marathon) + 1.8 m run
Loc: Chicago Loop, Temp: 67°, Time: 18:44, Pace: 10:09 avg, Difficulty: easy
Loc: South Shore Cultural Center to Lakefront and back, Temp: 70°/79°, Time: 2:08:20, Pace: 9:47 avg, Difficulty: medium
Loc: Chicago Loop, Temp: 84°, Time: 20:32, Pace: 11:25 avg, Difficulty: easy
Sunday | June 10, 2012: 2.5 m walk (w/Steven – Cure SMA Walk & Roll)
Loc: Independence Grove, Temp: mid 80s

Lessons learned:

• I am still trying to figure out what is giving me heartburn on my afternoon runs. On Monday I had heartburn from a LUNA bar. On Tuesday, I had peanuts and chocolate chips quite a few hours before my run, and then a GU right before. Ugh. On Tuesday it hurt all night.  So – don’t let those be the last thing I eat before a run (along with pickles, Boca burgers, vegan jerky, tortilla chips… what’s on your list?).
• No hot weather runs immediately before a strength session. I had NO energy on Friday for my session. Lame.
• Sitting still on a long bus ride after a half marathon makes my plantar fasciitis really hurt. 

Comments (4)

By kilax, June 10, 2012 7:27 pm

Because your Star Wars photo frame could go from this:

To this:

I thought it looked odd when I woke up!

Comments (30)

By kilax, June 8, 2012 2:26 pm

Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip?

Neither, I like Vegenaise. 

Seriously though, the other day Steven and I were discussing mayo vs. miracle whip and how some people have a preference between the two. I do not recall ever having either growing up, and this is where I would like to pretend that my family reads my blog and ask them if we kept a jar of either in our house…? 

Comments (28)

By kilax, June 7, 2012 6:22 am

• I think I might be getting heartburn. I’ve had a burning sensation in my chest during runs on Monday and Tuesday and while drinking Chai Lattes yesterday and today. Wah. Why is this happening now? It really hurts!

• They paved the trail by our house yesterday! I was already running on it, but know it’s even more inviting.

• What is your criteria for actually going to the theater to see a movie? Ours is that is must have some visual aspect that makes it worth seeing on the big screen… so usually action films. BUT! If someone else is paying, I will go. Or if the tickets are cheap. We get a coupon for $5 movies on Wednesdays and Thursdays each week, and we might see The Dictator tonight. I hope it makes me laugh. I have no idea what it is about.
• There is a blogger interview event going on tonight in Chicago that I could not attend because I have an appointment in the suburbs. The interview is going to be with a draft pick for the Chicago Bears. It is probably better that I do not go, since I know nothing about football. But I am excited to see the interviews from my fellow bloggers!
• I feel like a hussy in the dress I am wearing today despite wearing it before ( #16).
• I am dreading an event today (not listed above) and will be so happy when it’s over!

Other Random Thoughts Thursday Posts: XVI, XV, XIV, XIII, XII, XI, X, IX, VIII, VII, VI, V, IV, III, II, I.

Comments (13)

By kilax, June 6, 2012 4:34 pm

Or lost a bet?

Sadly, I will never know the story behind Beer Man. I told him I liked his costume. I wanted to ask him more, but he disappeared. How do you disappear in that costume? When you are by the “Willis” Tower and surrounded by tourists (and when I have to catch my train and not waste time looking for Beer Man).

Whatever your purpose Beer Man, thank you for making my Wednesday a bit better.

Comments (18)

By kilax, June 6, 2012 5:40 am

Why am I bringing the Sipper-Saurus to work today?

Well, there can only be one answer to that question – I am bringing it in for my favorite coworker, with whom I have a t-rex inside joke.

Steven does not understand why the t-rex inside joke is funny*. Of course he doesn’t. It’s an inside joke. It’s only really funny between me and my coworker. And maybe even she is a bit sick of it… hmm. Nah. She just sent me a t-rex comic in an email yesterday! Surely, she is still interested! Surely!!!

Unfortunately, most of my humor seems to be inside jokes, followed by inappropriate jokes, situational jokes, or me making fun of myself… which means most of the time I am the only one laughing at me. Just kidding! I am like the Most Interesting Man in the World – I have inside jokes with complete strangers.**

What’s your goofiest inside joke?

*And at first said no to spending $2 on the Sipper-Saurus until we saw it in another aisle of the store and I told him it was a sign that I MUST purchase it.
**Steven said this is not the case, and that I in fact make so little sense that he has had to secretly start a blog called “ilaxSTUDIO Explained” to explain what the hell I am talking about in each post so people will come back and leave comments. I didn’t know you were all reading another blog to understand this one! Thanks, guys!!!