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By kilax, April 12, 2013 10:04 am

Do you feel like you get less enjoyment out of eating food if it’s broken?

Maybe chocolate is a bad example…

Muah ha ha. That question makes no sense. Let me (try to) explain. 

We were shopping last Saturday and I had a chocolate bar in the cart. Steven was putting things on top of it, and I said to him “Be careful not to smash my chocolate bar! It’s not as much fun to eat if it’s broken.”

He rolled his eyes at me. And told me that most people get over caring about their food being broken after adolescence. So I told him I was going to ask a Friday Question about it and PROVE. HIM. WRONG.

I have to say, that chocolate bar did end up getting broken, and I still got the same enjoyment out of it, because I was going to break it up anyway. Crap! Did I just disprove my whole argument?! No – I do get a bit sad if other things are broken – Luna bars, graham crackers, candy bars… basically, things I want to eat whole. And if a bag of chips has a clear part on the front to see in, I always try to get the bag with the most “whole” chips. 

The winner of the Myo-Release Ball Giveaway is Alyssa! Alyssa, please email me (kilax@ilaxstudio.com) your mailing address and I will send the ball your way!

Thanks to everyone who participated!

Comments (36)

By kilax, April 11, 2013 6:17 am

• Uh oh. Seems like I missed the timing mats at my half marathon on Sunday! Rachel pointed out to me that her time was 2:03:08 which exactly matched my Garmin time, and my time was 2:04:43. Oopsie. What is interesting is that the first year I ran this race, I didn’t realize there was chip timing! So I thought my time was 1:54:40, but it was really 1:54:06. So, which time should I take for this year? Well, obviously, I am going to go with the faster time. Muah ha ha!
• My team is training for our half Ironman relay on June 9 in Kansas! It’s only 58 days away! My sister’s fiancé ordered a freaking SCHWEET new road bike. But it’s taking f-o-r-e-v-e-r for it to arrive, so he’s using a loaner bike to train. Here’s the bike he ordered:
  

• In case you missed my finished paperweight on Facebook last week, here is mine (in orange, obvs), and Erin’s:

• Have you seen the Happier app? My friend Emily told me about it last Friday. The app prompts you to record three happy moments from your day. You can categorize them, add a photo and even share them with “friends” (yes, it’s another social media tool) who can “smile” at your happy moments and comment on them. Basically, it’s a gratitude journal, and writing this stuff down is supposed to make you feel good. I like it so far! Although, like any other app… we’ll see how long I stick with it. Ha ha. 

• I’m sure you don’t want to hear (or see photo evidence) about how I got a bloody nose at work yesterday and got it on my new top. Let’s just say… it’s a good thing I had filled out my three happy moments before that happened. Ha ha ha. If you get a stain on your clothes is it all you can think about it until you get it out?! It sure is for me. The blood seemed to come out just by soaking it in cold water. Phew. 
• And to end with some exciting news… Bobbi and I are getting massages tomorrow to celebrate her birthday! And! Data gets to go to the vet tomorrow too! Muah ha ha. Fun day all around. 

Other Random Thoughts Thursday Posts:XXXVII, XXXVI, XXXV, XXXIV, XXXIII, XXXII, XXXI, XXX, XXIX, XVIII, XXVII, XXVI, XXV, XXIV, XXIII, XXII, XXI, XX, XIX, XVIII, XVII, XVI, XV, XIV, XIII, XII, XI, X, IX, VIII, VII, VI, V, IV, III, II, I.

Comments (26)

By kilax, April 10, 2013 12:19 pm

Last week, I was contacted about being an ambassador for the Venus de Miles bike ride on July 28. Exciting!!!

Venus de Miles is a 25 or 61 mile supported, non-competitive, all women’s road ride in Lake County, Illinois (where I live!). Each entrant pays to participate as well as fundraises $75 to support Greenhouse Scholars, which provides scholarships to “high-performing, under-resourced college students.”

But I was kind of waffling. 

I am so damn busy. 

I have something going on every weekend until mid July. The idea of putting one more thing on my calendar freaks me out.

And then there is the other issue.

Sigh. 

I recently wrote my “On Sponsored Giveaways” post and have just been thinking a lot about what I promote on here. I am still getting weird offers for things. And requests from people for me to randomly blog about stuff that, well, I just don’t want to blog about. Why would I promote something I don’t use or an event that I have never heard about?

So. I had to think about whether or not Venus de Miles was something I wanted to blog about. As an ambassasdor, I get a free ride, one to raffle off, some gear, my photo on their site, etc. And I just have to write for them (and do the ride, obviously). 

Why was I so torn on this?! It was really bothering me that I couldn’t make up my mind. Here I was, given an opportuntity to do something I already wanted to do, and for free! Who wouldn’t immediately say yes?! Why was I overthinking it?

I guess my online integrity has become really important to me, lately, for some reason. 

So, what did I decide? To do it. I already wanted to. I know I will have fun – even if I am out there on my mountain bike. 

I just wanted to be honest with you guys, and share my decision making process. 

Anyone else over thinking their blog lately?

Comments (44)

By kilax, April 10, 2013 4:50 am

Er… and crazy dog ladies* too… because you know you would wear this in dog print!

Oh gosh. So, on March 17, Erin sent me an email with the subject “Classy cat shirt!” and said “Yes, there is such a thing!” with a link to this top at The Gap. On March 22, Kelly pointed out the dress version of it…

Mind you, these are both dog lovers sending me these links!

It was a sign. I needed something in that print. So I posted on my blog Facebook page asking people which color of the top I should order.

But there was a problem.

They were sold out of the color I wanted, in my size, online.

And I STRONGLY avoid shopping.

I was all ready to order it, and everything. What a freakin’ bummer.

I forgot about it.

Until yesterday, when I got a package from Anne with the shirt! And a scarf**!

WHAT THE WHAT?! What an awesome, awesome surprise, from a wonderful friend***. Thank you, Anne!

So in case I haven’t already shown my crazy cat lady status loud and proud by having a video chat yesterday with Maggie, Olive and Data…

I am wearing this top to work today. Check out my blog Facebook page to see the full outfit!

Would you wear a top with this type (and I’m not talking leopards or stripes, ha ha) of animal print?

I have so many bags with animals on them. And I use them! This is my first animal print top though. Loop Looks said it’s classy! Therefore… I will live in it. To increase my classiness level.****

I can’t wait to hear what my coworkers say…

*And men!
**In my hand in the first picture.
***Who is also a dog lover!
****It could use some work.

Comments (43)

By kilax, April 9, 2013 6:14 am

On Saturday, I attended my multisport club’s clinic “Benefits of Self Massage,” given by one of the personal trainers (who’s also a massage therapist). She showed tools to use for myofascial release, and even showed us how we can help massage a friend!

Moving on…

We went through these tools:

• tennis ball
• tennis ball in a sock (for accessibility to back)
• two tennis balls taped together
• foam roller
• the Stick
• Myo- Release Ball

What the heck. I had not even heard of the last one, the Myo-Release Ball. How is that possible?

The Myo-Release Ball is made out of foam… like a foam roller (derp). And you use it like it’s a foam roller, only, since it’s a small little ball, you can really target in on areas. My right gluteus maximus tends to get sore, so I sat on the ball for a good amount of time (like this), and felt awesome afterward.

Anyway. I won’t get in to the benefits of myofascial release, as I am not a certified personal trainer (yet!) or massage therapist (errr…), but I really like this tool and went out and got one right away.

And one to giveaway, too!

Myo-Release Ball Giveaway Rules

1. One reader will receive a Myo-Release Ball.
2. Required to enter the giveaway: leave a comment telling me your favorite self massage tool (let’s try not to be creepy, okay? ha ha) or one you’d like to try 
3. For a bonus entry: like my Facebook page and let me know you have. 
4. For a bonus entry: post this contest on Facebook, and let me know in a comment that you did. 
5. You can leave all entry comments in ONE comment if you’d like.
6. This giveaway is open until 5:00 PM CST on Thursday April 11. I will announce the winner on Friday April 12.
7. This giveaway is open to all US readers.

Comments (35)

By kilax, April 8, 2013 6:24 am

First half marathon of the year! And! I got to run it with Rachel! Woo hoo!!!

Rachel and I signed up to do this race awhile ago. Then I kept forgetting I was running it! People were asking me if I was racing this weekend, and I kept saying no.* Then, “Oh yeah! I am doing a half marathon! Just not ‘racing’ it! I’m doing it for fun.”

Do you like to run races “for fun” or do you tend to focus more on running for personal records?

Rachel and I randomly ran the North Face Endurance Challenge 50K together in September. We had never met before then, but had a fantastic time running 31 miles together, and have both been itching to meet up again. And we finally had our chance – 13.1 miles together + lunch?! Yes, please!** What a treat to spend so much time with an awesome friend!

We both arrived early at South Shore Park in Milwaukee and luckily had time to chat with Jessica for awhile. Jessica moved to Milwaukee from California about a year and a half ago and is a newer blogger, training for her first marathon (Green Bay). Check out her blog and show her some love! This was my first time meeting her, and I loved getting to know her better! I hope we have a chance to meet up again. 

Rachel, Jessica, me

As we were getting ready to visit the porta potties and ditch our jackets, we ran in to Riyanti! Time for another pic! <— yes, I am that annoying blogger.  

Okay. On to the race. Rachel and I made loose plans to run 9:00 minute miles or “whatever felt good.” Ha! We hit the first mile in 9:36! We were not able to hit pace with the congestion on this (paved) trail race. I didn’t feel like we hit a good open pocket to run in until after the halfway point turnaround. And we were completely fine with that. We ended up averaging 9:24s, according to my watch. No idea what our “official” time is. Maybe I will see it later this week!

A few thoughts/notes on the race:

• I keep telling people this course is hilly. Hmm. Not really. I think I just wasn’t used to running hills when I first ran it in 2011. It’s not that bad.
• The course was paved, but there were some puddles. People were going WAY out of their way to go around the puddles (and causing some congestion on course). Rachel and I just ran through the puddles. I’d rather run quickly through a puddle than through the saturated grass! That is going to get your feet wetter!
• For a few miles a woman ran right behind us. It was in the second half, which was much windier, and she was probably using us to block the wind. Anyway, she got to hear us talk about our thoughts on having children, “interesting” vegans (that was me) and “interesting” family members (uh… I won’t say who that was). I bet that was an interesting conversation to listen to for a few miles. We lost her at the water stop.
• Speaking of water stops (there were three total), I didn’t bring water. I was impressed I remembered GUs. I was totally just treating this as a fun run and not worrying about anything. Including using Vaseline. Oops. There was a bit of chafing. 
• I tend to run a step or two ahead of people. This is not very nice. I think I do it because I don’t want to fall back, but I need to be more conscious of this!

I had a really fun time running while chatting with Rachel. I felt great until the last mile, when I started to feel a bit fatigued and sore in my lower back.

And you cannot beat the value of this race – $13.99! You get bib with chip timing, a pair of gloves, and a schweet spread of Aldi treats at the end. We all know, I heart Aldi. <3 <3 <3 

We ran in to Alyssa after we finished. Alyssa is a bad@$$ and made this half part of her 20 mile run! You guessed it – one more group pic:

The guy who took this picture ran the half marathon in 1:2x:something. He is running Boston. It’s his third year. I teased him for running a slow 4:00 marathon at Boston when it was so hot last year. Geesh. Impressive! You inspire me, random nice dude who took our pic!

After (me) harassing people to take our photos, Rachel, Jessica and I headed to Palomino Bar to eat, while Alyssa finished up a few more miles then met us there.  I got a vegan skillet, which looks entirely unappetizing in the photos, so naturally, I must show it to you:

I promise. It was awesome. Tofu scramble and gravy on top of tater tots?! Yes, please! 

We chatted for a long time at the restaurant until I realized how late it was and that I had to haul my butt back home and pretend to study (but really write blog posts, ha). 

What a fun day with new and old friends! I can’t wait for another fun race next weekend!

*Because when someone asks me about “racing,” my mind thinks of going all out at a race, usually for a PR. I guess I think of “running” races, even though asking someone if they are “racing” could mean either!!! What do I expect people to say -“Are you participating in any running events this weekend?” Derrrrrrrrrrrp. 
**AND! She will be in town next weekend for the Double Down! WOO HOO!

Comments (10)

By kilax, April 7, 2013 5:03 pm

Highlight of the Week: 3:30 pm Friday (otherwise known as the end of my work week).

Monday | April 1, 2013: 8 m run (w/Bobbi) + teaching strength class
Loc: Grayslake, Temp: 38°/41°, Time: 1:18:31, Pace: 9:49 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: grrrrreat!
Strength: kettlebells + step, Difficulty: easy, Felt: great
Tuesday | April 2, 2013: rest
Wednesday | April 3, 2013: 4 m run + strength class
Loc: hpod, Temp: 26°/25°, Time: 38:05, Pace: 9:31 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: ok
Strength: cones and free weights, Difficulty: easy, Felt: so so 
Thursday | April 4, 2013: rest
Friday | April 5, 2013: 16 m run (w/Bobbi, Carrie and Emily)
Loc: Around Round Lake, Temp: 45°/36°, Time: 2:49:41, Pace: 10:36, Difficulty: easy, Felt: awesome
Saturday | April 6, 2013: 5 m run
Loc: hood, Temp: 35°/40°, Time: 51:02, Pace: 10:12 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: totally not in to it
Sunday | April 7, 2013: South Shore Half Marathon (w/Rachel)
Loc: South Milwaukee, Temp: 45°/49°, Time: 2:03:08, Pace: 9:24 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good

Notes:

• This week was tough. I had late nights and worked downtown a lot and wasn’t able to get in my preferred workouts. On to next week, which I hope will be quieter (and more in my control)! 
  
• Although! There were some fun NON-quiet parts of my week! I had a blast having friends come over for a 16-miler on Friday night, then having everyone stay over for deep dish pizza and bread sticks made by Steven. And Sunday was my chance to catch up with my blogger buddy Rachel and hang with other bloggers too (more on that tomorrow… I hope)!
• After last week’s 22-miler heart rate issue, I decided to wear my heart rate monitor for my two double digit runs this week. My heart rate stayed normal (no high peaks during rest), so I wonder if that was a fluke due to the sun and high heat. I’ll continue to wear it and monitor it. 

Comments (23)

By kilax, April 6, 2013 9:10 am

Have you guys seen The Simpsons episode “Life on the Fast Lane“?* It’s the one where Homer buys Marge a bowling ball for her birthday – with his name inscribed in it – and she doesn’t even bowl! Homer thinks he will just get to use the ball, but Marge spites him and gets bowling lessons so she can use it. 

Confession – I feel like I’ve acted like Homer in that episode sometimes – by giving Steven things that I end up using more!

Sigh.

Case in point #1 – in December 2008 I bought Steven a Garmin Forerunner 405. Um… he used it a few times. Then I used it. For the past four years.**

Case in point #2 – my mom asked me if I thought Steven would like a milk frother for his birthday last December. Hmm. I thought about it. He does drink coffee. Maybe he wants frothy milk for his coffee? Of course he does!

Whatever. You guys know I am totally using it the most to make awesome chai lattes! Muah ha ha. 

Case in point #3 – I bought Steven a flight lesson where I got to ride along as the passenger. Hee hee (<— okay, this is a weaker example than the others). 

Case in point #4 – I (along with Steven’s family) got him a nice DSLR for his birthday last year. You totally know I am using it too. Unless I want a body/face shot. Because, damn. The DSLR does not lie. And I’d rather show you skewed iPhone/point and shoot photos of me. <— truth

So… it’s best to maximize usage of an item/experience, no?!

Ha ha. I am mostly joking around, but tell me, what items have you given your partner and maybe gotten some use out of too? Or, am I the only one?! No other Homers out there?!

*Who hasn’t, right?
**Until I broke it a few weeks ago. 

Comments (52)

By kilax, April 5, 2013 6:55 am

Given the choice in a restaurant – would you go with a booth or table (or bar!!!) for seating?

Booth! Every time. Even if I am in sweaty workout clothes. Booth booth booth. 

Side note: the waitress last night told me I picked the drink with the highest amount of alcohol in it. GOOD. Is the work week over yet?! 

Comments (24)

By kilax, April 4, 2013 6:15 am

Did you guys fall for any April Fool’s jokes? Did you play any?

(I know, this question is a few days late, but I am really far behind on the internets).

Steven unintentionally fooled me three times – but a day late:

1. My work offers battery and ink cartridge recycling. Steven put a bag of these items in my backpack so I would remember to recycle them in the office on Tuesday. Oh. I did remember. I have proof:

Ah! He got me! Ink! All over my hand! Ha ha ha. 

2. I haven’t had time to fill out the dry erase calendar in our kitchen for April. I came home Tuesday night to see Steven had filled it out! How sweet! Wait. He filled out every day as July 31st. Ha ha ha. That’s my birthday! I might just leave that calendar up for the month of April. I am still waiting on my birthday presents for the first three days of the month. 

3. The last one is really freaky. I woke up around 4:30 am Wednesday morning because I heard a man and children yelling. I thought they would just shut up, but when they kept going at it, I opened the shades to look outside. No one. I walked to another window. No one. The noise sounded really close, like it was next door! But we haven’t heard people from next door (through our shared wall) in a long time. So I walked in to our open office and the voices got louder. Like they were in my house. 

Mind you, I was walking in the dark, in the middle of the morning. Freaking out. 

The voices? Were a movie* that was playing on our speakers in our office. GOSH!!! That was scary for a second! I thought someone was in our house! I noticed the speakers were on before I went to bed, and thought nothing of it. I will turn them off next time!

And you know I was about to go all ninja on someone’s arse. For realz. 

And the cruelest joke of all? It’s not Friday. Ha ha ha. 

*Zero Dark Thirty