Comments (28)

By kilax, August 21, 2013 6:22 am

Geesh, the power of advertising seems to be strong on me this week*. 

Also, as an update to yesterday’s post, I did my 5×5:00 intervals this morning, and started and ended with friends. Winning!

What do you guys think of virtual races (where you pay and sign up online and get a bib and medal – but run the “race” on your own)? Have you done one?

A lot of people in my running club where in to virtual half marathons earlier this year. And I saw a Facebook advertisement for a virtual races series last night that I thought had some cool medals. 

I want a plane medal! Ha ha. 

To go off on a bit of a tangent, it seems like runners have many different feelings about race medals. Some don’t care, and don’t keep their medals. Some only want to do races with medals. Some really care about the design and quality. Some only want a medal if it’s an age group placement. Some think a medal is nice but are not upset if a race doesn’t have one (that’s me). 

I am very anti-junk** and collecting crap,*** but… I keep my medals. And bibs. For me, they’re a token of a memory. And the neat thing about medals, is that while we are all getting the same one, everyone’s collection is unique to them. I know I look at mine and can remember each race, and that’s fun (for me, anyway, ha ha)!

My most recent medal, which will be the first one to go on my new rack… when I put it up.

So back to the point. I don’t think I have done a virtual race****! But the fact that you get a bib and a medal sounds neat to me, and if that is motivating for someone to go out there and push themselves, or more convenient (and cheaper) than a race with other people, why not do it?

I do know though, that if I did a virtual race and ran my fastest time for that distance, I would not count it as an official PR.

*But I still can’t remember which company has the commercial with the kids sitting at the table talking about best, and faster, and whatever, Kovas. Ha ha.
**Which you might not guess, visiting my house…
***This ad for a “class” is pretty much my worst nightmare. 

****Although I did do one of our running club’s unofficial races, which had a bib and medal. 

Comments (29)

By kilax, August 20, 2013 11:44 am

If you could only choose one, which would it be – following a training plan solo or running for fun with friends?

Okay, ideally, you find a friend following the exact same training plan as you! Ha! Double win!

That actually is possible and I don’t think following a plan and having running companionship are mutually exclusive. Just talking (writing) this out.

The more I’ve thought about my little anti social blip from the running club last year, I’ve realized I was doing mostly solo runs not to be anti-social, but because I was following at training plan from Coach Britt! I didn’t want to say to people, oh, well, we can run together, but I need to do strides, or run the last two miles at this pace, or da da da.

Maybe I should have, because perhaps people would have said “Okay, Kim! That sounds fun! I totes want to run some random interval workout with you at your pace- your company is sooooo worth it!”

Heh.

I am looking at incorporating intervals, goal pace miles and all that jazz in to my running again. Bleh. But so far, I see the tendency in myself to pick running with friends over doing interval/pace runs*. And I like running with friends to mean slow easy miles. Errrrr… which plan do you think will have me closer to a goal pace on race day? Yeah. That’s what I thought. Time to actually do those intervals. Maybe the key is in finding someone faster than me (and there are A LOT of those people out there) with whom to do those runs. Or to really strategically plan the “easy” runs.

And it’s not that I don’t mind running solo. I don’t. I actually quite enjoy it. I just like to use running as social time, too. You know, the whole two birds with one stone thing (eww).

It’s funny to me that I am writing this, because I have found that I am no good on a training plan, or having goal pace runs or any of that.** I am best when I wing it – maybe start with a long run mileage idea for the week, and plan around that. That is partially why my mileage is up and down so much. And I don’t mind that.***

Friends on this morning’s run! Funny thing – Emily and I planned to run and Adam happened to be running by our meeting spot and joined us! Love it when that happens!

*A long steady run usually works, if it’s one pace.
**Because I hate being told what to do, even if it’s me doing the telling.
***But again, that might not help if I have any pace goals for a race!

Comments (25)

By kilax, August 19, 2013 12:38 pm

Rachel started a Demotivational Monday linkup and Data wanted in!

Check Rachel’s site out to participate!

In Data news… he was very agitated this weekend. Could this have something to do with the fact that we are feeding the stray cats? I very much think so. He spent a lot of time sniffing around in the bushes this weekend – the strays must be hanging there. 

When he wasn’t outside, he wanted to be outside. Maybe he feels like he needs to “protect” his house? Who knows. He was acting really strange – irritated, hissing, growling – what people expect “normal” cats to be like, but what Data is not. 

Of course, that could be because his dad was gone all weekend at a camping trip and he was stuck at home with me. 

Yeah. That was probably it. Ha ha. 

Does your pet prefer one person in the house?

Data is a Daddy’s boy. I am the third wheel around those two!

Comments (29)

By kilax, August 19, 2013 5:42 am

Ha ha. Hear me out on this one.

Xaarlin loaned me a few issues of Trail Runner to see if they are the in between magazine I am looking for

(or rather, if they are a magazine that wants me).

I was flipping through the September issue and something immediately stood out to me:

No, not that it’s an article on running skirts (although that’s part of this story). Look closer:

Whoa. That model legit has a scab on her leg! Now, whether it’s added on or real… it’s definitely something I, as a reader, can relate to! We are probably to presume her scab is from trail running, not scratching mosquito bites (like me), but whatever – the “that could be me!” thought involuntarily kicked in.

And I say involuntarily, because running skirts are not something that interest me. In fact, I would have just skipped this article, had the scabby runner not been on the first page. But having a model with a scab (or adding it) made me stop, look at all the other models (she was the only one with one) and look at the skirts (all too short for me, except the one that has capris under it) and think about which ones would work for me – and I don’t even like running skirts.

I’d say that’s effective marketing (and it’s not even a traditional ad!).

Also, I’d say that so far, Trail Runner and I are off to a decent start. I need to read a bit more though.

Would seeing this model have had the same effect on you – or would you not have noticed at all? What stands out to you in marketing campaigns?

Now if she had messy hair too… maybe I would get a skirt. Ha ha.

Comments (9)

By kilax, August 18, 2013 2:26 pm

Highlight of the Week: Wednesday’s workout! Rode to class, ran with Bobbi, did the strength workout… and then rode home! It was a fun challenge (that I won’t get to do again due to sunset time and the fact that I almost always work downtown on Wednesdays!). 

Also – all the runs with friends and time on my new bike!

Monday | August 12, 2013: teaching strength class
Strength: dumbbells and cones, Difficulty: easy/medium, Felt: fun
Tuesday | August 13, 2013: 8 m run (w/Bobbi + Emily) + 10.2 m ride
Loc: Grayslake, Temp: 57°/54°, Time: 1:20:23, Pace: 10:03 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Loc: Millennium Trail + hood, Temp: 70°/69°, Time: 43:34, Pace: 14.2 mph avg, Difficulty: mostly easy, Felt: windy
Wednesday | August 14, 2013: 8.47 m ride (to class) + 5 m run (w/Bobbi) + strength class + 7.1 m ride (to la casa)
Loc: Round Lake to Grayslake, Temp: 71°, Time: 42:56, Pace: 11.8 mph avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: excited to ride to class
Loc: Grayslake, Temp: 69°, Time: 48:52, Pace: 9:46 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: surprisingly good
Strength: medicine balls, Difficulty: medium, Felt: good, sans twingy left knee
Loc: Grayslake to Round Lake, Temp: 65°, Time: 32:17, Pace: 13.2 mph avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: like taking the shortcut
Thursday | August 15, 2013: 6.5 m run (w/Emily)
Loc: Nippersink FP, Temp: 55°/55°, Time: 1:05:28, Pace: 10:04 avg, Difficulty: medium/hard, Felt: tired
Friday | August 16, 2013: rest
Saturday | August 17, 2013: 12.4 m run (w/Emily + Valerie)
Loc: Millennium Trail, Temp: 54°/65°, Time: 2:01:05, Pace: 9:50 avg, Difficulty: easy/medium, Felt: surprisingly good 
Sunday | August 18, 2013: 14.4 m ride + 5 m run
Loc: Prairie Trail, Temp: 74°/76°, Time: 1:04:55, Pace: 13.3 mph avg, Difficulty: medium, Felt: okay until steep hills!
Loc: Prairie Trail, Temp: 76°/78°, Time: 52:25, Pace: 10:29 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good

Notes:

• To what extent do you share your athletic “accomplishments”? I was telling Bobbi and Chris on Friday night (at my first time at Ravinia!) that I usually don’t share much about what I do, in person, to my non athletic acquaintances… because people don’t give a crap. And also, because after you do something once, it doesn’t seem as big of a deal the second time. And, some people are really good at sharing their interests… but not so good about asking about yours. Anyway. I was just thinking about that, and how it’s nice to have this blog where I can document all this silly stuff. It’s funny, because when I started this blog in 2005, that was totally not the intent, but I like what is has become. And, on a completely different note, that that is NOT all the blog has become*. 
• Speaking of Ravinia, I did not get home until 12:30 Saturday am and had a run date at 6:00. I was a bit worried about keeping pace, but! It was surprisingly decent! Yay! I did go to bed at 9:30 pm Saturday night though. 
• I felt like we had a peek of fall weather Tuesday morning with a crisp wind and lower (mid 50s) temps. Can’t wait until that is here for good! I hear rumors it will actually be hot (like, oh, August?!) next week. Uh huh. 
• I really enjoy riding my bike. I can see it replacing a lot of running, but, uh, I have some distance events to train for. Dammit!
• I still have a lot to learn on my road bike. My maneuverability is not so great – I take turns too wide. I am decent with the gears. Well, until today when I encountered some really steep hills and had to climb out of the saddle and shift to a lower gear… only I didn’t shift the big gear and my legs locked up. With me locked in the clips. Ha ha. No falls yet! I figured out to use the big gear right away. I tried a bit more of the hills, felt my heart rate climb way too high and decided to come back when I have more experience. 
• You guys all know how severely I supinate, especially on my left foot. I have felt some twinges in my left knee now and then, usually when I accidentally laterally twist it. I wonder if my supination has anything to do with that, as it does affect the entire kinetic chain. Maybe I should pay more attention to it. Hmm. 

*Well, I don’t think of myself as a “running” blogger, but maybe others do?

Comments (18)

By kilax, August 16, 2013 10:05 am

Whoa! Is this the return of the Friday Question? Ha ha. Probably not. I usually can’t come up with anything to ask. 

Do you ever feel too lazy to get out of bed to go to the bathroom? Do you ever get the urge to watch a favorite scene from a movie, and watch just that scene?

I felt that way this week about the “Flight of the Bumblebee” scene in Shine. Um, only, we decided just to watch the whole movie. And by watch, I mean I played on my phone during talking scenes and watched during piano scenes. 

There are a few singing/dance movies that I like to watch certain scenes from – like the finale scene in Pitch Perfect.  I had to watch that one more time before we sent the Netflix movie back. 

On a side note, I would really like to learn to play the piano someday! I think I would be good at it. Lessons will probably have to wait awhile though. Right now, I just want to ride my bike!

Comments (37)

By kilax, August 14, 2013 6:24 am

Runner’s World and Running Times, that is. 

If you follow me on Facebook, you may have noticed my annoyance with a certain Runner’s World article last week.  

This blurb is from an article about running myths. The myth? That vegans can’t be runners. Sigh. I was annoyed that that was a “myth” at all, but then. Oh, THEN! They have a quote in there, from their nutritionist, saying vegans will be fine, you know, if they consume enough WHEY (among other things). Whey is not even vegan – its a milk byproduct. And while I appreciate that the nutritionist saying protein is not a concern (it really isn’t, for most Americans) and pointing out that some will do better as vegans than others (they will!) I was SHOCKED they said vegans consume whey. And then put the focus on soy, too. Sigh. 

I felt similarly appalled when Runner’s World suggested spitting out sports drink to save calories. 

Ugh, Runner’s World. I dislike it more and more each issue. I do tend to like the featured human interest stories and the articles on runner psychology, but mostly, I find myself not getting much out of it. Shoe/bra/running short reviews don’t interest me. I don’t enjoy the columns. I feel like there isn’t much useful information, for me, in there. 

And, SIDE NOTE! Yeah, I am complaining about a running magazine, a luxury to be able to buy and read it. And you know what? I probably will keep my subscription up, because it’s cheap, and usually there is one or two articles I like a month. I know I am being ridiculous. I am not going to lose sleep over this. That whey thing just threw me over the edge.

So anyway. 

For awhile, I have been reading Running Times. I think the information is more useful, I really like their features on competitive runners of all ages (high school, college, elite), and that they focus on track events as well. 

I always knew I was not the Running Times demographic – the articles seemed geared toward people way more competitive than me. However! I still felt like it was okay for me to read it, until I saw the September issue Editor’s Note (just the beginning, below):

The “who are these people?!” attitude surprised me. Like… there is no reason why anyone should run 25 or fewer miles a week. Ha ha. And then all the “excuses” for why one might. But then they said it, right there – they are a magazine for the “highly competitive.”

I should explain, the Editor’s Note is promoting their article later in the issue, “Maximize the Minimum” – how to still run competitively when you can “only” run 30ish miles a week. I read the plans in that article and thought, “holy crap, this is still really intense for ‘not running that much'” Speedwork, hill repeats, cross, strength. You know, all the stuff we should be doing if we want to be competitive, it just pointed out to me that I am mostly someone who runs for fun. And that is probably NOT what Running Times is focused on. So maybe I am more Runner’s World demographic, but they just annoy me. 

Ha ha ha. Where do I fit in?! I am so lost (not really). 

I just find this all very interesting, as I think any amount of exercise, whatever it is, is commendable. And I really dislike running snobbery – about pace, times, amount run, blah de blah. I think we should all support each other. And I feel someone running (gasp!) less than 25 miles a week might stumble across something like that and feel discouraged, even though the article mentions it’s for the “highly competitive.” It might make someone think they have to be that way to be worthy of being called a runner. 

At the same time, there is a need for a competitive magazine, and a more “fun” one. Hee hee. Just don’t tell anyone I am reading the competitive one. Shhh!

Comments (43)

By kilax, August 13, 2013 12:41 pm

Or is it more than that?

A few of my buddies were disappointed to have their age marked on their legs at the Sunday triathlon, especially after seeing some relayers* had gotten by without the leg marking.

Maybe disappointed is the wrong word. Annoyed? Embarrassed? Upset?

Whatever it was, I heard them mention several times that they didn’t want their age on their leg.

I’ve always said I am a bad guess of age when it comes to the people in my running and multisport club. Everyone stays fit and looks much younger than their true age!

So why not have the “I’m doing much more (athletically) than most people my age!” attitude and be proud of that? Why care if someone else knows your age? You’re only as young as you feel, right?

I probably don’t “get” this because I am regularly around people who are older than me and are doing amazing things. I don’t see age as a setback. I never think about age, until it goes the other way when someone seems immature.

Maybe I have a warped perspective, since I am surrounded here by people who are in to health and fitness?

All I know is, I wish my friends would be easier on themselves! I look to them for inspiration of how I’d like to be at their age. And no, that is not a back handed compliment.

Also, it could be worse. Hee hee. When I told Steven people were upset about their age on their legs, he thought they put your weight on there too, at triathlons. Can you imagine the reaction to that?!

Now, feel free to give me all the reasons I should give a crap about my age! Or tell me to STFU and that I’ll get it, eventually.

Of course, if I wasn’t being super lazy, I could talk about the work environment and how a younger age is sometimes detrimental there. But, yeah. Lazy.

*And actually, A LOT of solo triathletes weren’t marked either. Of course, someone told us we had to be marked, which is why we did it. Maybe that is part of the frustration? I think being marked is fun. Maybe that’s just me.

Comments (57)

By kilax, August 12, 2013 9:42 pm

Race reports seem so common now, right? I was thinking about how many of them there are… out there. And how many different styles there are. And before I started this one, I wanted to ask if you have noticed any style you prefer. 

I am not trying to sound full of myself, but I have run enough races that the reports I write now focus less on the actual “in” the race part, and more about how I feel about the race, or if something was unique about. Basically, you aren’t going to get the mile by mile play by here, at least, with a lot of detail. 

I have noticed some people do that (which is fine!). Some people rate races, with pros and cons. Others mention highlights and lowlights. Others say they did it and not much more. Styles are all about personal preference. 

I just wonder… what is your race report style? Which styles have you noticed you prefer?

Alright, let’s get on with this bad boy!

I’ve told this story a zillion times, but here it is again. A couple of years ago, a blogger I read was signed up for a half marathon and decided to switch to the 5K instead. She was being pretty hard on herself about it. She really wanted to go the longer distance, and felt the 5K was not a respectable distance. 

I commented on her blog with a big “Hellz no! 5Ks are TOUGH! Go out there and get that bad boy!” To this day, I still think the 5K is my hardest distance*, when I am racing it. 

This rang true on Sunday. 

There was, uh, um, talk that I should try to PR this course. My PR is from this March, aka, winter, aka 20+ pounds ago. No. No PR for Kim! I was just hoping to run 8:00s and bet my previous race (different course) PR, which was 26:04. Success! The Iron Girl results have me at 25:08, a 8:07 pace. Eh. Close enough. 

So what was the point of the 5Ks are hard story? Well, I usually have one summer 5K that reminds me to respect the distance and get back in shape**. I guess this was it! Also – I was happy I could run that pace with no speed training, and some extra weight. Moving on. 

How did the rest of my team do?! And! Who was on my team?!

Well, my trainer, Brian, was cool enough to sponsor two Essential Fitness Multisport Club (Efit) teams. We also had two Efiters doing the tri solo. And! Kelsey, Erin and Valerie were there as a relay team. 

Valerie, Erin, moi, and Kelsey

In fact, my Saturday (the day before the race) included a sleepover with these lovely ladies. Foosball, s’mores, and gossip may have been involved. Little sleep, too. Ha ha. The best kind of sleepover. Good thing the run was the last leg because I felt a bit tired in the morning. Hee hee!

On to the swim! Chris was our swimmer! Relayers went in the last wave – with the youngest tri group. It’s weird – they had signs all over for wave times and ages, but none of these signs mentioned the relay teams. I knew when we were to start because I read it on the website, but similar to the Ironman 70.3 Kansas Relay, there was just not much info out there for relay teams. And definitely not many knowledgeable volunteers at packet pickup (understandable). You know what? All that has made me pretty chill about races. I definitely have a “I’ll figure it out in the am” attitude about relays now. No sweat. 

Geesh! You guys let me get so sidetracked! So, Chris had been practicing the half mile swim and doing about 30-35 mins in the pool. 

And! She came out in 24:59! Schweet! She took some major time off! Transition 1 was 1:05, then our biker, Judy, was off!

Chilling with the Bobster (who came to spectate!!!) while Judy biked!

Judy biked the 12 miles (I wonder if it was short this year like in the past) in 38:55, with an average speed of 18.5 mph! This was her first cycling event and was thinking she would cycle 15-16 mph. She kicked butt!

Transition 2 was 00:42 then it was my turn. 

True to form, I took off too fast! Fastest first mile, slowest second mile, sped up in the last mile. It was mentally very hard. I am not sure why. I kept telling myself to pump my arms. I enjoyed seeing women high five each other. I encouraged the people I passed. But man, I wanted to FINISH. I wanted to make my team proud!

My team ran me in. On their somewhat rested legs, ha. We SPRINTED to the finish! I was like, “Crap! I can’t let them cross the line in front of me!” Ha ha. 

 Let’s take a second to check out my awesome landing style. 

Ahh! So happy to be done! So proud of our team! 5K time of 25:08, overall team time of 1:30:49! Woo hoo!

I knew it was a blast to do tri relays, after my experience at this race two years ago and the recent Ironman 70.3 Kansas. But to do it with my multisport club? What a treat! I loved cheering everyone on (and my blogger friends too, and even strangers). This race has a wonderful spirit to it. Everyone did really well and had a lot of fun.

The race is not without its logistical issues though. Parking is a bit of a pita, as is getting out of the race after. Relay information is sparse. There was no food right at the finish, and a huge line for it. There are a few other things. Basically… I say go in to this race (and all others?) with a patient, open mind. I enjoyed it, but I was being totally chill.***

I usually don’t comment on those things, but with the price tag to this race… yeah. 

Anyway. 

I got to see Ian, who was working transition. And I got to meet Nicole, who I didn’t even know would be there!

And… Steven came out just to spectate and take photos (all of the photos are from him unless noted otherwise). He is so supportive! 

So yeah. I kind of really wanted to be riding my bike on Sunday. I am not sure if I can fit a race tri in on my schedule the rest of the year (I would want to do one outdoors) but I can probably do one on my own!

*And that is probably because I have not tried anything shorter, ha ha.
**For the Chicago Lung Run!
***If you know me irl, you are probbaly all “Kim? Chill? Uh huh.” But, no. I was legit chill. FOR REALZ!

Comments (31)

By kilax, August 12, 2013 6:27 am

A follow up on the “Responsible commenting” post… also, I promise I don’t take blogging this seriously. Just a random (long?) thought that popped in to my head!

You guys left wonderful comments on my (first) Friday post about reading a blog post by someone and getting a feeling that something isn’t right, but the blogger is trying to push it aside, and then wondering what you should say, if anything.

A few people asked if I commented or reached out to the blogger. I didn’t. Which makes me (sound like?) a hypocrite, because it was the type of thing I would comment on, IF, it was a blog I read/commented on regularly. But it isn’t. And the casually mentioned issue was an injury, probably due to over training/not enough rest. I don’t think a first comment of “Have you thought about seeing a doctor/taking some rest days?” would bode well.

The comment (well, part of) Declan left on my post made me think about this more:

But I sometimes feel like I am overstepping my boundaries, as who am I to give people advice that likely have been running and such much longer than me.

I think Declan is right – people who have been doing an activity for a longer time may be annoyed by well intended “advice” from novices/anyone who has done said activity for less time. Even if that “more experienced” someone may need to have it pointed out that they are over doing it.

I was thinking, with so many bloggers out there, there are so many various levels of experience. And it’s easy to look at a blog post of someone with more experience than you, and think that you can do the same – because even though you haven’t been at it as long as them, you might have some things in common with them.

I wrote in my response to Declan’s comment – I do A LOT of stupid crap that a beginning runner shouldn’t, because I know my body can handle it. Upping my weekly mileage by a lot, random long runs, double workouts, and so on. I really hope no one reads my blog and thinks “I should follow Kim’s plan*.”** 

But back to what Declan said about experience – I’ve had my stupid years of too much too soon and the subsequent injury. I learned my lesson. I got in to a good groove with strength training and found out if I treat my body well, I can get away with a lot of exercise – if it’s not too intense.

I really don’t think anyone should look at another person’s blog and try to do exactly what they do – everyone is so different. We can look for inspiration and ideas, but should really modify things to fit our capabilities.

But that must be why people have the  “I am not a ‘such and such'” disclaimers*** on their blogs – because people do read blogs and think to copy what someone else is doing, whether or not it will work for them.  Some of you have those disclaimers- what made you think to add it?

Anyway. Just thinking about responsible blogging, and what you put out there, that others might see, and try to copy, and might not be good for them. Kind of like the “don’t try this at home” disclaimers you see sometimes. 

It seems silly/conceited to me to think that others would want to do what I do, but people talk about reading blogs for inspiration/ideas, so there must be some of that going on in the blogosphere! Ha ha. I don’t plan on changing my blogging style soon though, or what I share. 

Data does has advice for you. He says, don’t do this, especially if the cat has all its claws:

*Um… there really isn’t one either. I kind of wing it. 
**And at the same time, I am sure people have read my blog and thought, “what the heck, Kim is going to get injured!” 
***I am talking about the “I am not a registered dietitian,” “I am not a running coach,” “I am not a certified personal trainer” (except, that one doesn’t apply to me) and so on type disclaimers.