Comments (14)

By kilax, October 18, 2013 12:54 pm

We’re told time and time again to say no to things we don’t want to do, right? It’s good for us! It’s healthy. 

Yes. It so totally is. I don’t always want to leave the comfort of my home. And I really wouldn’t want to leave it to do something I wish I would have said “no” to doing in the first place. Ha ha. 

But I was thinking about saying no to things. How often, when you say no, do you give the real reason you are saying no? And how often do you give a partial truth or make an excuse? Or, just say “no”?

Ha. So I realized today, when Jen2 asked me if I wanted to do one of those mud runs next year, and I responded to her with “that’s not my thing, but thanks for asking,” that that might not be the response I would give everyone. As in, I might decline someone else, but not tell them it’s because I don’t want to do a mud run*, probably, ever. I think I would just say no. Which is completely fine. But why did I feel like giving Jen2 the extra info? Because I feel comfortable with her? Because I want her to know that about me?

She didn’t mean this kind of mud run!

No, is no. No reason required. “I don’t want to” is enough. But… I was just thinking about it, because I feel like I say no a lot. I get in to phases where I am away from my home way too much, and I try to be conscious of that and not say yes to every invite that comes my way. Of course, after being off work from so long, and at home so much, it feels weird to go out. I am sure that will go away soon!

*I mean organized mud run, not a trail run. 

Comments (27)

By kilax, October 17, 2013 6:06 am

You guys heard the good news, right?! A temporary agreement has been made, and the government is back open… for awhile, hee hee. So! I am back at work and feeling useful again! Woo hoo!

I thought it would be funny* to share my personal government shutdown numbers. You know, basically, what I was up to, while I was off work** for just over two weeks.

Overall theme of the shutdown? Good for the waistline, bad for the spirit. Also, I learned that I despise sitting by my computer, when I am not working. And I was surprised how many people didn’t realize I work for the federal government.

Do you feel like the shutdown affected you?

The numbers:

Marathons spectated: 1

Races run: 2

Races registered for: 1

Miles run: 145.6

Runs with friends: at least 14

Doubles (2+ workouts of any type in one day): 8

Real rest days: 1

Walks with Steven: 3

Bike rides: 3

New trails explored: 1

Number of times worked at Essential Fitness: 7

Houseguests: 1

Random visit from favorite second cousins: 2 (well, the first was random, the second was planned)

Ate at El Famous: 2

Ate at Red Robin: 2

Ate out: probably more than I should have, but…

Weight lost: 2.59%

Glass paperweights made: 2

Movies seen in the theater: 2

TV series watched on Netflix: 1

Books started to read: 1

Photos taken of Data: 107

Halloween Costumes decided on: 0

Amount of house cleaned: 15% (that’s being generous)

New recipes made: 2

Snake pictures text to Erin: 2

Whiny texts sent to Bobbi: can’t count that high

Naps taken: not enough

Helped at warehouse: not enough

*that part of the post is not meant to be serious
**Not on vacation

Comments (41)

By kilax, October 15, 2013 2:31 pm

Let’s see if I can word this question right…

Have you ever participated in a multi-distance race, where you are running the long distance with the shorter of the distances for awhile, then they split off? You know 5K/10K, 5K/Half Marathon, Half Marathon/Marathon, etc.?

Of the five marathons I’ve participated in, Veterans was the only one that had a half option along with it. So the full marathoners passed the half finish line… and had to keep going.* Ugh. And I remember, on that day, Bobbi and I were sort of wishing we could be done, then. Ha ha. 

At least I got to do the race with one of my best friends!

The marathon I am running in November also has a half option along with it. It looks like we will be with the half marathoners until right before mile 9.5, then they will head back to the finish. Phew, at least we don’t have to pass the finish line and keep going, like we did at Veterans!

But I am trying to kind of mentally prepare for that “split” in the race. I have a pacer, so it’s not like I will be lost for company. But I am wondering when a large chunk of the people split off, if a large part of the race spirit and atmosphere will go with them. Hmm. 

Ha ha. It’s not like I am spazzing over this. Just thinking ahead. You know, the whole “mental game.”

Have you had to deal with this race “split” before? What are your best mental tips for the marathon?

*On a different part of the course – this year they have changed the race to two loops. 

Comments (14)

By kilax, October 13, 2013 11:39 am

Highlight of the Week: Running fun back to back races with friends on Saturday, and two runs with my BiL, Andrew!

Monday | October 7, 2013: 6 m run (w/Adam) + 10 m run (w/Bobbi) + teaching strength class + 1 m run (w/Jen2)
Loc: Grayslake, Temp: 46°/46°, Time: 54:03, Pace: 9:01 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good but sleepy
Loc: Grant Woods FP, Temp: 50°/57°, Time: 1:44:02, Pace: 10:24 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Strength: Kettlebells & Step + Boxing, Difficulty: easy, Felt: like a lot of fun!
Tuesday | October 8, 2013: 6.5 m run (w/Adam)
Loc: Grayslake, Temp: 44°/43°, Time: 59:39, Pace: 9:11 avg, Difficulty: medium, Felt: tired/ready for a rest day!
Wednesday | October 9, 2013: 15.15 m ride
Loc: Around town, Temp: 64°/67°, Time: 1:00:34, Pace: 15.0 mph avg, Difficulty: medium, Felt: excited
Thursday | October 10, 2013: 7.6 m run (w/Adam) + 8.4 m run (w/Bobbi)
Loc: Grayslake, Temp: 46°/46°, Time: 1:06:22, Pace: 8:44 avg, Difficulty: moslty easy, Felt: good
Loc: Millennium Trail, Temp: 53°/63°, Time: 1:24:05, Pace: 10:00 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Friday | October 11, 2013: teaching strength class + 3 m run (w/Andrew)
Strength: Kettlebells & Step + Boxing, Difficulty: easy, Felt: so humid
Loc: Millennium Trail, Temp: 68°/66°, Time: 30:18, Pace: 10:05, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Saturday | October 12, 2013: 1.8 m run + Prairie State Half Marathon (w/Emily) + Dead Last 5K Run (w/Bobbi and Sara)
Loc: DPRT, Temp: 58°/69°, Time: 2:19:21, Pace: 10:40 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: great
Loc: CLC, Temp: 64°, Time: 31:12, Pace: 10:26 avg, Difficulty: surprisingly challenging, Felt: good
Sunday | October 13, 2013: 10 m run (w/Andrew)
Loc: Millennium Trail, Temp: 42°/54°, Time: 1:46:34, Pace: 10:39 avg, Difficulty: easy/medium, Felt: good

Notes:

• My neighbor, Jen2, came to my strength class Monday night! I love it when my friends/family drop in! It means so much to me! Andrew is going to come to my class tomorrow night. Muah ha ha…
• The marathon I am running is 4 weeks from today! Guess it’s time to start thinking about a goal! I have bonked every marathon I’ve done (there’s been 5 of them). I would like to just finish and feel good most of the time (goal #1). I know, that is a lot to ask. And really, I’d like to PR (goal #2). My Marathon PR is 4:38:35 from the 2011 Milwaukee Marathon. That’s a 10:37 pace. I could probably run a 10:00 pace, comfortably. Maybe faster. I have been working at losing some weight so I can run faster. You know. Since that is so much easier than speedwork (not). 
• After a conversation with a friend. I’ve been thinking more about “secret races.” And I know I mentioned this, but I think people are just so surprised when they don’t know you are doing a race, because you haven’t broadcast it a thousand times on social media (like some people do). I think that can make it seem like you are keeping it secret, when really, you just aren’t telling everyone, asap, that you signed up for something.  Those oversharers (says the oversharer, in most other areas of life) are making other people look like the are trying to keep things “secret”! Ha ha.
• Another new weekly mileage PR – 70.4! I wasn’t even going for a 70 mile week, then a few random unplanned runs got me there. Neat-o!

Comments (32)

By kilax, October 12, 2013 6:21 pm

Woo hoo! I think today is the first time I have run two races in one day! What is your shortest time between races?

The first race was the Prairie State Half Marathon, on the Des Plaines River Trail (DPRT), starting in Libertyville, IL, at 8:00 am with Emily.

The second race was the Dead Last 5K, at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, IL, at 3:00 pm with Bobbi and Sara.

I was actually signed up for the second race first! I saw an ad for it months ago and had to suggest it to Bobbi and Sara, fellow zombie slayers. Ha ha. Then awhile later, Emily mentioned she was doing the trail half the same morning, and I kind of invited myself along! Hey! Totally enough time between the two races! So, on to race #1…

Prairie State Half Marathon

I run the DPRT a lot. It’s a 31-mile crushed limestone trail, is mostly shaded, and is super close to my home! I was curious to see what it would be like to run a race on a course that I frequent. Would it be useful to know the ins and outs of the trail? Or would it be annoying to know “how much further” there was to go?

It rocked! The DPRT is beautiful year round, but especially in the fall, with the trees changing colors.

Um, and dropping sh*t all over the ground that made me roll my damn left ankle AGAIN, grrr. I only hobbled for a bit, then iced that ankle twice before race #2. But yeah. Um, back on track. Running the DPRT never got old, despite having run the trail what feels like a zillion times before. And they did a staggered start for the race so there wouldn’t be too much congestion on the trail.

Emily wanted to come in under 2:20, and we did a 9/1 run/walk ratio (when we remembered to take the walk breaks). Sometimes stopping to walk makes my legs lock up a bit, but I felt the run/walk ratio worked really well today! It helped me deal with the humidity, and I think it let us have a faster “run” pace, overall. We came in just under goal! I am so proud of Emily! And happy she let me crash her race. It was fun to run and catch up a bit!

We also got to catch up with Erica, who was blazing fast, per usual!

Special thanks to my girl, Chris, who picked up my race packet and gave me a ride home. Apparently, packet pickup and driving to the race was a disaster (I got dropped off 2 miles away and ran in) – she saved me some headache!

Also… love the race medal and top!

Okay! Race #2!

Dead Last 5K

This was a zombie themed race to benefit the Oasis – a youth center in Grayslake. You could sign up to be a zombie or a survivor. There ended up being about 150 of each! 1 to 1 ratio! Ahh! The course felt overwhelming with all the zombies, at times, but I’ll get to that.

So, we were each given a flag football belt with two flags. The zombies could grab them (they were held on by velcro). Lose two and you’re dead. However! You could get extra flags on course! And… there were overall age ground winner awards for alive, and dead!

Like a jerk, I decided to gun it at the beginning. Uh… crap. Then I realized, power in numbers! Hoards of zombies were coming for me, and I was all by myself!!! Ack!

So I stopped, and waited for my crew. Duh. And then the rest of the race was like a KILLER interval workout. Run a normal pace. Oh sh*t, zombies! Speed up! Dodge! Gosh, it was so fun. And our heart rates got jacked up!

I couldn’t believe how well done it was! I thought since it was a first time event, and a themed 5K, it might be a bit on the meh side, but man, they nailed it. It was a total blast, the zombies looked good and made it challenging!

A majority of the zombies were high school students. One set was entire baseball team. Ha ha. They really got in to it – hiding in ditches, trees… in a garbage can. Ha ha. There were some adult zombies too, with elaborate outfits:

Ha ha. When we passed this guy the second time, I said, “he can’t catch me!” Then he sprinted after me. Oops!

All in all, I only had one flag stolen, and I quickly replaced it. However! I must be honest and say I protected my flags! And I would run on the grass to dodge the zombies. Hee, hee, I don’t think I was the only one!

We finished in just over 30 minutes! And that was with walk breaks (when we were clear of zombies, of course!). Walk breaks were necessary! We were sprinting when we saw zombies!

What. A. Blast. I am so happy I did this race, and hope to do it again, next year. There was a great post race atmosphere with hot cider and snacks, then a pizza party later on for the younger volunteers and a party at a wine bar for the adults! Great event.

And now I know for next year – power in numbers. Duh, Kim. DUH! Homework – watch more zombie movies!

It was such a fun day – two races with friends! If only every Saturday were this awesome. Ha ha.

Oh! Side note: all zombie pics are from Steven! He and Matt spectated, some in the rain! Thanks, guys!

Also, loved the race shirt and the nice schwag bag!

Comments (25)

By kilax, October 10, 2013 6:45 am

• This is my eighth day off of work because of the government shutdown. Back pay has been approved for federal employees, which is great. And it’s not like I am going to go back to hundreds of emails or anything*. But the not knowing when I will go back is getting to me. I hate not knowing. I am not sleeping well and am constantly checking my news feed. 
• So I have been trying to keep a regular schedule while I am off work, meaning I still get up early to go on runs. The only difference is that I come home, clean up, and take a nap right away (instead of later in the day). I could get used to this. 
• My early morning running buddy, Adam, is training for a 50 miler on 10/19. My marathon isn’t until 11/10! Who is going to run with me after his race? Ha ha ha. He said he still would. It’s just funny, that after people run their fall marathons, they seem to drop off from the early morning runs. That is probably one of the things people look forward to the most to be “done with training”!

• Steven and I went to Patterson Glass (my second time!) and made “large swirl” paperweights this Saturday, and picked up the finished product last night! It was fun to go together, and of course, Steven was naturally good at it! 

• This article (pdf here) about how cheating makes people feel is really interesting. Basically, when they don’t get caught, they get a rush/high from it! I thought the percentage of people who cheated in the tests they gave was kind of disturbing. 
• Ha ha ha. I didn’t know a “fog bow” was a thing! But I actually saw one last week. Um, the one in this link is much cooler though. 

Of course, this pic is from this day

• It seemed like there was something else, but darn, what was it? Hopefully, for your sake, it won’t turn in to post #2 for the day!

*But I will have to figure out what to do with all the projects that are way off schedule. 

Other Random Thoughts Thursday Posts: 50, 49, 48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40, 39, 38, 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 (18)

By kilax, October 9, 2013 11:03 am

Do you think you tend to be too hard or too easy (or juuuuust right) on yourself when it comes to setting goals and achieving them… or really, just life, in general?

I am way too easy. Way too forgiving. Very “you have a lot of time” and “work at your pace.” You’ll get there when you get there. Do what you can. Live in the now. Ha ha. With EVERYTHING. Not just running. 

As I’ve watched friends go for goals and sometimes not achieve them, then really beat themselves up about it*… I wonder why they do that. And it makes me wonder why I am not like that. I’m not super lazy. I work hard. But I guess I am more in to things for the overall journey, than the end outcome. I’ve set lots of goals I haven’t met**. Meh. Whatever. 

I keep thinking about this in relation to the commitment versus attachment blurb I read in a work book a few months ago. I really want to share the graphic, but, ahh, copyrights!

Basically, the concept was that you do the best you can to prepare for an event/goal/outcome/whatever. If you are committed, you take what you get from the outcome, knowing you did your best to prepare, not letting it affect your happiness/mood. Basically, you are being independent of the results. 

If you are attached, you let the results determine how you feel. You lose control of how you feel, and could burn out. 

This concept was presented in a business model – just saying how as you move toward goals, a lot of obstacles are going to get in your way that you have no control over. So why be attached when you can be committed? 

I think even though it’s a business concept, it can be applied to other areas of life, as well! It’s kind of just like saying, “it is what it is.” You’ve done what you can, now it’s time to see what happens. Hmm. 

*In an extreme way, not a typical mourning
**And some I have even worked for! I trained in 2012 to PR in the 5K and couldn’t do it. 

And a Wednesday Funny for you:

Comments (19)

By kilax, October 8, 2013 11:04 am

And it’s for a brand I don’t care for! Well, their bras, anyway. Erin gave me a tank from them that I like. 

Humor me for a bit*.

What do you think the first line of text in this ad means?

I read it, and thought, “I like that!” But then I was like, “Um, why do I like that?”

Is it a literal translation – if you are fit, you have more physical power? Or is it not so literal… being fit gives you confidence and more “power” in other aspects of your life?

Hmm. The things that make me think, these days. Ha ha. 

I think I like it because power and strength are very important to me, and she is muscular, and I can relate to her body type (not the abs though, obviously). 

But I thought it was odd I liked the ad so much… like, “rip it out of the magazine and pin it up” like it!

But I still don’t like their sports bras. Ha ha. 

*Okay, okay, if you read this, you are humoring me, so, continue to humor me, please. 

Comments (23)

By kilax, October 8, 2013 6:43 am

Geesh, sometimes we have to say “I”! Give us a break! Ha ha. 

I (1) was reading this article (pdf here) about recent research on what the frequency of saying “I” implies. According to the article, it’s not narcissistic people who use the word more, but rather, it’s people who feel “less powerful and sure of themselves who use the pronoun more frequently.”

The high-status person is looking out at the world and the low-status person is looking at himself.

Hmm, interesting!

Have you ever noticed someone who says “I” a lot? Have you ever tried to use it less yourself, or, use it more?

Data uses it A LOT

I (2) don’t notice it too much, unless it seems that someone is really talking a lot about themself. And the article did say people who use “I” are often being self-reflective (duh), and it’s good to use when talking to your partner (you know, the whole “I feel this way” vs “you did this!” advice), or to sound humble (which seems to contradict the first sentence in this paragraph… hmm).

But according to several studies, “leaders” use “I” less and the more it’s used by someone, the less power they seem to have.

Interesting. I (3) will have to pay attention to this!

Also interesting… a really creepy part of the article that analyzes Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s use of “I” words (I, me, my, I’ll, I’m, etc.) on Twitter before the bombing. Apparently people use “I” less to be dishonest/hide things… and Tsarnaev seemed to drop these words from his twitter vocabulary, leading up to the bombing.

Like I (4) said, creepy!

Comments (24)

By kilax, October 7, 2013 9:22 pm

As awesome as it is to have free time to do whatever I want during the day because the government is shutdown and I can’t work… I am feeling a very heavy underlying anxiety and a general worthless/uselessness, despite still teaching, and helping Steven at the warehouse. So, this was welcome. 

I wasn’t going to blog about spectating at the Milwaukee Marathon. I did it last year, and I just blogged about a strange spectating experience (that made me seem completely emotional).

We did the same thing as last year – hung out just before mile 20 and handed out twizzlers and pretzels (and new to this year – soda!). Chris and I brought the snacks, Bobbi made a schweet sign, and we were set:

We knew a lot of people from our running club doing the race, and everyone did AMAZING! It was so awesome to be able to cheer them on and hand them their “support” bags (with pretzels and twizzlers, along with specific things they had asked for). They all thanked us for being there, and the runners who didn’t know us did as well. 

It feels so good to go out there and be in the supportive role, for my fellow runners. Beside it being important to “pay it back,” I also think it makes you feel good. I mean, being supportive is the #1 goal, but it’s nice to feel good from it too, right?

So, when Bobbi shared this post with me from the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon Facebook page, I felt especially appreciated.

And I needed that, this week. Thank you, George!

What has made you feel appreciated lately? Share something good with me!