Comments (37)

By kilax, December 30, 2013 6:10 am

Woo hoo! I am done racing for 2013! What an awesome year! I participated in 27 races (6 more than last year!) and ran a new race distance (20K), and set a few PRs!

Like last year, I created a fun (for me, really… I wish my job involved using Photoshop) infographic to display some racing stats. See below for the infographic, and further below for some analysis and a link to a form for you to fill out your stats, if you wish!

Observations:

• I “raced” a lot more this year (8.5 races vs 4 races in 2012 – that .5 is when I raced the first half of the SLC Half then decided to run the second half for fun) – meaning I ran a race for time or to try to place, rather than just for fun. However, I did much less speedwork this year. Ha ha. 
• But I still ran most of my races for a FUN TIME not PACE TIME. I think 2014 will be the same!
• I ran more 5Ks (12 vs 10 in 2012) and HMs (6 vs 4 in 2012) this year. I also PR’d the 5K twice (something I failed to do in 2012) and PR’d the Half Marathon and Marathon (which I did not try to do in 2012), both the half and full with pacers. AMEN for pacers!!!!!!!!!!!
• This was my first year running an 8K (I had previously walked one) but due to route conditions, I couldn’t “race” it. 
• I thought I ran in less states than 2012, but I actually ran in the same amount – and two were new to me – Kansas and Utah!
• The amount of races run per month was similar to 2012 – summer racing is not really my thing! The chart indicates that fall racing is my thing. And again, in 2013, I failed to race in January. 
• For the hottest race, I went by the temperature, not temperature + humidity. So it was a midday half on June 9. But the June 21 half with Anne was two degrees cooler and a lot more humid. 
• I paid for races for 6 people last year and only 2 this year! I spent more than last year (+$264.28) but raced more, so it all evens out… right?
• I placed in my age group 3 more times in 2013 (7 vs 4 in 2012) including being first woman overall! I only place at small races, and I’m not in a super competitive age group (25-29) but… I still get a kick out of it!
• I ran more races with people this year, than by myself! 17 (63%) races in 2013 vs 12 races (57%) in 2012 (okay, it seems small when you look at percentage). And I did three relays in 2013 (10 Miler, Half Ironman and Sprint Triathlon) vs one in 2012 (10 Miler). 
• And the COOLEST NEWS OF ALL! My dad started running in July of this year, and we ran two races together. He did three races – all 5Ks – in 2013 and got faster at each one! I am so proud of him!
• SECOND COOLEST NEWS (for Kim) OF 2013 – I became a trainer at Essential Fitness and ran a lot (16!) races wearing an Efit top! Go Team Efit!

WHOA! That is a lot of text! Especially for being after a huge image! Happy Monday!

Did you make it this far? If you did, I have a potential reward for you (ha ha ha) – if you are interested in me making a graphic like this for your 2013 stats, just leave a note in the comments and I will draw one person at random on January 1st!

Or, if you want to list our your stats, here is a link to a google spreadsheet where you can copy and paste it!

Comments (8)

By kilax, December 29, 2013 11:53 am

Highlight of the Week: Um, managing to get some workouts in, despite being pathetically sick? Ha ha. 

Monday | December 23, 2013: 4 m run + teaching strength class x2
Loc: hood, Temp: 18°/15°, Time: 38:33, Pace: 9:38 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: barfy (from having cereal for breakfast)
Strength: Plates and One Dumbbell Mixed Mode, Difficulty: easy, Felt: festive
Tuesday | December 24, 2013: rest 
Wednesday | December 25, 2013: sick
Thursday | December 26, 2013: sick
Friday | December 27, 2013: teaching strength class + 4.4 m run (w/Andrew, Bobbi & Kelly)
Strength: Plates and One Dumbbell Mixed Mode, Difficulty: easy, Felt: too hot!
Loc: Grayslake, Temp: 21°/19°, Time: 48:35, Pace: 11:03, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good!
Saturday | December 28, 2013: sick
Sunday | December 29, 2013: sick

Notes:

• Note to self – when in doubt, run. I decided to take Tuesday as my rest day, since I woke up with a sore throat. Then I had a nasty cough and accompanying upset stomach Wednesday and Thursday… so I rested then too. I didn’t realize it until after my run on Friday am, but all that rest was making me CRANKY! The chest discomfort during the run was so worth it for how I felt after the run! And I am happy I did that run… because the cold got worse Saturday night and any more exercise for the week was out of the question. GAH!!!!! I hope I am better tomorrow. I have back-to-back classes to teach, again! And I should be training for the half marathon I have on February 2nd!
• Monday’s nights classes were so fun. Well, for me. Ha ha. I wore a goofy Santa outfit and played some holiday tunes. I was feeling really festive!

• Anne came to my second class on Monday night! She’s so supportive of me! For living so far away, she has come to a lot of classes this year!
• My brother-in-law, Andrew, came with me to my 5:00 am class on Friday and ran after! Woo hoo! We signed Andrew up for the Wisconsin Half as part of his holiday gifts – it will be his third year running it! Who else is doing the Wisconsin Half or Full? Use coupon code KIMSCODE for $5 off! Prices go up on Janary 9! Full disclosure – I get a free entry to this race if 10 people use my code. Since I paid for my BIL to do this race… it kind of all evens out. Ha ha. 
  
• The next training recap post will be mostly 2014 days! Woo hoo! Let’s hope that includes a long run and less coughing and sneezing!

Link to Training Week 218

Comments (34)

By kilax, December 23, 2013 1:32 pm

A fashion blogger gave these to me, therefore… they are fashionable!

I had to order tights for someone from Kohl’s, therefore… I must order myself a pair, too! Anyone else buying themselves a holiday gift?

I am teaching a bonus strength class (after my regular class) tonight to accommodate classes not being held due to the holidays, therefore… I must have a rockin’ holiday playlist! And wear something festive to teach. 

There is snow all over the sidewalks here, therefore… I must run the same routes in the streets of my neighborhood over and over, and lose my mind due to the monotony of it. Sooooo booooooooooored. 

It’s a gift giving time of year, therefore…  I am getting a little overexcited about giving gifts to people. I am looking forward to Steven’s dad and brother arriving tomorrow!

Also, it’s a busy time of year, and I know I don’t do well if I have something going on every day, therefore… I have been scheduling downtime for me and Steven. And I kind of feel like an ass, but I need it. 

And! It’s the end of the calendar year, therefore… I am looking at my running mileage and wondering where it will end up, and feeling so happy with my 2013 running adventures!

Gina left here last Tuesday, therefore… I am missing her like CRAZY! Even more than normal! Ha ha. But feeling so happy that blogging has helped me make so many amazing, close friendships. 

It’s December, therefore… all posts are/will be mostly fluff. Ha! So true!

Comments (5)

By kilax, December 22, 2013 10:29 pm

Highlight of the Week: Having Gina come to my strength class Monday night! Gina has always been supportive of my exercise escapades, and was really excited for me when I told her back in January I was going to become a personal trainer. After telling her so much about the studio and classes (and her always being such a great listener) it was cool to show it to her in person! Dammit, why do we live so far apart. Ha ha.  

Monday | December 16, 2013: teaching strength class
Strength: sandbags & kettlebells, Difficulty: easy/medium, Felt: good
Tuesday | December 17, 2013: 4.5 m run (w/Gina)
Loc: hood, Temp: 21°/23°, Time: 47:29, Pace: 10:33 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: great! excited to run and chat with Gina!
Wednesday | December 18, 2013: rest
Thursday | December 19, 2013: 5 m run
Loc: hood, Temp: 34°/34°, Time: 52:10, Pace: 10:26 avg, Difficulty: mostly easy, Felt: bored
Friday | December 20, 2013: teaching strength class
Strength: kettlebells, Difficulty: easy/medium, Felt: so so
Saturday | December 21, 2013: 10 m run (w/running club)
Loc: Grayslake, Temp: 28°/28°, Time: 1:37:40, Pace: 9:46 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: excited to run a faster pace
Sunday | December 22, 2013: rest (hang out with the birthday boy!!!)

Notes:

• The beginning of the week was AWESOME because Gina was here and we did our workouts together. She even came to my class Monday night (and wrote a super nice review on her blog)! It’s so fun to have people visit who like to exercise, like Gina, my dad and Andrew. Working out with someone is such a great way to connect, especially if you are running and have that focused time just to chat. 
• A bummer part of the week was that it snowed Monday night and we had freezing rain Friday morning so my classes were kind of small. Ha ha ha. I guess the bad part is for the people who do come to class – they really get an intense workout, because I can focus a bit more on each individual and push them harder!
• I remembered I am training for a half marathon and did a long run on Saturday! I ran with a ton of people from our club and was even able to pick up the pace for me a bit. It was a different feeling, since I have been running a slower pace, in the slushy snow! I actually felt sore when I went to bed Saturday night. Or maybe that was from prepping the workout I designed for Anne for our personal training session on Saturday. Hee hee hee. Anne and I planned a cookie baking day, and she asked for a personal training session before. Exercise followed by a healthy lunch and eating cooking dough? Yes, puh-lease!

Link to Training Week 217

Comments (23)

By kilax, December 19, 2013 12:01 pm

Are you a peeker?! Um, let me clarify that. A holiday gift peeker?

Ha ha ha. I am NOT a peeker. I love surprises. I don’t want to know what I am getting for gifts! However, I know a few people who are peekers. Don’t worry. I won’t name any names… 

It’s been hard not to peek at some gifts this year. Steven’s family is coming here and they are sending some packages ahead of time, directly from the store! I have been working really hard not to look at the labels. Luckily, Gina was here one day and could bring in the packages and read the labels to us. Thanks, Gina!

Ha ha ha. I feel like that is the only goofy pic we took that is blog appropriate. 

When I have to bring the gifts in, I carefully look at the label, just trying to find a name. Ha! I am such a dork, but I really don’t want to know!

 The winner of the I Believe in the Blerch Socks Giveaway is Erica! Erica, please email me your mailing address at kilax@ilaxstudio.com and I will get them out to you. Thank you to everyone who entered!

Comments (40)

By kilax, December 16, 2013 7:49 am

Just like in 2012, in 2013, I ran my first and last race of the year* with Gina! And it looks like 2014 could be the same way, as we are signed up to do a half together in Dallas on February 2nd (eek! I better start training)! How awesome, that even though we live so far away from one another, we still get to race together!

I have never done the Rudolph Ramble 8K before, but I love holiday themed races, and it was an obvious DUH that I had to do a race with Gina when she came to visit! I loved how well organized Fleet Feet‘s Women’s Half Marathon was, and figured this race would be just as awesome (it was)! Also, race day packet pickup? THANK YOU! And my choice of a cool hat for schwag? Yes, please!

And the best part? Wait for it, wait for it… the race beneficiary was Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, and they were accepting donations of unwrapped toys to give to the kids in the hospital for Christmas. If you donated a toy, you got a $10 gift card to Fleet Feet! 

We were planning on donating anyway, so this was a super cool bonus! And especially since I needed to pick up a few things for someone’s stocking. We went after the race and enjoyed spending our gift cards. 

So, this was both of our first 8K races! Automatic PR! We were expecting to come in under 50 minutes, and I was thinking even 45, until on race morning we saw the course was like this:

Ha ha ha. We think at least 80% of the race was covered in an inch or more of snow! I had been running in snow most of the week, but like I said, was still getting my snow legs! And Gina has never run in the snow like this! And we both just wore our regular Asics Gel Cumuluses (so we could match, obviously), not trail shoes. When we got to a part of the path that wasn’t covered in snow, our legs were so tired from the snow we could barely pick up the speed! Heh heh. So we had a super slippery adventure! I just loved it. I love winter-ish weather, I love snow, I love running in it, and I LOVE running with my bestie! But… we did not hit our time goal (nor care)! Ha ha! We came in in 52:03, which I think is freaking awesome, for essentially running the equivalent of a trail race (and for it being somewhat crowded)!

And like I told Gina on the course… I typically don’t care how long it takes me to run a race when I am running with someone. The longer we are out there together, the more time we have to chat! Ha ha! I really was just so happy that we were able to race together. Well, really, BE together! I haven’t seen her since April which had been making me so bummed out! We used to see each other a lot more often when she lived in NYC, but flights between Dallas and Chicago are not very cheap, which is making us both crazy. Anyway. Yeah. What a treat that I get to see her for a few days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ha ha ha. Always funny to see what is going on in the background of your pictures. 

Steven was so nice to come out and play in the snow and take pictures (and be chauffeur). It was about 15 degrees out. Not very windy, and mostly comfortable for the entire run, but not so great for spectating! It was great that so many volunteers and spectators still came out!

And we got to see Lindsay and Katie, too! I love running in to my buddies at races!

Hee hee, we got quite a few compliments on those pants! I picked them up last weekend at the JF&A jewelry show with my mom and grandma. They are one size fits all stretch pants! I am kind of wishing I would have bought more pairs – I love ridiculous bottoms and they are super comfy! Maybe I will just have to go to the next show in February and see if they have them again. 

*I was looking at a 12/28 race to do with my BiL but I just can’t get behind the cause. I keep hoping I’ll find something else. Ha ha.

Comments (3)

By kilax, December 15, 2013 5:30 pm

Highlight of the Week: Running so much in the snow and feeling completely free from pace and distance concerns!

Monday | December 9, 2013: 5 m run + teaching strength class
Loc: hood, Temp: 21°/22°, Time: 49:10, Pace: 9:50 avg, Difficulty: easy/medium, Felt: challenging, with the slush
Strength: Sandbags & Kettlebells Mixed Mode, Difficulty: easy, Felt: okay – could tell class was not digging the bags
Tuesday | December 10, 2013: rest
Wednesday | December 11, 2013: 4 m run
Loc: hood, Temp: 14°/10°, Time: 43:19, Pace: 10:49 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: sore from Monday/surprisingly cold on my arms
Thursday | December 12, 2013: 4 m run
Loc: hood, Time: 42:29, Pace: 10:37 avg, Difficulty: easy/medium, Felt: meh/over the wind/too hot
Friday | December 13, 2013: teaching strength class + 3 m run
Strength: Sandbags & Kettlebells Mixed Mode, Difficulty: medium, Felt: excited to try some new workout ideas
Loc: hood, Temp: 29°/28°, Time: 29:45, Pace: 9:55, Difficulty: easy, Felt: bored
Saturday | December 14, 2013: 5 m run (w/Bobbi)
Loc: Grayslake, Temp: 27°/27°, Time: 54:21, Pace: 10:52 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: so happy to run: with Bobbi, in the snow, somewhere other than my hood
Sunday | December 15, 2013: Rudolph Ramble 8K (w/Gina)
Loc: Chicago, Temp: 15°/16°, Time: 52:06, Pace: 10:23 avg, Difficulty: medium, Felt: fun to run a race in the snow! And with Gina!!!!!!!!

Notes:

• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday’s runs were on the snow/slush and required a lot of stabilization in my core and legs to keep from slipping – I don’t have my “snow” legs yet this season! I could already feel the effects of Monday’s workout at the beginning of Wednesday’s run! Ha ha ha. And pace slowed down quite a bit on Wednesday due to running mostly on snow.
• During my Wednesday night run, someone getting their mail said to me “Way to go! You’re dedicated!” I appreciated the positive feedback! Ha ha.
• OMG SO BORED running on the left side on the road, on the same route, through my neighborhood FOUR DAYS this week. That combo is one of the only things I don’t like about winter running – running on the camber of the road, on similar routes over and over and over.
• I did a city race today with Gina, and nearly the entire route was covered in a few inches of snow! It felt like a trail workout! What a freakin’ blast! AND! It was holiday themed. More on that tomorrow, of course!

Link to Training Week 216

Comments (10)

By kilax, December 14, 2013 4:45 pm

You guys all saw The Oatmeal’s running comic, featuring the Blerch, earlier this year, right?

Well, I thought it would be fun to include some I Believe in the Blerch socks in my gift exchange bag today at the Chicago Running Blogger Holiday party. 

How helpful, the socks arrived today. After I left for the party. Ha ha ha. There were actually a lot of socks gifted at the party! So maybe that’s a good thing I didn’t bring another pair. 

Also, it’s a good thing because it means I am giving them away! And they are cute athletic socks! 

I have one women’s sized pair to give away. Check out the rules below to enter!

I Believe in the Blerch Socks Giveaway Rules

1. One reader will receive a women’s sized pair of “I Believe in the Blerch” athletic socks.  
2. REQUIRED to enter the giveaway: tell me if you are doing any gift exchange games (white elephant/grab bag/etc.) this year and what you plan to gift. 
3. This giveaway is open until 8:00 PM CST on Tuesday December 17. I will announce the winner on Wednesday December 18.
4. Random.org will pick the winner. 
5. This giveaway is open to all US readers.

Comments (17)

By kilax, December 13, 2013 12:26 pm

What is the longest amount of time you’ve worked at one job – and what was/is it?

I realized on Monday that it was my five year anniversary of starting my current full time job. I work someplace where it’s not uncommon to stay for thirty or thirty-five years. I can see that happening to me. 

I worked for Environmental Health & Safety for 9 semesters when I was in college. And I worked at McDonald’s from summer of 1999 to summer of 2003. And now you know why I became a vegetarian. Ha ha ha. 

To this day, it still surprises me that they made me a shift manager when I turned 16 (summer of 2000). Opening the store up by myself on weekends, closing it on weeknights… Looking back at it now, I wonder if adults coming in to the store were super frustrated to have to deal with a “kid.” Not that I was bad at it. I wasn’t. I’ve always been responsible. It just seems sooooo young. I mean, look at that picture! I am wearing braces with rubber bands! Ha ha!

Comments (39)

By kilax, December 12, 2013 12:06 pm

For myself, anyway. 

After telling you how much money I spend on races, and reading a cold weather running gear article in Competitor, I thought I should share what I am apparently NOT spending a lot of money on – expensive running gear. 

I read this article and added up the cost for the outfit for each model – the men’s was $548 and the women’s was $479. Neither included underwear (in case you’re in to wearing them, ha ha). The women’s didn’t include a bra. That seems like a lot for one outfit! (click image to see larger)

Of course, you wouldn’t buy that all at once. And they are definitely high quality investment pieces – you could use them over and over again. But a jacket for $200 or $130? $100 dollar tights? Why does that seem so high to me? Oh, because I mostly shop at Kohl’s and JCPenney and feel like I’m living on the edge when I get a $50 Under Armour Cold Gear Mock Tee, or get those Smart Wool socks (which they did include) . Ha ha. Or spend $50 on any one item. 

What is the most you have spent on a piece of exercise apparel?

I am actually planning on spending $100 on a new jacket soon (ha ha, hypocrite!) for my multisport club. And I have spent more, on other people, for gifts. 

And I didn’t include shoes. Ugh, when mine come out new they are over $100! But I have been getting the older model for around $55 for awhile now.