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By kilax, January 11, 2018 6:51 am

• EXCITING NEWS! After all my whining (mostly on here), I found out at the end of the day yesterday that my detail is being extended by thirty days! Yay! That gives me enough time to finish some of the projects I started with my team. And my bosses said they will discuss it again at the end of those thirty days. Thanks for reading/listening, and your input and support! I apologize for being mopey AF, but I did NOT know what was going on with it, and I was starting to feel frantic.
• Besides the Chewie and the porgs poster, Andrew also got me this framed comic from Poorly Drawn Lines I had asked for. Gah, it makes me laugh every time I look at it!

• I hung said Chewie and the porgs poster up! I wonder how long until Steven asks me to take it down. Ha!

• We still have all our holiday cards up in the kitchen. I think I’ll take them down when we start getting Valentine’s Day cards…

• And speaking of Valentine’s Day! I found my favorite candy in the grocery store (it’s kind of hard to find). Yay! I bought six bags, and the cashier says to me “where’s all this going?” I rubbed my belly and said “right here.” Muah ha ha ha.

Link to Random Thoughts Thursday 162

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By kilax, January 10, 2018 6:23 am

That saying – fake it till you make it – needs some caveats:

• Stop faking it if it eats away at your soul!
• Stop faking it if it makes you FAKE/disingenuous!
• Don’t confuse building your character by faking it with building tolerance toward something you hate

Yeah.

There’s a reason I asked Santa for the “Live What You Love” mantraband!

I’m a broken record, but to reiterate, I am not looking forward to going back to my old work position, because I don’t care for the work anymore (it’s changed a lot since I started), and for other reasons. I greatly enjoyed the work in my detail position. And it’s not because it’s new and different. It’s because it suits me.

I didn’t have to fake it at work while I was in the detail.

Ahh, and it was so refreshing.

The dread of going back to my old position is seeping in now, and really getting me down. And I hate that I am letting that happen! But I hate to think I have to go back to faking it, every day at work, trying to like something that doesn’t suit me. Being nice to people who are arseholes to me. Always being friendly, even though I’m fed up. It’s draiiiiiiiiiiiiining.

So, I am saying no to “faking it.”

I’m just not quite sure what that means yet…

Comments (26)

By kilax, January 9, 2018 6:17 am

I have an update on my ONE SMART goal for 2018 and it’s not a good one. Eek!

In my mind, driving to Madison on Sunday was an opportunity to maybe go the “long” way and stop in Milwaukee for a vegan donut, when Holey Moley opens at 6:30 am.

Alas, I did not want to wake up even earlier and do the longer trip. I failed before I even tried. Sigh.

I especially failed, because I made a special stop at Hurts Donuts in Madison to get donuts for Steven!

Ugh. If only they had vegan donuts! If only I wasn’t so lazy! If only I had researched other places in Madison that might have vegan donuts. Achieving this goal is harder than I thought it would be!!!

Luckily, I have a month to complete it!!! And I can keep trying, all year, if I don’t achieve it in January!

I am surprised I haven’t mentioned Hurts Donuts on here before. We went there in May when we were in Dallas, and Steven thought their glazed donut was the best he’s ever had (they also do tons of crazy cool specialty donuts, which isn’t his thing). When we got back home from that trip he looked up other Hurts Donuts locations and was excited to see they have this one in Wisconsin, and some in Iowa. So I had to stop and get him some since the race I did was only a few miles away.

And don’t worry, I did get a vegan brownie at Monty’s Blue Plate Diner. And it was delicious.

Comments (24)

By kilax, January 8, 2018 5:33 am

I cannot remember the last time I used my snowshoes for hiking or for racing. But that didn’t hold me back when Rachel asked if I wanted to do the Snowshoe Scurry (Race #2) yesterday – count me in! Rachel signed me up as a holiday gift!!!! <— best gift ever!

The Snowshoe Scurry is a five race series in Wisconsin, near the Madison area. Each race is at a different location, and has a 5K or 10K snowshoe option, and sometimes other options like fat tire bike or duathlon. Each race finishes with chili and hot drinks! And includes a buff and free race photos! Woo hoo!

I couldn’t remember which distance Rachel signed us up for (and was too lazy to read my email, apparently) so I texted her Saturday to ask and she responded “5k! I’m not sure I’d survive a 10k in snowshoes haha.”

Good point! Snowshoe races are hard. Running on snow is difficult enough, right? But when you wear snowshoes, you have to widen your stance to run, so you don’t trip on yourself. It taxes your body much differently than regular running! And if there is a terrain change, you have to change how you pick up your feet. Your heart rate gets jacked up! And it’s totally fun! But to Rachel’s point, just 5K fun!!!

The race was held at Pleasant View Golf Course in Middleton and the 5K race started shortly after the 10Kers around 9:10. I was worried I’d be cold since it was 18° and windy, but we ran quite a bit in the woods and had wind protection there, and the open areas didn’t feel bad at all. Phew! I even pulled my buff down off my mouth a few times (can’t remember the last time I did that)!

Some of the people doing this race were F-A-S-T. As in, the 10Kers started about 10 minutes before us, but they lapped us when we were in our final mile. Whoa! (The 10K winner finished in 46:24, and the 5K winner finished in 24:23, 15 people did the 10K, and 37 did the 5K).

Our goal was to have fun and not fall! And we accomplished both, yay!

We kept up a steady pace, and walked a few of the hills – because we were near Madison, so of course, it’s hilly! I had no idea what our pace was while we were running. I just checked my watch a few times to see what miles we were in (the course was marked great, but no mile markers), but didn’t notice pace. Our official finish time was 45:52. I compared that to the other two snowshoe 5Ks I’ve done – 44:21 and 44:09 – consistent!

We had a lot of fun out there, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t happy to change in to dry clothes and have a hot cup of cider! We hung around the post race party for a bit then headed out to brunch at Monty’s Blue Plate Diner in Madison! I had the delicious vegan hash and took home a vegan brownie. Drool.

What a fun day! I am glad it worked out that I could do this race with Rachel. I contacted her at the end of December to ask when we could meet in January to exchange holiday gifts, and she mentioned she might be doing this race and asked if I’d like to join her. Yay for impromptu racing, and for doing a race together! I hope this is the first of many races we do together this year?! Next time, it will have to be MY treat!!!

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By kilax, January 7, 2018 6:16 pm

Highlight of the Week: Doing my first race of 2018 with Rachel!

Monday | January 1, 2018: 25 mins strength + 16 m ride + 4 m run (incl. 4×1:30 4% hill repeats)
Indoor Ride Time: 1:01:31, Pace: 15.6 mph avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: great! sore butt at end
Treadmill Time: 43:56, Pace: 10:59 avg, Difficulty: mostly east, Felt: good
Tuesday | January 2, 2018: 8 m run
Loc: Waukegan Field House, Time: 1:24:50, Pace: 10:36 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good, a bit tired and bored
Wednesday | January 3, 2018: 1.5 m walk
Thursday | January 4, 2018: 5 m run (incl. 7×400) + 10 m ride
Treadmill Time: 53:43, Pace: 10:45 avg, Difficulty: medium, Felt: good, just a hard workout on the treadmill!
Indoor Ride Time: 37:22, Pace: 16.1 mph avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: frustrated with technology/the end of my work day
Friday | January 5, 2018: teaching strength class + 1,176 yd swim + 10 m run + massage
Strength: medicine balls, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Loc: FitNation, Time: 25:17, Pace: 2:09 min/100 yd, Difficulty: easy, Felt: great
Loc: Waukegan Field House, Time: 1:43:15, Pace: 10:20, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good, just frustrated w/people not following track rules
Saturday | January 6, 2018: 18 m ride + teaching fitness boxing + 4 m run
Indoor Ride Time: 1:11:04, Pace: 15.2 mph avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good, just sore butt (wearing tri shorts)
Strength: kettlebells, core, and boxing, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Loc: VP Woods, Temp: 13°/12°, Time: 40:30, Pace: 10:07 avg, Difficulty: easy/medium (running on snow), Felt: great!
Sunday | January 7, 2018: Snowshoe Scurry, Race #2 (w/Rachel!)
Loc: Pleasant View Gold Course, Middleton, Temp: 18°/18°, Time: 45:29, Pace: 15:06 avg, Difficulty: easy/medium, Felt: good, glad I didn’t fall!

Notes:

• Monday was the last day of the Holiday Mile Challenge! I did a mile of walking, biking, or running from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day. The shirts and medals already arrived for me and my teammates, and I am looking forward to distributing them.
• This was a week of me waking up much earlier than I needed to. 4:00 instead of 5:00 on Wednesday, 2:50 instead of 3:50 on Friday, and 5:30 instead of 7:30 on Saturday. Blah! On Wednesday and Saturday, I filled that time with unplanned exercise.
• Speedwork was HARD on the treadmill! But it was too cold to do recoveries outside, so to the treadmill I go. It looks like I should be able to do speedwork outside next week, as long as I can run during the daylight!
• I was so so so so happy to run outside Sat. All those inside runs were messing me up (mentally and physically, hence the massage on Friday).
• On Sunday I did my first race of the year – the Snowshoe Scurry, #2 (it’s a series) with Rachel! Rachel and I decided to do the race last this week, and she bought me registration as part of my holiday gift. What a great gift and fun time together! I’ll write a race report later this week!

Link to Training Week 428

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By kilax, January 6, 2018 4:34 pm

Can I get a “Duh, Kim”?!

I’m super grumpy when I don’t run. And I prefer to run outside, but it’s been cold* and windy here, and bad conditions for certain workouts (speed, hills, long). So… I’ve been running inside, since last Sunday.

I thought that would combat the grumpy. At least I am still running, right?

No. By the end of the week, I could feel the grumpiness seeping in.

AHHH!!!! I just need to run outside!

And I finally did today. And feel so much better.

I’m sure the Vitamin D helped too

I’ve been doing other workouts as well – cycling, swimming, lifting, teaching classes… but nothing makes me feel as good as running outside does. Hopefully there is more of that next week!!!

*When the temp is single digits or negative, and the “feels like” is -10°F or lower, I just can’t do those “focused” or long workouts outside. Those nasty temps are for “junk” miles!

Tomorrow is this guy’s FIRST birthday, can you believe it?!

Photo from when I saw him in August! I haven’t seen him since September!!!! AHHHH!!!!

We’ll see William soon for a late Christmas celebration and for his first birthday party. I am so excited to see him and my family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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By kilax, January 5, 2018 7:59 am

This is a sponsored post. Trent & Company, Inc. sent me .35 oz sizes of “Body” and “For Her” Body Glide to review. 

Aww, teeny tiny cute containers of Body Glide!

You guys probably already know this, but Body Glide is a balm you apply on your skin anywhere you think might get rubbed while you exercise, to prevent chafing. I also use it when I am not working out. I keep it in my work backpack and use it for humid walks in the summer when I am wearing a dress or skirt.

So yeah, I already use the regular kind of body glide, “Body,” and it works well for me, except for on incredibly horrible humid summer runs, in which case I also double up with vaseline in my shorts area. Otherwise, it’s Body Glide all the way, because, yes, as it’s advertised, it’s not messy (easy to put on), and I don’t have to worry about it staining my clothes!

I had NOT used the pink “For Her” body glide before, and always kind of scoffed at it when I’d see it in stores, because it would be in a smaller container than the regular “Body” but priced the same. Looking at the Body Glide website now, they have “Body” and “For Her” priced the same, in the same sizes. So that’s good! That really set me off before – like, why do women have to pay more for this smaller pink container?! (And maybe it was the stores doing that?! No idea. Anyway.)

I asked Trent & Company about the difference between “Body” and “For Her,” and here is what they said:

The blue Body Glide is the original – it’s the primary formula, which serves as a base for all Body Glide products.

Body Glide For Her contains Coconut and Sweet Almond oils to better moisturize and protect skin, and is also rich in A, B and E vitamins to promote skin health.

So, it has oils to help your dry AF skin in the winter. The website says it’s ideal for sensitive, dry, cracked skin. That definitely describes me right now. We have a whole house humidifier, but our skin is still suffering. I’ve been using “For Her” for my indoor winter runs (on the treadmill and track), and when I am not working out (on the lovely body areas where my skin folds and it gets irritated, yay!). It’s definitely helping prevent chafing on the runs, and giving me relief on my dry skin in other areas! And bonus tip – you can apply body glide to chafed areas before you shower to cut back on some of the stinging of the hot water hitting those areas.

I have not noticed much of a difference between “Body” and “For Her.” They both feel good, to me. I am hoping using “For Her” is helping my dry skin, though!

A few more things:

• Theses products are listed as vegan, with no animal testing, and using plant ingredients. Yay!
• I actually liked using these smaller containers – it was easier to get in to certain crevices. Ha!
• Looking at their page, I didn’t realize they have so many options besides these two – there’s one for your feet, for outdoors, one with sunscreen, one for the bike, and others! I’d actually like to try the bike one. It claims you don’t have to reapply it during the ride! Wouldn’t that be nice?

Bonus pic of Khali wondering what the heck I was doing:

This is a sponsored post. Trent & Company, Inc. sent me .35 oz sizes of “Body” and “For Her” Body Glide to review. 

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By kilax, January 4, 2018 6:17 am

• We recycled our Christmas tree at the local forest preserve Monday, and now our living space feels so empty! But also, feels so nice and clean (minus those few stray needles, of course). Ahh.

• Snow left Tuesday am. He was inside a long time – from 2:00 pm Sunday until 4:00 am Tuesday! The first night he slept under the bed, but the second night, he discovered the joy (really, warmth) of sleeping on top of a human. I didn’t sleep well that night.
• Just as my detail at work is about to end, one of my teammates has come back from maternity leave! I really enjoyed working with her before she went on leave and am glad we get to work together a bit more.
• Data and Khali both ended up liking the cat house Santa brought for them, which made me happy. And I love how they both look sinister in the photos below. Ha!

• Steven set up an old monitor of his at my desk. Yay, I can be more efficient with three screens (it’s often I have to reference three+ applications at the same time for my work)!

Link to Random Thoughts Thursday 161

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By kilax, January 3, 2018 5:17 pm

… of this work detail, that is.

It’s supposed to be over January 21st! Then I go back to my old position.

There is talk of extending the detail, but I highly doubt that will happen (and somehow hope that by posting here that I doubt it will, that the universe proves me wrong).

That’s all fine. I knew I’d have to go back.

But now the question is, how do I find the passion and joy in my old position, that I found in this new one?

Is it even possible?

Aside from a few sh*t days, I’ve been much happier at work and in life since I started this detail. I’d love to stay that way.

We shall see!!!

Unrelated photo I took outside the office today

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By kilax, January 2, 2018 4:33 am

I got to do something yesterday I have been looking forward to since August – use my new “The Little World of Liz Climo” page-a-day calendar!

Who knew the first cartoon would tie in so well with my one goal for 2018? (Sadly, Holey Moley was closed yesterday – we thought about going!)

This will be the third year in a row that I’ve texted the calendar each day to Steven and Mom. I enjoy this ritual!

The last two year’s calendars were all quotes, and we would sometimes have discussions about the meaning of them. I’m curious what kind of discussions we will have about these cartoons. Hopefully something… I will miss our chats if we don’t!

I’ve saved my favorite quotes from the 2017 calendar throughout the year, and non-surprisingly, they fit in to two categories: work ethic and attitude.

Work Ethic:

I love “Dream a little and work a lot.” It’s a good reminder that getting what you want often requires HARD work – not just daydreaming about it! You can see that’s the theme in these five quotes – work for what you want, and don’t stop working. <— not saying I am an example of that, but that I aspire to be that way!

Attitude:

I don’t know about you, but I can always be reminded to be more positive and patient, and try to find the wonder (the little joys) in life!