Comments (46)

By kilax, January 10, 2012 5:38 am

Does anyone else look at these elite marathoner diets (the one below is for Dathan Ritzenheim from the February issue of Runner’s World) and think “Geez, I eat more than they do, and they work out twice a day! What the heck is wrong with me?!”?

That does not seem like much food. To me, anyway. 

Now, to his credit, he did say he enjoys homemade bread with honey and butter as a treat. And this guy probably weighs less than me, so there’s that… but yeah. That’s all I can come up with. 

I think it’s really interesting to see what elite marathoners eat, and get a glimpse in to their lives. But really? I struggle with seeing too much of what other people eat (on blogs) – I know it helps hold some people accountable, but for me, it becomes a comparison, and I really don’t need that. We’re all on our own food journey, and I cannot look at someone else’s daily eats without thinking how I ate more. So I avoid that. And I am not talking about sharing recipes, or “look at this awesome cupcake,” but food diaries. 

Oops. This turned into a food post. It was supposed to be a running post. Hey! What happened?!

Let me talk about something I can relate to, also from the same issue of Runner’s World. There was a short article about finding the perfect running partner. The criteria in the article was obvious and basic, but I did like the last section of the article (read here) about running buddy bonds. Update - link to the RW article here. 

I’ve noticed, and I am sure many of you runners have too, that there is a tendency to open up to one another when running, and feel like you can say anything. This short blurb (three paragraphs) touched on that, saying “cortisol is low, so stress is low” and “endorphins are flowing, so your guard is down.” You feel relaxed, and like you can speak freely. Also, there is the whole interesting dynamic of not facing the person you are talking to, so you are talking forward, which may also be more freeing.

As usual, I am butchering what I read and not quite getting my thoughts out, but maybe someone out there knows what I am talking about. Maybe I should explain it to you during a run? 

When you read blog posts about what other people eat (like a meal diary) do you compare yourself to them? Do you find it helpful or harmful*?

Do you feel like you can open up with your running buddies? Why do you think that is?

I feel like one of the reasons Erin and I have such a strong relationship is because we spent countless hours running together! And the weekly lunch dates. And sometimes weekend dates. Oh, and all those emails… ha ha. 

*And I am not saying it’s bad to share what you eat. Just that personally, I should not look at it, because I am not in a healthy state of mind, food-wise. I am getting there!

Comments (21)

By kilax, October 14, 2011 11:49 am

My coworker showed me how to tie my scarf in a pretzel knot on Wednesday and I thought it was pretty cool. I made you a “how to” video, but forgot the last knot! Duh! So here are even better directions, from lisa leonard designs (I’ve never seen this blog before – just found it in a google search – but she’s a cutie!). Here’s the knot:

Can you name that Chicago public art piece? WHOA! I look tired today!

Also, since I am talking about scarves (yet again) here is a fun one I picked up at a cute little shop in Kenosha on Sunday. 

It has all these little circular punch-throughs on it.

The funny thing is, I thought I was doing the pretzel knot in this picture. In the store on Sunday, Gina and I saw instructions for the pretzel knot and couldn’t figure it out, so the sales ladies helped us. Well, they showed us wrong. I wrapped it around my neck once, then tied it, then pulled one end up and through from the bottom and one end up and through from the top. It looked cute but wasn’t the pretzel knot! I showed it to my coworker then she showed me how to do it right. Ha ha. 

Side note: This is totally unrelated, but I am really happy I got in to the NYC Marathon before they started changing their registration policy! If you click on the link, you’ll see they’re doing away with guaranteed entry for three-time declined lottery applicants, and significantly decreasing qualifying finishing times (my age group is a 3:00 marathon or 1:27 half!). I don’t think these changes are bad, I am just happy I got in for this year!

Side note 2: I saw this short article on the importance of exercise being fun. There wasn’t much to the article, but it linked to this funny French commercial, which makes me laugh! WARNING: Video may be NSFW.

Side note 3: I can run marathons, but going up the stairs leaves me out of breath every time. LAME.

Comments (20)

By kilax, August 8, 2011 6:01 am

I finally got to try kayaking yesterday! It’s something I’ve wanted to try since last summer.

My brother Anthony and his wife Amber were in town, and we were looking for something local (and  inexpensive!) to do, so kayaking it was! It was everyone’s first experience with kayaking.

We went to the Independence Grove Forest Preserve, where you can rent sit-in single person kayaks for $10 an hour and double person kayaks for $12 an hour. Steven and I both got our own kayak (I think he was worried I would tip him if we shared) and Anthony and Amber shared.

Independence Grove has a 115-acre lake, so that is where we did our kayaking (the red line below shows where we kayaked – about 2 miles in 1 hour).

I often run around this lake, so it was neat to be on the water, experiencing new views!

We didn’t get any instructions on kayaking, so we all just got in and went for it. I didn’t find it to be tiring, and thought it was pretty easy – but we were on a lake with no current! I’m sure it’s much harder on a river. And I was not that great at turning and getting close to other kayaks without hitting them (ha ha). And I kept getting water all over my legs when I paddled. But! No one tipped. I think it would be hard to tip these.

Kayaking was really fun and I would like to do it again – even at the same place, since there were parts of the lake we didn’t explore (we forgot about the back half). And I would like to try it on a river someday (or some place with a current). I think I might get to this weekend, when we go to Guttenberg, IA!

Comments (15)

By kilax, July 20, 2011 5:37 pm

Last year when I was shopping at Kohl’s with my mom (for a Workout in the Park outfit for her) I stumbled across these bermuda length workout shorts. I didn’t think anything of it, but I used them the next day at the workout and feel in love with them.

They’re perfect for me – they’re long enough to cover my somewhat jiggly thighs, and they also keep my thighs from chafing when I run! The only drawback is that they get really heavy when you run in them in the pouring rain, but that has only happened once.

Anyway, once I found out how much I liked them, I went back to Kohl’s to get another pair. They didn’t have any. We drove by another Kohl’s later on in the month and I looked – they had one pair in my size, in gray. I got them even though I knew they would have sweat stains when I wear them (they totally do -I’ll spare you that picture).  Another month later I was very far from my home and stopped at another Kohl’s and scored another black pair – now I was up to three. But I couldn’t find anymore. Even online. Why do I need so many pairs of workout shorts? Well, I get really sweaty in the summer, so I can’t wear them more than once. And sometimes I workout more than once a day!

I looked for something similar and never found anything even close, so I stuck with the three pairs. That is, until I wandered in to Kohl’s this past Saturday to get my new luggage, and found a pair! In the wrong size. I had hope they would have my size online, and they did (but in a different style pattern – weird)! And only $16.80 a pair (plus you know I had a coupon). So, I did what any sane person would do, and ordered four pairs. Good thing I did – now they don’t have my size online anymore (but if you are an XS, S or M, here is the link)!

They came today, and they are perfect. YAY!

I know I am dorky to share this, but what can I say?! I was excited! And if anyone else is looking for this style of short… now you know where to (maybe) get them.

What type of workout shorts do you prefer to wear?

I can’t wear the bun warmer type ones. Maybe someday (ha)!

Comments (13)

By kilax, July 19, 2011 6:46 am

I got extremely ill at work yesterday before my flight left for Louisville. I felt irritated,  dizzy, feverish and sweaty, yet had goosebumps and chills at the same time… and a few other symptoms that I will leave out. I was really worried I wouldn’t be able to sit on an airplane for an hour and a half (which turned out to be much more). I sent my symptoms to my sister and Steven, who looked up what I should do and some Urgent Care addresses in Kentucky and Indiana. I downed a bunch of water and miraculously made it through the flight. I was feeling so much better by the time I got off the plane, but I still went to Urgent Care, and sure enough, had an infection. Yay, antibiotics!

The whole reason I am sharing this is because I could not believe how much happier I felt when I got off that plane and was feeling better. I was almost giddy with excitement that I felt so much better, more comfortable and like a human being. I think I sometimes take my health for granted!

Comments (17)

By kilax, June 28, 2011 9:38 pm

It is AMAZING how much you can do during a workday evening when your commute is only 15 minutes. Ah, work travel. I normally get more sleep and a lot more free time than when I am home… but I am away from Steven. Sad face.

Anyway, today we finished work at 5:00, so I went to the Louisville Visitor’s Center (right next to our hotel!) grabbed a trail map and a brochure for bike rental and ran to the bike rental place. The lady gave me a (7-speed, ha ha) bike, a helmet (won’t ride without one) a map to get to a park, and I was off!

Right away on my ride I noticed a tiny little distressed bird laying in the middle of the trail. I was worried about him getting run over so I put him on a piece of styrofoam and moved him off the trail.

I placed him by a tree and that little bugger moved right back over to the middle of the trail and continued to squawk. He (and his body parts) were not around when I came back that way so I hope his parents found him.

I rode on trails then on to roads which mostly had bike lines, then I was on a pretty trail along a river:

I saw turtles sunbathing, lots of fish, other bikers and runners, and a cat and some dogs. I tried to get pictures of the turtles but they didn’t turn out. Sad face II.

The bike path lead to Cherokee Park, which has huge frickin’ hills in it. I saw LOTS of runners there. Go runners go! The park was beautiful:

An older bike rider (think 70s) actually showed me the way and we chatted for a bit while riding.

I rode back the same way and snapped a picture of the Louisville Slugger Field. Anyone know the significance? Andrew, do you still read my blog?

I rode around the riverfront a bit more when I got back. There are a lot of cool things along the riverfront – parks, memorials:

and water features…

This is a public fountain that people play and swim in! WTH?! I am TOTALLY going there tomorrow if it’s in the 90s again. FO SHO. No shame. I have my suit with me. I almost went in with my exercise clothes on today.

After I returned the bike I ran back to the hotel and had time to eat dinner with my coworker, talk to Steven on the phone and video chat and write this post (and make updates to the running club race website (!@#$^&$%*@&!!). Note: I still need to catch up on blogs, emails, and Facebook. Sigh. Maybe I didn’t get that much done after all?! At least I had fun! I would have kept the bike a lot longer if I didn’t have to eat dinner. I told my coworker I would be a half hour late for our dinner (well, meeting time to get dinner) as it was! Oops!

P.S. My black toenail started to come off at some point during this bike ride/run. Gross/exciting at the same time.

Comments (19)

By kilax, June 18, 2011 8:01 am

1. My Shaker Bottle – Brian recommended one for mixing protein powder. I didn’t think I needed one because I was using a spoon, but after many clumpy shakes, I bought one, and damn, it works really well!



2. Personal Training – I haven’t lost any weight because of my poor eating habits, but I am really enjoying my personal training sessions. I look forward to them each week!
3. Riding my bike outside – so much better than the bike in the gym, and a lot of fun. Yay, crosstraining! Pictures from my ride yesterday:





4. Not having anything planned for this weekend and the next one
5. Spending time with Steven – we haven’t been around each other much lately
6. Running Times magazine – I picked up a copy a few years ago and really didn’t like it. I needed something to read for a flight back in April and gave it another try and fell in love. I think it’s for a higher level runner than me, but it’s full of a lot of useful information, and interesting bios on runners.
7. Rain in the forecast – means less time watering the garden (our garden is a 10 minute drive from our house and we have to haul water back and forth from a basin to water our crops)!

I could also make a list titled “Things I am hating lately” but I am going to stick with the positive today. It’s Saturday, afterall!

What are you loving lately?

Comments (8)

By kilax, June 14, 2011 8:32 pm

My bike was still there when I got to the train station so I got to ride it home. Yay!

I got to take a closer look at the baby geesers in the park (normally we are driving by so fast).

And I got to ride on the new trail almost all the way to my house (note to Bobbi – the hills still suck on the bike):

Overall, the ride was about 3.5 miles and took less than 20 minutes. I will have to do it again. But bring sunglasses and bug spray. The bugs were getting in my eyes and biting me.

Comments (18)

By kilax, May 26, 2011 6:26 pm

I had my first in-home meeting with my personal trainer (Brian of Essential Fitness) today to get all of my initial measurements – weight, body fat, body measurements, etc. I am so so so excited to be working one-on-one with Brian! We set up our first appointment for next week. I can’t wait.

It’s funny though. For someone who runs so frickin’ much, I sure do have a high body fat percentage and am well overweight. This is NOT a surprise to me, nor was Brian saying anything about this to make me feel bad.* Nor am I too worried about it! The whole point of me hiring a personal trainer is to get more fit, right? Of course I know I have room for improvement.

And that is the weird thing about me. When I see these high numbers and know I am in the overweight BMI** category, I don’t feel discouraged, I feel encouraged. I like knowing I have room for improvement! I know I haven’t reached my peak health and fitness level. I am just odd – I know most people would be upset if their body fat percentage was where mine is, but when I see those numbers, I think “Let’s work on bringing them down!”

So, we’ll see if that happens!

*This is my commentary, not his.
**Not that I take BMI that seriously.