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By kilax, September 3, 2014 11:26 am

We just got back from a fabulous vacation in Iowa with Gina, Steve, Luca and my family!

Steve, Luca, Gina, Me, Steven, Mom and Dad

My parents invited Gina, Steven and Luca to their place on the Mississippi River when we were all together in June for Christina and Will’s wedding. I was STOKED when Gina and fam said they could come!

Step 1: pick a weekend for their visit (Labor Day)
Step 2: find a race!

Ha ha. Yes, I search for races every time I travel. And lucky us – the Benefit Classic Half Marathon was on Labor Day (in Dubuque, Iowa), and only about an hour drive away from where we were staying! This was Gina and Steve’s first race in Iowa, and my first half marathon in Iowa!

The race was put on by the Mississippi Valley Running Association (MVRA), and they put on a stellar event. The cost was low, we could pick up our bibs race morning, there were plenty of water stops, the volunteers were nice, all of the intersections were controlled, and the course was clear to follow. 

And what a course! When I was corresponding with the race director before the race, she warned me about the giant hill. Ha ha. Ha. 

But it was SO worth it. The race started in Eagle Point Park, located on a bluff high above Lock and Dam #11 in Dubuque. Then the race course went down to river level, along the river to the Lock and Dam… and back up! I thought it was so neat we could see the turnaround point from the start, and see the start/finish from the turnaround point!

The view down to where we’d be running to – almost all the way to the Lock & Dam. 

The bluff to the left is where we had to run back up to after turning around (you can see the Lock & Dam to the right)!

So, yeah. It was challenging! Going in to the race, I was hoping to average around 10:30s. Which I kind of did through mile 9! Then the sun came out and I felt like my effort was the same, but my pace slowed down big time (I finished in 2:24:44 with an average 11:02 pace)! It was a really strange sensation to feel like I was pushing it and look down and see paces much higher on my watch than I expected – my rating of perceived exertion was WAY off. It’s either: 1, the sun, 2, me being out of shape, 3, the hill, or 4, the fact that I was dehydrated with a bad headache the day before and skipped dinner. Or all four! (or maybe riding around a golf cart in a gorilla costume the previous morning? ha ha, nah, that was heat training)

Whatever it was, I was lagging behind and told Gina and Steve to go ahead. So we all ran just over the first 10 miles together, which was fun! I got to hear lots of people were commenting on Gina and Steve’s Texas flag shorts! 

They got a “welcome to Iowa!” cheer during the race, and afterward, someone from MVRA came over to talk to them, thank them for coming, and to ask what they thought of the course (and told us this course has the biggest elevation drop of any half marathon in Iowa). I thought that was really nice! 

The MVRA person was telling us how this is the second year they have used this course, and how much better people like it than when the course was mostly in the residential and industrial areas near the river. I thought that was interesting because when I was reading race reports people said the course was crummy, because so much of it was industrial. But this course wasn’t like that at all, so that must have been a review from 2012 or earlier. 

The course we did started in the park with a loop, went down a large hill through residential area, then went through a small industrial area to get to the river. Then we ran along the river and through another park, which was fun (we saw someone doing ski tricks!), and then went the same way back. Almost the entire course had really neat views – whether it was of woods, over the bluffs, or of the water. 

Out and backs aren’t typically my favorite course type, but I liked it here, and think it would be fun to do this race again! I like to imagine next year I would do better. Ha ha. The winning times in my age group were just under 2:00 hours (surprisingly, the 24-29 age group was more competitive). And there were not many people competing – 110 total in the half (there was a 5K, too). I was last in my age group and 98th overall! Ha! I have never been so close to the end in a half marathon.

Even though it was so small though, I still talked to someone from a town in Iowa who knows Alyssa. Always fun when that happens!

Now… until our next race – the Dallas Marathon (and half for Steve) in December! I can’t wait (and am looking forward to getting back in shape for it)!

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By kilax, August 25, 2014 6:06 am

 Today is my snister’s golden birthday! Happy 25th, Christina!

A little then and now for ya

Wait, what’s a golden birthday? It’s the birthday when you turn the same age as your birth date! So Christina’s is today, as she is turning 25 on the 25th. Mine will be next year, since my birthday is on the 31st!

Did you know it was your golden birthday when you had it (or have you not, yet)? If so, did you do anything “special” to celebrate?

I went to Iowa this weekend to see Christina for her golden birthday, and got her “gold-themed” gifts. As in, a lot of gold jewelry. You can never have too much jewelry, right?! RIGHT?

Oh, and some “golden” cookies of course, too:

We had a fabulous weekend! “Summer” weather came around in full force this past week/weekend, and it was perfect for being on the beach!

And I really enjoyed seeing Christina’s friends that I got to know from her wedding, as well as seeing my family, and spending the whole weekend with Rachel!!! Guttenberg, Iowa is such a special place for my family, and it makes me so happy that we can share it with our friends. 

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By kilax, August 9, 2014 12:03 pm

The three things I hold on to from races:

1. Medals (derrrrr)

2. Bibs

3. Spectator posters!

Clockwise from top left: Chicago 2010 sign by Steven, Wisconsin 2009 sign by Mom, Naperville 2013 sign by Kelly, Naperville 2013 sign by Bobbi, RAGBRAI 2014 sign by Mom, RAGBRAI 2014 sign by Mom, Naperville 2013 sign by Bobbi, Naperville 2013 sign by Mom. 

I like to think I am good at purging things and don’t hold on to too much sentimental schtuff, but a quick glance around my closet (where I keep most of these things) and you’d see that’s not 100% true. 

At least the medals and bibs are nice and organized and in a designated spot. The homemade race posters, well, not so much. A few pinned up in my closet, one in Data’s room, two on the dining room table (ha ha), one floating around the office (funny thing – it’s the one with two gray cats on top, and Data keeps attacking those cats!)… they’re just not as easy to store. 

But I can’t imagine getting rid of them. At least until we move or something, hee hee. 

I know what a pita it is to make a race poster. And dayum, people have made me some nice ones! It’s such a thoughtful gesture to take the time to make a poster specifically for someone (and to go spectate for them, as well) and I really appreciate it! I look at them, and I feel loved. So it’s kind of nice to have them all over the house. Right… right?!

Funny thing – when my mom came to spectate our first half marathon, she didn’t know about making spectator signs. So I was like, “Are you going to make me one?” And gave her supplies to do it. Ha ha ha, I am awful, right?!

But now she does it on her own, and she comes up with such clever stuff! I love it!

Do you keep the race posters that your spectators make for you?

I don’t generally keep the posters if the race gave an official one. And I had no problem ditching the ones I made for Christina and Will’s wedding!

Comments (38)

By kilax, July 17, 2014 6:21 am

So many of you left nice comments about how much you liked the bridesmaid dress I wore at Christina and Will’s wedding. Thank you! And many also commented about it being a dress that could be worn more than once (or not only to formal events). In fact, when Christina gave it to me last summer I asked her (jokingly) if I could wear it to work before the wedding. Ha ha. Just kidding…

But I am actually doing that today!

Yep! Same jewelry! Different belt and added a cardigan. 

I am really nervous about making a good impression at an important meeting I have this afternoon. More nervous than normal, as I’ve been assigned tasks for this project that I’ve never done before… and don’t quite know what I am doing. And feel very frustrated. ANYWAY! Wearing this dress that so many of you left nice compliments on has me feeling more comfortable, about my appearance, at least!

Thinking about this dress, I wonder if I’ll ever be in any other weddings. Most of my closest friends were married when I met them. You never know what the future holds though (meaning meeting new people – not something happening to my friends’ marriages, ha ha).

Before this wedding, I was only in one other, well, unless you count my aunt’s wedding, which I think maybe I was in? I just remember my dress matched a few other people’s dresses. 

I love that all three of my siblings are in this photo. Sorry for the diaper shot, snister. 

But I have definitely only been a bridesmaid that one other time, and that dress is not one I’ve used since. It was pretty to wear at the wedding, but I should probably donate it. 

How many weddings have you been in?

I have to share our family photo from the wedding. I really like how it turned out and can’t wait to see more photos from Paper Crane Photo!

From L to R: My brother Anthony and his wife Amber, Stefano and me, Christina and Will, my brother Nick and his sons Thomas and Nicky, and Mamba and Daddio

Comments (22)

By kilax, June 23, 2014 12:41 pm

Something I was selfishly excited about for Christina and Will’s wedding was that it was a chance for my family to meet Gina, Steve and Luca! I consider Gina and fam to be, well, family… so it was important to me for them to meet my blood family. Ha ha. Said so eloquently.

Who are your friends that you consider to be family, and want your kin to love as much as you do? 

Gina and fam had obviously met Christina and Will (since they were at the wedding to start with!), and had met my mom by chance in the Dallas airport, and Steven’s brother Andrew when we all came to NYC for a race… but that was it! I tried to do as many introductions as I could while wedding festivities were happening, and I did a decent job, but I know I failed at making a few connections. Luckily, there are talks of a Labor Day get-together with our families so maybe I can make up for it then!

And! Also luckily, quite a few of us stayed for a few days after the wedding, so it was a perfect chance to hang out together! My dad stayed until late Monday, my mom stayed until Friday, and the rest of us stayed until Wednesday (and Steven’s dad and brother stayed there forever since they live there, ha ha). 

I have to say… this is one of the best times I’ve ever had in Kansas City. Everyone got along so well, and we all had a blast together – whether we were playing tourist or chilling! It really made me feel good to see everyone having such a fun time, and excited for future get-togethers! 

And I do think it’s important to give an update on Luca’s best friend list:

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By kilax, May 19, 2014 6:23 am

Highlight of the Week: Participating in a really well run (by the race organizers, not me – ha!) half marathon. And two softball practices! And! A run with Steven!

Monday | May 12, 2014: teaching strength class
Strength: Circuit, Difficulty: easy (mostly observing), Felt: good
Tuesday | May 13, 2014: softball practice
Wednesday | May 14, 2014: 3 m run
Loc: Chicago Lakefront Trail, Temp: 53°/53°, Time: 29:30, Pace: 9:49 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Thursday | May 15, 2014: rest
Friday | May 16, 2014: teaching strength class + 6 m run (w/Bobbi)
Strength: Cicruit, Difficulty: medium, Felt: tired
Loc: Millennium Trail, Temp: 42°/45°, Time: 1:01:20, Pace: 10:14, Difficulty: mostly easy, Felt: happy to chat with my bestie
Saturday | May 17, 2014: 13.3 m ride (w/Efit)
Loc: Grayslake, Temp: 45°/51°, Time: 1:05:04, Pace: 12.3 mph avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Sunday | May 18, 2014:  Chicago Spring Half Marathon (w/Bobbi) + 1.5 m run (w/Steven) + softball practice
Loc: Chicago Lakeftont Trail, Temp: 52°/59°, Time: 2:23:39, Pace: 10:56 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: mostly good!

Notes:

• I was incredibly disappointed when our first softball game was canceled on Thursday (due to “excessive rain”). It was odd to feel so crushed. Typically, when something is canceled or someone cancels on me, I really don’t mind – I am happy for more time at home. But  I had been looking forward to our first game so damn much. Hopefully this week!
• Do any of you other runners have to keep your toenails fairly short to keep your toes happy from all your running? I do, otherwise I get a blister on the ends of my long toes, and the toenails cut in to the toes (TMI!). Only, I am trying to grow them long so I can have a nice pedicure for my snister’s wedding. It’s been… interesting. I am also trying not to have too ridiculous of tan lines, but the sock and watch tan are kind of unavoidable… unless I run inside (or naked, as Christina suggested). 
• Ha! Speaking of toes (and completely unrelated to training), I need to start practicing walking in the heels I will wear for the ceremony!
• This is the two hundred and thirty-ninth week I have tracked my “training.” That’s 1,673 days… which is over four and a half years. Nutso! It’s really funny to me, when I think about my early training recaps and what a n00b I was. I wish someone reading would have pointed out all the silly mistakes I was making, but, I didn’t read a lot of running bloggers then. And, most people would probably only think about the mistakes to themselves, and not comment on it. 
• Gah! I have really been missing running with Kelly since our half is over! Spoiler alert! I ran with her this morning. Hee hee. 

Link to Training Week 238

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By kilax, March 14, 2014 7:14 am

It’s 3.14! And you know what that means!

Three months until Christina and Will’s wedding (on June 14th)!!!

Oh, wait. Did you think I was going to say something about 3.14 being Pi Day? Hee hee. Well, that, too! Fun fact: Steven has a pi tattoo!

The wedding has been on mind a lot lately! For starters, I had a wedding dream last week. Classic anxiety dream – was late to show up, wearing the wrong dress, hair isn’t ready, there at the wrong time (months early), etc. I thought just the bride was supposed to have those?! It must just be a sign of how much I care! 

Also, Steven’s suit arrived this week (he is a groomsman!), and now that our Oscars party is over, I am deep in to bridal shower and bachelorette party planning! Which brings me to the title of this post. And I am sure this is something I have written about before, but it’s interesting to me to observe.

Are you quick at making decisions or do you do a ton of research? Do you like making them on your own? Or do you tend to seek input?

Obviously, it’s different for different matters. Sometimes, you need an expert opinion, because you just don’t have the knowledge. And in my line of work, it’s often good to get another set of eyes on a design, especially to check for compliance. 

But I really tend to be someone to make a quick decision, and stick with it, and be happy with it. I don’t enjoy researching a ton of options. I don’t mull over decisions. Honestly, if I am (and it’s not a major thing)… something is off. 

So it’s been nice that Christina told me to just plan her parties, with whatever I think is best! I have been asking her some questions (like which painting she wants to do at the bachelorette party and other preference things) and the bridesmaids too (to make sure they are okay with cost and what we are doing), but mostly I have been able to make decisions on my own. Which is so refreshing. Because I am in a lot of groups where I don’t have a say or input*, and it just makes me feel completely deflated and useless (hi, work). 

And… that makes me sound like a power/control freak. Hmmm. Nah… I think I just especially appreciate, lately, that someone trusts me to make decisions and plan things, on my own. 

*Or worse – it’s ignored/not valued

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By kilax, February 15, 2014 6:42 pm

When you’re sick/ill/recovering from something, who is the family “nurse” that takes care of you at home? Or maybe it’s a friend? Or maybe it’s you?

On Thursday Anne was telling me that her husband’s dentist has advised he gets his wisdom teeth removed, and it reminded me that I owe my sister, big time. 

See, I got my six wisdom teeth removed the summer after my freshman year of college, and I was a bit of a mess afterward. Probably just the typical after effects of getting them removed, but a bit more, um, drainage, because I had a couple extra teeth. 

Aren’t you happy I scanned this post operation pic for you?! So, my mom and sister gave me a pad of paper to write on after the operation, since I couldn’t talk. I was all drugged up, and the notes were pretty funny. I only recycled those a few years ago. Dang, should have scanned them! I bet there was some brilliant stuff in there!

I was staying with my Grandma at the time, and my mom and sister were over to take care of me. Who did I expect to help me out? My mom? Who was completely grossed out by me? My mom! Who helped me out? My sister! My thirteen-year-old sister took care of me. Thanks, Snistina!

She (Christina aka Snistina) is due to get her wisdom teeth out this summer, after her wedding. I will totally take time off from work and go take care of her, if she wants me to. Of course, she might prefer her husband do it, ha ha! Steven is my current nurse, after all… but writing this makes me think of all the ways my snister helps me out. Like doing my hair for a wedding… and helping me with unmentionable things at my own wedding! Aww, snister love! There are some things I could only ask her to do! 

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By kilax, July 30, 2013 12:23 pm

It’s official!

I said “yes”!

My sister comes up with the most clever ideas! She sent (or gave, in person) each of her bridesmaids a box like this, asking them to be in the wedding!

I’ve never been a maid/matron of honor (MOH) before! In fact, I have only been a bridesmaid once. As I’ve mentioned before, I didn’t have many close friends in college, and the people I am closest with now, were already married when I met them. I am excited to be Christina’s MOH! She was my MOH, and did a wonderful job! I am looking forward to returning the favor… especially when it comes to keeping the dance floor active!

Have you ever been a maid/matron of honor, or best man?

If you were getting married now, who would you ask to be in your wedding party? If you are already married, is it any of the same people that were in your wedding party (if you had one)?

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By kilax, March 31, 2011 9:44 am

1. I did not want to get up to meet the Grayslake Running Club (GRC) this morning. I was just exhausted. So I got out of bed to sign in to the GRC website and take my name off of today’s run, and realized, since I was up, I might as well go! Plus, I don’t have anyone’s phone number, and what are the chances they would look online before they left to meet at 5:30? I ended up running 9 miles with them and 6 on my own. Has meeting friends to run ever been the only thing that got you out the door to do it?
2. I saw a fox this morning during my run! He crossed my path then stopped to look at me, then kept running. I snapped a picture with my phone. You can really see him, right? (no)



3. This has been my highest running mileage month ever – 145 miles!!!
4. This morning, as I was driving to meet the GRC to run, I was thinking about how much I love my Infiniti FX35 (2005 model). I’ve had it for almost two years now. I love the performance, the way it sounds and looks, but especially the little details. I love being able to control the stereo from the steering wheel. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the proximity key – I never have to get a key out to get in to my car or start it! When I have a car at work, I always forget you have to have the key out to start the car. I highly recommend Infiniti. What is your favorite car brand? Please don’t say GM.
5. Speaking of my car, I backed it in to something on March 1 and effed it up. I was so embarrassed and disappointed in myself. I can’t really say much about it now, because insurance is still getting worked out, but I can say that Steven was amazing it getting it taken care of for me, and right away. It’s all better now! Phew. (P.S. Good thing we got a tax return this year and had some extra cash!)



Oops.



All better!

6. I asked for a new three-tube bird feeder for Christmas because squirrels destroyed mine last year. My dad’s mom gave me this nice new one. Check it out though! These squirrels are relentless! I don’t mind if they eat the food – just please don’t eat the feeder!



7. When I first heard Jennifer Lopez’s new song “On the Floor,” I didn’t like it. But then it got stuck in my head and I had to buy it on iTunes. YOU know what is stuck in my head now? “Black and Yellow.” No way in hell I am downloading THAT! What song has been stuck in your head lately?
8. I wanted to see Burlesque when it came out in the fall, but it didn’t meet our “see in the theater” criteria. I finally came from Netflix last night though! I loved it. It was a nice, fun, cheesy, mindless movie with dancing and singing (and lots of scantily clad women). I love fun movies. And I love Christina Aguilera!



9. My brother is getting married this weekend (photo of him and his fiancee below)! Yay! Are any of your siblings married? My older brother is, but I wasn’t able to go to their wedding, because I was living in Rome.



10. And this last tidbit is kind of long! In fact, this whole thing got kind of long. Oops. I thought it would be short. Anyway.

Do you guys know what this is? Does it look like something a vegan would eat?

It’s seitan (vital wheat gluten). Steven’s actually made it before. Last weekend, he was experimenting with the texture of it, trying to make it less “sponge-y” and more stringy.

You can buy vital wheat gluten and work with that, but Steven started from scratch, with a bag of flour and water, then worked with the dough for about an hour.

Hey, Kim, do you see what is in he top right corner of the photo?

Then he spent an hour soaking it. After that, he split it up into different pieces, and experimented with cooking it different ways for a few more hours (and he also made a pizza during all of this).

On Sunday, Steven cut the seitan in to strips, coated it in flour, and fried it. Nom.

Here are two of the pieces, that he prepared differently. You can kind of see the one on the right is more stringy/meaty, and the one of the left is sponge-y – still some experimenting left to do!

Steven makes me feel kind of lazy. Ha ha. He is amazing. He will tackle any project with confidence. I would be scared away from trying something like this, but he sure isn’t!