Recovery Day
I feel exhausted and tired and out of it and I shouldn’t. I’ve gotten in to the habit of taking a day off (recovery day) after returning from our trips to Iowa. This gives me a day to sleep in (theoretically) and catch up on chores and relax. We got home at midnight Sunday. I had my recovery day yesterday. Why am I still tired?
Maybe I partied too hard at the wedding?
Maybe it’s because I spent a large chunk of yesterday afternoon in bed with a headache?
Maybe one day just isn’t enough?
Whatever it is, I feel like I may be quiet (here) this week, but we’ll see. Whenever I say that, I never am. I do hope to catch up on emails and reading blogs, so as always, be prepared for all of my comments on “old” posts.
(Also, I don’t want to go in to many details, but we found out a family member has cancer a few weeks ago and they are having surgery this morning. The first time I saw the family member after the diagnosis was at the wedding and they looked awful and it broke my heart. I’m feeling a bit quiet and sad about that. And hopeful that everything goes well this morning.)
Training Week 76
My next race is the Trolley Run (4M) on April 17th. This is the week of the Fools 5K on April 2nd.
Day 526 | March 28, 2011: cross + yoga
Recumbent bike during lunch…
Recumbent Bike Time: 25:00 | Distance: 4.49 | Set on “Manual,” Resistance Level 6.0
… and hot yoga in the evening with Lauren! It was only the second hot yoga class I’ve ever taken, but it was Vinyasa style and I really liked it! I definitely struggled during some parts of class, but mostly, it made me feel powerful. And really chill afterward.
Twice during class, the instructor told us all to chant “om” with her. Have you ever done that during a yoga class? It was kind of neat!
Day 527 | March 29, 2011: strength (sorta)
Steven and I made it through two circuits of Level II of The 30 Day Shred before we had to tend to a pot of lentils on the stove. So much for multi-tasking! That is something we always struggle with – working out and fitting dinner in. We like to eat around 7:00, but don’t want to exercise after dinner (we used to do that) so what are we supposed to do? If you work out in the evening, how do you fit in dinner?
Day 528 | March 30, 2011: 5.1 m run
Oops. I meant to do my tempo run, but I accidentally set my alarm for PM instead of AM! Have you ever done that?! I still managed to wake up, but too late for my long tempo. I ran an easy 5 instead!
Distance: 5.1 | Start Temp: 27° | End Temp: 28° | Time: 45:29 | Avg Pace: 8:55 | 1: 9:18 | 2: 8:57 | 3: 8:52 | 4: 8:51 | 5: 8:39 | 6: 00:50
Day 529 | March 31, 2011: 15 m run + strength
Another early morning run, with the Grayslake Running Club. I didn’t want to get out of bed, but was happy I did (even though it took me about 5 miles to feel warmed up). I ran 9 miles around Grayslake neighborhoods with club members, then 6 miles on my own in the Rollins Savanna.
I cannot wait to start getting back on the trails! I love running on crushed limestone. And I love running in nature. I saw deer, geese, ducks and a fox!
My pace was all over the place though. Three slowish miles with one person from the club, then she left and I ran six faster miles with other people, then the six on my own. Not much consistency in this run!
I do know that mile 11 was longer because the path was flooded and I had to walk on the fence to avoid getting wet and slipping!
Run stats: I wore my blue Asics Cumulus 12s. They feel like all the cushioning is gone, so the bottom of my left foot kind of hurt during the run. I wore tights with shorts over them, Under Armour Cold Gear, a windbreaker, gloves and a headband. I took GUs at 4 miles and 9 miles. I drank 16 ounces of water.
Distance: 15.0 | Start Temp: 22° | End Temp: 30° | Time: 2:21:37 | Avg Pace: 9:26 | 1: 9:48 | 2: 10:18 | 3: 10:10 | 4: 9:07 | 5: 9:19 | 6: 9:05 | 7: 8:59 | 8: 9:24 | 9: 9:27 | 10: 9:09 | 11: 9:28 | 12: 9:12 | 13: 9:15 | 14: 9:43 | 15: 9:06
In the evening, I did Level II of The 30 Day Shred with Stefano.
Day 530 | April 1, 2011: yoga
I did 20 minutes of yoga (then shut off the 45-minute DVD to get ready to go to Iowa for my brother’s wedding!).
Day 531 | April 2, 2011: 4.15 m run
I ran a 1-mile warm-up (8:05), then ran the Fools 5K in Waterloo. I got a new 5K PR of 23:53!
Day 532 | April 3, 2011: 9.5 m run + yoga
This was supposed to be a 9 mile tempo run at a 9:10 minute per mile pace. It ended up being a survival run. Okay, a FAIL run. I never should have attempted a tempo run first thing in the morning after a wedding the night before. And then there was the wind:
It was so windy during one of my last miles that it caused me to run an incredibly slower pace. I made me feel so irrationally angry… all the wind pushing against me.
And the fact that my left knee hurt didn’t make me happy either. Hopefully my next run will be better!
To be positive – at least it was WARM! This run was in the low 50s!
Distance: 9.5 | Start Temp: 51° | End Temp: 54° | Time: 1:28:31 | Avg Pace: 9:19 | 1: 9:14 | 2: 9:24 | 3: 9:18 | 4: 9:25 | 5: 9:16 | 6: 9:21 | 7: 9:48 | 8: 9:40 | 9: 8:43 | 10: 4:19
After my run I did 20 minutes of yoga with my Aunt Sue.
Week Summary: 33.75 miles
Fools 5K Race Report
When I found out my brother’s wedding was today I immediately checked to see if the Fools 5K was today – I ran it in 2007 (in 30:30) and it is always around April 1st (hence the name). I found out it was today and signed up, and decided I would only run it if I didn’t have anything wedding-wise going on. Well, as you can guess from the title, I was able to run!
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to run competitively or just for fun. The field was pretty big – over 800 registrants (60% increase for this race from 2010) – and I haven’t been training for this 5K specifically. But you know me. I went all out.
Long story short? A classic case of starting too fast and finishing slow. BUT, I did set a new PR of 23:53. That is right! One whole SECOND off of my previous PR!
My goal was to run 7:30s. Here is what happened (Garmin stats here):
Mile 1: 7:10
Mile 2: 7:37
Mile 3: 7:55
Mile 3.16: 1:07 (6:51mm)
Average Garmin Pace: 7:32
Average Race Pace: 7:42 (I ran too far off the tangents)
I felt really strong mentally during this race, and was pushing it hard… until I hit 2 miles on my watch then made a right turn and saw the 2 mile sign at the turnaround (going back the wrong way). The sign was misplaced at 2.4 miles and it was all I could think about – the course being long. It wasn’t, but it really messed with me. I need to work on that!
But, I still did well! I placed third in my age group, and 93 out of 700 or so racers.
I didn’t expect anyone to come, because of the wedding being today, but my aunt, Sue, and Steven came with me, and my dad showed up and surprised me! I was excited they were all there!
Originally, my cousin’s boyfriend was going to run this with me, but a few days after he signed up, he tore the ligaments in his ankle playing basketball, and now he’s wobbling around in a boot and crutches. What a bummer! It would have been fun to run together!
I should note, it was in low 40s and sunny for this run. And it’s going to warm up to the 50s! A perfect day for a wedding!
Other notes from the run:
- They put our names on our bibs. Love that!
- I need to learn to run tangents. I actually ran 3.16 and probably took more than a second off my PR!
- I cannot wear those capris to race. They are too big and start to fall down when I run fast!
- I need to start closer to the start line for non chip-timed runs!
- The stomach cramp came earlier during this run, at 1.5 miles. I was able to block it mentally, but then the mile marker thing messed with me.
Vegan cheesecake
Doesn’t this look like something from a gourmet cooking magazine?
My mom wanted to make sure that I had dessert to eat tonight at my brother’s rehearsal dinner, so she made me a Peanut Butter Chocolate Vegan Cheesecake. All that it had it in (that she remembered) was peanut butter, chocolate, oatmeal and tofu. She said she forgot to put the agave nectar in, but it tasted amazing! Very rich – I like rich desserts!
The funny thing is, a few weeks ago I was telling Steven that I was too nervous to try making a vegan “cheesecake” out of tofu, and my mom just dove in and tackled it – not that it is particularly hard – I just wondered how it would turn out. Well duh, tofu takes on the taste of what you mix it with, so tofu + chocolate = awesome.
I’m so lucky that all of the people who cook in my family are conscientious about my vegan lifestyle and try to make things that don’t have animal products in them (my grandma even bought vegan whipped cream to make me a treat for the holidays). I sure am lucky! And thankful!
Thanks, mom!
Ten Tidbits Thursday
- 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?
- 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)
- This has been my highest running mileage month ever – 145 miles!!!
- 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.
- 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!)
- 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!
- 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?
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
Oops.
All better!
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!
3 Mental Tips for Running / Life is Hard, Food is Easy Giveaway WINNER
I wasn’t going to write these mental running tips up, but then Erin encouraged me to, and wrote a nice blog post that mentioned me sharing the tips with her, so I felt inspired. Thanks Erin!
My three biggest setbacks*, while running the Chicago Marathon (my first and only marathon to date) were:
- subpar training (due to having three stress fractures)
- weather
- lack of mental preparedness
Now, those first two things weren’t really in my control – but I could have been more prepared for the mental challenge of running a marathon. Before I tackle another one (and it’s in the plans!), I asked the Grayslake Running Club (GRC) president if the club could host a clinic on the mental aspects of running. The GRC delivered! Last Thursday, I attended “Get Your Mind Right; Mental Training/Motivation for Runners,” facilitated by Jenny Spangler – a US Olympian and current running coach.
Spangler started by giving us her top three mental tips for running, then answered questions.
- Know the purpose of your run – whether it is a tempo run, speedwork, long run or just a fun run, know why you are running. Think about it before you go on your run. Having this in mind will give you purpose and keep you going.
- Visualize your races – when preparing for a race, spend 5-10 minutes (2-4 weeks prior) a day visualizing the race. Visualize the course, yourself crossing the finish lines, you running in all sorts of weather conditions, any obstacles that may arise (pain, etc.). The visualization will help you mentally prepare and build confidence that you can complete your goal. And again, the goal can just be to have fun! And she didn’t say this, but I think it is good to visualize yourself just doing any run!
- Use mantras – have a few mantras you use during the race when you start to struggle. Using a mantra will divert your mind and help you transcend pain. Have a few for different circumstances. Repeat them and practice them before races. Always picture yourself in a positive way!During the clinic, we actually brainstormed mantras and shared some. I have been using the one Erin put on the Road ID she gave me:
Run Strong, Think Big!
I also came up with:
- Don’t crap your pants
- Bagel
- Pain is temporary, quitting is forever
And a few other people had some good ones:
- Be a machine
- There is no wall
Do you have a mantra or mantras you use? What is it/are they? The mantra can be for running or life! For example, when I was feeling a bit down years ago, I would say “Today’s going to be a good day” in my head over and over as I walked to work.
If you need help creating a mantra, there was recently a fun Runner’s World article about doing so(read here)!
After the mantra discussion, we were able to ask Spangler questions. I won’t go over it all, but there were a lot of good discussions! Since I struggled with feeling lonely, despite being surrounded by hundreds of people, during the Chicago Marathon, I asked Spangler how she dealt with loneliness as a front of the pack runner, and what she thinks about, being up there by herself. I mean, surely, those elites get lonely, right? Right?!
Well, it turns out that Spangler thinks about running. Her form. Her breathing. Her pace. Her mind doesn’t wander like mine. She is a associative runner, not a dis-associative runner, like me. You can read about the two types of runners here – but basically, associative runners think about form, stride, posture and are focused. Dis-associative runners fantasize, reminisce, talk with friends and let their thoughts wander. Yup, that is me.
Are you an associative or a dis-associative runner?
So, she didn’t really have any tips for me. Which is fine. I will figure that out, I know it!
As I write this, I remembered to mention that the heat really did slow me down at the Chicago Marathon. But, was it the heat’s affect on my muscles? Or, was it a mental affect? My GRC friend, Terry, and I have been talking about he runs faster in the summer. I told him I run slower in the summer, but as we talked more about it, and I talked to Steven, we decided maybe that was a mental thing too. I mean, yeah, they say you slow down a certain percentage for every degree over 55°, but maybe part of it is mental. Maybe I will do better in the heat this summer. That is, if it ever warms up!
*And don’t get me wrong – I thoroughly enjoyed the marathon, but have a lot of improvement there
The winner of the Life is Hard, Food is Easy Giveaway is #12, Mica! Mica, please email me your mailing address, and I will send it your way!
Stubborn
Leaving work today, one of my coworkers totally called me out on the fact that I am wearing a spring jacket.
That’s my spring jacket. And me, admitting myself to a Psych Ward.
That’s damn right I am. I have been wearing it for a few weeks. I got my winter jacket dry cleaned last week and I refuse to wear that thing again. Sure, I am freezing, but I am stubborn. WHERE IS SPRING?!?!
That is what I told my coworker. And she pointed out that I still had the rest of my winter gear – hat, scarf, gloves – but was missing the coat. Sigh. Can’t I live in my little alternate universe where it’s warm sometimes? Jeez.
Seriously, I didn’t mind the cold throughout November – mid March. I expected it. But now? It’s getting on my nerves. Just a little bit.
I even changed my masthead to a picture with snow in it. Because there might as well be snow if it’s not going to warm up.
WHOA, was has gotten in to me? Forget that – I was SUPER SICK of snow. Okay, I found something to be grateful for – the snow is at least gone!
I need a yoga towel
I think I need one of these –
Do you have a yoga towel? Do you use any yoga props besides a mat (strap, blocks, etc.)?
I forgot that Jen loaned me a yoga towel when I took my first hot yoga class with her. I could have used one last night! I was dripping with sweat during almost all of the 90°+F 75-minute Vinyasa class I took with Lauren. I was so sweaty that my mat was drenched and I couldn’t do downward dog without my back legs slipping – and that was after putting a regular bath towel on the mat! The towel scrunched up and kept moving around – and it was too short!
The class was really good. I think I like the Vinyasa Flow style, better than doing more static poses. I was able to keep up for most of the class, and felt limber and exhausted (in a good way), afterward. It’s amazing to see what some of the people in the classes can do. I love watching the other students, even though I probably shouldn’t!. One girl got into a headstand while the rest of us were doing a wide legged forward fold. I guess she just felt inspired. She made it look so easy!
Do you like a particular style of yoga more than others?
I liked getting so sweaty. It made me feel like I was working hard… even though I was in a heated room. Ha ha.
Lauren and I met at a coffee shop before yoga to chat, then went out for a quick drink before I had to catch my train home.
It was a fun meet up! I feel spoiled, meeting two bloggers, two days in a row! Hmm, who’s next?!
I had a lot of fun chatting with Lauren about her running, how she ended up in Chicago, her work and her other interests. I hope we get to meet up again! She’s sweet and fun.
What a long day though! I left my house at 4:30 am and didn’t get home until almost 10:30 pm! I am feeling tired today… maybe yoga made me too relaxed!
Fellow bag ladies beware
While strapping your yoga bag around your neck instead of your shoulder may seem like a good idea at the time, be cautious – it may result in an ugly (and painful) mark on your neck:
And while I am at it, what is up with these weird-o marks that appeared on my neck after my long run on Saturday?
So bizarre. I totally edited them out of the photo on my blog from earlier today!
Do you ever have random marks appear on your body? Or any interesting birthmarks?
Sometimes I get scratches on my chest from Data walking on me at night and accidentally scratching me. And I have bruises on the tops of both quads from the strength close. We do this move where we march in place and pump our arms with dumbbells/kettlebells. The less coordinated people (read: me) end up hitting and bruising themselves. When I got that massage a week and a half ago the masseuse commented on them. Ha ha.
Amateur Movie Critic
Yesterday I got to meet Kim from Girl Evolving!!!
Kim lives in north central Indiana, but every once in awhile, ventures over to the Chicagoland area. Every time she mentions her Chicago trips on her blog, I comment “We have to meet up the next time you are here!!!” (creepy much?) – and we were finally able to yesterday.
I love Kim’s blog because she is upbeat, positive and has a great sense of humor. She’s a very good, concise writer (doesn’t babble on like I do). And she is a runner… and she likes to experiment in the kitchen… and she has an ADORABLE cat (Hi, Mosie!!!).
(Photo stolen from Kim’s blog)
Anyway, we met at Panera yesterday and chatted for about two hours. In hindsight, maybe I should have picked a table more toward a corner because I was being loud and laughing almost the entire time we were together. Sorry, Panera patrons – I have a loud laugh!
Kim is one of those people who is exactly like you picture her (friendly, upbeat, positive, funny, and she’s so cute!) from reading her blog – that is probably another reason I like her so much – she is genuine.
I was sad when she had to leave to make the long trip home, but hopefully we can meet again. Thanks for going out of your way to see me, Kim!
When I got home I was telling Steven all the funny things we talked about (especially about Mosie), and one the things I mentioned was that Kim and her husband Dave like to watch silly movies and make fun of them, like Steven and I do. I thought this was kind of a weird thing to do (because we do it on purpose), and was surprised that Kim did it as well, but when I told Steven, he didn’t think it was that odd! So tell me,
Do you like to watch silly movies just to make fun of them?
I know Erin does… and that seems like something Mica would like to do (if she had the time with all of her school work!).
I was telling Kim that our favorite movies to make fun of are sci-fi movies. Especially ones that involve travel to outer space. Or aliens. Kim said they like making fun of Disney movies. And I know she recently watched Honey, which is also a fun one to watch and laugh at.
But I also said to Kim, I am NOT happy when I watch a movie that is “supposed” to be good and it ends up being bad. Like Winter’s Bone. Really? Really? And Easy A… a lot of people liked that, but I sure didn’t! My sister said I was too old for it. Ha ha.
Side note: Can anyone surpass my bag lady status for the day?
I finally get to take a hot yoga class with Lauren tonight… which means one extra bag and some other random things I don’t normally drag to work.
Hi! I’m Kim, a 40-something-year-old living in northeastern Illinois with my husband Steven, and our cats, Khaleesi, Apollo, Starbuck, and Eddard aka Ned. My current main hobbies are running, painting rocks, flying, reading, and eating. I follow a vegan lifestyle and work in an account management role. I write about a variety of topics and consider this a “life” blog – a place I can share anything that’s on my mind. Please visit the “About” page to get a better idea of who I am! 🙂
