Based on the book
Somehow the Eclipse DVD found its way to our mailbox this Saturday. I thought that was funny, because I don’t even remember adding it to our Netflix queue, and it was released on DVD the night before at midnight! We get that movie the day it’s released and we’ve been waiting on Tron for months… what the heck?
Anyway, I didn’t really want to watch it without my sister. She’s a bit of a Twilight fan. This is the first thing you see when you walk in to her house:
I drew her name for Christmas this year and thought I could get her a Twilight thing… but I think she has it all?
Anyway, what do you think about movies “based on books”? Have you seen a series you like? Do you generally dislike them?
I didn’t really care for the movie versions of The Da Vinci Code and Angles & Demons. I enjoyed seeing the scenes brought to life, but to me, I felt like something was missing.
However, we’ve watched The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire and thought they were good (particularly the first one), so maybe the reverse is happening – the movies are making me want to read the books?
I think with the Twilight movies, I really need my sister there to make me enjoy them.
Training Week 58 & 59
This post covers a two-week period, instead of the normal one-week period. The Rotary Santa 5K Run is included in this training period.
Day 400 | November 22, 2010: cross + yoga
I felt so much more flexible doing yoga on Monday than I did on Saturday the 20th. It was like I was in someone else’s body (ew?)!
Recumbent Bike Time: 30:00 | Distance: 4.42 | Average Speed: 8.84 mph | Set on “Forest Ride”
Day 401 | November 23, 2010: 4 m run + strength
Rockin’ the new skirt…
… or not. I just wanted to wear it for fun. It didn’t really serve any warming purpose, and it was a bit too cold for just tights. My legs felt like ice cubes after the run.
Originally I didn’t feel up to running on Tuesday, because I was having a crappy day, but I snapped out of it after a phone call with a friend (you know who). I was happy to run in the dark and ignore the Garmin (I locked it so I couldn’t turn the backlight on). Surprisingly, I had negative splits!
Distance: 4.0 | Start Temp: 26° | End Temp: 24° | Time: 37:27 | Avg Pace: 9:21 | 1: 9:42 | 2: 9:25 | 3: 9:14 | 4: 9:02
Strength + Stretch (done during my lunch break):
| 1 Rope Pushdowns: 3 x 15 @ 30 lb | 6 Biangular Lat Row: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb |
| 2 Arm Curl: 3 x 15 @ 25 lb | 7 Hip Abduction: 3 x 15 @ 115 lb |
| 3 Pectoral Fly: 2 x 15 @ 45 lb, 15 @ 60 lb | 8 Hip Adduction: 3 x 15 @ 55 lb |
| 4 Lat Pulldowns: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb | 9 Seated Leg Press: 15 @ 90 lb, 15 @ 110 lb, 15 @ 130 lb |
| 5 Shoulder Press 3 x 15 @ 20 lb | 10 Leg Curl: 15 @ 30 lb, 15 @ 40 lb, 15 @ 20 lb |
Day 402 | November 24, 2010: rest
Day 403 | November 25, 2010: rest
Day 404 | November 26, 2010: 7 m run
For Thanksgiving, I was in Ames, IA, where I went to school (Iowa State University), so I decided to run to campus from our hotel and see what was new.
Memorial Union – not new
Whoa – there are a ton of new buildings on campus! I am just sharing pictures here of some of the older ones though. Below is the College of Design, where I spent much of my time in the last couple of years of school…
… and below is the Armory, where I was in studio for my freshman, sophomore, junior and part of my second senior year.
Ahh, memories. I am so happy to be done with design school.
Beardshear Hall
This run was on the cold side – 16°F (the water I was carrying started to freeze). I wore tights, pants, an Under Armour ColdGear top, a cotton jacket with a hood, balaclava over my chin, and a headband and gloves. My legs felt heavy but the run went by quickly – it was so neat to run through campus. I only did once during college – when I ran a 5K there.
I started to see a blurry line in my eye during the last mile. Luckily it didn’t make me feel as awful as it did when that happened on the 21st, but I still felt a bit disoriented.
Distance: 7.0 | Start Temp: 16° | End Temp: 17° | Time: 1:10:26 | Avg Pace: 10:03 | 1: 9:49 | 2: 10:15 | 3: 10:41 | 4: 9:58 | 5: 9:38 | 6: 9:58 | 7: 10:02
Day 405 | November 27, 2010: yoga
My aunt Sue and I did yoga. Again, I felt super stiff, like the previous Saturday. Wah.
Day 406 | November 28, 2010: rest
Can I count a short walk from my Grandma’s to the store my sister works in as exercise? No? Yeah, didn’t think so.
Day 407 | November 29, 2010: 10 m run
The 10-mile run at Grant Wood Forest Preserve went pretty well. I was suprised. I ate at Panera, HuHot and Los Aztecas the day before. Not a recipe for success if you ask me (but the food was all good!).
My favorite part of Grant Woods is the tall skinny trees. Unfortunately, they are at the top of a hill. I made my way up there without too much damage to my splits.
This run was windy and dreary, but like I said, it went well. I didn’t screw around at all – no stopping (for photos/rest) and no walking. I am going to make sure I do that more often. I need to take running more seriously (I think?).
What kind of face is that?!
Took this photo after I was done running. Ha.
Run stats: I wore the Asics Cumulus 12s. I drank 7 ounces of water and 4 ounces of a water/Gatorade mix during the run. I ate a Just Plain GU at mile 5. I wore capris and an Under Armour ColdGear top (it was just right for the temp). I had gloves on for the first mile. I listened to music for miles 1-3 and 8-10, and a podcast in between.
Distance: 10.0 | Start Temp: 42° | End Temp: 46° | Time: 1:42:06 | Avg Pace: 10:12 | 1: 10:30 | 2: 10:32 | 3: 10:29 | 4: 10:27 | 5: 10:17 | 6: 10:26 | 7: 9:45 | 8: 9:46 | 9: 10:05 | 10: 9:43
Day 408 | November 30, 2010: cross
Recumbent Bike Time: 40:00 | Distance: 6.28 | Average Speed: 9.42 mph | Set on “Forest Ride”
Day 409 | December 1, 2010: strength
Strength + Stretch (done during my lunch break):
| 1 Rope Pushdowns: 3 x 15 @ 30 lb | 6 Lat Pulldowns: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb |
| 2 Biangular Lat Row: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb | 7 Leg Curl: 15 @ 30 lb, 15 @ 40 lb, 15 @ 20 lb |
| 3 Biangular Chest Press: 15 @ 30 lb, 2 x 15 @ 50 lb | 8 Seated Leg Press: 15 @ 90 lb, 15 @ 110 lb, 15 @ 130 lb |
| 4 Shoulder Press 3 x 15 @ 20 lb | 9 Hip Abduction: 3 x 15 @ 115 lb |
| 5 Pectoral Fly: 2 x 15 @ 45 lb, 15 @ 60 lb | 10 Hip Adduction: 3 x 15 @ 55 lb |
Day 410 | December 2, 2010: rest
Day 411 | December 3, 2010: rest
Day 412 | December 4, 2010: Rotary Santa Run (5K)
Day 413 | December 5, 2010: rest
Two-Week Summary: 24.1 miles
Ugh… these were two kind of “FAIL” weeks when it comes to exercise. The first week I couldn’t (didn’t?) make the time to work out, and the second week, I got (and still am) really sick at the end. Maybe this is my body telling me I need a break…? Nah.
Training Week 58 & 59
This post covers a two-week period, instead of the normal one-week period. The Rotary Santa 5K Run is included in this training period.
Day 400 | November 22, 2010: cross + yoga
I felt so much more flexible doing yoga on Monday than I did on Saturday the 20th. It was like I was in someone else’s body (ew?)!
Recumbent Bike Time: 30:00 | Distance: 4.42 | Average Speed: 8.84 mph | Set on “Forest Ride”
Day 401 | November 23, 2010: 4 m run + strength
Rockin’ the new skirt…
… or not. I just wanted to wear it for fun. It didn’t really serve any warming purpose, and it was a bit too cold for just tights. My legs felt like ice cubes after the run.
Originally I didn’t feel up to running on Tuesday, because I was having a crappy day, but I snapped out of it after a phone call with a friend (you know who). I was happy to run in the dark and ignore the Garmin (I locked it so I couldn’t turn the backlight on). Surprisingly, I had negative splits!
Distance: 4.0 | Start Temp: 26° | End Temp: 24° | Time: 37:27 | Avg Pace: 9:21 | 1: 9:42 | 2: 9:25 | 3: 9:14 | 4: 9:02
Strength + Stretch (done during my lunch break):
| 1 Rope Pushdowns: 3 x 15 @ 30 lb | 6 Biangular Lat Row: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb |
| 2 Arm Curl: 3 x 15 @ 25 lb | 7 Hip Abduction: 3 x 15 @ 115 lb |
| 3 Pectoral Fly: 2 x 15 @ 45 lb, 15 @ 60 lb | 8 Hip Adduction: 3 x 15 @ 55 lb |
| 4 Lat Pulldowns: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb | 9 Seated Leg Press: 15 @ 90 lb, 15 @ 110 lb, 15 @ 130 lb |
| 5 Shoulder Press 3 x 15 @ 20 lb | 10 Leg Curl: 15 @ 30 lb, 15 @ 40 lb, 15 @ 20 lb |
Day 402 | November 24, 2010: rest
Day 403 | November 25, 2010: rest
Day 404 | November 26, 2010: 7 m run
For Thanksgiving, I was in Ames, IA, where I went to school (Iowa State University), so I decided to run to campus from our hotel and see what was new.
Memorial Union – not new
Whoa – there are a ton of new buildings on campus! I am just sharing pictures here of some of the older ones though. Below is the College of Design, where I spent much of my time in the last couple of years of school…
… and below is the Armory, where I was in studio for my freshman, sophomore, junior and part of my second senior year.
Ahh, memories. I am so happy to be done with design school.
Beardshear Hall
This run was on the cold side – 16°F (the water I was carrying started to freeze). I wore tights, pants, an Under Armour ColdGear top, a cotton jacket with a hood, balaclava over my chin, and a headband and gloves. My legs felt heavy but the run went by quickly – it was so neat to run through campus. I only did once during college – when I ran a 5K there.
I started to see a blurry line in my eye during the last mile. Luckily it didn’t make me feel as awful as it did when that happened on the 21st, but I still felt a bit disoriented.
Distance: 7.0 | Start Temp: 16° | End Temp: 17° | Time: 1:10:26 | Avg Pace: 10:03 | 1: 9:49 | 2: 10:15 | 3: 10:41 | 4: 9:58 | 5: 9:38 | 6: 9:58 | 7: 10:02
Day 405 | November 27, 2010: yoga
My aunt Sue and I did yoga. Again, I felt super stiff, like the previous Saturday. Wah.
Day 406 | November 28, 2010: rest
Can I count a short walk from my Grandma’s to the store my sister works in as exercise? No? Yeah, didn’t think so.
Day 407 | November 29, 2010: 10 m run
The 10-mile run at Grant Wood Forest Preserve went pretty well. I was suprised. I ate at Panera, HuHot and Los Aztecas the day before. Not a recipe for success if you ask me (but the food was all good!).
My favorite part of Grant Woods is the tall skinny trees. Unfortunately, they are at the top of a hill. I made my way up there without too much damage to my splits.
This run was windy and dreary, but like I said, it went well. I didn’t screw around at all – no stopping (for photos/rest) and no walking. I am going to make sure I do that more often. I need to take running more seriously (I think?).
What kind of face is that?!
Took this photo after I was done running. Ha.
Run stats: I wore the Asics Cumulus 12s. I drank 7 ounces of water and 4 ounces of a water/Gatorade mix during the run. I ate a Just Plain GU at mile 5. I wore capris and an Under Armour ColdGear top (it was just right for the temp). I had gloves on for the first mile. I listened to music for miles 1-3 and 8-10, and a podcast in between.
Distance: 10.0 | Start Temp: 42° | End Temp: 46° | Time: 1:42:06 | Avg Pace: 10:12 | 1: 10:30 | 2: 10:32 | 3: 10:29 | 4: 10:27 | 5: 10:17 | 6: 10:26 | 7: 9:45 | 8: 9:46 | 9: 10:05 | 10: 9:43
Day 408 | November 30, 2010: cross
Recumbent Bike Time: 40:00 | Distance: 6.28 | Average Speed: 9.42 mph | Set on “Forest Ride”
Day 409 | December 1, 2010: strength
Strength + Stretch (done during my lunch break):
| 1 Rope Pushdowns: 3 x 15 @ 30 lb | 6 Lat Pulldowns: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb |
| 2 Biangular Lat Row: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb | 7 Leg Curl: 15 @ 30 lb, 15 @ 40 lb, 15 @ 20 lb |
| 3 Biangular Chest Press: 15 @ 30 lb, 2 x 15 @ 50 lb | 8 Seated Leg Press: 15 @ 90 lb, 15 @ 110 lb, 15 @ 130 lb |
| 4 Shoulder Press 3 x 15 @ 20 lb | 9 Hip Abduction: 3 x 15 @ 115 lb |
| 5 Pectoral Fly: 2 x 15 @ 45 lb, 15 @ 60 lb | 10 Hip Adduction: 3 x 15 @ 55 lb |
Day 410 | December 2, 2010: rest
Day 411 | December 3, 2010: rest
Day 412 | December 4, 2010: Rotary Santa Run (5K)
Day 413 | December 5, 2010: rest
Two-Week Summary: 24.1 miles
Ugh… these were two kind of “FAIL” weeks when it comes to exercise. The first week I couldn’t (didn’t?) make the time to work out, and the second week, I got (and still am) really sick at the end. Maybe this is my body telling me I need a break…? Nah.
Rotary Santa Run Race Report
Hooray for holiday themed races!
Erin, Jen and me. Jen said “Don’t smile! It looks creepy to see your teeth behind the beard!” Ha ha (it did).
This morning I ran the Rotary Santa Run (5K) in Arlington Heights with Erin and Jen (a blog reader). Instead of a race t-shirt, you receive a Santa Costume to wear during the race*! I did this race two years ago with Steven (also in the snow) and thought it was a total blast, and it was again this year!
We’re actually in this photo… if you can find us!
There’s Erin, number 799! I am to the right of her (3 people over). I cannot believe race photos are already up! I will have to go back and look again when they have tagged bib numbers.
I’m number 733. Jen is behind the girl to the left of me.
Erin, Jen and I ran the entire race together. We started out dodging cars (?!) and people (who decided to stop in the middle of the course), but the course cleared out toward the middle of the race (I think maybe 1000 people ran?). The course goes through a residential neighborhood and there were a few people out there cheering for us! Luckily there was not too much sludge in run in.
We kept an easy pace (a little under 9:30 miles) but I honestly felt like crap. I was in bed all day Friday with a sore throat and achy legs (I probably should not have been out running in the cold!). My lungs were not happy with me this morning! But I still had a lot of fun! We chatted the whole time. This was my first time meeting Jen**. She is a lot of fun and has a great attitude! I hope we can do another race together someday.
What do you think about our race numbers? Pretty odd coincidence, right?
Are you doing any holiday themed races this year? When’s your next race?
I think this is my last race for 2010! I am bummed about that, but am already signed up for a 5K in February, and have my eye on a fun 5K in January.
Thanks to Steven and Erin’s mom for spectating!!!
Garmin Stats | Distance: 3.1 | Temp: ~30° | Time: 29:17 | Avg Pace: 9:26 | 1: 9:49 | 2: 9:19 | 3: 9:12 | 4: 0:55 <– WOW! I think this is the first time I have had negative splits in a 5K!
*Unless you have no spirit and dress in booty shorts and just want to win (see photo below).
**She did Iron Man Madison in September! Go Jen!
Gu for me and you giveaway WINNER
The winner of the Gu for me and you giveaway is #18, cindy. Cindy, please email me your mailing address and I’ll send the GUs your way!
I’m off to run a 5K in this:
It seems appropriate! The last time I did this 5K was also in the snow (and I also had a cold).
Gu for me and you (giveaway)
I received $130 in Amazon gift cards through our rewards program at work (woo hoo!) and what did I spend the money on?
GU! (…and holiday gifts that are not pictured)
I decided that Chocolate Outrage and Vanilla Bean are my favorite flavors. It’s kind of funny, because for the LONGEST time I was afraid to try Chocolate Outrage. But Mica told me how good it was, so I gave it a go and liked it! And then one day, it got cold in my pocket and oh man, it was just like pudding! Yum yum yum. Hopefully these things won’t entirely freeze in my pockets during the winter like Shot Bloks do.
Anyway, these boxes are pretty huge, so I decided to give away two of each flavor, PLUS two of the Espresso Love flavor, which despite Mica saying her boyfriend likes… I have never been brave enough to try. I don’t like coffee to begin with! Maybe you do?
GU Giveaway Rules
- To enter the giveaway, leave a comment telling me what your favorite mid-run snack is.
- This giveaway is open until 5:00 PM CST on Friday December 3. I will use random.org to select the winner. I will announce the winner on Saturday December 4.
- This giveaway is open to all readers.
This is kind of off-topic, but has anyone watched the documentary Running the Sahara? We just finished it last night. It’s the story of three men who spend 111 days running across the Sahara Dessert and through six countries (Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Libya, and Egypt – map here) – about 4,300 miles. They run through all sorts of crazy weather and political conditions, as you can imagine.
Photo from here.
It was an interesting story, not without its drama. I was wondering what anyone else who saw it thought of it.
Licky McCaterson
I think this guy may be a little bit stressed out.
It’s hard to imagine why. Despite taking him to the train station and making him wear a silly hat, he lives a pretty luxurious life. Sleeps all day, gets to go on walks, sleep some more… eat… sleep… you get the idea. He’s pampered and loved.
But Data has always had a hidden secret – he’s a licker. We’ve known this from when we got him, because he came with a big bald spot on his back leg that has never gone away (photo below).
In September of 2006, we noticed he was licking a spot to the point of baldness (photo below). We took him to the vet where he was tested for allergies and fleas, but it just turned out Data is neurotic. He stopped after awhile.
But it’s started again. In the end of October/beginning of November, he started licking bald spots on his “arms” (I apologize for the photo quality).
And Steven said today he licked part of his tail fur off! Yes, he has a weird rat-like tail right now.
All of these instances somewhat relate to absences in the house. In September 0f 2006, I was just coming back from Rome. And these last two instances relate to Steven coming home from Kansas City. Could that be it? Is Data just lonely? I feel bad that he does this – like I am a bad cat mother.
What do you think Data’s dealio is? Is he just a rebellious teenager marking his body (similar to a tattoo or piercing)? Is he trying to express himself? Or does something have him stressed?
Finding the holiday spirit
Confession – I have been struggling to find the holiday spirit this year.
Data has been too, despite dressing up in his favorite new costume from Tori. Please excuse the rude thought bubble from Data, Tori. He actually didn’t mind the hat when I was holding him.
It’s frustrating. It usually comes so naturally to me. But this year, I’ve been having many ups and downs and been feeling very anxious in general. My head just hasn’t been in the game with anything – work, running, relationships, life – I feel like I am living in a fog sometimes. Going through the motions, blah blah blah. We’ve been living in an unstable state of limbo and it’s hard.
Anyway.
I think I finally started to find the holiday spirit over Thanksgiving and the weekend. I felt it when:
- Drinking a Soy Chai Tea Latte at Panera and seeing the restaurant decorated for the holidays. Festive!
- Talking to my mom and sister about their crazy Black Friday adventures. Emphasis on the crazy.
- Talking to Steven about getting a real holiday tree. Yay!
- Eating “holiday” food with loved ones. No need for a belt.
- Laughing uncontrollably with loved ones. Making ridiculous* (mostly inappropriate) jokes.
- (Before this weekend) Buying gifts for family and friends. Can’t wait to gift them!
- (Before this weekend) Working on the family holiday card.
Well, that was a photo fail. We took about 30 photos and we are screwing around in all of them. From left to right, my younger brother’s fiancee, Amber, my older brother’s wife, Courtney, my sister Christina, and me. I think Amber is still getting used to the crazy.
Does the “holiday spirit” come naturally to you? What makes you feel festive/helps you find the holiday spirit?
Hopefully I can continue to snap out of this funk I have been in. But if you see less of me here, know that I am okay, just keeping my “grinchy-ness” to myself!
*That’s ridic, with an “i,” Chris.
How to fold a fitted sheet
For the LIFE of me, I cannot get our kitchen stove top clean. And it’s making me lose my mind. I was so frustrated last night, I decided to make a video of something I actually know how to do – fold a fitted sheet.
I will show you how to go from this:
to this:
What household tricks do you know how to do?
Did you already know how to fold a fitted sheet? Was this “video” helpful? Should I never make another video?
Can you tell I seem annoyed in the video? I was… about the stove top.
Commenting V
It’s a Tuesday. For the past six weeks my web host has turned off my comments and changed my WordPress Discussion settings every other Tuesday (they’ve done it three times). Did it happen again this morning?
Unfortunately, yes. I even woke up early to take care of it.
Maybe when I talk to them this time, they will actually do something about it. They wouldn’t last time.
Probably Not.
Comments purposefully turned off.
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! 🙂
