A few updates
The site:
My website went down on Sunday because my domain did not get renewed. I am not sure what the mix-up was, because I normally get a bill for it, and I don’t think I did this year. I contacted my web host right away, who fixed and it said it would take “24-72” hours to come back up. 72 hours later, when it STILL didn’t work, they said they just had to point the domain name to the root folder to fix the issue. Why didn’t they do that in the first place?!?!
Thank you to everyone who asked me about it. I really appreciated your concern and inquiries! It was nice to know my friends wondered where I was… but frustrating that I could not do anything about it!
Update: Thanks to Lindsay and Etta for pointing out the comments were not working. Ugh. This is giving me a headache and making me really frustrated. I had to go back in and turn on comments and pings on EVERY post.
The Missed Blogiversary:
Yesterday was my four year blogging anniversary, and I missed it. Poo poo. Oh well.
The movie:
I am hoping to write a review of Food Inc. soon. I can happily tell you that I did not find it horribly graphic, but that I was disturbed.
The wrist:
I saw the orthopedic specialist on Friday. He pressed his fingers into my wrist, asking “Does this hurt?” until he finally got a “YES!!!!” or two out of me.
He told me that because the pain is more general, it is likely torn ligaments that are trying to heal, and have scar tissue on them that need to be stretched back out. He gave me a new brace to wear (with velcro straps THANK HEAVENS) for another month. He told me to wear it during the day, taking it off a few times to move my wrist back and forth. If I don’t gain full mobility in my wrist in a month, I need to go back to the doctor so he can try to pinpoint the exact ligaments (muscles?) that are still giving me problems.
As you can see from the photo, I cannot move my right wrist back very far. The doctor measured it, and I could only get it to go back 38 degrees. My wrist doesn’t hurt as much anymore, but I am a bit creeped out by how limited the motion in it is. I keep saying to Steven, “Maybe I could never bend my right wrist back that far…”
That’s as far back as I can get the right wrist to go, even when I push on it with my other hand.
Oh, and since I am talking about it, I just want to add a little detail to the story of how this all happened. Some people mentioned that this incident reminded them of the motherly warning, “It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.” Well, I want to let you know that the FIRST thing my mom said to me when I got to the beach (because she went on the first boat trip over) was, “Kim! I am surprised you didn’t go straight to that slide to try it out! Are you going to?!?!”
Marathon Training Week 5
Welcome to week 5 of marathon training! If you click on the activity links after the dates, it will take you to the Garmin connect website for full stats.
Day 29 | Monday, July 13: Cross-train for 30 minutes
For cross-training, I took Data on a walk…
Not convinced? Me either. I think I am going to start working out in the office gym on Mondays. Then I can still relax when I get home, but actually have exercised.
Day 30 | Tuesday, July 14: Run 3 miles
I was so happy to get to run with Erin again. I am really starting to love working out during lunch, and was really frustrated that I couldn’t last week (because of my wrist, I could not get a sports bra on without assistance). We ran three easy miles down past Adler Planetarium and back. I think these may be my first negative splits ever!
Erin ran the Napa-to-Sonoma Half Marathon today, with Holly! I can’t wait to read both of their race recaps. Erin is staying in California all week after the race, and I am a bit sad I won’t get to run with my lunch buddy next week! But I know she will be having a great time, and that makes me feel better.
Distance: 3.01 miles | Time: 27:49 | 1: 9:29 | 2: 9:12 | 3: 9:02 | 4: 00:03
Day 31 | Wednesday, July 15: Rest
Day 32 | Thursday, July 16: Run 6 miles
Six uneventful miles… I think I stopped once for water and once to go poo. I wasn’t really feeling this run. I felt okay (somewhat sore calves), but my mind wasn’t into it.
Distance: 6.00 miles | Time: 58:06 | 1: 9:44 | 2: 9:52 | 3: 9:58 | 4: 9:48 | 5: 9:32 | 6: 9:08 | 7: 00:01
Day 33 | Friday, July 17: Run 3 miles
I ended up running these three miles with my neighbor, Fritz, which was great because my mp3 player was taking a break (I had to wash the armband, it got SO stinky!). He vented a bit about work, and it was nice to listen to someone else and have a distraction from my own thoughts. Does that ever make you feel better? It does for me. It helps me put things into perspective.
Distance: 3.00 miles | Time: 28:43 | 1:9:37 | 2: 9:22 | 3: 9:42 | 00:02
Day 34 | Saturday, July 18: Run 6 miles
I was so happy Saturday wasn’t a pace run! I stayed up too late the night before playing Rock Band, and I felt completely wiped. My legs didn’t warm up until mile 4.
I was hungry the entire time I was running. I usually don’t eat before my morning runs, even if they are “long-ish.” Do you?
Distance: 6.00 miles | Time: 57:44 | 1: 9:58 | 2: 9:51 | 3: 9:47 | 4: 9:47 | 5: 9:20 | 6: 8:58 | 7: 00:02
Day 35 | Sunday, July 19: Run 12 miles
I didn’t get out to run until after 6:00 pm. Ugh. But it was a good, slow, run at the park, in surprisingly cool temps. Steven came with me and read a book while I ran.
Distance: 12.01 | Time: 1:58:11 | 1: 10:09 | 2: 10:05 | 3: 9:57 | 4: 9:55 | 5: 9:50 | 6: 10:09 | 7: 9:48 | 8: 9:55 | 9: 9:37 | 10: 9:37 | 11: 9:34 | 12: 9:27 | 13: 00:02
Week Summary: 30 Miles
The good news about this week? I started my runs out slower. The bad news? That was because my lower legs hurt – shins and calves. They would feel sore for the first few miles of each run then finally warm up. Any advice for me?
Bad news number 2? My bra decided to attack me this week. Check out the scratches on my back:
I wear the Moving Comfort Dori bra. I haven’t had any problems with them before, so I am wondering what is going on. These scratches hurt and BURN when I am taking a shower. Which sports bras (if applicable) do you like?
Friday Question #74
If you could design any new ride or attraction for Walt Disney World, what would it be?
We were watching Contact last night, and when we got to the part where Ellie’s character is traveling through the “wormhole,” I thought that would make a really cool ride! It could be built like the Star Wars Flight Simulator.
Am I THAT obvious?
I hate that I wear my heart on my sleeve, therefore making every emotion I am feeling obvious.
Last week, a coworker said, “Hey! You seem happy today.” I was happy that day. The last few times she’d seen me, I’d been very stressed or sad.
Yesterday, I ran into my mentor in the hallway of my building. I just said hello, and from that, he asked “what’s wrong?” He could hear the stress and panic in my voice.
And the worst example – a few of my college friends are visiting this weekend, and one just called me and said, “It seemed like you are kind of stressed out in the last few emails you sent. You seem worried about what we will do while we are there and what we will eat. We just want to see you and relax! We can just sit on the couch all weekend and eat whatever, it doesn’t matter!”
I wanted to cry when she called. She was trying to reassure me, but knowing that my stress was so obvious just made me feel worse.
Nervous about seeing a film
Steven and I received an invitation (okay, from Chipotle) to attend a free screening of the film Food, Inc. tonight. The only reason I know what this film even is (despite having read many books by its contributors) is because I’ve been reading about it on many food blogs (here, here and here). From what I’ve read, I get the impression that this movie is going to make me feel sick to my stomach. And possibly very upset. And disappointed.
Here is the description of the film that I took from their website:
In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation’s food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government’s regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation’s food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, herbicide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won’t go bad, but we also have new strains of E. coli—the harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults.
Featuring interviews with such experts as Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), Michael Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto) along with forward thinking social entrepreneurs like Stonyfield’s Gary Hirshberg and Polyface Farms’ Joel Salatin, Food, Inc. reveals surprising—and often shocking truths—about what we eat, how it’s produced, who we have become as a nation and where we are going from here.
It feels silly to feel nervous about seeing a film. But when I see things like this, I never forget them. It’s like I have a special part of my brain that stores memories of bad/scary/disgusting/freaky things. That’s why I can’t watch films like Saw, or The Silence of the Lambs, or Se7en. That’s why I don’t look at the peta website. These disturbing images stay with me forever.
Who knows though. Maybe I’ll leave the film feeling inspired.
Why am I so anti-social lately?
I just realized I am completely unexcited about something I should be very excited about right now.
In fact, I don’t think I would be too upset if the event were canceled.
That makes me feel really sad.
What’s wrong with me?!
Please let this just be a phase.
Marathon Training Week 4
Welcome to week 4 of marathon training! If you click on the activity links after the dates, it will take you to the Garmin connect website for full stats.
Day 22 | Monday, July 6: Cross-train for 30 minutes Rest
Ugh. I felt mopey and was suffering from a sugar withdrawal headache so I did nada for cross-training and went to bed early.
Day 23 | Tuesday, July 7: Run 3 miles
I keep repeating this, but I absolutely have to start doing these shorter runs slower. I ran the first 1.5 and last .5 miles of this run with Steven. We started out fast and I didn’t want to slow down. I also don’t want to over-train though! I promised myself I would run slower on Wednesday, but Wednesday’s run never happened.
Distance: 3.01 miles | Time: 26:10 | 1: 8:49 | 2: 8:52 | 3: 8:25 | 4: 00:02
Day 24 | Wednesday, July 8: Rest
I felt frustrated (and sorry for myself) since the moment I woke up on Wednesday, so I took the night off to relax.
Day 25 | Thursday, July 9: Run 6 miles
Six nice easy miles, at a comfortable “conversational” pace – check!
Distance: 6.00 miles | Time: 57:01 | 1: 9:25 | 2: 9:29 | 3: 9:47 | 4: 9:35 | 5: 9:24 | 6: 9:19
Day 26 | Friday, July 10: Run 3 miles
Three hot, accidentally race pace, PISSED OFF miles.
The two highlights (low-lights?) of this run both involved kids getting into my way ON PURPOSE. I wish I was imagining this, but their actions were obviously intentional.
The first time I was on the loop around our neighborhood park. I saw two kids on one motorized bike coming my way so I got over to the right edge of the path. They started swerving back and forth and back and forth over the path, crossing dangerously close to me before quickly swerving out of my way. The kid driving gave me a malicious look. I think it is the same kid getting in the way of cars on the street two weeks ago. What the heck?
The second time, I saw a kid dribbling a ball in the sidewalk, so again, I got over in the right edge to get away from him. When I got near him, he made eye contact with me, then he dribbled the ball in front of me and I had to stop and jump into the grass. What the heck?
Parents, anyone, reading this, what should I do? I doubt it is worth saying anything to these kids, but it is seriously frustrating me. These are not young awkward kids trying to figure out sidewalk etiquette. They are being little sh*ts on purpose. Maybe I should just stick to the early morning hours before the terrors get out of bed. Or try REALLY hard to ignore it.
Distance: 3.00 miles | Time: 26:34 | 1: 8:54 | 2: 8:56 | 3: 8:40 | 4: 00:02
Day 27 | Saturday, July 11: Run 6 miles at marathon pace
I set my regular alarm for 6:00, but had to rely on my kitty-cat alarm clock to wake me up at 7:30. Thanks Data! (Funny thing is, he started waking me up at 5:30 on Sunday. He’s a kind of unreliable alarm clock!)
Look! A talking shoe!
It was cloudy when I got to the park, so I was excited, thinking I wouldn’t be running in the sun. That quickly changed though! I got really hot right away. I was too lazy to put my hydration belt on, and ended up stopping at the car THREE TIMES for water. Yikes. I need to wear the belt next time!
The deceiving skies…
… quickly turned to sun!
I took a photo of my awesome bruised wrist to share with you all. I look forward to running as one of the few hours of the day when I don’t have to wear the stupid splint and wrap.
Pace runs make me so nervous and stressed out. I feel like I am constantly looking at the Garmin to keep on track. I feel guilty if my pace goes up at all. I much prefer the method we used for the half marathon – just putting the miles in, at ANY pace. I know this is the way to becoming a better runner though!
Distance: 6.00 miles | Time: 53:15 | 1: 8:55 | 2: 8:52 | 3: 8:57 | 4: 8:49 | 5: 8:55 | 6: 8:40 | 7: 00:03
Day 28 | Saturday, July 12: Run 11 miles
I found a new out-and-back trail to try near our house, but was concerned about getting too far out on the trail away from a toilet. The park by our house has a loop that goes by three separate toilet facilities (!!!) but I am getting kind of sick of running there. When I told Steven my dilemma, he suggested I run to the park by our house, then do a few loops there, to change things up a bit. I have always been a bit nervous about running on the shoulder of the street (especially with a 55 mph speed limit!), but it went well, and it was fun to run somewhere different for the first and last 2 miles.
Not driving there created another dilemma though – I couldn’t bring extra water. My hydration belt (this one) only holds maybe… 16 ounces total? And it LEAKS. I was definitely dehydrated today. I have been looking for a belt that holds more water, or a hand held water bottle, or maybe even a camelbak. Actually, I am really interested in camelbak, but worried about my back getting all sweaty and gross. What do you like to use for hydration? Have any of you used a camelbak?
Edited to add: My brother-in-law was disappointed that I didn’t mention I tripped over him and five of his friends on my way out the door that morning. So… Andrew (my BiL) was in town with his friends for a Cubs game on Saturday and the Brewers game on Sunday, and they all stayed at our house. It was fun seeing him and his friends, and finding spots for all of them to stay (three couches, one bed, one air mattress, and one sleeping bag!). Data enjoyed sleeping on their dirty sheets after they left. Ew Data, ew.
Distance: 11.00 miles | Time: 1:49:58 | 1: 9:42 | 2: 9:38 | 3: 10:24| 4: 10:08 | 5: 10:09 | 6: 10:03 | 7: 9:58 | 8: 9:46 | 9: 9:56 |10: 10:08 | 11: 9:59
Week Summary: 29 Miles
I seem to have fallen prey to the “I can eat anything I want, I am training for a marathon” mentality. Well, if that were true, would my jeans be this tight? My diet has been disappointingly junky lately, and feeling restricted by my wrist and moody all week surely didn’t help. I get through my runs just fine, but know I could perform better if I ate better, and lost a few pounds. I haven’t mentioned it, but I took my weight loss tracker off the site awhile ago, and stopped weighing myself. I didn’t want that to be a focus during training. I want my focus to be on feeling healthy. I’ll get there.
The end of week 4 means I am 25% through the training program! The marathon will be here before I know it! I just found out you can track the racers online during the race, so I will make sure to post all of that info closer to the actual date.
Friday Question #73
If you could take a ride in a hot air balloon over any city, what city would you choose?
Definitely Rome. That seems like a silly answer since I lived there for so long, right? Well, it’s because I am so familiar with the area that I would love to travel over it. I would love to see the city streets from above and relive all of my adventures (in memory) during the ride. I would just have to make sure the ride was in the spring or fall – hot air balloon rides are, well, hot! And it is SUPER hot in Italy over the summer.
I’ve never been on a hot air balloon ride, but I would love to one day, over ANY city. And I would love to go to one of those hot air balloon festivals. The balloons are just so beautiful and fascinating!
Side Note: I would love to hear my family’s answers on this – who wants to go on a hot air balloon ride with me? I know they have them in Galena! And I would love to hear stories from people who have gone!
I’ve come to realize Meme
I am borrowing the “I’ve Come to Realize” Meme from Marla, because I am pretty sure you don’t want to read about how much my wrist hurts, all of the things I cannot do because of my wrist, and how frustrated I am. Oh yeah, and this is a fun meme, so borrow if you want!
1. I’ve come to realize that my chest-size. . .
is directly correlated to my weight – the smaller I get, the smaller they get.
2. I’ve come to realize that my job. . .
is extremely secure, and that’s important right now.
3. I’ve come to realize that when I’m driving. . .
I am my most impatient.
4. I’ve come to realize that I need. . .
to learn how to relax.
5. I’ve come that realize that I have lost. . .
my connection with mainstream society (implying I ever had one).
6. I’ve come to realize that I hate it when. . .
people tell me what to do.
7. I’ve come to realize that if I’m drunk. . .
uh… I am never drunk. I rarely drink.
8. I’ve come to realize that money…
shouldn’t define who you are, but a lot of people let it.
9. I’ve come to realize that certain people. . .
will never change, so it’s best I ignore them.
10. I’ve come to realize that I’ll always. . .
be a little bit impatient, no matter how hard I try not to be.
11. I’ve come to realize that my sibling(s). . .
are nothing like me.
12. I’ve come to realize that my mom…
is an extreme worrier when it comes to her schoolwork/grades.
13. I’ve come to realize that my cell phone. . .
is good enough for me.
14. I’ve come to realize that when I woke up this morning. . .
I still felt frustrated.
15. I’ve come to realize that last night before I went to sleep. . .
Steven was talking to me about something and I feel asleep. Oops.
16. I’ve come to realize that right now I am thinking. . .
is it time to go home yet?
17. I’ve come to realize that my dad. . .
is one of the most supportive and non-judgmental people in my life.
18. I’ve come to realize that when I get on Facebook. . .
I get frustrated when I have lots of messages in my inbox. I still like email.
19. I’ve come to realize that today. . .
is going to be better than yesterday. I am not sure how…
20. I’ve come to realize that tonight. . .
I have to run those 6 miles I put off yesterday to sulk and cry on the couch.
21. I’ve come to realize that tomorrow. . .
I will be the only one in the office on my team.
22. I’ve come to realize that I really want to. . .
take a day off to myself to catch up on sleep.
23. I’ve come to realize that the person mostly likely to repost this is. . .
not sure about this one!
24. I’ve come to realize that life. . .
is about journeys, not destinations.
25. I’ve come to realize that this weekend. . .
met my expectations. More or less.
26. I’ve realized the best music to listen to when I am upset. . .
something upbeat to snap me out of it.
27. I’ve come to realize that my friends. . .
are not always who I think they are.
28. I’ve come to realize that this year. . .
I’ve made huge progress in my health.
29. I’ve come to realize that my exes. . .
deserve happiness.
30. I’ve come to realize that maybe I should. . .
be more cautious of what I say.
31. I’ve come to realize that I love. . .
laying in the sun doing nothing.
32. I’ve come to realize that I don’t understand. . .
many people’s interests, but I try to.
33. I’ve come to realize my past. . .
is somewhat irrelevant.
34. I’ve come to realize that parties. . .
are not for me.
35. I’ve come to realize that I’m totally terrified. . .
of being injured.
36. I’ve come to realize that my life. . .
is completely in my control.
No volleyball for awhile
I didn’t ask the doctor, but I am pretty sure I shouldn’t play any sand volleyball for awhile.
I had x-rays done of my wrist and forearm – no fracture! The doctor wants me to immobilize it (keep it in the splint) and ice it for 30 minutes each day. He was concerned by the amount of swelling and the fact that I cannot twist my arm without pain, so he wants me to make an appointment with an orthopedic specialist this week. He thinks the specialist may want to do an MRI and see if my tendons (or whatever they are called) are messed up. He thinks physical therapy may be in store for me, but I am a bit “yeah right.”
I am gaining more mobility each day, so I am excited. I can use my right hand fingers today! I am going to see how it feels tomorrow before I call the specialist.
Thank you for all of your well wishes! I will keep you updated.
And as you can probably guess, it will take me a bit longer to get to your blogs, but I will, eventually!
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! 🙂
