tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26591111699941742752024-03-13T01:05:03.082-05:00XaarlinXaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09103441780159368391noreply@blogger.comBlogger579125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-61508155091214539702020-09-21T06:25:00.002-05:002020-10-04T06:17:48.978-05:00The Story of Us <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>When I walked into the Greenville Humane society puppy room in March 2005 our eyes met. You were still drowsy from surgery the day before but you didn’t take your eyes off of me. I asked a volunteer to meet you, and she took you out of the crate and let me hold you. I sniffed your head- you smelled like pee- like one of those shitty pet stores at the mall. You curled up in my lap and I knew for sure we needed to be in each others lives. In your first 10 weeks, prior to that day in March when we met, you had a very rough life. I promised that your life would be easy and full of love from that day forward. </div><div><img alt="" id="id_c498_b4f2_15f7_8f3" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/zSSRXiXJYCfDeBCjetvFI2UIlJ8fpUS9_2xBbZMHyouHHEPx_Wv8yYXxwUHoXOo" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We moved to Mexico not quite a year later. You loved it so much. It was hot and you always found the sunniest place to go lay and soak up the sun. Occasionally you’d come back inside to get water, your fur hot to the touch, but with a huge grin on your face. We had many adventures in Mexico- you enjoyed hanging out at the beach but never really liked swimming. You’d hop on your back legs in the water to avoid swimming. When it came time for me to leave an abusive relationship and leave Mexico, a few good friends offered to watch you until I could return a few months later to bring you with me. </div><div><br /></div><div><img alt="" id="id_613f_45b8_1caf_386" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/NifO2KWdslUcdmwHXA6VgyV3sw82W_h8co2_whIPU-IvUS6ycLGirUHRYDMPAOU" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The 4 months we spent apart were difficult. I got updates on you, but I missed you terribly. The day I returned for you, initially you didn’t recognize me and acted the way you did with strangers- by backing up and being cautious. You were curious though- I could see that you were trying to remember who I was, and after sneaking you a small piece of pork at our friends house, you jumped up on me and started giving me kisses. You remembered. </div><div><img alt="" id="id_782d_7a97_a359_a802" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/DQysY7MLHuIal3y4_4VtD4lWHuJUd7cM8JC1fRa3HhwwavazO4utBlRLRZ1SfPE" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We flew to San Francisco a few days later for our new lives. I was worried sick about you on the flights from Cancun to Denver, and eventually onto SFO. The flight attendants were amazing and kept me updated that you were doing just fine. We landed in SFO and you were happy to be done with an extremely long day of travel. We settled into our new lives and began our new adventure. </div><div><img alt="" id="id_f231_a2f5_c2d7_add5" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HtU55avoxGD4TO8IvwWEQ88DVaWo9oLscoHqN23_Amv2kIaE2bgMZ6Of-OIP8k" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>It was less than a year later that I took you to a park to meet L. We had just gone on our first date the day before, and he wanted to meet you. We met at the Los Gatos trail and you jumped up on him, tail wagging, full of happiness. For 99% of dogs out there, I feel like this is an expected response to meeting someone new, but for you this was monumental. You were always fearful of new people, especially men. But when you met L, your eyes locked and you felt comfortable and relaxed. (I knew then, that I needed to be with him forever). </div><div><img alt="" id="id_41d7_4667_11e7_9ed2" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/NFznp80nBJU4dyjO31qBMDxdyEVtOzey8O094DRGoPD3OGPWdptSx4lPZ0lL_mg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>We went on many adventures in California. Sometimes L would take you across the Bay Bridge - which you absolutely hated- L did too! To pick me up from work. We went to wineries, we went to the huge dog park in alameda, we were inseparable. While at the dog park, I would walk behind some trees- and it was hilarious to see you walk up to men similar in size to L and be excited only to realize it wasn’t him and then continue looking. </div><div><br /></div><div>You got the nick name “CB” aka “Churro Bear” from when your dad and I went to a Giants game- there was a vendor yelling “Hey Churro!” And we started saying it to you- and since you were a little bear to us, well Churro Bear it was. </div><div><img alt="" id="id_94b5_1887_f2de_8874" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ePEe5CBK2EV4yvgKx5hPgSUh7tgxmAYUwT3LJBpMWsOd8PNUUi0jbE8UbFBAC-M" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We went to Chrissy field multiple times, and honestly we were convinced it was your favorite place in the world. </div><div><img alt="" id="id_fe96_a3e8_1f34_3e92" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/T5zVnNRDId57AUCz2EMd2NxGgYqwAA6EPk_W-ceQ_zs5jbAcShReyJrqmDWwTME" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>Whenever you would dream, and your legs and paws would move, we always said “he must be running around Chrissy Field.”</div><div><br /></div><div>In January of 2011 we drove across Route 66 to start our new lives in Chicago, and stopped at many of the oddities along the way. After a few days in the car you were so incredibly happy to run around free at Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Tx. We also stayed at a Hampton inn. We arrived in chicago in the middle of winter- you weren’t a huge fan unsurprisingly, but we had each other. A huge blizzard hit a few weeks later and you got to play in the snow seeing you bounce around in the deep snow made me laugh. </div><div><img alt="" id="id_7fa3_9e83_d4f6_a848" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/oF9Z76rPuQrqEhCtybkUSNb_vSWW3AeGnTgsrb8A_5jThqlDRBcqrONJQP49dkg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>Our time in chicago was great. We would run on the lakefront, and you would chase anything in front of us that moved. We would sprint to the object- a paper bag, or other piece of garbage usually, and then you would give me a “my bad” kind of look. When our eyes met, I always felt that I knew what you were thinking. We always had fun sprinting after squirrels and garbage. You trained me to be an excellent squirrel spotter- that I would detect them before you, and hold the leash better so it wouldn’t break a finger. </div><div><img alt="" id="id_aaff_f391_81e9_cd8e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XaVzew7vWpkTYe4sTrWXWAswrsYZfdzlSRd54mbayS0dfY5Q6tcpH4QuRmG52GQ" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In 2017 we decided you needed a brother. We started our search for “puppy brother” at several animal shelters. Given that you didn’t like most dogs, we knew either a puppy from a shelter or breeder would be our best option (knowing our skill level, time commitments, and breed characteristics that would fit in our family). We met several dogs, one of which was - a 6 month old terrier/border collie mix who was described by the shelter as “rambunctious” and I initially thought it could be a good fit (because border collies are high drive so rambunctious didn’t scare me) until we met it. It was off the wall crazy and didn’t interact with us, and knew it would take intensive training to have a dog with probable mental issues. And given your disposition, we needed a better fit for our family. I felt somewhat conflicted looking at breeders but we knew to have success in our family, that we needed a dog with a known history, breed characteristics that fit in with our lifestyle, and sound temperament. </div><div><br /></div><div><img alt="" id="id_11_11ab_3340_d94" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/cBSKJu9QvyNFomNGFd6cw23fyoboUcITyx9ysnoJLH8SwmUexRdqtcPCSKj_O2w" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>We brought Ze Pequeno home in June 2017, and you didn’t like him at all (expected). We should have gotten you a large doodle. We would joke that your type was poodles, doodles and lean dogs with long legs- like greyhounds. You’d stretch your neck up when you’d encounter one of those types and act silly. (You hated pugs, frenchies and boxers). Eventually you warmed up to Ze and it was so awesome to see you playing in the house together. If there were 2 identical toys, and Ze was playing with one of them, you had to have whatever one he had. Not the other. I never thought you’d be BFF’s and snug (although Ze wanted nothing more to cuddle you) but I hoped Ze would give you some extra energy- and I feel he did. </div><div><img alt="" id="id_d7c6_3f5c_eda4_bede" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KXThgNWT0UHQvtgy4tNIczP4dBxTdsV2kCOc6jelUJsJ_TTrPx7VTJlG6vFnV2U" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>In February 2019 we noticed the first sign of problem- you pooped in the house after being taken out. At the time, it didn’t seem significant but looking back it was the start of a rapid decline in your health. Your back legs already were experiencing muscle degeneration. So in May, we contacted K9PT to come and help out. Our vet had always recommended PT- but that would have meant taking you across the city Which would have been a burden on you. K9PT made house calls. We saw great improvement in the first session- between stretches and laser therapy it was great to see you not so stiff. We knew your muscles wouldn’t grow back but to have additional mobility would give you a better quality of life. We continued with weekly sessions. You even jumped up on the couch for the first time in a year after a few sessions!</div><div><img alt="" id="id_a15e_5351_9dfd_c5eb" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/fOkeWpU2_VxTQrxFKQmxh5tEJdU2yd0dpCecORiyKLjMXPKUTQ-oUIvibWTRtjo" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In June we took you to Milwaukee- we wanted to spend a nice weekend with you without Ze. (Zé enjoyed going to day care a ton anyways.) We met Kim and Steven and their sweet kitties and then went to some breweries in MKE. “Look at the dog in the boots!” Sometime in early 2019 we had to keep rubber bottom boots on you because you had trouble walking on the wood floors- but also due to you dragging your back legs a bit and wearing your nails down too much. It was a wonderful weekend with my boys. </div><div><img alt="" id="id_e203_7693_432b_d3b3" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/I8Cj0z7rTwjLWzRuqADyRqAjjhAsOSlyKebCNdt5fSQSqpMqauYnM_uS7syp0BY" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In early August when L was away at a conference you had your first of several episodes where you were unable to get up for days at a time. You’d also refuse any type of food Or water I would offer. I honestly thought when this happened in early August, that you were going to die. I’ve never cried so hard or for so long in my life. This was the first time that it really hit me that you would not live forever. I slept on the floor next to you. After a few days you were able to walk again (very wobbly) and eat. I was hopeful. </div><div><img alt="" id="id_a68c_e492_29c9_8f66" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/t1-GMOZgueV-4EUOwPrd-5XA6ZNCKNzWtdLDHGlP3n5jlCH2D30o3WTfNQpSx6Q" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>These episodes happened a few more times- each increasing with frequency, intensity and duration. Each time was more heartbreaking than the first. We brought you to the vet but there was nothing clinically wrong with you. We knew you had dementia - after Francisco from K9PT had mentioned dogs could get it at one of our first sessions. We had bought supplements to help with cognitive issues but it was a gamble if you’d decide to eat them (and we should have started them years earlier). Honestly I was angry that our vet never mentioned the possibility of dementia to us previously - with better care and diets, dogs and cats are living much longer than before and are experiencing more cognitive issues. They just wanted us to come in for more tests when we should have been doing hospice care instead. </div><div><br /></div><div>In mid September I called the vet to schedule a “wellness check” to determine your quality of life from an outside perspective. You weren’t eating much, you had to wear a diaper in the house, ans I was going out of my way to buy anything and everything I thought you’d eat- rotisserie chicken, ground beef, liverwurst, while L was getting you 5Guys burgers. By Thursday or Friday of the week, I had called to reschedule the appointment to not be a wellness check but instead to give you the dignity you deserved. </div><div><br /></div><div>I took a half day on Friday to spend more time as a family. We got 5Guys burgers and you seemed to be rallying. I snuggled with you as much as you’d let me - and you continued to go after Ze- the only consistent thing you would do despite the dementia. At night, I once again told you the story of us as we looked into each other’s eyes. </div><div><br /></div><div>On Saturday morning, I took Ze for a run. I felt guilty that I couldn’t take you after logging thousands of miles with you over the years. It was one of the most beautiful sunrises I’ve ever seen. </div><img alt="" id="id_440d_98a9_96c3_9b0c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/W1GBsdbJs1-HYlK1Kj2ilL-pCqPzvy6i-STtQ-NJtAtJg5cKcc31z7sjoOLA2Bo" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div>I took a photo of Ze and a lady approached us asking if we would like her to take a photo of us- usually I would decline (since we are out on the lake all the time) but this time I wanted a pic. </div><div><img alt="" id="id_23f5_ef5a_af2f_2cf6" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/2qTeNLrgcD28TvVoYz1qPGysLiO_RynJ3WJAKc--Gle4HLGeBwwS_6LI12xe5bY" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>We went to Stans Donuts, because you loved their donuts almost as much as 5Guys. You enjoyed every bite of the birthday cake donut we got- the same one you would get for your birthday each year. </div><div><img alt="" id="id_f5ff_39be_e318_b32e" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Ia90SYaGIL0jWBhASnH3QpX3dIrldlutoqbJYcBzr_BywzkkJPvwUW5bTxD9W30" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>After donuts, we walked to the park together. You loved this park- but definitely not as much as you loved Chrissy Field. We took many pictures and laid in the sun before returning home. By this point I was feeling a tremendous amount of grief because you were rallying- you had just walked the furthest you had in a long time without struggling- were we making a mistake?</div><div><img alt="" id="id_4613_ab05_7efe_eae9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/AyNquyOB22MXpN-rZpqx83SuGFSE_LhKZQv4k38sePE3nc5RbKHScU2zt5AmsdU" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We took some more pictures at home and then put Ze in his crate and loaded you in the car for the short drive to the vet. When we got to the vets office, they immediately directed us into a room so we wouldn’t not have to wait in the packed waiting room. You walked into the office fearless, which solidified that we were making the right decision- as previously you would have started shaking, panting and protested going in. The Doctor asked us some questions before taking you back to get an IV- again you walked with her without protest- something you’ve never done before. </div><div><br /></div><div><img alt="" id="id_33c2_eb3f_e2d4_7ce8" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Mxsf_XNHyQVRZMPYd8ylA82DUt6SmioyxdXe3T34DCBzocEHGA4pc8lDd21H9zw" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We laid you down on the blanket and stroked your fur, and told us how much we loved you and thanked you for being the best boi that we could have ever asked for. You transitioned to your next adventure in the most peaceful way possible- surrounded by people who loved you. We took a moment with you before saying goodbye forever. I stroked your soft ears and smelled your paws one last time so I wouldn’t forget your signature frito smell. </div><div><img alt="" id="id_769b_b7ca_2124_2c8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bJBTsQimMt7AmwojY1n5rbJ75zoGc6t0aJeWR4CG3euCiehoD_EHFanO7WAjcf0" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>Walking out of the vet’s office with only your leash, boots and collar, was nothing short of heartbreaking. We drove home, hugged Ze, and then went to get lunch. </div><div><br /></div><div>We had some drinks to toast to your incredible life. We went to another bar for another round to numb the the void of missing you. </div><div><img alt="" id="id_df8_394d_3579_f59f" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/2bcz34ty9Cze2LvJsh3UXJTgzqqOWDHfITcVKtw-CRnfcm7AbzSeV27CaazLIs4" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The next day we ran the Fox Valley 20 miler. We dedicated this race to you, our big fox. Post race we went to More brewery and drank a beer aptly named “space boots” which we thought was appropriate for your next adventure. Coming home was tough- it was the first time I couldn’t put a race medal around your neck. You always looked so proud when I put medals on you. You were my original coach. </div><div><img alt="" id="id_9311_e24d_4b53_fa8d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/OtM3EgLkz9zKJXlTUBw2_4wLzrT8QbDzuA2U5PzzS0nO0z65WmSvJBcwvdEEj_I" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It’s now been one year since you went on to your next adventure, and we joke that you are living it up in the 5Guys in the sky (and going to the Culver’s with Heidi). The last 6 months of your life we were probably 5Guys biggest customers- because it was one of the only things you would consistently eat. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the past 366 days, I believe you have sent us many “signs” or at least I’ll attribute them to you. </div><div><img alt="" id="id_cd48_982c_2d29_654b" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/KiJGLQ4fgyWDl4q8rC38HMwWg1G3t-RZyfb0KF9vGgfUMyiwyLCFneegwAmnqt0" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>From almost stepping on a chipmunk at the fox valley 20, to the “Churro” Bat on our balcony, to koolaid man at the start of the chicago marathon (we used to joke you were koolaid man because you would bust into my bathroom because the door didn’t latch properly, Ohhhh Yeahhhh) - I feel you near us. </div><div><img alt="" id="id_9c37_6ba6_9027_233e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/06ZRkCNekpxZmHT4E_GRxzGYNmbJKNz6NRg8Aw6TorusW9Z012ZpREbgCwnqgNs" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>Thank you for being you, Hampton (CB, Churro Bear), and thank you for all the memories you gave us.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img alt="" id="id_e132_ba2c_d3a0_6ca9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/I3rMkmRauj473__yZpEdvW6XMpfVujM1eZut8mwlXJ1y7DkJdkG-pfzRcw8rE2Y" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>How we imagine your life is currently:</div><img alt="" id="id_c4ff_ce0f_1ed5_1127" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/P2xBRCoHqx7S9cx6Xo5PnQJLncFih0WP-h88xS3D4cjgFbuDNOk49Qb7EKJXPfE" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><div> </div><div>Hampton 🌈 : January 15, 2005 - September 21, 2019 </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-34264605338835587682020-08-17T06:53:00.001-05:002020-08-17T06:55:49.785-05:00The Happiest Day (in 155 days)<div><img id="id_761c_2d6f_119b_1b0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FnRNzlUMKQiMA8O0TQFg_sg62YwYUoQWX6uWBLYL7greh9ZV1QQxjEWCRn73QTo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div>Yesterday, we woke up and just like any other Sunday, I hopped onto the trainer. I completed a race in Zwift and then walked to the grocery store to pick up food for the week. <div><br></div><div>When I returned home, the lobby to our condo was flooded. A valve was leaking/in need of emergency repair and consequently, we were now without running water as of 9am with no estimate on when it would return. </div><div><br></div><div>We decided that after working out that we would ride our bikes to go get brunch- something we have spoken about for a while but had not done yet. </div><div><br></div><div>We decided to go to Marz. At only 4 miles from us, it was a good test ride to see how cycling in the city would work. </div><div><br></div><div>They have a huge spaced out patio. I was able to wash my hands with water and it felt so great. I knew I washed my hands a lot, but now that I couldn’t at home, I realized I wash my hands more than I thought. </div><div><img id="id_c0b9_bfc2_57bd_c522" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/tO9cpv5Zk6naeJJcjKOlDPJCheSegDDkVjCqHi_azkkFdixchov0H3f47jZqtFg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>Ordering is contactless- pay through the app, and when your food/drinks are ready, they call your name to come pick up your order. Must wear a mask while not at your table. Safety is king here. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_2e5c_12e3_c03b_8ecc" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/wW_vMwXsf3cHyq0vzOEUWepdtHmMMc0QYJbZ1xplrFE-S7VahY69QMGL8kKUZqE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>We ordered spam musubi to share. Always so so good. <br><img id="id_3a13_8c1_a54c_2058" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/p_tyT2cljHWdsmjSNrkodVx3p9WShNhwL1nVWBcL5Jz0E04ao3TV5fE7Xv8kRo8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>I got Kitsune Dreamer to drink. It had a fox on it which reminded me of CB. <br><img id="id_f0fd_9103_95ec_46d6" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/ii4CKFXgiFV6neyArBwHMVtmj-FaofFn9tD7F-T8qU6vWBJ_CUNbaHwE2b46xs0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>We both got Loco Moco for lunch. It was so out of this world good. <br><img id="id_8999_a2f9_113e_32c0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qKTNelwsi-5RRqVl8EWebdlnEWvADGON71kwhqMaCOksEsfNhhpa8P0iJk5A2V8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>I even bought a plant from inflorescence. I had bought a plant from them 6 months ago and it was thriving, and I felt it needed a friend. I couldn’t resist the pothos planted in the newly released “Talking To Plants” ipa can. <br><img id="id_1bd0_2d2_d1f6_b923" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/aGCLifuNoKAG399alOxcLU4dGQjIUubiSDy-YHnBCyBikVGNu_BTO6QoKq3BZ0c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>We checked our emails for updates on the water, and since nothing had changed, we decided to cycle to Whiner beer. <br><br><img id="id_8eaa_3146_41a8_b416" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/qKYtd05dEQVaszkG65CoyErhBpKbSR2UXn6IahrR_qjGXlyhoeaKOxhStkmBLqE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>We got Monsieur Monster and Bleu Tub. Both very good and refreshing while outside. <br><img id="id_d844_400d_c157_7390" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/CY94c00fL4dsbdax-M96EtJoKIjSc0sv9uhAxZ_mQ_HYjZ3qY9OwM_6OjZZVf14" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Eventually it was time to return home. Our return trip was just as uneventful as the trip to the breweries. </div><div><br></div><div>12 miles of cycling for the day (and first ride outside in a long long time. Felt nice to be able to coast since that’s not an option in Zwift 🙃)</div><div><br></div><div>We got home to no water and took Ze for a walk. </div><div><img id="id_80c6_5eb1_a33f_66b0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/yOZ3oduXiOgik_oZxMIMp75_VunVuOaTXJPejahK5f0z8E-pkCe8h10fiFdJI38" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Around 4:30 the water returned and we quickly got cleaned off. Hot water. Water in general never felt so good. </div><div><br></div><div>With the return of the water, I started meal prepping. </div><div>First was a white bean, tomato, cucumber salad for lunch at work. <br><img id="id_71f_4027_4097_726" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SkC2jXEj3QO9zoulfdN5-3AL_wRLIXvFWy51dDr69nJ_WqMmIxfyw6Xt2j1QhRg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Next up was dinner- purple smashed potatoes with lemon and parsley. <br><img id="id_f67e_6f27_b681_dc87" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/4kGZNLpiEsEFqXVQJUGuPRYzILravKg5yl1N5PqcUXhPrftkwTGDg_mbFAm6Z48" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>And one pot chicken with red onions, apples, garlic, thyme, dill, and apple cider vinegar. (Potato And chicken recipes from “Eat Race Win.”)<br><img id="id_eea4_3a79_a668_3a43" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/hGzmuOXz6JkND4xJufygNaNQI-vVsDNS12jtBQgkDb4gsoOcsN2x6QmLVxQJhBo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Cycling to the breweries and cooking at home made me feel so happy. This was the happiest I’ve felt in a long long time. Or more precisely, 155 days- since shelter in place/covid phases started. </div><div><img id="id_5476_580b_8822_96d9" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/RAn5JPbDLmKCuX8tVqIO4dAdkj6WaqwmY2EDfCBFQ9jTRW9_4nQmx5TddpXcQiY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-68489943833869498502020-05-11T07:15:00.001-05:002020-05-11T09:21:14.848-05:00Life 5.4.20 - 5.10.20<b>Life</b><div><b><br></b></div><div>Been in the office 2x now. L drove me again due to crap weather. I hope to take a bike next time if the weather is more agreeable. </div><div><br></div><div>The one highlight of having to go to the office is being able to go to Whole Foods on my lunch break. They are doing a great job at making sure the store is not over crowded and have also made aisles one way- which I didn’t notice until I was checking out. I don’t generally shop in the middle of grocery stores- but occasionally I get some pasta, chips or other non perishable stuff, so it’s a nice feature. Everyone had on face coverings which was great. <br><div><b><br></b></div><div><img id="id_9d28_253e_d04_3947" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Rrxjl7zPbjnxVLrynB8KyOuT8KhY3Etidhs07XmYmHdGAoFoNaa03VGUpcCoJWQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Ze is happy and lives a very easy life. I put his racquet balls into the volcano and in true millennial fashion, started whining when he couldn’t get them out. <br><img id="id_136a_35be_3ed4_9597" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/NlLNwmWR6JG_y9HnjE09XUiYd99FdOs4OWy17PhABNJYI2XrJM_DS3Xt74RlyYQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>He sulked by the volcano for a while and then took a nap because being pissy takes effort. <br><img id="id_38d6_725b_6394_b9d5" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/b3mtn4VxrokqZVYEX4hjX_xmxywUxYfBsuZPB9azVAV2mIzylOhJwhvHA0ebbSw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><b><br></b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Food</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>Zé ordered takeout for us Friday night. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_8648_a8a1_e91f_b934" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/aO-3YAVzRV99BkxOf1Dq70wwRcVAHhRa9zBD0neiPv9huUv5chVVLJPo6W96x9M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>We’ve been cooking during the week and ordering out a few times on the weekends. Highlights from this week- a rhubarb pie from Marz, bbq from Marz, pasta from firehouse and egg sando post run from spoke n bird. <br><img id="id_6cf1_6c78_cad7_d905" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/fvbUL02JdNe143y11zcZf25kwhQok-zzZHgNF6Pdr4qrRnQUe-O0aqYNwEZGKIE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>We also enjoyed some Big Mich Michelada. <br><img id="id_f278_f34_4d3_f804" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Qlc8yZY2TLe8YubQnPcO5m8L667tXTQpiTtHGKiUcVL51RlGxLLBQ9jPEp1HBIU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Since we weren’t at MBCC, I used the glass to drink my evil twin seltzer. <br><img id="id_205a_6d73_12b7_fe9f" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/radWcl8ww0LlnoVIcdd6Kq15uNLA-24GomTf81yM6Kq2mXrv1-nvO0ZTWqsZEYc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_180b_7341_e5a7_a4d9" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/OaJXbWgSHpJA-dJ6-HNjjr1qh8cyDCF5IDhoAbLGLfH6GF_plRVLcXxCZN16XUs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>We made pizza Sunday night. A prosciutto, fig Jam pizza and pepperoni & ham pizza. Both came out great. I really enjoy making pizza at home- the dough is scratch made from my sourdough starter and I love putting new combos together. </div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Workouts</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>I hit my goal of cycling 100 miles and was happy to run more this week than most of the preceding weeks. </div><div><img id="id_5a21_7879_2a10_ef9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Va3hDv5j7rcLhn2zpUrQKSeJhPHvW1KTl3_rXMhSsgb23uKTiskkCC4KZ0Uu0-0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>We are 10% across the state of Tennessee right now and expect to finish before August 31. We count our running miles as well as our walking miles for this as 5 miles a day running will break us both. <br><br><img id="id_6376_93e6_c6b8_1640" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/y4ZjOMYCnFv6DzCL9jD1H25u7yB0Lhb4s1nOaFhKiqKiUQWlva6NWPW3hMcgrNM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>We are getting creative with our running routes. <br><img id="id_2830_70f3_25a2_e9fc" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/eXPAMuknvCdMqY1wpiQ0IXPKiWUSMqjSNNe3vKIw6O8zBLf5J5ADX_Px2Ezy2SI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>It was nice to run with L a few times too. The weather was a bit chilly, but perfect for running. Last week we were wearing tank tops. <br><img id="id_8cb7_c14a_d45d_2394" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Upm7EQwzY1tUTxYvVTp6P6h0hDe--Iy2ftMVtbm4DmPqhg76vVVrUR-TFBE3AOE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>More fun loops <br><img id="id_f09b_199c_b9cb_e6ed" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/muFB6FRfWYPCcMWXb8S851MVDSFGg3OoPSsf5yQLHR0bZVFHc0ToEwA6BNo2RAk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>I’m still shocked at the selfishness of people who don’t wear a face covering while outside. We encounter enough people while running or walking that we leave our coverings on the entire time. The amount of people who feel above wearing a covering is so gross. If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. <br><img id="id_76fe_c7a8_b7d_f810" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/BYUFgDJDMLznb6C7uCDlGW74vC0h9uRYIWAqOyX9CH2WycPTAGB-54W6L0Q-v9o" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>I completed my first virtual Ironman event last week- a 3km run, 40km bike, 10km run. It was fun to run with L and Ze for this challenge. <br><img id="id_b243_2202_fd6d_9c70" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/hh_eZFKJiUv9AwIhdngWO82bkndDH3diZXK7yGmCzGquctMialCodaZYU3d0rLM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Goals for this week: </div><div>• complete the Ironman Virtual Race 7</div><div>• complete organized strength work </div><div>• continue to gradually increase running miles + speed work <br><b><br></b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Thoughts</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>Incompetence sums it up again nicely. Seeing other countries with leaders who give a damn about the people makes me want to move elsewhere. USA is basically a 3rd world country (with a white picket fence American “dream” facade). You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig. We don’t have universal healthcare, we don’t have paid family leave, we don’t have free education. I don’t understand why people think this is acceptable. Current status: raging dumpster fire. </div><div><br></div><div>I also found <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/10/health/coronavirus-plague-pandemic-history.html" id="id_e878_de1e_2523_2f7a" target="_blank">This Article</a><u style="font-weight: bold;"> </u>Very interesting. </div><div><br></div><div>Basically there are 2 pieces to how pandemics end- when the actual sickness is eradicated and when people’s fear of it goes away. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_45d_c3d6_5a94_fef7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TgB5cP0kmga0gT7eGXLSwdfnJky_eQpKPj5lTbua6U4dWYE-KurYsTqsm_ayCJo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Mas</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>8:30pm singalong is still happening. It brings some smiles after long days. </div><div><b><br></b></div><div><img id="id_3779_c5cb_f871_ebb3" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/a4daO64EnzKPuBtwh7BHhEYrX043qpV6ITtzVQq_j9Vys-6-G9QececGuNgf0gY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>I feel quite bummed we weren’t in Copenhagen and Stockholm this past week. I’ve looked forward to this trip for the past 6 years- and to not be there is sad. I always feel renewed and inspired when I return- inspired to be better- to cook better food, to live more simply. To not have this reset is gnawing at me. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_33b7_e737_3c39_1947" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/VB-AUYJczohK_l-827uXNUbYI9tPs9QL_jgaZ3MoUPm_JxY0xY3VmG0jqeDOna0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>MRC copenhagen x chicago <br><br><br>Until then, I’ll just start making food out of my cook books and continue reading blogs about the places I want to go. </div><div><img id="id_21c1_710c_25f3_102b" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/xqoUioYJ9uYmaymKyxtJvnELu1xMbSH4txH5NOS4maO1b_Gcsvz8ZVj2mEPpleg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><b>Food from cafe baryl 2018, Copenhagen. </b></div></div><br>Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-24857942490341575872020-05-06T07:08:00.001-05:002020-05-06T07:12:24.808-05:00Life 4.27.20 - 5.3.20<b>Life</b><div><b><br></b></div>7 weeks of WFH- not much has changed except I now go into the office 1x a week. I had originally planned to run commute, but my bag is too bulky/heavy. I then decided biking would be good- but the weather was crap so I got a ride from L. <div><div><b><br></b></div><div><img id="id_9787_b70e_b7cd_1147" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/61yoXB_XDqHpf8Q5v7pM0wRiyqD0lxqQRSGHcup_mzyGSeOQEAQa37BPMYBklAc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">I felt overwhelmed being at work despite there being only 20% of the normal workforce. I feel it is too early to return. I felt overwhelmed when I went to the grocery store on my lunch hour to pick up a few things. Previously I had gone to Jewel once around Easter and was in/out so fast I didn’t have time to process. This time at WF was my second time in a large grocery store since March 13. They were counting the number of people in the store and nearly everyone had masks on. It was nice to browse and pick up a few things- but so weird to be in a big space like that. <br></span><br><img id="id_19ec_b8ac_1b94_cfc1" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/T3ZWb3w11J-op1cRNq4B_62_GTnucHaPz6sp_IrOcQ6cPlDave7mL2VgtlhBGog" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>I really enjoyed the reflection of the buildings in this puddle on Michigan Ave last week. <br><br><img id="id_f5cc_adb2_1620_5e11" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/9kMupiXgivmNrDPwpBGKy0gt9d4K42hEZ9EMPC6HWqPAadlzFQGLJv0Otq4G4Qw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Ze is a happy boy and we are thankful he is in our lives. </div><div><img id="id_2073_deb5_be23_6426" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/KyPOEypvsxy_0yhPTGzlsb43hVjDPxp2pIZwiTkBcKUtPC-NRmAWZ7I130nnuAk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>He got some refills of baby Dinos this week. <br><img id="id_dfab_afd9_9a3_16b3" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/q6dlLpADncMvWlaaMPSxLQ_cOSoH2_WoQJ3vN0bFlEYhvYog_lWucd56YnKB6uw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>He loves carrying them around in his mouth and chomping on them to make them squeak. He also shoves them at us or another toy when he plays- vs biting directly. He’s fun. <br><br></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Food</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>We are continuing to cook during the week and only order carry out Friday evening - Sunday. </div><div><br></div><div>I made (heated up) bbq jackfruit, and made rice bowls with various veggies. </div><div><br></div><div>Our carry out routine was comprised of Firehouse for their amazing chocolate cake, grilled cheese and chicken sando. </div><div><b><br></b></div><div><img id="id_3712_8e87_f413_bd48" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/t18Qtugq89A9D3raAWt_5ofZRNO_xg_Hme990LdxHpvNBYCFUhEzsxVERLoUiVA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Chocolate cake from Firehouse. They have a new dessert special every week and without knowing what it is, we always order it because they have all been amazing. </span></div><div><img id="id_3ff_b46e_96af_3e2a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/K_wrizXsts-b3dnx1yvcN26d8zYMOq6JGFsCXCYBSqWuHocXuKfUlAhV1jvMdm8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span><br>On Saturday we picked up food and drinks from Marz (our usual Sunday funday place pre covid) and then stopped by Centennial for a crowler + some Hop butcher. </div><div><br></div><div>On Sunday, L drove to 18th street to pick up their Bloody Mary trio + some food. I stayed home and cleaned our place. I was so happy I decided to stay home and get something done. I knew if I went with him I wouldn’t have gotten anything completed. <br><img id="id_d695_43b8_86e_9197" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/0jqdnxWfSxTA65km_VLnaSqqbXKhkDN35h--kKaHXLV9KW94Uq_s4bw4yHpDgVs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Sunday night was pizza night. I made a mushroom pizza- sautéed mushrooms in butter, garlic, thyme and some sherry and used gruyere/Swiss cheese. L made a ham and pepperoni pizza. <br><img id="id_aa46_d4e7_2a54_b7d9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a_WXY7eQWUvQpWEYqSeKEtajwJ2YP7cb42ldjGQAG5bT0y446Mx0Oa7lhh9JRKE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>We bought the pizza oven 4 years ago after visiting friends in Berlin who had a similar model. It has been so wonderful to be able to make fresh pizza frequently on the balcony the past few months. <br><b><br></b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Workouts</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>Woo Hoo! I completed one of my highest mileage running weeks in a while. 20 miles. Lol. The Great Virtual Run Across Tennessee has helped Ze and I get out of the house more to run and log miles <img id="id_1f1e_1c73_1f_ad0c" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/RwuIgn9IZq9Mecm8NG7tEEJJM3vDuS8pXod3KrvrcJtThDJih56XHCf_G-HsTnE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></div><div><br>Ze and I ran a few times before work. He gets so excited when we go for runs. <br><img id="id_2586_c3e9_ca1d_8846" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/b9Kdp8vdoXNp9v_ZxnvW17v9EfyW74K8eNRLf_wbHeDx10Ma5eRfcfRqHRv4M3s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>I hit level 25 on Zwift and got a new kit to wear. <br><img id="id_e77c_fc9_3ca0_18ce" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/akFqXyQMdVGSR0jbMwl7aTjMr5EzXFnxnfrxF7kbsjWb19PY4-JOwt5Td26qYcQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>We took photos with the Art institute lions- they both received masks but some asshole jerks stole one of them. <br><img id="id_2dd7_4a28_f492_fa7c" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E6ms1AVs3b-4lMceT7KBfNak4zbp42H5zTx0UdsAze2JK9GuNwC52lRFSTFQcU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>We celebrated our first Saturday MRC run with a 10k to keep the Mikkeller Running Club Spirit alive. We miss the group runs and post run beverages So much. </div><div><img id="id_fb25_3d70_853c_f5cf" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/I559-x0_y8BvWG4JkMaDzoPN9sKhUOIKhHl-ehcoABNlFWFwyYJ6g-hBB7qlqic" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Goals: continue to build running miles to achieve around 35-40 miles a week running+ walking</div><div><br></div><div>Cycling- 100 miles a week (down from 150)</div><div><br></div><div>Strength- be more consistent and use the apps I’ve got and log my time. </div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Thoughts</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>Nothing new to report on. America is still a raging dumpster fire thanks to incompetent “leaders.” </div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Mas</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>On Saturday, we should have had our first Saturday event with MRC Chicago. That night we should have been on a plane to Copenhagen. Sunday we should have been able to sit at the Mikkeller CPH airport bar for a few hours before our flight to Stockholm. </div><div><br></div><div>This would have been L’s first time to Stockholm and my second. I always wanted to return after I visited in 2002. </div><div><img id="id_60f0_ce23_7089_8ea0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/F8jmwxZ8n5BijP4TXW_VgoDeWyfrEHd_JDvmjBmfx3ro293ptDURigWJV33RvEM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><i>Pictures from 2002</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>I’m quite bummed to not be in Scandinavia this week- for the past 5 years we’ve gone to Copenhagen for the beer festival (and sometimes someplace else). It’s one of the best weeks of the year- we try new beer and see so many fun people. We hope to be able to go later in the year but I’m not looking too far ahead at the moment. </div><div><b><br></b></div></div>Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-24575244712541000492020-04-28T07:00:00.001-05:002020-04-28T07:06:43.283-05:00Life 4.20.20 - 4.26.20<b>Life</b><div><b><br></b></div>6 weeks of WFH. Not much has changed on that front except I have to start going to the office 1x a week. <div><br></div><div>Getting to run with Ze and L was nice on Sunday. <br><div><b><br></b><div><img id="id_d3f3_f6ef_5f62_619e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ukznEVhtunu2QiLC_pyZJzKlUtVhsz7qEVk-R8lM1FvZnUoRfP7zJxAdWHijT08" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Zé is a happy boi- he carries his Dinos around with him - especially if we bring one of the others “to life.” Then he tries to shove the one in his mouth at the one we’ve got. <br><img id="id_aceb_da32_cf06_40bb" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/S5uRRDPX8vfb4sYCkDK6aQSGmJ3hq_sqJIxw6aksXbw7QXA_xFUYA4-UPcfgeAA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>We had a Zoom with Kim, Violet, Anne and Ze last week. It is always nice to see them. <br><img id="id_934_fd9d_993b_84ff" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/j2LFzW9xtL2HMQdWYrLtP2_WCiTnKssf1XmtVA1K8kg1mK8_jUdgkWrPtUiPOq0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Birds have returned to our balcony. Zé barked at one of them, but decided to play ball as it watched. <br><img id="id_4763_d646_38ee_fdb5" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/gn882poczsO9bVxjZ7GPKvS9oH_M0IM2wKYf49mEzCJrvqH_995tN9px8Uijf5U" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Every morning I do the New York Times mini crossword puzzle. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_4b9a_d41d_3354_679f" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/YF8r5TbsX8m6G4iRbFASCJbRPlXsWZbhS3_FVJpNDOUZOzHdH4gagfq-_ly_XiY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><b><br></b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Food</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>We kept up with making food during the week and getting carry out on the weekend. </div><div><br></div><div>We made pizza again and again. Roasted vegetable tacos were delicious! I also tried to make crumpets with sourdough discard, but they burned on the bottom and didn’t cook through on top- they went straight to the bin. With the remaining batter, I made pancake type things. </div><div><b><br></b></div><div><img id="id_6c38_4538_236e_1433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Y3IIK_acuVoH5KHyTEmBI6BdsVUh8ap9rLehNLPDElSUVSvlcBRQmzG5L1ICbmM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>And more pizza! <br><img id="id_1099_7bb2_9ff2_4be5" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/uV1cHwVuDJLC_nNa5zZ0whxCexqbm6mE84bzOu2XUg-40s_ZiV3rJz4hqlgGMTU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><br>We got take out Friday night from Firehouse- I had a short rib grilled cheese, we also got delicious Italian sandwiches (I had the muffuletta) and Nduja arrancini from Teptesta market. Sunday was fried chicken from Harbor- which has fast become one of our favorite places. <br><img id="id_88a4_cad3_ccca_1e65" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OGWSp8-cMmzRj585YSj1cDG8Ofgvtf2-N31e72aUj9qtxVSvaia-CXnZ5ASC8s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>We will continue to cook at home during the week. I would like to start making items out of my cookbooks- but most of the recipes would involve getting extra ingredients I don’t already have - which is my current barrier. </div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Workouts </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>Cycled 160 miles and ran 5. I enjoy cycling in the mornings a ton. Running outside makes me feel great- but the weather was cold and I just didn’t care to get dressed in layers for 2-3 miles with Ze. </div><div><br></div><div>He knows that the harness is for running and gets so excited he starts shaking in the elevator on our way down to run. </div><div><br></div><div>One day I decided to do 20 push-ups each hour. (Mainly to get myself off the couch and move a bit) I lasted 6 hours and the next day I was quite sore. </div><div><img id="id_b14b_36ba_cadb_ff70" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/XpSKPU0EP2QjImI0SVX-7SMlpc6veLzQS4sZ9mJX7TF2Gx8BrPLXW0f_uRz0zZ8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>I’m happy to not have decided on any big races or goals for 2020 at the end of 2019. A few races I was signed up for got cancelled but that’s life. </div><div><br></div><div>It’s been nice to run and cycle as I please. That being said, I signed up for 2 virtual events. “The great virtual race across Tennessee” which starts May 1. It’s hosted by Laz who created the Barkley marathon. From May to August you self report on your progress of running 1000km which is about 5 miles a day. The other is “take a jog, save a dog” in September. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_e4a3_f7c8_febc_311d" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/NSyooyocmHMWbkTuIgX0M5TZwVD3xGRKYp449BZqsVvDhWUzsmh4CP9Y1D3DhCQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">I also signed up for the Ironman Virtual race series. Each week there’s different challenges involving cycling and running of various distances. <br></span><br><br>Goals for workouts:</div><div>• continue on with avg 20 miles a day cycling. </div><div>• Run outside more. </div><div>• strength train</div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Thoughts</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>America is sill a raging dumpster fire of complete incompetence. “Leadership” in the white house suggested people should inject cleaning supplies or drink them since they kill viruses. This resulted in spikes of calls to poison control. Idiocrary. </div><div><img id="id_6db0_afc4_8cdf_4266" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/F9-Tnkp5oo66oYD2QmvxdO-04a_RQMxigV-76bzLIkBwCML5Lew30CSeQJh3P6I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><b><br></b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Mas</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>We took Ze to see Fido to Go and buy him some treats on Sunday. He was so incredibly happy to be at the truck again. It’s like he knows it’s for him. To see him blissed out made me so happy. </div><div><b><br></b></div><div><img id="id_7fb2_77ae_1050_de87" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/FIcdK1ToeLCi3x2px0ozY-RoOdCzKQXeBR5CGYx2s9KgfCJAO6iC1d38HSueTeQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>I’m pretty much the only one with a face covering while running- I leave it on all the time because hands are dirty and because I encounter a lot of people where I run. I don’t understand why people Can’t cover up. It’s so gross to see all the mouth breathers out there especially when the CDC recommends wearing something to stop the spread. Selfish is the word that comes to mind. <br><img id="id_aa22_93fd_1221_2063" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/M8yhMkQvcydDFOfP7V9Ttgo84nrnsr59lzedA3ZDuf4KXQMpyISh2QCF1nh2noY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><br>Unite at 8 happens every night. I look forward to it each night. Soldier field even played music for us Friday and Saturday. <br><img id="id_32e4_c29c_87c2_a210" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/VHD5VXkVpYSB93VPrS8W0XxKTuzCFc3sP34noWDJ5ZZGtBGAkKdol3N9C9pxFNM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Another week down and more to go since our stay at home has been extended until the end of May. The only way I feel better about this whole situation is “to live life a quarter mile at a time.” Thank you Dom for that gem. To try to think about what life will look like in the summer or 6 months from now is a waste of energy. I like to focus on what I can control. </div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><br></b></div></div></div>Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-66060759345043998642020-04-20T07:18:00.000-05:002020-04-20T07:25:01.138-05:00Life 4.13.20 - 4.19.20<b>Life</b><br>
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<img id="id_e638_e85e_b0dd_1e5f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/sbuXMK3mVAr2gy-KLMLhv_kRomnBg2uK-aDNIMfjvDgt47-d-ngCXguwuzwDzyM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>My mom made us masks to wear. <br><b><br></b></div>
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5 weeks of working remotely now. Not much has changed on the work front- I’m able to run the new reports and analytics more efficiently so I can get other tasks done. We have a lot of video meetings which are nice to see everyone. </div>
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Ze is a happy boy. He turned 3 and we celebrated by bringing a few of his racquet balls out of toy jail. He has been carrying them around with him all over the house. </div>
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He also brings them to me while I’m at work. </div>
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<b>Food</b></div>
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We cooked a lot at home again. We only get carry out Friday night and the weekend now. </div>
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Eggs are a huge staple of my diet now- it’s so nice to have the time to be able to make a breakfast or lunch egg sando. </div>
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We also made pizza again- pepperoni, olive pizza and truffle goat cheese, mushroom. The truffle goat cheese is especially delicious with salted tomatoes. </div>
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We made breakfast tacos with leftover tortillas and pico from dinner Saturday night. I got a box of meat from a local purveyor so we cooked steak. I also made soy like marinated chicken and restocked our pizza dough supply.<br>
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We had a ham egg sando from Spoke and Bird, burger and carrot cake from Firehouse, Mexican food from La Cantina and leftover Ube donut from Moms.<br>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">It’s been nice to cook at home more- I hope to start trying new recipes out of the cook books I’ve accumulated. I should get “The Adventures of Fat Rice” in the next day or so, and I’m excited to make some Macanese (Portuguese - Chinese) food. (I am sad Fat Rice has closed. It was one of our favorite restaurants).</span></div>
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<b>Workouts</b></div>
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I cycled 7 times for a total of 144 miles. I’m really enjoying cycling for an hour in the morning.<br>
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Zé Pequeno and I ran 5 times for a total of 13 miles. </div>
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We have a lot of fun running early in the mornings before it gets too busy out.<br>
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I am surprised at the number of nasty mouth breathing runners who don’t wear any face coverings despite evidence that wearing something can help prevent the spread. We wear our covers the entire run because I don’t want to touch my face unnecessarily during a run.<br>
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<b>Thoughts</b></div>
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Illinois is still under a “stay at home” order until 4/30. I feel like any day this will get extended. </div>
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The government is full of incompetence. No surprise when people elected a reality TV clown to office who appoints unqualified friends and family in place of scientists and people with actual knowledge in the subject areas. </div>
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People still can’t get tested without a lot of hoops to jump through. (Let alone that the accuracy of the tests can produce false negative up to 30%). Reopening the economy will be a monumental task- because if everyone rushes back to “normal” activities, then a second wave of the virus will hit. </div>
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I still see people online posting “social distance” selfies with groups. It’s a slap in the face to people working on the front lines. If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. (Broken record intraday sure)</div>
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I feel fortunate L and I are able to work from home- but feel terrible for friends and people in general affected by the closures. We try to support our favorite places so that they exist in a world post covid.<br>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Running outside, even for a couple of miles with Ze has helped my mood tremendously. No surprise there. </span>I sat out on the balcony on Sunday for 30 min and got slightly sunburned from the reflection on our window. Ha. The sun felt so good.<br>
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Virtual happy hours have been great. Technology is so cool. </div>
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100% that. I live for 8pm each night.<br>
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Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-23708816986091281482020-04-13T07:05:00.001-05:002020-04-13T07:09:23.597-05:00Life 4.6.20 - 4.12.20<b>Life</b><div><img id="id_b20c_6f3e_29fd_fe8d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wysvK8QsuHc7JncAwNq7YHa2wx_bgLj_zdfrqpZKgHfx5zUACORt35B4qDW2y6I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><b><br></b></div><div>I’ve now completed 4 weeks of WFH. We were asked to send in photos of us working remotely, so I had to include Ze Pequeno. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_8683_c03e_b8ff_efa9" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/r3u_mg-MauXGzzADzaROkje4tbBtIDc8V3ZGFbOUrEfTCKkX8zPGebftpzxijy8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Ze loves his new dinosaurs. I was initially worried that they would be too big, but he carries them around and wrestles with them. </div><div><img id="id_7826_39e4_4dd7_2d29" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fCp0TIdkFOpRjnBrRin5u5GEva3mTWYnIaOOFM62N5tENrLW_Fkt0Ent2rdU5ZA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>Ze also lost over a kilo (2.5lbs) since last Saturday. We’ve been running with him more, feeding him less pellets, and supplementing with roasted squash. </div><div><img id="id_203a_ac3f_c2c1_d257" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/KT4wJLDoJIl4auWF_58EfXLeZBzRXwborXoKSzFTbqeN9tQyUroTaUnFMzd_BPk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br></div><div><b>Food</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>We didn’t get carry out as much this week- our first carry out for the week was Friday night. </div><div><br></div><div>We made jerk chicken with asparagus and quinoa, pizza a few times, and I lived on eggs most days. <img id="id_d42_baed_fe85_1fb8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_L5fciB3E2BdpNklw578f-_dzA8CWMbjB5XD_O6yJ1z2_39LB1NAWw9dd-4JxK4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></div><div><br>We got michelada mix from Big Mich- a Chicago based business and it is so good. <br><img id="id_9c57_254d_c42b_5b88" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Y-NojQ2c-qCOClG-TYP2YUqcKIQ4Up2_hGMRUcMJKNbYfqAGeDbl9ya-paPP5Ew" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>We got food from Firehouse turtle cheese cake + chicken sandos (not pictured), and got carry out from Mom’s on Saturday- Spam musubi, Pork katsu sando and tamago sandos. <br><img id="id_7712_4664_49a7_3553" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/N3SnDvTId7UAs-pRmMaP7LQ5V1TjnZWL0bYs-I_rZIOpDzTx-lx-TVTSdMykq9Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>We will continue to eat out less and less. I think our mindset is shifting towards going out as a “treat” vs convenience. </div><div><br></div><div><b>Workouts</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>I ran with Ze 2x. He was so happy to run with us. He goes crazy when he has his running harness on- he squeaks and pulls until we start running. </div><div><br></div><div>I was shocked at the amount of people who weren’t wearing face coverings. L and I wear Buffs and pull them up when we see other people. But the amount of disgusting mouth breathing runners was surprising given all the recommendations to wear a covering to help prevent the spread as many of us could be carrying the Covid and not even know it. </div><div><img id="id_3ca_8a6_edfe_fc4a" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/7xwnEuebQ6eLWbMuYdNRiO9fyBW2KW2nsVjyOWL8TMtZ9KXvagdhHWMlgbaDdpw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>We also ran with L on Saturday morning. Buckingham fountain was predictably empty. <br><img id="id_3556_3fa6_192b_e7c5" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/JcHVxNpJ7c14GpDqjOd79HzShSZAgwLrBKzOOfjW3slqfQlWq08ezVNNLyuWNBw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div>I cycled 142 miles. I’ve been enjoying cycling a lot (from my living room). </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_850_18b5_7d3c_545" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uleZUh6WpLn7pKOZW5p7x5M16s6BLBt_5_uZAgUKJbyLWzLtbhSzS62TIispXXg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>30 mile ride in virtual London on Easter. <br><br></div><div><b>Thoughts</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>It’s very clear the way the US handled the pandemic from the start was full of incompetence. When governors came out this past week saying “we didn’t know until yesterday covid was transmitted through the air” all you can do is shake your head in disgust. They also predictably come from states which reject science, aka facts. </div><div><br></div><div>I know of 2 people who have lost loved ones to Covid 19 in the past week. Even before knowing this- L and I have been doing everything possible to prevent us from spreading this virus. Not everyone is taking the same approach and it makes me upset. </div><div><div><br></div><div><b>Mas</b></div></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>It was so nice to talk to Anne and Kim on Friday evening over Zoom. I “see” them more now than we did before. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_fbd8_2d3f_67cf_95d3" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/m-N1OucKn7Mubke5YeLVg2t8d0eoDJaVZoz7P9cNGUutu-L9rrZnjUYhPvAz9cs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>Saturday L and I joined a virtual chat with people from our run club in 4 different cities in Russia + Los Angeles. It was interesting to hear what is going on in Moscow, Kazan, Minsk, And Novorossiysk. </div><div><br></div><div>Saturday post run I went to the grocery store for the first time in a month. It was busier than I expected but most people were wearing masks. Toilet paper was completely gone but they had plenty of food- I meant to go check out the flour aisle but forgot. Only because I was curious if people were still hoarding baking supplies. (We’ve got plenty of flour currently)</div><div><img id="id_abb9_5fe_1351_5d11" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/D3CTyOU-YDtb2FkGOUkKxWU7fF96EptBImQfGqsZp18_rx3Y2IpGD3uhP8oARZ8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Happy sourdough starter. </div><div><br></div><div>Sunday we cooked ham and veggies for dinner and also had our weekly virtual check in /happy hour with our run club. It’s been nice to be able to see everyone and hear what they are going through. I know we will all be stronger on the other side of this. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_aab3_dc6_5495_1679" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/CaJebqtZlCCa3SfkDajz7-QTnRtEHlrMbM7-RfumQTuwViRpb8-YqhelMTsGte0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>We still look forward to 8pm each night. The highlight of this week was an officer blaring “New York, New York” over their speaker. Saturday’s tribute was dedicated to NYC. </div><div><br></div>Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-30048023623058353472020-04-06T06:59:00.000-05:002020-04-06T07:01:25.710-05:00Life 3.31.20 - 4.5.20<b>Life</b><br>
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<img alt="" id="id_6f94_558a_116e_8022" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mxKDblVgtH_BwB_gTaw0kmxPR0taP7F4mEiBEivB0YfTFjmDPb-pjkePOiRpMZM" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip=""><br>
(I live for 8pm balcony singing/light show)<br>
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3 weeks of WFM completed. Not much has changed on the work front. I think I’m finally settling into the “new normal” of various extra reports and analytics that I do, so I can better manage my time and get my actual work done. </div>
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On Monday, Zé pequeno head butted me (after L said a “special word” which made Ze move abruptly as we were cuddling) and split my top lip open. It hurt for a few days.<br>
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Ze is now 57.7lbs as of Saturday. He is going on a diet of more veggies, less pellets and more walks/runs. He’s a happy boi, but he needs to lose like 10-15lbs. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_a3da_8066_eb2_c700" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/8yN8BOE9vWpseBhCy8Mtg1ns4kIFnqu51RRUMzhkQlcbtc65u-N6ozAaTFInkUw" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip=""><br>
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I got Ze some early birthday presents- meet “Tundro” the newest member of his Dino squad. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_155f_343c_cf8b_3681" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/I5GsDGhYXPrJWCKeVK6FP7b-293EP1aTx--G8V_vbhUYjgio4QRJlL9vAi2LeXo" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip=""><br>
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Our flights to Denmark were finally included in the “no fee” change date range- so we will possibly look at new flights. I say possibly because I’ve lost all interest in going at this point. I don’t see how the pandemic will be cleared up in 6-7 months and I worry we would have trouble going or getting home. But that’s just my anxiety talking. </div>
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<b>Food</b></div>
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We cooked more at home this week- but still got carry out from some places. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_a4aa_4cb0_be1_3672" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/6P9QHnpmauZqMcbaZLpNjiGKc9kTmCpvMFMv8RchJp8FEHLzRSa3wsvJ8IvJ4Q8" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip=""><br>
I’m a pro at making various styles of eggs.<br>
<img alt="" id="id_e7bf_163d_8132_5928" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/7LlCCMFkEVc6cBz2faAZJc8K_7IbyjzvoZNFgwCXXK9coCnLiXZJgWvBollYp2k" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip=""><br>
We made pizza again. Making pizza on the balcony boosts my mood so much.<br>
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Wedge from firehouse. I love wedges.<br>
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<img alt="" id="id_61e4_1f7a_a332_482f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/0dDsCimEoKZIasBzTIDS3KiAbF2JLy1CRj76m5aqpS8o6J3FbhSVDGC74itPb08" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip=""><br>
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Chicken burrito from 18th street. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_6280_89a3_5a51_e2eb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/e3xOnXEAhN6hqpp_zK7WF4qGYZ7jMU5674Hp-A6AyYnSfd1jGcTAyc5yIybxG14" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip=""><br>
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With leftover fries from firehouse, we made a breakfast hash- cut up fries, shallots, and eggs + cheese. </div>
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Goals for this week cooking/eating wise include: eat smaller portions, cook more at home, continue to supplement with carry out. </div>
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<b>Workouts:</b></div>
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<img alt="" id="id_38bc_f515_7a41_c2fe" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZjXSphijl1sV_iP7iP0EE-1ydGJPqhqy_9ZFcLe1cmRyhq28J5tLcNEp4n0b60s" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip=""><br>
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I cycled 7 times (on Zwift, indoors) for a total of 155 miles. </div>
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L, Ze and I took a 3 mile run on Saturday morning to keep the MRC Chicago spirit alive. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_da83_b52e_1bbf_de77" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3oWK5UGIX9VJm1ZIYpgHyqfEN63kfeZq80hkTW3XBCib7hZ_owQt7PcrMhFp_-g" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip=""><br>
We ran on Michigan Ave early in the morning to avoid as many people as possible- plus the sidewalks are very wide.<br>
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Ze was so happy to run with us. </div>
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Sunday, L and I went to 18th street brewery to pick up food and cocktails to go. When we parked we saw the owner who said they had changed their hours and would be opening at 12 - we arrived at 11:36. So we decided to walk on the Monon trail for a bit.<br>
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It was a gorgeous, cool sunny day. It felt great to walk on the trail we usually run on for MRC 18th street. As we were walking, some birds started fighting in the air and almost hit us.<br>
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We only saw 3-4 cyclists and a family playing in a nearby field during our 40 min walk. I was surprised there weren’t more people out. I would have opted to sit in the car had it been busy.<br>
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I didn’t do any running intervals or organized strength sessions this week. I didn’t feel great for part of the week and didn’t want to push it. </div>
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Goals for next week: organized strength sessions and some running intervals- as well as running with Ze. </div>
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<b><font size="4">Thoughts</font></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.timeout.com/chicago/news/south-loop-residents-are-saluting-healthcare-workers-with-nightly-balcony-celebrations-040320" id="id_df70_b30a_567f_edf1" target="_blank"><font size="4"><b>THIS ARTICLE From Time Out Chicago</b></font></a> made me happy. Our 8pm south loop gatherings are gaining momentum and are such a great stress relief + mental health boost. Plus- I was quoted in the article and a great compilation of my nightly balcony recordings were made into a fun video. <b><br></b></div>
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Someone in our building tested positive for Covid. We have been washing hands/avoiding people since early March - but it’s unnerving to know it’s confirmed and it’s so close. </div>
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Status of America: raging dumpster fire. “Leadership” in Washington is blaming states for not being prepared, and pushing blame for not helping boost the amount of PPE and ventilators available. It’s a joke. They took a gamble back in January about the virus not being a big deal and now shit has hit the fan and getting worse. Incompetence is the only word I can think of. People are dying because the government didn’t take this serious enough. </div>
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Seeing people continue to post selfies and preface it with “we were totally social distancing” is such a slap in the face to healthcare workers and everyone who is working to stop the spread. Maybe things haven’t gotten to an alarming level where these people are- YET, but there’s enough news and information available to show that you shouldn’t be meeting in groups. This is a hill I’m willing to die on. </div>
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We had a few virtual happy hours - and it was so nice to see everyone. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_f66b_e33e_f6f7_3402" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/CE9L_7OYzxEw7hEUoaY1NktGXf2iu6yF7G3j83IrGSKvfukMpYufjmxkMCqTHmU" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip=""><br>
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It was so nice to go to 18th street and get food + cocktails to go and walk in the sun for a bit. This boosted my mental health so much. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_fcfa_894e_8267_9428" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Z2UdHmNTbXlBm9YPBr99EWrEWQWrgyLr8i5iTWY64kN3GjoHnTSrAiIGWVkA7ME" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip=""><br>
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Whenever I hear a helicopter outside I’ll look or sometimes go to the window to see it- now I know what a dog feels like when they see something outside and get crazy excited. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_c5bc_1efb_c479_a1a7" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/o8oEkDLD8s0H8vOi8wrvcmQZkPrUnjoumr24-bJEZxSH5BPoDVtxjaM9aJa1oQ4" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip=""><br>
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“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”</div>
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Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-23844181446363768942020-03-30T07:47:00.002-05:002020-03-30T07:47:58.679-05:00Life 3.23.20 - 3.30.20<b>Life</b><br />
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<img alt="" id="id_f1c9_d3c1_ccbf_2e6b" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/aMOgx1d-dUDOr4yFbF0_xP7h425p3SQTi4Syjs56wvfMUtSNDluUOMPb7w3ZiMM" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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2 weeks of WFH! On Friday I finally set up the second monitor L had gotten for me. I think I could WFH forever. Haha. Nope. I think a mix of a few days WFH/ office would be ideal for me. </div>
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I think Ze appreciates that we are both home now. He doesn’t interact with me at all during the day unless I take one of his toys and pretend it’s alive or try to give it treats.<br />
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<img alt="" id="id_e923_6242_f4aa_5140" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/ucgTENJdwQlJz3CcIgAqWgTjklLmFg08K0im18xtkfJjx1iBO8Ol9qxX6hWOwYU" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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We had some more carry out and cooked things too.</div>
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Vegetarian ramen from Ramen San.</div>
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<img alt="" id="id_8e34_40e2_abda_3859" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/E3LlKOMv8WW30gvTHABr3hAiUk-_sCjGsJR355tSWXnN7FQpwf77uNhFJG8o10g" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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We made balcony pizza again. Pizza margherita and pepperoni. The dough was perfect- thin and chewy and I will be making more this week once I find some bread flour. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_eb42_d392_3f04_a1a8" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Lp5-Hlz7cBUPPOAQphhOMAihEU7i1y7_sQW3Mh8PS68L6CKtNbN2Jf2nVGfR-1U" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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I made bagels for the first time ever - and I like the way they came out. They are chewy and soft. We made everything and plain varieties. I can’t wait to get more flour and brown sugar to make cinnamon sugar bagels soon. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_43e0_b1f_b09b_8f75" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6aWq-Vj5hFVscWVuNR1uIVacxxBhKNX528KfRKSF5VslwVIP7yzIRoDvIHte-UU" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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I love eggs and made loads of soft boiled or fried eggs for breakfast too. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_90cf_e30c_3524_b46" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-a2_RhYTni_6KvnvLjNbfQqqoOS-ReWHh3d3Ma9kxBbykA2dEbUJCthRsxu_2no" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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This week I want to cook/bake more and eat out a little less. Up next will he white bean chicken chili. </div>
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I cycled every day last week! I did not do any organized strength sessions. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_5016_d676_d132_1ed3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kd4pOH3l8TbUphhZqxvyAfGQb8_HvSemyOA3mkLOEaGBQW5UtYKeNjBLLWZxuzk" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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I think I’ll keep my cycling goal at 150 miles for next week. But I’ll also add in 2-4 strength sessions and 2 running interval sessions. </div>
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<b>Thoughts</b></div>
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People are still not taking the virus seriously. On Wednesday- a relatively nice day in Chicago, many people swarmed the 606 and lakefront. By Thursday morning, Mayor Lightfoot closed the Riverwalk, 606, and the lakefront, as well as nearby parks and banned all group sports. Yeah. People were playing soccer, basketball and walking in groups and not adhering to social distancing. This is why we can’t have nice things. </div>
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I still see people posting selfies “we’re totes social distancing guyssss, 6 feet apart teehee” on social media and just can’t help wonder why they feel social distancing doesn’t apply to them. Maybe they live in places with different “social distancing standards than Chicago.” But, If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. Stay the fuck home. </div>
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<b><a href="https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/03/sorry-hanging-out-while-6-feet-apart-isnt-coronavirus-social-distancing-expert-says.html?utm_campaign=njcom_sf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_content=nj_facebook_njcom&fbclid=IwAR09aOfXrPXxQKQUYrXFHACnW1uE4C5scWyV-iXOWmCPzTq3YYYMsSFKYq8" id="id_7531_3ef0_7b62_148a" target="_blank">Sorry, hanging out while 6 feet apart isn’t coronavirus social distancing, expert says</a></b></div>
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Earlier in the week politicians suggested that basically older people should die so that the economy can reopen. I honestly do not comprehend how people can vote for a group of people who suggest that an entire subset of the population is not worth living. Is that basically genocide? So which one or 2 of your grand parents or parents should be thrown into the volcano? (And within party lines there’s obviously a large range of ideas- so it’s not everyone) But the fact that no one within their own party is calling them on this bullshit is even more concerning. </div>
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This tweet sums it up nicely. </div>
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Norway has called our health care infrastructure “under developed.” Germany is urging its citizens to get the hell out of America like yesterday due to the poor leadership in the White House + inadequate health care. </div>
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America now has the most cases out of all countries. We are clearly winning! America first!! (And we still are unable to test anyone who 1. Is not gravely ill. 2. A celebrity or rich.) </div>
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Greatest country in the world! </div>
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I found it interesting while talking to friends in Europe that they haven’t heard about the Covid-19 possibly causing permanent lung damage if you get it. This has been on the news all last week in the USA. They said- “does the virus treat people differently in America than in other places?” Fair point. Finding reliable information is very hard. I honestly do not know what is legit information or not. </div>
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We attended a few virtual happy hours this week which was fun. It was great to see friends face to face even though we cannot hang in real life. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_6982_6379_1b25_3b07" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/eqAcIxrWKiJVhlQbQw0tdhSpU6AaDEOM_DmQ0XmIKQL9Kch_e6hjFbJ_bBvQlQ0" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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I hope things start looking up- but at this point experts say it’s going to get a lot worse before it gets better. McCormick place is being turned into a makeshift hospital currently. </div>
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Until things get better, I’ll just keep looking forward to our 8pm balcony flash lights/sing/woo/ yell time. It’s a great stress relief for 8 minutes, and the camaraderie of the neighborhood is heart warming.<br />
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Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-15537136178515841052020-03-24T06:16:00.000-05:002020-03-24T06:16:12.736-05:00 Life 3.14.2020- 3.22.2020<div>
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<b>Life</b></div>
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The last day I worked in the office was Friday the 13th. Appropriate. I took my laptop, keyboard and mouse home- I’m so glad I took those because laptop keyboards are awful. </div>
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After 1 week of WFH, I feel ok about it. I had originally anticipated getting a lot done due to less distractions- but due to the changing landscape we are in, I had to make many new reports and analytics which took the bulk of my time. I am hoping things settle into a new “normal” soon. </div>
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On March 15, restaurants and bars had to close to dine in patrons. Luckily they are able to sell carry out. Breweries can sell beer to go and some deliver. </div>
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On March 20, the shelter in place mandate went into effect. We can still get carry out, go grocery shopping but all non essential services are closed like salons. I feel terrible for people and small businesses right now. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_f7c9_2fc3_230e_875c" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/OsuOjKLXVbpAPhQlvebgY2LCYr5NLPEvPPeaK8eGLjCEOZpMt96DD6kxf8Uks7I" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Zé Pequeno didn’t even interact with me last week while at work. </div>
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<b>Food</b></div>
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We had a good mix of cooking at home + supplementing with carry out. We have felt it is important to support our local businesses - they are the cultural fabric that make our neighborhoods great. </div>
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I made 2 small red fife loaves- one had roasted potatoes, cheese and rosemary in it. That was a huge hit. For lunch I would eat roasted sweet potatoes with various proteins- sweet earth teriyaki burger or ikea veggie balls. </div>
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On Friday L went to 18th street and brought me back their chicken sando. </div>
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To celebrate our anniversary, we walked to Acadia to get carry out- a wedge salad and burgers. Sunday we got food from antique taco.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_b488_15f_cca4_3c48" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/BTy2m2vLWUfQlpaoCGLWdeN-nF75CG08zoGIpcv6iIaOJB5_V-HiSkcQYxpaHGg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Sunday we made pizza in the snow. I made sourdough from scratch which came out great- didn’t rise much as this was the first time using no yeast and only using a starter. (It was perfect!) We used spicy tomato sauce, pepperoni, mushroom and black olives.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_6584_db54_3fb9_a9a3" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/wU242jRIM-4VJ3Ytr82ln8azWgvP-uWRm563D4wnjdDU-GQ8qd06Z8HygcgnO4w" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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I decided I wanted to hit 100 miles a week on Zwift. I cycled every day- and with the exception of Monday where I cycled 7 miles, I averaged over 20 miles a day. </div>
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Nailed it!</div>
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Since that was too easy, I’ll shoot for 150 miles this week. </div>
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I haven’t felt compelled to run outside yet. It’s been cold and and I’ve been enjoying cycling a lot. </div>
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Shamrock shuffle got cancelled- we were supposed to run on the 3/22. I didn’t feel in shape anyways so I wasn’t too sad to miss it. I was bummed we couldn’t hang out with our run club though. </div>
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<b>Thoughts</b></div>
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I don’t think many people took this threat seriously for a while. There was/is conflicting news about what to do/plus the severity of it is/ was downplayed. holding or not holding your breath for 10 seconds has nothing to do if you have Covid or not. (That was actually discussed on a major TV network who routinely spreads false information) I still don’t think people are taking it seriously enough as evidenced by spring breakers in the south. </div>
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While people were out thinking Covid wasn’t a huge threat “because I’m young and it won’t affect me!” (Spoiler alert: flattening the curve is for the benefit of everyone, not just yourself!) Politicians were busy dumping millions in stocks to avoid the anticipated loss because they were briefed on the severity of the situation and waited weeks to notify the public. Celebrities and athletes are able to get tested at the drop of a hat while “regular” citizens are unable to get tested without many hoops to jump through. When asked about this, the “POTUS” said that’s just life.</div>
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Remember that. </div>
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Also remember that our Covid cases/deaths related are relatively low because we do not have adequate testing. But what about those “beautiful tests?”</div>
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Ok that got dark- but it’s necessary to remember how “elected officials” are not acting in the best interest of the people. </div>
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Here’s Ze demanding to speak to the manager about his food. I had given him roasted butternut squash on his food for a few days, and when I didn’t put it on his food he would stand at his bowl and bark. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_ce8a_e9b0_977_59e1" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/PsN6Y-ob5FlvXjW-DdHVlMRXGRhA4bvA9w6uMOHuQWFdAUOwVZd_3YmJB_lRvuA" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Life in the time of Covid 19 is making us evolve. With social distancing and being no longer able to meet in groups, we are getting creative so we don’t lose our minds. Sunday night our run club had a virtual happy hour. It was nice to see some familiar faces and chat for a few hours. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_1cd0_507a_804a_dfea" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2XKbNa3GRt5nimsesVxwiVCZX3VI1Kx6yiOwfsTHvh6go0qDtaZ9U3ecTq8TlRc" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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At 8pm each night folks in our neighborhood stand on their balconies and sing/ flash lights. Tonight’s song selection is “let it be.”</div>
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<b>I’m hopeful that when we look back it’s that we “over reacted” because that means we did exactly what we needed to do to flatten the curve and not overwhelm our resources- like what happened in Italy. </b></div>
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Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-59135906217075943462020-03-10T07:01:00.000-05:002020-03-10T07:01:27.343-05:00Take The Bridge: Atlanta Natties 2020 {race recap}<div>
After running a longer than expected shakeout with Naz Elite, and spectating the trials, we went to the Georgia Beer garden to check in for Take the Bridge Atlanta. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_3436_8363_3c42_c548" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_PAbrGZ9bhzPOpIty_KBFiUlzDZbYOmfX64h54j_bcv4_D9_sWDgGeUUb-iyVuE" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
We met in the alley behind the beer garden and got our numbers. We then hung out inside the garden until 15 min before the race because it was still cold and windy.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_9a35_6aa_b2fc_5764" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/nxXjpEg2t5REwqKTNB1o1s7AGD1-HyQz2SLSAye1VmvMOiSxRiBCEffIJ-SVLSY" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Take the bridge is an unsanctioned race. There’s no chip timing and entrants are limited to around 25 women and 25 men. </div>
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The premise of the race is to be the first to get to all the checkpoints and then be the first to return. Cash money prizes attract some fast ponies.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_d8b3_4975_7c86_5954" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yAKIoxo-1Tj5H_szFowvsCGgVndJHKg74eGOtYf2qSl6szv8RJ4PBjPwQZ4CLDw" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
After hanging in the beer garden and wondering how many of the folks inside celebrating were Oly Marathon trails runners, (it was the tracksmith cheer headquarters during the race) we went outside for the pre race meeting.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_342e_5e63_cde_1872" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/dSKdJQd74L8267JY6PxSDKjLVnyYs6zqOsRSOKtmttsyKtt4nxYgUXvc2yEpJdo" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
During this briefing the location of the checkpoints were disclosed. It seemed as if 95% of the participants were not from Atlanta so we were all working together to google map the bridges. </div>
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The first one was easy to locate as it was just a few blocks up from us. The others- well we needed assistance to find. “It’s the bridge in the park by the reservoir, not the one by the skate park.”<br />
<img alt="" id="id_1dd5_a71a_6bba_db25" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/fCJhdGvXQVpMPBh6hbiKMzYY5BxL4Sbe-ycYpYstEuRV6uyQAy2buWRoZrCjxGM" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
5 minutes before the men’s race, the order of the checkpoints were disclosed for the men. Their race started at 7:00pm.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_ca07_5c8c_a28_b44f" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/fuywmg466mzoU2e667TGB3MByVhYZvhw6NzNFClOz1aNm2u7BdPd_22u-hFZN14" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Soon the men were off on their journey. Left behind were all the women and spectators. The women’s race would only start once all men returned. </div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br /></span>A few minutes after the start of the men’s race, a woman came up to our group in the alley and was all “I just saw Molly Seidel inside and got to talk to her!” </div>
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About 20 women surrounded this girl TELL US MOAR!<br />
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She said molly was there because her sister was running the race we we were doing. </div>
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Soon, Molly showed up.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_87bb_67ab_5697_a504" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/yPScjzyxOiDDe4VnraF3cEtIuGXADndpk24YaIAnUVl1yquABFjaZVze7ic315s" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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photo by @Deandigamon</div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br /></span>She was so down to earth talking about the trials while drinking a beer. </div>
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She said it was her favorite marathon ever, and that it probably ruined marathons for her going forward lol. </div>
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She also said race officials took her shoes and had to cut them open to make sure they complied with all regulations. After press and drug testing, she was at the Beer Garden with us.<br />
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She still had her trials kit on under her sweats. It had been a crazy day for her. Obvs.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_c129_9e6a_213b_9cce" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/apGqx93FrRHk_BVCG2Agi1jflTOx1kJAxYZc9MNZL8C6uLrpFxzX3_oZkzfWPZY" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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photo by @Deandigamon</div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br /></span>It was so cool to hear this raw recap of her experience. </div>
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photo by @Deandigamon</div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br /></span>The men came back one by one and soon it was ready for the women to take the bridges of Atlanta.<br />
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photo by @Deandigamon</div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br /></span>5 minutes before our race, the directors gave us the order of our checkpoints. </div>
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My only race plan was to keep someone in sight because I had literally no idea where I was going.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_d5ca_6431_92f1_2a29" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/aMJ22FVrBTY6XfrtqfhhNFz2Mibrg7F7-2u_-s5NlYnxDgzWsslvovWjjWiEvOU" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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photo by @Deandigamon</div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br /></span>Charging up the first bridge at a blistering 6:00 pace. Oops. Then I held back a bit.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_db2_99cb_93db_c31f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/xRz77JdqRtqwc4WJt5npNWVVXkTb_puWNbQd31ummKXEKeqwv1ZYPrZjGyYFrHw" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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photo by @Deandigamon</div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">I ended up sticking with a few women for the duration of the race. One of them knew where to go. #soblessed</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">We worked together - warned each other about potholes and stuff. It was so cool to have a squad in this race. </span><img alt="" id="id_7c55_dfc4_e515_16bf" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/9n18TjKKVuuz81tUi-9gvZoweDqNxgKHeSRSDSD__5Egxc7UJoNT7LOhJBLWHeU" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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I finished 18/25. Molly’s sister won. </div>
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She was wearing her sisters trails bib during the race lol. It was so fun. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_45cb_1b5b_a02f_d92a" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Ew66NUknq9ru8xL9URLmzxMXsIEn4NFwjv-nihgHB4veZgwWD0HNTdYl7ctOh1I" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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photo by @Deandigamon</div>
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Aftermath of the checkpoints.<br />
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<img alt="" id="id_51f1_1704_89b7_b386" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/5oBEcFj-mLE-v1_9cY3LNlXNC9J0oo9ARLrBbrRGpHu0QjGAxnx4qLF75a7hfoI" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Post race we had a beer at the beer garden and stuck around for the awards. </div>
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Our team “west” lost to “east.”<br />
<img alt="" id="id_ef2a_9ca1_ae67_c1f7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wJHe9_oLMNCvFfK2vBU5Wuz-CUVyV3ghdmQS-IZANgjw9tQhTLU_NVvUTxG9jNE" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Once again, we had a lot of fun running this race. I can’t wait to run one of these again. I just need to work on my speed and navigation skills.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_1aed_c34_fdac_7320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Az3KBZJxvvldhitYc_efXbV3MFyRKDlyiJB_r0qndQ03exnbTSE7SVFv9qMSzYY" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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photo by @Deandigamon<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br /></span><br />
Until next time...<br />
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Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-75948786589554067292020-03-04T06:32:00.000-06:002020-03-04T06:43:54.935-06:00Hustle up the 875 (Hancock) 2020 {race recap}<div>
I climbed up the Hancock for the 3rd time a few weeks ago. </div>
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The climb consists of 94 floors of pure stair climbing fun to get to the top of this monolith. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_6370_3ef9_a63b_4445" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/OR5InN4A0K-uCsg7AsLVIcbhp_e0EmBBnGWcD8dQupoH551YWIs9pBRWhuD0_IM" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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After completing this race the past 2 years, I felt good about knowing what to expect and how things go for this event. I’m never fully ready to embrace the pain that comes with climbing up stairs for 20 minutes. The best way I describe this to people who ask is that it feels a bit worse than a 5k you are trying to race full out. And you'll likely finish a little faster than the 5k.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_8b5e_ca2f_a1d7_7cac" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KFWiGqpWPkoQnSY4TXEnBrf8ZMrHiLzn6bD2tD498bHnFKs3WSc8mMtC_uxHdQQ" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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I climbed for my work team. We had a ton of first timers this year. Some of them had been practicing daily in the stairwells at work.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_c741_7e5c_fb98_c62" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Z4tJ2LfZP8GDO1nYUE1sPYKdhxBhzYKlnK4X0EY4cbTlO9jFWGSY0TrfcmaBp6k" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
We also had an MRC team With 8 first time participants.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_8525_f136_28a7_fd76" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/5Pjnr_-A2kID0BINkoLpRPP5-42UKIp9aT_XbO6geRLzibgCS8jGIDf9AZCVgwM" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
We were both in the same wave so it was fun to mingle with MRC + work peeps.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_c9cb_fa9c_dcc8_ab43" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/cEO71sWYF9RdPzRmq9H9IdDbXgcfPQTNNNq84sENw2UfnkhO9a5iIAinX8_SvOw" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
We got in line right when they opened our wave so our wait was quite short. They let each person start every 8 seconds to avoid congestion in the stair ways.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_bbbd_414a_3c5_9f0e" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/BcDUJT4ltYmJ8gUHVrVB96DKMpKsHcaNkOelPcn0gpAHLUC-CwF6F8uTGHscnck" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
In 2018, I finished in 18.xx, in 2019, I finished in 19:xx. I wondered if this year I’d finish in 20:xx to keep the streak of progressively getting slower alive. </div>
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I felt ok going into the race. I’ve been doing stairs somewhat consistently and also been doing strength circuits. I felt generally more prepared than previous years. </div>
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My plan was the same as the previous years- to keep a very slow waking pace and try not to stop.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_c58_b61f_768b_d006" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/3NRpcAuMA-G7uPKqLb8QQupg8FZZJjlNQmmQU1s5G0Uo5C5lgQi3ANv-Z-DWFDs" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
As expected around floor 35 my legs or body decided to wave the white flag and decide it was done. (Same as years past. I tend to hit the wall here) I pushed through and kept going- with my head down so I wouldn’t be seeing the floor progress.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_a8f4_86c1_8fc6_9255" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Wa70k9TTSkRmgwKNhFaJ-r7Hwn3hevDEvaTgPJoNRivh1KeIssShh9dXgFKtI0o" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
With about 20 floors to go I felt better and they seemed to go fast even though I was still plodding along at the same pace. </div>
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I finished in a predictable 20:xx to keep consistent with the previous years. 60 seconds slower over 94 floors is nothing.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_dcd7_442d_c2a7_266b" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/lHuUM1akzRgZo478_W9iRD-5dzzt70ALfvWZLzxl1wiDAekHJYLq0h1Bd-eYD7k" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
It was a clear day and the view from the top was gorgeous!<br />
<img alt="" id="id_f22b_9094_45b6_e345" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/p-p-Z4roo0iK433EN0w8UgGq66BlaNJ8BYXTIfe5ibN5V_piAfFCKEUXy66HwOA" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
I love the medal and colors so much.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_cd53_af9d_4864_4702" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6WscrXswXJlEtW6LoFaSIqulkLbUoPdFxhpJRC-iGWhYpMIoeaTycwRxCzixGRI" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
I felt like I executed the climb to the best of my abilities but was surprised to finish a bit slower. At times it was hard to pass people on the stairs so this might have contributed to a slightly slower time. Regardless, I’m happy with another finish for this event.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_cbe7_e503_8782_f435" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/X9uCVVX-xX_lYbf_X1tr0pqogV04WzK_a8l1TXmw9RFvaIk2hNlZ7rDDvJd1Nq4" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Stair climbing is better with friends. I’m so proud of these folks.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_d9c1_6e49_7950_1884" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/rZoMddEyt4Ga7bDRSx6Wl2RqpA_xKZKv695S46UEX16uaqr4harqEmBUzFfLEC8" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
We waited for everyone to finish and then got an elevator back to the bottom.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_ac37_9b36_4682_7a52" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/3JD06Kg77KIbOLLqAMj00DUj2V80xArIGsuBZoHpMv-kh10l88DZVQoBZin_QF8" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
We went to Centennial for post climb beer and food. And the obligatory cider and medal pic.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_9d77_2cad_520d_6b89" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Rpd2ElIKIR4Xn1eRs8p5CYZ-kOK0kfdIt08m2CGdU1GUN5eA25HsPdZqZdHSbN0" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Zé wanted to wear my medal for #medalmonday celebrations despite the fact he did not contribute to my training at all for this. He hates stairs and inclines (unlike his late bro). </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_7bdb_5c11_a86e_db02" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/y3ZY6xNI940cZxkTMfRCAY8_u_2vMbQH03FWC582y_joT-qX-91KVm0zv0lPC1U" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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The volunteers are awesome! The race is well organized. It’s such a cool, different event and I highly recommend giving something like this a try since it will force you to go out of your comfort zone to incorporate hills and stairs into your life. The view from the top is also pretty sweet- and perhaps even better since the way to get up there wasn’t easy. </div>
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What’s next?</div>
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<ul>
<li>Take the bridge</li>
<li>Atlanta 13.1</li>
<li>Presidential Towers climb</li>
<li>Shamrock shuffle </li>
</ul>
</div>
Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-3089536619442083002020-03-02T09:55:00.000-06:002020-03-02T10:06:39.511-06:00Publix Atlanta Half Marathon 2020 {race recap}On Sunday, March 1, 2020 we ran the Publix Atlanta Half Marathon.<br />
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We arrived to Atlanta Friday and got lunch before heading to the expo. Centennial park was closed off due to the trials, but I got this sweet snap of the Olympic Rings because of my long arms. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_68ae_d1e6_51d7_7ada" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MGHc3yJFg9owCm16S_2xBnyJPOQs-ZG8qo2sdRe9cihFkbhujcUXMURwGS9UIg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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We went to the expo and got our bibs. It was interesting how they assigned your bib when you arrived and even printed your name on it. While I was waiting for my bib (it took a little longer than Kim and L due to the guy learning how to assign them) I looked around and saw....<br />
<img alt="" id="id_d079_345a_8b93_7257" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/4EaJ0V2jHjqgnCIkhSYlrNTSD56MjVZSOAcq5prxMc67tWOlCb-9J_8Vi7wzVlI" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
MEB! We waited in a brief line to get our bibs signed and take pictures. I told him “thank you for all you’ve done for this sport.” L was going to ask him to be his medical contact but chickened out, and instead showed him a pic of them together from 2009 when they both ran the San Jose half. One of them won... Meb is an amazing human being.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_2e08_6bf1_6c71_50d5" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/f1WT3dZKqTde-3O7jQy61z2iypmT6IQTEyfaUgOHEmtOpPkI7XHBeaDx2cZnsEY" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Obligatory silly pic at the expo.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_6b4c_210_8edb_d587" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/qPiQaVNhpSpPSuDioXiK3c25KBVsa4AHmu59YNunM3JcQAlmmxtlWi6-Ih24tSY" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Show your gold was the theme of the weekend.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_39a9_b5df_f0bf_492e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uphTIf0AfrMeJJjJIUpNmMiLUKp2RmzNtR5E56-N4Qo5ZH-KoACCr74RhkCPNGA" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
While we were leaving, we saw a photo of Aliphine and had to take a photo “with her.” We have been huge fans of Aliphine for a while. Fun fact: When Aliphine was injured last year, she filled her time crocheting beanies. I thought this was amazing so I had to purchase one each for Kim and I back in October. Fun fact # 2: about a month ago Aliphine reached out to me and said she was sorry for sending the wrong color and insisted on sending me an orange one. I told her we were really happy with the green and gold beanies but she insisted and sent me an orange one. I told her we were coming to Atlanta and were excited to cheer for her and hoped that she would be able to fulfill her dream and make the team.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_a729_bf4f_e4c8_4c25" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6I5PstjdTVXNxfJJ1K1D-k4HJqNquIcvUKdzGNHZ41DTa29MSJ5z1I0eIP3uuLM" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
We hoped so much that we would be able to met her in real life but decided pictures with her at the expo would be better than nothing.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_7e6a_2580_8014_6cdc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Sfvk7QFFHJSbMH2waK-WMpIuf5KW8hefsU0Ii85KWITSxNIIdgjqMuFAtYEzTqA" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Pre race: we Did a way too long shakeout run with Naz Elite Hoka. Then we spectated the Olympic trials for several hours. Then we ran take the bridge Natties. All stories and blog posts for another day. </div>
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Pre race Flat Xaar:<br />
<img alt="" id="id_2c8a_94ff_9c66_1ad7" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/YkGytg46jpGMmsoic_9kAeyN2ITc6viLaWv6ICD4BX22ES1saz7RZXtEsQpRs5k" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Meb signed our bibs at the expo 🥰<br />
<img alt="" id="id_cf57_8b2d_6c74_2e09" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/4lH1gLpls9MJDi564mYhsOWQMxMQKWGlB7sTs6Mk85xARxiCwktFzSM1x3k8eaU" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Race morning we met in the lobby to walk a few blocks to the start. </span><br />
<img alt="" id="id_2f84_209a_24ed_c080" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zXK7pw6sbPWoLdRym4Fcdi7oye5VpcBqjLd0AESfg81lWH4ZJ4RcJYQWEClGpds" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
It was calm, and mid 30’s. It was really perfect conditions for a race.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_1f5b_e8b_e5f2_cb57" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/8nO13QCi4WItgCM7u9QPq1i5tpuZCITpIjZ8zOBWHD5WmbZ6aJIaTP4IfklcbYY" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
As we were walking towards the start line we saw... </div>
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ALIPHINE!!</div>
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We were able to talk to her for a few minutes and she remembered me and the beanies 🥰 (I felt bad we didn’t have them on, but we had worn them non stop with the exception of the race) we showed her the pics we took “with her” at the expo. Gah. She’s so great. Her story is so inspiring, and I’ve loved following her. </div>
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We were on cloud nine. I was practically in tears. Meeting her was the icing on the cake to a perfect weekend in Atlanta.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_ebc9_53a5_6500_8b5a" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6Nb9U2RyMzYfnsoTHVlZgP1SbBRDz27zYs829QOkG4xCU5sfAd62mMcNUV7c1MA" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Pre race photo with Kim and L before we ate hillz for breakfast.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_1f9_6e4c_4cea_9455" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/GUODFsuRzLnPA4UwIMu065vZYQXwcoEyj2umGcJ_eN8V37OJczj3h-vcpaxhmwg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Going into the race I had low expectations for time. Specific training was non existent. No speed work, no real long runs. Just cycling and running and stairs. I was giving myself a lot of rest post Chicago since I haven’t been feeling great. Gaining weight makes speedwork not fun and then I don’t want to do it even though some intervals would help. I cant be in “racing shape” 100% of the time. Such is life. Sometimes it’s just nice to jump into a race for the experience and to see a new place. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_747e_d042_b47b_f6de" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mw2LzfQuOoEkcg_GY8mnROUEfjzVDNnYtYTS39Klb_Lhee3Wg0F4JZ3gdL2qjBw" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
More sand bagging: We were also on our feet for a while spectating and I also “raced” Take The Bridge the night prior. My legs were pretty trashed but I had planned on this.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_23a6_692a_64f8_27e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0g8FtzjITQjV1b2Yps9fcZf61YwQK96Z2C3ceGhxHJO_7AVif6_635EicNIWlgw" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
The gun went off and soon we were running the streets of Atlanta. The first few miles were really congested due to the narrow streets. It eventually spread out and was fine.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_5aa4_6b9e_f734_e6fb" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/hqc7WdhaueiOEJPdeQ_e955sq54IMMmY1jvjbU8C3kpVVe1YjZEV29M13riybFI" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
I took a Maurten at mile 2 because I was hungry- I didn’t plan ahead for breakfast. Shortly after my iPod died. I tried to fiddle with it to get it to work but no jam. Ugh. I realized during this race that I listen to music because I don’t want to hear people talking or singing and their foot stomps. I do enjoy singing along (to myself) which makes the miles fly by.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_dd93_281_fb78_3ac7" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/DWAPN83pTj1Lp6PnxN64whrHVGAUv7IOMgMGaw5WMYSAYCiPVL2E9Qv_4whfFkg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
At mile 5.4 I saw people handing out shots of Powerade and vodka. I took one. They said I was the first customer of the day. I told them it was great and hoped to see them in a few more miles. </div>
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At mile 5.9, Atlanta track club was handing out beer. I stopped and had some. </div>
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Around the 10k, I noticed the bottom of my foot was starting to bug me due to my shoes rubbing in a weird way. I hoped this wouldn’t turn into anything. But by mile 9 when I stopped to have another beer with Hash House Harriers, and started running again I was in quite a bit of pain due to the gigantic blister that had developed. My shoes were also rubbing the top of my feet in a weird way too. F%CK.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_d84f_f523_bddb_37ec" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/roW6mIZjvv-urHp2oYAc5XRLh956e9_R7L9fZC7RM9bX9YagmtfP7mpZSNmfLTg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
I chugged along and felt decent climbing the hills. Each step was increasingly painful due to the blisters. I tried to take my mind off the pain by giving high 5’s to officers and spectators. <br />
<img alt="" id="id_aac_9538_78be_510" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/MZs6yuJKWsxwLIvRS6AjAGF-uVGRBjwi8z_oClHa5eC18HOozRimvFz-_L7ba64" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Accurate photo depiction of me finishing. The one above this sentence and below. 🙃</div>
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I was so happy to be done with the race and to not have to take any more steps on the gigantic blisters on both feet. </div>
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I turned my phone on to see I finished in 1:55:55. And saw a text that L had finished one minute after me with a 1:50.xx (he had started in the wave behind me) I was over the moon happy for him! He has been working so hard- and also has been incredibly consistent with his running. To PR by 4 minutes on a hill AF course after Saturday’s craziness is just insane. This man has some epic PRs ahead.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_f923_d6f_e7d3_b83" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mDTdEC5GUMJoXYNEAkpXyz2CQnu2ckIyHEEgxli4MGOIIErmsVKNzLv956FPYgY" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
I found L pretty quick since he was literally behind me by 60 seconds.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_757_c946_18d9_a3a4" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/XvJa4uqQufWmLC6SKM_qmxEt2ILFVZYaYnGgH_sXlDVBrT6u0BqBYqLI32PqYss" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Smiles after 13.1 miles.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_7ef6_32a6_c167_a955" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GwCR61Sj9fYI_AYVg0VO0i2dm_i4GYTRYlJv-xh-xIk_ACOTsCQAns7Slkoa83A" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
PR for L! I’m so happy for him both personally but also in a coaching perspective. To see him smash PR after PR is just so incredible.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_9511_5d29_a5ae_e96d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/GfXJHeCgOkCpbFzfGTH99BIdGfqvZf3cMbzxvd77ckkqKtZLcVGzZkvhILhJxzI" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
After we got cleaned up we checked out of the hotel and went to Torched Hop for a proper celebration.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_8162_3ff5_4cbd_5bef" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/BOE7OGmnquaOPRmhd3ZTspljZL4jH5Iv5coNgUqwWvZp0mnNmTdlONdWFAXNqts" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Obligatory beer + medal photo.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_165_757f_691b_e51" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/IxYPeI7wodb6ASopVL5f5AmJk6uH_ssW0FDV4fpYQwE80Fd0vM1lBYXfoSW5WMY" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Chicken and waffles with Thai pepper infused maple syrup.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_63_14b9_e7ce_ca53" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/vrrVaUv-MSxstrMcTy_gPBO8aWZwn8WWamTH0PiUmNcPlh_mNa4WpA6Lg3Ec2mQ" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
We also ran into Moses from Southern California who was also in Atlanta. We met him through MRC when we made a special run for him when he visited Chicago last year. Reason 2,389 I love this run club.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_9698_8e12_768a_ecc8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WToXwItXmV0dUmzxhCcE8KcG-D6QOnRH0Bg7hDfQRsU2krjJ-DLtEt60YY5vuCY" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Post race thoughts:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Eat small breakfast pre race. I should know better to plan ahead and have something available. </li>
<li>Wear socks with these shoes. I’m not sure I ever wore them without socks before this. Smh. My own stupidity. Now I have 2 large blisters. Fun. </li>
<li>Took Maurten gel at mile 2 and mile 7</li>
<li>Took water from most aid stations</li>
<li>Base salt multiple times</li>
<li>Powerade + vodka at mile 5.4</li>
<li>Beer at mile 5.9 + 9.0</li>
<li>Wtf iPod? It worked fine last week for the Hancock climb. </li>
<li>My stair training + strength paid off - the hills were not terrible. Even with close to 800’ of Gain. <img alt="" id="id_29d_fbbd_32ea_5ab1" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/y-e5-PV-X8MdJERtu4DwV_4djb4SlRnWP8I-Qrvy2DgFFWwAhaW_n2C7GWGM3-M" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /></li>
<li>The course was great! A big loop through Atlanta. </li>
<li>The volunteers were next level friendly. </li>
<li>The award for the most Georgia sign goes to the one that said “Go Y’all”</li>
<li>I felt a little hot and probably could have done without the longsleeve.(or a lighter option than the hyper warm) I thought I’d be cold due to not “racing” and taking an easier pace. </li>
</ul>
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<img alt="" id="id_4577_319c_8bf2_d0d3" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/6Kwod1BrmWcs74UsgBD-7OzM62sZZuRjIoAfwF88i04_G5fkFwNV0DrrlVeyiNY" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Ok. So I lied. The best part of this trip was while we were walking back to the hotel and saw this fox mosaic randomly on the sidewalk. I’ll attribute this to CB giving us a “sign.” He loved hills and inclines so much and would power up them. He definitely gave us strength today. Miss you, big fox. </span><br />
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What’s next?</div>
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Presidential towers stair climb 🏙 </div>
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Shamrock shuffle ☘️ </div>
Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-44215138216293308592020-02-17T04:26:00.000-06:002020-02-17T04:26:06.289-06:00Polar Pug Half Marathon 2020 {race recap}I ran my first trail half this past weekend!<br />
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<img alt="" id="id_844b_4817_4d04_3d31" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/pTaF8A9hiOzkDAvwbGSijsBsOjJ5MiV32A9KL6iUIYs5JzxAnjLS1STDv8AgHTI" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Happy to finish, happy to run on trails! photo: Edge Athletic Lounge</div>
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A few weeks ago I knew I would have the opportunity to run the inaugural Polar Pug race. So I immediately bought some trail shoes (Altra Superior), a hydration vest, and some gaiters. I broke the trail shoes in on Friday before the race when I walked Ze to and from school. They had good traction on the snow. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_231d_486f_ebec_e5af" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ByYcJVEtwPRFAA6bWOTqKygYIL6Hj7s8okEkSF-IiIkQPWtc-pxxgZMn1ra_JYc" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Race morning: team MRC carpooled down to Country Lane Woods and sat in the car for a while. It was cold- around 20. We picked up our bibs and then sat in the car until 5 min before the race start.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_16b0_794f_4ae9_53b1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dTdP0A02KolFelaoq2Iw7QTyr3UKRlxS0TCP8tY8jYuL57msMELpwxF31QDi1AU" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
We didn’t really know what to expect as all of us are generally road runners. I pictured the trail to be muddy. (Why I have no idea- since it snowed Wednesday and was super cold Thursday/Friday) Not enough warmth to have the snow melt and refreeze. I also talked myself into believing there would be snow but not ice due to it not melting/refreezing. I had no idea it would be so deep.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_eaa1_41bc_adae_eba1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9InMDJ4JGxTkBgAcKk4Dw25yKti0w44V0uClkUAW1Km5FvBYRnoIbL2Kv0WYP_s" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Soon it was go time and I got a selfie with fellow MRC’er/ badass/future winner of the Polar Pug/all around great person, MH.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_2c1a_96ea_9e15_6771" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_Te9lREGF8ZkxC7n7yNH7Gk6Q3h5_A7jZy0tTuwVepohQf9JdTOUEn3L6nPMZI8" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
We took off and I felt like I was running through thick loose beach sand. It was cold but not terrible.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_f0b6_9aad_2858_9f57" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dTTV-TVPJXHhHyyEeu0-DWvahFhA19LLWuFCPK5ncr4klrTgV13-d8SBvIl2TlQ" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">We completed the first out and back and whew, That was challenging. The hills + snow were a solid effort. I felt like I tweaked my ankle 1.5 miles in and was worried about the rest of the race. </span><img alt="" id="id_83db_2822_d0c_aaf3" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/3UsBo8YMMqk8hcd8Oz9PVW8vkBuUKCT__WKq6-bXX81sTZcnRzlUYC2WEJavD8A" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Photo from Edge athletic lounge. </div>
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I was having a lot of fun.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_662_e0ca_6b71_a20f" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/BUtggl4axftelICw9IzY3iV3QuAfPjryVje-eA73lVs61L33j8aw05bp9JV-Z-4" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Giving side fives to our club members was awesome on the out n back.<br />
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<img alt="" id="id_bff5_c959_a50d_24e1" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/fE6LBSjQyHtyu1awF54fsbKbi5H76O5xKvLr95ss0q8iHtey6rYtRkM4bkAesr8" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Then we continued on towards the loop which we would repeat 3x. More snow, more hills and gah it was just so peaceful.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_b5b_17af_2e08_96e5" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/A8FdyC0ZRJdyXOCacQ3WZqjWBWTLEmrfZil_V5IxAwOx4eh8cdexXOZz6h-LjUE" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
All I could hear were the planes heading to midway and the wind in the trees. (And the water in my hydration pack sloshing around)<br />
<img alt="" id="id_bd8_58d7_2944_babc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/nYjBWmbGpPNB-iibefMztnLqd1XFGZ6PtsXpQbV7E9Ih9KKqp9wBYVwRdwtCbP8" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
MH passed me on my second Loop lap - she was first woman and killing it!<br />
<img alt="" id="id_99a9_586a_cb2b_79de" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bn1fgO5C6bWrFZbN4-Gu20Xf0QC3cWpCE01FE5TQ6roJMpcyQxeKWUWINqAqyeg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Hearing birds chirping, the wind, the planes, and the crunch of the snow under my shoes was so relaxing.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_a9c6_77e2_1d6e_ffdb" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/JGTlmG4SAumkWSPnMylTX55kwGuVE8PQA6odYZOuw0ONM3UxfLJ-EuLdFkZhUBQ" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
It was tough to run through the snow- feet would slip a little and ankle would become very unstable. I kept worrying that I would hurt my right ankle after the initial tweak in the early part of the race. </div>
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I would walk up the hills because I would get so out of breath trying to run up them.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_cb76_6360_3dfe_674c" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/aPrLq8aVJl1ggVU6HWpzIFePBnA9y4ZgaMhNp0RNzmpsDr4WVJV2IZ76SqcdRU0" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Luckily my ankles were ok- but with about 5k to go I felt like I had huge blisters on my feet. This is what I get for never wearing these shoes before. But I powered through to the finish.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_fd3c_5575_be69_5e52" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/U4q9chQMID44wpZObk6rcDEJBBzcSKMF-gZD5yHrsj8xF2EOGdQF1V_g-WmLIQI" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
I was so happy to be done. I enjoyed running on the trails so much.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_f430_471b_e45b_de1e" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Vis6VVokBhPDn6l5EWqQppopdyFwabWbko-TuBgocg3lMv_AzCG73EY28mYoenw" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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I was so happy I did this race. It was tough, relaxing, fun, everything. <br />
<img alt="" id="id_318a_e9f8_6da_d2cd" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/HcGPFqS58UvZKvgWQ9FltbI5MEcEUojm0lQMArJb-qttBjOuL0zsJGI9Ki8Ethg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">We got super cute hats for participating. </span><br />
<img alt="" id="id_c392_f18e_b8ad_6972" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/iAW-U5wVKotfxv46K5xs_hl3hfgg-fUA3JAN90B1goFWl8BbUIWHUpH_uNjbpjE" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
MH won first and her trophy was everything. So adorable!<br />
<img alt="" id="id_1652_2c99_fec2_4cc4" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Lg9gMqc4lxQesctx1GX4WzbDswXSjN0h8rGRVK8QnPDTaljBj0sxLoxNFtSulDc" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
We went to Open Outcry Brewing to celebrate our achievements. The beer was really good. But being able to celebrate with these fabulous people was great.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_90d5_5ad3_f73e_deb8" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/3um2s5_jK_9TylJAW11ldCS3oKOpCehI7WaWijP0HKhD7qBz4SixM7JTsrCeMdo" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
So many good beers.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_1b20_8d28_1d1_4c92" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/RM7IHSXA6Ik9UhgFbzO7D6nIvKadwXsFwhW30cwRF_oxlBl8l8Tl6ryS-J-XIi0" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
A pizza with fries!!<br />
<img alt="" id="id_7d29_8884_69fc_618c" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/kAB1WDH3i7PKfwXRICHrBwA9DaO2GYL2BareVNDDslPXfYTGtQQVFv-iIXsf0wE" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Post run bath beer.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_4ad7_88e9_4d5e_416" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/wlWe7pGVhFy0_CX2xiJuLInmRg3IgRY59X96v9v-rpY5iX-eTru-iTlf25E7ebk" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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At the beginning of the year I had decided I wanted to run trails this year- I always have the desire to get off the lakefront, but hadn’t made it happen. After this race, I’ll definitely make time to head out of the city to enjoy nature more. Ze would totally enjoy trail running too. </div>
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<b>Thoughts and housekeeping:</b></div>
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<li>The line to my hydration pack froze in the first 4-5 miles so it was essentially useless. </li>
<li>Took a Maurten around mile 3.2</li>
<li>The gaiters definitely helped keep snow out of my shoes and kept my feet pretty dry</li>
<li>The blisters were probably from my feet sliding around due to the uneven footing. </li>
<li><img alt="" id="id_3b5b_91ca_a51f_2d87" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/bigRre7D4ieb-GKs-oWcpzlesuJ_2Dc4G-5E-So5RMVEK1oi8lyNBFbQNWfNSe4" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br />I wore capris + compression socks. Nike hyperwarm long sleeve, MRC Shirt, Nike Shield jacket. MRC buff + fleece buff, Manzella gloves, headband + shamrock hat. Overall I felt like I dressed appropriately. I did feel hot and wanted to take my jacket + gloves off but I didn’t. </li>
<li><img alt="" id="id_93a5_1b6c_77b2_7ceb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/A0M82XulRAohojVCrrYdjp7W1-AnbUAKePGI6bvKTcAvm9QoGYt5lfGo95QNY5E" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">The Polar Pug, Tank</span><br /></li>
<li>Trail running is so much fun and I can’t wait to discover more trails. This race was only about 20 miles outside of the city. </li>
<li>My entry was comped and all opinions are my own. Many photos from Edge Athletic Lounge. </li>
<li>The race was extremely well organized and volunteers were amazing. </li>
<li>100% would run another trail race. </li>
<li>Currently looking at Canicross events so Ze can get involved. </li>
<li>Trail running is so much more low key than road races. Everyone was so friendly- saying “good job” to each other or high fives. </li>
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<b>What’s next?</b></div>
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Hustle up the 875 {Hancock} stair climb</div>
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Take the bridge </div>
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Atlanta 13.1</div>
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Shamrock Shuffle </div>
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Yeah, things are busy on the “racing” front. </div>
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Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-81815660747645293052020-02-03T06:21:00.001-06:002020-02-03T06:22:02.382-06:00January 2020<b>January 2020</b><br />
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I started out the month by taking the RRCA level one coaching class. I had always wanted to take the class so I was so happy when the opportunity came up. I passed the 100 question test a few weeks later and now am officially a running coach! I made an 8k training plan for our run club as practice. I don’t have any plans to make a side hustle out of coaching, but I’m very happy to have the certification and knowledge. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_5ce1_fa5c_c31e_d78d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/nLwLIb7edo7c5txrA8DNhi333JfhfvjawB-C_Tw9nlxS8MkftnMCOHpV8pN7be4" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Our run club, Mikkeller Running club Chicago won chapter of the year out of all MRC. We celebrated with a special run.</div>
<img alt="" id="id_2320_1b4b_f715_4692" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/HTY7UZpP0ugMuhOOlwhqTZRbyPOBUT8ltWAvg_H7w91Z9jZggUFUlT4IpBdnhu0" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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We celebrated 9 years in Chicago. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_3736_66fc_10e6_2fe0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pNKx5s5_AJ4ZWmAQEZsD7LY42llORezuItJN9NiIk3PcxM0d4zB3jHqsDBT3oEg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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<img alt="" id="id_4d5d_af81_249b_cb71" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_lTA9ROcXAvExdKmxpkAgyLF0jXHBYXSmfp28JcuImw5OxK4P5fDTmI_3RBEZoA" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Fancy work dinner awards: My company has an awards banquet for the office staff each year. I received a special achievement award for going above and beyond with helping out my coworkers by writing fabulous useful reports in BI. I also won a gift card to Lettuce entertain you. #winning</div>
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<img alt="" id="id_379f_f0d7_db7e_1e39" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/fJd8K09qCVTYN7D-uSPep8HYuhQ4eVM6tvRtHqySmQCebWn-qycIDvuF_0r78q0" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Running:</div>
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Less mileage year over year, but more total volume. I’ve got no specific goals for 2020 running at this moment (other than keep running) so I just try to maintain 5-6x a week running, sporadic speedwork, 2x cycling and some stair climbing. It’s weird not having a “goal” race but I’m enjoying not doing long runs and heavy speedwork after averaging close to 80mpw during the summer. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_6259_fcd1_5b6f_1bec" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Zk4SjOpNog4CRT7uIXOzyncj20g5hsbpzy9ujH1vecxNZs7yRbp0jZyzN5Jry4M" style="height: auto; width: 323px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Ze and I ran 3 times for 16 miles in January. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_1515_47e9_4072_5a4b" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/IaeFo6pIuKdTG0xhtI_7DR5_yXLFDl_5vMibhniazCILoGULHowT0zS_MJEnHX0" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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<img alt="" id="id_246b_d86_740d_6135" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6RHqI8TxkESB3pYsb4ghU3E3b2EjdEasIl2asc5llNhbgdqtUyUGTg1RxM3266g" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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We were So proud of L for PRing at his recent half. </div>
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The coaching side of me is very fulfilled witnessing L’s growth over the past year. PR city! In all reality, consistency pays off. He’s doing all the hard work. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_29c_c185_6b19_e701" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/5ohZgtO21QR__hXZABBKvWakP5VsS6NscFNXt2gC5PJCJ6a82w_ku5nb0w3XUWw" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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<b>Looking forward to February 2020 (January was such a long year!)</b></div>
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<li>Celebrating the 5th anniversary of our run club, MRC Chicago </li>
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<img alt="" id="id_b0d6_1945_c71b_1130" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/SeAi48JTvWPJNyjotti5bF_Jvh1bKl-H9K8PgTIUuDU2_1Ay1rDqVtCyGQ9YNgk" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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<li>Running my first trail 13.1 </li>
<li>Completing my 3rd, Hustle up the 875 (Hancock)</li>
<li>Going to Atlanta with L, Kim and S, to watch the fast ponies run the Olympic trials marathon</li>
<li>Running the Atlanta Publix 13.1 </li>
<li>Eating some Publix subs </li>
<li>Dinner at a new to us restaurant + returning to an old fav we haven’t been to in a while</li>
<li>Mom’s popup at Marz, because it’s an awesome combo. </li>
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<img alt="" id="id_53de_f026_4d1f_8412" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VhypZknBAoRhvsFUvvxnrluEOS_hLKsUPzhkCCg8CdF0ELCgc2IsLiWyTChvzpg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-10593727887173448302019-11-26T06:07:00.000-06:002019-11-26T06:07:04.592-06:00Seattle {2019}After we lost CB, we decided to take a short trip somewhere. Initially I wanted to go somewhere during Thanksgiving weekend (4 days off!) but since travel during the holidays especially turkey day, is a cluster we decided on the week prior and Seattle. I had never been to Seattle before and L had been there a few times but didn’t get to experience much due to work.<br />
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<img alt="" id="id_e6d6_7471_ffd5_c4c8" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/5vCZ33qfQae4aiI6EVMg1NuisFur_hXuAYPFmLUmOCs1nKTfrpvTvTuPe1Q" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
We got to ORD super early and boarded our plane and did what we love to do- take photos.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_d837_5939_8959_b58a" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/gbSWZ8cZQxOtiT5A0yknMRERpAHCJO90FAtdie9DZDJNGQ82_KAAwZiSmM8" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Shortly after takeoff, I looked out the window and saw a glory rainbow out of our window. I attributed it to CB whom we lost 2 months ago (even though I know these are caused by basic science it was totally CB giving us this)<br />
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When we got closer to Seattle we saw mount Ranier out our window.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_2dce_b477_be99_c1c6" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/b-WoWiEwl2pr4D2NQMJoBL8VZCGixyRd3i6eQ_ssw3irjmZp3mIjO1IrP0o" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
I love mountains!<br />
<img alt="" id="id_8653_29f9_9448_c6b7" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/0O01hmcxMYpMeN6ToF0eguEOBOqqQx808bz0fENbwI14zTf4EnQqFyJsJ4U" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Once we landed, I registered for Clear which took 5 min then we checked into the hotel and walked to the market.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_69e8_12f_33c2_165e" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/rJNZClrT-MWf_fPRXnFuXxTl4diyPC5vILt_2pjtotkTQM9eVoaB_vpD6-8" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
I was starving by this point so we went to Piroshky Piroshky for a delicious Piroshky filled with cheese and potatoes.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_3001_7fbc_bac7_e651" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/1-a4qt1YEm7_QEZLcIZz7Ly6ZS4tGdZuyiqXsZ5NOcIVwwrTvDrOb3tBiPc" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
This was the perfect snack while we walked around.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_1ed4_694f_e37c_a1d7" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/IS9BwBiHs9oQXyNuzpeFHpd1VnlIA-WRZETU7RnIdRxmymxNBvFDa5d6ndQ" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
We saw a huge stuffed otter.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_d5a6_3d83_5b97_f31f" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/RYVRHIomgCJpDRo4ojSH8t9PVptC0cd0z2Zy6eDl6RaUcrr4clqGDBJw9_g" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
And then went to Ivar’s for some fish n chips.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_5cbd_802d_1217_64da" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WrkI2nAJiUdjnN8KfGJkq0jL5FQcEzTzHSaH7Mkt3lW48RbK0DSVmK-r0UI" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
The chowder was great! I had the white and L had the red. The fish was also good too. We ate inside the tent as it was just above freezing outside and there were huge seagulls who wanted our food.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_9593_f41_f094_1322" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/OSOkoV1cmcFT5i69fj3y1XSiRVLiU8giH2N1OYQqg6UaZ7OrSrvmflZV6aI" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
We had the Cajun spice cod.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_1b1d_e60a_f834_7711" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/wIV9vG-Im7cfCYfcrQgtaLtiKvGn-F-McEpOybP8nbQz6Iwm9Vdn3wnHsk0" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Huge ass gull who would have fought us for our food (and won).<br />
<img alt="" id="id_3275_5ed4_68d0_2f51" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hiNcSQGLQuMBZkN-9KocPFSlVGxoNoHSuT7MSuFtlY-jrW0Wa70z6IPaDvA" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
We continued walking around and found a pet supply store. I ended up getting Ze a donut and some special homemade biscuits from Seattle. We spent 15 min talking to the store owner. He had 2 beautiful cats and a small dog in the store. He was so passionate about the items he stocked in the store.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_b1ee_cc5c_dbb8_415b" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/KcDc38k3nrc3qdtp25luoYd5gunf_oD-RyyPDWokt8s1c1JiiBTFViwn4JU" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
We went to the hotel for a quick nap and then went to Holy Mountain brewery.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_1ef_74a0_184f_1d1f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pbgYUcBONqoc4Ob1mfw8O8ydUsbztJ4truH_HsHVW1MH4hl83fwbnfX_1n4" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
And met up with our friend John, from MRC Seattle. We had met him previously at the shamrock shuffle this year and were happy we could all meet up over great beers in Seattle. Reason 1,283,839 why Mikkeller running club is the best- friends all over the world who are more than happy to run or grab a pint with you.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_2300_d452_69c3_dc88" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/obR6pCe5sehStzgYGPl66GFjOMYoeDIxZe4xsfdFgxvEDT-7LXBKK8frQt8" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
For dinner we went to Mamnoon. It was so good. </div>
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Muhammara- this walnut based spread was mind blowing delicious. I need to learn how to make it.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_d5bc_2acd_e087_1694" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6fGIc4PQYRcC_waPjmGBEJPvoxcHcRhr2HgeM_Xzyh7g_ZQFMe7mj7pidbY" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Brussels sprouts with pomegranate.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_bea_c26e_2fd0_e7a4" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/2HNPwY86I6fL9rqkJIoDCD7AXGFXMo9v6Li57Nk6L5i0mvtWhYKLuUeYgCs" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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A delicious huge pita with turnip, spices.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_27ed_e354_a480_1aa4" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/TQE224f13AHzI2n8dBqrD5RnyZ1_p6w1HnCyGdAfiDs6DEE9v_vQxhWd1vA" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Scallops. I’m still thinking about the sauce and the scallops.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_ffae_8196_292c_242a" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/1inLOnYVUVym2MpDSaYgeXtf2eVZiDCj-qiqyJ3A5lARacJRntq_ksHcWG0" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Labneh cheesecake with cotton candy hair.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_da02_48b4_9342_39d0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YzsJ1i-2sNNy22ZusAMgBmU-RwK8YG2RkQelXYgzw3gzUgTwWyiWy8Dkrnc" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Saturday morning we ran to Fremont.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_e628_877c_b133_d0c2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4WntBcFidSkDoxfvTGo4SvRWWF52Jrm5tFPWufXc_qfjOvkpJEWVvPBI1qo" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
And saw the troll!<br />
<img alt="" id="id_abf6_d1a9_4d17_2fcd" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Fk0F6SvXit2v7tkOglIBPac87tCxEEb6dbYH9sa5yb2k0yEfeKeFO57fjuw" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
And then went to biscuit bitch where I had a biscuit with gravy, scrambled eggs, and grits. I also had a dirty pumpkin chai. We ate outside on the patio seating. It was around 40degrees. But was nice to be outside. (This is something that I found interesting- all the outdoor seating and people occupying the seats even though it was not more than 40 degrees)<br />
<img alt="" id="id_2a6a_4355_e6a3_cd72" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/YfJc2ExvGbF8EUvtRLXwf22xKlz5aYK2I20RqvPrnjdvu3DA2O4K-SFsiu8" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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For lunch we went to Taylor Shellfish Farms for oysters.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_dfaa_a88e_b0f8_1e4" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/KaVIeWh6DyN1bir3JeKW7b7Jy12LO7IXlEXoIYjJpKLvE0RDw2pyNtTxXMw" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
They were all so good!<br />
<img alt="" id="id_6b80_1d32_edab_b072" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/KY2oi7HBog0EI1Duc5fSUON-inSfeMDRMLQi6cGxWALLIhNqh3PrEJLW3oM" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
We went to Unicorn bar for Jell-O shots and frou frou drinks.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_d2a_91d5_e2c1_9aee" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/CJy_f9dFF2OC2zo8EscjrYypwZ_J5gAY2qeXHWZDqOu4KVyIsbb3-SWVVyA" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
I loved how this bar was decorated.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_d065_f34a_6099_84f" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/u1ZhEB4TjSxg_gj0PHLfO-eDnwqbfmm2A0r-mknR5YDxD6vrYh5MLwh11Zs" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
We went to Cloudburst Brewing to quench our thirst after walking a lot.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_5c85_9504_8f5e_fa3f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LYSGYp-gMoEWcmztPpkwfeWBIIYJvrkML-awuA9w0oqRJzC8_WG1svGqZUM" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Sunset was gorgeous.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_7c6c_1863_e008_631f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/3XX-1Ox1-zAWVpjL0JdvlN74XY9iVupxFDjf_eJkzimp1Q1a2mdoXlgt-90" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
For dinner we went to Shiro’s Sushi. (As in Jiro dreams of sushi, brother)<br />
<img alt="" id="id_bf3d_b7ca_f0c7_16b6" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/wWpqKARqUODQVOD19OgC7BnCagWv3veAjRr2YKaYcOxILNa1z41G1-ZKYqQ" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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I was so excited to eat some of the freshest sushi while in Seattle.<br />
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<img alt="" id="id_46d8_c092_d4c9_1057" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/I2juc_oHnmyDeTAto8ErPr7YHzOq0Ug5mqft3wMdGA3EVfMgttzRhi1c_g0" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Mackerel.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_a98b_2e9_5227_f958" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/kvakusHXlI0SsiVjIywsp0-WELA1cwrrpek54WxYOlwkZQze2fyBn_2Xb9Q" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Cod Karaage. The outside was so crispy and the inside so delicate.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_4287_1f4f_a11d_4b6b" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/9zFwSLhrS2lpLau9zRG0oWKgwCTrN235asL22l1xUpzUNYrCQHJekvPlGO0" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Tamago, Geoduck, and two types of tuna.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_30f7_50d6_8a9e_8ed9" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_RrJAy6lugu3lJ2pBuR_9O1kMyNBzUE0O5PHA3-VwlCveSm_BUqfaidB1H8" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
I was happy to try geoduck but it was not my favorite.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_5b6f_6e4f_d22e_b718" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/CA4ZV6E6DauAJOX28QUd-8BvRprF88UQrimz9VLYP32n3ioPspNNgHxV9s4" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Post dinner we went to Rob Roy’s for drinks.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_6fef_6b6a_647e_1105" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wfpPvoaryWMreqxDMImHTRTT2NBbhhfN1t0E2hn5Puk4WHgvKm-kGENCejc" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
I got the house special, an old fashioned.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_73af_6126_84dd_4b3c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4oT2DuvKWbx2wL7XslHG-IXPVgnEVMjBH_ZYFQ_aaYa4agJtZNBWgj_wMro" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Sunday morning we made another friend.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_220a_8bd_b80a_acbc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WXflslguYErcPdRxEF1-mV-gNp7M6NNJg_ARm9Mzl9FwRyWD9G9ACDCEQFs" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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We went to the market again and I got 3 small artesanal jams. While looking at the selection of jams the owner/maker offered us free samples which we politely declined multiple times- I was just going to buy them because I knew they’d be good. Once I asked about the golden raspberry habanero jam she just gave us samples of it- no way to say no (and the jam was predictably delicious). We joked that we must have been the first people to not go crazy for free samples.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_27e9_a2dc_d694_d269" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/5iQYq04-eA95OIpe4q5lf-gt_9E61s37IM_Nr1gXVvSvyW4iiTCOMzlhxvA" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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We went to Fremont Brewing.<br />
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<img alt="" id="id_e3e3_a943_646c_fd4f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FzEvyou-6IkYHHkzeO8jVvU1CPfDG_njV6CFeKJksaoYhun81IdA5c-k9VI" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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The space was nice and the beer was really good.<br />
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<img alt="" id="id_5067_7e8f_ae4b_c92d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CAizB9muJq9L1LUaO_PU5b28u8Yd0yLZGoJDjNfXXqr2jOGjtPKkjGZoRU" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Post beer we went to The Masonry. They have an excellent selection of beer and food. </div>
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Beets and burrata.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_649f_e1cf_33d8_b89e" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/IBHknJsT8fckqgQdRCO8XAH8gN7chUJCw0LonWhbNy8lZLLQNfsm9BVuIhg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Clams in a curry sauce with focaccia.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_420c_fe98_eac1_e034" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/8Mm1R5fWYOzCK1tl1yyewtEaDvY6V6T0IX8n_NgYLhX8AV1E6m2HyhrI9Wk" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
Pizza with hot copa, grana, and hot peppers.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_b4ad_a1d0_b523_9cae" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/RuZMuZujZ_oMN89v2o4Gt7mMvZb1E_rDo68xneqmbkAOFToMogKOiqB9dYY" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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We had to stop back at Holy Mountain for one last beer before our trip was over.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_88e8_418a_b3e9_28b8" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/EeP0Ufvv1uvqy4YnT-yAnaJfUGB5FtDCJoRuWPEw-7VEBUy4Xoaci8PRnP0" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Monday morning we woke up at 3am to get to our 6am flight.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_f5e_fa09_729b_e56b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/t6Wl_V0z-HllM9wfskXa5eQ5L7yu06mVHGBdHQbj9vjhgczdVysvUFGM4hg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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There was an emotional support parrot seated in the row behind us. It behaved the entire flight.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_f419_e956_f89f_edf2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KkeQtFRaK7C7PR95kP7YpdWuE7UgvQscXXgrrvQM8XxG3ee_iAtoCiM3mMQ" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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It was a great quick trip. I’m so happy we got away for a few days to explore Seattle. </div>
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Fun story from Saturday: </div>
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When we went to Bartles drug store for water and postcards, the cashier asked us where we were from, and then said “you’re not thinking of moving here, are you?” Uh nope. With the addition and growth of companies such as Expedia, google, and Amazon it’s driven the cost of living up quite high.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_a60a_4175_656d_9a3b" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/GtWCnmaU82DkEbicrpAjDjTNAEifI0Rs1RUP4eqUWGX9CsGyDIt8t0FaAmk" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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I’m currently inspired to make:</div>
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Biscuits</div>
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Steamed Clams</div>
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Muhammara</div>
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Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-32752016297874905572019-11-04T06:30:00.001-06:002019-11-04T06:36:57.769-06:00Carrera de los Muertos + NP 13x1 Relay {2019} <div>On Saturday we ran our first Carrera de los Muertos!</div><div><br></div><div>We took an Uber to the start and walked into our corral with 7 min to spare. Perfection. </div><div><img id="id_32db_47a6_c1b7_7284" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/0rnR5oPoVf1JCk9EEKa_-FaGLC3JMw4j3orH2Oo6y4cGYhuFJrKdK0YvtTY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>The atmosphere was electric! So many vendors and so many people dressed up. I decided to wear my Ze balaclava and skeleton tights. <br><img id="id_99b_37b2_5243_8eb1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eVMZvIAtElV_d7ATUTog9cZVBqhTqpO7uEUlUZbZodpL8rCwKbODjLEty0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>We lined up at the back of the “5:00-7:59/ mile” pace signs. And without fanfare we were off. </div><div><br></div><div>We had a lot of fun running the streets of Pilsen and seeing so many people celebrating. <br><img id="id_5f45_756b_b45f_741" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/356PaSiYW6_MoQAR4PEIvi_nk1pzvqClMVssDJtWWstq2FbC9xnJpV-ZRl0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Post race we couldn’t find the beer or churros so we took a cool photo with these guys. <br><img id="id_8526_c09c_fa52_c851" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wcqBGNfLhU6IghyCeTPsAhiMgT8ZwRnKFXKQfYiuXwX1yk6IaDII1Mk4r6Y" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>And I had a delicious quesadilla con papas y chorizo. <br><img id="id_5592_e1d0_1d37_6be9" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BoC2nLAobhbW0D8Osx9UkI8Rwx76rt3IZapB1k4aWKRZuHuLVbIZJmaxG8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>I enjoyed the course a lot- as it wasn’t an out and back like what I’m used to on the lakefront. </div><div><br></div><div>When we were almost home I realized I got 3rd AG. I didn’t want us to stick around in the cold because I seriously didn’t think a 23;54 would place me. (Previous results indicate people come to run fast to get a sweet AG skull award, usually low 21-22’s and I wasn’t feeling it Post marathon) Luckily a couple of friends were still at the race and were able to pick up my award. <br><img id="id_72eb_3d5a_b9c_c5e7" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/XR6l5-8gmM05YOyxTEO4mI07NFHBb7-UoMFS6-E5OumeaQgzB2jcPeqNOV0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>The medal and whole experience was fabulous! 10/10 would run again. Just not with the balaclava. I couldn’t breathe when it was over my mouth and it would fog up my glasses if it was above my nose. #neveragain<br><img id="id_f1e_6bae_93b4_3ef8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1B9JtOUKNWGdKjKJIimQmKjj1op2uEXzQcvLZPBH7mY5_IHaZs7_w4xM3GE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>When I got home I realized my time was my bib number. Spooky! Going to go buy lottery tickets today. Yeah. <br><img id="id_c3db_7927_23d2_f45b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/siUxZHX3yLHEsr-83zAtw640nWdFHdYi-Vt03zMltv-RCkVAcquBUyKA3O0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Celebrating 3rd AG with some hamms. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_4f9a_d30b_5fad_97c6" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/fszW1RRXsHhZMebOXEdYZKBZ1_SEz4Dd4evTE-WL2Y1BiGSnXZOVnkeb-04" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>Sunday we ran the November Project 13x1 relay.</div><div><br></div><div>This year we had only 6 runners so we decided to each run 2 miles and an extra quarter at the end. </div><div><br></div><div>We finished in a collective 1:30:45 which is 4 min faster than our PB from last year. Teamwork = dream work. <br><img id="id_8ca6_62c9_668a_f775" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/uRPPQ_R8TwGVN-UnJnSUZxRdJBJOyC9xokxMuNUGcpBabXlwJb2bLb7P2SY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Poor relay handoff form. lol. We could shave seconds off if we practiced handoffs more. <br><img id="id_ac52_4696_29fe_a0ac" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CMbJXi_-QumyqfUJQGwGKEmEjLYcYGbOQKrormbeZU6IxB7VQXnZWc90SGI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Mile 1 was 6:35. I was happy with it. I wore my Aliphine beanie to channel her speed. <br><img id="id_a0f2_2de_70d_45a0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/PQZqb77xCtM0kZqabSEdhHt4WQbI1b2esRtFB3kRZG_2sVGBTfioV1UJKCM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Mile 2: 6:28. Paced better the second one. The final quarter I ran in 79 seconds. Woof. How the hell do people run that pace (faster) for 26.2 miles?<br><img id="id_750e_95b_c51f_1eaa" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VnDaB62UULFisvGsUF9ErJEhA-ccjDCouBfrCTg_7R6tUpDWi_KEp0eiqpQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>It was a fun weekend with great people!</div><div><br></div><div><b>What’s next?</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>Focusing on rebuilding post marathon. </div><div><br></div><div>Hustle up the 875 {Hancock}</div><div><br></div><div>Atlanta half marathon</div><div><br></div><div>Shamrock shuffle</div>Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-21147070915919254762019-10-21T07:15:00.001-05:002019-10-21T07:32:08.364-05:00Chicago Marathon 2019 {race recap} <div><b>Pre Pre Race: </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>On Friday night, we ran the Take the Bridge race. </b></div><a href="http://www.xaarlin.com/2019/10/take-bridge-2019-race-recap.html" id="id_1b7a_8c7d_ae58_c813" target="_blank">{Race Recap Here}</a><div><br></div><div><b>Pre Race</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>We hosted our annual MRC Chicago Marathon shakeout at Centennial. We met MRC’ers from all over the USA and world. <br><div><br></div><div><img id="id_f81e_4130_b58f_ecf2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8MRsyr4UwW-lQz3C2iZWYEeD9LIQrIq3o4PtmANvb-7vDweQE4hD2ZCKXzA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>For dinner we had Burrata and ham. And pasta bolognese. <br><img id="id_36f3_1803_c63b_4f2d" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/rpxOf421ohKtkMsNQBWJfaQ4l4mjA--p8cGxg60gB3RkEX0rugXrqMg6dVo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>We printed out photos of Hampton to place on our bibs. </div><div><br></div><div>Ze photo bombed the same way CB always used to do. </div><div><br></div><div><br><img id="id_cc9e_e4de_f97f_d934" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/rzu4yEfQNN64vctFqiIsZUmQxPbMmsC85GVqBe4vuk4ylNvCr58VCU8Ard8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><b>Race Day </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>Training didn’t go as well as I wanted. As L reminded me, we did the best we could do. A year ago post Ironman my goals for 2019 were to: crush my shamrock shuffle time, and then “get as close to 3” as possible. </div><div><br></div><div>I dealt with fatigue and other issues for many months post IM. I went to a doctor who basically disregarded all of my concerns “you’ll be the healthiest person I see this month and I’m sure your bloodwork will be 100% perfect.” Thanks for nothing. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>We walked over to the start with our neighbor/friend who was also running the race. </div><div><br><img id="id_a3b_4218_42a2_1553" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/boGJ6GoQwkOXw8_9ZzqzcK8DhQHjDgE8v_FHu8SSIPwiMvN6yhQ91XCgKMo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Training went as well as it could. I did a hybrid Hanson-Naz elite that I made myself. But basically bailed on most of the speedwork/tempo runs due to the fatigue. I did 90% of my runs at 8:00-9:00 pace. I did increase the volume to 70-80 miles vs topping out around 60. </div><div><br></div><div>So in thinking how I ran a 3:25 in Boston in horrific weather last year (despite feeling the best I’ve ever felt about a training cycle- I was trained and prepared to execute 3:10) , I decided 7:49/mile should be doable. I’ve run 3:3x in the heat and after beer festivals. My stretch became sub 3:20 because solidifying a spot in Boston 2021 would be awesome and because I had nothing to lose if the wheels came off. <br><img id="id_ff1a_47f4_124e_5536" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/HCoYnI-TFqjMrtuqOlce9P3YpdobIPZHOpi-dbSZAW6sOTWC21X7ZWM0lsI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>The weather was perfect. Low 40’s, low dew point, light wind. It was the kind of day we live for as runners. I was marginally bummed that I wasn’t trained to execute my ultimate goal, but with all the stress from Hampton and life, I was happy to be on the start line healthy. <br><img id="id_6237_b0e6_d607_5f25" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/XAyG9a1_QlTyDA1i7fLkAhJef4oeXin535XNvKEgcf_E3-tCePVRf0fgy0s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Bag drop was a cluster. It had super long lines- I waited 10 min to just drop my bag off. After I dropped my bag and was halfway to my corral, I realized I had left my sunglasses in the bag. Oops. <br><br></div><div><img id="id_68c9_bbb6_b486_1a06" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/NNiaPyc-7URjiQqEe-BgSuFiek0ldOOSvnUyN_aOt81qrwwWwggEYjarUaU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>I got into my corral with ease, tied my shoes again, and sat on the ground to wait. I was so cold but knew as soon as I started moving that I’d feel great. <br><img id="id_9e23_cf17_2467_fea5" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/d8Ekl4nW9_tlahw0gxDR3fl8BpERXqvZaRN5zGI1j0vJcIuSiDxBW7dO4VA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>We used to call CB dog “koolaid man” because he would bust through my bathroom door (it didn’t latch properly). I bent down to tie my shoes and looked up to see Koolaid Man! I started crying. I asked him if we could take a photo together. At that point, I knew Sunday would truly be Sunday funday. <br><img id="id_e74a_7fd2_d6d8_c415" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/AAF61GHdf8C534rmnC45ZNn9K5DGJmudmiV3W49MoLoVPjISgyn5eigeOjg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>I took off at the back of my corral to avoid the jag bags who weave around people to win the first 400m. My plan was to click off 7:30’s and hold on for as long as possible. Pacing is hard due to the tunnel and the buildings blocking the gps signal, but I had practiced running at 7:30 pace a few times so I knew what kind of effort it was. People are entirely too dependent on technology these days. </div><div><br></div><div>I crossed the start with a huge smile that never left my face. <br><img id="id_2606_3f75_7a83_5ed0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/L2aaybgqnVsqpjzjjQA4GCXjtxN46H6JkKT-1ud-5H-YXK_oNIh48Pa2AIM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>First miles were low 7:40’s and I was super happy. Then I settled into low 7:30’s. It felt too easy! I was manually lapping my splits because I knew gps would be totally inaccurate. I had the biggest smile as I ran through this beautiful city. <br><img id="id_d043_a1de_c128_deb6" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ZIDbUY4056AXIwr1m3kS4MSmIaX3b_aUzXeFKJ1hVI3frDArMW18AKHERRk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>I saw Pete B and was so happy! We high fived and I kept chugging along at “goal pace.”</div><div><img id="id_239f_49d8_26c3_5cf3" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/RGp5Kd6KG8V7gpT8EHiSfW8tucc3hjR64yCE0lGwKspZ3oGVNDmTxRMV5ho" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>More miles and more smiles. I got to the half in 1:39 and thought this is awesome! I was on pace for a PR and was feeling amazing. <br><img id="id_5f14_1609_9dd8_74db" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/jI-jvDwn_sN1itX5jZmTcri5ABDNEvbqZCOYy54ROtrkOI-TrV3R6iRIQeE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>The second half was more mentally trying. The first half I was so amped up on adrenaline but I knew that at some point I’d get bored, so I employed all of my mental tricks to stay engaged- picking off people ahead of me, looking forward to the next time I took a gel, etc. I visualized these moments many times so I was prepared. <br><img id="id_4b76_c88a_f3da_a380" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/xFIN-NHu2JGH63rCEXgXFInTbC4bZQ6P1rKIqMsOeMYtQR05N6ojkaMlGmY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Pilsen and Chinatown were a party as always. I was lip-syncing to the songs on my iPod the whole time. I couldn’t stop smiling as I clicked off more 7:3x’s. I saw so many people I knew on the course which also took my mind off knowing I had an hour or whatever left- looking for them made the time fly by. <br><br><img id="id_5365_fff8_4665_bbe8" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/K0tRnuC0SNct59zQKeeXfvYqsc4rrNrCp8pquYrWxw-2qeLebuJZYMOhlR8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Hit mile 23 and the area we used to spectate at and knew with only a 5k to go I was about to clock my fastest 26.2. Smiles for days!<br><img id="id_b98b_725c_3a00_17a5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/s6qhdgL5N3FGoBuySBpesy_jgRPwXDPfAqWDgUB2g4GY9EUcatmUVN2uG7s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>I knew that our run club would be out before mile 24 handing out beer. I looked forward to seeing them the entire race- I love this community so much. </div><div><br></div><div>I saw them and grabbed a beer to drink- most of it went on my shirt, but that taste of savory carbonation hit the spot so hard. I decided at this point to start picking up the pace to finish under 3:20. <br><img id="id_672e_37da_9842_11bd" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Tw0MN9HHvHHT6lxwCt3OCjQ_1myEXBDIsoEdBvVmE6QnNzyJGskfxyOaDr8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>I motored up michigan Ave - waved hi to Ze when I passed in front of our house and saw another friend. </div><div><br></div><div>I knew at this point there was less than Half a mile to go to crush my PR- bad math / marathon brain told me I had 4 minutes to break 3:20 so I zoomed up Roosevelt (it’s seriously not a mountain- stop being so dramatic) and zoomed down to the finish. Holy shit I was so happy. </div><div><br></div><div>The only time I was serious - the last 1.5 miles when I decided I had to break 3:20. <br><br><img id="id_9d7_b9ab_7772_665d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7ONqwL0C8VPm6UEG8gqZTAvr0oaUtX6Z0EA3fA7an0DXeP_A92oNEEhkyBE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>I started crying the last 200m. I kicked it in to finish with an 8+ min PR of 3:18:18</div><div><br></div><div>I was out of my mind happy. Happy for a PR, happy that I felt great the entire race despite not feeling good about my training, happy that I just had an absolutely party in my city and saw so many friends. <br><img id="id_cd36_e048_369d_4a91" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YPzjaCFU9T5kej6cPcYkKq_r_CLTiqLWBNWCr0AFvxfr9D60tR_Cz2TW6Bk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Negative splits!</span></div><div><img id="id_7c09_7cc9_37aa_8827" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Op0BbW0pRc8PBvWsoFd-xdenqC0Rb67Yw4bhm_k4OHFuqsA994bWogII77A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">That “blissed out holy shit just executed a perfect race” face. <br></span><br><img id="id_140d_d0f3_f538_54a4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gQUJYyjl4LwAlaUnJVJ6K6d3AC7KgzFsnOIhtikeSfpxspXPQJ4zudgJD_Y" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>I ran into one of our friends from Copenhagen who finished right before me. <br><img id="id_9026_3665_73ed_be41" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/PzYsTnDwH_CGqVV4lDwqFyVXJFL_HlWT3tUU59DaMW2MEcqaDetR5M7Hia8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Beer + PR = smiles. </div><div><br></div><div>This was a huge celebration after Hampton had passed 3 weeks ago. I felt so incredibly happy- I thought about him so much during the race. <br><img id="id_d68d_fefb_9850_cb12" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/fL19_C4dy9goi5_pW2wu1MsOig6tKFc59kjz0gSzcTDtJqLWuAag4_pX_8g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><br>L got a huge 1 hour 35 minute PR!!! I was his coach and was so proud of him for executing a perfect race as well. <br><img id="id_3899_1137_c562_f320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mpySCoICPabVzKmxRfxXU3Diq_C1VJKTtK8c8F3yWjAlKx7I-YR9AImTY60" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Post race we met up at ballast point. <br><img id="id_a3f1_647_f3c6_ed8c" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Vh2ber3hTI2caVddgqqOd5Nxw3UIWdwEMTnoP53djRB_7imoNlwHVQGhwE0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>And then lone wolf for Malort and stuff. <br><img id="id_39c9_b3f9_f0d1_8cd3" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/IEPBJ0H7lSpn5t8t1KPL3TsulGu8gvHKNxrED-mDmT3Bb8JgPItuwPIc5Rk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>The best running club ever. <br><img id="id_146f_af14_a4cf_9240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/fwFG2qKX7WwKTLML2YhfOm03vhRwNaz2OaPoXBg2nzdxO1Rx5pN0daTrQCw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>We met so many fun people marathon weekend. <br><br><img id="id_707f_b311_9e5f_131f" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/0bz6V2vzb1huhetXCv8TZdvdNaFT1utqFADegIU3dqxoSyGP32je7mTyYoc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Monday night we went to The Loyalist to celebrate. </span></div><div><img id="id_6c44_8144_5047_9145" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/BA1NobS7Rtqq6XVoBQoMghuT0XNtosE-oqXvQ0UChx4kRUQYEv4Psh38LRQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>The food was amazing and we plan to return again soon. <br><img id="id_5475_abf5_44df_b576" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/47D39HfssPqxdVK3LYg0yDPaVfonGxEWQZSMmpj2jJbgC79EPJM2eL-7nNY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><b>Housekeeping:</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>Oatmeal pre race </div><div><br></div><div>4 Maurten gels (miles 5, 11, 16, 21)</div><div>Base Salt every couple of miles</div><div>Ran on the blue line as much as possible. </div><div>Wore the MRC singlet we designed, tracksmith shorts, pro compression socks. </div><div>Wore Nike Vaporfly Next % - was the second time I’ve ever worn them. At one point in the race, I looked down and 37 of the 40 people in my line of sight had the same shoes on. </div><div>Wore gloves the entire time. </div><div>Carried a bottle of water with me until mile 24. </div><div>No sunglasses because I left them in the gear bag. </div><div><br></div><div>Going into this race with the mindset of “let’s see what happens” took all the pressure off. I had a party running through the streets of Chicago. </div><div><br></div><div>I’m encouraged with the 3:18 on the training I did- i know for sure that a much faster PR is waiting as long as I can train appropriately (with speedwork) and stay healthy. </div><div><br><br><br>#medalmonday Ze Pequeno edition. <br><img id="id_4563_7522_ce2e_cea2" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_vgs3cGs5ZG3OdgEnPQe14eT19-tE63IurdSGL0IpzCrLDbcyBdalz_amUc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><b>What’s next?</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Get my hip back to 100%</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Day of the dead 5k</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Boston 2021</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Stairs to get stronger. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Slowly incorporate speedwork back into my life. </span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Find some new challenges. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">“We are so lucky to be able to do this.”— Jill to me before Boston 2018. </span></div>Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-21801876291812648872019-10-14T14:37:00.001-05:002019-10-14T14:45:13.049-05:00Take the Bridge 2019 {Race Recap}<div>
I’ve followed Take The Bridge for a while. The photos from their races always made the event look crazy fun, so we decided this year was as good as any to try it out. </div>
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We got some pre sale entries and signed up- it typically sells out in minutes. We really had no idea what to expect. </div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">The race was Friday night- a few days before the marathon. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">We got numbers to put on our hips and a wristband to designate we were in the race. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">We also got a nice Lululemon long sleeve shirt. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">We also got a drink token for the post race party. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Once we got to race HQ, I asked a bunch of questions on the logistics. Basically you start the race at a designated spot, then run to the checkpoints any route you want to take. First person back wins cash money. This race attracts some fast folks. </span></div>
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We went outside to watch the men’s race- it started 9pm and the women at 9:30. It was roughly 5k total distance depending on which way you took.<br />
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Hip numbers on and ready to have fun!<br />
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The atmosphere was electric despite it being high 30’s and crazy wind. We cheered for the men and it was really fun.<br />
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First place guy averaged low 5’s. Insane.<br />
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L kicked ass after some high altitude training in CDMX.<br />
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Natali and I ran together for the women’s race. We were both running Chicago a few days later and didn’t want to over do it. We stopped on one bridge for selfies and pics because it was so beautiful.<br />
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We had a lot of fun chatting and enjoying a crazy race at night. </div>
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We ran into an MRC runner from Seoul that night too.<br />
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It was an interesting race experience- I’d consider doing it again if i wasn’t doing a marathon a few days later.<br />
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photo by @gnp_photos</div>
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You get marked at each checkpoint. We decided 2 checkpoints of 3 was enough. We were super cold by that point.<br />
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Post race party was fun- great music, burgers and kombucha.<br />
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We took the bridges!<br />
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I’m glad we signed up for this as it was a unique race experience. It gave me some ideas for MRC event/races in the future.<br />
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It was a fun night with good people. 10/10 would try again. </div>
Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-10329950089251240022019-09-26T06:36:00.001-05:002019-09-26T06:44:58.209-05:00Fox Valley Marathon 20 {2019 Race Recap} <div>On Sunday we ran the Fox Valley Marathon (Final 20). </div><div><br></div><div>I had signed up to run the marathon a few months ago- it was going to fit in with my training perfectly as an easy long run. </div><div><br></div><div>On Saturday, September 21, the day before FV, we said goodbye to our big dog, Hampton. His health had declined significantly over the past few months but Monday - Thursday of the week was nothing short of awful. He rallied and we had a good day Saturday, before freeing him of his failing body and mind. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Sunday morning we woke up to rain and grief from losing Hampton. We drove out to St Charles and knew today would be a tribute to Ham, our big fox. </span></div><div><img id="id_d123_57c1_24d_b4cb" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/vsFaQxRr9xGYz2KT63S0ZgOfWjkj0AEHZCi1Y74gWaVPqOLrSrJNQgJwDW0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>I had planned on the Marathon as a training run + way to process all the emotions I had swirling in my head about losing our soul dog after almost 15 years. </div><div><br></div><div>The weather was low 70’s, high dew point and humidity. I was feeling ok enough. </div><div><br></div><div>I started with the 3:25 pacer who seemed to easily be clicking miles off 15+ seconds faster per mile than the 7:49’s I was expecting. I didn’t chase them. </div><div><br></div><div>I walked through water stops and started running with the 3:30 group for a little bit. They also seemed to be running 10+ Sec faster a mile than 8:00- so I didn’t chase. <br><br><br><br><img id="id_627c_69f6_54c1_784c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EYNoyy63GbdA5aJbP_lydufN-I3LqmlBetsmf-D0TyPtt5fpSAOe4j8eGHE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div>Around mile 9 (my favorite number) a song came on my iPod which made me start crying because it reminded me of Hampton “someone you loved” by Lewis Capaldi. Luckily the course was spread out quite a bit so I was by myself. Running + crying is hard. During this time I almost stepped on a chipmunk which darted out of the bushes. I can only imagine Ham Laughing at me saying he expected better from me since he trained me to be an excellent squirrel/small animal spotter. </div><div><br></div><div>I made the decision shortly after to drop to the 20. I felt spent from the stress/sadness surrounding Hampton + the heat/humidity + possible hangover from celebrating CB’s life the day before. I didn’t want to slog through the conditions for another hour more than I needed. </div><div><br></div><div><br><br><img id="id_1aa2_de70_942a_bd75" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/W89WAxm4o_cN16KdtWeeS97Lk1Ek3RTNzkq3Lzait1oflSC19EDnI3M4dE4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Somewhere in the last 2 miles there was a group hanging out mimosas. I remember them from when I did the Half with Kim a few years ago. Mimosa never tasted so good!</div><div><br></div><div>After the 20 mile turnoff i was running with a few other ladies for a bit. We had all dropped to the 20 and also had Chicago marathon on deck in a few weeks. After finishing we all high fived and wished each other luck for the big dance in 3 weeks. <br><img id="id_b15f_d92b_641f_6564" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/YEqxZRQ99FRgwKAsILFTlBgAPMq1UCvgoOFau9klDUhLLWdKrcFxJErlAf0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>The course is beautiful. It’s whats kept me coming back infrequently over the years- I’ve completed the marathon 2x, 13.1 once and now the 20. Its chill and well organized. </div><div><br></div><div>In the second half I continued to walk through aid stations and take base salt (thank you Natali)</div><div><br></div><div>I also started walking a little in between running. When I’d run I felt good but I would start having difficulty breathing so I’d walk. <br><br><img id="id_53cd_1b46_50f7_b4f3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WtmFnre3eKo6drXOXC2CEo13n_mpXfmHDsX_2EEQ5g9fkCjJ-vFceXxpf4A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>S2 tribute for CB dog at the finish. 2:55, avg 8:45</div><div><br></div><div>I was very happy to finish. I was so hot and done and emotionally drained. L didn’t finish too far behind me and had a decent day as well. </div><div><br></div><div>We got changed and drove to More Brewing to celebrate. <br><img id="id_7471_2d4e_ab29_bca5" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ud7cjwZ4grxAMKGkWbmM-5Q2aJMYZxFMvJiEQQPXIQl_60JiA5LQ0MRiZnk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>This one’s for you, CB. “Space Boots”</div><div><br></div><div><br><img id="id_437_1fbc_e6e0_f090" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/tk-cref-gAUajmu5TWAkg3vyqFi-q5rv8aCuf-1FiD3gUxxlt_FLFwVVvJY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>I had a crazy Cobb salad with chicken - not my usual first choice post long run but it sounded the best. I was feeling nauseous for a while post race. <br><img id="id_f98b_bf6_3a4a_e7a8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3NQE5J3FfQ5C27ZTrBdJkTHqKRBeTpw6sU7stMdcqmBQPuMTnkthN-sYy2I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>My only goal going into FV was to finish upright. I did that. It was mentally and physically exhausting due to everything that happened. I’m so glad we didn’t bail - getting out of the house for a few hours definitely helped me a lot. </div><div><br></div><div>Housekeeping:</div><div><br></div><div>Belvita almond butter biscuit thing in the car ride over. </div><div><br></div><div>Water at all aid stations. </div><div><br></div><div>Base salt at all aid stations. </div><div>No gel/gu/carbs whatever. The plan was to run to depletion to train my body to run off fat. In Chicago I’ll take Maurten. </div><div><br></div><div>Sunglasses would fog up due to the conditions, super annoying. <br><img id="id_2998_7b68_660f_12" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/N88GWOudSG3lEOtoCLJexZ2_DT68CL1iS3saBAsGQ6ijuNkCbPZnpbVHByw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><br></div><div>Dedicated to our big fox, Hampton. </div>Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-28317745477633058152019-07-29T07:00:00.000-05:002019-07-29T07:00:01.764-05:00Malort 5k 2019 {race recap}<div>
On Saturday we ran our 2nd Malort 5k. </div>
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We had a huge squad from our run club participating. </div>
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You take a shot of Malort before starting your watch, run a 5k, then take another shot just before the finish. The winners get 1 bottle of Malort, and the last place finishers get 2 bottles. </div>
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Section 8 co hosted the event which helped raise funds for the Fire for Food campaign , as well as the Chicago Fire soccer club.<br />
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Smiles and anticipation of what was to come.<br />
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We took our shots and started our run. It was super fun!<br />
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Despite having the taste of gasoline, number 2 pencil shavings and windex in our mouths, we were having a blast.<br />
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Pete B came out to spectate and snapped this great photo of us! And I got to pet his adorable puppies!</div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">This was the first 5k I’ve ever negative split. At least that I can remember. </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">After 3 miles we returned to the start which meant 1 more shot. </span><br />
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Which was promptly chased with an old style.<br />
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Celebrations.<br />
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We even got medals for surviving this amazing race!<br />
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We had a lot of fun running and spending time with everyone.<br />
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Nothing more Chicago than an old style and Malort.<br />
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Done! 2shots and 3 beers before 10am. We were living our best lives!<br />
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10/10 will be back next year.<br />
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Post run group photo.<br />
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Post celebrations we went to the farmers market.<br />
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We had raclette.<br />
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It was the perfect end to a crazy morning. </div>
Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-75024895726369664072019-07-23T06:15:00.001-05:002019-07-23T06:29:32.056-05:00Rock N Roll Chicago 13.1 2019 {Race Recap}Another week, another race. <div><br></div><div>My legs were sore from the Redbull 400 until around Thursday. I haven’t felt that sore from a race since I legit started training for races years ago. The soreness was worse than any marathon in recent memory. </div><div><br></div><div>I took this week a little easier due to: 1. My legs being sore. 2. The race. 3. That I would start Chicago marathon training soon and needed a slight break (only ran 40+ miles vs 60+). </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_a491_1fc3_2b11_806a" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/mm1qs7mIbLHF3UMgCZKuHDtRZh0Cp5iqy5vBcjBl2tnBwkXrxBoZkyeZ70c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">4 years of RnR chi!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">I had 0 goals going into this race. The weather was far from ideal at 70f and 75+dew point. I had planned to take it as a supported training run regardless as I’m not In PR shape. <br></span><img id="id_369d_848c_30e_a259" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/bQhXNAyLqL2krkpCTzYwJVyw_lI1MqEFMgxBcA6ORjlzenh6sY_A9CbnEMU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Saturday morning I ran with Ze. It was super hot and muggy out. I figured after that run that a pace around 8:15 would probably happen for Sunday’s half marathon race. I ended up averaging 8:12’s. <br><img id="id_9ad5_be10_c380_3b07" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/2CXkNeeLHQ2SUAEvNN-wFGewxneOIP-jsrzBEQEFDC7Cwp1I_vv8u7JSLjo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Saturday we went to the expo. I ended up with 2 really large blisters on my feet from sandals I hadn’t worn in a while. </div><div><br></div><div>We then went to Marz for lunch. <br><img id="id_fb2_5e93_f077_a554" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/KhlV8z49fa6NSSiEnQ56pt75Z6au2Ehcag8iVJPZytSy_cZh0UqpOsgLOi8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>And hydration. <br><img id="id_1a32_3cac_e0bf_2307" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/aYU15k8H_io3dUrFPqRHMRllVaUM89CYTvUllKwhUf7YH3rTecVUnPwsBA8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Smiles before 13.1 miles!<br><img id="id_f9d7_fc97_e58b_3803" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gOYKOeySxnR0Ar_N0F52rX3SEmXYF_Pqm0_fHeC_uCudOq_iSvj8r5bul5E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>And a bunch of side eye. <br><img id="id_6c89_c7b5_9b0a_8d1d" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/nVJpFk6CD4uutjUkCLTiRrZEwSLwiOPDzPIgJT0WBsDWJ66PD9R34S3l6TY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Race morning: we woke up super early to take the dogs out and walked over to the start with friends from our building. The heat had broken the night before after the storms rolled through but it was still less than ideal. </div><div><br></div><div>We ran into so many friends in the corral area. I have to say this dumb blog + our awesome running club has contributed to this sense of community for sure. It is super cool randomly running into people at races and events.<br><img id="id_add4_b46b_26ae_61f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3wzG2u9S1j4j3I13Up6NhrxTMcMP7ssCR1A0xaVU1-e6qIs9USaljR_AhyQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>I started in the back of corral 1 and chatted with Pete and Dave and Erica and Carla pre race. The gun went off and we were on our way. Dave And I ran together for most of the race which was nice. Running with him kept my pace honest around mid 8’s- had I been alone, I would have slowed down due to not being engaged. </div><div><br></div><div>At the awful out and back around mile 10-11 (seriously, just extend the course another mile to avoid this) I saw L not too far behind us. We attempted a sad side 5 and was so excited for him because he was on pace for something special. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7f6a_e1c8_5549_9f2f" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/NjgCg72eWZnKU4Os5OyFNRJ-QEAVECUgSmOqGfRk4U_8DH4XuejbbLnc_jU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>I finished in 1:47.18 a 2 second course PB! 20/591 in my AG and 142/4168 females. I felt good about the time since I kept the pace pretty easy and even the entire race. </div><div><br></div><div>L got a 15 minute PR and became a member of the sub 2 club with a 1:55! (On tired non tapered marathon legs!) to say I’m proud is an understatement. Proudest coaching moment 💖🔥</div><div><br></div><div>We ran into a bunch of fellow MRC runners post race as we enjoyed our very cold Mich Ultra. <br><img id="id_d3c8_94f0_e8ef_695" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/dJ3NerULEs_wmNbA078bu13Sr3G-ElDvRMPhhTuZLNiXBfm8MiMSsEMDY58" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">CB wanted to participate in medal Monday so I took his pic- the Rock N Roll Instagram liked his pic so much they posted it on their page 💖</span></div><div><br></div><div><br><img id="id_6b97_f4b8_8df1_75f6" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Xvm3f5UFcyRH6NddI9AE-sw7nOZIqwwaIYIH4jh9GjmZRYaWr5ttlx3wiMk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>I was very happy with how I executed this race-sis gel pre race, and a caffeine sis around mile 7. I took water from each aid station and inhaled too much of it. (I should practice lol) or I should just bring water like I usually do. </div><div><br></div><div>What’s next?</div><div>The Malort 5k! </div><div>And... </div><div> Chicago marathon training. 12 weeks to go!</div>Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-17610430902312002562019-07-17T06:46:00.001-05:002019-07-17T06:47:14.744-05:00Vancouver + Whistler 2019 {Part 2}<div>We started Friday by running around Stanley Park. </div><div><br></div><img id="id_81fa_b35d_7ab9_39f9" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/kqchDZ0kTI5N-ybOP1aFWT6TDv-H-Wo8cgYCmuvRArevk9BEX_dVDMI5BXk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>It’s a few miles longer than I thought- sorry L! <br><img id="id_4804_498e_8efc_62e3" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/f7HBy3hkjmRC7vtjURAbjByFbqfMcEtUHVktDwtsLCQEEw6Ip1yH0jOL6B8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>But the views are totally worth it!<br><img id="id_c1c1_66cd_d78b_7348" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/29msXT0dGtzoTqAle7D0rvIIDeIN5ba7JKTCgBXbBmewvO62LRpsFY2yaZE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Totems! <br><img id="id_11bb_55ea_2a92_bc7f" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/1vnz-OmkJeK-CYfHST9_kvQOLvdkxN5QrhKmcjZ2UIhSQ9o5SsGGkWpJUas" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>It was just so peaceful and beautiful. <br><img id="id_2002_41b8_4065_b03a" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/xkvUFu3NY_ekAmRFixifhn_KIA7lxcB4MEkYipxaQUOUZ3MJgGoLO8HN524" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>We saw sea planes. <br><img id="id_bda1_8868_93a0_74f3" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/tYMPjVQrXIySX7bJAGpvTCmh8OGIfqFjOD_tvxjVmk16q6sSuH8nyZijAM8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">And the “girl in a wetsuit”<br></span><img id="id_6e93_388e_fac2_daf3" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/X2LNt7W-THUawSj3k2IKienfLN3L10j2XnFr78UOBMixb4ne5paRux033s0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>We also saw a seal swimming in the water. <br><img id="id_1a15_15b8_6475_7efb" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Cr9D67NeNzp7oBR01xkCiCt0CdP3hl3WvR-Ve45DQ9TIL_NvHrBOCOjgVPw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>I love this place. <br><img id="id_e319_996f_d1fb_9901" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Cvx0jm0O9oBLA6RPQdKSwPXnZfqC8zX5pbkK52TQqBbiWJCy-Uj5RTAM-1I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>I love how the path is separated for cyclists/rollerbladers and runners. <br><img id="id_25df_4d8b_2a89_cd39" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/nCS042_mrgG7HxDHJ3EgReGLvkFUOvbnkofc3Ht3pIwA2h2Y8wel-Di2mD8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Happy. <br><img id="id_7124_17f0_a3c0_22b3" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_Gvzk23tXWHQWgzL1G8FIYFBS-A2jjLtQt36Yh1b_zcnMWhIprAVq7sYbgA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>After our 7 mile run, we went to 6 Degrees for breakfast. I loved the mug that came with my coffee. <br><img id="id_2725_2031_4f4_c5cb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Bc4eKTtJbKPQpaldOKwxQWgCzylimPQ2KOqIuB0zmjcd1y1yXQzjLM4Hc4M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>I had Benedict. <br><img id="id_1747_6a44_fba7_a974" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/EdCjobo3_b3jEvLSW5-5wTDWSEjt1fwz6ORsD3prCZTpmlCtqL0Ozql6x9Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Our route. <br><img id="id_9ad7_dee2_3c9a_a9bb" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zMIgu54_md-BLG0mbWXj5kUyh1adxb6LzD8DQh3WpRQzkz_R171Kp4I208" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Post breakfast we checked out of our hotel, got some Japadogs for the road and rented a car to head to whistler. <br></span><br><img id="id_bff8_71c1_b5e5_f690" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/R3FzfhgWlGSmIuueExz_KJZ7aEzebggg243gRgdUJeCuG23aLVasHT5Aq_s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>The drive is so incredibly beautiful. <br><img id="id_d14f_6a46_9db7_cef9" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/cCJHqs8PTGCOafdiC6B_hf5g0pr0LOmkqt0EhDY9DhmJaSeUuXi3HlBFda4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Mountains! Snow capped mountains! <br><img id="id_a33e_1084_1a82_c291" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Uz5cqNlzjImoWWTBx5KMGao5Y3TP0avPbbT3Fr0-MJMIYBdCrRPmj3QFP7M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>We stopped at a scenic vista to take pictures and eat our Japadogs. <br><img id="id_c3b1_21c5_ff52_dcd7" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/hFQF2a99Ey3IRmjfiT1Z0GaqwHnvSDgrF0hjsV7pKsQh_jdD0PUcMcACI-w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Japadogs. Majestic AF. <br><img id="id_c902_8653_596a_6703" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/eKCN5fKge4P0CM5Sdv9bXDSHwLCauRL_fW-C2EsL_RceOgKFzc0WcVD4few" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>I was so happy to see mountains with snow. <br><img id="id_5955_2c92_cb4c_acc2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4JtKGyIy-8bHZPF_j-B5avyPJEpOm53KCaQmPUUvu5r_YukqzmAXJRHxIFA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Happy. <br><img id="id_7212_823d_4c15_fc87" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/jSytWDo2UJWkGGBbJQ9jLuUy2oS4j9CAtJ3cKp2ReOjmTENpnea4dBNnMdI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">We got to Whistler and walked around the village. </span><br><img id="id_6374_bc84_fdd1_8c3c" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/bQqUmSLqDI-FhKj6onyNjdJI2s8NVwC-VvpVar30VEa1DzpjSmqzsRXG3Zw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>We had some beer and watched the mountain bikers. <br><img id="id_423a_7279_542c_3d1a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/44CXFCBvkivBxdIdQqKC4aREmi5w0TdXFuwwxKGFYPgpaZEF4n3M5T0GGgg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>I just wish we had more time to spend here. <br><img id="id_9fb3_5293_c35e_4673" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/OAVxqk1qVn8JqdMj62JrwO3KywHbS384y6YkP8augTiNNupsHcTGojGU37E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>We went to dinner at Araxi with friends. <br><img id="id_6095_7973_79c1_75c3" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/c5CBe3KyhYi_PmzE30w5CP1hP4p8s0_KXmfUcUYFs-89lt8cfM2YrxP5-SE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_ca1b_3d69_9cd0_49c5" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/1TqUD-O898lnNYCkgsjqUDiujJQ4RcWd2I5Ir_xu7e2p8bEzH-tbMZKNbMw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Amazing fresh oysters. <br><br><img id="id_5a48_ae10_c9f3_d9cb" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/4-XCMmr0arKZNHkH-Quv_GV4zzSZY4LufvXAzIdieO0V4m-g4lDXqzxBkco" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Truffle parm fries. <br><img id="id_103f_ebfd_7fbc_4c96" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/BtlPa4T7R8_DFZQ44wYJ6nrLxmQl4kedwIEx9Wh1LAtrCSiptFrx9iMyjOY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>And Sablefish in miso broth. <br><img id="id_e3a6_b328_82ae_68c9" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/z6zMpEtv72s4qGNTeelSZhJ7VgaNzVdp1OJ2elxznIG_WG8MqawevbDYSiw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Lemon curd tart. Perfect end to our only night in Whistler. <br><img id="id_d712_a38c_f7b7_9d82" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/UVMvqi2RN9ugbAYTkswFE8JGoVxzdbCcCK2R0_03TucR4pE0cksTRVg5OKc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>The best morning we got breakfast in the village <br><img id="id_ae05_bd53_cb1_97e3" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/F-lEFmzUryXvbD4vEAd7NI7MqHR-3E5oaKr9e0YM_1SFBR60YTFIPilAxRY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>I had a bagel sandwich and we got muffins to go. <br><img id="id_ab37_f495_d80c_48a6" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/3odlymcuO5gROxio9Uq7zrFRx15-mOoQVmnWWuhtb8CoOY8ObUcuBcwYD0E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Then we competed in the Redbull 400 World Championships. Race recap: </div><a href="http://www.xaarlin.com/2019/07/redbull-400-world-championships.html" id="id_ff48_d689_d00d_6ebe" target="_blank">{HERE}</a><div><br></div><div><img id="id_ebd8_1a18_afa3_d03d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/sieLC916vTmuTgYpCuT_qcF-xCDeJOPk-H8MxeM-oWQP9dQ25Cxm_oEEctY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>Post 400 we drove back to Vancouver. We went to Alibi room for dinner and beer. <br><img id="id_62a_e354_1b7e_b312" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_dBldhFgiRHzZxEwWzhrHuTRa5j72iEYgdwp7oJSC1XpnuF6p7LvOQYDMm8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>I had an amazing stirfry of rice noodles, broccoli and tofu. <br><img id="id_cdc3_96c2_8802_a566" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/48OUEdXPiFKlEuiX6sAvn1CVxhoWOKBESy7sd1Z703bh4M6HY8KJVPnt7FA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>We met the MRC Vancouver captains. <br><img id="id_bb17_3799_df23_9cd1" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/XbmXkKVqiFqN7MlBiYDyNFo4nOcfb7ZHdKBjZb9SWdGFrudxIl2mySExODA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Alibi room has great food and expansive craft beer selection. We enjoyed it 4 years ago also. <br><img id="id_cac5_2f31_f9af_e6bc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Cuel4bsNpAI446uDu7-BbseDAhmY95RdoC6soQIz-Tc70nT0LtVlY7f_dOI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Then it was time for bed. <br><img id="id_70ca_8fba_2242_8d84" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/CFD4uIYhaWkjPo9ZJsqS51cxmR-4N6v57OpDWEOLWVzMGuGySqv0CWKKy5w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>We woke up and ran part of the sea wall again. <br><img id="id_d72b_7950_2423_e306" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Lf0R6rxbdd7RpUYiQH-YdA7DeYPgQ8MzUEsfM4SpkkTWAbHEZzIFPqaS_I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>It was drizzling lightly and felt great. <br><img id="id_c433_dc7a_affa_8799" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BKoIzFTbXTtETde9TPliEDkgiq6G4pJNYlmVjMxeqFzWRgN79aA7HsscZ-I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>I love this place so much. <br><img id="id_a1ef_94c_9dce_31d9" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/q20QckMzKtsp-bk2LENhAbSfTBVCKW8l6M04kOe1w1IKpG9sAxDU6AnFNPg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>I loved the signs warning cyclists to slow down. <br><img id="id_39ad_66e3_3822_18c4" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/HrxL8-XzJiaElpGdOxX6aGny83KnD36EckiG_rMw2TXWLsp3foSSt9ngAPo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>And just like that our run and time in Vancouver was over. <br><img id="id_3256_22a2_9db7_4b45" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/gx1vFXMT3_VLW_XQTe6klNN2b_eHmFK12UDcTuW9gtgD3XkMQsbcKJcIgDo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>We got breakfast at Tim Hortons before heading to the airport. </div><div><img id="id_de56_ac00_ddcf_2e4f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/cwvnrOKkFU-eY3P7WiseDKjJB9S07MYfC0T9iYbG75SXekU2CU5dYjMVqJg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>The airport is cool. <br><img id="id_f702_1c7f_7197_cc34" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/G4wS1WxTboz7s_9WF0tQNpCj3h_wfl6d9c-N2FZ0LvFoCHW89XN6MNp4vNo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Obligatory plane selfie. <br><img id="id_7b36_ca3e_67ca_ac09" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/P-jeAOB2pBjIPBcxwmBbfNb08eEGqgv2ctfFxAcaxcqUT1iKv5_h3Y_JYKw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>As we got close to Chicago the pilot said we would have to circle a bit due to storms. After 20-30 min he said we will be landing in 8-9 minutes.... in Madison, WI. We were running out of fuel. <br><img id="id_ab0d_8be_d1c7_a63e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ajT0U6kRru_QI-WckZV0KdFFlCxq2YFkXC308hTbyVFq0T8Xpi2t_8L1wQY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>So we landed in Madison with 3-4 other large planes and waited an hour and a half until the ground stop was lifted from ORD. The wheels up/wheels down flight time was only 24 min to ORD!<br><img id="id_86a9_7565_2bcb_9c54" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jn_IQA--nz3cbmMyVz07flp15I0D8lg4xKUw9foQzfvrwwYW5-T0OBFu9Go" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>ORD was a complete shitshow when we landed. 5 planes to a baggage claim and lines a mile long for people who missed their connections. Apparently the storm cell messed a lot of people up. We were just happy to be home. (Direct flights are always worth a few extra $$).</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>This trip was entirely too short. There’s so much more I wanted to see in Whistler and Vancouver. We will have to return again soon. </div><div><br></div><div><br><br></div>Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-51809971768475223302019-07-16T07:50:00.000-05:002019-07-16T07:58:59.288-05:00Vancouver + Whistler 2019 {Part 1} <div>We landed in YVR around 1pm. After a 4.5 hour flight, we were hungry. </div><div><br><img id="id_d85e_1c44_1743_f789" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/hyGc5zTV_sM9tX6erZCkjZfkAqQbCGrH_JPj5pFfohdxVMzai_fs58V-Jas" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">So we hit the logistical, most delicious choice. Japadog airport cart. You haven’t been to Vancouver if you haven’t been to Japadog. #fact<br></span><br><br><img id="id_1cb8_bd54_4a1c_6b6d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/60hCEEndG19nqGVPVpSsfdjPDPbOnQKLyhXjWW6xobLNf170eqVsEoM1-k4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">I had a #6 Terrimayo with jalapeño cheese sausage. <br></span><br><img id="id_b577_dc44_e692_2411" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/BWc3-VSY1TS-e5WYaA_-sU-VqsxcGHcoS53dgvi_-f4g7Ehzvp1C6B-f7Xw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">We took an otter covered subway to downtown and walked to our hotel.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_b3c9_52cb_97c3_540e" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/I_Lvmrb4VEbfzBPHX6lcO_gsWFZfPzVFSy1ZWDXR7lge5XvKE0j11SWGfpI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Then we checked into our hotel and promptly took a walk to collect our bibs for the Redbull 400. <br></span><br><img id="id_45d0_33bd_6de4_a8ae" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/b7LzsWHgdSmETnXGkMLtrUuAn3oHAHyIzJ5RGDlbq-eg-93rcCJE_mP3Yew" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Vancouver is beautiful. I have a very soft spot for mountains and ocean. <br><img id="id_3b46_3a56_c157_b640" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/7xzMEBLT8dicgzdqcmxOrhQapPSI_-yO7Xha7vpUvF6WG5g1AWMpgyQfA-E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Head over heels. Send the dogs I’m never leaving. <br><img id="id_e15d_bcc8_8f6b_4325" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/q0pJQbrX8IJ4hA8msjl14q4q2Bt1cI19VcNcnD6h-SBFbU-xkGiv6ydoicI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>We celebrated my birthday dinner at Miku. <br><img id="id_a320_9fb5_82b4_6fa9" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/9y9agUDpzMuSlv4zm8OV6AUR7qCJJzLshI6aldrDi2cIBtBWL9sBCJ8-thA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>One of the best sushi places in Vancouver. Oysters were briny sweet and delicious. <br><img id="id_d39c_aa97_fbbc_657d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pl8M-eGX8uLKuDQWZlvuk_9GHcU7AWIG9C8w7bKmOn6oDxs8GB0bWWVjvUM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Roasted Brussels sprouts. <br><img id="id_f6de_7561_f20f_aa7b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pRzuhe8HRntoH0NTBmFVQN1Q-Bq3szIY1T3zTlMBZzVS4iAoLdR6ZTCFPz8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Tuna carpaccio with jalapeño and grapes. <br><img id="id_578a_eedd_9fa2_4245" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/929fq2IgxoTbUvO_pR-B2OXThWcoPZrBILHD1fsCleDSxc-isHsse9NinDA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>And the main attraction: an assortment of nigiri in Alburi method- light charring. It was out of this world amazing. It has ruined sushi for me for a while. <br><img id="id_e0bf_b8f5_c27a_2111" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/VbqXwNdAcKIkX2iCHr7YyBKDIdqwKJAuk0PKo-ggoRl11duXxZqGFAMEgKM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>So beautiful and tasty!<br><img id="id_e893_43dd_6a3a_6bf9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/aoWaNIXfwF4-reXSY9BsYse9_1nNz-Md-Fb-KPNjpIuASYzQTvoEYdIKBJk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Dessert was their green tea matcha opera cake. <br><img id="id_1450_387_fcd_d4df" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Fbxo_dgbGnyNYfzkpnOmIgvlxLYThbXWFs7OF3_jsHmtA6x7305JnLheI60" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Post dins, we went to The Magnet for some beer. <br></span><img id="id_9604_d9d5_4b12_cb35" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/yMXtwh6AoFsWFqMmQLin_Li0hbPJvXzN2qqccnPpIGk2ESzmV6-is3XoYW4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>It was such a cool spot. The craft beer scene in Vancouver has really exploded for the better over the past 4-5 years. <br><img id="id_3589_299c_1691_5afb" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/hOEVrEgUxx2bglOpaKDzsM_41T2C1UfY6sh1PwHduhoekZ_NGMSsFzX0hxU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>We walked some more and saw some cool artwork. <br><img id="id_349d_1423_f8f1_b74f" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/FkntrLNBo0e3EcSzN1aWa2i2aUyaxpf_r1Sqib91yizTtVqM9mW3C7fcn_c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br>Then we ended up at Darby’s Pub for more craft beer. It’s been so exciting to see how the craft beer scene has exploded over the past 4 years since we last visited. <br><img id="id_826a_fa57_19ab_82a3" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/pYHm7I-87WuDQhc_eMlwrdTci2y5O6EgtE4ngNzrQbwHXWjThVrH3erct6U" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><br>The perfect end to our first night in Canada. <br><br></div>Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659111169994174275.post-83728563164323440712019-07-15T06:39:00.000-05:002019-07-16T06:13:25.881-05:00Redbull 400 World Championships: Whistler 2019 {race recap} On Saturday we completed our first Redbull 400!<br>
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What is a Redbull 400 race? Basically you run 400 meters up a ski jump- in this case, the Olympic ski jump in Whistler. There are 19 other Redbull 400’s across the globe. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_e11c_e2ce_11b5_6cb8" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/RruZuo8Bk-KhlXBDV2wRIy-jaBfrQGyMtAKsl6DUKhM0dsPXYHFqDieqqIE" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip=""><br>
This event was the world championship - Redbull flew the winners of the other races to this one in Whistler to compete which was pretty cool. </div>
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In the morning we got food at Moguls coffee in Whistler village and took pictures with the mountains.<br>
<img alt="" id="id_c068_390_5f83_3dcb" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/1rVy8iIWWkLjLfSiEOiT9pJvcvck01NguvXiYvwtJ3HsaKQHAZWxmlI-9dE" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip=""><br>
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Then we got ready to drive over to the olympic village. It was mandatory to wear the race issued shirt for the race. We also got socks, a buff and meal/drink tickets.<br>
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As we pulled into Olympic Park we saw the top of the ski jump and thought oh shit. The videos online didn’t do this hill justice. 37% incline doesn’t look all that bad on YouTube. (Not did I have any concept of what 37% incline would be like) IRL it looked like a huge ninja warrior wall, concave in the middle and everything. What the efffff!?<br>
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We got checked in and took pictures. We were in later heats so we got to watch other people go first and learn from their mistakes. Like sprinting the first 100m too hard. Lolz</div>
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<img alt="" id="id_cbea_41f5_be23_dd89" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/7zR6B0haKpIx5yfoZ9F_QvfwcW3aWUYOld80PEraenRuGlWx1gqYp5-UY74" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip=""><br>
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At 11:45am it was time for my heat- #6 overall of 11, and 3rd & final women’s heat.<br>
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The race is 400m and can be broken into 3 sections- 100m flat, 200m steep grass and 100m steep wooden thing (actual ski jump). My plan was to not go all out and sprint the first 100 as tempting as that was. I knew that going anerobic early would make for a struggle fest and not make up any time on the climb. </div>
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5-4-3-2-1 and the gun goes off! “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” is blaring on the speakers. </div>
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Stride for days. I’m in the black capris and black hat.<br>
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I take off at my 5kish pace (around 6:30/mile) for the first 100m and get to the grass hill section. I’m feeling great. Then I start the climb up. I figured I would try to stay upright for the first 50m or so of the climb and then start using my hands to climb. </div>
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My feet start slipping in the grass. Awesome.<br>
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I knew slipping could be a possibility as I was wearing racing flats. But I’m not sure how much of a difference trail shoes would have made as the grass was thick. (Could not wear spikes) so I started scrambling to find divots and basically climb my way up. My only goal was to keep a steady pace and not stop. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_4696_9f92_166f_9944" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/vH2Y2fVn6nIVBTZZn02DfC34ovtungIrK0E2ZnsdJzJ8TOwRuEgPT2pCpZM" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip=""><br>
Finally got to the end of the grass and stood up for a second and then began the wood panel section. Hearing “you’re almost there” is so relative - in a marathon 100m is most certainly “you’re almost there.” In a 400m race with the last 100m being up the actual ski jump, 100m is not so much “you’re almost there” especially when your legs are on fire and you can’t catch your breath- it was more like 2 minutes more of pure hell. </div>
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There were loads of spectators and speakers blasting music which kept the energy level up and kept us completely stoked.<br>
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For a second I tried to stand up on the wood panel (because I saw many other people running up this portion) and almost fell backwards. Completely unnecessary shot of adrenaline. I continued to scramble on all 4’s. </div>
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Near the top I tried standing again. This was marginally more successful.<br>
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I looked up for the first time in what felt like a while and saw I was only a few more slats away from finishing. I crossed the finish and fell over onto a crash pad to catch my breath. I high fived all the women around me. God damn that was difficult.<br>
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Once I got myself together, I pulled my phone out of my flip belt and asked someone to take my picture to commemorate this accomplishment. </div>
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Looking down was dizzying. We climbed basically 400’ over 300m.<br>
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I hung out in the ski jump start area thing and took pictures of relics from Vancover 2010 and the gorgeous view. </div>
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I also ran into our friend who was in the heat preceding mine. We high 5’d and chatted a bit before heading back down. </div>
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I climbed up that!<br>
<img alt="" id="id_ae8d_6020_6e09_29ae" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qsb0UyCweUlu8hQ7k5QEwgHNNNeSS0N3gHBw5CiPZbap093Q19ua-1Ssa-E" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" title="" tooltip=""></div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">I finished in 8:29- which was around what I was expecting. In the stair climbs I’ve done, I’m soldidly 2x as slow as the winners. I expected nothing less for this, especially since I didn’t train at all for this specifically. I’ve been averaging 55-60+ run miles per week but no hills. (Highly don’t recommend this approach) </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I finished in 8:29, was 448/615 overall and 102/173 out of women. Clearly I have a lot of room for improvement. </span></div>
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After about 8 minutes I felt like my legs could handle walking again so I started heading down the stairs next to the part I just climbed up and would stop to take photos of the hill) </div>
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Waking down the stairs was fun. They were metal and difficult to see where the stair started and ended. Plus my shoes would grip to them a little causing me to stumble. Awesome with trashed jelly legs.<br>
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I got down the ski jump in one piece and made it in time to cheer on L. I saw him as he was lined up in the start area and showed him pictures of the wood section.<br>
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His heat took off to Thunderstruck.<br>
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We cheered him on as he started his ascent.<br>
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Once he got high enough on the hill, I ran back to the car to get our bags so we could get a beer and food.<br>
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I waited with our friends while L made it down the jump. And then we celebrated with some local beer and used our meal tickets for some food. There were 2 food trucks and the most popular was the vegan option- due to it having a long line we opted for the ribs (sad face). I also bought a Redbull summer flavor slushee with vodka. It hit the spot hard. We said goodbye to our friends and then started on the road to Vancouver.<br>
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It was a crazy experience that was a great accomplishment. </div>
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I should have trained more specifically for this race- sprint up the small hills near us or the stairs in our condo. Lesson learned. I have no doubt it wouldn’t have made it any easier but I would have been faster. I needed around 7:00 to qualify for the finals (about 1:30 faster than I did)- I was not sad to miss out on having to climb that beast again. My legs were shaking for hours after the event (and my calf’s are sore AF 24+ hours later). The women’s winner was around 4:19 , and men’s winner was 3:30 It was insanity watching them fly up a 37% incline like no big deal. (Most of them get paid to do this- and other athletic events as they are badass trail runners)<br>
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Takeaways:</div>
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•Actually train for this race. When I knew we would be doing this event, I googled for training suggestions. I came across an article from one of the previous winners saying “find the biggest, baddest hill in your neighborhood, sprint up it until you almost puke. Then repeat 20 more times.” Due to health issues and my general laziness, (And Ze’s aversion to all inclines) I didn’t do any hills. </div>
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•I executed the race perfectly. I took the first (flat) 100m at a decent pace which didn’t make me go anerobic for the climb. I kept a steady pace on the incline and didn’t stop at all. </div>
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•Having friends also competing in this event made it more fun. We got to hang out and watch the earlier heats and cheer each other on. I just wish we would have stayed in Whistler one more night to be able to celebrate with them. </div>
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•Trail shoes. Maybe they would have helped a bit?</div>
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•Gloves. I should have worn gloves- even gardening gloves would have been good to hopefully grip the grass, and not get splinters on the wood. Luckily my hands were fine, but I see a benefit to it. </div>
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•It was an all day event. We got to the site around 9am to check in and get our wristband. Then there was an athlete meeting at 10am followed by a warmup. The heats started at 10:30 and went every 15 minutes on the dot. When we read all of that on the emails, we thought it was excessive to be there all day- but the time went fast and we had so much fun spectating and hanging out. </div>
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•It was an exceptionally well run event. There were ample communications about the rules and expectations. Race day everything went off without a hitch and was on time. My wave was 11:45 and the gun went off at 11:45. The energy level remained high from wave #1 through wave #11. It was such a fun day. </div>
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10/10 will do another one of these again someday. And I’ll train for it. </div>
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What’s next? Rock n Roll half marathon this weekend. Yay. </div>
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Xaarlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12846036242883194347noreply@blogger.com4