Marathon Training Update

Well, training has been going along. I won't say it's been going well, but it's been going. Many of you may notice that I have the running blog (at least someone's reading it because my hit counter keeps climbing!) where I log all my workouts, and attached to both blogs is my Runner's World Running Log. I have both because the Runner's World Log calculates my total mileage...and I hate math so it's nice to have (do you realize I’ve run over 125 miles this year?!?). The On the Go blog I started last year before I started the Runner's World and have just been keeping up with it because it allows me to rant and rave or give myself props. It's both cathartic and motivational.

Lately my left foot has been sore (and I mean, more so than the rest of me—I had no idea I had that many muscles in my ass that could hurt!!). I’m certain it’s the result of running on ice and snow. I’ve taken it easy the last two weeks. I felt as if I needed to let it heal, but now I fear my training has suffered. Oh, the delicate balance!

And what the hell is up with this weather!?! I think that the weather gods are getting a thrill from kicking my ass. I can’t remember a winter that was this bad in a while. Not that I thought training would be a piece of cake, but I didn’t think that the weather would try to kill me too! Running 12 miles in ice and snow is no picnic. I would not recommend it, I don’t care how in shape or motivated you are—it blows (I have proof).

My other complaint (clearly this update has turned into a rant!) is that how is it that I seem to be the only human being alive that GAINS WEIGHT while training for a marathon. Seriously, WTF!?! Runners are supposed to be svelte and skinny. That’s soooo not happening. Weight loss was not the primary reason I got in this, but I had hoped it would just come with the territory. And don’t give me that crap about muscle weighing more than fat…if that was true, my size would have gone down and my weight would have stayed the same. Clearly, I’m a medical marvel for this to occur, and for the record it’s crap!

This weekend is the first weekend when I will run over 13 miles. I’ve got 15 miles on deck. Quite frankly it scares the shit out of me. Seriously, who runs that far? (Clearly I’m becoming “That Guy”.) Sometimes when I search locations on Google maps, I give my zip code and look for places with in a 15 mile radius and sometimes I think, “Dude, that’s too far, I’ll pick the closer place!” I believe I have to run from Waveland to Soldier Field and back. I was thinking, thank god for my running group, but my both my pace group leader, Elaine and Becky, my running buddy, won’t be there. I’m totally trying to psych myself up, but it’s not working. Sure it’s only 2 more miles than my longest run that I’ve ever done…but I don’t seem to believe myself. I’m sure I’ll feel like a rock star if and when my slow ass finishes, but until then, yeah—FREAKING OUT!!! (Is it wrong to run with my bus pass/cab money just incase?)

There is some good news to the crazy style distances. My librarian at school has lent me a copy of a book on tape. She “reads” on her commute. I’ve decided that since I have 3 hours worth of running maybe I should give it a whirl. I mean, really, how many times can I hear the song “Milkshake” on my running mix? The point of having a running mix is to distract myself from wanting to kill myself from all the running, not add to my suicidal tendencies by incessantly hearing “My Milkshake brings all the boys to the yard! (Damn right, it’s better than yours!)”. I’ll let you know how Snowflower and the Secret Fan turns out. So far, I was completely wigged out buy the account on foot binding.

So that’s my story. I fully expect that every one of you sleep in on Saturday morning so that I can have all your energy for my run. (I know it’s hard thing to ask—people to sleep in for me!) Wish me luck!

A New Super Food

I was in the grocery store the other day when I happened around an end cap. Now generally I shop the perimeter of the store, and most certainly stay away from the chip isle (because let’s face it, I have no self control). But this end cap glowed like a golden beacon. It called to me… it said….

BEER CHIPS!


What? What’s this? Potato chips made with beer? It’s the marriage of two of my most favorite foods, beer and potatoes! I think if they had a cheddar variety it would be a food mange a tois in my mouth! But I digress…needless to say I had to buy a bag!

OMG!! What I tasted upon consumption was the ultimate PMS-uber food. They’re the thicker variety of potato chips, the ones that are super crunchy. They have a slight hint of beer-y-ness, but it’s not overwhelming. The chips are not only salted, but sugared too! Seriously, it’s all perfectly balanced in one amazing bag. It's my new crack.

You’ve got to try these…they’re AWESOME!!

The greatest thing since sliced Peanut Butter?

I was in the grocery store the other day and I came across a product. At first I was intregued. It looked like brown american cheese. Upon further inspection, I realized that it was not cheese, rather peanut butter!

That's right, availible for consumption is single serving slices of peanut butter! Are they kidding me?!?! How freakin' lazy do you have to be to open a jar, stick in a knife and spread it on bread???? It's not rocket science, it's making a bloody sandwich!

After checking out the website for this product, I found that it took four years to create. Four years to make peanut butter not sticky so that you can get it off the plastic wrap. Isn't that part of the fun of peanut butter? It's stickiness?

This is just too much! I'll give you the single serving of peanut butter in a snack-pac style cup. I'd even concede to peanut butter in a tube, and I've seen it in a can. Not that I've used it, but I could see the convinience of keeping it in your desk for a snack. BUT A SINGLE SLICE?!!? How are mom's supposed to take a knife and create a heart of peanut butter in their kids sandwiches! (Not that I could see it, but I know my mom always did it!)

This is a whole new level of laziness. It's a sad, sad day that now people can buy crustless bread, and put a slice of peanut butter on it... I guess it's only a matter of time before jelly follows suit.

I Love the Auto Show!

This evening I took myself to the 100th Chicago Auto Show...
Here are a few of my favorite things:
Corvette ZR1 (So pretty!)
Camero BumbleBee
1970 Shelby (The last of the real Muscle Cars!) The '08 Bullit (Can you tell I like Mustangs?) 2008 Shelby--(If this ended up in my garage, I wouldn't be sad about it!) Oh, and Greg Olsen (TE) of the Chicago Bears!!!
Olsen (#82) was the Bears first round draft pic last year (31st over all). I was a total geek about meeting him. Seriously, I'm slightly embarassed in hindsight. But not only did I get a pic, but he signed my ticket stub from the Green Bay game. For those of you who are not walking encycloepdias of Bears stuff, that October 7th game was when Olsen scored his first career touchdown. (Oh, yeah, and the Bears won that game too!)

Why Valentine’s Day is CRAP or Happy Crap Day

Ok, first of all I would like to state that I have always thought Valentine’s Day is a bogus holiday—relationship or no relationship. I’m not being any more bitter and jaded than usual; it’s just an excellent excuse to rant.

So…why is Valentine’s Day crap? I’m so glad you asked!!

1. First of all, the obvious—IT’S A MADE UP HOLIDAY!!! If you google it, you get a bunch of different reasons it’s a holiday…but let’s face it—the association for the date is for the Catholic Church to cover up a pagan holiday. (If that doesn’t say romance, I don’t know what does!)
2. Assume for a second it is holiday worth celebrating. What sort of jacked-up holiday revolves around chocolates and junk food (ie fattening stuff), and then expects you to wear skimpy lingerie? Does anyone else see a problem here?
3. It seems for the past week people have been pre-occupied with my singleness. My students have been asking me if I had plans, when I say no, they act sad for me! One of my students actually asked“Ms. B, aren’t you sad that you have nobody on Valentine’s Day? I’d be sad if I were you.” Are you kidding me? There’s nothing worse than pity from a seventh grader.
4. If you shorten Valentine’s Day to it initials, you get an STD…oh, let’s celebrate that.
5. Gifts on Valentine’s Day seem to be given out of obligation rather than love. If someone wants to give me flowers just because they believe I’m awesome, I have absolutely no problem with that. But if I’m getting flowers because you think you’re supposed to, or that if you don’t I’m going to kick your ass, then we have a problem.
6. It’s unimaginative. Everywhere you look, everything is coated with mixtures of red and pink. I hate pink! The way to this girl’s heart is football, pizza and beer…not a plethora of hearts, roses and baloney sentiment.

I hate to burst anyone’s mushy little bubble, but I just have to call ‘em like I see em---Valentine’s Day…a big crock o’ shit.

Enjoy your candy hearts.

Election Update

Thanks to your help, Linus is in the Final Fur!!

Now Linus is up against Baxter, who's owner apparently has nothing better to do than vote 8,000 times. Let's get Linus in to the championship and show Bexter and his owner who Chicago's Most Beautiful Cat really is!!

VOTE! VOTE!! VOTE!!!

***This post is sponsored by people who thinks Linus Rocks!!!

Super Tuesday

If you had a primary/caucus today (as we did in Illinois), I hope you made it out to vote! I did, just in the nick of time (and with some judge thinking I was a high schooler--wtf?!?!)

Anywho, there is still an on going election...

Linus has made it to the Elite Eight! (Yeah, Linus--You Rock!)

Linus is up against a Snooty Von Butters (ok, so only half the name is correct). But the point is Linus needs your vote!! Vote for Linus, don't let a snooty cat be voted most beautiful in Chicago!!

Vote Early, Vote Often!! Let's help Linus go all the way!!

Vote Here!!

**This add is sponsored by "People Who Think Linus Rocks!!"

Pure Snark

I stumbled upon this site...HILLARIOUS!!

I always thought this phenomonom existed, now someone else has set out to prove it! Check it out...the URL says it all.

Happy Superbowl!!

Many of you know that today is my favorite holiday. It's the football equivlant to Christmas! I know, I know, I know....my Bears didn't make it to the Superbowl this year. Yeah, yeah--wasn't even close. I don't want to hear it!!! (BARB and JOE!!) But my fellow Bears fans, there are some things for which we can be happy:

1. The Bears beat Green Bay--twice!!! This still makes me giggle!(And constitutes a perfect season for my mother.--If only it were really that easy.)

2. Devin Hester is still under contract.

3. The Bears had a less than stellar season, therefore, there will be some fair-weather fans giving up their season tickets, thus moving me up on the wait list! (Hey, a girl can dream!)

4. 14th draft pick over all...here's hoping we don't have another Cade McNown incident.

5. For those of you who are not Patriots fans, Bears fans can take comfort that they are playing the Giants. If you go back to the 1934 championship game, the Bears went in to that game undefeated. Unfortunately, due to shitty field conditions and a lack of shoes (seriously, the Bears played barefoot--no pun, it's true!), the Bears perfect season was ruined by the New York Giants. With any luck history will repeat itself. (Sorry, I can't stand Bill Bellachek!!! I say Giants by 3!)

6. Finally, the last thing that will get me through...10 days until pitchers and catchers report!! (Go, Cubs GO! It's our year!!!)