So, as I sit chained to my desk, working yet another day of unpaid overtime...I dream of my vacation. In just 2 days. To Costa Rica. And I won't be back for two weeks. Suckers.
I hope to take lots and lots of great pix, hopefully have wonderful light and subject matters. I'll try to remember the fellow bloggers out there while I'm sipping a drink at the swim-up bar in the pool...see 'ya, bitches!
-Kim
Monday, April 30, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Age does not equal smarts
Intellectually, I should know that running on pavement is harder on my legs than running on a nice cushy treadmill.
Intellectually, I should know that running with a pulled left hamstring is not a great idea.
In reality, I didn't think of either one. My adventure started last Saturday. It was a beautiful warm sunny day here in Michigan, so I did a little clean-up gardening. I woke up Sunday with a sore left hamstring, but thought nothing of it since I usually get one from gardening every year.
It was another nice warm sunny day on Sunday, so I went for a run. The run went pretty well. I wasn't used to the warm temp, but otherwise not bad. The leg loosened up after the first 1/2 mile or so, and I was in good shape.
Monday, I wanted to try running in the great outdoors again. I took the same route, and it was also warm that day. The ham was still a bit sore, but the run went okay. Running outside was tough on my inner thigh muscle (whatever you call that), but overall a decent experience.
Then we come to Tuesday. At this point, I'm becoming obsessed with the outside run. I want to go farther, faster. I'm calculating my workout week, and I want to squeeze in another run since I won't be able to do it the next day (which would mean two days off). The temp had dropped to a little below 60F, so it was cooler than it had been. My ham is still sore, but I'm thinking "Why not? I made it fine on Sunday and Monday. What's one more day?" Did I mention that I haven't been doing pavement running since I started? So, I take off on my new 2.2 mile route. It's going ok, not too hot, but geez my left leg just can't seem to get a good stride. I'm running short on that side, and I feel like an old guy shuffling along. I make it a bit over 1 mile at this point, so I decide to take my walk break and give it a rest. After about 3 minutes, I decide to gear up for the rest of the way home. I start off and ohh! My side-thigh muscle thingie hurts like crazy! And ohh! My left groin muscles starts to hurt too! My stride in my left leg is getting smaller and smaller as the ham starts to tighten up even more. At this point, I'm still .7 miles from home and I realize. I have to do the Runner's Walk of Shame to get back to the house. If I keep running like this, I'm going to end up like Quasimodo on a bad day. And did I mention the back of my knee is killing me at this point, too? And that the last 2/10 of a mile is a 10% or so grade up my street?
When finally limped in the front door, I realize my husband has been checking out said limp since I hit our driveway. I got the Dad treatment, fo' sure. "I told you not to kill yourself" (can't collect on the insurance if I do, huh?) "Did you take your cell phone with you? No? What if you fall dead on the street?" (Then I'm dead) "Oh, sweetie" (Oh sweetie).
I promptly hit the garden tub upstairs and soaked that sucker for an hour in scalding water. It did help, and by today (2 days later) I'm good as new. My husband won't be home after work tonight, so maybe I can sneak out again...hmmmm....
-Kim
Intellectually, I should know that running with a pulled left hamstring is not a great idea.
In reality, I didn't think of either one. My adventure started last Saturday. It was a beautiful warm sunny day here in Michigan, so I did a little clean-up gardening. I woke up Sunday with a sore left hamstring, but thought nothing of it since I usually get one from gardening every year.
It was another nice warm sunny day on Sunday, so I went for a run. The run went pretty well. I wasn't used to the warm temp, but otherwise not bad. The leg loosened up after the first 1/2 mile or so, and I was in good shape.
Monday, I wanted to try running in the great outdoors again. I took the same route, and it was also warm that day. The ham was still a bit sore, but the run went okay. Running outside was tough on my inner thigh muscle (whatever you call that), but overall a decent experience.
Then we come to Tuesday. At this point, I'm becoming obsessed with the outside run. I want to go farther, faster. I'm calculating my workout week, and I want to squeeze in another run since I won't be able to do it the next day (which would mean two days off). The temp had dropped to a little below 60F, so it was cooler than it had been. My ham is still sore, but I'm thinking "Why not? I made it fine on Sunday and Monday. What's one more day?" Did I mention that I haven't been doing pavement running since I started? So, I take off on my new 2.2 mile route. It's going ok, not too hot, but geez my left leg just can't seem to get a good stride. I'm running short on that side, and I feel like an old guy shuffling along. I make it a bit over 1 mile at this point, so I decide to take my walk break and give it a rest. After about 3 minutes, I decide to gear up for the rest of the way home. I start off and ohh! My side-thigh muscle thingie hurts like crazy! And ohh! My left groin muscles starts to hurt too! My stride in my left leg is getting smaller and smaller as the ham starts to tighten up even more. At this point, I'm still .7 miles from home and I realize. I have to do the Runner's Walk of Shame to get back to the house. If I keep running like this, I'm going to end up like Quasimodo on a bad day. And did I mention the back of my knee is killing me at this point, too? And that the last 2/10 of a mile is a 10% or so grade up my street?
When finally limped in the front door, I realize my husband has been checking out said limp since I hit our driveway. I got the Dad treatment, fo' sure. "I told you not to kill yourself" (can't collect on the insurance if I do, huh?) "Did you take your cell phone with you? No? What if you fall dead on the street?" (Then I'm dead) "Oh, sweetie" (Oh sweetie).
I promptly hit the garden tub upstairs and soaked that sucker for an hour in scalding water. It did help, and by today (2 days later) I'm good as new. My husband won't be home after work tonight, so maybe I can sneak out again...hmmmm....
-Kim
Monday, April 23, 2007
Going Green - Part II
In looking around a bit, I stumbled on a couple more suggestions for going green that I hadn't realized before. I figured I'd put them out there, maybe you'll have an "aha" moment as well...
1) Don't leave appliances (like monitors, CPUs, etc) running in sleep mode. Well, no shit. The article I read suggests to not only plug these into a power strip (which I do), but to turn THE POWER STRIP off when not using these items. Seems the power strip left turned on all day drains energy that adds up after a while...It seems obvious, but I never really thought about it.
2) The other suggestion was a bit cheesy, but some of you out there might use it. Take your empty Starbucks cup (or other paper-like coffee container) and use it to start plant seeds or herb seeds. The coffee remnants don't harm the seeds (a little acidity sometimes helps) and you don't have to waste the coffee cup.
3) The last one is for all you breeders out there. Use the old cereal boxes as magazine or paper storage racks. Cut the box on an angle so the top and part of one side are cut off (looks like a quadrangle). You can use those odd bits of wrapping paper to cover the Lucky Charms leprechaun if you want...unless your reading is magically delicious.
That's all for today, folks! Hug a tree!
-K
1) Don't leave appliances (like monitors, CPUs, etc) running in sleep mode. Well, no shit. The article I read suggests to not only plug these into a power strip (which I do), but to turn THE POWER STRIP off when not using these items. Seems the power strip left turned on all day drains energy that adds up after a while...It seems obvious, but I never really thought about it.
2) The other suggestion was a bit cheesy, but some of you out there might use it. Take your empty Starbucks cup (or other paper-like coffee container) and use it to start plant seeds or herb seeds. The coffee remnants don't harm the seeds (a little acidity sometimes helps) and you don't have to waste the coffee cup.
3) The last one is for all you breeders out there. Use the old cereal boxes as magazine or paper storage racks. Cut the box on an angle so the top and part of one side are cut off (looks like a quadrangle). You can use those odd bits of wrapping paper to cover the Lucky Charms leprechaun if you want...unless your reading is magically delicious.
That's all for today, folks! Hug a tree!
-K
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Going Green
Be still my beating heart...is America finally ready to take saving the environment seriously? Are we ready to recycle? Cut our reliance on oil? Cut emissions? The glut of advertising and media coverage on the subject is building, and I only hope this time we take it seriously.
This whole topic isn't new; global warming is not a man-made concept (just a man-made problem). We are strip mining the planet for our daily needs, and it must stop soon. The average household leaves an environmental footprint the size of King Kong, and it really doesn't take a whole lot of effort to make it smaller (like Mighty Joe Young size).
Try recycling. This takes almost zero effort. Instead of chucking the endless catalogues, newspapers and flyers you receive every week - bundle them up. Use an old milk crate to gather the glass, and another one for the cardboard and paper. Once every couple of weeks, trek down to the recycle center and drop them off. Or, better yet, pay a little extra for the trash company to pick it up for you. We pretty much have one bag of trash per week and the rest goes in the bin.
Change your light bulbs to the energy efficient kind. They last longer, and they'll cut your electric bill. They are more expensive, but you spend less in the long run. If you don't want to fork out the expense to do them all at once, just replace them with the good guys when they pop on you.
Run your AC less. We live in Michigan, for cripe's sake, not Brazil. It doesn't get THAT hot. Play more outside in the evening if it's warm in the house. I think we run the AC about a total of 12 days from June to September, and that was on days the high temp hit over 95 F.
Use the rubber mulch in your flower beds. It is made of recycled tires. It doesn't blow away as much as the wood pulp stuff, and it doesn't fade for years. It is soft, so you can use it under your child's play set too.
If everyone gives a little effort, it can go a long way. Christ, I don't know why I even care since we're not breeders...
-K
This whole topic isn't new; global warming is not a man-made concept (just a man-made problem). We are strip mining the planet for our daily needs, and it must stop soon. The average household leaves an environmental footprint the size of King Kong, and it really doesn't take a whole lot of effort to make it smaller (like Mighty Joe Young size).
Try recycling. This takes almost zero effort. Instead of chucking the endless catalogues, newspapers and flyers you receive every week - bundle them up. Use an old milk crate to gather the glass, and another one for the cardboard and paper. Once every couple of weeks, trek down to the recycle center and drop them off. Or, better yet, pay a little extra for the trash company to pick it up for you. We pretty much have one bag of trash per week and the rest goes in the bin.
Change your light bulbs to the energy efficient kind. They last longer, and they'll cut your electric bill. They are more expensive, but you spend less in the long run. If you don't want to fork out the expense to do them all at once, just replace them with the good guys when they pop on you.
Run your AC less. We live in Michigan, for cripe's sake, not Brazil. It doesn't get THAT hot. Play more outside in the evening if it's warm in the house. I think we run the AC about a total of 12 days from June to September, and that was on days the high temp hit over 95 F.
Use the rubber mulch in your flower beds. It is made of recycled tires. It doesn't blow away as much as the wood pulp stuff, and it doesn't fade for years. It is soft, so you can use it under your child's play set too.
If everyone gives a little effort, it can go a long way. Christ, I don't know why I even care since we're not breeders...
-K
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Hey now...
Trying to get fancy and high tech here, adding a photo to the blog. This one is from a vacation in the Bahamas. I figured I would post it for all you folks out there still stuck in the late winter like I am...
I'll try to post a different photo every week, just to show off the hobby...
later!
-K
I'll try to post a different photo every week, just to show off the hobby...
later!
-K
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Can I get an Amen?
How many people out there are in the same spot as me? Here I am, 36 years old. I've worked at the same company for almost 10 years (9.5 years, if you want to be technical). I fell into my line of work out of job desperation after college (my degree is in a totally different field). And, for the past 2 years, I HATE IT. I hate almost everything about it. I get the Sunday Night Stomache ache; I shudder when my work phone rings; I hit Monster.com every other day.
So, what to do? Go back to school? Work part-time in a better profession until I can get a full time job? The economy here in Michigan is so far in the shitter you couldn't reach it with a snake. Looking for another job is a daunting task, fo' sure. School is an option, but one I don't look forward to. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for more education and I was a pretty decent student. I just have zero good study habits and, if it don't come easy, I abandon it like a hot potato.
My passion is photography. There's nothing better than going out early in the morning, just me and my camera, and discovering wonderful things. My dream is to be able to make a living off of my photos, but for now I settle on making it my hobby (and that's fine for me). I've dipped my toe in the professional waters. I've taken a small business class and I've interned with a photo portrait studio in town. I'd just rather do the art and leave the business to someone else... :)
I suppose I'm hitting my mid-life crisis a bit early. I've dyed my hair red, taken up running, and have vowed to start doing more of the things I want to do. Lord help my husband...
-K
So, what to do? Go back to school? Work part-time in a better profession until I can get a full time job? The economy here in Michigan is so far in the shitter you couldn't reach it with a snake. Looking for another job is a daunting task, fo' sure. School is an option, but one I don't look forward to. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for more education and I was a pretty decent student. I just have zero good study habits and, if it don't come easy, I abandon it like a hot potato.
My passion is photography. There's nothing better than going out early in the morning, just me and my camera, and discovering wonderful things. My dream is to be able to make a living off of my photos, but for now I settle on making it my hobby (and that's fine for me). I've dipped my toe in the professional waters. I've taken a small business class and I've interned with a photo portrait studio in town. I'd just rather do the art and leave the business to someone else... :)
I suppose I'm hitting my mid-life crisis a bit early. I've dyed my hair red, taken up running, and have vowed to start doing more of the things I want to do. Lord help my husband...
-K
Monday, April 09, 2007
A new mile-stone
Yes, the hyphen was added on purpose, Mr. English Major. On Saturday I ran my all time high of 2 miles on the Dread! I was sweating like a pig, but boy did it feel good.
I had a doctor's pre-appointment for a physical last week. Now, at my current height (5 ft 6in and change) and weight (188 lbs) I was informed that I am currently in the "obese" category. Initially, this was really depressing to me. But now, I look at it as a motivator for my running.
After I had completed my 2 miles, I told my husband about it, following up with "How's that for obese?". I think I'm saying this word aloud so that I own it and that it doesn't have the power to depress me. It now is just motivating. I'm running a 5K in June...how's that for obese? I run or walk on the treadmill about 12 miles per week...how's that for obese? I don't eat junk food or drink soda pop (haven't in years)...how's that for obese?
I could go on and on...and I do, in my head. I think this label is going to be great to keep me moving; keep me running on a regular schedule. Now when I loose my motivation, I'll just remember that I want to show people wrong! That I'm not lazy; that I'm not going to stop! Yeah for me!
-Kim
I had a doctor's pre-appointment for a physical last week. Now, at my current height (5 ft 6in and change) and weight (188 lbs) I was informed that I am currently in the "obese" category. Initially, this was really depressing to me. But now, I look at it as a motivator for my running.
After I had completed my 2 miles, I told my husband about it, following up with "How's that for obese?". I think I'm saying this word aloud so that I own it and that it doesn't have the power to depress me. It now is just motivating. I'm running a 5K in June...how's that for obese? I run or walk on the treadmill about 12 miles per week...how's that for obese? I don't eat junk food or drink soda pop (haven't in years)...how's that for obese?
I could go on and on...and I do, in my head. I think this label is going to be great to keep me moving; keep me running on a regular schedule. Now when I loose my motivation, I'll just remember that I want to show people wrong! That I'm not lazy; that I'm not going to stop! Yeah for me!
-Kim
Friday, April 06, 2007
What else to do on a day like today
Really, my postings are becoming more and more schizophrenic. Last month, I thought my true calling was music posts. Then my music inspiration went into the shitter...can't tell you why, it just did!
The weather here has turned cold AGAIN, very disappointing. But the cold temparture hasn't stopped the spread of a very insipid bug in my office. And this carrier spreads this bug to most people he comes in contact with...I'm talking Running Fever!
And no, this isn't just a fever that lasts a long time. I've caught the running bug from my coworker Mike P. His enthusiasm for the sport has given me the inspiration to try it myself. I'm running my first 5K in June, and I can't wait. I'm pretty much ready for it now, but with a couple of weeks off for vacation I'll be just about on course training-wise.
The majority of my training has been on the Dread Mill in our basement. That doesn't bug me so much, except on those run that I need to concentrate to pull the last few yards out. Then the basement walls do nothing to inspire me to go forward. At least if I'm running in my neighborhood, I can push myself by mailboxes. You know, I pep talk to myself that I can make it to the black mailbox; and when I get within 10 yards of that I push to the green one. It really does work. No mailboxes in the basement.
And I've also learned that my subdivision isn't named "Hi Hill" for nothing. I never used to wonder why I didn't see many runners in our area. Probably b/c no matter which route you take, you are facing a pretty intimidating slope fo' sure. But that just helps me prep better for a flat trail like Paint Creek in the spring. I can't wait to hit that trail. I just found a park-n-run area not too far from the house to hook onto the trail, so it won't be long now! :)
Well, that updates you for now. In the world of childless-ness, the ancidotal stories are few and far between...Happy Spring!
-K
The weather here has turned cold AGAIN, very disappointing. But the cold temparture hasn't stopped the spread of a very insipid bug in my office. And this carrier spreads this bug to most people he comes in contact with...I'm talking Running Fever!
And no, this isn't just a fever that lasts a long time. I've caught the running bug from my coworker Mike P. His enthusiasm for the sport has given me the inspiration to try it myself. I'm running my first 5K in June, and I can't wait. I'm pretty much ready for it now, but with a couple of weeks off for vacation I'll be just about on course training-wise.
The majority of my training has been on the Dread Mill in our basement. That doesn't bug me so much, except on those run that I need to concentrate to pull the last few yards out. Then the basement walls do nothing to inspire me to go forward. At least if I'm running in my neighborhood, I can push myself by mailboxes. You know, I pep talk to myself that I can make it to the black mailbox; and when I get within 10 yards of that I push to the green one. It really does work. No mailboxes in the basement.
And I've also learned that my subdivision isn't named "Hi Hill" for nothing. I never used to wonder why I didn't see many runners in our area. Probably b/c no matter which route you take, you are facing a pretty intimidating slope fo' sure. But that just helps me prep better for a flat trail like Paint Creek in the spring. I can't wait to hit that trail. I just found a park-n-run area not too far from the house to hook onto the trail, so it won't be long now! :)
Well, that updates you for now. In the world of childless-ness, the ancidotal stories are few and far between...Happy Spring!
-K
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