My new Shoes!

 

Yesterday, I cashed in some old (25-29 yr old) savings bonds I forgot I had stashed away in our safe.  I made a trip into downtown to the local running shop!  I was fitted for a new pair of shoes!

All over the store – they have signs that you CANNOT shop for running shoes based on COLOR.  I couldn’t agree more!  I tried on a few pair, ran on the treadmill a little while and settled on the Adidas Supernova Sequence.  Yes, I’m a pronator. Since we’ll be spending the next 400 or so miles together, I wanted to make sure we were a perfect match. 

This is the beginning of a beautiful, sweaty, pavement-pounding relationship!

Don’t you find that new relationships are a little awkward?  I need a good ice breaker.  I’ve got ~6 weeks until race day and we’ve yet to have our first formal date! Do you think 4 miles on Monday morning is a little too much too soon?

My clock is ticking – I might as well be aggressive, right?! Hope there’s little to no blister lash-back, knee discomfort, ankle anguish, or arch affliction :)  Wish me luck!

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Posted in: Kelly,running

Racing – and not the Nascar kind!

A week ago – I ran in another race!
I ran the Hope Run for Hospice 10K in Ames, Iowa!
I loved being cheered on by friends and family! I finished the race with a decent pace, but sadly have no photo documentation to share. But I can tell you, having trained in Chicago, the elevation changes along the course in Ames made this 6.2 mile race much more challenging than the Soldier Field 10.


Since then, I’ve committed to yet another endurance run, the Rock’n’Roll Chicago Half Marathon. This race is just a little over 8 weeks away! I ’m back to the flat Chicago race course and will be able to enjoy live, local music at every mile!
For those who are interested, here’s my training plan:

To answer many of the comments and questions I’ve been getting…

Running is MY thing.  It’s something that I’m doing for me! It clears my head and makes me more productive. I’m a stressed out individual [Duh!]– running calms me in a way that allows others to enjoy being around me a little more.
I really hope that this is not just a phase.  I really love what running is doing for me both physically and mentally.  I have found no better way to conquer my anxious self.  Would I say that I’m obsessed…? Not really.  Would I say that I’m addicted? Yes, there’s a good chance of that. Do I plan to keep increasing my distance to take on a full marathon – not likely.  I’m not super human - but big KUDOS to those who are!  In my opinion, a full marathon requires a MUCH stronger mental readiness than any of the other races I’ve entered.  A full marathon is beyond my capabilities. (At least for now)


In the near future, I’m just really excited to pick out my next pair of running shoes!  To be fair, I'm just trying to avoid injury, but its still super exciting!  I have less than 8 weeks to break them in :)

Anyone want to run with me?!?!
What are your reasons for running?
What keeps you from becoming a runner?

I can tell you - that if I can do it - you can too!

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Posted in: Kelly,running

Easy Cookies!

I was trying to come up with my “dish to pass” for this weekend’s potluck event in Iowa. Given today is taken up with travel, I needed to be able to make something last night.  I found these on pinterest!
This is all you need
 
Here’s the official recipe:

Lemon Burst Cake Mix Cookies
1 box Lemon Cake Mix*
1- 8 oz container Cool Whip
1 egg
1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Preheat oven to 350°
In medium bowl, beat cool whip, egg and cake mix until well blended. Dough will be thick and sticky.
Drop by teaspoonfuls into a bowl of powdered sugar and roll to coat.
Place on parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 10- 12  minutes
*Try these using strawberry or orange cake mix for variety.

The cookie dough/batter was a thick, sticky mess.
 
I used two spoons to make teaspoon-sized portions for rolling in the powdered sugar.

And just like the chocolate crinkle cookies, they never “look” done.  If you try one while still warm, they taste very underdone.  But again, just like their chocolate version – they are tasty once completely cooled!
I even tried a strawberry version!

I hope the family potluck eats a lot of them. Each cake mix made about 45 cookies!!

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Posted in: recipe

Camping has resumed!

A couple of weeks back, Nate and I went camping for the first time in more than 2 years!  The best part of the weekend was that this was Miles’ FIRST camping experience!
We went to Tippecanoe River State Park and rented a cabin  with our friends, Katie and Logan.
 
Yes. we actually stayed in a cabin – which given the rain and ridiculous mosquito population, I was super grateful for!
  

Dad, now what?  I eat it?

 

Makes my fingers sticky!

 

Blow it – its hot!

 

Super yummy!  We have a winner!

We did more than eat…

We tried to fish too…. but no luck getting a nibble or tug.  (Darn flood waters!)

Location 1: Miles is curious about the tackle more than the fishing pole

 
Miles: Dad, what’s this?
Nate: A bobber.
Miles: Bobber. Bobber. Dad, this is a bobber?

Location 2: activity is at Miles’ eye level – much more interested in the pole and water
Scoping out the area… hmmm, can I get in any trouble here?
 
Careful, kiddo!  Don’t fall in the water!
 
My turn, Dad!  I wanna try!
 
Ah, patience!
 
Listen up, little guy! Dad’s got some good advice!

Let’s just call this a trip to practice technique!  We’ll try harder to find fish our next time out!
  
LOVELY weekend with GREAT friends creating LIFE LONG memories!

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Posted in: Kelly,Miles,Nathan

Rite of Passage

Tonight was a busy night. We made and cleaned up dinner, gave Nate a hair cut and were running a little behind getting Miles into the bath.

Nate helped Miles into a quick shower instead.  As I peeked into the bathroom to deliver a clean pair of PJ’s – this is what I saw:

Yes – this is exactly what it looks like!  I’ve been waiting for this for a long time!

It was precious! Nate’s a great teacher….

….. and a patient dad who respectfully cleaned up his mess!

Super cute – I’m happy this finally happened!  However, I have one request - Slow down, buddy!  Please don’t grow up any faster than you already are….

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Posted in: Miles,Nathan

Super Klinge’s

I’m starting to believe that all boys are born tiny super-heroes! How is it that a little man knows that a blanket draped over his shoulders make him stronger, faster, and able to fly??

    

And when do boys grow out of it?

To be completely honest, I hope they never grow up!  I LOVE watching Miles and his dad play together. They ARE my heroes!

Did you know that super heroes get super tired too?

They do! Saving lives and being strong makes adorable boys sleep super hard!

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Posted in: Miles,Nathan