Shamrock Recap, 2012

The Shamrock Shuffle was a family affair!


I hadn’t run Chicago’s Shamrock Shuffle 8K before, but wanted to give it a shot.  It’s the race that kicks off Chicago’s outdoor running season! Rather than running it with 39,999 strangers, I opened up the idea to several friends.

I know, for some of you, family and friends cannot be used interchangeably, however, I am one of those lucky people who can.

Runners and goals:
My goal was to finish.  For my first time running any distance for a first time, I don’t have a PR to try and beat.  My goal is always to soak in the atmosphere and finish the race.  Deep down, I wanted to hit 47 minutes and 14 seconds for a 9:30 pace per mile. I like this calculator for setting my goals…

Nate joined in!  I was super excited that we could do this together. He was up for the challenge, but seriously loathes running. His goal – to beat me!

Next to sign up were my sister, Sarah, and my soon-to-be BIL, Scott!  Sarah had been running short distances and was training for a few weeks for the race to increase her mileage.  Her goal was to finish! On the other hand, Scott ran in high school and set an INSANE goal for himself.  He challenged his high school self to a brutal dual.

Last to commit was my brother, Russ!  He’s the outdoorsy runner type.  He runs for fun, not so much for distance or time, but for the opportunity to get outside and enjoy nature. His hope was to keep a faster pace than he held for his 10 Miler last fall.

WaHOO for 5 runners….. + 39,995 strangers!


We had the best spectators, by far!  My parents came to help watch Miles. Kelly (Russ’s wife) also joined in for the family adventure.  She had plans for their cute little 6mo old niece. Last, but not least, my youngest sister, Emily tagged along.  She gave up the tail end of her spring break for this family weekend.  I’m going to speak for everyone else (I know – nothing new) and say ‘thanks fans!” THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!  We wouldn’t have had near as much fun without you!

Now onto race day!
Here’s the course map and the ‘players.

Aren’t we an adorable group?!

Here’s two of the spectators. They both love to people watch!
 

Out of respect for the other runners, I will only share my time.  However, I will tell you that everyone met or surpassed their goals despite forgetting to start watch timers, failing GPS’s bouncing off the huge buildings, and the overwhelming crowd.

Bib

FName

LName

City

State

Country

Age

Sex

ChipTime

ClockTime

Overall

SexPl

DivPl

23237

Kelly

Klinge

Chicago

IL

United States of America

30

F

49:21

1:35:39

17705

7624

1644

My pace was 9:55 per mile.  Yes, I met my “finish the race” goal, but an obligatory port-a-potty stop messed with my secondary goal. That urgent scare kind of makes me want to give up running/racing all together.  Eh… there’s always next year!

Anyway… congrats runners! 
I’m so proud of each of you and happy you made the trip to Chicago!!


Oh.. and want to know how we relaxed the night before??

Super fun family weekends are my favorite :)

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Posted in: Banwarth's,Chicago,Kelly,Miles,Nathan,running

300th post

Yes… this is my 300th post!!

I started this blog WAY, way back in May 2009 – just DAYS after we moved our family to New York.  Miles was just 6 months old.  It seems like forever ago….

I thought I would have passed the mark a long time ago. I feel like I’ve been narrating our lives for many more than just 300 posts.  How do we celebrate such a milestone? We don’t. I’m late.  There’s nothing to celebrate when you’re late – well, unless you’re pregnant. I am not :(

Anyway… I have averaged about 100 posts a year, but have recently fallen off the wagon a bit. I don’t want to be the giver of excuses, but  I do have a couple.

1) When I started this blog in May 2009, Nate was a grad student (read: never home) and Miles had an 8pm bed time.  I was alone, a lot!  Not only was our family far, far away missing out on Miles’ development, so was his dad.  I felt a strong obligation to keep up with Miles’ ever changing skill set.
2) After grad school ended, life got busy.  We moved and settled into Chicago.  I didn’t like blogging my evening away while Nate was home.  However, I home with Miles all day (read: unemployed) for the first 4 months we were in Chicago.  I tried to keep up as well as I could,  but also wanted to make the most of my stint as a stay-at-home mom while simultaneously looking for a job.  By this time, I had printed out the “first chapter, the New York Chapter” of the blog using blog2print.  Luckily, I realized how much I LOVED having weekly updates of the goings-on of the family. I was still doing a pretty good job..
3) Now.. I’m lazy, distracted, bad about keeping up with photo documentation. Blogs are always more interesting when they are loaded with pictures AND commentaries.  I’m usually missing the picture part of that these days.  Miles isn’t changing as fast as he used too and a lot of what we do seems repetitive.  Also, the new, blog-able moments pass WAY too fast.  Miles is smart, clever, and funny.  He’s a real person functioning in real-time at full speed like a real person. Where did my baby go?  I kind of miss the baby-delayed-actions (however, I didn’t feel life was very slow motion back then…)

Yes, these are excuses. Yes, they are poor excuses. I will try not to dwell on them, but improve on them.  This is just how my family has changed… and since this is a blog about my family, it's how my blog has changed.

So… since I’ve been lacking on the updates lately, here’s a few things you might like to know:

• Miles is signed up for Spring Soccer!!! I enrolled him in a preschooler park and rec league for 3-5 year olds that will take place for 2 hours on Saturday mornings for eight weeks starting in April.  Miles is stoked!
• Nate started a new job in the last week of February.  He’s now an architectural designer at Gensler.  It’s a large corporate firm headquartered in Chicago. Nate’s really excited about the opportunity to learn from peers and be involved in a diverse set of projects.

Nate’s photo for the company website! So official! 

• Grandpa and Grandma Klinge visited 2 weekend’s ago between drop off and pick up of two of their kids in Rockford.  We loved having them. Nate’s new job had a crazy deadline that really cut into the visiting, but we still have a great time together. Sadly, I was a little too flustered by the chaotic work schedule to remember to take any pictures. Miss you.. and ready for another visit whenver you are!
• The Shamrock Shuffle is this coming weekend (3/25). Nate and I are both running it alongside my brother, one of my sisters and her fiance.  I would love to say we’re excited to finally run the race we’ve been training for, but training would be an overstatement.  We probably averaged running 1.5 times a week since January.  Sadly, we were stuck running on junky treadmills in the complex, running about 4 feet from a stagnant, sage green wall.  It’s miserable!  However, these last few weekends, we’ve enjoyed running outside.  It’s still far to dark at 5:15am to move my run outside during the week though… We’ll posted about the race once we’ve completed it. We are excited to race, and excited to host the family for the festivities!

• Nate’s been taking on quite a few freelance projects. We finally set up a little workstation for him.  Nothing fancy.  Just an organized, well lit space with a desk, and extra monitor and a few other computer related perks. So far, so good!

• Miles was recently asked to be a ring bearer for Uncle Caleb and Aunt Laura’s wedding. He couldn’t be more excited!  He IS a pro, you know!! Miles was a ring bearer for the first time at the age of 2.5 months!!  In January 2009, Miles was ring bearer for Nick and Beth SyWassink . Again in April 2009, Miles was ring bearer for Tim and Carrie Klinge. Yes, he was exactly 6 months old! Ring bearer #3 was at 19 months for Russ and Kelly Banwarth in May 2010. Bring on October 27th, 2012!  Just 2 days after Miles’ 4th birthday  - Do I see a Wisconsin Dells birthday party coming on….?

(PS – Thanks for the shirt, Caleb and Laura!)

• Cooper turns 7 today.  Cooper was born in the Chariton, Iowa humane society on St. Patrick’s day in 2005.  He was one of 10 in a litter from a Jack Russell terrier stray.  We’re guessing the father was a large beagle (mix?). We were anticipating a 25lb dog, but still adore him, as is.  Even if he is twice the dog we signed up for… :)
• Miles loves the ladies.  That’s really no secret.  Yesterday, Miles’ teachers filled me in on Miles’ newest behavior.  He’s taking a liking to kissing his favorite girls. The teachers have been telling him to save his kisses for his mom and dad instead of his friends. We second that motion.  3 years old are efficient enough at spreading germs. We really don’t need this to speed the passage of cooties and illnesses, even if his two favorite ladies are super cute!!  Miles did assure me that he only kisses girls inside the school, not on the playground.  (did I miss something – was that supposed to make me feel better?) What a kid!  Daddy’s, lock up your daughters!

From SyWassink wedding in Jan 2009, 2.5 months old.

• Finally,  I think there’s a growth spurt coming on.  Miles has repeatedly downed enough food to feed me for two meals. For example, Miles as the following for lunch last weekend: one little tub of applesauce, 4 peanut butter sandwiches, 2 clementines, 1 piece of string cheese, and a large glass of milk. For Miles, one PB sandwich is 1 piece of bread with a light layer of PB folded in half - BUT STILL  - That’s a lot of food for anybody, especially a 3 year old!!

Yikes…. so now you’re caught up! I’ve missed you!

Happy 300th post!  Here’s to 300 more……

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Posted in: Banwarth's,Chicago,Kelly,Klinge's,Miles,Nathan,random,running

Bulls Game Recap

And now the post that I’ve been scared to organize and compose for nearly a week…..

February 20, 2012

Chicago Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks

The Bull’s game was such a big event that I know I’m going to forget something.  There’s also the tedious task from grabbing the photos from multiple cameras.  Well…. here goes nothing!
As you already knew, the day began with  a Bull’s themed craft. That was followed by a welcome distraction (AKA phone call) from Papa B.  Of course Miles jumped at the opportunity to ramble on about the game. It’s kind of a big deal…..
Miles had the perfect outfit for the game: a Bull’s T, a Bull’s hat, new jeans, his Chuck’s and Baby Cow (the stuffed dog on his arm_ I still don’t understand how he came up with that name for his dog)! Miles was sure that Baby Cow and the 2 little Benny the Bull crafts were coming to the game too!
After getting fully dressed, there were still a few hours to fill before we could leave for the game. Once Miles gained dad’s attention, the ballin’ began. Just watch and understand:

Miles LOVES Michael Jordan (#23)!  This is mostly due to his own father’s love for the athlete, but also enhanced by this book. We’ve read this book at least 4 nights a week for the last year or so.
Miles’ favorite active Bulls player is Joakim Noah!  “He has lady hair.” While this is true, he is also a 6’11” rebound machine wearing #13!

Miles and Nate play A LOT of basketball. Don’t you love his special moves?! What about his need to reward his fancy shots with a medal? Crazy days in Chicago…
We ate lunch, packed up a few snacks and headed out the door around 1:30pm.  We decided to avoid the traffic and parking issues by taking the train.  Miles also gets a kick out of riding the train.  This day, in particular, he was so amped up he wouldn’t sit still at all and asked tons of questions. “Dad, read this to me.” “Dad, what does this say?” “Dad, this sign says to close the door.”

We walked from the train to the United Center and found our seats right away. We arrived 38  minutes before game time.
I tried really hard to get a few good pictures of Miles (and Nate), but both refused to take their eyes off the court. (sorry, I tried, really!) Our seats were not so good, but we had a clear view and Miles didn’t seem to mind at all.

 

See what I mean… he wouldn’t cooperate for the camera.  I can’t really blame him though – there was a lot going on.  He’d been waiting for this day for so long that he wasn’t about to miss a thing for anyone… even Mom! 
We watched Benny the Bull beat some kids at basketball.

Don’t those pictures look like we close….?!  We were not… Here’s the unzoomed view:

We watched a few scrimmages between a couple coed Special Olympics teams. We watched a huge Benny the Bull Blimp float around the arena (sorry, no pictures.)

Seeing and hearing the announcing of the starting lineup was intense. If you’ve never seen it, you can watch it here. I wish that I could say that I took that video, but I did not.  I was caught up in the moment too.  I can honestly say that this is also the moment that Nate was a giddy as a 3 year old little boy.  Dreams really do come true! Wow.. Each of you needs to experience this at some point.
Well… the game was great and Miles watched it all!  I wish I could say that he was on the edge of his seat, but that (apparently) wasn’t close enough. Can you see this? Arial view?

Yes, you are seeing this right.  Miles spent much of the game standing at the chair in front of him… or kneeling on the ground up against the back of the chair!  Miles love sports – we always knew this – BUT, I was surprised by how into the game he was and for how long it kept his attention!  We will definitely have to do this again!

Better yet, I would love to take him to a Bear’s game! Maybe preseason…..

Time to start working more so that we can buy tickets….. right?!

Sidenote: Nate grew up loving Michael Jordan. His career with the Bulls started in 1984. Nate would have been 4.  Miles is 3. Do you think Derrick Rose or Joakim Noah have the potential to be Miles’ Michael Jordan!? Will they pose for a “Wings” poster?

For those of you who do not follow the NBA, the Bulls beat the Hawks 90-79!

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Posted in: Banwarth's,Bulls,Chicago,Kelly,Klinge's,Miles,Nathan,Video

Birthday, part II

The weekend following Miles’ birthday, Nate had a busy weekend planning in Chicago that really didn’t involve the rest of us.  So rather than just sitting around the apartment all weekend, Miles and I traveled to Dubuque for birthday celebration, part II.

I need to apologize in advance as I was terrible about taking pictures over the weekend.

Of course, there were presents!

Puzzles, flashcards and Mickey Mouse PJ’s!

The highlights were definitely the soccer ball (below) and the balloons (not pictured)!!!

After eating some of the traditional Banwarth Birthday cookie, Miles got to head outside for some tractor time with Papa, sporting his new rainboots from Auntie Em!

Oh.. and swinging too!

 

We had a fun weekend and Miles really didn’t want his birthday to end.  Luckily, it didn’t have to. When we got home, there was another gift waiting in the mail room!

Thanks, Minnesota Banwarth’s!

Miles is one spoiled little man! Did I mention that Miles even got a card with money in it for his birthday?  Well, he did! and shopping for his own toy is fun. We’ve looked a couple times now,  but he just cant decide.  We are so thankful for all of you – Klinge’s, Banwarth’s and friends!  Thanks for showering Miles with birthday wishes, gifts, and cards!  He loved it and will likely continue to talk about this birthday until the next one arrives… Thank you, thank you, thank you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

**Speaking of birthday’s and my super “behindedness” with blogging… let’s include this:

Since celebrating his own birthday, we actually attended the birthday party of his best friend, Kenric. Kenric’s birthday was actually Miles’ due date.  These two were meant to be friends!

Anyway, Kenrick turned 3 and celebrated it with his friends from school at Chucky Cheese!  Miles and I shopped to pick out a gift for his friend. Miles had a little trouble understanding that it was no longer HIS birthday and that the presents were for someone else.  Luckily, he figured it out and had a great time with his friends. Games, pizza, cake, friends, and creepy mouse dude!

Here are a few pics:

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Posted in: Banwarth's,birthday,Miles,russ and kelly

Go Ape

Have you ever heard of or played the game ‘Go Ape’?

Miles was given a gift on my  birthday as well (Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!)

It’s a blast to play with my adorable, nearly 3 year old not-so-baby boy!

It’s a lot like Old Maid, except you match poses instead of numbers, animals or some other game variant.  

Here are the basics:

Each player is dealt 5 cards.  The object is to make matches in groups of 3. The player with the most matches at the end of the game wins!

One player will ask another of his/her choice, “Do you have a monkey that looks like this? <insert pose copying that on the card of interest>

If you have the card being asked for, you give it to the player asking for it. If you do not have the specific card requested, you tell them to “go ape” and then a new card is drawn from the center pile.

Let me show you a couple of poses… (Isn’t he precious?!?! He’s mastered the art of mimicry!)

         

Oops – the camera died before I snapped a photo of this card – but the pose was way too cute not to include.  I’m not about to rifle though Miles’ room to find the game and take a picture tonight.

Enjoy the incomplete post – and sorry about sticking my face in there. Miles demanded to snap a few photos too!

Go Ape!

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Posted in: Banwarth's,Kelly,Miles