Run and Rolls March 30, 2008

It’s official. Assuming I don’t injure myself or get hit by a bus, I will be at the starting corral of the Chicago Half Marathon on September 14, four days after my birthday. Boyfriend is supportive but thinks I’m insane, my peeps at Runner’s World are encouraging and egging me on to the full (100% NO), and I just want to grab everyone I meet and yell, “I’M RUNNING A HALF MARATHON CAN YOU BELIEVE IT OMG?!” My biggest worry is actually the weather; I tend to overheat and wither in anything above 60 degrees, but I have all summer to slowly acclimate, so hopefully I’ll learn some effective hydration and cooling techniques.

I ran 9 today in 1:21, an average pace of 8:54. Not a bad run, but pushing it faster through the second half made me pretty tired and gave me a side stitch at the end. I have 10 planned for next week, and I’m just going to have to stop being overly aware of my time, run it slow, and worry about time later when my body is adjusted to the distance.

Rant: I got loudly honked at running up a busy street by a car coming up behind me, and predictably, it was about four beefy douchebags inside the car. I’m 24, I couldn’t care less if you need to assert your manhood by trying to scare me. What bothers me is that I’m 5′2, and had my hair in pigtails, and from the back, I could be a 13 year old girl for all you know, and what the hell are you doing trying to scare a young girl? What is wrong with you white trash in your beat-up Volkswagen?

I am stoked about my long run next weekend. The double digits have eluded me for so long due to various injuries, both running and non-running related (boots and heels will destroy your feet, if you’re dumb like me). It’s like the glass ceiling – once I hit those double digits, it’s going to open up a world of possibilities. After all, what’s another 3.1 after 10?

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Ok, who scrolled through all that just for food photos? Don’t be shy, I’m a visual person too. Boyfriend and I tried out Ichiro Sushi tonight in Orland Park, and it was fantastic. I ate 75% of everything we ordered, and devoured an entire order of tempura ice cream by myself. I think it was one of my greatest foodie performances to date. ::bows::

Crabmeat and soft shell crab

Crunchy dragon roll – tempura shrimp, unagi, avocado, cucumber.

Spicy scallop

Beef sashimi (lightly seared and seasoned beef)

Chicken yaki udon

Tempura ice-cream…which I had all to myself. =D

I promise guys…no more sushi for a little while. This is not the See Kai Run, See Kai Eat Sushi blog, as awesome as sushi is. I’ll be expanding my horizons next week with Italian or Greek or burgers or seafood or SOMETHING else.

Need for Speed March 27, 2008

Running on a foot that’s not 100% must be agreeable to me in some subconscious way because suddenly, I am [relatively] running faster.  I’m usually around the low 9’s (except when I race apparently), but lately I’ve been doing negative splits and running sub-9 minute miles.  I think I could go faster, if not for my constant need to poop during my longer (4+ mile) runs, and running faster only exacerbates the feeling that something’s going to pop out my butt.

Now that I’m back on my feet and on the road, I’m getting more and more psyched about my Soldier Field 10-Mile in May. I’m thinking of doing the Chicago Half-Marathon in September…but that’s crazy talk!  What am I thinking?  Am I insane?  Someone talk me out of it before I do something rash!

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I made eggplant parmesan tonight, which is one of Boyfriend’s favorite dishes.  Here’s how you make eggplant parm healthy: pan-fry with cooking spray, use whole wheat spaghetti and skim mozzarella, and toss handfuls of mushrooms and spinach into your tomato sauce for an added veggie boost.

 

Yum! 

Buddha’s Hand March 23, 2008

I took a week hiatus from running to let my foot heal, which it is doing very very slowly.  I did a couple of four milers this week, and a 7 on Saturday. Foot did not feel the 4s too much, but definitely felt the 7 a little more. I don’t feel it too much when I’m running or walking (usually), but the pain is still there when I turn my foot a certain way or rotate it at an angle.  Running feels ok at this point, but I’ll just have to keep my miles down and maximize my rest days.  Those double-digit miles are being pretty damn delusive, and I’m getting slightly antsy about my Soldier Field 10-Mile coming up in May.

I went to Target for a few running skirts and ended up having to buy a large in the kid’s section because everything else was too big on me.  Looks like my diet of sushi, fries, apple pop tarts, and pizza is working.

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Boyfriend and I went out for sushi with a friend last weekend at Kamehachi, a bit off Michigan Avenue.  We’ve been on a big sushi kick lately, and it’s just so hard to get sick of sushi.

 

We also got the ton katsu, which wasn’t the greatest.  I have to say, it’s been really hard for me to find really good ton katsu.  The pork always seems a bit dry and overcooked, and the crunch much too hard, so my quest for flaky, delicate panko and moist pork continues.  Recommendations, anyone? 

Afterwards, we stopped at Viand for dessert.   I’ve been here before for their summer $2.50-burger-and-mini-beer deal, but their desserts are fantastic.  It was too dark to take good pictures, but trust me, the carrot cake fritters are to die for.

This morning, for $0.89, I found a prize oddity – called a “Buddha’s Hand”- at Jewel while out grocery shopping.  I have absolutely no idea what to do with it, and picked it up mostly out of oddity. 

 

 

Apparently, you can zest it into dishes or just hang it up for its strong citrus fragrance. At the very least, I could probably terrorize the cat with it.

Running in the Dark March 7, 2008

I got a regular temp job to hold me over while I keep searching, and at least in the meantime, my bank account will be going up (ok, maybe just keep steady). It’s nice to be able to buy a cup of coffee in the morning, knowing that during the day, you will be able to earn back the money you just spent. 

Of course, this means I’m back on a regular schedule, which means runs are once again being snuck in before the world wakes up.  Running in the dark is like keeping a great secret, it makes you a little giddy, a little full of yourself with something no one else knows.  It’s hard not to smile while I’m sneaking past unlit houses, but it makes me a little nostalgic, a little melancholy too, being alone in the dark with strangers and uncertainties.  I run out in blackness, and as the days get longer, I get a peek at the dawn on my way back.

I have been a giant walking injury lately.  It’s never anything serious, but it’s frustrating and annoying not be at 100%.  My most recent ache started after a fast-paced 4 miles last Thursday, and my only guess is a strained tendon or something similar.  It’s pretty localized to the outside of my right foot, about an inch down from my ankle, and it hurts all the way through to the bottom of the foot.  It’s not debilitating, I’m not limping.  Strangely enough, it hurts more to walk on it than to run on it, so I’ve been running through it, icing it, and popping Aleve. 

I’m helping The Boyfriend move offices this Saturday, so I might have to scrap my long run.  Without my long run, my entire week feels topsy-turvied.  That’s how you know you’re in an unhealthy relationship with running.