Thursday, July 30, 2015

Throwback Thursday: My First Half Marathon

7 years ago in August of 2008, I finished my very first half marathon. Thanks to the wonders of technology and internet creeping, I've been able to find photos and the original time of that first half marathon.

I remember it fondly. I lived in the city and did most of my training runs along the lake front before work (where I woke up later than I do every day now). I did a lot of evening runs on the treadmill at the 24 hour gym down the street. I may or may not have done a 4 miler at 11pm after a long day at work. Oh to be in my early 20s again...

I bought an iPod shuffle specifically for the Nike+ capabilities and that was how I tracked all of my runs. In retrospect, the distance of my training was probably a little off. My goal of the race was to finish, so I think that was enough.

I wore a t-shirt from another race (which I thought was SUPER COOL); the Corporate Challenge that I had completed earlier that year. I wore shorts I had bought from Target. It was before C9, I think, so I don't even know what the "brand" was. I had my Asics and my orthodics... I was ready to go!

The race was called the Chicago Distance Classic and sadly, 2008 was its last year. It was a simple out and back course along the lake front.

Looking at these photos, I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane. Also, lets take a look at the outfits of other runners. Not much pizazz. Lots of cotton tees. In the 3rd photo, I think a guy behind me is wearing CARGO SHORTS. Running clothing has really come a long way in recent years, especially for women. Thank goodness!!




2:18:43. That was my finish time 

My mom and I after the race. She came to the city to cheer me on!
What was your first half marathon? Do you have fun photos from the event?

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Big News!

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for you kind words on my post on Sunday regarding my own vision of my body. We are our own worst critics sometimes.

We have some big news to share! Patsy is going to be a big sister!



I'm 12 weeks along and Baby Wilson 2.0 is due February 3, 2016. I'm hoping to keep working out and running through my pregnancy but we'll see how things go. Thanks for all of your support. I'm excited to go through things all over again! I'm hoping for a very different birth experience this time around and it is probably something I'm going to blog about, so get ready for lots of fun pregnancy posts in the months and weeks to come!

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Stroller Runs with Meghan

Meghan and I both have little babes only 2 months apart.

This is the first time they ever met. Patsy was 5 months old and Layla was 3 months old. Aren't they so adorable! This was my attempt at taking photos of two constantly moving children. I think I have a future in photography. Amiright?



From time to time, Meghan and I try to meet up for a run. Sometimes with our babies.

Patsy is not impressed

Look out on the trail! We're coming through!

Huggies!

Sometimes without.
Spartan August 2014

This past weekend we took our babies for another great stroller run.
Outfit: Oiselle tank, vintage. shorts: Oiselle Lori shorts in Brill Blue
As our kids are almost two years old, after the run was over, we let them out of their strollers so they could run around together.

It was super mega adorable! They ran while holding hands yet refused to share a mere morsel of food with one another. It was such a blast to share our hobby and passion with our girls.

Patsy's shirt


I mean, how can you not fall in love with these cuties?

I really look forward to completing a 5k in the future, while having Miss Patsy participate in the kids race! I should probably start looking into that. If anyone has any suggestions in the southwest suburbs, let me know!

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Spartan Race Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to

Alberto Medellin!

You've won free entry to a Spartan race! Please email me at runningkellometers at gmail dot com to claim your prize. Thank you to all those that entered!

I will be following up with my friend's race report of the Illinois event later in August.


Here is a video summary of the 2014 event. Spartan really is a community of athletes working together towards a common goal. I look forward to doing another Spartan next year!

 

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Throwback Thursday - Starved Rock Hiking Day

This post has been sitting in my drafts folder for over a year. I thought it would be fun to go through some of my old draft posts and see what is still worth posting about. This was a really fun day and Patsy has grown up so much since then, I thought it would be fun to reflect.


Have you ever been to Starved Rock? If not, I highly recommend you do so. It is an absolutely beautiful place with lots of fun walking trails if you want to do something different than a usual long run weekend. (Although these trails are not advised for your rest day.)


I recently took a trip there with my husband, Patsy and his family for Easter. It was absolutely beautiful. The sun was shining and the temps were perfect for a nice spring hike. I really wish I would have worn my Garmin to demonstrate the elevation changes throughout the park. There were some steep uphills and some steep downhills.












We left the stroller in the car for obvious reasons. We brought a carrier but she really wasn't digging it. Chris and I took turns carrying her. She was barefoot because this was long before she could walk. She was around 7 months old. 

Starved Rock really is quite beautiful. I hope to make it back again for another hike sometime soon! Maybe in the fall when it won't be so hot.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Spartan Race Giveaway

It's that time of year again! AROOOOOO!!

Remember last year when Meghan and I completed the Spartan race? I still feel like a badass for going through the course! (Full race recap here)




Well running that race isn't in the cards for me this year, but don't worry guys. I still have something great for all of you! I'm giving away one free race entry! It is good at any Spartan race! I'll be in Seattle during the Illinois event but my friend and fellow running buddy Kate is going to provide a race recap of all the deets! Kate is a rockstar and was one of the top female finishers (13th) in the open division.
Photo of Kate at the 2014 Illinois Super
This is one challenging race but it is a great way to test your limits and think outside the box! Details on the Illinois event can be found here. There is also a kids event if you would like to make this a family affair. I'm really sad I'll be missing it this year but we will be back for next year, most definitely!


Are you still interested in that free race entry? Yes? The contest starts today and a winner will be chosen on July 15. Please check back as the winner must contact me to claim their prize! Please use the widget below to take note of your entries. Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

How To Study for the CFA with a Toddler

So I took the CFA exam on June 6. This is something I studied for over the course of 6 months. The recommended time spent on studying is 300 hours. Now that the exam is behind me, I'm having fun spending time with my family, avoiding chores, running errands, and catching up on TV and movies. When I took level 1 of the exam back in December 2012, it was difficult to make time to study. This past 6 months, with a toddler, studying has been more challenging than I could have imagined.

Every day I would study on the train in and the train home. After picking up my daughter, making dinner and spending some time with her, I would study again after she went to sleep. I think I slept 5-7 hours a night for 6 month straight.

Welcome to my every evening.

Sometimes Patsy wouldn't want to go to sleep so I'd have to study with her in my arms. Or sometimes she was sick and just needed her mommy.

Look at that face. How could I resist?

There were lots of Saturdays and Sundays that I spent at Starbucks while Patsy was out enjoying the weather with Daddy. (I started to know the shift changes, the barista terminology, the staff. It was getting embarrassing.)

Daddy loves the Star Wars hoodie
Despite knowing she needs to be a big girl and sleep in her crib, sometimes I just let her sleep in our bed because I wanted to spend any extra time with her that I could. Even if we were asleep.

Photo taken at about 1 am. Don't mind the tired eyes.

She spent extra time with both Grandmas when Daddy needed a break and Mommy still needed to study.

During the last week of exam prep, this is our dining room table

Was it worth it? I guess I can say yes. I'm showing my daughter the importance of a good work ethic and continued education. It was a struggle and if I do or don't pass, I don't know yet what I'm going to do when the time comes to take the next exam. Maybe I'll take a few years off and wait until we're done having kids... and I've finished that second marathon I keep talking about. Haha.

#Girlswithtoys. My financial calculator totally counts as a toy, right?

I got an email today that I find out my results on July 28. Let the countdown begin.