More random things I have to tell you

I should possibly stop writing all my posts in random, but I have lots of short little things to say.  I have a few ideas for actual blog posts beyond my rambles, but I only have so much time to sit at Panera and write.  Good news is I am sending my modem in to hopefully get fixed or replaced so I will be back on the blog train soon.

I've added another race to my 2013 season! I'm now an ambassador for the Iron Girl Lake Zurich race on Sunday, June 16.  The race course is very close to work for me and I drive by the park where the race site will be on my to and from work.  It is a very nice area and I'm excited to check out the scenery on the bike during the race.

If you would like to participate use the coupon code "DONTLOOKDOWN" when you register to save $10 on your registration fee.  

Disclosure: As a race ambassador, I am receiving a free entry into the Iron Girl Lake Zurich race. I'm not being compensated for my posts or any of my other work.

I have a funny story for you.  When I turned 25, my dad decided it was time for me to get my own auto insurance.  Yes, I have been sneaking by on my parent's auto insurance for the last few years and I never felt guilty about it.  Having my own insurance is really freaking expensive.  I pay a pretty comparable amount for only me to what my dad is paying for the 3 other members of my family.  Thanks a lot Chicago driving.  Anyways, I got my own insurance and when my new insurance card came in the mail I took it out to the car. I have this little black folder that holds both my registration and insurance so I can easily find it when needed. Well I searched my whole car and could not find that little folder anywhere.  It is normally kept in the center council but I looked in the glove box and under all the seats.  No luck.  After my deer collision last December it took awhile for my car to get repaired and then my dad drove my car for the next month before I was able to make it home again.  He swore up and down that he put that folder back in my car.

After searching and cleaning my apartment, I was convinced it was at my parent's house.  I told my mom that when I found that folder in her house she was going to pay me $20.  She replied that she better find it and burn it before then!

As of last weekend I am $20 richer.  Yup, I found my folder in a pile of papers.  I knew it!!!!

I bought and won a ton of things in April so I thought I would share with you.

I tried a Nuun sampler pack for the first time.  I don't use it much for running, but I really like it on the bike.  I'm not super crazy about the flavors I have but it is better than just drinking regular water all the time.
My all-time favorite gu-Clif Shot Blok gel in Citrus.  I used these for my marathon and I still think they taste like Mountain Dew.
My new shoes that I wore for the marathon.
A handheld water bottle.  I've only used this once but I love it.
A big wall map for a little craft project idea I have.
A few more pairs of my fav double layer socks in fun, bright colors.  And a pair of free Swiftkick socks I got at my local running store.  I love all of these.
The bright blue ball in the middle is a foam ball used for self myofascial release like a foam roller.  I won this from Kim!  It is awesome for targeting smaller areas like my glutes and calf muscles.  Speaking of, I need to make sure I use it tonight.
I won a NuNataturals giveaway from Carly.  I've been using the drops in my coffee and really like them.  The company sent me a booklet of recipes and I'm looking forward to trying out a few of them.
I was super lucky last month.  It always seems like my luck comes in streaks.  Does this happen to anyone else?  And darn, why didn't I buy a lotto ticket!?

Thursday Things

1.  Gah! I still don't have internet at home.  I am pretty sure my modem is to blame but I keep forgetting  am too exhausted at the end of the night to remember to get it ready to send in and fixed.  I am all caught up on episodes of Chicago Fire and Hart of Dixie though.

2.  I always knew my friend Laura had my back, but I guess she has my front too.  She ripped this ad out from a magazine just for me.

You probably can't read that so here is what is says

Most bras only support the downward motion of breasts, uncomfortably compressing them into an unsightly "mono boob." This bra, however, features CW-X's patented 5-Point Support Web(tm) in each cup for 360 degrees of variable motion support, because when you run your breasts move in many different directions.Translation: Running is no longer off limits to big-breasted runners. 

If this isn't true friendship, I don't know what is.

3. A few weekends ago, I met Kelly for a run at Busse Woods. She just so happened to have won tickets to the Chicago Wine Riot and offered me one.  I'm not one to turn down wine so I took her up on this offer.  I had an absolute blast. 

4.  However, it turns out there is a reason I don't normally drink and then ride the train back to the suburbs. I decided it would be a great idea to take a nap on the train.  You might already see where this is going.   I woke up right as we were leaving the Arlington Heights station.  Oh crap!  It must have been my lucky day because when I got off at the next station, Arlington Park, the next inbound train was only 5 minutes away.  Score! I figured I would just need to walk back to downtown Arlington Heights which is about a 1.5 mile trip. 

5.  Last Friday, my grandpa celebrated his 93rd birthday.  I feel incredibly blessed to still have him in my life.

6.  Matt and I went to a concert in Iowa City last weekend with some of his college friends.  This was our second time seeing Casey Donahew Band and I thought this time was just as good as the first.  But we missed getting our picture taken with Casey this time and I am very disappointed.  Hanging out with Matt's friends was a blast like always though. 

7.  Speaking of Matt, he is growing a "planting 'stache'".  You don't know what that is? Don't worry, I am confused too.  He claims he is not shaving his mustache until all of his work's planting is done.  I am praying for nice, cooperating weather.  Because have you ever tried to kiss someone with a 'stache? It's really gross.  And it looks really creepy.

8.  I finally used up my Starbucks free birthday drink offer on the last day before it expired.  When I get something for free, I have to get the largest size.  Hence this huge frappuchino.

9.  My coworkers and I have been eating lunch outside since the weather has been so beautiful.  The lilacs and other mystery flowers smelled so good that I picked some for my desk yesterday.  Unfortunately, they were already very droopy by this morning.
 

After I took this picture, I realized how messy my desk was and cleaned it.

10.  I was home last weekend to celebrate Mother's Day with my mom (and for other reasons mentioned above).  Instead of hanging out with me, my parent's had to drive to Ames to move my brother out of his apartment for the summer.  How rude!

Matt and I did spend Saturday night with them at a trivia night.  Surprisingly, Matt and I were both fairly knowledgeable about random facts especially in the categories famous Iowans, Name that Vegetarian, and Bill Nye the Science Guy (general science questions).  I don't know anything about labor history laws though and neither did anyone else in our group. 

2013 Race Schedule

My home internet is broken and I don't know how to fix it. That means no blog reading and no blogging from the comfort of my own home.  Last night, I tried stealing internet from one of my neighbors and that worked for about 10 minutes.  But it was gruelingly slow.  #fwp

I could just walk over to the rental office and use the wifi there.  But let's be real, I'm lazy at night and that would require me getting up off the couch. So instead I got into work 10 minutes early to finish this post this morning.

Here is what I have planned so far for 2013!

5/19/13 -- Arlington 500 Bike Ride Barrington, IL
6/8-6/9/13 -- Ragnar Relay Madison to Chicago
7/27/13 -- BTN 10k Chicago
7/28/13 -- Venus de Miles 61 mile bike ride Lake County, IL
8/4/13 -- Camp Courageous Sprint Triathlon Monticello, IA
8/18/13 -- Pigman Long Course Triathlon (70.3 distance) Palo, IA

Races I'm still looking for:

• A fall half marathon - I want to go sub 2:00 this year!
• Another Muddy Monk trail race
• An Olympic distance triathlon - to prepare for the 70.3 distance

Missing: Ironman Racine 70.3.  Although I had a great experience at Racine last year, I decided to go with a different long distance triathlon this summer.  Ironman branded events come with a hefty price tag and this year the race landed on the same weekend as the Great Jones County Fair which I just cannot allow myself to miss.  The Pigman race I chose instead is much closer to my parent's house so I am hopeful they will be able to spectate.  

That's the plan for now!