March 4, 2015

The Girl Behind The Blog

When I told The Professor I wanted to do a “behind the blog interview” for both of us, he looked at me like I was crazy. I was updating my About Page on my new blog that I’ll be launching this month and wanted something more exciting than the normal boring paragraphs about my life. Eventually he got on board with the interviews and we had a blast doing these over dinner one night. We recorded our interviews so that I could go back and transcribe them in all of their wonderful detail. If I can figure out how, I’m going to add some sound clips, because it was hilarious! 

Without further ado…here is my interview:

J: What is one goal that you want to accomplish in your lifetime?
K: One that’s top of mind right now…is to publish my writing. So whether it’s an article in a newspaper or magazine…something… Nothing scholarly, just writing for total fun on a subject I love. And hopefully a topic that other people appreciate reading about and learning about.

J:  What is one thing I (The Professor) do that bugs you the most?
K: [Zero hesitation here, people.]
YOU LEAVE USED Q-TIPS LAYING AROUND. LIKE RIGHT NOW THERE IS ONE ON THE END TABLE BY THE COUCH. IT MAKES ME SO ANGRY.
J: They’ll make it to a trashcan eventually!
K: Boys are disgusting.

J:  What’s your favorite cereal?
K: Lucky Charms
J: Why?
K: Marshmallows. Duh. 

J: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you take with you?
K: Do I have internet access?
J: IT’S A DESERTED ISLAND
K: Hey bro, wifi goes far.
J: [Glare. A loving glare, but it was still a glare :)]
K: Fine. I would take a scrunchie because if it’s an island, the humidity probably has my hair out to here. And I would take my iPad, preloaded with tons of books from the kindle library.
J: [Insert mumbles here about battery life and no chargers on the island.]
K: Well fine then I would take a book…ohhh…I was about to say Harry Potter but I can’t pick just one. Can I take ONE set of books?
J: [Insert another glare here]…that’s fine.
K: Alright! A scrunchie, the complete set of Harry Potter books, and…I would also take a jumbo bottle of sunscreen.
J: Good idea – you would be like human bacon out there.

J: Name one thing you miss about being a kid.
K: Family vacations, swimming in my aunt’s pool, and eating lots of popsicles…and barbies and being a Girl Scout. Can that all count as one thing?

J: What song are you listening to on repeat right now?
K: Katie Perry, Roar. I’ve listed to that song like, a THOUSAND times since the Super Bowl.

J: What is your favorite drink? Alcoholic drink?
K: My favorite drink is unsweet tea from McAllister’s with 5 spenda
J: So…sugar water…ok
K: And my favorite alcoholic drink is Long Island Ice Tea.

J: What punctuation mark best describes your personality?
K: An exclamation point. Because I’m loud and easily excitable :) Also because I'm passionate about everything I do and always put forth my best effort. Plus,  I always try to be smiling and putting good vibes out in the world.

J: Which Friends character are you?
K: Monica. I’m weirdly organized and a bit of a control freak.
J: This is true. You’re definitely a Monica. You plan everything. Which Friends character am I?
K: You’re like a mixture between Chandler and Ross. You’re a Chaross. No – you’re just a Ross. You’re a huge nerd, but a a very lovable nerd. The only difference is that you're not allowed to have three divorces. You're stuck with me FOREVER.
J: This is bull. I’m Chandler because I’m HILARIOUS. I’m funny and nobody knows what I do for a living!
[And this argument conversation went on for another 5 minutes before we got back to the interview…]

J: If you had a pet monkey and you could train it to do one trick, what would it do?
K: I would train it to go to Orange Leaf and bring me FroYo every single night.
J: Yea –well. I would train it for you to do the dishes because I know you hate the dishes.
K: …yea…that would be nice. We need a dishwasher in our next house fo sho…hey – can you go get me some FroYo after this, monkey? And then maybe finish up the dishes?
J: ......


Stay tuned for Friday's post. I interviewed The Professor so that you all can get to know him a little bit better too! In the meantime, it's your turn:

What's your favorite cereal?
Which Friends character are you?


March 2, 2015

Half Marathon Training Week 4


Click below to see my 2015 Kentucky Derby Festival Half Marathon training recaps:

Happy March, everyone! Finishing up with Week 4 means that I'm a third of the way through my training plan. There are less than 8 weeks until the half marathon! I am starting to feel much stronger on all of my runs and its great to be back in a training groove.

Monday: 3.5 mile run, check!
I felt good during my run on Monday, which was surprising because I was worried I would be sore after my Sunday long run. I thought I was in the clear BUT my entire body locked up on Monday night while I was working my way through a carton of ice cream and watching The Bachelor. I started YouTubing stretching videos right away!

Time: 33:47 Pace: 9:39 

Tuesday: 35 minute tempo run, check!
I did a 12 minute stretching video before my run that focused specifically on IT band, shin splints, and hip flexors. It was so painful and I loved it. I felt much better afterwards so I hoped on the treadmill for my tempo run. I did not work hard enough. I was on my last 5 minutes and wasn't breathing any harder than an average run. I know to SPEED IT UP next time.

10 minute warm up @ 9:41 pace
5 minutes @ 9:32 pace
5 minutes @ 9:23 pace
5 minutes @ 9:14 pace
5 minutes @ 9:05 pace
5:31 minute cool down @ 9:41 pace

Distance: 3.75 miles Time: 35:31 Average Pace: 9:20

Wednesday: 3 mile run, check!
I did my stretching video again before my run and then popped in HP 7 (part 1) and got to runnin'. Seriously people - if it doesn't warm up soon, I'm going to need some movie recommendations.

Time: 29:24 Pace: 9:48

Thursday: Rest Day, check!
I was glad to rest. I'm definitely starting to feel sore all over, but it is a really good sore feeling (not a painful sore feeling!). This is the sore that I love - knowing I'm working hard and continuing to improve every day.

Friday: 3 mile run, check!
Rest Days are like a warm hug from your best friend. I felt great on Friday and rocked my run.

Time: 28:24 Pace: 9:27

Saturday: 8 mile run, check!
I misjudged the temperature on Saturday morning and it was pretty cold (22 feels like 13, yikes!)...but there was no way I was getting on the treadmill. I convinced The Professor to bundle up and run outside with me. 6 miles for him and 8 miles for me. I had every intention of sticking back with him, but my legs were SO FLIPPIN EXCITED to finally be outside that they just took off. I felt strong and wanted to see what I could do...so I did! Splits: 9:51, 10:21, 9:25, 9:34, 9:30, 9:18, 9:05, 9:05.


I felt a little twinge in my hip during miles 7 and 8 so I stretched A LOT when I got home. My new favorite stretch is the pigeon pose. I have a whole post planed for my favorite stretches but I have to blackmail ask The Professor to take a few hundred pictures of me before I can finish it up and get it posted.

Time: 1:16:13 Pace: 9:31

Sunday: Rest Day, check!
We celebrated my bestie's birthday on Saturday night so I was extra thankful for this rest day. How cute is it that her boyfriend's birthday is the day before hers? They're adorable and I love them.


I thought a good way to end this week's post would be a little comparison chart of my training weeks so far, so here ya go:


How far was your longest run last week? 
Which workout are you most excited for this week?