happy halloween!

cheesy, i know. 
anyway, what is everyone dressing themselves and/or their little ones up as?

i'll give you one hint for my costume:

xoxo!

can you guess?

---

i leave early tomorrow morning and i'm not packing a laptop since it doesn't fit in my packing plan.
so, if i don't mobile blog, i'm sure i'll have lots of photos when i get back.
---
on a separate note, have no idea how leslie found this article, but she sent it to me:

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 22, 2004

ILLINOIS LEADS NATION IN PUMPKIN PRODUCTION

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. � Illinois grows more pumpkins than any other state in the country.

It harvests nearly 12,300 acres of the popular decorative and edible fruit, 40 percent more than the second-leading pumpkin-producing state, Michigan. ...

packing update

well i actually haven't started doing that yet, i mean, i don't leave until sunday ... i still need to do laundry ... etc. but DRAT (is that the word?), i forgot: i need to bring bridesmaids dresses to california with me!! if les lets me, i can post a photo of the dresses! but the point is that it means i need to carry-on those dresses. they are kind of delicate and can't really be folded up for long periods of time - would be better to bring on hangers in a garment bag.

hmph. 

those airlines have been really strict about 2 carry-ons only.  need to think this through.

LOVE the helpful responses, and links, everyone has given me.  packing has never been so much fun.

oregon + california, here i come!

next week i am heading out west: first to oregon for a visit at nana's house, venturing into portland, and quality time with dad (who will be visiting nana simultaneously); then leg two of the trip will land me in san francisco where i'll see les & holly and hopefully partake in some mouthwatering food and wine, and inevitably, some crafting of sorts.

do you think i can pack everything i'll need in my backpack?

i want to see how lightly i can pack while not looking like a backpacker gone mad or homeless. even though my travel has dropped significantly since my last job, i simply despise lugging suitcases through airports.  i realize this is an ambitious goal and i'm not entirely sure if it's realistic, but i am bent on at least making an attempt.

i'll be gone sunday through sunday, i can do laundry, i don't have any fancy dinners planned, and i will have blowdryer and curling iron access. but i do want to pack athletic shoes, which are bulky and take up valuable real estate.  it always seems like those shoes take up half of my backpack alone. so maybe i can just tie them to the outside. note also that i am totally fine with mixing black and brown (plus aim to make this socially acceptable across the country, starting with oregon and california).

please offer me your packing guidance!

 this is what i'm thinking so far:

bootleg jeans

skinny jeans

black leggings

black cami

longish white tee

rooster print tee

chunky brown shortsleeve sweater

brown corduroy vest

blue longsleeve open cardi

trenchcoat with hood - to protect against rain and col

brown flats

dark brown heeled boots

casual black knit dress

patterned scarf (not quite paisely)

tights

assorted jewelry

thin yellow belt

makeup/toothbrush

underthings :)

comb/hairproduct

running pants

running tank

running longsleeve

running hat

running shoes

running socks

regular socks

purse

camera

does it sound like too much to fit?
do i need a suitcase?

if i consider that i'll wear some of it on the plane,
then with the remaining...

i'll roll these up together:

• skin[ier, -ish] jeans
• black leggings
• black cami
• longish white tee
• blue longsleeve open cardi
• casual black knit dress
• brown corduroy vest
• wrap with: thin yellow belt

then i'll also roll these together:

• running pants
• running tank
• running longsleeve
• sleeping tshirt

then i'll lay these on top:

• brown flats

and squeeze these in between and into pockets:

• assorted jewelry
• makeup/toothbrush
• underthings :)
• comb/hairproduct
• tights
• running socks
• regular socks
• wear this if need to: running hat

and i'll carry:

• purse big enough for big ol' camera
• + running shoes tied to outside of backpack

i think the key will be a few good accessories, but i am not buying anything new, so i'll have to do with the few pieces i've got.  i'd say candidates for elimination include the knit dress (it's not that cute, why did i put it on list anyway? actually i always feel frumpy in it) ... and?  or what do i need to add?

hunter boot identities!

i LOVE that you all started to guess who was wearing which pair!!
yep, i was in the lava kicks (they're actually very orange in person) and the bonkovich in violet!

i think the giveaway for leslie was the bag i was carrying, which she borrowed while she was here. 

rainfall

christine and i on a cold rainy day on our way to the train

monkey see, monkey do?

remember i learned how to make pasta?

well that weekend i went out and bought this:

and since then, i've made these:

 one is roasted butternut squash ravioli,
and the other is fettucini with chicken sausage and peppers.

so tell me, is a dessert=inspired pumpkin ravioli with either a cinnamon or vanilla drizzle a bad idea as an alternative to pumpkin pie?  don't get me wrong, i love me some pun'kin pie, just thinking that dessert ravioli might be a fun surprise for the tummy.

autumn weekend

sometimes there is nothing better than going for a walk on a crisp october afternoon.
p and i meandered the streets of bucktown, under the autumn-turned trees, past the apple pie contest at holstein park, stopping to sip berghoff oktoberfest brews from wisconsin and warm up with chicken chili served in a mug, and finally picking up coffee beans at the goddess and grocer.
it's so good to slow down and take in the day.

rewind. did you see the ice cream freezer??

see that picture of ice cream pints?  those are all locally produced! we met the lady who makes the nice cream a couple weeks ago and bought her salted chocolate with marcona almonds.  i think my opinion on ice cream is forever changed.  oh my god. and her flavors are seasonal. let me reiterate some of the other flavors captured in the photo:

• banana bread with dark chocolate chips (nice cream)
• peanut butter with peanut butter cookies (nice cream)
• sweet potato with toasted marshmallows (nice cream)
• red fire - ancho & chipotle chillies + ceylon + cinnamon + belgian dark chocolate
  (vosges, which i'm pretty sure is more widely distributed)
• wattleseed - aboriginal wattleseed + roasted macadamia nuts + creamy custard (vosges)
• lemon honey sherbet (ruth & phil's)
• sour cream cinnamon (ruth & phil's)
• peach vanilla ginger (ruth & phil's)
• pomegranate rosemary tea sherbet (ruth & phil's)
• apple cinnamon (homer's)
• pumpkin (homer's)

i mean, i don't even know what to do.  ice cream never used to be a weakness, but when i walked past this freezer today, it called to me with sweet temptation.  i might be in trouble. if [when] i can no longer resist, which flavor should we try next? 

your marathon questions, answered

thanks so much for all the congratulatory comments!  you know how to make a girl feel like she's cured the world of hunger or something! when all i did was run a marathon.  meanwhile, i look at others who have done so many marathons and i am in awe of them.  definitely to run a second (or more) has got to be way harder than a first (none of the the novelty, all of the miles!!). but everyone was so sweet to let me share about this one (even back to those lame-o blister photos).  and yes, i do hope there is another marathon in me!

1. LOVE the mile 13 picture! was that from kateqwiltz?
   
   the '13 mile pic' was not from katekwiltz, it was from coach mike. our coaches and team photographer took lots of great pics for us!  including the team and group pics.




zack, tex, babs, john, obby, alice, me, john, kate, coach (joe?)
-- photo by coaches/team photog





2. tell us more about the charity-worthy outer layers, please?
   
   the start of a race can be chilly so runners often start out with extra layers for warmth, but because the body will warm up once the race starts, those layers need to be taken off. the choices are either to discard the items or carry them the rest of the race. since carrying items for 26 miles is rather cumbersome, many marathoners select layers they will completely toss aside at the start of the race and never see again.  the race crew then collects all the garments and donates them to charity.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   a lot of runners opted for inexpensive tyvek jackets and pants (the pants rip off!)
   
   
   
   since this year held record low temps for the chicago marathon, i wore a disposable tyvek  jacket to the lineup and didn't toss it until about mile 6.  the tyvek garments were being sold at the marathon expo for $8. they are pretty much windproof, so kept out the elements better than anything else i had that i was willing to throw away.
    
   
3. i saw that devon had a big d. what happened?
   
   the letters on my shirt were felt cut-outs i found at michael's.  there were no lower case available in this variety of letters.  i checked.  there were, however, lower case available in another kind of letter, which were a more permanent process: purchased also, and used on my hat which said lil' d.
   
   
4. how did you go out for all that time after? i was useless. -and- How were you still standing??
   
   some say it was a "runner's high" that carried me through the post-race festivities.  but really, i think my body was ecstatic i wasn't running a marathon anymore.
   
   
5. where is the next one going to be? i vote for NYC or Philly (next year). -and- So...next marathon in Chicago or on the road? 
   
   
   
   well, i realized there are a lot of great conveniences of running a marathon in your home city such as:  
   

   - familiarity with marathon route, expo location and race day transportation
   

   - having all your running buddies in the same place
   

   - having the race date correspond perfectly with your local running group's training schedule
   

   but, if i could get a bib for new york, then i'd do it.  i'd also put the nike women's marathon in sf on the list. 
   
   
   
   jo, did you know it was the nike women's marathon in sf  that time i went out to try to watch you all those years ago (even though i barely knew you and had NO idea of how to try to watch a marathon) that inspired me to put a marathon on my list of things to do?  in retrospect i now better understand how those hills sound absolutely killer, but an all women's marathon still sounds completely kick ass.
   
   
   
   
   
6. I'm confused about your outfit though. Did you take off the long-sleeved white shirt at some point? Did you throw it?
   
   i was planning to take it off and hand to Patrick at 11, and just use arm warmers with the tank, but when i got to that point, i didn't see him.  and when i did see him at 16, i felt like i might get cold if i took it off.  it wasn't until the 20s that i wished i had taken it off, but by that point i didn't want to throw it away nor did i want to carry it (it's my winter warriors top, a super soft nike technical). but by the end i was so hot, one of the first things i did was rip it off.  
   




i'm not in this picture or anything, but our team photographer took it.

i just love how it illustrates the last few miles, trash littering the road,
hands being held, etc.
also, that dragon thing is four runners, each carrying a piece of the serpent.




7. I can't believe you want to do another, are you hooked now?  that is kind of a hard question!  i am not sure how to answer that. 
   
   i kind of felt hooked on running in chicago after running through the brutal winter and loving it. but even after a marathon i still struggle with the idea of identifying as a 'runner' or saying 'i'm hooked.'
   
   i thinke real runners wake up and feel the need to run. that they feel uncomfortable until they get their runs in.  that doesn't happen to me.  i feel more like if i don't run, then i will lose what endurance i have built.  and i will lose it quickly.  so that is a strong component of what motivates me to train. 
   
   once i get out there on the run, sure it feels good, but i am not convinced it is the run itself i crave, it's the progress, or the maintenance, maybe.  also it is amazing to run alongside our beautiful lakefront paths and through the picturesque park. i crave being outside, and seeing chicago evolve through the seasons from this unique perspective. i love this city and i feel more connected to it through running. 
   
   the other struggle is that i also see myself in a completely different league than better runners. so i feel weird saying i'm hooked on something which a runner of a different caliber may not want to be jointly categorized in with me. like it takes something away from them if i claim to do the same thing? does that make sense? 
   
   so, to reconcile this conflict, i think i will now say i am a recreational runner.  i think that solves it!  so ... i guess i am hooked on recreational running?  at least for now.
   
   








8. i LOVE that pic of you and christine post race... -and- And how unfair that you look so beautiful after running for 5 hours?
   
   ha, well i clearly picked one of the better pictures to post!! patrick took that one, and i just zoomed it in and cropped it.  there are plenty of not so great ones:
   






9. Marathon statistics no one asked, but here is a site with some pretty interesting marathon statistics dated 2006.  i found that i am a faster than average female marathon finisher (granted, this includes people in their 70s), chicago is the second largest u.s. marathon, and women's fastest times are posted by 35-39 year-olds.
   
   http://www.marathonguide.com/features/Articles/2006RecapOverview.cfm

chicago marathon - updated!

Hey! How was the marathon?

It was good! Ya, such a fun day. It went by so quickly.

Oh my god, it was soooo cold!

Well, I mean, I guess it was cold, but I warmed up.

So how’d you do?

Oh I guess I did ok. I mean, I figured I’d finish between 4 and a half and 5 hours,
and I came in right around 4:45.

Oh that’s good.

But I was on pace to finish in 4:35 until miles 23 happened. I was really slow at that point.

Oh but 23 miles is far, and you finished, like what, 25?!
26.2

Oh my gosh, are you going to do another one?

Yep.

I got on the train at 5:30am. It was packed like the usual morning rush hour, only ... it was pitch black outside, Sunday, and everyone was bundled up in their most charity worthy outer layers. Race Day.

Through Grant Park, I found my team tent. A group of us who trained together agreed to run the race together: Kate, Texas, John 1, John 2, Zack, Bobby, Alice and I. We wanted to stay together for as many miles as we could. Barbra and Charles would be right behind us. We posed for pictures and lined up, ready to face the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

Mile Marker Recap:

Start Line: “Hey look at us, we’re running a marathon!”

Mile 6: That was the fastest hour ever! This was when I ditched my Tyvek jacket and gloves.

Mile 8: Saw our half-marathon training friend Dana who cheered us on.

Mile 9: Boystown Boys are the best

Mile 11: Didn’t see Elaine, Lena, or Patrick. Didn’t see Ariana or Emily from work, either. Did see Kate from Kannon!

Mile 13.1: Halfway already! Almost to my brother’s hood.

Mile 14: Ryan and Wendy!!

Mile 16: Patrick, Ryan and Wendy!!!

Mile 20: Hey this is going well!

Mile 21: Farthest I’ve ever run!

i'd just like to point out how many people are BEHIND me.

Mile 22: Uh-oh. What the heck. This is when the group started spreading out. I went to the back. John and Alice to the front. I was now no longer with the group. I decided it was ok, I was still moving along and could see everyone not too far in front of me, thinking, if I just keep pace, I’ll stay this distance from them the rest of the way. Hmm, so why are they getting farther?

definitely debated on whether or not to let anyone see this photo.
obviously because i didn't want you all to know how easy i make it look.

Mile 23: What the f***. Legs turned all JELLO. Didn’t I already pass 23 anyway? A little light headed. Hungry. I have never been hungry on a run before. So weird. Need banana. NEED BANANA NOW. Where am I? Didn’t I already pass 23? Goddammit why are people ringing bells? I hate bells.

Mile 24: Why is that banana not working better? Move, move. Hmm, if I just walk the rest of the way, I can still finish under 5 hours. No, if I walk the rest of the way, I will be so PISSED at myself for not pushing. Push! Push, damnit. You can do this.

Mile 25: A lady from the side said, “You go, Devon.” Lots of people had cheered my name, but this time helped more than any other.

Mile 25.1: One mile to go! I put my “marathon finish line mix” on my iPod, Push It and Eye of the Tiger. I was feeling better!

Mile 26.0: Running uphill. Why is there a hill, here of all places? Who cares, I am RUNNING past people who hate this hill. Me, I love this hill. Running is fun. But where was this energy 3 miles ago? I don’t get it. Here comes the turn I saw in the Spirit of the Marathon documentary!

Mile 26.1: Running downhill!!

Mile 26.2: What, done, already?

Mile 26.5: Beer? Free? Goose Island? Don’t mind if I do.

Mile 27: Photos, photos, photos.

it may just look like foil, but it really does keep in the warmth. 
yes, i kept it with me all day.  i loved it.

Mile 27+: Damnit, damnit, damnit, I totally could have finished 10 minutes sooner, I obviously feel fine now. Why couldn’t I move faster? I totally could have moved faster. Ugh. Why, why, why? My mental preparation was all wrong. I could have prepared better with a different mental strategy. This is so annoying. Let’s do this again.



And after the marathon?

Runners: Nikolai, Christine, Amy and I
Supporters: Patrick, Elaine, Adam, Damen, and Tim

Post-marathon, we all headed directly from the race to Wicker Park for some food and drinks, those of us with finisher medals wielding our bragging rights proudly.

We took over the lower level of the bar and shared race stories, appetizers, dessert, and toasts.

Eventually Amy and Tim left.

We all had another drink.

Then Elaine, Adam and Damen left.

And there were just four of us (larkins and bonkos).

We had another drink.

We were about to wrap it up and call it a night.

When Christine cranked it up a notch and turned to vodka. Goodbye Miller Lite.

So the girls had vodka drinks. The boys, I think carbombs?

Suddenly it was almost 10pm.

Starving, we headed to Angels & Mariachis for tacos.

And it just happened to be sombrero night. A 20% discount for wearing your sombrero.

I mean, could the day get any better?

So onto my head went my post-race-foil-wrap! Hola, mi sombrero!

que? no est normal?

The bartender gave me a 20% discount to take it off.

Fine, 20% off dinner and margarita time!

Stuffed, we finally said goodnight and headed home.

Where Patrick fell asleep on the couch, and I watched an episode of Dexter AND Gossip Girl.

I thought about the race. And those ten minutes I somehow lost, but also about the accomplishment we all achieved.

Then went to bed.

It was a good day.

-- 1:20am.

chicago marathon!!

to come.

a&w show

i never posted pics from this summer's air & water show.
i have never made it time to see the 'water' part of the show, just the 'air' spectacle.

we watched from my old boss' balcony.

lots & lots of people watch from the beach.

after, i took my old co-workers to one of my new co-worker's rooftop party:

no idea who this dude is, but i like the pic.

a beautiful, warm, summer night.