Kelly the Culinarian: February 2017

Monday, February 27, 2017

Why Streak Running is not for me


Ah, the beginning. So optimistic.
I first heard about streak running from Mo, who is several years strong on running at least one mile every day. The idea is to get up and moving and run every day until you can't.

It turns out, I just can't.

At the beginning of the year, we decided to give it a try and log at least a mile every day. I made it about 40 days before my body started breaking down. I can't be sure it was the constant running, my shoes or something else, but I know when I knocked off this constant jostling, I felt much better.

By Jan. 1, our Circular Logic Marathon training was well underway. This called for two hard run workouts a week followed by a long run on the weekends. I've followed this plan for several years without incident, typically filling the other days with cycling, CrossFit, swimming or rest. This year, I added a run and some light weightlifting for each "off" day.

My first indication this wasn't working was when I couldn't complete a simple tempo run. These runs are meant to be challenging, but attainable. I had to quit less than halfway through because I was abnormally winded. If I was less stubborn, that would have been the last day of my streak.

Somewhere near the end of the streak
Alas, I didn't stop until I had a pain in my hip that woke me up at night. It was so pronounced that it hurt to cross my legs. I rested until my next long run, which was 16 miles. I realized that if I stopped running, starting again was impossible, so I shuffled through those miles the best I could. I went to go on my run the next day and couldn't make it out of my neighborhood.

The streak was over, but the effects were still there. I got X-rays, which revealed nothing, and have cut back on my mileage. The pain has subsided, for the most part, but I haven't regained my mileage. I changed my shoes, which may have had an impact as well, but I've learned that my body is not happy when I run back to back days. I am healthier crosstraining or doing something else with my body day to day than trying to check the boxes of keeping up with a mile every day. I have deep respect for the people who maintain these streaks for years on end, because it was at times difficult to coordinate as well.

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Three Things Thursday

1. If you follow me on Instagram, you know we spent a glorious weekend waterparking in Wisconsin. It was supposed to be a break from the cold, but it turned out to be nearly 50 degrees and sunny the whole weekend. It continued into the week. We've been enjoying grilling, washing the cars, sidewalk chalk and popsicles. This whole global warming thing is totally real.


2. Did you catch this story about a runner stepping on a nail deliberately placed on a trail in Tennessee? Who the hell does this? I'm sure this is the sign of someone who will develop into a serial killer. It reminds me of the time I could've gotten killed or maimed because someone thought it was really funny to place thousands of tacks at the top of a formidable hill on the Ironman Wisconsin course. Luckily, only my spirit was damaged, which was a damn miracle.

3. Napoleon has been particularly melancholy this week and we have no idea. This is just a photo of him looking cute. But this morning, he was following us around and staring intently at nothing. So either he isn't feeling great or our house is haunted. Both are equally possible.

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Three Things Thursday

1. The glorious day has arrived. We have a Girl Scout in the house who is the right age to sell cookies. My foyer and freezer will never be the same. We're currently sorting and delivering 63 boxes of cookies, which I believe earned her a badge and a notebook. And me about 25 percent more time on the treadmill.


2. My monthly DeGustaBox arrived with some interesting additions. The Nando Peri Peri sauce is already a staple in this house, but these zero-calorie noodles are rather intriguing. I am very curious as to what these things will taste like, and how easy they will be to prepare. Let's find out together!


3. You might be married to a triathlete if your Valentine's Day looks like this. I am so excited - my old handheld waterbottle was all stretched out of shape, and my new Garmin requires a quick release for my bike. Because my bike frame is so small and I already have an aero water bottle, there's no place to put a bike computer or any other type of mount. More about the 920 another day.


Monday, February 13, 2017

First Look for Charity 2017

It was another wonderful year raising money for local charities while stuffing myself silly in the presence of some very fancy cars. #FLFC17 is an annual event that opens up the Chicago Auto Show to a black-tie crowd the night before it opens to the general public. The ticket prices support 18 local charities, and this year raised $2.8 million.

The transformation started with hair:


The lady who did my hair this year was not only talented but super fast. I was done inside an hour.
Then we headed downtown to check into our hotel and continue the whole getting ready process. We clean up well.


The evening started, as it usually does, with snacks and drinks.


And then we moved on to sitting in cars that are worth more than our house. It's nice to dream.


We walked the red carpet again this year:


Before I found my best friend each year, the dude at the Cadillac booth handing out fuzzy slippers.


A few foodie highlights from the evening:


This millionaire's bacon from AceBounce was incredible. I made myself stop at one because it's bacon, after all, but I wanted more.


Poke bowls and Korean barbecue sliders.


Andy's Frozen Custard custom sundaes, a favorite of mine year after year.


Smores bites, because smores + food on sticks is awesome. And I somehow didn't get a photo, but the signature cocktails this year were on point. There was any type of liquor you desire in both sweet and savory applications, as well as wine, champagne and craft beer. These people know how to party!

Photographer, career fluffer, drink transporter
I also somehow collected this lion somewhere along the way, which seems pretty fitting. 


Huge thanks to the Chicago Auto Show for inviting me again this year. While my ticket was comped, the opinions are all my own and trust me, it's as awesome as it looks. Check out my recap from 2015 and 2016 for confirmation.

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Three Things Thursday

1. It's been almost exactly two years since I met what would one day be my stepkids. For the uninitiated, here's what life with kids looks like. Three bites from an apple and a kid in the wash machine, because why not. My life will never be the same, in the best way possible.



2. We spent a long weekend in The Villages, which is always an enlightening experience. There's live music and drinks specials every night and people get to and from with super customized golf carts. There are tons of pools to visit and shuffleboard is a legit league sport. Not a bad way to live, that's for sure.


3. I tested my make up for tomorrow's First Look for Charity. I think I'm ready to slay tomorrow.

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Three Things Thursday

1. If you follow me on Instagram, you know we're not in Kansas anymore. In fact, I've spent a glorious week in Fort Lauderdale. It's been amazing for so many reasons, not the least of which being we went to a mermaid bar! The Wreck at B Ocean has a mermaid show on the weekends and it's amazing. There's no cover, tickets or drink minimum and these ladies are impressive.



2. We came to Fort Lauderdale to celebrate my mom's birthday (Happy Birthday, Mom!) and since then, I've stayed with family. My aunt made me lunch everyday and man, she should consider this whole food blogging gig. Her plating game is amazing.


3. When my sisters were here, we went to Funky Budha and I'm so glad we did. The place is massive, the food is delicious and the Maple Bacon Coffee Porter is where it's at. This burger was phenomenal, and there was a burrata cheese appetizer that could have been a meal unto itself. 11/10, will eat again.