Month: February 2020

Random Thoughts Thursday 113

Random Thoughts Thursday

• I did not know that anyone without a Costco card could eat at the food court.  I read the other day that they will ban those without a Costco membership.  Why are they even allowed in the first place?  I pay for a membership so why should others be allowed to go in for free?

• Just one month till my trip to Mexico!  I am beyond excited.  I am happy and really looking forward to it.

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• So true!  I wake up between 4-4:30 and if I could, then I would respond to texts at that time.

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• We were supposed to get a lot of snow a few days ago.  While we did get some snow, it wasn’t as much as it was expected.  I am NOT complaining at all.  You kind of have to laugh when it is about Chicago weather.

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• Sometimes I wished I had a garage.  I always leave it outside and for the most part it isn’t that bad.  I’ve been able to find parking in front of my house!  I hate it when it snows and I have to clean it off my car.  I know, first world problems.  I just really hate snow.

 

Tuesday Topics: A few things I am loving

Hard to believe we are at the last week of February.  For being a short month, it sure went by fast!  I am leaving on Friday morning for Atlanta.  The Trials are on Saturday and I am running a half marathon on Sunday.  Should be a fun weekend!  I will have a recap in next week’s linkup.

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This week’s Tuesday Topic is a FREE topic.  Feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links.

Ritual – It is a multivitamin.  Yes, I can get one pretty much anywhere.  I got these based on another friend’s recommendation.  These vitamins are vegan certified, gluten and allergen free, non-GMO, and no colorants or synthetic fillers.  (Source: https://ritual.com/).  There are 3 options to pick from: Multivitamin 18+, Prenatal Vitamin, and Multivitamin 50+.  Each month you get a bottle with 60 capsules (you take 2 per day).  You also get an email a few days before you get charged and before they’re shipped.  You can then rush or delay an order.  You can also cancel your subscription at any time.  Each pill has 9 key ingredients such as folate, omega-3, vitamins B12, vitamin D3, iron, vitamin K2, boron, vitamin E, and magnesium.  I like that everything is in one pill (versus taking multiple ones) and that they’re delivered to me.  Have I noticed anything different?  Well, lately I have noticed that I am more calm.  Could be from the multivitamin or something else.  If you want to try it out, let me know and I can send you a link to get $15 off your first order.

Billie Razors – I have tried many different kinds of razors and I finally found one that I like a lot.  These razors are inexpensive and leave your legs very smooth.  At sign up you pay $9 and you get a shaver, a magnetic holder, and two 5-blade razor cartridges.  Then for $9, every month or every 2 or 3 months (you select the subscription frequency), you get four replacement blade cartridges sent to your house.  You can also delay an order or cancel your subscription.  I shave once a week and replace my razor every month.  Other products you can purchase are shave cream, body lotion, a travel case, an extra handle and holder, and body wash.  Click HERE to order your razors.

Prose Personalized Hair Care –  Yes, I get my shampoo and conditioner through the mail.  There are questions you answer (consultation) and based on your answers, Prose recommends the items for you to buy.  There are questions such as age, hair texture and length, condition of hair, whether you have dandruff or dry scalp.  They also take into consideration the city you are living in for humidity, pollution, UV rays, and water hardness.  You can also pick if you want vegan, gluten-free, and silicone-free products.  Yes, lots of questions!  Finally, they recommend a fragrance but you can also change it (there is also an option for fragrance-free). 

I received my first order in December.  The bottles are really small.  I was very impressed with the scent.  I don’t wash my hair every day anymore and can say that I really like the shampoo and conditioner.  My scalp doesn’t itch as much and my hair does feel very soft and smells nice.  I also ordered the hair oil but I thought it was too greasy (turns out I was using too much).  I let them know about it and they gave me a refund.  They said I could keep the bottle and now I use it mostly as a deep conditioner.  Other items you can get are leave-in conditioner, dry shampoo, pre-shampoo mask, curl cream, and a boar bristle. 

If you subscribe, you save 20% off your order.  You can change or cancel your subscription at any time.  Even if you don’t subscribe, you can change the formula of your shampoo and conditioner by doing another consultation.  Each bottle of shampoo and conditioner is $25.  I know it isn’t cheap but I really like them and will continue to use them. If you want to try it out, let me know and I can send you a link to get $10 off your first order.

Just curious but how often do you shave your legs?  Are you using any of the products I mentioned?

Tuesday Topics

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Weekly Run Down: Race week and “taper” mode

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It is race week!  I ran one day and took it easy the rest of the week.  I felt some discomfort in my right quad.  Ugh!  I am annoyed about it but there isn’t much I can do about it.  Not sure if and when I will run this week before my race.

MONDAY: 7.33 MILES 
I was off today and went to the gym.  Watched “Narcos Mexico” while running.  Felt good but tired at the end.

Not a very exciting week.  Good news is that I cancelled my hotel reservation in Atlanta and will be sharing a room with another Oiselle friend.  At least now I will have some company and my hotel cost won’t be expensive.  School was the same with my students.  I have my days when I like my job and then also days when I don’t.  

While I am excited for Summer break, the other day I applied to teach summer school.  I wasn’t going to do it but then decided to go for it since the work is easier than during the regular school year, there are fewer hours and fewer students.  Plus, it is nice to earn some extra cash.

I went to see a house on Monday and I was so disappointed.  It was a good price but it needed a lot of work.  I don’t mind fixing a few things here and there but this house required a whole lot more.  I found out the other day that the owners have accepted an offer.  I did not think it would sell that fast since really I thought it was a horrible house.  Anyway, back to looking.  The goal is to move this summer.  I don’t know how much longer my landlord will allow me to continue living in the apartment.

Thursday was National Love Your Pet Day.  Both of my cats are rarely together and when they are, I make sure to take a picture.

How was your week?  I am sure it was much more exciting than mine.  🙂

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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Random Thoughts Thursday 112

Random Thoughts Thursday

• I understand the reason for cancelling the Tokyo Marathon but I still feel bad for everyone that was planning to go.  The runners can defer to next year’s race but they would need to pay again.  What?!?!?  It reminds me of the 2007 Chicago Marathon that was cancelled while it was still going on and runners had to pay again to run the following year.  What about the charity runners?  They would need to raise money again?  So many questions but I also understand runners being very upset about it.  Updated:  Check out the article: https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/news/a30867850/will-the-2020-tokyo-marathon-be-cancelled/

My students do know how to make me smile.  These are some of the gifts I received on Friday for Valentine’s Day.  They’re truly the best!

• This was Friday afternoon after work.  I knew it was cold and there was lots of ice.  What I was not expecting is for the ice to be inside my car.  Besides waiting, how does one get rid of that?

• Remember how last week I mentioned that I had left my iPad at the gym?  Well, I also realized that I had left my water bottle.  I love mine and was bummed that I had “lost” it.  Well, I went to the gym on Sunday and my water bottle was there too.  I am happy that someone was nice enough to turn in both items.

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• Honestly, I am tired of going to the laundromat to do laundry.  I’ve been doing this for almost 2 years and now am resenting it.  I cannot wait till I buy a house and have my own washer and dryer.  OK, enough complaining.  At least I have access to them and can wash my clothes, right?  I do love the smell of freshly washed clothes.  

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Tuesday Topics: The Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta

Happy Tuesday?  Were you off yesterday?  I did a semi long run (7.33 miles), went to see a house (did not like it at all), and did some work for school (got it all done).  Progress report grades are due today.  Five more weeks till the end of the quarter.  The end of the school year will be here soon!

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This week’s Tuesday Topic:  Who are you rooting for in the Olympic Trials?  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link-up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

I am so excited for my trip to Atlanta!  Not sure if I am more excited to spectate the Trials or to run.  Maybe both?  I am nervous for this race because of the hilly course.  I did not train on hills for this training cycle and I had every intention of doing so.  Oh well.  We will see how it goes.  🙂

What is the Olympic Marathon Trials?  It is a race that will determine the 3 men and women that will go on to compete in and represent the U.S. in the marathon at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Not everyone can run at the Olympic Trials.  There are qualifying standards in order to compete in the Trials.

Oympic Trials Standards-1I couldn’t find a list of the men and competing competing in the Trials but I do know Desi Linden will be there.  And that my friends is who I am rooting for this year in the women’s team.

Desi is pretty amazing.  I’ve met her a few times but have been shy around her so I’ve never said much to her.  One time I did ask her if she spoke Spanish and she said “no”.

She won the women’s race at the 2018 Boston Marathon in the cold and pouring rain.  I watched it with my students and I think I cried when she won.

She is a very humble person.  Doesn’t say much either and is always smiling and looks happy.

Desi made her first Olympic Team in 2012 in Houston.  She finished in 2nd place.  Then in 2016, in Los Angeles, she also finished in 2nd place.

Fun video to watch:  26.2 Questions with Des Linden.

I want this shirt.

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Desi is sponsored by Brooks.  You all know my love for my Brooks shoes.

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Desi is someone I would love to run with one day.  However, I am much, much slower than her so not sure how that will go.  🙂

Will you be in Atlanta?  Let’s go!

Tuesday Topics

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