January 21, 2013

The bib

My kids were off school this morning, so it was a nice, relaxing morning... well, not at all, actually. My kids were completely wound up and loud; but I procrastinated my run for a while, to sit and have some tea and read e-mail, which was nice.

Mondays are for intervals--8 x 400's (which means running 1/4 mile really fast, then recovering, and repeating for a total of eight times). The wind chill was -2 degrees this morning, so I opted for the treadmill again. I like using the treadmill for my intervals anyway, because they are so consistent.

The last time I did them was at 9.2 mph, so today I planned on doing 9.3. But then I had this crazy thought... what if I do 10.0 mph? That's not that big of a difference, right? (9.3 would be a 6:27/mi pace, 10.0 is a 6:00/mi pace).

Well, during the first interval, I discovered just how much of a difference that was. That quarter mile was the longest quarter mile of my life!

The first 10-15 seconds were fine; I thought, "Really? I could run a 5K at this pace!" Hahaha, then about 10 seconds later, I thought, "Well, maybe I could run a mile at this pace."

Ten more seconds go by, and I think, "Holy shit, I'm going to DIE today!"

I don't know how I managed to finish out a quarter mile at that speed, but as soon as I did, I hopped off the treadmill. I was gasping for breath and my legs felt like they were going to collapse. So I turned the speed down to 9.3 mph, and then sat on the arm of the couch to catch my breath before the next repeat. (Some people walk or jog between repeats, and that's what I used to do... but when I run this hard, I just hop off the treadmill while it keeps going for a quarter mile).

The next repeat was really hard, too--my legs were still tired from the first one! But I kept at it, and was texting Stephanie in-between repeats (you'll see why below). I finally finished my eighth repeat, and was totally spent. That was HARD, but I did them all at 9.3 mph (except for that first one, which was 10.0).


Yesterday, I was feeling pretty stressed out about the Virtual 5K--I didn't realize just how much WORK would have to go into a virtual race! I was trying really hard to figure out a way to make a race bib. I didn't want it to be boring, but I know absolutely nothing about graphic design. After hours of Googling, I realized that I probably needed something called Adobe Illustrator, which 1) costs a fortune, and 2) I have no idea how to use it.

I had an idea in my head of a cute little picture that I wanted to turn into a graphic for the bib, as well as a t-shirt. (I had a couple of people e-mail me asking if I could come up with a graphic that they could get printed on a shirt as a memento for the race).

I had no clue how to create it, but I was picturing it to look like one of the little drawings that Jerry does for me on restaurant place mats (here is an explanation of that, if you have no idea what I'm talking about). Jerry was home, so I explained it to him, and asked if he could draw a picture of it.

He did, and I loved it! I laughed out loud when I saw it, because it was exactly what I had in mind. But I still had no clue what to do with it. I was texting Stephanie about something totally unrelated, and I mentioned that I was feeling stressed, and (jokingly) said, "You don't know anything about graphic design, do you?"

She said, "You know that's what I do, right?" My heart stopped. I don't know much about Stephanie's job, which is a shame, but NO, I didn't know that she did that! After explaining everything to her, I scanned Jerry's picture to her, and she totally saved the day by agreeing to help me turn it into a bib!

I already owe her big time for taking photos for me (she's a talented photographer!); and then yesterday, she saved the day (and my mind) by helping me with this project. "That Loud Redhead" should be called "That Talented Redhead", because it turned out WONDERFULLY. I absolutely love it!! Here is the bib:
The space at the bottom is to write in your name and/or bib number--isn't it amazing?! :)  I love that Jerry did the drawing, too--it's much more special than if I had come up with something on Adobe Illustrator (whatever that is).

Anyway, here are the download links. The first is for the bib, and the second is without the border, in case you want to get a t-shirt printed. Make sure you write your name on your bib (and a number, if you'd like) and take a picture! I'd love to have you all post pictures to my Facebook wall and/or tweet pics after your finish :)

Click here for link to download the bib.
Click here for link to download the t-shirt version.

I'm so glad to have that taken care of--thanks to Stephanie and Jerry!

I'm excited for Friday--with the whole Virtual 5K thing, I keep forgetting that it's also my birthday. My mom wants to do her 5K on the treadmill at the rec center, and she wants me to go do it with her, so I'll do mine there. Then we're going to La Pita for lunch. And Friday evening, Jerry and I are going to the comedy club. Should be a fun day!

39 comments:

  1. Darling bib! And special because of Jerry & Stephanie! Today is MY birthday. I celebrated by joining Weight Watchers & I have already lost 5.2lbs before joining. I also have been walking 2.5 mi on my treadmill & am considering doing the Virtual 5K! Your blog is so inspiring! Thanks, Katie!

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    1. Happy Birthday! Mine is coming up next week.

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    2. Thank you! And happy birthday to you next week!

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  2. Cute! I'll have to print it tomorrow. It would make super cute medals, too.

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  3. I love the bib, it's hilarious! :) hoping I can get someone to download/print it for me before Friday.

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  4. Bib is adorable! I use photoshop elements for everything I do blog related, it's much cheaper, $100 or there about. When I'm too lazy to do proper photos I do instagram.

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  5. Love Love Love the bib! Very special and I'm downloading it now. I will be doing my long run next Friday getting ready for the Pasadena Rock n Roll Half in Feb so I'll check my 5k time for your virtual race as I continue on to 10 miles!

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  6. I love this!!! I am a 5k t-shirt junkie.... :) I will soooo be putting this on a t-shirt! Thank you for inspiring me to keep running :)

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  7. Should mention that I printed the bib on a white mylar envelope so now it won't tear or rip... worked perfectly!

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  8. Super cute! This would definitely make a cute iron-on shirt!

    I laughed really hard at your holy shit comment :)

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  9. Awesome graphic! I love it, and I'm definitely getting a T-shirt. This is my first race ever, and I'm proud to be participating.

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  10. Okay - this is a stupid question but one that I have to ask: what is the typical size of a race bib? For my first race, I'd like to get this part correct :)

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    1. I believe Stephanie created the size to be the right size for printing--so if you just print it at 100%, it will be the right bib size.

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    2. Thanks, Birthday Girl ;)

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    3. Um, well, true confession time...I didn't really create it to a specific print size, because I'm honestly not sure what size a bib should be either, ha ha! I just figured I'd make it big enough to comfortably print on 8.5" x 11" and let folks size it down as needed. I just measured a race bib and found it to be 7.25" by 5.75", so if you print it to that size, or to a 5x7 photo size with a photo-printing program, it should be good. (Sorry, metric folks, I don't know the conversions!)

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  11. That is a pretty hilarious picture, I love it.

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  12. Love it! Printed, & ready to use :)

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  13. LOVE the bib!

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  14. the bib is so cute!! Jerry is such a great artist! Home made is always the best! :)

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  15. I'm totally ROTF that you were running intervals in between our texts!! I would've gone easy on you had I known. ;)

    Thank you to all for the nice comments on the bib, though I can only take half-credit, obviously, because Jerry's amazing artwork is what makes it awesome!! I'm so tickled to know folks are really going to print it out and put it on bibs and t-shirts...that makes my day! :D Once again, thanks for the opportunity to let me use my creative side, Katie! :)

    PS: I really don't talk about my job much, so you can't be faulted for not knowing, lol!

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    Replies
    1. I didn't realize that you were a graphic designer.. that's what i do too! lol

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  16. I printed my bib! It is my first "race" bib ever and so cute! Thanks!

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  17. I don't have a printer, I'm asking my dad to print it out and then 'fax' it to me.(They stay 200 miles away) It will not be coloured--but Yay!!! I'l have the bib!

    This is my first race ever I'm looking forward to it!
    Just to be clear: after running, I have to fill the form? I did fill it back in December though!

    As, I'm in India I think I will be done by my afternoon!!!(That means it would still be very early morning-in your part of the world!

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    2. PS--now I feel so stupid. It seems all I have to do is find a printer, and paper! OK I think I'm going to pah hubby's office a visit;)

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  18. Love it! Just FYI, I use Microsoft Publisher for doing little posters and graphics. It comes FREE with Microsoft Office and it's about as easy as Word to use.

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  19. Squeal!!! I LOVE this :) So darn fun! Makes me look forward to participating all the more!!

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  20. LoveAnAnimalJanuary 22, 2013

    First, I was winded just reading about your first split!
    Second, I LOVE Jerry's drawing!!!! Though did he intend to make googly eyes with crooked pupils? LOL! It's great...really, really great!

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  21. Maybe the cutest thing I've ever seen. It totally encompasses everything you're about in one little picture. Too cute.

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  22. Cute bib! It's so freaking cold here this week (-25 today!) and it's only supposed to get colder. I went out for a run yesterday, but it was only -15. I'm really hoping the forecast changes so I can get out on Friday without risking frost bite, lol!

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  23. Great job! cute :)

    http://therealfoodrunner.blogspot.com/

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  24. Is there a reason why I can't open them?? I love the picture but for some reason the link won't open. :(

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  25. I will be wearing my bib on the treadmill at the gym. It should make for a lovely photo op!

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  26. That is the best bib I ever saw! LOVE the graphic! I printed it out and will get a picture for your Facebook page Friday! Can't wait! Thanks Katie for all your work on this--it's going to be so much fun!

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  27. I added my name and a number to the bib and I'll wear it for the race--on the treadmill! I'm a wimp about running in the cold, so I don't do races in the winter. This lets me run one! I'll also be adding my bib to my very small (only 4 so far) collection of bibs/medals on the bulletin board in my basement (next to the treadmill)

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  28. i just finished reading your entire blog. Just in time for the virtual 5K. i signed up :-) my 30th birthday was the 17th and i am getting back into walking/running so its perfect.can we choose out own number? if so i'll be number 75 for my pounds lost

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  29. Great job getting it all taken care of! I totally would have offered to help create the bib for you if I knew you were stressing about getting it done. I do graphic design all the time with adobe photoshop cs5 but its not my job or anything i just do it for free for myself and friends and for a little extra cash on certain websites like fiverr.com and i have a facebook page as well. facebook.com/182Designs I'm sure she's got you covered with anything else you might need, but I'm always available to if you ever need anything else.

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