Kirkland Weblog

Nutrition Labeling Promises Svelte Bikini Bods this Summer

Just kidding-there's no promise. Darn.  You've got to do the work yourself, but it's helpful to know that local chain establishments are giving us the information we need to make healthy choices.   Let's face it, kids like to eat at places like McDonalds, for example (and listen to their Kidz Bop CD's- you moms know what I"m talkin' bout!).   So I end up sitting next to a plastic indoor slide snitching french fries from a 4 year old a little more often than I like to admit.  

As of Jan 1, King County requires chain food establishments with over $1M in rev, 15 or more locations, and standardized menus to post their calories/carb/fat/sodium content on their menu board or other clear and visible spot at the point of ordering.  In Kirkland, this means places like McDonalds, Wendy's, Starbucks, Subway, Domino's, Olive Garden, Tully's, Taco Del Mar and more.  This is quite the eye-opener.  Bring your glasses, cause the menu gets a bit crowded with all the numbers.  But the fact of the matter is,  that Southwest Salad with the corn and black beans that I always thought sounded like the healthiest one turns out to be the worst, so I'll be switching to the grilled chicken caesar next time we're at "Ole McDonald's."  If you have a typical 2000 calorie a day diet, you could be blowing more than half of that if you ordered a big milkshake. Yikes!  It's kinda fun taking the quiz on King County's Public Health site. Let me know how you do!  Armed with this kind of information, I think we should all be able to squeeze into our bathing suits this summer.   ~j 

Hopelink Turkey Trot in Kirkland- Nov 19th

On Sunday November 19th, Hopelink will hold its annual "Turkey Trot" fun walk to raise money for providing meals to families in need over the holidays.  Last year, they were able to help over 2100 families!  And this year, especially with added costs when Hopelink was forced to move (due to an infestation), they need our help more than ever. 

Prior to the walk, participants are invited to breakfast at the Wilde Rover.  Then at noon registration starts and the walk begins at 1pm.  Expect to see face  painters and a 15 person jazz ensemble at the finish line.  The 5K (3 mile) route takes you from Marina Park to Carillon Point and back.  Even my three year olds could do that!   And what a great cause- I know sometimes we get so busy, but this is a great time to remember that the holidays are about sharing and giving to others.

Pre-registration ( by 11/17) is $20/person or $15/person if you have at least a 4 person team.  Day of event registration is $25/person and $20/person on a team.  Go the extra mile- if you collect pledges for greater than $100 or dress up in costume, you'll be entered in a drawing to win some cool prizes that have been donated by local restaurants, hotels and shops. Any turkeys out there? See pic above- fun turkey hats will be for sale if you're feeling game-y (ok, that was lame).

You can shoot any questions you have or offers to help to Patrick Tippy at patrickt@hope-link.org or 425-869-6000.           ~Janis

Get Ready to Run!

I'm sure all of you hard-core athletes out there have been training for months to prepare for these upcoming Kirkland  events.  Whether you are serious or just looking for fun and a good cause, there's lots of great things around the corner. We've got the Kirkland Half Marathon and 5K on May 14th, the 7 Hills of Kirkland on 5/29 and then the Kirkland Triathalon on 9/17.  Personally, I only run if someone is chasing me (or on the squash court) so I had to consult with my sister Sara, athlete extraordinaire, on this one. 

Kirkland Half Marathon and 5K- Sunday May 14, 2006 7:30am (Happy Mother's Day!), Entry Forms/Checks due May 8th or May 13 if you register online.  This is a co-ed event (even dogs and strollers are allowed!) and runners/walkers are divided up by age starting at 14 to 70+.  The Half Marathon cost is between $40-50 depending on when you register and the 5K is $25-30.  The race starts and finishes at Juanita Beach Park.  All of the route info and application/registration can be found at www.kirklandhalfmarathon.com or you can call 206-729-9972 for more info.  This event supports the HOPE Heart Institute.

Sara's take: "This is a relatively new race so there weren't too many people last year (which was nice).  The first 2-3 miles are uphill and challenging, and overall this run was a great little tour of Kirkland."

7 Hills of Kirkland - Monday May 29,2006 7am (Happy Memorial Day!), Registration fees are $30 before 5/1 and $40 after that.  This one is strictly for the cyclers and it begins and ends in Kirkland's downtown Marina Park.  There are three different routes to choose from: 7 Hills, Metric Century and Century which are all described on the website, http://www.7hillskirkland.com/ . No online registration, you've got to snail mail it, and there's a pdf file on their site to get the form.  Any questions you can email questions@7hillskirkland.com or call 425-576-9531 ext 104.  This race benefits K.I.T.H. (Kirkland Interfaith Transitions in Housing). 

Sara's take: "I was too lazy to do this one last year. "  Haha- just kidding, I said that.  She usually sticks to running.  She's gonna kill me.

Kirkland Triathlon-Sunday September 17, 2006 7am.  This year will be the fourth run for this co-ed triathlon at Carillon Point (transition at Houghton Beach Park) which includes a .5mi swim, 12 mile bike, 3 mile run.  You could opt for the duathlon which is just the bike and run portion, or they also have a kid's triathlon which is 50yd swim, 1 mi bike, 1/4 mi run (look for me there, haha).  They have a very inclusive website with online registration, online confirmation list and race results/times afterwards: http://www.racecenter.com/kirklandtri/.  Fees are between $30-60 depending on individual or team rates. Divisions are by age.  Hint: this is not a good time to lie about your age as it won't work in your favor.  If you have any questions you can email events@racecenter.com or call 503-644-6822. 

Sara's take: "This was a very well-organized event last year, but I can't recommend it for first timers.  Lots of people are there to win and the men are over-powering, especially in the water where they just plow over you (unlike the Danskin where the ladies kindly apologize).  The bike part was really hilly. But overall it was great and of course it's an awesome feeling when you finish!"

We'll post again about these events as they happen-in the meantime, have fun training! ~Janis