Click click click

I've had the power of the click with me lately.  I want to sign up for more and more races.  I find that while I like training alone, I love the feel of race day, and I run much better during races as well.

While there are about 10 million I want to do, so far, I've let myself sign up for two more. Don't wanna get too crazy... I'm not made of money, and registrations can be pricy!!

Added to this summer/fall's repertoire:

June 3 will be a 10k at the Lincoln Park Zoo, and in September 16 will be my last long run before my first ever marathon! Can't wait.  I'll still probably sign up for more.... but I'll at least wait until my next paycheck.

Chocolate makes everything better

Yesterday I had a bad day and was feeling lonely and out of sorts.  Solution? White chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies!  I felt better instantaneously, and got to eat dessert for dinner.  It gets no better than that, my friends.

Review: Fifth Third River Bank Run 25k

This past weekend I completed my longest race to date - the Fifth Third River Bank Run.  A 25k.  Or, 15.625 miles.  I was expecting to finish in 3:29:59 (as the cut off time was 3 and a half hours), but I delighted myself with a 2:47:47 time.  That is a 10 min, 50 sec mile.  And that, is awesome for me!!  I normally pace about a 12 minute mile even when running a measly 4 miles around town here.

It was really an awesome weekend all around.  I took the train out to Grand Rapids from Chicago Friday night right after work, and it was really pretty.  As I was passing through St. Joseph, Michigan it was dusk and oh-so-gorgeous.

 My mom and dad had driven to GR from the Detroit area that day as well and were waiting for my at the train station.  Surprised me with the fact that my dad ended up registering for the race too, so he's be running with me!

On Saturday morning we woke up bright and early, I slapped on my running watch, grabbed my iPod, and I was good to go.  We headed down to the start of the race and got ready to run.  Per normal I tried to scoot up as much as possible in the corral before we started.  I managed to get up to the 10 minute pacer.

The race started and we were on our way.  My dad and I separated early.  My strategy was "just keep running," then walk through the water stations.  It worked for me all the way to the 11 mile water station where I seemed to lose some stamina.  I was hurting bad.  So at that point I ended up walking/running (as much as possible), until I say the finish line ahead where I went full force and sprinted through the end.  2:47:47. 

My boyfriend Joe had driven from Chicago that morning to watch me cross the finish line, but he was just a few minutes late.  We we caught up after the race and hung out with my parents the whole day.

We went out to dinner that night to Twenty Five Kitchen + Bar downtown, where I got a chicken sandwich smothered in caramelized onions and feta cheese.  Can you think of anything better?

All in all, a great weekend with great people.  Bonus that I got to see my mom for Mother's Day!

Review: Chi Town 10k

All in all, a good race.  Slightly disorganized, but not so much so as to discourage me from doing it again next year.  I ran it in 1:07:11, equaling a 10 min, 50 sec per mile pace.  For me... that is not half bad.  ESPECIALLY considering the fact that this was my first run over 3 miles in nearly 4 months!  I mean, I felt good at the beginning, I felt good at the middle, and damn it - I felt good at the end.

The course started on the south end of Lincoln Park, wrapped you up and around Diversey Harbor, and back down to where we started.  A couple of dirt path areas, which I don't mind terribly, but nice and wide so no issue with crowding.

After the race I ate my banana, wandered around and people watched for a bit, then stuck around to see if I could watch my friend Jeff finish the half marathon.  Not knowing what time he'd be finishing, and getting cold from standing outside in my little stretch shorts, I cabbed it home for a nice warm shower and some real food.

Note: post will be edited with pictures once they finally release them!

When to say no

This weekend I was all signed up to run in the Chi Town Half Marathon, but honestly, as I mentioned before, I'm not ready or trained for a half quite yet.  So after much deliberation, and some inspiration about not wanting to hurt myself from Molly over at Hungry Hungry Runner, I decided to also switch down to the 10k.  I'm actually really happy with my decision.  I can focus on running a great 10k rather than focusing on "just finishing" a half marathon.

In other news: tonight my co-worker and I have reservations at Sprout, and I CAN'T WAIT to try it.  I've been dying to get up there since it opened.  I'll let y'all know just how delicious it was later.  I mean, they have house bacon infused vodka.  Bacon vodka.  Don't mind if I do!

Daily Motivation

Agreed.

Work hard for it (whatever "it" may be!)

xo - Rachel

Adventures in Kentucky

This past weekend I ventured down to Lexington, KY to visit with a few friends I hadn't seen in quite a while.  My trip started off dreary as I was riding a nasty storm the whole way down.  What should have been a 6.5 hour drive turned into an 8 hour drive.

However - Saturday was much better!  I woke up to a sunny day and met Sarah and Amanda for lunch at a cute little place called Saul Good.  It had been a year since I'd last seen Sarah in Tampa, and it had been 5 years (wow that is crazy to think about) since I'd last seen Amanda in Sydney, Australia.

After lunch Sarah and I wandered over to the Lexington Horse Park where we explored like 5-year-olds at the zoo for the first time ever.

Gorgeous white picket fences were everywhere

Cigar was trying to join in on the action

Loved these chairs!

After a day of traveling with my favorite new bubble umbrella thinking it was going to drizzle on us at any second (of course it didn't since I had an umbrella.  Had I not, I would have been drenched I'm sure), we headed to the downtown Lexington area where we had a great dinner at deSha's, which one of my co-workers - a University of Kentucky grad - suggested.

I say "yes" to wine!

Street view of deSha's

Amanda joined back up with after dinner for some drinks at an Irish bar just around the corner, McCarthy's.

5 year reunion!

And... we made some new friends with a bachelor party that stopped by

All in all - thumbs up to Kentucky, which I was not expecting.  It was a beautiful state, I had a fabulous time with my friends, and would definitely go back.

Upcoming Races (and Nerves)

In less than a week, I'm signed up for the Chi Town Half Marathon.  This is a little daunting as I'm currently only in shape for a 4, maybe 5 mile race.  Granted, this is 100% owned by me as I know I slacked this winter (I don't do cold, and I hate the treadmill).  I'm trying to change my thoughts from "must run and do well" to "use this as a warm up and just get out and get active" mindset.  I don't care if I walk most of it... which is good, as I will be walking most of it... as long as I finish something I committed to.

However, on that note, now that it's warm and spring is in the air, I have no more excuses.  In a few weekends my boyfriend and some friends of ours are heading out to Idaho for a late season skiing/snowboarding trip.  So I'll have some good quality days to myself.  In this I plan on shopping, eating Thai and/or Indian food (as he refuses to do so when we go out), and running in this little race.  It's the Bunny Rock 5k, and I literally just signed up for it 10 minutes ago.  Way up north at Montrose Harbor, it's be a nice way to spend my Saturday morning before getting out in the gorgeous sunshine to flex my wallet spending skills.

Also in my near future may be the Home Town Charity Run.  Go White Sox!

Anyone else in the Chicago area running any of these?

A few of my favorite things

1. Fresh flowers – One of my favorite things in the world is having fresh flowers on my kitchen table, or counter, or bedside table.  It's a lovely pick-me-up both when I'm at the store picking out the arrangement, and each time I come home to them.
2. OPI Lincoln Park After Dark – I’m kind of a picky girl in terms of nail polish, but this one has always remained at the top of my list for a go-to color.
3. Nike + GPS running watch – My Christmas gift from my boyfriend, it's my first "running accessory" since taking up running, aside from my Fleet Feet shoes.
4. Fall Colors – Autumn is one of my favorite times of year with the changing colors and crunchy leaves.
5. Meatballs from Viaggio – Ask anyone who has known me for 10 years or 10 months, and they'll tell you I am not a meatball lover.  Except from Viaggio, my favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago.  Alone, with your pasta... or in their famous meatball salad - you can't go wrong.
6. Baseball games – Summertime at a baseball game with a hot dog in your hand. 
7. Spectacles – My vision is close to perfect, but I’ve always dreamed of wearing glasses. Of course, I had the same feelings about braces until I had to wear them for three years in high school.
8. Traveling – Whether it's across the state, country, or world... I love exploring new places.  Last year I went to Colorado for the first time, and so far in 2012 I've made it down to the Bahamas.
9. Foreign films – I don't know what it is about it, but I adore them.  French and Italian get top rank because the language sounds so sexy to me.
10. Diet black cherry soda – I wish I didn't, but I do have just the tiniest big addiction to diet soda.

Bootcamp Dreamin'

So tomorrow morning, bright and early at 6am, is my very first boot-camp class.  I purchased it last week on LivingSocial, as it had a class available exactly when I wanted.  It's for 4 weeks in a row, offered on Mon, Tues, Thur, and Fri - and I'm allowed to go as often as I want.  I guess that will depend on how sore I get...

Last night I went for a 3 mile run/walk and I'm feeling it this morning.  Sad.  I guess that's what happens when you refuse to stay in running shape on a treadmill during the winter.  Looking forward to my half marathon next weekend, even though I know it's going to totally kick my ass.

In other news, I get to see my favorite friend Sarah this weekend!  She is from North Carolina and I'm in Chicago, so we are driving to our halfway point between our respectable cities to the grand allure of Lexington, KY.  Never been, but it should be fun for the sheer fact that I'll get to see her for the first time in over a year.

Sarah and I in Tampa, FL - December 2010

Our friend Amanda also now lives in Lexington, who Sarah and I met while on a study abroad adventure in Sydney, Australia back in 2007.  It'll be amazing to catch up with her!

Karyn's on Green

Last night I had dinner with a friend I hadn't seen in a long time.  We decided to try a new place known for their chic atmosphere, great service, and vegan food.  I've never been to a vegan restaurant before, but this place, Karyn's on Green, is literally a 5 minute walk from my boyfriend's West Loop apartment.

Image courtesy of Karyn's on Green website

The interior was gorgeous, as seen above, and the menu was surprisingly versatile for being a vegan restaurant.  They had everything from salads to risotto to linguini to soups to raw cheese plates to cheesecake and peanut butter pie for dessert.  I tried the crab cakes, served with kabocha squash, farro, kumquats, and chamomile.  Delicious!

Crab cakes

I've been looking to try new restaurants in Chicago, as I tend to go to the same (amazing) places time after time - and Karyn's on Green definitely opened my eyes to a wonderful world of veganism.

New goals

Yes, it is March 8.  Yes, I know that new goals are generally thought about on January 1 as resolutions and such.  But I'm thinking about them now, and so here I go.  Last year my only main goal was to run (and finish) my first ever half marathon.  I did that on 9/11/11, and then.... I loved it so much that I did it again on 10/29/11.  My second one I even knocked over 8 minutes off my time.  BOOM.

So this year, with an inflated confidence, I'm making more goals, more specific goals, and I intend to see every single one to the end.  Go me.


FITNESS GOALS

Run a sub 2:20 half marathon.  My best time yet was 2:21:35, so if I can snub a simple minute and 36 seconds off, I'll get to see a 2:1x:xx, which will make me a very happy girl.

Run my first 25k.  As long as I follow through, I'm good.  I'm registered for the Fifth Third River Bank Run May 12, 2012 in Grand Rapids, MI!  15.5 miles, or about that anyway.  Right now after I run a half marathon I want to curl into a ball and die, so if I can just wait to die for another 3 miles.... I'm golden.

Run a full marathon.  Again, follow through is key.  I am registered for the Chicago Marathon on October 7, 2012.  It almost hurt me to type this one out.  The thought of it scares the living daylights out of me, but being able to say I ran a marathon would be totally worth it.

FINANCE GOALS

Get C.C. balance down to $0

Build savings account to $3,000

Start IRA or 401k.  Self-explanitory.

PERSONAL/RANDOM GOALS

Read at least 12 new books this year.  One per month, very do-able.  I used to read like crazy, probably 40 books a year or so... but that has since died down since I discovered the happy hour.  Currently reading: Snuff.  So. Good.

Travel somewhere new.  Easy enough.  I absolutely love to travel and see new places, and almost forgot that until this past year.  Being a few years out of college and broke makes it difficult to afford fun vacations.  In 2008 I went to Vegas with my cousin (freaking amazing time), then I didn't leave the Midwest again until New Year's Eve of 2010 (lame).  But in 2011, I went to Colorado for the first time - gorgeous, amazing, and I could live there - in case you were wondering.  Also tried skiing for the first time in my life.  And I went to Minneapolis for the first time to visit my friend Alanna, and headed a few hours north into Wisconsin for my first time ever (Brewers game!)  2012 has already taken me to the Bahamas.  Helloooo strawberry daiquiri :)

Chicago Marathon

Last year, right after the Chicago Marathon, I posted this on a blog I was kind of writing at the time:
 

Really, who can’t have a good day when it starts like this?  Yesterday was the big marathon – 45,000 runners.  It was a fantastic day, weekend even.  Carb load Friday night at Viaggio, our favorite Italian restaurant.  Joe and I went to get his gear and everything at the expo on Saturday afternoon.  It was seriously very much resembling a mall in there.  Nike overtook everything.  Its own men’s department, women’s department, shoe department… countless stations to purchase protein bars, energy gels and goos, running sunglasses, and absolutely anything else you can think of.

Sunday was an early day with us getting up at 5am so he could pop a few bananas and a Clif bar a good two and a half hours before the race start time.  I drove him downtown so he could check his gear, then I headed up to Mile 4, which was where we handed out the above mentioned free beer to runners.  Mile 11 he was looking great as well, then I caught him down in Chinatown at mile 20.5, then again at Sox park at mile 23, then after the big finish.  I can’t even describe how proud of him I am.  He did his very first marathon in 3:34:24!

And as an extra surprise, my parents made the drive in from Michigan to celebrate with us after the race!  The crowd was amazing, and the runners were so inspiring.  So inspiring, in fact, that I’ve been seriously thinking about if I want to do the full marathon next year…

But now... now, I can say for certain that this is something I'll be doing.  I'm registered, and I'm running for charity.  Stay tuned for details on the great cause you can help me help.

It's been a good ride

She's been good to me, but it's time for us to part ways.  This Sunday I'm becoming an official city girl and selling my car.  With the luxury of living and working right near downtown, my boyfriend and I have decided to share a car/save some money by not paying for insurance and gas on two.  This will be the first time since I was 17 (so... about 10 years) that I have not owned my own car - and I'm super pumped.

Bahamian Bliss

I've been back about a week now from a week-long trip to the Bahamas (Nassau) with my boyfriend, where I indulged in conch fritters, multiple strawberry daiquiris, and tons of much needed relaxation.  We went down for his cousin's wedding, which was set along the sandy beaches and provided such a lovely, intimate setting.

The weather was perfect, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

A walk along the water on a private island.

Conch was the food of choice on this island in the sun.

The stingray was mere inches from our feet!

Gorgeous pier off our resort.

Does it get any more perfect than this?

My man playing photographer at the wedding we attended.

Sailing in the sun.

Winter Essentials

Winter is in full swing, and my skin is definitely feeling it.  These favorites never go below half full before I purchase more this time of year.

Burt's Bees Honey Lip Balm $3   
Burt's Bees Almond Hand Creme $9
Eucerin Plus Smoothing Essentials $11.49   
L'Occitane Organic Pure Shea Butter $39

You + Me = Love

Valentine's Day is here yet again.  While I don't particularly love or look forward to this Hallmark holiday each year, it is a good reminder that we all have people we love in our lives and that we should always cherish and appreciate them in the time we are given. 

Chocolate Raspberry Liqueur Truffles

I found this recipe from the lovely Barefoot Contessa.  After watching her cook for hours and hours on end, I decided to actually try one of the recipes myself.  With the holidays just past, I decided to finish off the winter season with these little delights.  I was a little nervous at first, as I’ve never made truffles before, but they turned out quite nice – with the perfect creamy consistency you’d expect.

White Chocolate Truffles

2 tablespoons heavy cream
7 ounces good white chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons Irish cream liqueur (but I put in Raspberry Liqueur instead, yum!)
1/2 teaspoon good vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
6 ounces dark chocolate, chopped

Place the cream in a heat-proof bowl, and set the bowl over a pan of simmering water. Cook until heated through. Using a wire whisk, slowly stir the white chocolate into the warm cream until completely melted. Whisk in the liqueur and vanilla. Cover and chill for 1 hour or until pliable but firm enough to scoop.

With 2 teaspoons, make dollops of the chocolate mixture and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate for about 15 minutes, until firm enough to roll into rough spheres.

Melt the bittersweet chocolate in a heat-proof bowl, set over a pan of simmering water.

Drizzle the melted bittersweet chocolate over 10 of the truffles. Roll the remaining truffles in the chopped nuts. Chill until ready to serve.

Simple pleasure

There is something about the feeling of just getting a manicure.  Your hands are soft, your cuticles are not out of control, your nails are properly filed, and there's a fun pop of color on your fingers. 

I'm that girl who can't paint her own nails, they simply turn out horrible.  However, for that soft, just-got-a-manicure feeling, I love this BeautiControl Manicure Set.

Simple to use, and relatively cheap, it's the best out there to make you feel like you just visited the spa.

Welcome

You found my blog! Hello and welcome. But I'm sure you're now wondering, where am I and what's going on here? At the moment - not too much, but give it time and this blog will be swimming with daily discoveries, DIY tips, exciting events, interesting places, and great places to travel as told through my eyes.

xo
Rachel