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!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
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.
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| Gorgeous white picket fences were everywhere |
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| Cigar was trying to join in on the action |
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| 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.
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| I say "yes" to wine! |
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| 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.
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| 5 year reunion! |
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| 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.
Monday, March 26, 2012
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?
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?
Friday, March 23, 2012
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 thetiniest big addiction to diet soda.
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
Thursday, March 22, 2012
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.
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!
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.
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| 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!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
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.
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!
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.
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| 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!
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| 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.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
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 :)
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 :)
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
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.
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.
Friday, March 2, 2012
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.
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