The Really Awesome Run My Sister Totally Missed

So last week, as you know, I was in Chicago.  And now I am not, which has led me to wonder about 15 kazillion times in the past two days WHY that is.  I am a city girl!  I have a city kid!  Why do I live...here?  Not that here is bad, it's just...well...

*sigh* 

Yeah I know it gets cold there, I don't care.  That's what LL Bean is for.

ANYWAY!  While I was there I went running, duh.  I had oodles of fun on Map My Run making some fun routes for my sister and me to run together.  And then she totally bailed on me.  Well okay she had a leg injury but still, she missed out.

I started out from our hotel, down Michigan Ave, and through Millennium Park.  Ran around the Art Institute, through Grant Park, by Buckingham Fountain, and down to the Museum Campus.  Passed the Field Museum (and the dino), went around Soldier Field, and turned to run along the lake.

And then I saw this:

It honestly took my breath away; I was in awe.  I've been to Chicago loads of times, but I had never experienced it in the early morning, alone, when the streets are quiet aside from other runners, the sun is coming up, and everything is fresh.  In that moment, and this sounds cheesy but its true, I had a sincere appreciation for the freedom I feel as a runner.  I can't really explain what I mean by that.  It just made sense to me at the time that I was exactly where I needed to be at that moment, and I was super thankful to be there. 

As I ran back to my hotel, I passed the door.  I kept going all the way up the lakefront to Water Tower Place, and back down again just because I could.   And because I knew just how lucky I was to do it.

The sidewalks began to fill up, the tourists began to take pictures, and the locals came out with their dogs and strollers to begin their Saturday.  I went back to the hotel and found my family eating breakfast.  My sister asked how the run went, and I told her that she missed a good one.

But now that I look back, I'm kind of glad she did.

I miss you Chicago!  I'll be back soon!

The Vacation High-Five

Fact: Vacations are awesome. 

Also fact: High fives are awesome.

And when your vacation gives you a high five, that's like awesome to a level that hurts my brain to think about.

I went on vacation last week and it was wonderful.  Chicago: does it get better?  No.  No it does not.  Then add my wacky fun family, a wedding, and really nice weather and you've got yourself a Happy Healthy Heather.  Just so you know, that's a good thing. :)

Chicago gave me a big ole high five last week.  Thanks Chicago!  Back atcha!

I had two main concerns before going on vacation:

Concern Numero 1: Clean eating. I was flying, so my capacity for bringing food with me was limited.  Relying on other people or sources for good clean eats stresses me out, so I wanted to make sure I had plenty of access to the good stuff so I wouldn't spend my vacation like some kind of junkie looking for a fix.  So I packed my little ziplocks of oatmeal and almonds, stocked up on Lara bars, and walked to the grocery store first thing.  It was a great way to pass the time while I was waiting for our luggage to arrive.

The next day. 

Yeah, it was that kind of trip.

Concern Numero 2: Exercise. I wanted some. Correction: I wanted lots.  I knew those packs of oatmeal and almonds would only get me so far, and then someone would open the wine.  And there would be crackers.  And there would be pizza.  And there would be pie. And as it turned out, there were all of those things. It's almost as if I have traveled with these people before.

So I walked to the grocery store and carried the groceries back. I got up the next morning and ran 5 miles.  The next day I ran seven miles and walked all over the city.  I carried my kid around, wore a backpack, and went the long way everywhere.  I even took the stairs in the hotel all the way up to the 16th floor.  And when I uploaded my GoWearFit, it rewarded me with nice big numbers that made up for all the pie.

And it was really, really nice.

Tomorrow I'll post pics of my gorgeous run along Lake Michigan under the lights of the city.  For now, I'm still reveling in the fact that I am back from a week of vacation and I didn't take a step back in my wellness. 

Thanks Chicago!  I'll be back soon!

Good day!