Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Catching up and Take Time Tuesday #7

It has been a crazy, crazy, crazy few weeks for me.  So crazy that I don't know where my head has been for much of the time. 




Sadly, my blog focus has taken an enormous backseat while I attempt to catch my own head.  But, I will be working my way through an enormous catch-up effort over the next week or two.  YEAH!!!

As luck would have it, today is Take Time Tuesday!  What am I grateful for this week?
  • My friends Erica G. and Nhan, who both provided very special help to me this past week on some personal pursuits.
  • Adam, as always, for being my secret weapon from a collective intelligence standpoint.
  • The power of intuition, prayer, positivity, and knowing - just knowing - certain things when it matters the most.
  • Good humor. 
 

  • OK, not just the Good Humor ice cream brand.  (Although, I am certainly grateful for ice cream, too).  I am talking about true good humor - because laughter makes almost all things better.  It helps me to remember that we each have complete control over how seriously or not seriously to take ourselves.
  • I almost always wear grey or black bottoms when I run or work out - whether it be in the form of shorts, capris, tights, or (more recently) skirts.  In an attempt to break this pattern, I recently bought a fun white running skirt.  Yes, anytime I wear anything white I become a magnet for all spillages, splashes, and explosions of substances with hues spanning the entire rainbow.  And yes, I may end up looking like a misplaced tennis player.  But you have to live dangerously at some point or other, right?

I think I exhibit this same facial expression at the end of all of my runs. 
Even without keeping my eye on the ball.

  • And finally - going a little nuts and running not just two, but THREE consecutive days last week (I usually never run on consecutive days, period)... without my knee straps... and with almost no pain!  This has opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for me from a training standpoint.  I still plan to wear my knee straps for long runs, but it feels so invigorating to know that I can at least do short runs without them.

Live Half Full 

I am also very excited about some weekend plans I've got coming up.  I've mentioned in the past that Adam and I got married in St. Joseph, Michigan.  The entire SW Michigan area is very special to me, in general.

The St. Joseph lighthouse

For that upcoming weekend, Adam and I will be staying in South Haven, Michigan (one of my favorite towns along the coast).  That Friday night, I'll be running a local race that I just found out about a few weeks ago: the Fenn Valley Winery 5K Frolic in the Vineyards.  The 5K includes a trail race, dinner, beverages, and a live concert at the Fenn Valley Winery vineyards.  The Fenn Valley Wine Festival also takes place the following day.  I'm not a huge wine drinker, but I do enjoy dabbling a bit. 

It'll be awesome to make Michigan #4 on my list of states that I've raced in, especially in a smaller, low-key race like this one (I don't think that it's chip-timed).  I am also looking forward to running my first-ever trail race amidst such gorgeous scenery.  It's going to be a blast!!!

Running through scenery like this?  Sign me up!!!

Cheers to the unofficial start of summertime to all!

24 comments:

  1. Ooh, that 5k sounds great! I just added Michigan to my list of states I've ran in (raced is still pretty limited) this past weekend too :) I hope you guys have a wonderful time! If you somehow need more winery fun, check out Round Barn (unless you already have?) - I think it's maybe half an hour from St. Joe's.

    A white running skirt sounds fun for summer! Definitely better than boring black and gray, I can't seem to break out of that rut.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooooh, did I miss a race that you did in Michigan!?!?!? Which race was it?!?!? I am excited for Bob to run the Michigan Wine Trail Half - you are going to have such a good time together at that race! I have heard of Round Barn many times but have never visited - so per your recommendation, a visit is definitely in order soon. =D

      I am loving all of your fashion posts, and really did love your "Awesomeness" shirt from the Soldier Field 10. Would love to see more of your running outfits!!!

      Delete
    2. Oh, not a race! Sorry,just a training run over the weekend. But I was thinking about states I've run in at all, since Michigan is the 7th. Let me know if you check out Round Barn, they even have food and live music some weekends, it was so much fun!

      The awesomeness shirt is by Nike, via Kohls. It was cool because people kept yelling "awesome!" at me, and I had forgotten about the shirt :) I may post more running fashions one of these days, but I don't normally take pictures of what I'm wearing!

      Delete
    3. Ahhh, I just read your long weekend recap with the details about visiting Coloma and its wineries. Sounds amazing!!! Isn't it awesome to go running in new destinations? It really changes up the mentality in a good way! And per your recommendation, I'll also be looking at checking out Contessa and Karma Vista in the near future. =)

      Kohl's for the Nike awesomeness shirt, eh? I enjoy shopping at Kohl's so I may look to become the fourth amiga to your awesomeness powerhouse. =D

      Delete
  2. What a fun race!!! I LOVE South Haven- we used to go there all the time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ahhh, Michigan! I just read your recap about your Memorial Day weekend in Traverse City and it sounded AMAZING. I have never been to Traverse City or to northern Michigan, but really want to check it out!!!

      Delete
  3. Ahhhh, your upcoming weekend sounds AMAZING! And I miss chatting with you. I hope life is going to bringing you good crazy instead of bad crazy soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Erin! Your last few weekends have sounded AMAZING too - running multiple races and doing awesome bike rides! I miss chatting with you too and we will get our early-morning runs going again very soon. Maybe this Thursday if the weather holds up? At the very least, I'll see you at trapeze class this Friday!!! YAY!!!!!

      Delete
  4. Yay South Haven! I did a triathlon in Grand Haven last summer and loved the area. I'd love to go back!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Grand Haven is just GORGEOUS. What a fabulous destination to do a tri!!! You do tri's in the most amazing locations! And there's no better way to travel than to do a race of some sort, for sure!!! Run-cation or tri-cation, anyone? =D

      Delete
  5. First off, GOOOO BLACKHAWKS!!! And I'm bummed my Sharks got eliminated last night :(

    You have been super busy because I'm all "where's Emmers!?!" That weekend with your hubby sounds wonderful. Michigan is totes beautiful. We need to do brunch again soon. If you're around this weekend CB and I are going to grant park Saturday for the Veggie Pride parade. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YES!!!! GOOOOO BLACKHAWKS!!!!!!! I am very bummed that the Sharks got eliminated last night, too. =( They really gave it their all and I would have loved to see them go to the conference finals!

      I have a ton to update you on - so absolutely let's go to brunch as soon as we can. This weekend would be great to get together and I would love to check out Veggie Pride with you!!! I'll email you. =)

      Delete
  6. I'm totally craving a strawberry shortcake popsicle now. Good Humor is the shizz.

    I hope y'all have a fantastic time in Michigan! Looks like you have some fun planned. Color me jealous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A strawberry shortcake popsicle does sound amazing right now! I am also remembering the post you wrote awhile back about the grape cream slush treat you got for yourself during your conference period. Now THAT sounds amazing!!!!!!!!

      Delete
  7. Are you wearing this new white skirt to this awesome race? Either way, you owe us pics, girl! :)

    What a fun weekend! I hope you have fab weather! It sounds like just the getaway you need :)

    Excited I may see you on Saturday!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL, it would be fun to wear the white skirt but the combination of it being my first-ever trail race plus there being red wine afterwards is probably a recipe for disaster. ;)

      It was so good to see you yesterday at Veggie Pride!!! Can't wait to catch up with you again soon!!!!!

      Delete
  8. Looks like you and I both have taken a backseat with our blogs! Glad to see all is well though and I'm excited for your trip to Michigan! I have a soft spot for Michigan as well and love making my way there for weekends with the family. My parents often visit South Haven and together we all often stay in Saugatuck. Michigan is so beautiful! It's sometimes hard to believe that such a place can exist so close to Chicago :)

    -Irina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Irina! It sounds like you have been crazy busy these past few weeks! I hope things calm down for you soon and that you get more rest and relaxation in the near future! I loved reading about your family trips up to Saugatuck. SW Michigan truly is such a hidden gem, so close to Chicago yet worlds away in spirit. =)

      Delete
  9. My wife's fam is all up in the St. Joe and surrounding towns area! Make sure to stop in Kilwins by the bluff! And run around the new water fountains. We were going to get married up there, but some health issues in my family made us change the state and date drastically.

    I like dark colors for running, mostly because when they get sweaty, they transformation from dry to wet isn't as embarrassing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am envious that your wife's family is in the St. Joe area - the whole region is just gorgeous. It must feel like being on permanent vacation to live there. Thanks for the recommendation on Kilwins by the bluff, and I have yet to see the new water fountains so I know what I'll be doing soon! Sorry to hear about the health issues that caused you to change your wedding plans. =( But at least you can go up to the area to visit family anytime you like without worrying about finding a place to stay (availability is ridiculously short during the summer months!)

      Ah yes, the conundrum of dry to wet in dark clothing versus light clothing is a HUGE deal. I am heeding your advice and will only plan to wear the light clothing during, uh, short runs. No marathons in white clothing for sure! =D

      Delete
  10. Love the pics of the lighthouse and the wine country. I need to get back to SW Michigan soon! :-) Go Hawks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Pete! SW Michigan seems to be getting more and more popular with the Chicago locales every year, no? I remember years ago it was fairly easy to find a place to say there over a summer weekend, but now you have to book way in advance to avoid paying obscene rates. But even so, the nice thing about SW Michigan is that it is close enough to do just a day trip, too! And I definitely vote that you go for a visit very soon!

      GO BLACKHAWKS!!!!! =)

      Delete
  11. Glad to hear the news about your knee!! Also, I think next summer we should plan a Blogger weekend trip for that Vineyard 5K. It sounds awesome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Maggie! You are so, so, so lucky to have remained so healthy during the span of your running career. ENJOY IT!!!!! =)

      OH YEAH, I am all about planning a blogger weekend for the Vineyard 5K or for any race in SW Michigan!!! Great idea and let's do it next summer for sure!!!

      Delete