Friday, August 21, 2015

Five Things Friday

1. This past Tuesday, I went to a "Cross Train and Cocktails" event hosted by Class Pass, Fleet Feet, and On Your Mark Training. We went through a killer HIIT workout on the Roosevelt Collection rooftop. Such a gorgeous setting!

Source
Afterwards, we went back to Fleet Feet for refreshments and shopping. Luckily we were all safely indoors when an outburst of monsoon-like storms catapulted through the area. YIKES. (Thanks to Adam for picking me up so I didn't have to bike home in those conditions!)

Monsoons aside, I had a great time at the event! KitchFix served almond-crusted chicken samples which I'm already plotting to recreate at home. I snagged a fabulous new Nike tank top at half price. I also spent a lot of time admiring the Super Bears Shuffle 5K finisher medals displayed all over the store.

You know where this is going, right?

2. Seeing the Bears 5K swag got my wheels turning on pulling the registration trigger. The race is expensive for a 5K : $45 + $3 processing fees, or $43 total after using a discount code (BEARS5K). But I really want that medal. I also feel the need to even things up after running the Packers 5K last year. Plus, the "Combine Course" with shuffle cones, step-over pads, and tackle dummies sounds awesome.


Allright - SOLD. I'm in.

[Best Superfan imitation:] BEARS!!!!!!!!

3. On Wednesday night, I went to a barre class for the first time in quite a long while. Hello, muscle burn and shake - and so we meet again!

Even before starting, I was already feeling the effects of the HIIT from the night before. To add to this, I took a Zumba class just a few hours earlier, plus I rode a Divvy bike to/from the barre studio.

My legs were completely trashed afterwards. My glutes, abs, arms, and back are all sore, too.


This was definitely not the smartest sequence leading up to Fort2Base on Sunday. DERP!

4. My workplace organized an architectural walking tour yesterday afternoon. What a wonderful learning experience! Chicago's stunning architecture never ceases to amaze me.

Here are a few snapshots:
Upper L: The Palmer House Hilton lobby
Lower L: Marc Chagall's "The Four Seasons" at Chase Plaza
Upper R: Intricate Tiffany mosaics at the Marquette Building
Lower R: Light court at the Rookery Building




I learned a lot of interesting trivia. For example: Merchandise Mart used to have its own ZIP code; women were not allowed at the Berghoff until 1969; and Chicago's water filtration plant (just north of Navy Pier) is the largest in the world. Very cool!

5. I've finally reached the point where I can't deal with my hair any more. It's the longest I've let it grow in probably the last decade.

This is what it feels like:

(Troy Polamalu!!!)
This afternoon I will be marching in to get a serious chop. I want to lose at least three or four inches. I can't wait for that feeling of post-haircut freedom and airiness!

22 comments:

  1. Haha, that hair picture! I need a haircut too, but I've just been pulling mine back into a ponytail. I don't think I could do much else with the humidity we've been having!

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    1. I think the humidity contributes to all of us feeling that we need to get a haircut even more so than usual. It's hard to feel pulled together when the humidity makes us all feel sticky and unkempt, no?

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  2. The event at the Roosevelt Collection sounded fun! And I hear that the trainers from OYM are pretty badass so I bet you got a killer workout.

    Have you found a new hairstylist?

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    1. The OYM trainer's reputation is spot on, based on my experience. Our instructor that night was like a military drill sargent, and even her muscles had muscles!

      No new hairstylist yet. Since I'm getting a bigger-than-usual cut today, I didn't want to try someone new this time around. Plus, I took the day off today so scheduling an appointment was a lot easier. =D

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  3. I felt like that pictures of Bugs two weeks ago. I hadn't been to barre in 4 weeks and we did exercises I hadn't done before. Talk about shaking and soreness. I flopped on the couch for the rest of the day.

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    1. I literally feel your pain with the barre shaking and soreness!!! I can't believe how much barre muscle memory gets lost after just a few weeks! Hopefully you were able to recover from all the soreness quickly!

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  4. haha hair photo!! Sounds like you had a fun week, even if you're going into F2B a bit tired on the feet!

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    1. Isn't the hair photo hilarious!?!?? Thanks - it was indeed a great week, despite the tired legs. I look forward to hearing more updates from you soon on your latest IMWI training, too!!!

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  5. That Bears 5k looks like a fun race. It might be a little pricey but if you're a Bears fan it might be worth it if you get to meet current and former players!

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    1. I know you are dialing back on racing these next few months, otherwise I would say come join me at the Bears 5K!!! Sadly I don't think there will be any current or former players there. But it'll still be a very unique and fun atmosphere!!! I am so ridiculously excited to get one of those medals. Funny what motivates us, eh? =)

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  6. My aunt and I are talking about doing an architecture tour when she comes to town in October! I'm so excited - I've never done one before, though I am a HUGE fan of Open House Chicago. It's probably my favorite weekend all year. I love love love architecture and history, so I pretty much couldn't ask for anything more than Open House Chicago.

    Bethany @ Accidental Intentions

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    1. What kind of architecture tour are you considering? One of the boat cruises or a walking tour? My company brought in a guy from Free Tours by Foot and he was very knowledgeable. I LOVE Open House Chicago, too! I've already got it marked in my calendar. Last year there were so many places I wanted to check out but didn't have enough time. Some places had such long lines!!! I'm hoping to make up for lost time this year. =D

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  7. I totally vote for the out of control 'fro do. Take pictures when the perm is done!! ;-)

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    1. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! That would be a great look - it would definitely be unique! I'll definitely share the before-and-after pictures on Monday. =)

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  8. The Merchandise Mart having it's own ZIP code is one of my nerdy Chicago facts that I share with anyone from out of town who will listen haha

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    1. I was absolutely fascinated to learn that! I knew that Merchandise Mart is an ENORMOUS retail space, but that ZIP code tidbit really put things into perspective!!! I am going to start sharing it with out of town visitors, too. =)

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  9. Ok show me that medal! I too am a sucker for a really cool one. I love architecture tours like that. Chicago is so great. That zip code tidbit is something my grandpa told me when I was a kid. He used to take us "downtown" every week of summer vacay and we learned SO much!

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    1. I considered taking a picture of the medal and Instagramming it, but superstitiously I thought I shouldn't do that until after I've earned it (kind of like the race shirts!) In short, it is the Bears logo of the growling bear, with a nice white ribbon that has the race and Bears logo on it. Let me know if you decide to sign up. =)

      Chicago's architecture is just amazing. So cool that your grandpa shared so many tidbits with you as a child! He must have had a wealth of knowledge to share!!!

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  10. I had a pitiful excuse for a hairstyle right now. Rocking the pony tail every day! Love me some Bugs Bunny. Nobody cooler!

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    1. I think the summertime just begs for a ponytail!!! It's too hard to deal with the heat and humidity otherwise, especially when we are all doing hard core run training. Isn't Bugs Bunny the best? What's up doc!!! =D

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  11. *waves hi* I met you when I caught up with Marcia at Fort2Base yesterday - just wanted to officially say "HI!" as she let me know what your blog was! I'm Heather, nice to meet you - and I so hear you on the hair issue; I cut about 14 inches off mine a few weeks ago. Freeeeedom!

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    1. Hi Heather! It was so good to meet you in person at Fort2Base yesterday! How did you enjoy the festivities? I look forward to reading your recap! Congratulations on cutting off 14 inches of hair - I bet it felt AWESOME. Washing it the first time probably was tough to not use too much shampoo, too, right? =D

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