Thursday Things

Chicago Running Bloggers is under new management!
I am forever grateful to Maggie for fostering the awesome Chicago Running Bloggers community over the last 4.5 years.

I have learned so much from my fellow running bloggers (both from Chicago and from beyond!) Through the network, I've developed a wonderful group of friends who never cease to amaze and inspire me.

Unfortunately, Maggie recently decided to step down from managing the CRB. I was very sad to lose the local network group, as were many others. After some discussion, Pete, Bethany, and I volunteered to keep the group going on a collaborative basis.

The Chicago Running Bloggers group "relaunched" earlier this week! It's already been a really fun experience. I think having the three of us sharing in the efforts makes it much easier to handle compared to a single person doing it all. Cheers to continuing the journey, and thanks again to Maggie for starting the local movement! =)

Throwback to the CRB weekend getaway to Lake Geneva a few years ago

The Pilsen Neighborhood Immersion last Sunday was unique. 
Since this was a Chicago Mash event hosted by Brooklyn Brewery, the core of the event was a bar crawl. I'm not a beer drinker, so I didn't partake in any of the beverage offerings. That aside, the event opened my eyes up to several cute local stores and restaurants that I hadn't heard of before. Pilsen really is an amazing neighborhood.

Here are a few snapshots:

Top L: Brooklyn Brewery display at the event's "trailhead"
Middle L: Pilsen Community Books
Bottom L: Decor at Pl-zen
Top R: Verdant Matter
Middle R: Knee Deep Vintage
Bottom R: Mural outside of Simone's

Upper L: Stumbled upon this big guy somewhere along 18th Street. I'm not sure what it represents, but it's a fun example of all the amazing street art in Pilsen.
Upper R: Random snapshot of Adam with some of the Dia de los Muertos-themed art at Simone's
Bottom: At the "trailhead" with Monica from Chi Organic Girls and Natali

Lake Michigan sunset cruises never get old.
Earlier this week, the Windy City Bloggers hosted a member cruise on the Mystic Blue.

All aboard with Maggie and Erin.
The sailor hats were my favorite - I wanted to take mine home!

The cruise was a blast. We had perfect weather and lots of food, beverages, and games (although some of us elected not to play the giant Jenga simply because we didn't want to have to clean it up afterwards, LOL).

Mini Italian beef sandwiches, mini hot dogs, mini tacos.

The giant Jenga made an earthshatteringly loud crash anytime it collapsed.

The highlight of the event, of course, was being treated to the most stunning backdrop anyone could ever ask for. I've lived in Chicago for 15+ years and have been on at least a dozen lakefront cruises, but I am still awestruck every time I see the beautiful skyline.

Decathloning
Tonight I am participating in a Nike Unlimited Chicago Decathlon event where we'll get to "train like Ashton Eaton" (relatively speaking, of course).

Ashton Eaton competing at the javelin throw during the 2015 World Athletics Championship
Source

Other than running, I've never done any of decathlon-type events - so this will be a learning experience! Hopefully there are safeguards in place for any event that requires us (translation: me) to inaugurally hurl heavy/sharp objects out into the field...

Graceland under water
This weekend, Adam and I are heading to Memphis. It'll be my first time visiting and I'm looking forward to cramming in as much history, food, and music as I can.

Stitch doing his best beachfront Elvis impression

Unfortunately, since I'm not running many races these days, my rain jinx has now spread to my weekend travels. It's supposed to storm all weekend! Fingers crossed that the meteorologists will be wrong!

What plans do you have for the upcoming weekend? Have you ever thrown a shotput/javelin/discus, et al? Memphis aficionados, please share any local restaurant/activity recommendations!