Part of My World

Plans

Planned to get up and run. Woke at 8, thought I had class at 11, realized I have to meet with students at 10.

No run. Convenient.

Good morning, Monday.

Bitchin’.

I need to start exercising again. Like, pronto.

But before pronto comes a red velvet cupcake.

relovingit:

practicallydunn:

4 miles deserves a break with a view ….. Now I gotta attempt the 4 mile run back home! (Taken with Instagram at North Avenue Beach)

Running along Lake Michigan definitely helps alleviate my stress. Today’s 4-mile run was no exception, and tomorrow holds another run (8 miles? 9? or maybe just 4…), hopefully in slightly warmer, sunnier climes.

cupofchi:

28 for 28 = complete.

[Ignore the 27 run thing there…I didn’t figure out my new Nike+ until after I started.]

Lessons learned:

February is the wrong month to do this when you don’t have access to a gym/treadmill. There were a few days where ‘running’ meant ‘sliding frantically on ice.’ It’s cool to exercise and all, but not at the risk of breaking my neck.

One of the reasons I run is because it’s free - I don’t need a gym membership or any special equipment. That being said, this month I was gifted with some fancy new running clothes and invested in my first pair of shoes chosen by a professional [aka not for how cute/cheap they were]. Apparently, that makes a big difference.

I don’t like running early in the morning, especially when it’s cold and dark. Evening runs? Totally my thing.

You can absolutely go for a run after meeting someone for drinks. Wine-fueled runs are kind of fun!

I ~~will~~ do run for cheese.

Most importantly, I think I’ve finally created a habit. [Fingers crossed.]

I missed my GPOYW yesterday, and I actually felt like putting together an outfit today. So, here we are.

Time for meetings and more reading and writing and seminar and research… and then seeing the poet.

In other news, it’s supposed to snow today? Oh, and my next half-marathon’s in a month, and I haven’t been running in 3-ish weeks. So much awesome.

Cold Weather Running Tips (or why arm-warmers are my favorite accessory ever!)

emphasisadded:

A post from the archives for the folks who left this questions in my ask-me queue….hope this helps.

This post helped motivate me to run outside no matter the climes, and a fierce dedication to Be A Chicagoan led me to run the Polar Dash Half-Marathon a few weeks ago. On that one Saturday morning when we had a bunch of snow and ice and slush. When it snowed for the first hour of the race. When my shoes and SmartWool socks were soaked through by mile 3. When I thought my muscles were turning against me at mile 8. And mile 10. And mile 12. How I crossed the finish line, I’m not quite sure. (But the banana, hot chocolate, and post-race shower were great!)

I think the only tip I have to add is…

Just get out there.

How The Midwest Was Won: Seriously though, the Midwest is kind of where it's at.

howthemidwestwaswon:

- We might not have invented pizza, but we made that shit a meal.
- We’re the birthplace of the Ferris Wheel, one of America’s most prized make-out destinations.
- We’re the birthplace of pretty much every American beer worth drinking
- We brought you the Stooges, Prince, Motown, MC5, The…

Also, the best running turf. No hills. Kaboom.

So much more I could add to this list, but I’m pooped.