The Boy Next Door

Happy Monday!  In my "work week" this is actually my Thursday :-) Tomorrow after work, I head back to Wisconsin where I will spend the next 5 days.  I'm happy because I'll get a break from my regular 9-5 and I'll get to spend time with my mom + friends, but also sad because I won't get to see my boys all week :-/ A few skype dates will be in order. 

Speaking of boys, guess who just moved in next door? 

  

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That's right my friends, I now share a backyard with the hottest guy on the block :-) This will come in handy, when I need to make a quick trip to the grocery store for dinner (like tonight).  I can't wait to explore!

I'm jumping back on the Say It Do it wagon.  This week will be a little crazy with not being at home, but I'm determined to make it work.

Monday: 3 mi run w/hubs + upper body & core
Tuesday: Bar Method
Wednesday:Turbofire workout + run
Thursday: Air Force fit test (goal is to beat last year's scores)
Friday:Run 3 miles
Saturday: Bar Method DVD
Sunday: Rest

I'm off to do some grocery shopping, work out with my hubs and pack for WI! Have a good night :-)

Flywheel Friday

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So this morning, I attended my first ride at Flywheel.  I found out about this cycling studio through a Vital Juice e-mail (a daily blast of all things health & fitness-subscribe!!).  Because I don't belong to a gym anymore (I use the fitness center in our building), I've been really missing my cycling classes.  I love cycling classes because they burn a ton of calories and each class is something different.  The time always goes by quickly and the instructors usually have a good playlist.

I called Flywheel yesterday to see if I could register for a class today at 6am.  The nice girl on the phone told me that I could register online and answered a few other questions that I had.  I purchased a class via the website and signed up for it.  They have a layout of the studio on their website and you can choose your bike right then and there.  I really liked that I could see where the instructor would be and how many bikes the studio actually had.

When I arrived there, I was told to check in on the computer and then the front desk girl showed me where the lockers are.  I put my stuff in the locker and put on my special cylcing shoes that Flywheel provides for you.  As many times as I've taken spin-like classes, this was my first time with the special shoes and I loved it!  Once I got into the studio, the instructor, Antonia, introduced herself to me and told me a little bit about what to expect in class and that because this was my first time there, just to do what I could handle.  The front desk girl came in and showed me how to set up my bike and how to clip my shoes into the pedals and then I started my warm up.  The 6am class had about 10 people in it.  We went through sprints, upper body work, hill climbs and more sprints.  Flywheel also has a TorqBoard in class which allows you to see how hard you're working compared to the others in the class.  Antonia put it up during the last sprint and man, did it motivate me! I pedaled my way to #1!  Not too shabby for a first timer.   

Pros:
-friendly staff!!
-they provide you with free water & cycling shoes
-an awesome playlist! There have been times where I've taken spin and the class was awful because the music was awful.  Not here.
-there's a small portion of strength training w/the class. Small BUT effective. I loved this because with every other cylcing class I've taken my arms always feel left out of the party.
-energetic & motivating instructor
-If you come in the morning, you can find free street parking-big plus for Chicago.
-you can see your performance online and an estimation of how many calories you burned in class.

Cons 
-No locker room.  My original plan was to come to the 6am class, shower, and go right to work.  Instead I drove there and then drove home and got ready.  Not a big deal!
-The price.  $25 per ride can add up quickly if you're going to visit frequently.  If you're serious about this place, I would definitely get a package.  Luckily bloomspot has a great deal going on right now that I'm definitely going to take advantage of.

Overall, it was a great challenge and an excellent way to start out my morning & weekend.  I will definitely be back to ride again.  

My Green Weekend, Wieners & SIDI for the Week

This past Friday, I completed my last long run before my 1/2 marathon this Saturday (EEK!)  10 miles.  It wasn't the easiest, but I'm glad it's behind me.  In my opinion, the hardest part about running a half marathon, is the training.  Once race day is here, it's a completely different feeling. A high that only 13.1 miles can provide. 

On Saturday, my mom rolled into town, just for the day.  We brunched at a new place in Wicker Park called Prasino. Prasino means "green" in Greek.  I picked out this restaurant because they are a gluten-free friendly restaurant (my mom can't have gluten) & it was a healthy brunch option.  My mom had a delicous looking omlet and I had the French eggs benedict and a kombucha mimosa.  The eggs benedict was okay, but a little bit salty for my taste because of the ham.  The drink was very tasty! I wanted another one. 

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I love venturing around the different neighborhoods of Chicago.  I don't get to the Bucktown/Wicker Park area as often as I'd like to.  But when we're ready to purchase a home, LC and I have pretty much decided, that this is where we'd want to live.  After brunch, we walked around and went into some little shops.  One of my favorites we went into was Green Heart.  They're a fair trade shop and they have awesome stuff! Jewelry, clothes, home goods, etc.  If you're unfamiliar with Fair Trade, look it up *here*.  It's a pretty amazing way to help out communities.  The gist of Green Heart is they sell handcrafted goods made by people from all over the world.  The workers are all volunteers & the money goes back to helping that community from which the item came.  I bought a supercute bracelet from India for $10!  If you're in the Chicago area, definitely stop by.  

      

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After brunching & walking around, we went back to my apartment and relaxed a little bit before my mom left to go back to WI.  Oliver & I love when she comes to visit, and we're both in agreement that her visits are always too short.   

On Sunday, I went to my happy place, and boy did it feel great :-) Especially after my 10 mile run on Friday.  

Yesterday, hubs treated me to my first ever Superdawg experience!  I've lived here for over 3 years, and have never had Superdawg.  This year, I put it on my Summer 2011 to do list and we finally got to it yesterday.  The concept of it is a lot of fun.  It's a drive-in where they bring the food to your car :-) The hotdog was good, but I've had better in Chicago.   

Last but not least, I've hopped back on the "Say It, Do It" train.  So here's this week's workout line-up. 

Monday: Rest day (aka-very busy day!)

Tuesday: Run 4 miles + abs

Wednesday: Run 3 miles + upper body

Thursday: Run 2 miles

Friday: REST!

Saturday:Lake Country 1/2 Marathon!!

Sunday: Rest :-) & enjoy Carried Underwood at Ravina, thanks hubs! 

I hope everyone's having a great week so far! I'll be back tomorrow with my 2nd "Wedding Wednesday" post. You can read the first one *here*.

My Run in Pictures

I promise to get back to a regular blogging schedule next week.  This week has been muy loca.  On Tuesday I had a hard time sleeping, so instead of just laying there in frusteration, I got up and went for a super early (5am) run down Michigan Avenue.  North Michigan Avenue is a completely different place at 5am.  It's peaceful.  It's an easy run.  It's great for window shopping.   

(Birthday present? Yes please.) 

Tiffany & Co. Window. Simply delicious.

Marilyn Monroe Statue. This thing is massive.



Sunrise over Chicago River. I had to stop and pause to appreciate the view and realize just how lucky I am to live in this awesome city. 

One Fish, Two Fish

Thursday already?  This week is flying right on by.  The fact that I was off of work on Monday & I have a 1/2 day tomorrow might have something to do with it.  This weekend, LC and I are headed north for drill and to enjoy some Wisconsin State fair goodness :-) I can't wait for a roasted corn :-) 

Last night my friend Courtney and I went to Jazzin' at the Shedd.  It's a music event hosted by The Shedd Aquarium where you can listen to live music, sip fancy drinks, and walk around the aquarium.  It's $12 to get in & if you pay an extra $6, you also get admission to the special exhibits.  Not too bad considering the regular price of admission.  I'm so glad we went to this because I've been wanting to see the jellyfish exhibit since I first saw it advertised and it was pretty amazing.  With the music they play in the exhibit, I could sit and watch those things all day...so relaxing!

This morning, I woke up pretty early and full of energy {which was a surprise considering the two delightfully strong cocktails that I enjoyed the previous night}.  Since I had a lump removed from the left side of my torso on Monday, I decided to take it easy and stick to a 3 miler.  I had to change up my normal route because of Lollapalooza, but it was a good change, because I got to enjoy this view and appreciate the fact that I live in such an awesome city :-)

I finished 3 miles in about 32 minutes.  One thing that I want to work on, when it comes to running, is my speed.  I can outlast my hubs when we go on runs together, but when it comes to sprints, he's definitely got me beat.  I've got great endurance when it comes to distance, but I'm slow.  I know a lot of this had to do with pushing myself outside my comfort zone, which I need to start doing.  But to be honest, I have no idea on where to begin to make times faster.  Any runners have any ideas?  I'm off to start packing for WI and to make some dinner.  Enjoy your Thursday!