Disclaimer: matching your nail color to your yoga mat does not help your practice.
(yoga mat: lululemon The Mat; nail color: Essie “Cocktail Hour”)
Yoga Love: Free Yoga at Millennium Park Edition
Yoga at Millennium Park at 8am on Saturday morning is my new best friend.
A few hundred people, a few sun salutations and a lot of deep breaths. I can’t think of a better way to start a holiday weekend…or any weekend for that matter. Oh and did I mention it’s free?
Zenned out under a perfect blue sky. Mad love for this morning.
A New Sign in Town
Oh, hey Mayor Daley Emanuel- I guess the new sign makes it official. Way to go, buddy!
(Is it bad that I like Emanuel almost strictly based on his fictitious Twitter feed? I mean, in general, he’s done a pretty sweet job of kicking ass and taking names since he took office but that Twitter feed still cracks me up.)
Words of Wisdom: Bridal Edition
Sage advice any day but especially timely for my dear friend Molly as she prepares to get her wedding on this weekend. If you run out, call me- I keep chilled bubbly on the ready, darling.
Chicago Marathon 2011: The Game Plan
The Chicago Marathon is less than 3.5 months away and I’m getting pumped. Last year was my first ever marathon and to be honest, I was really scared about getting hurt, about getting burnt out. So, I trained at a pace that felt good, didn’t go overboard with mileage and did copious amounts of yoga to strengthen my core. It must have worked because I finished those 26.2 miles and felt great- no injuries, no passing out, no drama.
But this year, I have a goal.
I will finish the 2011 Chicago Marathon in less than 4:15.
I’m not trying to win this thing (the people who win are probably having mimosas by the time I hit mile 13) but now that I know my body can take it, I want to go after my goal and train a little harder.
The Game Plan:
June 11-July 16th: boot camp 2x a week to tone and strengthen
July 17th: Fleet Feet’s Women’s 10k to take in that race atmosphere before the big day
All Summer: Yoga! I cannot say enough how important yoga was to my training and completion of the marathon last year. Soothes tight muscles, strengthens the core and focuses the mind- yoga is just invaluable.
Late July: start going after long runs on weekends, finishing with a 20 miler 2 weeks before the marathon.
ASAP: more yoga!
I’m feeling strong and now that we’re finally getting some good weather, I’ve had some really beautiful runs on the lake. With my plan in place, I’m confidant that I will crossing the finish line at my goal time.
Chicago Marathon 2011, bring it!
Risk 330- 3,000 Miles or Bust
This past weekend I had the pleasure of meeting Jeff Romack, an athlete who will soon embark on an initiative he has dubbed “Cycle for Change”. In July, Jeff will pedal the 3,000 miles from San Diego to Virginia beach to raise money for both an orphanage and well in Kenya as well as renovate a school in Tanzania and Peru.
“My mission along the way is to connect with as many people as possible, talking, listening, and encouraging them to take steps towards making their dreams a reality while raising and addressing the spiritual, mental and physical issues Americans struggle with today. I will make this journey across America to rise up a new generation of young people that would transform the world with one changed life at a time.”
To learn more about Jeff’s journey, check out risk330.com and if biking, change, water and kids are your thing, you can donate here.
Best of luck to you on this incredible journey, Jeff!
Week Forecast: Sunny and Awesome
Looks like I’ll be sporting sunnies for the rest of the week.
79, 79, 83, 89 and sunny. Now, that’s the kind of summer weather I’m talkin’ about, Chicago!
Combined with a dear friend’s wedding and Ryan coming home, well, it makes for a lot of awesome happening in one week.
(image via fuckyeahchicago; nellallen)
Happy Sunday!
Today’s agenda? Running, laundry, checking out the new Home Goods, maybe some sunbathing…but first, breakfast. Summer berries and homemade granola from the farmer’s market- fresh in a bowl, I do say!
And with that- Happy Sunday!
In Europe we thought of wine as something as healthy and normal as food and also a great giver of happiness and well being and delight. Drinking wine was not a snobbism nor a sign of sophistication nor a cult; it was as natural as eating and to me as necessary.
Craving Paris, this book and wine. Not necessarily in that order.