Women’s World Cup Flashback

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Fresh off of today’s heartbreaking USA loss in the Women’s World Cup, I can’t help but think of the game back in 1999.

I was 14 years old and obsessed with the US’s Women’s World Cup team.  Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Michelle Akers were the deal- their posters were on my bedroom walls and their incredible skill was the inspiration for the coaching my dear ol’ Dad tried to impart on me in my youth league soccer games.

That year, my parents took me to see part of the World Cup that was at Soldier Field in Chicago (I know- soccer AND Chicago.  I was pretty much beside myself my brace-faced self).  Aside from how cool it was to be at Soldier Field banging those stick-noise maker thingys together cheering on my freakin’ country, there was something so valuable about that team as an adolescent…like, wow- I can do anything if I make a choice and work hard enough at it.  I could play pro soccer!  I could be president!  I could live in this city!  I just have to pick and work my tail off!

Playing pro-soccer is not in the cards today but watching the 2011 Women’s World Cup team reminded me of my childhood dream team and how much possibility they represented both then and now.  I am so grateful for women rocking it out on the international stage and I am willing to bet that there were a few more 14 year old girls who dreamed some big dreams while watching that game today.

U2 at Soldier Field

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The 360 set was unreal, the music was amazing and the energy coming from the 65,000+ people in the crowd at Soldier Field was unbelievable.

And when U2 played “It’s a Beautiful Day“, I fist pumped with the best of ’em.

It was one of the best concerts I have ever seen on one of the most beautiful nights of the summer in one of the coolest venue around.

Mad love for U2…and Chicago, per usual.

U2 Concert Countdown

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3 weeks from tonight, my Mama and I will be there.  Nope, not the Addison train stop.  We’ll be at Soldier Field for the U2 concert!

After a year of waiting (Bono threw out his back last year and the tour was cancelled), we will put on our comfiest dancing sandals and rock out to our favorite songs from one of our favorite bands.

A concert with my mother with the city as a backdrop.  I am so in.

Goal Line Glory

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An hour and thirty-seven minutes later and I completed the Soldier Field 10 Miler by sprinting on to Soldier Field to cross the finish line at the 50 yard line.  Running through the tunnel onto the open field, people cheering and hearing the announcer say my name was one of the coolest experiences- short of being in the NFL, who gets to do that?!?  Goal Line Glory, indeed!

Not one to be left out of the action, Luna Bell experienced her own Goal Line Glory the second we got home by taking a nap on the new stadium blanket we received at the conclusion of the race.  Tough life that cat has.

Shoes By Color/Soldier Field 10-Miler Packet Pick Up

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While picking up our Solider Field 10-Miler race packets at Fleet Feet, I spotted this sign.  While I don’t entirely with this statement (color always plays a decent part in my running shoe selection process), if I was planning on buying shoes today strictly based on how obnoxiously awesome they were colored, I totally would have bought these:

A bit nervous for tomorrow (I haven’t been running anywhere near 10 miles recently) but getting my first race of the season under my belt and finishing on the 50-yard line of Soldier Field is going to be all sorts of awesome.  Ready to rock!

(Almost) Ready to Run

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5 days until the Soldier Field 10 Miler.

I signed up for this race in January and am blown away at how quickly it has crept up on me.  If we’re being honest, I haven’t exactly been running 10 miles lately.  More like…less, less than 10.  Thank goodness for the adrenaline of race day…pounding the pavement with thousands of other runners who have the same goal- making it to that finish line.  Which in this race is the freaking 50 yard line of Soldier Field!  Which is all sorts of awesome and will totally get me through those 10 miles.

If that isn’t enough motivation, Ryan and I have a Cubs game to get to at noon!  Soldier Field and Wrigley Field in one day?  Jazz hands, all around!