A short life update

Good Tuesday Afternoon!

We’ve lived in our new apartment for 4 weeks now – I can’t believe it!  It is finally becoming more of a home.  We decorated, bought some new furniture and now simply enjoying each other’s company.  The neighborhood is fun too.  We’ve gone out to eat at a couple local places – Paddy O’Splains and Rockwell’s Neighborhood Grill.   Exploring is one of the most fun parts about moving to a different part of Chicago.  We were really spoiled in Wrigleyville; everything was just too convenient.  There were always taxis on the streets, we could buy a jug of milk or a bottle of whiskey on the corner store, my commute was only 40 minutes door to door, and the gym was a quick walk down Clark!   

Although we’ve moved only 3 miles northwest you notice a large difference!  The highlights of our location include the gigantic park across the street – where Nolan and I have been jogging the last couple nights, there is always parking available – maybe a car is in our future, and we love the family friendly atmosphere –no more 3AMers walking home, screaming on our street, well except us!

Having Nolan home is wonderful.  We’ve been working out at the park across the street and he’s cooking!  I love coming home knowing he’s been to the grocery store and something’s smelling delicious as I walk in the door - I am so spoiled!  Last night he made Clam Chowder! 

I enrolled in school.  I want to further my education with some graphic design courses, so as of April I will be in class at the Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago!  I am completely nervous to start back at school – I was so relieved when I finished at UNR.  My excitement surpasses my nerves, this is going to be the best thing for me and I can’t wait to get started!

Tuesday Fun

I occasionally save photos, stationary inspiration, paper templates, and other interesting files I find on the internet to my computer.  I thought I’d share a few photos with you - hopefully it will put a little sparkle in your day. 

Take a look at the shadows they make. 

Chicago Sunrise over Lake Michigan!

I just sold my bike when we moved in hopes to purchase a new one - Nolan wants to do a triathlon this summer!  It is a great stepping stone from my 10K last summer.

How wonderful are these save the dates? Love them!

I might just throw a party in order to use these "go plates"!

Swooning over Crate and Barrel yet again!

Just another chance for me to imagine various ways to fill the new apartment.

Also, today in Chicago, the temperature is supposed to reach a whopping 57 degrees – can you believe it?

The Evolution of the Bicycle!

Copenhagen Wheel - when your looking to be green NOT exhausted!

Anytime you step on the brakes, the generator collects power that it stores in an on-board battery. A sensor in the wheel’s hub can tell when your ride becomes strenuous, like when you’re heading uphill. The sensor then triggers an electric motor that boosts your forward pedaling power. The next time you hit the brakes the cycle starts all over.

But this next-gen bike doesn’t stop at regenerative braking and electric helper motors. A Bluetooth connection in the wheel can speak to an iPhone that fits snugly into the mount on your handlebars. From there it feeds you all kinds of information through an app, including map and traffic info, heightened pollution alerts, speed, distance, fitness data, etc.

I am pretty fascinated by this.  I wonder how this will change normal commuting!?   

Would you purchase this for your daily commute?

Dun… Dun Dun Dun… Dun Dun Dun

It's the eye of the tiger, it's the cream of the fight
Risin' up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he's watchin' us all in the eye of the tiger

Now experience the Survivor song as it RUNS through your head ALL day!

Sorry, I had to introduce my 10K Race somehow and well, what better way than with a Rocky III reference?

Thanks Nolan, great photos!

Jackie, Nicole and I finished the Race for the Zoo this past Sunday, 6/7/09.

I'll break it down for you.


1 New pair of running shoes

12 weeks of training

80 “practice miles” – are they still practice if you did them?

25 dollars to participate

3 dollars to service fees – stupid service fees

1 *Free race shirt

1 hour, 12 minutes, and 30 seconds


I FINISHED





The BIG Finish!






*Is it really free if I paid $25 to participate?

Useful Tools to a Successful 10K

I am working everyday toward my goal of running in my first 10K. June 7 is the big day. I've found some help to achieve my goal.

FIRST, to map out routes and get an accurate millage count I am using Google. This website has been great for not only planning my short and long runs but familiarizing myself with my neighborhood. I would like to eventually move into a place for just Nolan and me. With my runs I keep a keen eye on "FOR RENT" signs. On my runs I see where those places are in relation to train stations, main streets, grocery stores and the all important bars and liquor stores! :)

SECOND, Hal Higdon has published a novice training program online. This training program has the next weeks planned out for every day of the week. 6 days of work outs and 1 enjoyable day of rest! This training program has really helped me be more motivated and better organized about my work out. I know what I will be doing today, tomorrow, and next Thursday.

Thanks Google & Hal for your great tools!

My Goal: 10K

Throughout my life I have participated in some form of physical activity. It was typically a team sport. High school, I was busy with basketball and volleyball and a short passing thought of track my senior year (I didn't even make it to tryouts). College was rugby, where coincidentally, I found a more peaceful zen self off the pitch. As I was able to hit on the pitch I didn't feel so inclined to while in the real world.

My point being that I've always had a team to motivate my workouts and staying in shape was easier and fun. In the last year I've found myself sitting for the better part of 8 hours at a desk job and spotted a larger dress size in my closet. I wasn't too concerned until I couldn't fit into some of those items... DAMN IT! So, I joined the gym, Bally's, a mile down the road. It's an easy bus ride in the winter and a nice jog/walk in the summer. I needed a change. I was an avid gym goer in Nevada and I needed to get back in the habit (I am visioning Tina Turner's extremely toned dancing legs).

Last summer I paid a personal trainer to kick my butt every week. But I can't afford him with a pending wedding and so I am forced to find motivation within. This said wedding, T-minus 6 months. Talk about M-O-T-I-V-A-T-I-O-N.

I knew I couldn't accomplish all I wanted to in the gym, I am in need of a guide or a schedule, a coach, a team to get me in gear - DING... I need a GOAL. I don't like this working out solo thing. Well I found a good cause, the Zoo! The Lincoln Park Zoo has an annual race in June. I signed myself up, $25 later I am a proud new owner of race number! This is my goal, a challenge that I need to get myself out of the house and on the right path to fitting into a certain white dress.

I am going to run a 10K, I have 9 weeks to train and one day to prove I can accomplish it.