Fitness – Sweet T and a Honey B

Happy New Year! Happy 2018! I hope your NYE was filled with the best people, ridiculous noise makers, and champagne. I rung in the New Year in the city with my favorite man and some great friends… And a lot of that champagne.

The last week of the year is a big one for me. Christmas followed by my birthday followed by celebrating a new year. This particular birthday I turned 27. My golden birthday. One year closer to another decade older. And the year I am expecting to be the best one yet. If anything, I know it’s going to be better than this one. Mom is healthy and looking to start some new adventures of her own, Hubs and I are selling our tiny condo and (hopefully!) buying a house, and overall I just think I am going in to the next 365 days with a better outlook than I ever have going in to a new year. If you’re wondering if this post is going to be the obligatory ‘resolutions’ post, you’re only a little bit right. I had no intention of writing anything related to resolutions until a couple of days ago when I zoned out during my morning workout and began thinking of what I wanted to get out of this year. I’m not really sure I’ve ever had any intentions, resolutions, or whatever you call its, going in to a new year. In some ways, I think it’s a good thing because I’ve never tried to completely change myself or my habits within first two months of the year and eight weeks later forget the ‘rules’ I promised myself I’d adhere to. I’d rather improve myself than change myself.

With that said, I am beginning 2018, my 27th year, my lucky number 27.. with a set of goals, not resolutions, that I am confident I can achieve. I wanted to set goals for myself that were realistic and ones I would enjoy working towards. Sharing them and putting them down in writing…er…typing is the best way to hold myself accountable to taking care of my mind, body, and spirit in 2018.

‘Self Care’

This term has been thrown around A LOT in social media and blogging world. The word itself may be a fad, but it’s one I actually believe in and one that I hope sticks around, especially for women. The latter half of 2017 brought on stress that at times because borderline paralyzing and I began to notice the stress take it’s toll on me physically. One wouldn’t believe the world of good a simple 50 minute massage one random weekend and face mask bar session at Scratchgoods with my best girlfriends did for me during some of the most difficult weeks. This is my promise to treat myself to something special like this, just for me, once a month, for the remainder of the year.

Wear my FitBit Every Day

This might be an easier one because this is something I try my best to do as it is. I’ve realized how much this little device helps me because I’m pretty glued to my seat on the days I don’t wear it. I park further, get up more times to grab water at work, take a few extra stairs, etc. when I am wearing it. In turn, I have more energy and find my that my body feels overall a little better at the end of the work day.

CycleBar..CycleBar…and more CycleBar

I didn’t think it would be easy to find something I love as much as running when it came to my workouts. More so, I didn’t think I would find something I loved as much AND was easy on my poor indefinitely injured runner’s knees. I found this in CycleBar. I’m not someone that needs a lot of ‘extra’ in my workout, but the neon lights alternating with complete darkness, incredible music and instructors, and 45 minutes of pure sweat, is amazing. The classes are a bit pricey but it’s 100% worth it. I leave each session feeling rejuvenated and like I left all of my stress behind in the studio. Here’s to leaving my stress in the studio as much as I can in 2018.

Take the Time to Stretch

This is necessary for an abundance of reasons. I can’t simply rely on the fact that I am young, flexible, and bounce back from an injury quickly anymore. Stretching is incredibly important for injury prevention and healing. And not to mention it feels pretty damn good. I’ve noticed that each time I finish a run, spin class, weight session, etc. I am in such a hurry to get home, shower, and continue on with my jam packed day that I don’t take the time my body needs to stretch and recover. It’s no surprise that I am stiff and sore the next day. I’d go so far as to put stretching in the ‘Self Care’ category because something as simple as a five minute stretch post-workout leaves not only my body feeling good, but slows down the cooling process so the endorphins keep me feeling energized a lot longer.

Host a Coffee Brunch

I’m quickly becoming my mother when it comes to coffee (and most other things). She’s a certified coffee snob and I am following in her footsteps. I’m really loving the ‘art’ of coffee and espresso lately and you’ll find I’m rarely without a cup. I figure I could be addicted to worse things right? I enjoy seeking out local coffee shops to try because I find they put so much love in to their brew and baked treats.

I’m excited to announce that I joined the ranks of espresso machine owners this season as my mom (naturally) bought me one for my birthday! I’m absurdly excited to try out various drinks with interesting flavoring pairings and find some new favorites. Once I develop a couple of go-tos with my beloved machine, I want to host a coffee brunch (is that a thing? I’m making it a thing) for friends with a couple of choice drinks, homemade baked goods, and the good ol’ simple cup of coffee choice with various mix ins and toppings. Coffee and entertaining are two of my favorite things and I think this would be a good year to pair the two!

Practice ‘Creative Lettering’

I’ve always had a thing for fonts and have a real admiration for people who can flawlessly address an envelope or gift tag and make it look professionally done. I think it’s important to learn something new all the time and this year I want to dip my toes in the art of creative lettering (sometimes referred to as faux-calligraphy). I received a gift certificate from my cousin for Christmas from Brit + Co, one of my favorite websites, for an online calligraphy class and couldn’t be more pumped to sit down and begin. I also purchased ‘Hand Lettering 101’ from ChalkFullofLove, another favorite blogger and small business owner to help me practice. I’ll be sending a lot more snail mail this year if I actually get the hang of it 😉

Putting the Phone Down

I’ve been told once or 1,645,134 times by my husband that I’m glued to my phone. I can’t disagree, I am. I participate in conversations with people that poke fun at my generation for not being able to do anything without Googling it, Snapping it, Instagramming it, etc. but I am one of those people. On a very serious note, I am also guilty (as I am sure most of us are) of checking my phone now and then while I am driving. This is not okay. Finding a new playlist or seeing what my girlfriends texted me back can wait. I think I realized how attached I was to my phone when even I started getting annoyed at myself glancing at it in the car. I’m not sure how I will measure this goal other than just ‘putting it down’. I am promising myself to be more present whether this be date night with the husband, movie nights with my girlfriends, or my eyes on the road.

I really hope you will join me in setting goals, not resolutions, for yourself this year. Your goals don’t always have to be weight loss or money saving related. What is a skill you’ve always wanted to learn but never had the time to? Is there a workout class, book club, or spa you’ve wanted to join/try out but couldn’t justify the time to yourself? Do you want to be more present at home and need to shut your laptop or phone an extra hour a day? Whatever your goals are, write them down, throw them on a note pad or post it and stick it to the fridge. Go the little extra mile to keep your promises to yourself this year.

27 has always been my lucky number and this year is going to be no different.

I got to the gym one night last week and knew I only had about 45 minutes total in me to get a good sweat in. I’ve been MIA from our gym this summer because I took advantage of every possible opportunity to enjoy the weather and run, but have just been getting back in to the swing of things adding some more weight lifting and cross training in to my routine. I went to the gym with the intention of spending most of the time with some weights but I’m one of those people that doesn’t feel successful after a workout if I haven’t broken much of a sweat. I hopped on the treadmill to jog a little bit but was feeling good so I decided to switch up my speeds and inclines to get my heart rate up and create just a tad more intense cardio workout for myself. I ended up enjoying the first half of my run so I repeated the same sequence and pushed myself a little more at the end. Because I walked off the treadmill after a short 20 minutes, dripping in sweat and ready to weightlift, I wanted to share it with you!

This is great if you’ve only got a little bit of time to dedicate towards a workout and are craving a good sweat. There is some evidence that fifteen minutes of a HIIT (high intensity interval training) is more beneficial that even an hour of just jogging at the same pace/intensity. HIIT workouts ensure you burn calories/fat longer after your workout ends, can increase metabolism, and is overall really good for your heart. This was a weekend that I definitely feel like I maxed out on my “treat yourself” opportunities (note: Barbecue Brisket Nachos. Drool) so I’ll likely be hitting up this treadmill workout a couple times this week.

What are your favorite HIIT workouts? When do you feel like you get your best sweat in? Do you have any suggestions for great workouts in under 30 minutes?

How many times can one say they had a weekend of quality time with their loved one, good food and sightseeing, accomplished a long time goal, enjoyed beautiful weather, and didn’t have to go far from home to do so? This was easily one of the most fulfilling weekends I’ve had in quite a while and an experience I was so excited to share with my husband.

Not long after our last lengthy race, Bry and I decided to begin training for the Humana Rock and Roll Half Marathon (or in my case, the 10K, let’s not get crazy here). Runner’s high is a real thing and finishing our races in April left us with the need to push ourselves a little further. The timing also worked out perfectly because our two year wedding anniversary was on July 11th. We figured an overnight in our own city (that we don’t explore nearly as much as we would like to) would be an ideal way to celebrate – and a shiny new medal wouldn’t be bad either 😉

We drove downtown to the Health & Fitness Expo on Saturday afternoon to pick up our bibs, shirts, and take a peek at some new running gear. Being around all of these people who are working towards the same goal that weekend is pretty cool and the energy at the expo made us even more ready to begin our runs the following day. After browsing a bit and taking some pictures, we headed to the Hilton to drop our stuff off and grab some lunch. I had been hearing about a restaurant/cafe called ‘Goddess and the Baker‘ for quite some time and luckily it was a 15 minute walk from the hotel. Holy..cow..did I love this place. I am so sorry I had not ventured downtown sooner to try it. Their menu boasts fresh and seasonal choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner complete with a HUGE selection of delicious looking/tasting pastries and a heavenly coffee bar. It was really difficult for me to pick just one thing to eat off their menu but I chose their Chicken Club sandwich and kombucha to drink. Bryan and I sat by the window and enjoyed the people watching. I also couldn’t pass up a macaron and cold brew on my way out. This is easily my new favorite spot downtown and I am already looking forward to trying the naan bread grilled cheese next time 🙂

We quick stopped at CVS to stock up on Larabars and water for the morning (I forgot the city doesn’t provide grocery bags anymore..) and walked back to the hotel for unpacking, a small nap, and stretching. Before we knew it, it was time to explore again and we certainly wanted to enjoy the 80 degree weather. Since we had to call it an early night, we wanted to stay close, so we ended up where every other tourist in the city ends up – Millennium Park. Though this time, we didn’t take the typical ‘Bean’ selfie, but stopped under the bandshell to listen to some classical music and perused the new Maggie Daley park. Did I mention how perfect the weather was? It seemed like everyone and their cousin was outside enjoying the music and the breeze off the lake. We enjoyed some dinner al fresco at the Plaza in Millennium Park underneath my favorite string lights and headed back for the hotel to rest up before bed.

Let me tell you – 4:30am comes early on a normal day, but when you have to run 6.2 or 13.1 miles, it comes extra early. We rolled out of bed, stretched, and tried to shred some pre-race jitters. Bry and I each went our separate ways and headed towards our corrals around 6am as the race officially began at 6:30. It wasn’t long before my corral was up to the starting line and I started my first 10K! Running along the lake shore was so much more scenic compared to my usual runs at the park by our house. The view certainly made the first three miles go by really quickly. I started feeling a bit tired at mile 4 and while I hit my ‘wall’ about mile 5, the live music along the route, light shows, and cheering crowds as I neared the end motivated me to push through. Before I knew it, I was sprinting (okay, after 6 miles I guess I couldn’t call it a sprint) the last quarter mile to the finish line. I quickly hobbled over to the teams handing out water bottles and chocolate milk, received my medal, and hurried to the side of the crowd watching the half marathoners roll in to watch Bryan finish his very first half. Bryan finished the 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 12 minutes which he was super proud of – and so was I. We had both finished the longest runs we’ve ever completed so we headed over to the post-race party to grab our free beer and share in the excitement of everyone else finishing the race. We didn’t spend a ton of time at the party because it was time for brunch – probably what we were looking most forward to this weekend. While I am not a fan, there is nothing like a huge post-run Bloody Mary to my husband.

As much as we would have liked to enjoy some more city time, we were so glad we decided to not spend the second night and head home for a shower and very long nap. We finally ended our anniversary weekend with a pasta dinner at Gattos, one of our regular Downers Grove spots, and live Irish music and darts at Ballydoyle. I was so tired by the end of Sunday evening, that I found it hard to stay awake past 10pm. Between all of the fresh air, running, and contagious energy downtown, I was so ready to hit the pillow. It was a much needed weekend spent celebrating all the hard work training we’ve put in the last few months and two years with my very favorite person.

We’re certainly ready to give our knees a bit of a rest from hitting the pavement, but are looking forward our next two races: the Stan’s Donuts 5K in August and and Ditka Dash 5K in October. Do you have any races you’re training for? What is your biggest fitness goal?

The road to nursing my runner’s knees has been a long and windy one and I think I am finally in a place where I am feeling like my legs aren’t constantly working against me. I have learned a few important lessons within these last couple of months and they include 1) KT tape is a miracle product, 2) stretching and strengthening my hamstrings is a crucial part of keeping knee pain at bay, and 3) If my knees/body is telling me not to run, I shouldn’t run. By following these three simple rules, I made the decision to begin training for my first 8K race (An 8K equates to just under 5 miles). An 8K is not an extreme distance by any means, but it’s definitely further than I’ve been able to run ever, let alone the last year dealing with the knees of someone many decades older than myself.

Not so coincidentally, my choice to train for an 8K came shortly after my husband made the decision to begin training for his first 10 Mile race. As I mentioned here, Bryan chose a ten week training program that would require certain days of stretching, strengthening, cross training, and running so as to make sure he was building up his miles safely. For a few weeks, I watched him come home feeling great after a long run and I was immensely jealous. I entertained the idea of entering a race by browsing the spring/summer Chicago race schedule. When I found out that the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K was the day after Bryan’s 10 mile race, I knew it was a sign we could work towards our goals together and (hopefully) knock them out of the park on race weekend.

Fast forward eight weeks and race weekend has come to an end. I’m not sure how to convey all of the emotions I felt this past weekend, but I am going to try my best. Let’s begin with Saturday morning- Bryan’s 10 Miler.

We set our alarm clocks for 5:15am in order to give Bryan enough time to stretch, shake some nerves out, and eat a quick granola bar before getting on the road. His race was the Arny Johnson 10 Mile Race in Machesney Park, IL (just north of Rockford) – about an hour and a half from our house. This particular race was in it’s 32nd year and benefits Annie’s Locker, an organization dedicated to helping people find their way to a healthier lifestyle – or finding their ‘wings’. It was a very early morning, but I could tell Bryan was just anxious to begin running. Luckily, the weather forecast was very promising which made it easier to be excited about the race. After checking in, a few more stretches, and a pep talk from his wife, he was off. I wanted so badly for him to feel confident in himself every step of the way. Based on his mile splits during training, he would be running for about an hour and a half so I waited at a nearby Starbucks for a portion of that time (this was a trail race so I couldn’t follow and watch). I headed back to the high school, did some pacing of my own, watched the first few 10 milers complete the race, and waited to see my handsome husband in his bright orange shoes round the last corner behind the school that would ultimately lead him to the finish line. I finally spotted those orange shoes and I’m not sure what came over me, but I had tears in my eyes. At that moment I felt so proud to be married to someone that can accomplish anything he sets out to do. He threw his fist up as he closed in on the finish line and finally crossed with a time of 1 hour and 35 minutes (about a 9:30 pace). My excitement was ridiculous. I could tell he was feeling a huge sense of pride mixed with some pretty horrible muscle cramps. We walked for a bit and eventually went inside the gym to grab some water and snacks. In the middle of snacking, 10 Mile awards were being given and much to Bryan’s surprise he was announced as 3rd place in his age group! He received a medal and I think that was the cherry on top of a great run.

Well, the cherry is a toss up between placing 3rd in the Men’s 25-29 age group and the incredible spot for brunch we found to celebrate. While searching for someplace we could grab a post race brunch and some celebratory breakfast drinks, I stumbled upon Fresco at the Gardens. I have to say that I wish we lived closer because I could easily spend some time here every weekend. Fresco boasts all local market, organic, and fresh culinary eats. The menu is seasonal and they serve breakfast and lunch all day, every day. There is so much variety in their menu and they even have an adorable coffee and juice bar! Bryan ordered the chorizo biscuits and gravy with a side of bacon and I ordered two eggs with their home style potatoes, sausage, and whole wheat toast. Not to mention the best tasting (and best looking!) drinks I’ve ever had. I’m going to let the food and drink speak for themselves here.

If you don’t come for the food and drink, come for the gorgeous view. Fresco is actually part of Anderson Gardens, a non-for-profit garden center modeled after traditional Japanese landscapes. Fresco overlooks the gardens and in the warmer months there is a patio you can sit at while you sip your blackberry mimosa (highly recommend).

When brunch was over, the realization that I would now have to get ready for my run the next day set in.

You might already be familiar with this story (next time Bryan and I are picking races on the same day!). Sunday morning we woke up at 5:15 and it was my turn for stretching. We took the train downtown to avoid the headache that is parking in the city. The weather forecast called for steady rain showers throughout the day. Even though I had trained for a couple longer runs in the rain, it still adds an extra element of difficulty to something I was already nervous about making it through without walking. Bryan dropped me at my corral and lucky enough I found two of my best sister friends, Steph and Effie, waiting for me at the same corral. The 9am start time came fast and we were off.

Let me start by saying that running in the city is very different than running in the suburbs. The course is flat and the views are gorgeous. I love my burb runs, but running over the Chicago River and past the Ronald McDonald Children’s Hospital and Chicago Theater really take a girl’s mind off of being tired.

The first 3 miles were surprisingly easy for me. I really took those views in and enjoyed seeing everyone cheering along State Street. I passed the 5K mark and was still good at my normal pace through the 4 mile mark. The clouds cleared and we were running directly in to the sun at that point and I was wishing I could have shedded a layer. We made the turn on to Michigan Avenue where I knew we were heading towards the finish line. Then I saw what apparently everyone who has run this race (or the Chicago Marathon) dreads – the hill on Roosevelt. Good. Lord. Realistically the hill is probably just over one tenth of a mile, but it felt like a full one. I had to slow my pace pretty drastically but I needed to keep running.

It sounds really corny and maybe only someone who is a beginner at longer races will understand, but when I topped the hill and saw the finish line I think I got the chills. It absolutely could have been that I was overheated at that point but the feeling of being able to accomplish these 5 miles, when just 6 months ago I was told by a doctor I probably couldn’t and shouldn’t run anymore, was overwhelming. I think if I wasn’t dehydrated at that point I would have cried. I crossed the finish line with a small fist pump and was elated to see Bryan-and the very welcomed snack table-at the end! We met up with our friends Laura and Scott, grabbed my free beer, and enjoyed what ended up being a GORGEOUS morning for a run.

This is something I NEVER thought I would be able to do. I was strict about taking care of my knees, strengthening my leg muscles, and listening to myself when I knew it wasn’t a good idea to run. Because of all of that I was able to accomplish my goal of running the entire time. I was so proud of Bryan and myself for sticking to our training schedules.

It might be that we’re still riding on a runner’s high, but last night as we sat on the couch,we asked ‘what next’? Within a half hour we were signed up for the Humana Rock and Roll Half Marathon (Bryan) and 10K (Me) race downtown in July! I am so excited to see us both cross the finish line this summer.

Have any of you run a race downtown? What is your favorite?

Recently, it seems like it’s every day I hear of a new type of fitness concept that isn’t your everyday Pilates or Zumba class. There is something for everyone whether you are interested in engaging your core with an aerial fitness class or participating in some extreme cardio during a session at a trampoline arena. I love mixing up my workouts and trying new classes because it’s easy to get bored with your normal routine. Finding new ways to push yourself is a sure-fire way to to keep yourself motivated and find what works best for you and your body.

After the umpteenth time of passing by a Pure Barre location and the incredible things I’ve heard about the experience, I knew I had to get in on the fun. Pure Barre offers a total body workout that uses the ballet barre to guide you through 55 minutes of small movements that isolate muscles in your body you probably don’t realize you have. The result is a lot of fat burning and building strong, lean muscle. No workout class is exactly the same and the routine is easy to follow for even the newest to organized fitness classes to follow along. While browsing the website, I found that there was an open house / free classes being offered at the Pure Barre location nearest to my house. Along with my best friend, Lexi, I signed up for a Saturday morning class and prepared myself to sweat.

Upon walking in to Pure Barre, you’re greeted by a couple of instructors that seem genuinely excited that you’re there and a very warm and inviting atmosphere. There were racks of colorful fitness apparel and accessories, an over-sized chalkboard sign with the class checklist, definitions, and latest membership specials, and a couple of incredible smelling candles to add a feminine and relaxing touch to the studio. After filling out a short form, you’re invited in to the barre studio to grab a Pure Barre exercise ball, tubing, and a set of light and heavy weights (I chose 3lb and 5lbs). The class was full and I was excited to get started.

Less than ten minutes in to our workout, my muscles were already shaking, which they tell you at the beginning of class is the goal. I could not believe that I was already getting twice the workout I normally would and I was using smaller, quicker movements to isolate my muscles. The instructor, Jacqui, was extremely helpful in making sure everyone was able to follow along and that we were using the proper amount of movement that gave our muscles a burning workout. We worked everything from thighs, hips, butt, arms, and abs. The 55 minutes went by really quickly with the help of Jacqui and some fast-paced music in the studio. We spent the last few minutes with a cool-down that resembled something you would experience in a yoga class. I was completely soaked with sweat and felt so strong after finishing. I figured I would be in pain the next morning (spoiler alert: I was. All over.), but the good kind of pain that leaves you wanting to take a class again. The only (strong) recommendation I would have for Pure Barre newbies is that the “sticky socks” are absolutely necessary. Pure Barre recommends you wear socks with rubber ribbing on the bottom so as not to slip on the carpeted studio. I thought I could probably survive my first class without these socks so I did not purchase a pair. BIG. MISTAKE. Take it from me, planks with normal socks and no traction might be one of my worst workout experiences to date. I could have gotten even more out of the beginning of class if I had had something that provided some traction. Plus, they were really cute. Buying a pair is a win-win. Unfortunately, I did not take advantage of the new member special they were running last weekend (right now it’s $99 for the 1st month of unlimited classes) as it wasn’t in our current budget, but I absolutely plan on going back. What’s nice about Pure Barre is you can purchase single classes, class packs of 5, 10, or 20 classes, or pick from a various amount of memberships. There’s literally an option for everyone depending on how often you can attend.

I have a newfound respect for those who train in Ballet or who take Pure Barre Classes regularly. Pure Barre Intstructors teach you that you can get just as good (if not, better) of a workout by using small isometric movements to burn out your muscles than if you were to spend a couple hours lifting at the gym. I can definitely see this becoming one of my new favorite ways to workout and I look forward to seeing some progress and results in my body after a few sessions. I already have a couple cute pairs of sticky socks picked out 😉

Lucky Number 27

20 Minute HIIT Treadmill Workout

Rock N Roll Chicago – My First 10K!

I Just Felt Like Running

Pure Barre