Thursday 13: Still can't believe it's really REAL...I'll be running the NYC Marathon

13. Remember that Seinfeld episode on the NYC marathon? When Kramer’s huge hot tub shorted out the circuits in the apartment building, the power went out and the elite runner Jerry was hosting didn’t wake up on time? HAHAHA That’s one of my favorite episodes.

12. The start line worries me…the hassle in getting there and stuff. I’ve been to Staten Island like 2 or 3 times, tops. Shuttle buses (at least ones I’ve noted in the past) leave at 4 and 5am, but yet your wave might not start until 9-something.

11. I know the course is hillier than Chicago. Probably every race in every city is hillier than any race in Chicago.

10. OMG! I can’t believe I got into the NYC MARATHON!!!! I tried quite a few times: I was trying to recall last night and these are the race years I’m pretty sure I entered the lottery: 2007; 2008; 2011; 2012; 2014.

9. My intention was to apply for 2013, because this was the last year to be considered for the “if you don’t get in after 3 times in a row, you automatically get in on the 4th” thing. (2011-2012-2013, meaning in for 2014.) But when 2012’s race was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy, I thought this whole thing would be up in the air. So my guaranteed entry would have been for 2014. Looks like that worked out anyway!

8. A press release on the NYRR website (New York Road Runners) says “"9,170 runners were added to the race field through today’s non-guaranteed entry drawing, selected from 77,087 applications. The selected runners represent approximately 12% of non-guaranteed applicants." I feel that much more lucky to have gotten in.

7. I’m already imagining the race. Being nervous at the start, BB texting me “you got this.” Getting into a groove in Brooklyn. Spotting a few friends. Dealing with the dead zones (of crowds) over the Queensboro Bridge. Heading into the Bronx. Leaving the Bronx. Coming back down those last miles down 5th Avenue. Spotting my friends along the way—aren’t they awesome?!. Cutting into the park. OMG I can’t believe I’m about to do this!! FINISH LINE!!!! See a sight for sore eyes and legs. Eat. Relax. Rub Legs. Eat. Rub Legs. Eat. Answer texts. Bed. Happy.

6. BB asked “won’t it be cold?” Maybe, but probably not. But then it hit me, oh geez, hopefully no silly hurricanes or anything. Back in 2011 with Hurricane Irene, I happened to be visiting then with the girls. The entire city shut down, but it ended up hitting north of the city worst. Still, it was a bit scary and it was definitely raining and windy for hours and hours and hours. So yeah. I’ve been in a hurricane before! (Of course, you know how we get down in the Midwest: Tornadoes. The only thing I haven’t really experienced—as far as US weather/climate/earth phenomenons—I think would be an earthquake. And while I don’t necessarily WANT to be in one, I’m sure I’d boast my having experienced it. AND REALLY, I should take that back. There have been two earthquakes in my vicinity and while people near me felt it, I was completely oblivious. There was one in the Chicago area a few years back, and when I was in Detroit, there was another small one in Toledo, about 40 miles south of Motown. My co-workers and friends ALL felt it. I did not.)

5. I love running in fall weather.

4. When I was in grad school (in NYC), a fellow student ran the marathon in 1996. (Daaaaaaaaaaang, how could that BE---1996?!?!?!?!?!) Anyway, I remember her training for it and getting all hyped up. But the thing I remember the most was her saying that afterwards she was so hungry that she went to the closest place to her apartment. McDonald’s. She ate an entire Big Mac Meal and was so hungry that she sent her boyfriend back for another entire meal. I never fully understood that until I ran my first full marathon and got down with some Arby’s in the same manner. And holy crap it was the best Arby’s roast beef I’d ever had. It kinda kicked off a trend for me and Arby’s after longer races and runs. (Dang. Now I want an Arby’s roast beef sandwich.)

3. I’ve run two races in NYC. My first 5K ever was in Central Park. It was a Race for the Cure (one of the breast cancer charity runs) in 1997, and it was fall, shortly before I left NYC for Detroit. I don’t recall what my time was, but I stayed overnight with the person I was running with. Afterwards, I couldn’t find her so I took the train home, showered, ate, watched tv…and she finally came strolling in the door. And she said she hadn’t lingered after she finished, just that it took her a long time to walk the full course. Weird how much the cell phone has since changed post-race stuff. Now, as long as your phone has stayed charged up, meet-ups are simply a non-issue. (and even if your phone is dead, some other kind runner is sure to let you use their phone for a second.) The second race was in/around the former Shea Stadium for the Mets. This was in July 2000, and I’d come to NYC to visit for about a week prior. I spent the entire time running along Riverside Drive in upper Manhattan, breathing in the exhaust fumes floating up from the Westside Highway. Upon my return home, I came down with a nasty respiratory infection (asthma has always made me very susceptible to environmental things, etc). The infection got worse and worse. Antibiotics would work, and then suddenly stop and it’d be worse than ever. It got to the point where I could no longer talk on the phone for more than a few minutes, laughing would bring on coughing fits. I would wake up in the middle of the night unable to breathe. Finally 3 or 4 months in, a heavy dose of steroids did the trick. Anyway, that 5K ended in Shea Stadium. Looking back, security was so lax. Pre-race, we just threw our bags down anywhere we wanted to in the stands. My, how times have changed.

2. Today I found it very hard to concentrate at work. I’m still so excited and shocked that I got in. Though I generally know the course, I scoured it for details today. It’s pretty cool that in Brooklyn I’ll run near the site of my very first urban planning studio project. And of course the majority of my friends live in Brooklyn, so hopefully some will come out. Heading into Queens, the only thing nice is LEAVING Queens (ha! I feel the same about Staten Island, too.) But once I hit First Ave in Manhattan, I head straight north and go right past my friend Roz’s building, so that’s pretty cool! It hits the eastern edge of Harlem and into the Bronx where I will be just a few blocks from my final planning studio project, and then we’re back in Manhattan on Fifth Ave for the last part of the race. This will be some nice scenery as I know we’ll pass by the Museum of the City of New York (MCNY) a small place but my absolute favorite museum in the city…I recommend it highly, as well as The Studio Museum of Harlem. Just before The Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art) on Fifth Ave, we duck into the park and go all the way to Central Park South, which is also 59th Street. This is two blocks from the main office I interned at. (And also the very first Hooters in NYC for which I gladly introduced to several co-workers, much to the chagrin of some more feminist co-workers. Whatever, maybe they’ve never had their awesome wings or cheese fries.) And then just as we reach Columbus Circle (a major transit hub that I frequented back in the day) we dodge back into the park for the final stretch. It will be fun! And I’m already scouting spots where my loved ones can see me and get around easily, should I be so blessed that they accompany me on race day.

1. Regardless of all this excitement, I will always maintain my opinion that Chicago is the best marathon around. Nothing beats the wall-to-wall spectators nearly every step of the way. As far as marathons go, it was the one that I watched from the sidelines and “caught the fever” from, the one whose course I know like the back of my hand, the one that’s brought me so many memories and led me to new friendships.

Thursday Thirteen

13. I’m going to do a triathlon this year. Haven’t registered just yet, but I will be doing the Esprit de She triathlon in Naperville on June 8. First one. YES, IT’S MY FIRST TRIATHLON!!!!!

12. I ran the ‘inaugural’ Esprit de She 5K last July when it was like 90-something degrees in the evening. Because of that participation, I get a special “founding finisher” EXTRA t-shirt for this year’s participation in any event. Holla HOLLA! These are Athleta shirts we’re talking about, not some garbage shirts. I got that for the 2014 5K registration, and then I think I get a special bib for the tri…whatevs, as long as 1 extra shirt is in the mix, I’m good.

11. The tri is a sprint distance:

SWIM: .75k (1/2 mile or 750 meters)

BIKE: 22.8k (14.2 miles)

RUN: 5k (c’mon now people)

10. There are two things that make me nervous. Ok three. 1) Navigating the transitions; 2) The swim; 3) and Dear God, how I will look in the SWIM GEAR.

9. I’ve been picturing what I will look like in something like THIS every time I think about snarfing on some chips or something. For right now, that’s keeping the kids goodies and my raging sweet tooth at bay. I don't hafta look exactly like this, but this is basically the gear seen at these events. I don't want to be the sloppy, slow chick in the droopy clothes. Slow? Been there, done that. Sloppy and droopy? NO.

8. BB got me a FitBit Force and I’ve been using that. It’s pretty cool. It tracks my steps, stairs, activity level, sleep patterns, etc. And there is a great app that goes with it that I use to track my calorie intake. I’ve used the food tracker almost every day since I’ve had it. I will definitely blog more about this later as Fitbit and I get more acquainted.

7. I find weekends the hardest to track. I didn’t track last Saturday and Sunday for my food.

6. There is a scale that you can get to sync up with your Fitbit. I am on the fence about that. It’s expensive enough that I didn’t just go buy one. I think I would be very obsessive, and I already freak out at how the scale moves, even though I know that my weight can range by as much as 3 or 4 pounds from morning to night (water weight; clothes; etc); and at ‘that” time of the month it skyrockets (water retention). But yet I still freak out for a minute. I dunno. If I were not me, and I was a betting person on the outside looking in, I would bet that I’d break down and get it. But for now I’m saying no.

5. I’m pretty psyched about being able to do a decent plank. Or is it plural? Or active like “planking?” Whatever. I’m up to a minute. At the end of my 30-day ab challenge it gets me to two minutes. I found another challenge that gets you to the point of being able to plank for 5 minutes. FIVE minutes. Sounds absurd now, but I believe I will do it.

4. I noticed, in coming back to work yesterday after having been away since 12/20, that I drink WAYYYYYY more when sitting at my desk. I drink a lot of unsweetened tea, and not very strong tea at that. It’s practically water. I’m on “jug” #2 today, each jug being 64 ounces.

3. Speaking of work…when I moved last year, I left my treadmill at the house because my new place is kinda small. Eventually I came and got it, but folks at work were talking about setting up a gym in the basement or something. Seemed like a cool place to leave it. But then HR stepped in with liability concerns, so it’s just sitting there. I think I’m going to see about moving it to my apartment. I doubt I’d really be able to run on it because that would annoy my neighbor to no end…but maybe walking would be ok? I’m going to investigate noiseproofing treadmills, as well as how much it would cost to move it from one zip code to another. After moving it this last time with a few co-workers, I already know I’d rather pay someone. That thing is a BEAST.

2. I have really enjoyed my extra walking that I’m doing. That’s kinda why I was thinking it might be cool to have it at home. Again…my place is small, I’m not sure if this even makes sense. Thinking, thinking, thinking.

1. My knees hurt today. There’s no way around it. I simply have to ice and stretch. And lose at least SOME of this extra weight.

And I will.

I mean…i AM.

Thursday 13: The results show

24 WEEKS OF STRENGTH TRAINING:
(Until now) I've never really stuck to a strength training plan. Part of the problem was being unsure if I was doing the right things, and then for one reason or another (ie lack of visible, obvious progress; letting life get in the way) I'd stop.

Until now.

Last week I finished my goal to do 24 weeks of strength training! I had a solid base plan provided to me by BB, one that I started last fall but faltered after about 10-12 weeks.

And here's how it went/next steps in this week's Thursday 13.

**author does not mean to imply by "this week'a Thursday 13" that she does this post weekly. 😜

Anyhooooooo.

13. I am definitely stronger, here's a sampling:

Bicep curl:
Week 1: 50
Week 24: 70

Tricep extension:
Week 1: 65
Week 24: 85

Tricep press/push down:
Week 1: 95
Week 24: 120

Shoulder press:
Week 1: 20 (barely)
Week 24: 30 (highest was 40, but scaled back.)

Lat pulldown:
Week 1: 75
Week 24: 105

Lower back extension:
Week 1: 150
Week 24: 185

Squat machine/leg press:
Week 1: 105 (whaaaat?!)
Week 24: 195

Calf press/raises:
Week 1: 75
Week 24: 105


12. If I had to pick one, I am most proud of...my fairly strong triceps. On Monday I worked out with BB (a rare treat - we live in separate towns) and at the end of our triceps workout I showed off with "burnouts" or reps until exhaustion at a lighter weight. I did 50. My arms finally feel better today.

11. While I won't be prancing around nude for anyone, my chest muscles definitely have provided some "lift," if you ladies over 40 and/or who have breastfed catch my drift. If you're in double-whammy territory, give those chest machine exercises a whirl. It's nothing drastic (yet), but the goal was to identify improvements. Done! My faves are pec flys.

10. Contrary to my previous beliefs/practices, you do NOT have to do a whole body workout 3 times a week to see results. In fact, that's an easy recipe for burning out and giving up (for me anyway.) BB said to trust the process and I did. One workout of each of the following per week for a total of 3 strength training sessions: back + biceps; chest + triceps; and legs + shoulders.

9. My shoulders still aren't all that strong and I am moving forward with different goals for that area of my body. But I still see definition that wasn't there before.

8. Yes, there were a few weeks that I missed a workout. When it made sense, I doubled up the next week, but most importantly I didn't dwell on it and kept pressing forward. Why beat yourself up about it, as long as over the long term you don't make that a habit?

7. Busy schedule ahead? I learned to plan accordingly for my busy weeks ahead of time. Identify in advance all of the opportunities you DO have to fit in this workouts. Don't let too many pass by "unattended."

6. My legs are pretty damn strong. I intend to continue building strength (not simply toning) my leg muscles.

5. Constant reassurance is my thing, friends! Write it down. If I hadn't written down every workout, I wouldn't have been able to tell you the specifics in #13. I'm a "check the box" to-do list kinda person, so it also provides me with a visual reminder of my accomplishments.

4. My least favorite exercise is the assisted pull-ups machine. I hate that contraption, but it has aided tremendously in my strong back muscles. My favorite exercise?Squat machine (leg press.)

3. Don't be afraid of the free weights. I have a few bicep and tricep exercises in that manly brute section of the gym. To hell with them giving you the stare down. You pay to be there just like them.

2. I see muscle definition coming in on my biceps, triceps, and shoulders in particular, and can feel the strength in my back.

1. So onward I go, a believer in continuing my current process with a few tweaks here and there.

Award show speech:
I'd like to take this time to thank BB my beloved "coach" for his training plan, and his support and encouragement, and my two beautiful daughters for putting up with the Kids Klub on school nights when it's be easier to just go home. Peace and love, peace and love.


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Thursday 13: 13 things I love about myself

I sometimes have the habit of thinking about things i DON'T like about myself...so on the flip side, I thought it would be good to acknowledge 13 things about myself (physical, personality, etc) that I really. (I wrote this and was about to hit send and it was still Thursday...and then I got a call from BB. Maybe I'm the only one who cares that it's no longer Thursday and I'm posting a Thursday 13. Hmmm.)

13. Freckles. I have no idea where these freckles on my upper cheeks came from or exactly when they appeared, but I really like them.

12. My memory. It's faded some over time and isn't as sharp, but I've always had this crazy ability to remember the most random dates or occurrences. It's started early. When I was a kid I described a memory to my mom and she freaked out because she remembered it too...and apparently the memory was from when I was 18 months old. I still remember birthdays of friends in elementary school that I haven't since since the 1980s. But if I met you in the last decade? Nope.

11. My hair. I think my short hair is super cute. And if I just got my eyebrows threaded? Fagheddaboutit!!

10. My day-to-day interactions with people I don't know. Strangely I can be anti-social when it comes to hanging out with friends or co-workers (partly by nature of the mom thing) but I was like that before kids, too. Started in grad school, I suppose. I'm a movie, go out to eat kinda girl, not a club girl or a lets hang at your place kinda girl. But I love talking to the cashier at the store, or the lady at "kid's klub" at the gym. I see my world as a huge play and there are starring roles, supporting roles, extras/walk-ons, and one time appearances. But they all play a part. Is that weird? I believe in the notion that I am "a friend to all mankind." A "hello" or holding the door for someone else or whatever can make the difference for someone going through a tough time. It's also an acknowledgement that we are all important, we are social human beings with thoughts and feelings and needs. Maybe this sounds cheesy, but...

9. My slight OCD habits. They're harmless but funny. Counting on stairs, my 1-2-3-4 movements/counting while washing my hands, the "need" for even numbers in things (when I was younger I baked a lot and would freak out if there was an odd number of cookies; piles of laundry-even number of jeans or shirts piled next to each other must be even, for example). These are minor compared to the heavy-duty OCD people you hear about.

8. My sense of humor and sarcasm. If you don't like sarcasm, you probably shouldn't hang out with me.

7. I'm a news-hound. Traffic backup? I'm on the case to determine why. Is that a fire off in the distance, let's find out. I check the Chicago Tribune, Sun Times, and the New York Daily News all day long on my phone. Huffington Post less frequently. My friend in NYC and I have this unspoken competition of who is first to break major news to each other (eg celebrity death, school shooting, etc). It started with the death of Christopher "Notorious B.I.G." Wallace back in 1997 and we've been at it ever since. It's also the biggest diss to hear "oh yeah, I heard about that." In other words "you ain't breaking no news to me GIRL!" Hahaha we're weirdos. BB calls me LNN as in Lindy Network News. Lately I've thought about abandoning the practice, however. The news can be so depressing.

6. My grammar skills. I won my 5th grade weekly Eagle Eye award regularly...and have been rolling ever since. Once my best friend in high school sent me a letter because she was mad about something. I corrected it with a red pen and sent it back to her. Ha! (Yes, she's still my friend.)

5. My will. I left college for a year and came back when everyone thought I wouldn't (they all told me that later.) With 2 days to decide, I chose to uproot and move to NYC for grad school. I arrived with $400 in my pocket, knowing one person, and was sure I'd make it just fine. I moved to Detroit not knowing a soul. I (finally) left an unhappy marriage because my happiness and peace of mind comes first before anything. I finished a marathon injured. I didn't do all of these things without friends or encouragement, but I did them nonetheless.

4. My strength. "strong is the new strong." In other words, strong has always been "in," and nothing can compete with the strength you possess. I'm in week 24 of my commitment to completing 24 weeks of strength training and loving the results.

3. My nose. I really like my nose.

2. My curiosity. I always think of questions about the most random things. Like, who wrote the banjo song in the Menard's commercials? (Menard's is a regional hardware store.) Google is a friend of mine. Sometimes I do what I like to call "Wiki- surfing," which is my made up "game" to start with the featured article of the day on Wikipedia, then "surf" through Wikipedia via a link in the entry. I jump from subject to subject via links, never staying on the same topic/entry. There is so much information in the world to learn.

1. I'm an early bird. Well, not lately because I've been so tired that I'm not these days. But I love that I can wake up without an alarm before the sun comes up. I enjoy that quiet peace of the early morning hours--my soul thrives on it. Especially in the summer.

And on that note, I'd better get to bed. It's WAY past my bedtime.

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Thursday Thirteen, Damen Avenue

Since 2008, there's been a particular stretch of road that I've taken from dropping off my oldest daughter at school to work. Though they now take the bus because we moved in the proximity area for this route, I still have the option to take N. Damen if I want to down to the Wicker Park/Buctown neighborhood.

I don't always because it's not the 2-Lane quickness of Ashland or Western, but when I do take it (like today) I realize how relaxing it is. Slower pace, fewer cars. It's actually not that bad unless you get caught behind a bus. Or there's an accident at the city's most dangerous intersection. And there's a familiarity that is so comfortable. I love it.

Thirteen things about Damen Avenue from Addison (3600 north) to North Ave (1600 north):

13. These little houses are so cute. I know some of them are apartments. I should live over here someday.

12. Corner of Damen/Roscoe. I love the sign on Riverview Tavern. It's this black lacquered wood sign with gold and red lettering. Very classy look--makes me think "one day I'll stop and get a drink when I don't have the girls some night" though I never have. Kitty corner is the oldest gas station in the world on the smallest corner lot ever. And no, I'm not stopping for you so you can pull out of the station.

11. A few blocks south, Damen/School. Stop sign. On the left (NE corner) there's this liquor store, but up top and in the back is a residential building. I imagine they own it, but don't honestly know. The residents are clearly diehard republicans, and have left there McCain/Palin, then Mitt Romney signs up in the window. Republicans in Chicago, ADMITTED republicans in Chicago are a special breed. It ain't easy, surely they're bruised and battle-scarred.

10. Over on the right is a store with a pink awning. It's some weird furniture store, but that's kinda new. There was an old school candy store there for quite awhile...the name already escapes me, but they had the globe style bowls and scoops, and all the old style candies. The only problem is they were new school hipster prices.

9. Damen/Belmont. In 2008 my favorite bakery "Bleeding heart bakery" (RIP) moved over here. The country's first official all-vegan bakery was owned by Michelle Garcia and her husband Vinny...she's on Food network still, sometimes. Another local homegrown foodie spot is there now, Black Dog Gelato, but I haven't been in...

8. South of Belmont, Damen between Barry and Wellington, is Hamlin Park. In nicer weather you'll see the "stroller brigade"--those stay at home moms and their thousand dollar strollers participating in a "mommy and me" exercise class. There's a nice "Cubs Care" baseball field. It's a nice park.

7. At the southern end of the park is a "ghost bike" in memory Liza Whitacre. She was so young, early 20's. It was a total accident and I'll never forget it, because as soon as I heard where it was on the news, I could picture the intersection. There was a CTA bus and a truck. She was between them (I think) and accidentally fell off her bike. The truck didn't see her and ran her over, dragging her. No one was at fault. It happened on 10/21/09 (an easy reminder with the plaque on the bike) and unlike some ghost bikes, people take care of hers year round with seasonal decorations. Some people hate it--think it's morbid. I don't one bit, and even though I don't know her, I find myself saying a prayer for her when I pass by there.

6. Not even a half block away, there was a terrible car accident that involved a drunk off-duty cop who broadsided two 20-something's. It happened around the same time as the bike accident. The kids (you know you're getting old when you're calling 20 year olds "kids") had run the stop sign, so the cop was off the hook. Someone regularly wraps a bouquet of flowers around a light pole. Life goes on, but I can't imagine having to handle the grief of the sudden loss of a loved one. Especially one so young. Heartbreaking.

5. Damen/Diversey/Clybourn. This intersection is not for the faint of heart, but it's nothing compared to the next one...it's prepping you. There's a Costco up ahead to the left, but otherwise this intersection is just for getting through it. The lights are too quick and if you dare try to go through a yellow light, be prepared to get that red light ticket in the mail. And good luck fighting it. So if you are a newbie and find yourself cursing out a driver because they came to a full stop as soon as the light turned yellow...don't. They just saved you $100.

4. Damen/Fullerton/Elston, the intersection from HELL. Ok...so north of here and south of here, Damen has striped bike lanes that are all lovely. But not at this intersection. Approaching from the north the street goes from one wider lane to two smaller lanes plus a left turn lane. But somehow bikes are supposed to make their way through also. And then bc of the 3-way intersection, you cross Elston but suddenly get stopped at the light for Fullerton. And GOD FoRBID you be in that right lane, bc the SECOND you cross Fullerton (the 2nd street) it goes down to one lane. Now the regulars know this and automatically let people in. Occasionally you have an ass who doesn't know the protocol and a game of "chicken" ensues. Who's gonna stop first, hit my car, I dare you. And GOD FORBID PART TWO if a CTA bus stops just south of Fullerton. It blocks the lanes and voila, you've earned yourself another red light ticket.

And seriously, your whole commute can ride on this intersection. "Alright! I'm making good time today. Green light, holla! NICE. The traffic gods are with me." BOOM. Suddenly your 10 minutes late to work. By all means, avoid this intersection on Friday evenings.

Good news, this shit-tacular intersection is getting a complete makeover next year. This article describes it...and how much it is needed. http://chicagoist.com/2013/04/11/work_to_begin_next_year_on_reconfig.php

But being able to navigate this intersection without batting an eye is akin to surviving subzero temps and wind chills in the negative 20's. It's a badge of honor.

3. Now you're approaching the edge of Bucktown and Wicker park...there's a bit of a lull. Watch out for all the impatient drivers turning left at Webster to hop onto the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94.) And if you call it the JFK, you've outed yourself as a non-local. Yes, even you, Thom (with a fancy "h"---strike 2) who subs some mornings on ABC 7 traffic coverage.

2. Damen/Wabansia. One of my favorite areas of the city. This neighborhood is like a tale of two cities from daytime to nighttime. Admittedly I'm hardly ever around at night, so all of this has been a "daytime commute" perspective. There's a mix of chain spots (Chipotle, Potbelly) and local spots. (Although technically Potbelly IS local.) Olivia's Market is a lovely neighborhood store that boasts a great soup and cheese selection, plenty of vegan products, and the most unique flowers ever. I love buying flowers for people from there. Goddess and Grocer is a great, slightly pricey deli. The same chef/owner runs Feast, the sit down restaurant a few storefronts down. Get the black bean burger, it'll be the best you've ever had!!! The butternut squash ravioli (maybe seasonal?) with its brown butter and sage is divine. And then there's the Silver Cloud, whose outdoor summer seating always makes me sad because I can still see myself sitting there eating lunch with Jan. Jan lived and breathed Wicker Park til she died in 2010. I miss her lots, still.

1. Damen/North/Milwaukee. This is where my trip ends. I hope you enjoyed it. This particular intersection, again, is very different at night. In the daytime I've seen a bank robbed (was actually IN the bank and 100% clueless and safe), I've seen multiple accidents, I've seen businesses come and go. I've seen Walgreens come in and rehab an old bank building to create this mega store, 3-level escalator having, gelato bar, gourmet foods "if Walgreens is in heaven, it must look like this" kinda joint. I've seen awesome shoe sales at City Soles, they're not $400, now they're $110! I've seen the rise of the $4 doughnut at "Glazed and Infused." The birthplace of Punk Rock in Chicago is here (Double Door.) The Subterranean is so underground (not literally) that I miss lots of awesome shows that perform there bc they don't advertise much. I know that NO restaurant in 9 years has been long-term successful just 1 block west of that major intersection--barring Sultan's, a great middle eastern deli. Not even the one with the James Beard-awarded chef. I've successfully copied $9 green smoothies at home because I can't afford that daily habit. I remain perplexed why a neighborhood that busy cannot seem to keep a cheap breakfast spot (RIP Half and half; Cold Comfort; and that hole in the wall Polish diner.) I've seen no less than 5 restaurants in that spot right outside the el station. It's a great neighborhood that struggles between gentrification and the good ol days, from hipsters to old school hippies...but somehow everyone gets along.

Destination Wicker Park/Bucktown. And the great thing is that Chicago is a city of neighborhoods. There are plenty of places to get to know just like this one, all over the city.


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Thursday 13...random

13. My older daughter is sitting across from me right now. Her hands look like mine, just smaller. I love that. I grew up not looking like anyone bc I'm adopted. Now I finally belong to someone, in that respect.

12. I had a "health club casualty of war" today...is all i can say to describe it. (Shudder)

11. So what had happened wasssss. I ran on the treadmill and then went to change to swim. You know how you're supposed to at least rinse yourself before hopping in the pool? Y'know, one last chance to rid yourself of whatever loose filth might be on you that you don't need to take to the pool? Well of course I did that bc I'd sweated a lot from 2 miles. Turned the shower knob off. Face itched. Scratched it. BIG. GIGANTIC. PUBIC. HAIR. From hand to face. I died a little inside. Stupid gym.

10. I've felt a little sick to my stomach all day.

9. When I stop watching a tv show that I've watched for years, it's like one of those bad college break ups. Like, you kinda knew awhile ago but you had a routine. Habits. You sorta didn't wanna give up on it bc deep down there's still some sort of admiration there. Some misguided allegiance to...nothing. And then i when I watch it I'm all like "UGH!!! That was some garbage! Why do I continue to waste my time?!?!" Isn't that the dumbest thing ever?

8. I have a slightly addictive personality. I'd be a helluva drug addict, which is one reason why I've never ever ever tried anything too major. Among other reasons, of course.

7. I'm no Pollyanna PureBread, though. Rumor has it I used to steal "for sport" in my college days. (Think back to the most shameful thing you did in college.) ok now stop judging me. ;)

6. And when my youngest asked me if I ever stole anything I did not tell her the truth.

5. I've been up since 3am. I'm tired. Lately my sleep habits have been off. But this has been me my entire life. My mom said that even as a baby I never needed as much sleep as my brothers. I'd stay up later and still wake up at the crack of dawn. Lately I've been sleeping in "the middle hours" of the evening from 8-10ish, then up til like 1, then back asleep for a bit.

4. Back to the gym. Using a locker room is HUGE for me. It's been my deterrent for many years. This is the first time in my life that I've used the facilities.

3. Once my flip flops touch the floor of the locker room, they will never ever touch the floor of my place again. Never. I handle them like they're quarantined, with imaginary forceps, plastic bags, etc. shudder.

2. In my adult life I've gotten better. Much MUCH better, actually. But i used to only use a bath towel once, then wash it. Slight OCD thing happening. I used to count while washing my hands. I still do the motion, stopped the silent counting 1-2-3-4; 1-2-3-4. I still sometimes catch myself counting stairs as I go down them.

1. I'm really struggling with that shower incident today at the gym. It's taking a full-court press effort to not freak out. I'm gonna think about that for a long time.



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Thursday 13, Halloween Edition

13. Who put the ban on Smarties this year? There are ZERO candies for mom. Not cool.

12. Bottle caps: while the basis for ALL candy flavoring is unnatural, "cola" flavored candy is by far the most unnatural. My girls now know this undeniable truth. (shudder)

11. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups FUN size = Halloween Candystash JACKPOT. Nothing bigger. Nothing more filling. Nothing better.

10. Annie and a Spy.



9. Butterfingers. Fresh or stale? (shrug) who knows, I sure can't tell. Maybe the stale ones disintegrate?

8. Fruit flavored tootsie rolls are AN ABOMINATION!!!

7. This house always has awesome pumpkins. They didn't disappoint this year.



6. The houses in this 2-block stretch go all out.





5. Hello, Bit-O-Honey? 1955 called, they want their candy back.

4. As a kid my favorite candy bar was Milky Way. Then one day I just stopped and never ate another one, as if I hit my lifetime quota. They make my stomach turn. That's kinda weird to me.

I've had almost every candy bar that's out there at one time or another. (Not bragging bc of course, this might lead to an ah-ha moment as to my eating habits, etc.) I have a raging sweet tooth. My current standing favorite candy bar since the first time I tried it is the Take 5 bar. Pure genius, a standout in a world of pseudo new flavors.

3. Pseudo new flavors? The dark chocolate Reese's. The white chocolate one. The inside out one. The chunky PB one. Mint M&Ms, pretzel, coconut, dark chocolate, and the god awful candy corn M&Ms (and I'm one of those who likes candy corn.) just stop, candy companies. Stop already!

2. Some of the houses make political statements. This particular house in precious years has ROASTED local school politics, election shenanigans, etc. this year? The government shutdown aka "the fiscal cliff."




1. Another Halloween has come and gone. A few more years and they'll be done, or they won't want me out there with them. They're already discussing next year. Jada wants to be the Statue of Liberty. Zoe wants to be a Zombie Annie. We'll see in about 11.5 months, I suppose.







(Cousins...so close in age, all born between 8/2003 and 11/2005)


(Candy cheesin)


(We even met Abe Lincoln.)

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Thursday 13

13 Things about my run last night (run/walk):

13. I did not turn off the timer once.

12. My fastest mile was my first, at 12:18, and that includes waiting forever at lights to change (one at Broadway and another at Sheridan.)

11. My slowest mile was 15:26…which was a lot of walking.

10. I got a text from BB about 2/3 into my run that said “keep pushing, believe”…and so I did.

9. I did not listen to music one time. Just catching up on Steve Dahl podcast episodes.

8. It was hotter out there than I thought, due to the humidity. I foolishly wore running pants (better material than my capris) and regretted it.

7. 71 degrees. 97% humidity. When I got home, I wrung out a bunch of water from every article of clothing on me.

6. Have I told you I got new shoes? Back to my Brooks Adrenaline. With insoles even, so la-di-da!

5. Because of the slow run/walk and summer leaving us suckers by the wayside, it was really dark in my last mile on the lakefront, before making it back to the streets for the final mile of my run. I was wearing black, too. (dumb!)

4. My hip didn’t hurt finally. My knee felt a little tender at first but that subsided. In the last few miles, my left calf did that cramping/seizing up that my muscles do sometimes, as if to say “giiiiiiirl, now you KNOW you haven’t run anywhere near this distance since May, are you crazzzzyyyyyyy?” I kept going though.

3. You think about a lot of things when you’re out there running. But mostly I kept imagining where I was on the half marathon route and whether or not I will make it without getting kicked off due to course time limitations. I think I’ll be ok. And I wish I didn’t even have to think about that.

2. Did they stop making Plain GU? I can’t find it anywhere these days. If so, this will be flavor #2 of mine that’s bit the dust. The first was banana. At least there's still vanilla.

1. I had zero appetite when I finished. I did have some chocolate milk (good recovery drink,) but every sip of Gatorade, water or tea made me feel nauseous. I woke up at 3:30am and ate 2 hardboiled eggs. They were delicious.

Thursday Thirteen - 13 things that crossed my mind on my short run this morning

13. It’s kinda cold out here (29 degrees) for it to be closing in on 60 later today.

12. I’ve been using this Garmin on bootleg mode since last year. Time to get it looked at. Shit costs too damn much to not work the way it’s supposed to.

11. (At around 7:35ish) Oh snap, I just remembered that I have a 9am meeting that I’M RUNNING, I have to cut this down to 2 miles…every minute’s gonna count.

10. I don’t feel so bad today! Good.

9. Running Pet Peeve: People smoking along my route

8. That dude just looked at me in disdain. Kiss my ass!

7. I’m not sure where the lakefront path actually starts or whether I’ll reach it before my turnaround.

6. Guess not!

5. I hope the girls don’t pass me on the school bus…”lil bit” is mad that she has to ride the school bus even though we got our car situation squared away. Ahh well…sometimes you just gotta do stuff for YOU.

4. 1/3 of a block walking break is not bad at all. That and being stopped to cross Sheridan Road…good stuff. Much better. See? Getting better already.

3. How am I gonna run 5 miles on Sunday? (SHUT UP, SELF! One foot in front of the other. And if you have to take walking breaks, so be it.)

2. Am I crazy to think somehow I’m gonna turn this into being prepared for a half marathon by the end of the month? Eh…maybe…but crazy is sometimes a good thing. I’m gonna parlay this crazy into finishing 13.1 miles, one way or another.

1. I missed you, running! I think I’m gonna like running in my new neighborhood. (Cue the chorus to the Annie musical song: I think I'm gonna like it heeeeeere!

And later upon looking at mapmyrun, I found that it’s exactly 1.29 miles from the major intersection near my place to the lakefront path, and 1.17 miles from the girls’ bus stop. I was just a block or two away from it before I turned around today. NIIIIIIIICCCEEEE! My reward for going farther will be my beloved Chicago lakefront.

EPILOGUE: Made it to work with 1 minute to spare. Even had time to make a smoothie before walking out the door. Amazing how fast you can move without little people in the midst! :)

Thursday Thirteen: Running Destinations

The other day I was lamenting about my slight feeling of guilt over whether or not I should register for Chicago this year…”register for Chicago” essentially means “register for the Bank fo American Chicago Marathon.” Chicago has always been a race I’ve loved, well before I’d ever even thought about running it. And it’s forever going to be my hometown race. But in that same respect, it’s always going to be there. Even when it sells out in one day. Even if they decide they need to be like NYC and start doing a LAME ASS lottery system because being unique and different from the others just ain’t good enough. It’ll still be my hometown race. So BB dared to present another idea: why not travel somewhere to run a marathon? At first I was all like (to myself) "did this cat just suggest there are other races besides Chicago????" I mean, I did Cincinnati, but that was in 2008…that was my first full marathon (after the 2007 Chicago debacle) so I didn’t know what to expect, didn’t have a great post-race experience, etc… Why not train and plan for a race out of town…get there with enough time to pick up my race packet n stuff, stay for a day or more to enjoy the scenery? So where could I go? Here are some ideas in no particular order:

13. Portland Marathon. October. Never been to Portland. Love the show Portlandia. Intrigued by the idea of running (again) in the Pacific Northwest. The course looks pretty decent. Hmmm. Maybe.

12. Seattle Rock n Roll Marathon. June. I ran Seattle RnR HALF a few years back, and I use the term “run” loosely. More like walk/run. But Seattle is beeeeeeYOOOOOOOOtiful, I loved the city from the moment I set foot in it. I definitely want to come back and run the full sometime. Not sure I would put this on my agenda for the next few years, only because I’ve been to Seattle fairly recently and assuming I continue working as a Planner, my annual conference will be held there in 2015. But sometime in my life I want to run the full marathon…

11. Memphis Marathon. December. Never been to Memphis, but always wanted to go. Blues. BBQ. Relatively warm weather compared to Chicago that time of year. That may even be doable for this year. Hmmm.

10. San Diego Rock n Roll Marathon. June. They say San Diego is perfect weather year round. Bears radio personality Jeff Joniak ran this race a year or so ago. Apparently the course is awesome. And what’s not to love about southern California?

9. Denver Marathon. October. Ok…truthfully, I will likely never run this race. Why? See below from the CDC about carriers of the Sickle Cell Trait, which includes yours truly…I’m not trying to find out if I’m one of those rare cases. Apparently there's no finding out until your ass is laid out looking up at the sky and people peering down at you, talking about "what happened?": I once asked my doctor about risks and she himmed and hawwed (wtf is that saying? my mom always used to say it and now i say it.) anyway she himmed and hawwed a little too long for my taste. There's no way to know.

8. Honolulu Marathon. December. I’ve ALWAYS been intrigued by the prospects of this race, and it's the teaser that those fundraising marathons use to get people to train for them and travel for free. Given the travel needed to get there (and since I’ve never been to Hawaii), this should be a vacation. How long does it take to get used to the time difference? Does it matter—should that even be a factor? Relaxing on the beach with a tropical drink in hand and waves lapping nearby sounds like a fantastic post-race recovery/celebration. And maybe even go hike around some volcanoes a day or so later. Sounds lovely. And expensive. This one’ll have to wait for awhile. Someday my feet will touch the black sand of Hawaii.

7. Miami Marathon. January. (February in 2014—Superbowl Sunday to be exact—um, hell to the no. I don’t mix sports that I love.) But anyway…Miami? Great beach city, great restaurants, great hotels. Seems like it would be a lot of fun. Oh, this bar! You may not be a fan of foofi drinks, but their pina colada is KILLER!!!

6. Philadelphia Marathon. November. I like Philly. I love the old cobble/brick streets and the architecture. Seems like it would be a fun race. This could even be doable this year maybe, if I wanted.

5. Does Baltimore have a Marathon? I love all of those old east coast cities. Philly, Baltimore, DC….I’ve never been to Boston but I’m sure I’d love it too. I was a history major in undergrad so I really dig those old cities. Oddly, I’m not sure I’d want to do the Marine Corps Marathon (Washington DC.) Maybe I should think about it though. I realize I could have easily looked up whether or not Baltimmore has a mararhon, but I'll leave the mystique and wonder in place for a bit.

4. I’d also love to do a race in Arizona like the PF Chang Rock n Roll Marathon in January, but I can’t in good conscience spend my hard-earned money in a state that is so dedicated to making life difficult for brown-skinned people. They’ve been on my shit-list since refusing to accept the MLK as a federal holiday, and more recently, with the immigration shenanigans, assault on anything-but-white cultural education and programming…sure, state rights are state rights. But I don’t have to support them with my money. It sure is a beautiful state though. I used to follow a runner via her blog who lived in AZ named Summer. One day after several years of following each other’s blogs, she abruptly posted her blogger goodbye. A few weeks later her blog was erased from the internet. Wonder if she’s still running. Maybe someday.

3. Speaking of beautiful states…California. The Big Sur Marathon (April) is just down the road a bit from Asilomar State Park, where I spent a week last summer. I love this place and want to go back with people I love (code: NOT work-related, as my August 2012 trip was). Maybe I could do the half marathon which is in November along Monterey Bay, and the actual turnaround is AT ASILOMAR. Good God, this might be the most perfect race ever. I want to do this half marathon. SOON. I ran my 16-mile run while staying at Asilomar as well as several other shorter runs, and they were all DIVINE. (Click on the link above to read about my runs.) Asilomar will always have a special place in my heart. It was the peace I needed during the "end of the end"--b/c the beginning of the end began a long time ago with life as I'd known it for the past 9+ years in an unhappy marriage...literally from Day 1. Ok, Day 2. It's where I found the ME begging to get out that was lost for a long time. But anyway.....here's pics from the marathon course. Breathtaking. An experience of a lifetime, no doubt.

2. I’m stuck on Asilomar! Running shoes on solid ground, at the edge of the country.

1. It feels like this list of other race ideas is anti-climatic. But other marathons of interest include the following: New Orleans Rock n Roll Marathon (February); London Marathon (April); NYC (November) is always on my list but I've become disenchanted by the shenanigans of these races that are way too popular and super difficult to get in to; Alaska Midnight Run Marathon (June)—I thought this race used to be at midnight on the longest day of the year, but the website shows something different now. Hmmm.

And of course, this lists assumes that I will get back in marathon mode. I'm sure I will, I'm just in a bit of a funk. Lots going on in getting squared away in my new place, (etc) so I'm trying to cut myself some slack.

p.s. Doesn't this Portlandia Drinking Game look like fun? (If you haven't seen the show at all, I suppose it just looks like another excuse-to-drink drinking game.)

Thursday 13

13. Dude. I am allergic to all things technical. I just want wireless internet to be set up. I want my HD to work automatically. I don't want to figure a damn thing out. Just work, already! (Got my wireless up and running tonight. After about an hour of lamenting why it would only work with that crazy ethernet cable. I had visions of being connected to a cable for the rest of my life. Noooooooooo!

12. So when setting up my new configurations, somehow my cable box cut off...in the middle of taping The Office. WAHHHHHH!

11. Strength training. So I meant to blog about this a long time ago, but one of the things I started to do different after the marathon (among the not so different things like barely running, and eating like I'm still running 15 mile long runs every weekend), was strength training. Like REAL strength training, following a program and everything. A friend of mine who knows exactly what he's doing has written out a to-do list every two weeks. I've gone from barely being able to do shoulder presses or bench/chest press, to about 60 pounds on each. That is HUGE for me. I took a 1 week break (per directions) and then got sick, then moved, then realized my workout schedule is severely hampered, so I'm getting squared away with exactly what days I can go to the gym, but that's ok. I'm excited. And I know it will make me a better runner.

10. Maybe even more exciting than me actually sticking to a strength training plan is how good I feel. In years past, I've given up because of lack of progress and/or not knowing what I was really doing. But there have been numerous days when I erased doubt and did things I didn't think I could do. That's empowering.

9. Let's see, so what else is new? I haven't registered for any more races. After doing so many unsatisfying races last year, I'm taking my time. I'm registered for the Illinois Marathon at my alma mater (end of April.) I will be doing the Soldier Field 10 Mile, but haven't registered yet. And I'm sure I'll register for other races, just not sure what.

8. Now you already know the Chicago Marathon holds a place near and dear to my heart. I checked the other day and noticed registration opens on February 19th. To the tune of $175. Is somebody smoking crack? That's a shitload of money...that's what I expect outta NYC, which is even higher... Anyway, that's definitely enough to give me pause. But you all know that even if I don't run it this year, I always come back home to the best marathon on the planet.

7. Speaking of NYC...so maybe you already knew about them phasing out the guaranteed entry program...just to fuck with the lives of the minions. (Am I cursing a lot in this post? It sorta seems like it. Maybe this falls under the rule "if you have to ask, then answer is probably yes.") Anyway...so I was in the last of the guaranteed entry program that if you sign up for three years straight and don't get in via the lottery, that 4th year you're automatically in. So 2013 would have been my third year, and upon not getting in, I would have automatic entry in 2014. And 2014 was to be the last year for this friendly little in-road. Well...I"m wondering is that all out the window now that Hurricane Sandy wreaked her havoc and the marathon was cancelled, and all registrants from 2012 automatically get in for 2013's race? They're itching to end guaranteed entry, so now my one-time guarantee is a mystery to me. Life could be worse, my house or life wasn't destroyed by a hurricane.

6. And no, you don't pay the ridiculous $200+ fee when you register. The lottery system basically charges you a one time processing fee of like $11, and only charge your card if you get in. In the past two years I've watched the FB and other message boards as people got word of getting in BY THEIR CREDIT/DEBIT CARD STATEMENTS BEING CHARGED THAT MORNING prior to the annoying noon reveal of who gets in.

5. I'm very sleepy right about now.

4. My new apartment is just 15 minutes--IN TRAFFIC--from the girls' school. Now that I have my internet up and running, one of these days I just may come back home and work from home. WINNING!

3. I've lived on the west side of Chicago, the south side, and now the north side. I like them all, and as an urban planner by training, I can always find things about a neighborhood that I like. But at the end of the day, whenever my tires hit the pavement on the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290), I realize that my growing up in the western burbs has always made the west side my original introduction and orientation to the city. It's home. But I don't plan on living on the west side anytime soon if ever again.

2. It's amazing how the damn school system will direct your every move when your kids are young. I know one thing...well first of all, I'm not opposed to moving if it's the right move and makes sense...but when the younger one is off to college? Wow, there will be a serious sense of freedom there. I've often 'dreamed' of moving to Denver or Seattle. Or wherever. NOt permanently, but for a few years at a time. I love cities. I love our diverse country and all there is to see. I want to go overseas again. There's so much to see in this world of ours.

! 1. This might be the boring-est Thursday 13 I've written. Sorry. But at least I'm blogging again. Twice in one day? Oh snap, don't hurt nobody

Thursday Thirteen...back with a vengeance.

(or not really a vengeance...but nevertheless, I'm back.

13. I really love Thursday Night Football. Waiting an entire week for the best game (to watch on television) is just too unbearable. So now there’s football on 3 out of 7 days. That’s ALMOST half of the week. That is good. In a few weeks, however, I will start to go through withdrawals. TNF ends. The playoffs arrive, and while they’re exciting, there are fewer games. And then there’s that two week break preceding the Super Bowl (or do you write Superbowl). And then suddenly, life on Sundays turns into this “what the hell am I supposed to do NOW” thing until I adjust and find something else to fill the void. Maybe I will have super power workout Sundays or something.

12. Thursdays used to be Cosby Night for me. In high school and early college years, it was Cosby at 7pm, A Different World at 7:30pm. DW was my all-time favorite show. Still love it to this day, and it sorta reminds me of the great people I met in college, some of whom I still talk to today.

11. Wasn’t Seinfeld on Thursday nights too? Can you believe I NEVER watched an episode of that until it went off the air? Didn’t want to be like everyone else. But when I finally watched my first episode on syndication I was totally hooked—and I’ve seen every episode. More than once.

10. I believe I am predisposed to a reality TV addiction. Just about any show, I find some redeeming quality, even if the people are total nutjobs. Someone mentioned to me the other day about Teen Mom. Hmmm. Watched an episode and ENJOYED IT, even though they’re total idiots. My time is valuable though, so there are only a few I watch or DVR. They include Chicagolicious (oh those people crack me UP!!! Plus I’ve gotten some really good quotes from that show.) A new one on my radar screen is Catfish. Hoarding: Buried Alive (not to be confused with Hoarders.) Of course, anyone who has read my blog for awhile knows I dig weight loss shows. The new Biggest Loser starts in January. I LOOOOOOVE Extreme Makeovers: Weight Loss Edition, but what the hell, ABC? There were like 5 new episodes and nary a mention ever since. What gives????

Here are the Cliff Notes on each:

Chicagolicious: Follows AJ’s Salon/employees, an upscale predominantly black “cast” with gratuitous “living the Chicago high life” screen shots. Catfish: Captures online romances revealed in person. Oh. Hot. Damn. Is it EVER the person they said they were? Hoarding Buried Alive: The human psyche is amazing. And whenever I need to clean, I watch this show. BOOM. Incentive to the 10th degree. Biggest Loser: Bob the Trainer, he could train me ANYDAY, his approach is definitely right up my alley. Dolvett is pretty funny when he’s harassing people, although I’m quite sure he would piss me off daily. Jillian is...well...Jillian. And she's back next season. Extreme Makeover/Weight Loss Edition: The transformation…the focus on real life and not some living on a ranch removed from real life thing, and the timespan of a year…POWERFUL. Plus the host Chris is so freakin likeable. Ok, so there you have it.

9. “I am an aspect of your character…a divine reflection of you.” Said by Niki on Chicagolicious, when working with two AJ’s employees who were having a personality conflict. See? Didn't expect THAT golden nugget from some reality show, didya??? And I realize it's probably not HER quote necessarily, but this reality show is where I heard it.

8. I got my hair done at AJ’s back in the day, when it was called AJE’S. And well before the TV show. AJ did my hair both times, and it was crazy expensive.

7. There are some things I don’t cut corners on. Here’s a random list: A good sports bra…be good to the twins and they’ll be good to you. Pedicures. (Who wants a cheap pedicure? Is that nail infection worth it?) Ketchup...Heinz all day, everyday—never generic! Butter, not margarine. Generic pop/soda? Blech! Brand name running shoes. I don’t do hole-in-the-wall Chinese food. I’ll spend more than $2 on my fried rice to ensure quality cooking and ingredients, ordering sans the bulletproof glass, and a clean floor.

6. Speaking of clean floors, I once saw a homeless man from the neighborhood doing some odds-n-ends work at a local fast food joint. He was mopping the floor and as he was rolling said mop and bucket to a side door, he noticed a dirty table that patrons had just left. And he promptly pulled the mop from the bucket and wiped the table clean, and went on his merry way.

5. I’ve seen strange and gross things happen in fast food restaurants (having worked in several in my younger days.) Workers being cussed out. A masturbating customer. A dude jumping onto the counter waving a gun around. Worker dropping food onto the floor and serving it anyway. Worker taking that special order that was cancelled out of the garbage and serving when the customer changed their mind and came back. Roaches in the shake machines (shake and ice machines are the dirtiest things in the entire place.) There’s more, I could go on…

4. Shakes…do you have a favorite? I know some people who wait every year for the Shamrock Shake at McDonald’s. I’m not a huge ice cream person, although my Mom is. When we were little, I swear it was offered every night for dessert. Yep, dessert was an everyday thing in my house growing up. I like it, and whenever I have it I think I should have it more often.

3. When I was in college at the University of Illinois, there was this ice cream place on Green Street called Delights. They served ice cream, frozen yogurt and this stuff called “gise” (pronounced jih-ZAY.) That stuff was delicious, and a very low calorie fat free alternative that didn’t TASTE like a low calorie fat free alternative. But I’ve never, ever seen “gise” offered anywhere else, and Delights has long since closed. I was beginning to think that concoction was all made up, until I did find a few random references on the internet. These days, I do like to go to Forever Yogurt at times. Their flavors are frikkin incredible. I hope someday we don’t find that their low calories and fat content are a big lie, like that episode on Seinfeld, HAHAHAHAHA. Forever Yogurt is blowing up like Chipotle in Chicago, they’re popping up everywhere! You should check out the one on Belmont in Lakeview. The layout of the store salutes the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority). The picture below is where the yogurt dispensers are housed. Pretty frikkin cool. And there’s a big CTA map/mural on the wall.

2. Suddenly I have a taste for something sweet.

1. Oh hey…so in a few weeks I’m moving to the north side into a 2-bedroom apartment. Just me and the girls. So there’s that.

thursday 13 - random places i love in chicago

Random Places/Buildings that I love in Chicago, inspired by a lunch meeting I had last week at #13. And these are in no particular order.

13. Cliff Dwellers Club, penthouse floor at 200 S. Michigan Avenue. There are stunning views of Grant Park, the museum campus and Lake Michigan. Members of the club can visit for lunch or dinner any day of the week and bring guests (like myself.) Every entrée I’ve had has been delicious, the company, great. Customer service, impeccable. Desserts, fantastic. And the view, unparalleled.

12. The Chicago Theater. Love this place. Even made watching “Dora the Explorer LIVE!” somewhat bearable. Tip: Get the mezzanine seats!!

11. The Statue of the Republic in Jackson Park. I pass by this statue every day, and when the girls were younger they used to say “Good morning, Sister Statue.” Even now she comes up fairly regularly in our conversation because my daughters swear that she moves. Anyway, apparently this statue was erected to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the World Columbian Exposition (World’s Fair), as the original wooden statue burned. (wood statues?) Nearby Hyde Park and the Midway are also a subset of this favorite spot that I love that was the site of one of the world's greatest World Fairs ever. Supposedly Erik Larson’s book about that Fair's serial killer, Devil in a White City, is being made into a movie (starring Leonardo DiCaprio)…they’ll have to show this area of the City that I love.

10. Promonotory Point. Directly on the lakefront in Hyde Park, this gem is situated along the lakefront path and includes a building, benches, sitting areas and even firepit areas. The Museum of Science and Industry is viewable on the south side of the point, downtown on the north side.

Here's a picture of my girls that I had a photographer friend of mine take in the spring of this year at the Point. That's the Museum in the background.

9. 63rd Street Beachhouse. This is the largest and oldest beach house in the city, and was built as a result of repeated cries of the surrounding community to extend the beaches and public access to the lake. Power to the people. It's still used today, supposedly, though not in a capacity like typical park district facilities. Back in its heyday the had showers and changing facilities for swimmers. Part of the reason I like it is that it signifies "you're almost done" when returning from a long run along the lakefront. It sort of looks like a fortress. This part of the lakefront will always be home to me, no matter where i go.

8. Beverly (neighborhood). This south side neighborhood is so unexpected…it’s an enclave of lovely homes, well-manicured lawns and rolling hills. I have a favorite house in this area at 99th/Leavitt. If I didn’t have so many life commitments in other far reaches of the city, I would love to live here.

--GUESS I'll have to get out here and take my own pictures.

7. North Avenue Pedestrian Bridge/Seating area just south of there. Some of the best views of the city can be found right here. And I could sit here all day looking at the lake. Seems like a great place to fall in love...or something.

Here's a view from the pedestrian bridge:

6. 1250-1260 Lakeshore Drive…two of just 7 homes directly on LSD, I’ve always admired these two buildings, and imagined what it would take to live there. (Winning the largest mega millions jackpot ever, maybe?) The contrast these two buildings present against the tall apartment buildings is breathtaking. This blog provides more information about these beautiful mansions (and is also where I got the pictures from.) And side note: these mansions are pretty much directly behind the pavilion seating area above.

5. The Drake Hotel. I’ve never stayed here but would love to someday. This block of the city, from the hotel and eastward is so beautiful. I’m pretty sure that the building east is where Oprah lived. I saw pictures of her place when it was for sale and was 99.99999% sure that I recognized the windows on the outside pictures. What views they must have each morning as the sun rises over Lake Michigan. Sometimes when traffic is backed up on the Drive, I don't mind so much because there is just so much to take in here. It's so beautiful. I live in a beautiful city, and you don't need to be filthy rich to enjoy the view. Speaking of enjoying the view, you can see The Drake from the pavilion area, also.

4. The 1500 block of West Jackson. When I lived on the west side, I found this block when walking my 2-month old baby in her stroller. I can only describe it as an urban oasis, where the trees create a canopy of shade and beauty. In the summer, it provides welcomed relief from the sun and concrete. In the fall, the colors are just breathtaking. The backdrop of grandiose brownstones offer a glimpse of old-time Chicago urban architecture. And it’s just a block away from one of the best high schools in the city. This blcok is part of the Jackson Boulevard Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

3. Florsheim Shoe Factory. Once upon a time when America was in the height of the industrial area, there were factories all across Chicago. One of them was the Florsheim Shoe Company, a factory building located at Belmont/Pulaski in the Avondale neighborhood. I've seen factories come and go, demolished in favor of rampant retail or condominiums at the height of the housing bubble. Brach's Candy...Fannie Mae...(not sure why I'm only thinking of candy companies...but I digress.) So whenever a building can be saved and reused (planning terms: adaptive re-use), I love it. It may sound weird, but to me buildings have a certain soul about them. When we save a building, it's as if we save a little piece of Chicago's past, too.

Today as the Florsheim Shoemaker Lofts:

2. Comiskey Park home plate commemorative. A tribute to yesteryear. The old park is now gone, but the exact place where home plate is commemorated in the parking lot. Sigh.

1. The Chicago Park District system of regional parks, connecting boulevards and neighborhood parks. The Chicago Park District is the largest park district in the nation—yes! Something we beat NYC on--oh SNAP! There are over 500 parks. Large regional parks serve as destination points for Chicagoans. Jackson, Washington, Douglas, Humboldt, Columbus, Garfield and Lincoln all have ornate fieldhouses, sit on acres and acres of beautifully countoured land, and are home to a variety of activities including boat harbors, swimming, a conservatory, biking amenities, multiple sporting fields, and major annual festivals. These regional parks are the jewels of the city and provide open space for city dwellers to commune with nature. These parks are connected by a series of boulevards, and though not all of them are the green corridors they were intended, they still provide quick and direct access from park to park, by car, and increasingly so by bike. WTTW-11 (Chicago’s PBS station) has a fantastic documentary about the history of the boulevards, and biking on them today. Lastly, the neighborhood parks offer many of these benefits. Unique, architecturally distinct fieldhouses (not all, but many), multi-generational play space, year-round activities and more. If you’re a Chicagoan and aren’t benefitting from the park district…what are you waiting for?

Much of the beauty in Chicago's parks we owe to one person: Jens Jensen. Never heard of him? I suspect most people haven't, yet he was a giant. Read more about him here if you're interested. As a landscape architect "everywhere he championed his core conviction: people must have some contact with the "living green," – flowers and plants native to their home. To Jensen, landscape architecture was not just a profession, nor was the use of native plants just one style among many – they expressed his near-mystical belief in the renewing and civilizing powers of nature. He was a reformer with his hands on a spade and his head in the clouds."

Here are some pics from the Church of Jens Jensen:

Columbus Park

Columbus Park waterfall

Clearly my list is influenced by things I love: history, urban planning (and cities in general), and architecture. This is who I am. I fall in love with places like they are people. And whether I live here forever or leave tomorrow, it doesn't matter--the beauty of these places is that they will "live" on forever. They were here before me, and they will be here after me. I often wonder when I'm in an old building, or in public space meant for the enjoyment of many....what stories would these old walls tell if they could? What secrets do these 100 year old trees keep? Who else has loved these places? Did they walk here and take it all in, too? On the alma mater at the University of Illinois there's an enscription that reads "To thy happy children of the future, those of the past send greetings." With its arms spread open wide, welcoming students year after year to the Quad and its impressive architecture. I feel that those visionaries of Chicago's past, their monuments left behind offer this same sentiment. And I hear you loud and clear. Thank you.

(p.s. I started this Thursday 13 list on Thursday, but just got around to finishing it today. Oops!)

a pre-marathon jitters thursday thirteen

it's later than usual for me...i should be asleep...but i haven't done a thursday thirteen in a few weeks, and maybe writing is what will calm me down a teensy bit for tonight.

13. tomorrow during the work day, i head to mccormick place where eventually this weekend, thousands of other runners will make their way to pick up their race packets. i'm super excited! i'm going with a few co-workers, including my boss. how cool is that?? this will be her 5th year running. will i get sucked into the merchandising? maybe a bit. i want some new pint glasses (that i won't drink beer out of) and maybe something else small, but chicago-inspired.

12. i think the biggest reason i'm so nervous is because i've worked pretty hard this running season. i've given it my all...someone very close to me keeps telling me to stop thinking negatively, to only think positively. but i have to acknowledge my fears. how can i conquer them if i'm not honest about them? and what i am most fearful of is that even after giving it my all, it's still not good enough to run throughout the entire race (sans the aid stations.) will i still let those voices get the better of me?? I SAY NO. NO MORE. but that's what scares me most, honestly.

11. i'm so proud of how far i've come this year. i think back to even as late as june, struggling with every single step. still doing a run/walk for a bit. how horrible that Glow Stick run was (or whatever it was called.) And suddenly it was as if a light switch turned on and BOOM. my pace improved with every run. My first half marathon, where I finished with a huge smile on my face during the last half mile, because I KNEW I'd beaten my previous PR (and did so by 3 minutes.) Only to be followed up with another 3 weeks later, bettering that PR by another 15 minutes!!!

10. thinking back to my longer training runs...15 miles, when at the end i heard words i hadn't heard in years. "how was your run?" it was weird, but i realized right then and there that one of the things i had been missing was a solid support system, and that as much as i claim i like to be alone, it's really nice to have that person who genuinely wants to know "how was your run?" then there was 16 miles, followed by and 18 miler, half of which was in the rain. And much of it with "how was your run" person on their bike, not letting me get down on myself at the tail end of my run. THANK YOU!!!!!!!

9. music. on my 20 mile run, i found enough things to keep me entertained that i didn't turn on my music until around 13 or 14 miles. that's some serioudly ground breaking stuff for me. hell, i should be able to do that on sunday, the marathon course is nothing BUT entertaining for miles, right? we'll see.

8. my favorite parts on the course include: Boystown (in Lakeview); Damen/Adams because it's the furthest west on the course, and where i used to watch the race back in the early 2000's when i lived close to there; that area between Boystown and North Avenue, there's a house that always plays "sweet home chicago" real loud. LOVE that. and of course, Pilsen.

7. my least favorite parts on the course include: the first mile (calm your ass down! don't go too fast! damn garmin always get messed up under the bridge! those bumpy bridges, i'm going to fall!); the occasional lonely stretches between miles 14 and 18. much fewer crowds make it this far west. eh. and those hella lonely stretches south of chinatown alongside the dan ryan.

6. the weather looks to be cooperating! Low of 38, high of 54? JACKPOT. Lou and Meg? this run's for you!!!! this is for that bullshit 87 degree, high humidity having, no water/gatorade aid station having race we had 5 years ago, and subsequent runs since then that still have not yielded the famous fall temperatures of marathon years gone by.

5. i'm so sleepy right now as i write this. i know it's not the most entertaining post. sue me.

4. i have the best friends in the world. i have one planning to run close to 20 miles with me (as she's running her marathon in another 3 weeks.) i have my cousin who plans to cheer me on somewhere along that "home stretch" from 35th/Michigan to Roosevelt/Michigan. Lou and Meg might be out there (or at least Lou) with their little bundles of joy. Lou's husband is running. he's way fast, so I totally understand if she doesn't get around to seeing me. in 2007, i remember ducking around the start line with her and meg...because she was trying to avoid seeing him, i think. they had just started dating. 1-2-3 AWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! they're perfect for each other, too. and they had the most awesome wedding. and then my "how was your run" confidant will be out on the course in various spots. "St How Was Your Run" might have pretzels and orange slices at some point on the course. from sainthood to knight in shining armour status, i do declare.

3. for years i've avoided that hill on the lakefront path at 47th street. it's easy to do, as there's a pathway (for punks) that goes around it, too. not this year! the first time i came across that hill this year i decided to do something different. at first it was hard, but now to do anything less is nearly unthinkable. and for that reason, i will not be turned away by that hill at Roosevelt and Michigan. What hill, you out-of-towners might say? Well that's a HILL in Chicago, and it's a bitch after having run 26 miles of relatively flat land...and i don't know about anyone else, but I'll be running it, and running past that sign that says 26, with just .2 more to go.

2. this run marks an end and a beginning. as you've heard me go on and on about, i can't believe how much i've improved...i'm on the brink of big things. this race is my starting point. stay tuned. and thanks, b.

1. and just in case i need some encouragement along the way, i've got 26 running quotes, one for each mile. gonna pull them out randomly, read, and leave 'em on the course. right where i leave everything else when i give it my all. i'll post those later for your reading pleasure.