Called Out

Ok, I get it.

I haven’t posted much recently. You know it’s bad when fellow bloggers start calling you out on it.  Sorry, Paige.

However, here I am!

And thanks for all the well wishes on the back and sympathy for my pathetic inability to go down a flight of stairs correctly. Handrails are there for a reason, guys. Use them.

Anyway, throughout the rest of the week, my fear of having actually serious injuring myself waned and it seems I’m just a wee bit tender in the lower back region. So I’m comfortable starting up the routine again, but staying off of strength training for a little while longer.

I’m not upset about this. We all know how I feel about using weights. Gross.

By Thursday night, it was decided I could totally go back to my normal morning routine and hit the gym on Friday morning to make friends again with the elliptical.

Friday morning came around. And after four days of sleeping in, why take my chances?  I went for the fifth and swore to make it in today, instead.

I would have felt bad about it, but was instead in an obnoxiously perky mood. Let’s blame overcaffeination that wasn’t necessary because I was extremely well-rested. And the fact that my employer announced we were allowed to wear jeans to work through the end of the holidays.

For an announcement like this to make me literally get up and do a happy dance, it’s clear my life is only average.

Anyway, some of the Chicago Running Girlies decided to congregate with our version of a holiday party (yeah- running is involved), so that is where I’m off to at the moment. Since I wanted to ease back into the working out thing, I sadly decided it would be safer to elliptical my morning away before meeting up with them post-run. Safety first. Blah.

And because you never go to a party empty-handed, I had a mini-marathon baking night with an old coworker last night in preparation.

Snickerdoodles with a white chocolate center and chubby hubby truffles. Excuse the truffles, they need tweaking. However, I don’t even love cinnamon that much and totally went gaga over the snickerdoodles. You should make them. Like yesterday.

We decided to double recipes just to make sure our respective significant others could receive an equal sugar rush. Because the way to a man’s heart is obviously baked goods and steak.

And we all know I don’t know how to make steak.

Happy Saturday, everyone. I cannot think of a way to express my sadness over the current events, but I will say hug everyone a little tighter and treasure the company of those around you. Holiday love. Make it happen.

 

Forced Rest

I’m not even sure where to begin.

I guess we could start with how my gym routine had been going.

Lackluster. The theme of last week.

We all know when it’s time to take a few days off. When you need more than just the obligatory rest day of the week. A break of a few days. Maybe because your body is showing signs of exhaustion. Maybe because your motivation is nonexistent.

I was going through all of that. However, by being a creature of habit, admitting it wasn’t likely.

Then Friday happened.

That Amy carries herself with such grace and poise. Said no one ever.

Clumsy. Accident-prone. Hot mess.

I pretend these things are “endearing”. “Adorable”.

Don’t tell me otherwise.

So when we called Friday a “night in” and changed into lounge pants and hurry down the steep hardwood stairs in my apartment?

How I made it 18 months without doing it is beyond me. But you can imagine the spectacle that happened to cause 3 matching bruises, one for each stair, that my backside slammed into in one spectacularly grand motion.

I’m personally partial to the bruise on my booty. It’s a prettier shade of purple than the rest.

At least a cracked tailbone didn’t occur like the last time I flew down stairs in socks.

Win?

Maybe. My lower back seems to have gotten the worst of it. Needless to say, I haven’t seen the inside of my gym since last week. Nor have I lifted anything heavier than my work bag.

Whether I like it or not, it seems to be this is the chosen week for a break from exercise.

I’m a little perturbed I wasn’t allowed to make this choice on my own, or just taken 2-3 days instead of 4-5. But it’s time to stop dwelling on it.

At least, since it’s the holidays, I have plenty to do.

And now that I’m in two book clubs, hilariously since I can barely keep up with one, there’s that.

And all the friends I can meet up with for foodie dates with awesome bloggie peeps. Especially awesome peeps who live in my neck of the woods and our meetups (although a rare occasion) are nonstop gab fests.

Got adventurous and went with the Healthy Parm with chicken and quinoa. A possible new favorite…

Now that I think about it, that extra hourish of sleep in the morning has been nice…

Don’t feel bad for me just yet.

Now if this stretches into next week…

… someone may lose their head…

Surprise Long Run

Isn’t it funny how, when you’re ridiculously tired/exhausted, it’s that much harder to fall asleep? Still reeling from the long weekend and all the events that went down, you’d think I’d be passed out as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Nope.

So when the alarm went off on yet another dreaded Tuesday this week, I didn’t even have to wake up. I was awake.

Not a surprising way to start that day of the week. Why do Tuesdays have to be so stupid?!?!

Coworkers are surely going to start gossiping. Either about my bloodshot eyes and how they came about or the threat of my heart exploding from the amount of coffee being consumed. Maybe both.

Had I been forced to sit in the traffic that has plagued my commute the last week or two, the gym would not have happened. So lucky for me, Kim and Maggie were available for a run on the trails near my office!

That doesn’t mean I didn’t drive around 10 minutes longer than necessary being semi-lost. But hey- at least now I know where to go next time…

This was the first time I’ve met up with either of them and I was excited. My coworkers were nervous. Because when you leave the office in running gear and people inquire about your whereabouts, do not say “going to go run in the woods with strangers.” It won’t go over well.

Hilariously enough, we planned every detail except for how far we would actually run. Being as how I’ve eased up on the running since my half marathon a few weeks ago, I was a bit uneasy about not knowing this one weeeeee lil’ detail.

Especially since these girls, and another running buddy that joined us, are marathon runners.

Uh. What exactly was I getting myself into?!?!?

Most of my runs during the week have been 3-5 miles. And, if we’re being honest, the majority of them as of late have been closer to 3. No real reason. No excuses. That’s just the way it’s gone down as of late.

But I surprised myself! MapMyRun was horribly off (what gives, iphone app?), but Kim helped me figure out that I had done approximately 7 miles (we kept it at a conversational pace) after meeting them on the trail.

And only one bug was snorted in the process. Solid win. 7 miles on a Tuesday. A freakin’ Tuesday! Maybe that’s what I need to start doing more often to make Tuesday seem less sad and pathetic?

Who woulda thunk it?

Someone remind me of this next week.

And since I know you were concerned, I’ve slept like a rock ever since.

Happy sigh.

The Chicago Bloggers Do Brunch

It’s much like a first date once you think about it.

There’s an awkward feeling as you head to the restaurant you decided on.  Will I recognize them?  What will we talk about?  Am I underdressed?  Overdressed?  Oh god… it’s raining, I’m going to look like a hot mess!

My plans to walk from the metra to Yolk were quickly changed when I departed the station into a downpour.  After about two blocks of fighting the elements with my umbrella, I took shelter under a random building.  And would like to give a sincere shout out of thanks to the navy seal that stood in the rain for a good while to hail a cab for me.  Thank you, sir!  Your mom (who was standing there) should be very proud.

Of course the rain slowed once I paid for the cab ride.  Figures.We ate at Yolk- a place popular for breakfast (um… duh).  They have a few locations, but Heba was sweet enough to set it all up at the one on East Ohio in the River East neighborhood.  It was pretty crowded, but after a small wait, we were accomodated nicely with a large round table. The waiter may have been a little annoyed that we were way too busy chit chatting to order…  oops! 

Yolk has a fantastic menu- the selections are seriously endless.  I couldn’t even narrow it down to if I was hungry for sweet or savory.  So I cheated.

Megan and I split two dishes to make the decision a little easier…Cinnamon french toast.  If you think you can’t make cinnamon rolls even more decadent, you’re wrong.  Dip it in egg and fry it like french toast.  Then we’ll talk.The Santa Fe Frittata.  Because we wanted bacon. So we scoured the menu for it.  And found a winner that also included potatoes, avocado, jalapenos and cheese.This could be one of the few times I wasn’t the only one taking pictures of my food.

Everything was delicious.  The salsa on my fritatta was spicy- which I LOVE.  And I made sure to have every bite of the cinnamon roll with icing on it.  Happy faces AND tummies.  A winning combo.Let’s see if I get this right…

Front Row: Kate, Katie and Heba

Back Row: Tracy, Kelly (avid reader!), Megan and me

This was such a fantastic group of ladies.  Sure, it’s a little strange at first- since we sort of “know” each other.  Some of us have met, some of us hadn’t.  Some of us blog, some of us don’t.  Some of us blog about fitness, some about health, some about food, some about life, etc.  But the conversation never stopped- or even slowed down.  I loved meeting you guys! 

Afterwards, Megan and I had planned a “wander” of the city.  The rain kept us a little nervous, but it cleared up enough for some window shopping on Michigan Avenue. 

Then we got thirsty.Jefferson Tap is conveniently located near the metra station.  It’s a casual neighborhood spot we ducked into for a while to watch some college football and chit chat.

Three hours later, the hunger hit again.  So we decided to split something (again).The Irish Nachos.  This was a gigantic plate (that could have fed a family of four) of waffle fries with all the toppings of traditional nachos.  I couldn’t stop raving about the sour cream.  It’s one thing I don’t keep in the house.  Not because I think it’s unhealthy and shouldn’t eat it.  But because I would find a way to incorporate it into every single meal I make.  No good.

I’m horrible about catching trains.  I usually make them, but it’s a down-to-the-wire ordeal every time.  This was no different.  We walked (err… speedwalked?) to the train station and it was literally me yelling over my shoulder ”nice to see you again, let’s hang out soon!” as I jump onto the train.  They closed the doors behind me.  And I was off. 

Whew…

Even with the weather, it was still a fun day in the city.  But this is Chicago- when is it not fun? 

Welcome to Sunday, everyone.  At some point today I’ve got to get myself moving.  I have a long run to do.  Which clearly has to be scheduled around the Chicago Bears game.  So I should probably get started.  Like now. 

Enjoy your day!