Relaxing Thoughts?

As a consistent runner, I work hard during training. Exhaustion. Aching muscles. Sweat on top of sweat on top of sweat. 

So, as a treat to myself after long races, I decided to start gifting myself massages. Thanks to Groupon, of course. Budgeting is still very much a priority up in here.

The last half marathon? April. It is now June.

My roommate and I actually bought the Groupons for the massage sometime in March. We tried to get in near the end of April with no luck. First available appointment? June 7th. Seriously?

Nothing like delayed gratification.

So after work, the roomie and I put our fancy pants on and made our way down to the Gold Coast for a lil’ discounted pampering at Channing’s Day Spa on a Thursday night.I love massages.

I do.

But it is really REALLY hard for me to relax. Find my zen. Chill. Mellow out. Find peace.

After thinking about it, this is probably why I don’t like yoga.

Anyway…

I can’t 100% relax because thoughts just keep sneaking in.

“Is that her stomach or mine?”
“This time it was definitely mine.”
“I wonder if she gets super tired doing this? I mean- is it like a workout to do this all day?”
“Oh God… is she going for the feet? Oh God… I forgot to tell her not to… Oh nooooo…”
“I wonder if she just saw the goosebumps go across my entire back.”
“Goosebumps… that was such a weird book series…”

So yeah. Maybe I don’t get as much out of a spa night as some. But that doesn’t mean I don’t walk out feeling pretty on top of the world. 

And I learned something new! I learned my right foot is about 10x more ticklish than my left. My massuese is probably not as excited as I am to have learned this information.

Also, as she got ready to exit, she said, “Ok Amy, I’m going to let you get dressed now. Have a wonderful rest of the night and please take care of that neck, ok?”

Here I thought the knots in my back would be the most embarrassing part. Followed closely by my ticklish feet. Now I have my neck to worry about, too? This is how a complex develops, people! Gah!

Physically, though, I still feel pretty fantastic. We’ll call it a success. Thanks, Groupon! 

Afterwards, the roomie and I meandered in search of food. We naturally gravitated towards a bar sign that claimed there were $2 bottles inside.

$2 you say? Sold!

Rarely do I get food at a bar that isn’t fried. But during an official “spa night”, you feel the need to order something sort of light (aka “grilled chicken”). And dare I say the California Wrap at McFadden’s is quite delicious? I could actually taste the avocado (they didn’t skimp) and the ranch wasn’t overwhelming.

But I’ll let you in on a secret… it was totally the bacon that put it over the edge. So maybe I failed on the “light” in that sense, but the salad on the side makes up for it. Totally.

I’ll let you in on another secret- don’t wear shorts after getting a massage. You’ll be slipping and sliding in your bar chair.

People raised their eyebrows at me, but I only had one beer. Promise!

All in all, a nice way to break up the end of the week. Now just 8 hours of work stand between me and the weekend. And THAT is a relaxing thought.

Happy Friday, kids!

JEEPERS CREEPERS! Now THAT was the name of the scary (ridiculous?) movie Justin Long was in. Another thought while on the massage table that I just couldn’t come up with the answer for…

Sigh… Don’t ask.

A Jog Downtown

So I didn’t end up getting to do the Hustle up the Hancock, but I did get to do my run.  I was excited because this was the first time outside of a race I was going to go jogging to explore the streets of Chicago.  The morning was extremely overcast, but not frigidly cold (which I was nervous about).  I walked down to Lake Shore Drive and was off! 

I ended up not getting over to exactly where I wanted- up on the lake shore.  There wasn’t anywhere in the near vicinity for me to cross over!  So I settled for on the other side of the highway with Navy Pier in my view.  I ran south towards Navy Pier until I decided I wanted to turn around and do more exploring.  I zig-zagged back and forth through streets until I got close to the hotel again.

I decided Monica was probably waving at me at this point.  I decided to wave back.  Little did I know she was probably sitting around feeling nauseated after hurling on the 10th…I didn’t have as much time as I originally thought I would before the necessary shower, so I only ran two miles and then did a walk through part of the Gold Coast before returning to the hotel.

Of course, as I’m out being a healthy young gal, I would run into the Hershey’s store…Look away, Amy!  Look away!  Wait, seriously?  I look the other direction and this is what I see? Oh dear… I heart chocolate…  But I trudged on.  That’s when I found this little building…This is my car, actually.  But mine is gray.  And about five years older.  And a Ford…One day… right?  Then I did some window shopping at Jimmy Choo:

Then I realized, would I really spend a couple hundred on shoes when I know what my feet are going to start looking like soon?  Yeah… no thanks- maybe I’ll wait for boot season to splurge?  Or not.  Instead, I could spend the shoe money on something else.  Like a large piece of furniture… :p

Anyhoo… I was wiped last night when we got home.  And after long weekend, I do enjoy my chilling out and this:

Yea for salad!  That and I hit a “buy one get one” on salad mix at the grocery store… so I’ve got a lot to get through in the next couple of days.    Don’t want to be wasteful!

Are you aware today is National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day?  My friend at work marked it on the calendar for me- thought I’d appreciate that one…    Already had it in the oatmeal- and I’m sure it’ll make another appearance in my day.  Always does…

Have a good Monday!  Since I didn’t pull out the five-mile run yesterday, I’m looking forward to it tonight!