This week started with many unexpected rest days. And then some running. And then a whole lot of walking in Chicago! It was a fun week. Just what I needed!
Sun – I was feeling good post race. Really good actually! And then, I joined my son in a “hard leg workout”. Oooof! “Hard” is an understatement. 35 mins of squats and lunges. My legs were shaking and on fire all at the same time! And I loved it. I look forward to doing workouts again with him!
Mon – Rest day. Ouch, stairs!! My legs were super sore from leg day on Sunday. If you are ever looking for some really excellent workout videos, I highly recommend Caroline Girvan. She has a ton of free videos on YouTube which are very straightforward, which I appreciate. I just want to do weights when I strength train and not HIIT or other moves. We did this one. Ugh, killer!
Tues – 25 mins elliptical, just to get the legs moving. STILL oh so sore quads from Sunday. Oops! I always thought “calisthenics” was a term for old school warmups like jumping jacks. I was wrong! You learn something new every day right?
Weds – 30 mins elliptical. Well &%&*@!! My legs are STILL sore!! I really hoped to be running again by this point, but it is out of the question. Again. My kittens did snuggle with me today, so that was fun. Trust me, they are not always being this good! I have been doing laundry non stop this week. ugh.
Thurs – 5 miles RUNNING! My legs still felt a bit sore, but it was great to get out on a run again!
Fri – Chicago trip! The marching band went to Chicago to perform in the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade so we decided to take a road trip. I picked out our hotel based on some views that I saw on the reviews. When we got to our room I was disappointed. It was on the 4th floor and the view was an alley with dumpsters. I called the front desk to see if I could get something with a view. We got a room on the 37th floor overlooking the river! This is the view from the window. wow!!
This is where our room was! Our ears popped as we rode on the elevator.
Chicago was a bit chillier than I expected! Even so, my husband and I walked a lot. We went to see the Bean, walked around Millennium park, and down to the Navy Pier.
We had beautiful views of the city from the ferris wheel.
At night we went back to the park which had a tree lighting ceremony and other holiday activities going one. Here’s something I learned… the Bean is black at night. LOL!! I never really thought about it, but I was also surprised to see it like that (reflecting the night sky obviously…).
Sat – 4 miles? The GPS is so wonky downtown. I guess we ran 4 miles. Got to run along the lake. Very pretty!
We took an architectural boat tour. I loved it! The city is so pretty. What a great way to learn about the buildings.
The band performed really well in the parade. My son said it felt like he marched for 6 miles by the time they got done. They were exhausted!
We got to see fireworks after the parade and enjoy more of the city lights.
Sun – 3 or 4 miles? Running along the Riverwalk again. Just look at my Garmin map. Did we really run through the river?? ha!
It was a fun getaway. Seems like it was longer than a couple of days!
If you didn’t get to read my recap of the Churchill’s half marathon, here’s the link. I hope you are kicking off a week of relaxation and maybe some extra days off work. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Q: Which Thanksgiving food is your favorite?
Q: Have you ever taken a boat tour in Chicago?
I love Chicago and am lucky that work takes me there from time to time. And, yes, my Garmin has me skating back and forth across the river too. What a great trip for your son. Even if it was exhausting it sounds amazing!
The kids did have a great time in Chicago! So many funny stories from him. Next year they will be performing at Disney World in the parade. We’ll be going on that trip too!
What a lovely trip, and wonderful photographs. And the kitties – awwww (even if laundry).
I have my suspicions that it’s just one of the kittens, but not sure which one!! It’s hard to say mad at them very long 🙂
How fun to get to Chicago. If I go I need to add a boat tour. And a run of course.
Those kittens are the cutest. Getting FOMO.
My favorite food. Stuffing. Squash soup. Apple pie.
The boat tour was chock full of all sorts of fun stories about the buildings and growth of the city. Good stuff!
I do love all the Chicago architecture, but have never taken a boat tour (I never have any downtime when I’m there, LOL). You definitely scored a much-improved room with a view! My favorite Thanksgiving food is turkey (dark meat only, please) and scalloped corn. Pumpkin pie is pretty legit, too, if there’s a hefty mound of whipped cream on it 😉
When I called the front desk about changing rooms I really thought they were just going to blow my request off. What a fun surprise to get moved up that high!!
Chicago is such a fun city to visit. I always plan to take the boat tour but then it never comes together…one of these days.
That leg day workout sounds like a tough one!
I really do want to try that leg workout again… but hmmm, when do I have 3 days to walk around in pain again? haha! Hopefully I won’t be as sore next time.
Ahh you visited one of my favorite cities! I just love everything about Chicago – the food, the architecture, etc. I also did the boat tour one of the times I visited. Glad you had a great visit!
It was a great getaway! One of these years I’ll run the marathon there too I hope!
I have taken a boat tour in Chicago! It was probably very similar, an architectural tour. Yes, it’s a great city. Your pictures are amazing. It sounds like a great trip. Glad you got upgraded from the dumpster view- your new view was a tad nicer.
Oh yes! I know that intense soreness well- 35 minutes of squats and lunges will do it.
The leg pain was just ridiculous!! It was my forced race recovery, so I guess the timing worked out. Who knew I was so weak! haha
Sounds like a super fun week! My SIL lived in Chicago for a while, but we never did any boat tours. 🙁 Or saw the bean!
So glad you were able to get moved to a room with a view!
I have never really been a huge fan of Thanksgiving food. Whatever there will be (eating at my moms) will be fine. I also picked up some extra small desserts to bring down yesterday. Because yes, my favorite food on Thanksgiving is dessert. 🙂
Mashed potatoes and pie are my favorite Thanksgiving food 🙂
What a wonderful weekend getaway! Chicago is always chillier than expected, that darn lake wind! I have done some VERY cold long runs along the lakeshore. I swear, it can be colder there than Minneapolis 🙂
I’m with you on strength being just strength! I like the sound of that class.
Caroline Girvan is a great instructor. She’s so cute, and I swear she just gets more ripped every time I see a new video from her. I’m not sure how that is even possible!!
Oh, so fun! I’ve only been to Chicago once, and I did not take a boat tour. It was probably 20 years ago, and cold, but I remember loving it.
Those kittens are so cute.
I’ve never been to Chicago, but it is definitely on my list! My husband went a few years ago for work and really enjoyed it.
I remember doing a leg workout years and years ago and for a week I could not walk the stairs at work. Like physically could not make my knees bend properly to do it the muscles were so sore. I don’t think I’ve ever done a dedicated leg workout since…!
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