Self Evaluation.

Today is a Monday and I can't seem to focus. We had a whirlwind weekend driving to Chicago on Friday and getting back Sunday evening. I barely took any photos (there are a few here: http://redshoeprint.tumblr.com/), but we had a good trip despite the lack of photographic evidence to prove it. We took in a Cubs game, saw a concert, went to Gino's East (the pizza place we dined at to celebrate our engagement almost 5 years ago) and caught up with a good friend. It was short and sweet, but I'm glad we got to go. Adam and I haven't gone anywhere together since last May, so even though we didn't have much time there, it was nice to get away together.

My distraction for the day however isn't Chicago, it's my health. When I got back from Vieques, I had a migraine the following week and then another the week after. It felt like my head hurt for most of March, it was awful. The diagnosis is this horrific allergy season that is causing frustrations for most allergy sufferers. Either way, constant headaches/not feeling good, caused me to eat poorly and not work out. Two things I intend to change starting today. I'm making a commitment to working out regularly and eating better. Now that my work life has calmed down I feel like I can finally focus on this and really commit to it. I'm also planning on running the Urban Wildland 1/2 marathon in August. I really like that distance, so 2 years after ACL reconstruction, I finally feel ready to take that distance on. Training starts May 14th, so I've got a couple weeks to gear up and get physically and mentally ready for training. Ready. Set. Go!

Chicago.

Getting ready for an impromptu Chicago trip this weekend. Eee! I'm looking forward to seeing some friends, the cubs, and good music. It's going to be a quick trip, but I think it will be a good one.

A Chicago Love Affair

I love Chicago. I have since my first trip at 17. The first trip Adam and I ever took together was to Chicago and he proposed in Chicago. The city just has such positive association for me. If I could move, it would be to Chicago in a heartbeat. But would it be as good as I think it would?

Probably not.

For the past decade, we've been having a really great long distance relationship. When I do get to visit, it's always fun with no-regrets, but I've never seen the negative. Taking the L at rush hour, waiting for a bus or a train in the freezing cold of winter, I know it exists, but I don't have personal experience with it. Sometimes it's best to not know the realities and stay with the fantasy.

Staying Busy.

I prefer to stay busy, because if I don't, I end up doing absolutely NOTHING. That was this weekend. I'm semi-ashamed to even admit it, but that's what I wanted this weekend to be. After a week of rehearsals prepping for performances and then 3 nights of performances, I needed a nice week off. I'm also positive that Adam and I will never be on the same "energy" schedule. When I'm awake and want to go out, he doesn't. When he does, I don't. Adam's car was acting up last week so I biked into work on Friday so he could use my car. I enjoy the ride in, however on Friday, my knee started to hurt and feel achy once I got to work. Needless to say, that made the return trip home less than ideal and of course just wore me out. Adam wanted to go to down to Lake Calhoun, walk around and get a beer, but I just wasn't feeling it. We settled on take-out and movie night on the couch. Which was exactly what I wanted and needed. That was pretty much our routine for the rest of the weekend. Movies, naps, take-out. It was nice and relaxing, but I always feel a little guilty about not doing ANYTHING. But at the same time our MN summer has kept me in hibernation mode, preferring the air conditioning to the triple digit heat indices. Yes, I'm trying to make myself feel better about a super lazy weekend that consisted on multiple-per day naps. Of course, I woke up around 3am this morning and couldn't fall back asleep until sometime after 5, so instead of feeling rested and revived, I'm itching for more sleep.

The other reason that I was OK with not doing anything this weekend is that I'm heading to Chicago for Lollapalooza. I know I'm going to need my energy for 3 days of music. It's been a while since I've been to an all-day musical festival, let alone 3 days of music. I'm hoping that I can comfortably handle the crowds and my knee (which is still sore) can handle all the standing. I think the fact that I'm more worried about crowds and my body indicates that I am for sure getting old. My 16 year old self would be worried about how to catch 2 bands playing back to back on different stages. I know I just need to relax and enjoy my time visiting friends and one of my favorite cities.

Lastly, I'm started to get worried about the duathlon and half marathon I've signed up for. I'm 28 days away from the duathlon and my knee has been too sore to train much, and the weather has been less than ideal for long bike rides or outdoor running. I'm letting my knee call the shots these days, so if I can't do it, I can't do it. I want to. I love the idea of a duathlon, but not if my body is going to be hating me every step of the way. My heart was in the race last year when I signed up (and was healthy). But this year, after deferring my entry to this year and a year of recovery, I'm not so excited about it. I'll keep trying but I'm okay if I have to throw in the towel on this race. Sadly, I know that if my knee won't let me do a duathlon, then a half is certainly out. But again, I'll call that as it gets closer. It was this time last year that I started running again, so maybe everything will work out after all. Maybe?

Chi-town.

In what can only be described as an impulse decision, I agreed to drive with a friend to Chicago this weekend to help her move, then fly back to Mpls Monday morning to go to work. Things I didn't exactly consider...

1. I had knee surgery one month ago
2. I can't really help with the moving

But you know what, I think it will work out just fine. It's the sort of random weekend adventure that I need right now. It's going to be pretty low key, but anything could happen.

So, here's to not planning and just letting things happen.

The soundtrack to our life

Girl: "I'm going to that show on Monday" (points at band name on t-shirt)
Boy: "Oh, yeah, me too"

A few hours later...
Girl: "Who are you going to the show with?"
Boy: "Myself"
Girl: "We should go together"

And 7 years later, the now married boy and girl went to see the same band play last night at the Varsity.

The Get Up Kids were awesome. They played "our song," Mass Pike... Since The Get Up Kids were the first band that Adam and ever saw together, its only fitting that our song be one of theirs.

Now we get to go see them again tomorrow in Chicago...

I'm pretty much on top of the world.

Keep on running.

My next adventure is another 1/2 marathon... in 12 days.

I've discovered that I can't just sit back, I need to be doing something. Or perhaps its the fact that once I get my mind open to an idea I have a hard time letting it go. Especially when I know that I can do it. I now know I can run 13 miles, I've done it several times now, so I can totally do it again.

Adam and I are off to Chicago this weekend to see some of our favorite bands. I wrote this post over the summer of my dream week of concerts, and it is happening.

Tomorrow we're seeing the Get Up Kids in Minneapolis. Then we're off to Chicago on Thursday to see them again and then Lawrence Arms on Saturday. I'm so excited to see these bands and to get to spend some time with Adam. Considering the fact that I have less things going on in my life, one would think that means I get to see my husband more. Shockingly, no... I've been back in the working world for less than 3 months and I definitely need a vacation!