Thanks for all the warm welcome-backs! There’s nothing like people listening to ramblings about your oh-so-boring running stats to feed your ego! (Although I think most of you are in it for the food porn…)
I had the nice change of running with a partner for once in my life this week. Peter, from my running forums, was in town for the Chicago Marathon, and met up with me on Thursday night to take a jaunt along the lakefront. His 3:21 marathon probably should have tipped me off to the fact that there was no way in hell I could ever keep up with him, but he was nice enough to slow down to an 8:45-9:00 pace. The weather, on the other hand, was not so cooperative, with the wind and rain. I guess I should have clarified that “seeing the lakefront” really meant “keep your damn head down because Chicago weather sucks after October.”
Afterwards, we went out for burgers and sweet potato fries at The Counter, and discussed how there really is nothing better in life than having a lovely run followed by a delicious, gut-busting meal. Facts of life, dudes.
On Saturday, keeping up with the “general crappiness” theme, the weather turned on me after a mile, from somewhat cloudy to a windy, freezing downpour. I had no hat either, being totally unprepared, and cursed my way through 10.2 slogging, slow, miserable miles. That’s the first double-digit run I’ve done since the marathon last November, so despite all my profanities along the way, it felt damn good to get those doubles under my belt again.
And of course, on the last half mile of that, the sun came out. Oh, Chicago. By the way, the best way to wind down after an autumn long run? Apple pie and a cappucino (with full-fat milk, of course, for those recovery nutrients).
Warm Apple Pie
The Husband and I spent the rest of the day at a nature museum, and then sought refuge from the cold with a cozy, romantic meal at Coco Pazzo Cafe. My craving for Italian food is apparently directly proportional to my mileage, and I was able to indulge my long-standing love affair with big wide noodles (yay carbs!).
Beef Carpaccio with Pecorino
Pappardelle with Duck Ragu
A deserving end, I think, to a 30-mile week.
