This week I got to enjoy two classic pink and green signs of spring—the D.C. cherry blossom trees in peak bloom and the Chicago river dyed for St. Patrick’s Day.
Paddle boats at the Tidal Basin
Pink And Green Signs Of Spring
On Saturday, the cherry blossoms weren’t quite at peak bloom, but I knew it would be my best chance of seeing them this year. The weather was amazing for my first bike ride of the year, and because the trees weren’t fully out, the crowds weren’t insane.
I never take as many pictures on a bike ride as I do on a run, but we did stop at the Jefferson Memorial to enjoy the view across the Tidal Basin.
We ended up riding two laps around Hains Point because the trees were so pretty and traffic was light.
The bike lanes are new since last year
when I had to run on the grass to avoid traffic.
Sunday I left the spring weather behind and headed to Chicago where the weather said winter, but at least the Chicago River knew it was St. Patrick’s Day. I braved the cold wind to venture out along the Chicgo River Walk and take it in.
A picture is worth a thousand wind advisories on the weather app!
Weekly Run Down
Monday was my only morning in Chicago with time for a run. I had packed winter running gear for temperatures in the upper 20s, but the Weather Channel app didn’t warn me about the “feels like” of 16F!
I figured out a wardrobe change I’ll share at the runfessional, and headed out.
My first view of the river was so pretty in the glow of daybreak!
The sky over Lake Michigan was overcast so I didn’t get any sunrise photos, but I ran out on a pier to capture the skyline behind me.
Tuesday I got up at 4:00 am to use the Peloton bike in the hotel gym before heading to O’Hare for my 8 am flight home. I was surprised the trainer was in the gym when I got there—I guess he was tidying up after the evening users before the morning folks got there.
Yep, I started that class at 4:16 am!
I’m probably going to have a similar itinerary for my April trip to Chicago, but I’m not sure I’ll hit the gym at 4 am again. It was stressful with no time to spare before the Uber I’d ordered for 5:45.
The rest of my week I was back to my normal routine at home. I took all the classes for my Breakthrough Crew Shamrock Shuffle challenge—I can’t believe there’s only one more week to go.
I gave my hamstring two days off after Monday’s 4 mile run and it actually seemed to feel better after Thursday’s tread run than it did before. 🤷♀️ I had my last shockwave treatment on Friday, so fingers crossed my recovery continues. If not, the next option probably is PRP injections but I’m really hoping that’s not necessary!
A huge thank you to Deborah and Kim for hosting the Weekly Run Down link up. And thanks to all of you for putting up with my hamstring saga!
Did you wear green on St. Patrick’s Day?
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Looks like you had a fun week and so glad you are getting back to running! Love your photos!
Thanks! It’s great to be lacing up my running shoes again!
St. Patrick’s Day is a fun time to be in Chicago! Glad you were able to run.
The weather change from D.C. to Chicago was quite dramatic! Well, you can’t say your week was boring. You got a little bit of everything.
It was quite a change in the weather! Luckily I could fit my puffy coat in my suitcase because I did not need it in D.C.!
Good news on running and the hamstring cooperating!
That’s great to hear that Hains Point has bike/running lanes now. I used to run there often, but haven’t in several years. We didn’t get down to see the cherry blossoms this year. It’s great that you were able to see them!
Yes, it was a disaster last year without them! Still, I was surprised how few cars were driving the loop last weekend. I bet today is a different story!
Yay for a first bike ride! Those cherry blossoms look fantastic, even if they’re not quite at their peak yet. I’m sure biking will also help your hamstring to heal.
I was curious how they make the river in Chicago green and how it affects the environment. My Google-search revealed that they use vegetable powder-dyes. I guess it’s better than oil-based dyes!
Yes, they claim it is environmentally friendly — I’m sure worse gets dumped in the river most other days. 😛
Oh yes, I wore green for St. Pat’s Day (for my stair workout and for my full day of packing)! I’d love to see the green river sometime! I bet that’s a fun place to be for that holiday 😉
It was fun seeing all the tourists braving the cold — and to be among them for a few minutes!
Love the green river! I wore green on Saturday (when the parade we saw was) AND Sunday – and I don’t have much green in my wardrobe. I was in Chicago a few years ago for St. Patrick’s Day – we did a half marathon and enjoyed the green river and lots of fun.
I don’t think there were any races downtown when I was there, but some others made the weekend news.
The most important thing is that your hamstring saga is (almost?) over!
It’s lovely to see someone having good weather! The rundown link-up was all about cold and snow otherwise. Feels like 16 is quite bad, though.
The cherry tree alley looks fantastic.
I have almost no green clothing! I have some green knitwear but it was too warm on this year’s St Patrick’s day, believe it or not. I’ll have to get some for next year. But we wore shamrock diadems that the pub owner in town gave us for last year’s Paddy’s day music session.
Well, I think my hamstringis going to keep my on my toes a bit longer — but at least not sidelined? 😉
How fun that you were downtown when the river was dyed green! Can you believe I’ve never seen it? LOL. I’m just sorry I didn’t get to see you. I hope we can coordinate something soon.
Glad your hamstring is feeling good!
I tend to avoid DC things like that, so, yes, I can believe it!
Missed you by a week in Chicago. The river was still a little green too. It was definitely still winter in Chicago
Isn’t the green river fun? I know the winter weather is NOT! Sorry I had to work all weekend and missed you! The cherry blossoms are SO pretty! Hopefully with a student heading to VA Tech, I’ll get a chance to see them.
I ended up in blue on St. Pats, but given that I looked like a looney leprechaun on Saturday, I’m OK with that.
So glad to see you and glad you got to see the peak to the eyes even if not science blooms
Sigh. Chicago is so pretty. I wish we could go for St. Patrick’s Day one year.
I don’t remember if I wore green lol. We were volunteering and it wasn’t a super festive day. Productive, but no shenanigans.
Our river is green too… well, just because that’s how it always looks. LOL! But seriously, that green river in Chicago is pretty cool!
Yay on your bike ride!