Last week’s business trip took me to Phoenix, Arizona. When I looked up my hotel information on-line, it didn’t look like it was in a good location for running, so I mostly packed gym clothes, but I threw in one technical t-shirt just in case I had a chance to go running in Phoenix.
The day I arrived I took my own advice and asked the concierge if there were any good running routes. I was surprised when he pulled out a running map that promised to take me along a canal. Continue reading
It might seem too early to be sharing healthy holiday tips, but last week I caught myself falling into the most dangerous trap of the holiday season–thinking that I shouldn’t worry about being more careful about my diet until after the holidays. Ay, yi, yi!
Today’s Tuesdays on the Run topic is coming just in time–it was in the low 40s for my last few runs! Last year’s polar vortex taught me a lot about how to keep warm running in cold weather, but I wouldn’t mind a few more weeks of fall weather before winter settles in.
In some ways I am a fair weather runner–I won’t run if the wind is whipping or it’s pouring down rain–but I don’t mind bundling up to go out in the cold. The D.C. area weather can change dramatically from day to day–it’s not unusual to have 20 degree temperature swings–so every morning I have to check the weather to see what I need to wear for my run. Continue reading
Two weekends ago I was in Chicago for our annual firm retreat. While it was great to see my colleagues from other offices, learn about the unique psychological traits of lawyers (seriously!), and brainstorm about different ways we could increase our collaboration across practices, the highlight for me was running in Chicago along the lakefront.
I’ve stayed at that hotel many times, and run along the lakefront many times, but I’ve always headed south, towards the planetarium, so running north was a bit of an adventure. One of the women with us only wanted to run 6 miles, so we turned around at the south end North Avenue Beach, ran her back to the hotel (since it was still dark) and did a lap around the Navy Pier to hit our 8 mile goal.
The second morning was the “fun run relay,” an optional activity complete with t-shirts, prizes, and donuts from Glazed and Infused. Each relay leg was only 2 miles, so I decided to check out the course and do a 2 mile warm-up.
Every time I’ve stayed at this hotel and run along the lake, I’ve gone out the front door of the hotel and taken E. Illinois Street to the Navy Pier, going through a few intersections and crossing under North Lakeshore Drive. I had a d’oh! moment when I learned that I could go around to the back of the hotel, cross over the Chicago River, and pick up the Chicago Riverwalk which would take me to the lakefront with no traffic to dodge!
And it even was well-lit!
The sunrise over Lake Michigan never disappoints!
As for the “fun run,” I learned that “fun” has a different meaning when a bunch of lawyers is involved. 😉 I was the last runner of my team, and saw that others were pushing hard and running fast. (The psychologist did say that we generally are a competitive bunch.) I put in a good effort, and ran my leg at an 8:00 min/mile pace. I did have fun, and I did enjoy the donuts!
[Tweet “Sunrise Running in Chicago”]
Do you have a favorite city you like to visit?
Thanks for stopping by for our monthly virtual coffee date! There has been so much going on lately, I am glad for this chance to slow down an catch up.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I am getting ready for what I think (hope?) will be my last business trip of the year, and it’s a doozy! I’ll be gone for a full week, attending a conference in Phoenix, a conference in Dallas, and a meeting in New York City. I’m already dreading packing for all the business meetings and networking events!
Will you be travelling anywhere before the end of the year?
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that life has been stressful lately. Work always has its ups and downs, but my son has been having health issues and my daughter has been having heartache issues, and I can’t “fix” things for either of them.
How is your family doing?
If we were having coffee, I would remind you that my birthday is in November. 😀 As usual, I am having a hard time thinking of anything fun I want for a birthday present, but I am eyeing the Garmin VivoSmart personal activity tracker. (Do you need my address, Garmin?)
Are there any cool fitness gadgets you think I should check out?
If we were having coffee, I would remind you that we change our clocks back an hour tonight. I’ll be glad for the extra light in the morning, but it will be so depressing getting home after dark this week!
Do you like it when we “fall back”?
[Tweet “Catching Up Over Our Virtual Coffee Date”]
Thanks again for stopping by!
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
