Another day in the city brings less tired feet and legs each time the Asics hit the pavement, ironically. As the days tick by more quickly towards the Breast Cancer 3-day event in August, I am constantly trying to make time to train according to the ‘Training Plan’. Seeing the ‘Saturday – 17 miles easy walking’ and ‘Sunday – 13 miles easy walking’ kinda freaked me out a bit, but decided to give it a shot. My goal for the weekend was to just shop less, walk more. Ironically, I was able to do both….shop and put in some serious miles.
Saturday thanks to the newly added express train from Waukegan, I was able to get an early start and arrived in Chicago at 9:45. It was nice for the first half hour or so, but then it was time for the umbrella for about the next hour. I made south trek til about 10th street, then turning around after the rain got heavier. I didn’t want to get caught in the parks if the storms got worse.
Soon, the sky closed up and the sun was glorious. I meandered my way north all the way to North Beach stopping only a couple of times to relax a bit for 10 minute breaks, then my longest stop, for a beer at Castaways. All in all, I was able to find some cute deals when I needed to slow up on my 4mph pace, and walk for 3 hours straight in the afternoon back to the train. In all, I visited North Beach, Millennium & Grant parks including the museum campus to Adler. My tally for Saturday was in the 17-19 mile range (without shopping time). Mission accomplished.
Upon walking, I always people watch as I go, noticing outfits as I pass by. I began taking special notice to ‘the old biddies’. I saw old women in beautiful Chanel suits with their Coach purses, ugly mismatched jean skirts and ruffle shirts, a cute little pair of capris with orange argyle socks and light blue Mr. Rogers shoes, a fancy ‘burberry’ Gramma complete with scarf, bag and matching shoes, Grammas with granddaughters carrying their ‘American Girl’ namesake. Pretty creamy-skinned grammas with immaculate hair in their velvet track suits, and of course the other end of the spectrum of wrinkly old crotchety smelly ladies with BO that could knock down a house even in the 2 seconds it takes to pass them on the street.
To make it fair, I began checking out the men too…you have the fantastic cologne ones that you just get a whiff of them enough to want to turn and run after them in the street tackling them to the ground (that happened several times, less the running and tackling), the ‘porn king’ Grecian God-wanna-be’s whose cologne made you gag and his gelled hair swished and greased his shoulders of his white button up and cheesy too-tight trousers and 27 gold necklaces as he sauntered. But then you have the skaters with crazy tats sans shirts cruising through the people, the college dudes with their ipods and messenger bags and Chuck Taylors stealthing through the crowds, and finally the boyfriends glued to their women as if any second, she would leave him for a passing Grecian God. I’m partial to the business men in their nice trousers, leather shoes, crisp button ups with the nice smiles that actually look you in the eye when you pass as if saying ‘welcome to my city, stay awhile?’ Well, I think I will do just that is what I’d tell them…. Anyone who smiles at you are keepers!
Sunday, the express train wasn’t an option so tied with the fact that I would be leaving early as well, my time was cut by 2 hours. I took it a little easier today and clocked about 14 miles of good steady pavement hitting. This day, though I followed the Lake Shore Drive path all the way along the marina front and down the Chicago Riverfront back to Michigan. The second I entered the darkened path headed back west, the little leaf Lindens were so fragrant, I never wanted to leave this sweet heavenly path. I actually needed the umbrella when I got to that path and the rain coming down made the smell that much sweeter. Luckily the showers didn’t last more than 10 minutes or so a few times that day. Kept it cool.
By the end of the 2 days, I had walked approximately 34 miles depending on the mph I was using. I averaged my numbers to the low end of my pace to not get my hopes up for having walked over the recommended amount.
The next weekend I’m able to go and walk won’t be for a few weeks, so I’ll be sure to make them good ones……relaxing ones!
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Training for the 3 - day, June 2008
This was a repost from my Myspace last spring....
Spring, errrr…..Summer, has finally arrived (as I write this it is 89 stinkin degrees outside and has the wind to match) and I’ve been enjoying myself in the city as much as possible. Yes, my city, Chicago.
I have made the trip in via Metra the last 2 weekends to continue my Breast Cancer 3-day walk training and between the two days one week apart, have racked up about 28 miles of pavement pounding that reaches as far south as Roosevelt and all the way north to the beach and many routes in between. My miles spanned across about 7 hours, so the 13 miles didn’t really feel that bad.
I was fortunate enough this trip around to actually see the planters complete with blooming tulips. This was the first time I was so privileged. Here are some of the shots.
I had packed in some shopping as well as a rest at the North Beach Castaways for a siesta and a 16 ouncer. The first day I went, it was a cool 50 degrees or so and because it was the first day the beach was open, there more people playing volleyball in their new bikinis and board shorts than I thought should be out so naked in that cold.
I was even able to be obliged by the Buckingham fountain to see her spouting all of her glory….another first for me surprisingly.
The path from the south side to the north was beautiful and I marvel at how well the city treats its pedestrians. They have several, not just one, paths following any general direction at any given time. If you want to walk through the rose garden, the city obliges. If you want to walk next to the roadway, again obliging. If you want to be more solitude, they accommodate those as well with this beautiful tree-lined path. Despite the amount of people that use the path, it feels as if you’re the only one because of the trees.
The lake view from Adler Planetarian on my southern part of my trip was stellar, as usual. The last time I was there though was a 60 degree day in February last year when I wanted to take some ice shots of the lake and the skyline. Sadly, it had already melted. Global warming is scary. The skyline is just as beautiful.
And another…..
Upon walking back on MI avenue, I happened to bottleneck near the Tribune building and noticed for the first time the stones embedded in the side of the bricks denoting all the famous pieces of stone and materials taken from famous buildings and landmarks from all around the world. Here are some of them. Amazing huh? I still am in awe at the new things I learn with each visit.
I wonder though….who was supplying us with these pieces of these buildings and wonder now how structurally sound they are after said bricks were removed and put into our building.
This fine building was constructed in 1925, so says the brick.
Edinburgh Castle
Westminster Abbey
The Taj Majal – WOW!
A piece of the Massachusettes building at Harvard University & a piece from a building in Switzerland. Hey, how famous could it be? I’ve never even heard of it.
Luther’s Warburg in Germany – HUH?
And finally, the Great Wall of China. Very cool.
I am amazed every day I visit, but vow that next visit, that it’s just me, my book, my ipod and a towel for a casual dip into the lake up at North Beach. Gosh, who could ask for more?
Spring, errrr…..Summer, has finally arrived (as I write this it is 89 stinkin degrees outside and has the wind to match) and I’ve been enjoying myself in the city as much as possible. Yes, my city, Chicago.
I have made the trip in via Metra the last 2 weekends to continue my Breast Cancer 3-day walk training and between the two days one week apart, have racked up about 28 miles of pavement pounding that reaches as far south as Roosevelt and all the way north to the beach and many routes in between. My miles spanned across about 7 hours, so the 13 miles didn’t really feel that bad.
I was fortunate enough this trip around to actually see the planters complete with blooming tulips. This was the first time I was so privileged. Here are some of the shots.
I had packed in some shopping as well as a rest at the North Beach Castaways for a siesta and a 16 ouncer. The first day I went, it was a cool 50 degrees or so and because it was the first day the beach was open, there more people playing volleyball in their new bikinis and board shorts than I thought should be out so naked in that cold.
I was even able to be obliged by the Buckingham fountain to see her spouting all of her glory….another first for me surprisingly.
The path from the south side to the north was beautiful and I marvel at how well the city treats its pedestrians. They have several, not just one, paths following any general direction at any given time. If you want to walk through the rose garden, the city obliges. If you want to walk next to the roadway, again obliging. If you want to be more solitude, they accommodate those as well with this beautiful tree-lined path. Despite the amount of people that use the path, it feels as if you’re the only one because of the trees.
The lake view from Adler Planetarian on my southern part of my trip was stellar, as usual. The last time I was there though was a 60 degree day in February last year when I wanted to take some ice shots of the lake and the skyline. Sadly, it had already melted. Global warming is scary. The skyline is just as beautiful.
And another…..
Upon walking back on MI avenue, I happened to bottleneck near the Tribune building and noticed for the first time the stones embedded in the side of the bricks denoting all the famous pieces of stone and materials taken from famous buildings and landmarks from all around the world. Here are some of them. Amazing huh? I still am in awe at the new things I learn with each visit.
I wonder though….who was supplying us with these pieces of these buildings and wonder now how structurally sound they are after said bricks were removed and put into our building.
This fine building was constructed in 1925, so says the brick.
Edinburgh Castle
Westminster Abbey
The Taj Majal – WOW!
A piece of the Massachusettes building at Harvard University & a piece from a building in Switzerland. Hey, how famous could it be? I’ve never even heard of it.
Luther’s Warburg in Germany – HUH?
And finally, the Great Wall of China. Very cool.
I am amazed every day I visit, but vow that next visit, that it’s just me, my book, my ipod and a towel for a casual dip into the lake up at North Beach. Gosh, who could ask for more?
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