National Running Day is June 1st!

Mark it down on your calendars that National Running Day is June 1st! Not too many articles today, but Paula Radcliffe is back in action this weekend!

Wednesday, May 18 - 7 miles. Ran Creve Couer park with my buddy Ryan during lunch on a pretty warm, sunny day. Hadn't done this route in a while, and was nice to run around the scenic lake as well as have some company since there were a decent amount of people around and about. Hit roughly 4 miles in 33 minutes, felt pretty good. Got in 3 more late at night, very slow.

Thursday, May 19 - 4 miles? I honestly don't remember this day, but I know I didn't get in much.

Friday, May 20 - 0! Scheduled day off. Chicago weekend!!! Ate with Anne at the new Graham Elliot restaurant. Supposed to be fine dining, but more laid back and modernized, and was a pretty trendy place. We did the 5 course tasting menu with wine pairings, and was pretty amazing - these were served more amuse-bouche style, and it was crazy how much flavor you could pack into such a small serving portion! 3 hours of this and wine - heaven.

Saturday, May 21 - 11 miles. Woke up feeling like garbage, stumbled over to the New Balance store to run with the training group. Started with the group, ended up running with Vicki, who was training for the Soldier Field 10 Miler over Memorial Day weekend. Ran a little more aggressively than I was expecting, but pulled through ok (~7 miles in 46:18 I think). Hot morning with the sun, but felt great to get out on Lakeshore. Met up with Anne and Ben shortly
afterwards, got in 4 easy with them. Anne is training for the Chase Corporate Challenge (3.5 mile race), so was good for her to nail this long run. Chill and Grill Festival afterwards, got to sample some great food from the local Chicago restaurants!

Sunday, May 22 - 4 miles. Procrastinated on this one, got out to Lakeshore around 2 p.m. on a hot, hot day. 85 degrees and sunny when I started, I am pretty sure I lost 5 lbs. in sweat. Wouldn't have dared this run at home, but it's Lakeshore and was my last day in Chi, so went ahead and did it. ~33 minutes of suffering, but there were plenty of people outside to feel my pain. 41 miles this week, not bad.

Monday, May 23 - 7 miles. Got out pretty late, and ran on what seemed to be cool at first, but pretty humid. Did 3 out and back on the trail, and 1 Village Circle Loop to hit 7. Felt my body wanting to push, but kept it honest. Hills at the end felt a little eh, but all in all a great run. Drills on the neighborhood street afterwards, sweated away another 5 lbs. or so.