The Bean!

We couldn't leave Chicago without seeing the bean!

And last but not least, we rented bikes and rode up along the lake shore.  Now that was fun.  And so so pretty!  A little windy, but pretty!

 On our way back we stopped and got some Garrett's popcorn which was delish.  The Chicago mix is a mix between caramel and cheddar.  It sounds like it would be gross, but it was surprisingly so good!

 Street dancing at its finest.

It was SO FUN to meet up with these girls 5 years later to reminisce about our study abroad and explore the city together.  So what are we going to do for our 10 year reunion?!

Pizza and the Pier

There were a lot of different opinions about who made the "best" chicago deep dish pizza, but let me tell you, this place was DElicous.  Not too much sauce and fresh tomatoes. Yum.  I'm craving it now just telling you about it.

 

Cutest little Chicago baby! So glad I got to meet this doll!

 Lake Michigan was so gorgeous. 

Chicago

Since last October I've been counting down till my work conference in Chicago and getting to see two of my besties!  I've always wanted to see the windy city so I was super excited to get to go.  It did not disappoint.  I loved it.  I was impressed at how clean and big it was. I stayed right on the Magnificent Mile and the shopping was incredible too.

We mastered the whole public transportation thing in Europe, so we had to document Chicago's.

One of my favorite things we did was the architectural water tour.  Also one of the most famous touristy things to do in Chicago, and definitely worth it.  It was so neat to see all the different buildings and learn about the history of the city.  We even got to see where the building where some of the Batman movies were filmed.  

And apparently the Sears Tower is now renamed the Willis Tower?  I had no clue...

Just saw this guy chilling in the park.  He takes sunbathing to a whole new level.

Braves Country

A few weeks ago we headed to GA for the Braves game.  I cannot believe it had been almost 5 years since I had been to one.  The last one was actually my first date with Kyle! Good times.  Good memories for sure!

Aunt Susan and uncle Mike definitely spoiled us with AMAZING tickets and seats.  We had the best time and it was great to see them! The only bummer was that we didn't get to sit with them... but we sure had a blast.

That weekend I was scheduled to do my first sprint tri of the season at lake lanier too.  (i mean why not, since we were over there anyways?).  But lets rewind and talk about weather for a minute. We've had the rainiest weather in April and May.  It's been ridiculous.  Every single saturday for like 5-6 weeks in a row it has rained.  (remember the half I ran in the pouring rain, ya, like that).  So I wake up the morning of the race and get dressed only to get an email that the race is cancelled due to severe weather.  I was so mad!!! 

BUT, at least we didn't have rain at the Braves game! And they won!

check out our seats

Mother's Day

Mother's Day weekend I headed down to Sandestin to join mom and brandon at the beach.  It was a short weekend, but we had a great time shopping, getting some sun, eating, and relaxing.  Saturday morning it rained, but then cleared up enough in the afternoon for us to go to the beach.  Sunday was gorgeous and sunny so we got a few hours out by the pool before we had to get on the road. 

It was a perfect Mother's Day weekend spent with my best friend, my mom. Thank you Mom. Thank you for your endless love, patience and dedication you show us each day and for raising me to be the person I am today.  Your service and example of love is something I cannot begin to express enough gratitude for. 

Nashville Country Music Half Marathon

I've always heard the Nashville Country Music Marathon is an awesome race, so this year when Stephanie asked me if I wanted to do the half, I was all in.  Last year the weather during this race was apparently a scorching 80 degrees, and this year it was a cool 55 degree rain.  And when I say rain, I mean the kind of rain that causes big puddles and small streams and never lets up.  Ok people, it poured. The ENTIRE race.

We started getting anxious this week when the forecast kept creeping up to an 80% chance of rain, but I honestly thought we would be ok.  Turns out the weather people actually know what they are talking about.  At 5am it was dry, by 6am it was sprinkling, and by 7am when the race started, it was a consistent rain.  Not a hard rain, but an annoying not-letting-up-rain.  They started 5 minutes late and let me tell you, that was the longest 5 minutes of the race just standing there getting wet and cold.  It felt so good to finally get running! (and closer to the finish line)

The course was quite hilly in the beginning I felt like, but the people and bands were amazing.  I was shocked at how many people still came out in the rain to cheer us all on.  It didn't seem like there were a lot of bands along the way, but we were grateful for those that did still come out.  The atmosphere overall was really fun!  And I actually ended up getting used to the rain and enjoying the race!  I never thought I would enjoy running 13 miles in rain, but it was fun.

I'm not going to lie though, I felt so bad for those people running the full marathon.  Bc around mile 11 or 12, it started down pouring.  I think the worst part about the water was whenever we would run uphill, the water would be streaming downhill... so of course our shoes were soaked within a mile or 2 in.  Swiftwick socks are amazing though and we managed to finish with 0 blisters.  

It was definitely a memorable run! Finished 1:48 and with the hills and rain, I started out knowing I didn't want to PR.... just wanted to keep a smile on my face and have fun despite the weather.  And we did.

Tanehill State Park

Steph, my running, cycling, and tri training buddy and friend, convinced me to do a 44-mile ride with her at Tanehill State Park on Saturday.  I call it a ride bc it really wasn't a race...even though there were numbers on everyone's backs/bikes, organized rest stops, etc.

I loved the feel of it. So laid back and everyone was there to just complete the ride. No competition really.  There were 3 options- 44, 66, and 100 miler rides.  100 miles! I can't even imagine.  It took us just over 3 hours to complete 44 miles (with a rest stop), so you do the math.  Those people were riding ALL day.  yikes.  That's not for me.  I like cycling, but not that much!

Before this ride the furthest I had gone was 27ish. I was a little nervous, but it turned out great.  And it was more fun than I had anticipated 3 hours on the bike would be. The views were gorgeous! Rolling green hills out in the country.  Sightings included dogs running next to us, a man in his overalls sans shirt on his porch, beautiful lakes, green trees and blooming flowers, etc.

Pre-ride (pre-sunburn)

half way there! takin a rest stop, eating food, drinking lots, and getting some s.u.n. and no we didn't plan our matching jerseys. yes, great minds think alike.

It kind of makes me want to do a half ironman. One day. muahahah.