Crew Member Ellis-Pelletier

The final bridesmaid I'd like to introduce is Doctor Amanda Ellis-Pelletier

aka. A-train.  

Amanda and I met at University of Michigan when she was dating a guy I knew,  I remembered her as the sweet girl with the cute puppy.  When I found out she and I would be starting in the same medical school class, I made sure to search her out the first day of orientation.   At that point I had no idea how close our friendship would become.

Side note here:

That first day Amanda, Jordana and 3 boys we'd just met played sand volleyball.  The six of us, along with another few immediately became friends.  It is hard to explain the isolated world of suburban medical school.  A few weeks in 9/11 happened.  It was more than clear this group would always be more than ordinary friends.  Perhaps because we shared the journey of medical school, dealing with the excitement and stress, seeing the inside of a cadaver together, watching people die for the first time, and watching a baby be delivered for the first time helped tie us together.  Jordana had a theory that sharing an experience and watching how it changed each of us made us sometimes feel like we understood each other in a way others might not.  I think she is onto something.

BUT I DIGRESS.

 Amanda and I became roommates during our second year of medical school and stayed roommates from the ages of 23 until almost 30 when she got married.  If you live with someone for those 6 years where you transitioned from glorified-teenager to real adult, you might have an idea of how close we became.  We were the first to share the highs and lows of our everyday life.  We counted on each other during some very major life changing events.  We were each others wingmen, sometimes taking Chicago by storm.  We were each others family.  And we could host one hell of a party.

I've never seen a goal that Amanda didn't crush.  She graduated from The University of Michigan with a degree in Biopsychology before moving to Chicago for medical school.  She graduated in the top 5% of our class and then continued at the highly ranked University of Chicago- Comer Children's Hospital for a residency in Pediatrics.  She was honored with the duty of Chief resident for an additional year, and in her spare time completed a fellowship in medical ethics.  She then continued on to complete a fellowship in pediatric intensive care.  She will be starting a job at Rush University as a Pediatric Intensivist TOMORROW (good luck Amanda). Amanda somehow makes tomboy and girly-girly not seem mutually exlusive.  She loves to hike, camp, watch football and try pretty much anything adventurous and active; but she also is a talented cook/baker, loves entertaining, has more holiday decorations than anyone I know, loves accessorizing and has always been ready to be a wonderful mother.  Her husband Aaron and two adorable kids Josie and Evie know they are lucky to have a mom who is a jack-of-all-trades.

Amanda and I have each found our new "roommates" but that hasn't made our friendship falter.  We have the most laid back and stable friendship you could imagine.  We get each other and somehow know what the other is going through even without asking.  My life is a better place with her in it.

Thirty Four

Wed was my 34th birthday. As I was driving to work I was thinking about what 34 meant to me.  It means that I'm in a new age group for triathlons next summer  (35-39 since I'l lbe 35 by the end of next year).

But then I got to thinking about Walter Payton.

This is my first week as the attending on the liver transplant service.  It's been particularly stressful.
I have three patients who are the highest on the transplant list in each of their respective blood groups.  They have MELD scores of 40, which basically means without a liver transplant very very soon, they won't live.  I've been living and breathing the hospital and even when I'm home it's all I think about.  I'm doing everything I can to keep these patients ready for a transplant.....but still not a single liver donataion has become available.  

So Walter Payton has special meaning to me on my 34th birthday.  I thank him/his family for all they have donated to The Walter Payton Liver Center, where I spent the last 7 years training and learning how to be a good liver doctor.  More importantly I thank him for everything he did to raise awareness about organ donation.  Read more about that in an old blog post here.

 Countless facebook messages, calls and packages from my mother helped make my birthday feel like a special day, even though I was on call.  Jay had several great surprises at home and took me to dinner at

Lake Park Bistro, an old school fancy french resturant with a great view over Lake Michigan. 
I did my best to put work away for a few hours, but to be honest I have not mastered the work-life balance yet.  I hope that comes with time.  I'm lucky I have a fiance who has been very supportive and understand the past week.

DIY Glitter and Chalkboard Wine Glasses

For Andrea's bachelorette party, we'd planned a wine tasting. Since her wedding color is gold, I wanted to make some gold glitter wine glasses similar to those I found on this blog.

I also loved the idea of a chalkboard base to write our names and keep our track of our wine glasses.

Making these glasses was so easy and a lot of fun.  Here's how I did it.

1. Bought a box of 12 wine glasses from Walmart for $15.00 and used tape to mark the base of the glasses.

 2.  I applied a few coats of chalkboard paint to the base. you could use chalkboard spray paint if you have some.

 3. Using Martha Stewart Glitter Craft Paint and a plunger, I applied gold glitter paint from to the body of the wine glass using the technique explained on this blog.

Mine took three coats.

 4. Buy some chalk and you're read for a bachelorette wine tasting party!

Andrea's Bachelorette So-Cal Style

What's better than two weekends in a row with my college roommates? 

This weekend was a celebration of Andrea's single days, which are quickly coming to an end.  There are only a few more weeks until her wedding; I'm more excited for now than ever after a weekend getting to know her fiance, followed by a weekend getting to know her hilarious friends. 

We rented a giant house in Temecula, California about 90 miles outside of L.A.  The cloudless sky and 80 degree temps made for a perfect day lounging by the pool.  The home was perfectly landscaped with fountains and mountains in view.  We had a pool table, hot tub, pool side bar and firepit for late night smores.

Spending more time with Andrea and Annie was needed, helping me feel grounded in this somewhat chaotic time in my life.

Andrea's friends and sisters flew in from D.C, Texas, Chicago and plenty of So-Cal ladies drove in for the party.  Wine tasting, DIY spa treatments and plenty of top-secret conversations made hanging out with these ladies easily feel like we'd known each other longer than one day!

No doubt Andrea is going to make one beautiful bride in November. 

Chicago Marathon

 This weekend was my spectator as a marathon spectator. 

I've been looking forward to this one for a year, my original intention to sit this one out to cheer from Jay.  Since we started dating, he's spent countless days supporting my triathlons and marathons.  I have not been able to return the favor and be proud fiance from the sidelines.  

 Once he learned one of his closest friends was getting married the night before, it was a no-brainer that he would sit this one out.  So I'll wait to cheer him on another year.  

 I was so excited to cheer on some of my favorite friends and I made 6 signs to prove it.  I was thrilled I saw almost everyone I was looking for.  The only exception was Ides, but I had no idea he had become such a mountain man.

Andrea came from LA and rocked out a PR marathon, Anu kicked some booty, Mandi and Ides took advantage of their altitude training and Bratis finished her first marathon ever! 

Perhaps the best part about marathon weekend was spending time with my college rooms and getting a chance to know their guys better.  Friday night we had a carb loading dinner at Rosebuds.

Sunday Annie cheered Andrea from Lincoln Park and Pete and I enjoyed a sideline PBR in the West Loop and at the finish line.  I might have been more excited for her to see all of my favorite city by foot than she was!  I was so happy to spend the day with Dre's fiance, now I was able to see for myself why they are the perfect match.

I finished up my weekend tour with a beer on Southport with Andy, Mandi and Carrie D. followed by a homemade dinner in the north burbs w Amanda and Aaron.

I might not have a lot of friends in my new city yet, but I can really cram in some fun into my Chicago weekends!

Maureen and Russ's Wedding

This Saturday Jay and I drove just across the Mississippi to celebrate Mo and Russ's nuptials in Davenport, Iowa.  The bride and groom were glowing; the party was great!

Since Jan. I've visited wedding websites a few times a week.  It's always fun to see the details other people use to make their weddings unique and personal as a couple.  Here are a few of the details and moments from Mo and Russ's wedding which were my favorite.

An Irish Wedding Blessing is perfect on the ceremony program of this red headed bride.

She might have given up the name Cavanagh, but she'll still wear her Claddagh ring.

This moment, no one could have predicted.  Somehow our group of friends decided hanging out in the coat closet (aka Champagne lodge) would be a good idea during cocktail hour.  It was pretty awesome in there.

Handmade wheat centerpieces.  So creative and fitting for an Iowa wedding.

Father-daughter dance is always my fav.  This father is dancing with his fourth and youngest daughter.

Love- the low bun and the love in this grooms face.

We had a blast.  I'm getting so excited for my own wedding!

Top 5 Women's Triathlons or Triathlon Series

New women's running and obstacle races are popping up every day.  There are good reasons for that.   Grab your friends, train to achieve a goal together and make a girls weekend out of it!  Sounds perfect?! 

More and more women are tackling the goal of completing a triathlon; womens-only races are a great place to start. Typically these races have less intimidating swims, one of the major deterrents for newbies entering the sport.  The athletes are extremely supportive and encouraging with each other.  Truthfully there is nothing like watching a bunch of dads and kids line the streets with "Go Mommy" signs.  

Here is a list I compiled of the Top 5 Women-Only Triathlons (Series).  There are many to choose from, so I picked these based on my own experience or someone I know who had a good time!

Number One-  SheRox Triathlon Series 

Distances:  vary based on location

 This was the first triathlon I completed and years later spectated my roommate complete her first triathlon (pictured below).  We both did the Naperville location.  The swim is in an outdoor reservoir, which has lane lines.  You zig-zag your way through making the swim very do-able.  Heats are started in small waves and you request a "swim buddy" if you are not comfortable in the water.  There are locations all across the country, including Bermuda (HELLO!!!)   The races are well supported and there are always a few big-name triathletes who compete in the races.  Newbies are offered a mentor program as well!

Number Two: Danskin Womens-Only Triathlon Series

Distances:  Swim 0.5 mile  Bike 12 mile  Run 3.1 mile

This race series is 20 years strong.  I've never competed in one, but several girlfriends vouch for the series.  Run by The Xxtra Mile LLC, they describe themselves as women helping other women identify and achieve their personal goals in a safe, supportive, active and female centric environment.  They offer training programs and charitable donations as well.  Last year they had 8 locations nationwide and all reviews are great.  Races fill up early so check the schedule now!

Number Three: Barb’s Race

Distance: Swim 1.5 miles, Bike 56 miles, Run 13.1 miles

(this is called a 70.3 or half-ironman distance)

Barb's race is a half-ironman held in Sonoma on the same day as the full ironman-distance Vineman.  I completed a race on the same course in 2010.  This race is no joke, but what an amazing opportunity to take triathlon to the next level while fundraising for women with cancer.  Barb's Race has raised over 500,000 for cancer research since 2001.  The swim is held in the Russian River (not far from Korbel-hello!) the 56 mile bike winds through the hilly vineyards of Sonoma.  The run is also fairly hilly, compared to Chicago at least, but beautiful.  I highly recommend staying an extra few days to celebrate your victory with some wine tasting in Napa/Sonoma counties.

Number Four:  IronGirl Triathlon Series

Distances Vary based on location

IronGirl, sponsored by Athleta is a series of running races and triathlons throughout the country.  There motto- empower women towards a healthy lifestyle.  I have heard wonderful things about the Vegas race and ending your weekend in Vegas with the girls doesn't hurt either.  Unfortunately, the website does not separate triathlons from running races, so let me save you the trouble.  Triathlon locations in 2012 were Tahoe, Vegas, Colombia, Syracuse, Boulder and Atlanta.

Number Five:  Tri Goddess Tri

This race earned a spot on the list because I've been really impressed with Epic Races in general.  I sent them an email in the past about their 70.3 distance race and got a response almost immediately.  There are two separate women's only weekends offering a variety of distances ranging from min-sprint all the way to half-ironman on the same day.  They also offer a duathlon the same weekend.  This is a great place to go if you and your girlfriends have varying levels of endurance.  Located just outside Ann Arbor, Michigan the swim is in a calm inland lake and the bike/run course relatively flat.  I plan to race here next year.  Also check out their He Tried-She Tried race for a cool concept with your man.

Honorable Mention: Rambling Rose Triathlon Series

Distances:  swim 225 yards,  bike 8 miles and run 2 miles.

This is a series of races in North Carolina sponsored by Endurance Magazine.  I don't know anyone who's done one of these, but reading the website it looks like a cool concept.  The swim is in a pool, seems like you stay in your lane and swim the distance.  Then you head outside for the bike and run.  The distances are shorter than many other triathlons making this a great one for a new triathlete.

Maybe you're ready for a new challenge?  Seriously nearly anyone can complete a triathlon.  If none of the races above appeal to you check out TriFind for a full list of races in your area.  Look for REV3 series and Luna bar to be making big movements in the next few years as well!!

This post was featured on FitFluential blog today.  Check it out.