Nashville Weekend

Jay and I love LOVE to eat.  We've gotten a little better with working on our cooking skills, but we still enjoy a great restaurant.  When we travel we love to investigate great places before our trips and often solicit advice from friends.

Friday when we arrived in Nashville, we first went to the CMM race expo and after a good amount of time with people in florescent shoes and visors (yes, even indoors) we had had enough.  We quickly re-entered society with a meal at Merchants on Broadway.

Any place that serves fancy popcorn while you wait for your meal is OK by me.  Fried green tomatoes and other southern delites fill the menu.  Such a cool place that stands alone on Broadway among the endless bar food.

After some down time at the hotel we walked to a speak-easy type place for drinks called The Patterson House.  Named after Nashvilles Gov. Patterson who tried to veto prohibition, this very small, dark place reminds me of Violet Hour or Aviary.  The mixologist prepares drinks right at your seat and the drinks are sip-worthy.

After one drink each, we headed to Midtown Cafe for an early pasta dinner.  The food, the decor, the service all outstanding.  Highly recommend to anyone heading to Nashville.

After the race and recovery Saturday morning, we headed to 12 South neighborhood for some lunch at 12 South Taproom and then a coffee at The Frothy Monkey.  I was hoping to catch a glimpse of Taylor Swift, be we weren't like totally ever going to be that lucky.

Then the fun began.  Broadway for some serious honky tonking.  If you've never been to Nashville, picture a street with at least 15 bars, each with at least one live music act going on.  No cover.  Plenty of cheap beer.  We spent 6 hours honky tonk hopping and heard some unbelievable talent, all for free.

Oh. Did I mention Jimmy Buffet was playing at the arena?  I'm sure you can imagine what kind of spectacle that drew.  A night to remember.

I love Nashville.  Anyone want to head back for next year's race?  I'm talking to you scrodnals.

Country Music Half Marathon- Rock and Roll Nashville

 This weekend Jay and I flew to Nashville for our first race in 2013 and first as husband and wife.  

We chose to do this race when Rock and Roll race series offered a discount on National Running Day last year. We picked this one because we thought it would be a fun city to explore and the timing seemed right to motivate us in the early months of 2013.  When we registered neither of us realized it was "The Country Music Marathon/Half-Marathon" but retrospectively it makes sense.  Since registering, both of us have been hooked by the TV series "Nashville" and I couldn't wait to explore the city on foot.  And to be honest, by the end of the weekend I actually kind of dig country music.  (GASP)

The race had several tributes to the people affected by the tragedy at the Boston Marathon.  Runners were given Boston-Run-Now bracelets and a moment of silence before the race where all 25,000 runners held their bracelets in the air.  The police support was notable, especially at the start when runners tossed the trash bags they had been wearing to the side making large piles of trash for the officers to carefully inspect.  Despite the cold weather and heavy rainfall, the spectator crowd was still huge.

 

 (Half Marathon course in Purple)

I hadn't thought much about what this race would entail.  It came to my surprise when in the corral before the race people were talking about how this was "not a PR course" and "super hilly."  Not a hill lover, I made a mental note that I would do my best to run up each and every hill, something new for me because I usually walk the big ones.  And there were plenty.  To be honest, the entire race felt like it was either uphill or downhill.  No flat stretches to be found.  The course rounded by Vanderbilt, down Broadway past the honky tonks, past Belmont University, through the trendy neighborhoods The Gulch and 12 South and ending at LP stadium where the Titans play.  The down-pour didn't keep the numerous bands from lining the streets playing country favorites and college kids blasting pop music from their porches.  I was so very proud that I just kept running, despite what felt like 100 pound soaking wet yoga pants and running shoes.  I had a big fat smile the entire race, something probably only someone else crazy enough to run 13 miles in the freezing rain would understand.  The race was so well supported with tons of aid stations and a great finish line spread!

 (The best fake smiles we could find looking for a taxi)

The 'after the race' part was not so fun.  Sweaty, freezing and in a thunderstorm trying to find Jay among 25,000 runners and their families.  We had been smart enough to pick a meeting place before the race, Jay waited over an hour for me.  Then we spent another 30-45 minutes walking in the freezing cold trying to find a taxi to our hotel.  No fun at all.  But after a very long hot shower and some coffee, we were cheerful again and ready to talk about how awesome each of our race experience was.

I didn't wear a watch, so I didn't really know my actual race time until Sunday morning.  Since I didn't have a goal in mind and because I've grown a custom to listening to how my body feels while running rather than looking at my pace, it didn't bother me.  But I did pay attention to the clocks at the mile markers.  I knew I was holding somewhere between a 10 minute and 11 minute mile and I was so happy with that.  It's been a long time since I've run an entire half marathon.  And a that pace, with those hills, I exceeded what I thought I was capable of.

Jay kicked some butt too!  Top 10% of all racers. 

We're both excited too see how we do at our next race:

Summerfest Half marathon here in Milwaukee.

Out and About Milwaukee

 I get plenty of harassment at work for heading to Chicago every weekend.  This weekend was one of the first we've stayed in Milwaukee when I wasn't on call.  We made the most of it.  Friday night we went to The Milwaukee Art Museum for the monthly Museum After Dark event.  This month was Black and White theme.  Cocktails, black and white appetizers and plenty of hands on art projects throughout the museum.  There was a DJ and dueling pianos.  Such a cool event.  We'll be going back again, since we are museum members thanks to Smooth Dave and Molly!

After the museum we went for a late dinner at Smoke Shack.  I've been wanting to try this place. The atmosphere was cool.....unfortunatley so was the food.  Nothing worse than being so excited for a BBQ pulled pork and having it served luke warm.  The concept of this place is great, mason jar drinks, ribs, plenty of types of BBQ sauce.  Sadly the execution is lacking.  We won't be back to this one.

 Saturday morning I prepared for this coming weekend's half marathon with a cold but sun filled 10 mile run along Milwaukee's lake front.  It was a beautiful day despite the brisk 30 degree temp.

Next Jay and I prepared for our first dinner guests.  Using recipes from one of my favorite blogs and also from my "Girl and the Goat" cookbook from Natalie and Judy.  It was quite the spread.  Looking forward to having more people for dinner soon!

 Sunday was my first trip to Miller Park.  The Cubs were in town and we picked up some pretty awesome seats.  Everyone was friendly despite my Cubs gear and the stadium has a retractable roof which was closed keeping it tolerably warm inside.  Cubs lost, but we had a blast anyhow.  Next time we are at Miller Park will be to see Sir Paul McCartney in July.

 Last, but not least, I wrapped up the weekend at The American Liver Foundation Flavors event.  This was by far the coolest fundraiser I've attended.  And NOT just because I'm on the Medical Advisory board for the ALF.  After a silent auction, the black-tie optional crowd took seats at their assigned tables.  Each table of 10-15 people had it's own restaurant from some of the finest in Milwaukee.  The chef and their team prepared the five course meal right at our tables.  Wine pairings included.

Our table was La Reve a swanky french restaurant in Wauwatosa.  Every single ounce of this meal was amazing.  I'm hoping to be able to reserve an entire table next year for my friends.  Hope you'll join me!

Milwaukee is a greatly under-rated city.  We are having a great time exploring all it has to offer.

That being said.....off to Nashville for the weekend.

Two Great Chicago Weekends

We spent the past two weekends in the windy city and had some pretty amazing times.  Last week Friday we met up with some friends for dinner at La Scarola, but first had my very first visit to Richards Bar.  A Chicago experience for sure.

Last weekends main event was Carrie and Brian's wedding.  One of the most elegant wedding's I've been a guest, starting at Forth Pres service complete with trumpets and long beautiful bridesmaids dresses.  A quick stop pre-reception at Pops for Champagne and basketball watching mini-EGRHS reunion style.  The reception at Chicago Cultural center was perfectly put together and so much fun catching up with old friends.

This weekend started with Red Wings vs Blackhawks at the United Center: a thrilling game with a shoot out loss for the Wings. Saturday was jam packed with brunch at Stephanie Izards new restaurant Little Goat with Jamie, dinner with UIC friends at Coast sushi, a bday party at Gaslight.  A long Sunday run along the lakefront with Annie was a great end to my Chicago weekend.

It's always hard to leave the city on Sundays, but stopping in the north burbs to hang with Hamm's makes the transition to Milwaukee much easier.  It gives me something to be excited about as the skyline fades away in the rear-view mirror and there is nothing like spending an evening with a friend who knows you as well as you know yourself!

Thirsty Thursday

BEET IT

1 Large Beet

2 Granny Smith Apples

1 pint blueberries

Sliver of ginger

1 cup of strawberries

 The end result: DELICIOUS.  We both agree.

And with all the antioxidants in this one, we will live forever.

Kona Kase

Everyone loves getting packages in the mail, right?  After 6 months worth of wedding gift surprises on my doorstep every day, I was going through some withdrawl.  Enter Kona Kase.

Kona Kase is a box of 8-10  endurance nutrition samples at your doorstep for $15, monthly and I was lucky enough to try it out this month.  Perfect timing as I start to get serious about my Ironman training this year.  When it arrived at my house, I tore into it!  I couldn't wait to see what was inside.

I was pleasantly surprised.  First, I love the inspirational quote.  Right up my alley. 

Then the products.  Shot blocks and Clif bar crunch are some of my all-time favorite work out nutrition, but I never seem to have any on hand when I need them.  Now I do :)  Plus lots of other great samples including some chocolate treats Jason and I had for desert last night and some gluten-free and vegan options too.

I'm not great about stocking up on nutrition.  Kona Kase is perfect for me.  No hassle, on my doorstep, endurance nutrition.

 

Want to try out Kona Kase? Use the code Tencate to get 50% off one month of Kona Kase!

The boxes are $15 per month and  are available on a month-to-month basis all the way up to a 12-month subscription.   

 

Do I Really Want to Do This?

That question and "You better start training soon" are phrases I've heard several times the last few months from my parents and my husband.  They are among the few people whom I've talked to about the fact that I registered for Ironman Wisconsin in September after a full day off watching the 2012 event.

In all honest, I almost registered at the Steelhead 70.3 when I found out they were offering slots for participants.  Jason and I had a long conversation about it then and he was skeptically supportive of whatever I decided to do.  Spending time in different cities and starting a new and very intense job make 7-8hour bike rides on the weekends sounds next to impossible.  Maybe it just isn't a priority to me anymore?  The "new-ness" of triathlon has worn off.  The motivation of each day training being the farthest I've ever been is gone.  That being said, life just seems to get more and more busy and full of responsibilities- this may be as good as it gets for awhile.

Why in the world would I want to do this?  That's a very long answer that many may never understand.   I may tackle that in a future blog post.  When registered for the 2009 Ironman it was much more clear to me.   I can honestly say, though, that the year 2008-2009 was a major turning point in my life for the better, and I think Ironman had a lot to do with that.  The moment this photo was taken above was one of the happiest (and somewhat delirious) moments of my life.  

The moment this photo was taken, I was waving to Jason and realizing from the way he was looking at me that he was more than just smitten by me.   About 16 miles later, I met an older man named Mike who ran/walked with me for a few miles.  This was his  8th Ironman.  He knew he wasn't going to be as fast as he had been in his younger years, but that wasnt the point.  At that moment, while I was in the hurt box, I made a promise to myself that for as long as I am physically capable, I will complete an Ironman in each of the age groups. 

Well....Guess what.  This year I entered the 35-39 AG.  So let's do this.  I'm going to give it a try.

My life is 180 degrees different than it was in 2009, with 100 more obsticals to good training.  And that year I started training about 5 months earlier than now. 
Time to get after it.