I received this email today.

I have said before that I don’t ‘train’ for races but that doesn’t mean I don’t prepare in any way.  I run whenever I can and as far as I want.  This tactic hasn’t failed for me yet so I’m sticking with it.

Even though I have run 3-4 times a week the last few months I still don’t feel ready for this 10 mile race.  The runs I do are rushed in the morning before work and never reach above 3 miles.  This Saturday is 10 miles……7 more than normal.

I know I can do it. It might not be 8 minute miles and I think I’m ok with that.  I am beyond competitive with myself but I need to chill out with that because it is just not necessary.  Running is fun. It’s my ‘me’ time and just crossing that finish line is an accomplishment in itself.

Have you ever felt not as prepared for a race as you think you should? Any tips to get over it? 

I have been very MIA from my blog.  It happens.

This is why…

We were in NY for a weekend.

Obviously shopping, family  and friends occurred.

Went to my first Cubs game with co-workers.  The Cubs won!

Have you heard of Big and Littles?  It is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that was featured on Diners Drive-ins and Dives.  It’s blocks from my office and apartment so I decided to try it.  OMG it was delicious!!!!  Can’t wait to go back! Fish tacos FTW!

I think it’s safe to save Spring has arrived in Chicago!!  It has been beautiful weather that keeps me outdoors as much as I can.

And then we had these 2 couples visit!!!  These are literally the only photos I took from the weekend but I know Anne Taite and Marie took many others.

What have you been doing??

*All images belong to A Hop, Skip & Jump To The Midwest unless otherwise stated.

Simply Stylist is coming to Chicago!

It’s a day full of shopping, beauty and more! Tickets can be purchased here. There will be a networking lunch, fashion and beauty panel, and a private shopping event, where CBN‘s Kelly Ryan O’Brien will be holding her own breakout session on #SelfSmarketing.

Hope to see you there on June 8th!

Happy Mother’s Day!!!

We won’t be with our family today but we did send cute cards and gifts their way.

This lady here is my Mom.  29 years of memories is absolutely impossible to write about. I pause each day when I do something like you…it’s scary and happening more often but I’m ok with it because I’d love to be the lady you are!

Click for Kate Leigh’s site

This lady came into my life 6 years ago and I think I’ll let her stay! She is a ball of energy that is non-stop all day (literally sleeps 3 hours a night).  I know when I’m with her there will never be a dull moment.

Click for Kate Leigh’s site

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, moms-to-be and moms not with us any longer.  You all rock!

I’ve been a little MIA but it only means more photos for Friday Fone Frenzy!

I found a Boston Market close to our apartment.  Happy Husband = Happy Wife.

There is a Magnolia Bakery in Chicago so of course we brought it to a dinner party.  NY representing.

I signed up for Birchbox and received my first box.  I plan to do a full review because I have a lot to say.

I played a 108 point word against my cousin.  

Drinks with a friends ended up being a drunk night out on the town.  Obviously we ended the night at Bub City because their live bands are amazing. 

They film Chicago Fire around Chicago but last week it in on the same block that I work for a couple days.  I don’t watch the show but I did recognize some of the cast.  

I love AMERICA!

We went to the original Billy Goat Tavern which was an experience.  Click the name of the restaurant to see the SNL skit that made this place famous.

I went to my first hockey game at the United Center.  I’ve been to a Blackhawks game before but it was at Wrigley Field for the Winter Classic….never at the United Center.

Got brunch with a friend at Longman & Eagle.  I think it’s more of a meat-eaters place but I did enjoy my bloody mary and cauliflower salad. The wait was 1.5 hours on a Sunday at noon so be prepared to either wait or try to find a spot at the bar like we did.

I felt a cold coming on so I’ve been overloading on Vitamin C.  I took yesterday off and definitely feel much better today.  Good thing because we are heading home this weekend for our cousins Bat Mitzvah.  Wouldn’t want to be sick for this!What’s been going on with you?

Joining in on a Sunday Social with Ashley and Neely.

click for source

I am speechless.

#prayersforboston

As a member of the Chicago Blogger Network I was invited to the Time Out Eat Out Awards on Monday!  A chance to wine and dine with the chefs and owners of the hottest Chicago restaurants….sounds like heaven to me!

The Bloggers in Action

And the winners are:

Best New Restaurant: Fat Rice
Best New Bar: Scofflaw
Breakout Chef of the Year: Lee Wolen, The Lobby at the Peninsula Chicago
Best New Pastry Chef: Anna Shovers, The Publican
Restaurateur of the Year: Brendan Sodikoff
Best New Cocktail Program: Charles Joly, The Aviary and The Office
Neighborhood Joint of the Year: Carriage House
Cheap Eatery of the Year: Antique Taco
Best New Sweets Shop: Bang Bang Pie Shop
Best New BYOB: ATK
Best New Brunch: Au Cheval
Best New Barbecue: Bub City 
Best New Sushi: Kai Zan
Best New Coffee Shop: Little Goat Bread
Best Local Microbrewery: Revolution Brewing

We have now added many restaurants to our ever-growing Chicago musts!

*All images belong to A Hop, Skip & Jump To The Midwest unless otherwise stated.

Kelly is hosting a Running Blogger Survey Link-up. Answer these questions on your blog and link-up on her post!

Best Run Ever

The Windsor Half Marathon was my best run so far.  I was so proud of myself for finishing and crossing that line.  A couple years ago I was a lazy bum and could hardly run a mile. This was my first half and has made me only want to run more and more!

Three Words That Describe My Running

Random, unplanned,  and fun. I cannot for the life of me follow a training plan.  I don’t ever set a mileage or time before I go for a run. I just go out and keep going until I want to turn back around.  I do always try to make it a round number so if I’m close to the next mile marker I’ll keep going until I reach it.  I find this to make the run more enjoyable.

My Go-To Running Outfit

I’m trying to get comfortable running in shorts but until then my go-to running outfit is a grey pair of Nike capris, a tech t-shirt and a headband with my hair in a braid.

Quirky Habit While Running

I talk to myself the entire time.  I also write blog posts in my head.

Morning, Mid-day or Evening

During the week morning, over the weekend – late morning. During the week I run before work but on the weekends I take my time in the morning before heading out for a longer run.

I Won’t Run Outside When It’s …

30 degrees or below.  I’m a baby about it.

Worst Injury, and How I Got Over It

Knock on wood…haven’t had a horrible injury yet.

I Felt Most Like a Badass Runner When

I knock out times that most people train to achieve and I hardly train.

Running Goal for 2013

Beat my half marathon PR of 1:57:59.

Next Race

JP Morgan Corporate Challenge on May 23rd.  This is a fun run for me because this is how I got into running. It was at my first job and they needed someone to run the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge so I was chosen and dreaded every second of it since I hadn’t run more than a mile in a long long time.  I ran the 3.5 miles in a good time and haven’t stopped running ever since!

*All images belong to A Hop, Skip & Jump To The Midwest unless otherwise stated.

There is a lot of hype about Nellcôte. It’s a very modern, fun atmosphere inside especially since they give you that weeks’ US Weekly and The New York Time to read during brunch.

Chicago Magazine named Nellcôte one of the top 20 new restaurants so  Jon and I decided to make a brunch reservation there last weekend.

The menu is a set menu ($18) where you start with a plate of cheese, salami, brioche bread, etc and choose a main off the menu.

I ordered the whole wheat pancakes with lemon curd, ricotta, and blueberry maple syrup.

My thoughts….the pancakes were VERY dry and the ‘syrup’ was watery.

Jon ordered the smoked organic salmon bagel with cream cheese, egg, tomato, cucumber, and capers.

The bagel was pretty much a bagel bite and the ‘smoked salmon’ was cooked all the way through.  We thought it was going to be lox….maybe our fault?

We haven’t tried dinner at Nellcôte but I would be up for it.  Brunch for us was sub-par and I wouldn’t recommend it at all.  There are much better places throughout Chicago.

I would suggest going for drinks.  It’s a perfect spot for catching up with the girls during happy hour.

Have you been to Nellcôte? What did you think?

*All images belong to A Hop, Skip & Jump To The Midwest unless otherwise stated.