<p>Did the elliptical for an hour (but not piddling around, concentrated and kept my heart rate high) and then some weights, focusing on arms. Will work out (run) later tonight and maybe do hot yoga depending on my schedule. </p>
<p>Needed some music to really push me, so today’s playlist included “Pumped Up Kicks” (Free the People) and “Chelsea Dagger” (The Fratellis). “Chelsea Dagger” is better known as the Chicago Blackhawks song, but there’s something about that rowdy garage-band punk sound that gets me going …</p>
<p>If I had a treadmill at home I think I would enjoy listening to music while I ran because I wouldn’t have to wear earbuds or headphones. It would be fun to come up with playlists for different paces or to vary the pace throughout a workout to encourage strides, a negative split, or a sprint at the end. I would have fun doing that.</p>
<p>Also, at home I could (without guilt) sing along! Not gonna lie, there have been times on the treadmill, with the earbuds - or even outside on the pavement - that it has been difficult to NOT sing out when I’ve been pumped up by the music! Not afraid to make a spectacle of myself… :)</p>
<p>My husband and I were discussing recently that all of my 5Ks have been in this state. It’s time I branch out. Travel! It would be cool to take a trip this summer, somewhere, and another this fall. Woohoo! Know of a great 5K? I want to be there. Tell me about it!</p>
<p>I like the Color Runs and am branching out beyond Chicago to do one in South Bend this fall. They aren’t timed and they aren’t “serious,” which is just what I need.</p>
<p>Thanks for the recommendation, NMinn. Keep 'em coming! Do you know what else there is going on in the area for someone up for adventure? Theater? Craft shows/workshops/unique to the area/artsy spots/good eats/etc? It occurs to me I might need to start a separate thread… But hey, maybe others are up for a jaunt, you never know.</p>
<p>I think 5k’s in Hawaiii would be a great place to start looking. :)</p>
<p>You can start a list similar to mine - I’m trying to run a mile in every state I visit - you can one-up me and start a list of 5k’s in every state!</p>
<p>Midwest 5k’s can be beautiful. I have a running friend in the Chicago area who has participated in many, many neat races. Maybe check out that area. Then you can run and visit Chicago and/or some of the quaint suburbs.</p>
<p>D1 did the Dirty Girl 5K this weekend. She said it was a blast and very laid back. D2 did the 12 mile Tough Mudder. She said it was fun and the running part fairly easy as you go pretty slow thru the mud. She said the obstacles were easy for her except the electric shock part at the end. She made it through quickly but doesn’t like being shocked as you run through muddy water! Seriously…who would???</p>
<p>In the middle of the night during the marathon we passed a woman singing along to her iPod, which is totally fine. For some reason it struck as hilarious (as things might at 3am)! It reminded me of a few years ago when I was aqua-jogging in the lake at the Poconos house and singing along to “YMCA” on my iPod with no idea that everyone on the dock/beaches could hear me! (I’m not a good singer) My sister still laughs about it. </p>
<p>Hmm- fun 5Ks. I’ll have to think about that one! The Komen races got very popular for awhile but the political issues may have affected the atmosphere a little. I always enjoy Christmastime 5Ks with the costumes and festivities.</p>
<p>PG, it’s when I have my foot up on the bucket to get the timing chip snipped off and am hoping I don’t fall over that I can most tell, yes, I have exerted myself, lol.</p>
<p>Putting Chicago on the list of possibilities. </p>
<p>There is such a thing, lol? Who knew! Hm, Southern California or Orlando… It’s been a long time since I’ve been out of the Northwest. We don’t really take vacations. Occasionally an overnight out-of-town. I’m going to give myself permission to do a trip or two. Not likely to be anything too extravagant, but something!</p>
<p>My Tough Mudder D also wants to do the Disney Princess Half Marathon. She is a funny girl! :)</p>
<p>I really like the Park 2 Park. Lovely trails, beautiful fall leaves, well organized and great food and beer at the end! The times were unbelievable last fall with some nationally ranked runners participating. It is not, however, a big city and not much to do in the area. We went to a winery that had outdoor music and that was very relaxing.</p>
<p>In the spirit of fitness / health, H and I have considered doing RAGBRAI at one point ([RAGBRAI](<a href=“http://www.ragbrai.com%5DRAGBRAI%5B/url%5D”>http://www.ragbrai.com)</a>). It’s a bike ride across Iowa. We have a tandem bike. I am a weak bike rider - I didn’t learn to ride a bike til I was 20 years old (true story, don’t ask … this shows what a gym misfit I was), but we now go for 2 hour bike rides on our tandem and have a blast.</p>
Not likely to be anything too extravagant, but something!</p>