Chicago Marathon Recap - Part One

After a lovely dinner with some of my favorite JP runners last Thursday, I flew to Chicago bright and early Friday morning. My Aunt Marie (#1 runner supporter of the weekend) met me at O'Hare where we navigated the "L" into downtown Chicago. After what seemed like quite a journey we finally arrived at the Essex Inn on Michigan Avenue (right across the street from the Start/Finish line!). 

^^view of Grant Park from our hotel

From our hotel we boarded a school bus (yes!) to the expo about 2 miles away. I would just like to add that the Chicago Marathon was the most organized and well supported race I have ever run. From transportation to the expo, to well manned aid stations to volunteers answering questions on race day to number of porta-potties, the race organizers thought of everything (A+++ to them!). The expo was also unlike anything I'd ever been to at a running event. We're talking Volkswagen cars, a full on Nike store, a wine tasting, and all the runner apparel/shoes/gadgets you could think of. 

^^just look at the size of that packet pick-up sign

^^plenty of spots to pose for expo photos

After the expo I ventured to Trader Joe's to stock up on race day essentials (bagels, PB, jelly, etc) while Marie got a mani/pedi at a nearby salon. Pooped from our day of traveling and expo-ing, we opted to have dinner at the hotel restaurant, where I thoroughly enjoyed my burger/fries/Magner's cider (that's carbo-loading, riiiiight?). 

Saturday morning we woke up early and decided to head out for a run/walk to check out the start line and hopefully see the "Bean!" Millenium Park was fulllllll of runners doing their shake-out runs and posing for photos, which really got me excited for Sunday morning!

 

After our run/walk we met up with my cousin Mick, his girlfriend Ellie and their friend John and had a fun brunch before heading towards the Chicago River for our architecture by boat tour! This tour may have been my second favorite thing from the weekend (finishing a marathon being #1). The boat took us along the Chicago River where we learned all about Chicago's major architecture styles, building designers, history, etc. The beauty of these buildings is truly something else, and seeing them by boat added an extra element that made the tour that much more outstanding. Plus, there was a bar on the boat, no complaints there. 

^^ John Hancock building.

^^Willis (Sears) Tower with the two towers on top. On the right is the Boeing headquarters. 

^^ residences on the North branch of the river

^^another shot of the John Hancock building

After a delicious dinner at Bandera along the Magnificent Mile, Marie and I headed back to the hotel where it was lights out by 10 pm. 

Up next... the MARATHON!

Wednesday Walks

^^Early morning swim for Barley. Stick throwing for Jamie.

 Today Katherine and I headed out to Lone Rock Point, a place neither of us had ever been in Burlington. We brought along a trusty K-9 companion, and were wowed by some of the views we encountered. We ended our walk at Eagle Bay where we threw some sticks and watched the ducks before heading back. It was a near perfect day. 

It was a good day.

Stowe Pinnacle

Yesterday Valerie, Katherine and I headed up to Stowe, VT for an afternoon hike up the Pinnacle! I am still amazed that it's really October and just how quickly the leaves have turned (where did September go!?). You know it's foliage season when the auto setting on your camera automatically resets to "sunset" because the trees are so orange. Yes, that really happened. I hope everyone has gotten the chance to go apple picking, drink some cider and enjoy at least a dozen cider donuts (I know I have). 

Happy Fall!

^^my wonderful hiking companions

 ^^ Camel's Hump in the distance

^^All smiles at the summit.

Life lately according to my Iphone

There is just something about running in the fall that is just. so. perfect. I swear. Maybe it's the almost crisp air, or the sunshine that has been around these parts almost everyday these past few weeks. Or maybe it's how beautiful Lake Champlain is all the friggin' time. Seriously, I can't get enough of it. All I'm saying is that fall looks pretty darn great on Vermont. Makes me excited about leaf peeping, cider drinking, and pumpking carving (I may have gotten a jump start on the donut eating). Bring it on fall, I'm ready. 

Snake Mountain

In an effort to get back on the blogging train, here are a slew of photos from my recent sunset hike up Snake Mountain! Sometimes all it takes is a trip to a truly beautiful spot to remind you what a wonderful place you get to live in. Happy almost Fall!

 

The Wedding!

Two posts, one day? Sure, why not.

The weekend started off with a trip to the nail salon where we drank champagne, got our tootsies massaged and reveled in the beginning of an unforgettable couple of days.

Friday we spent decorating for the reception at The Barn at Boyden Valley before we headed off to the rehearsal and dinner in St. Albans. It was a whirlwind of a day with lots of hard work from everyone involved, including cookie baking, light stringing and ribbon bow tying expertise!

After a gorgeous sunset the bridesmaids + bride headed back to Smuggler's Notch for some beauty sleep before the big day.

Saturday morning Hana and I took a mini hike around the Smuggler's Notch village and ski lift area before we headed back to the condo to begin hair and makeup! 

The morning flew by and soon enough it was time to head to the church where Hana would finally become Mrs. Place!

^^stretch hummer limo shots

After a beautiful and heartfelt ceremony we headed back to the barn for a night of eating, drinking and most importantly, dancing!

Between the photo shoot in a field of snakes (just kidding, it might have only been one), the speeches, dances, food, tears, laughs, more dancing, cupcakes, stuffed mushrooms, baked brie, giant Jenga and catching the bouquet (woot!), I'd say this wedding won't easily be forgotten. On my drive home today I couldn't help but feel sad that the weekend was over and how it might be some time before I get to spend so much time with such an amazing group of people that I am lucky enough to be friends with. Part of me (a big part) just wishes I could play this weekend on repeat for ever and ever and ever.  I know Hana and Eric will be very happy together and I am so happy I got to be part of their celebration (thanks guys)!

So that's all for now. I'm going to continue crying into my salted caramel wedding favor and hope that when I wake up tomorrow we can do it all over again. But seriously, where is Hermione's time saver when we need it!?

P.S. You can take a look at some phenomenal photos from yesterday over here, or on Facebook over here!