Seeing Pink

Yesterday it was all red and black.  Today it was full out pink as a group of us ran The Dirty Girl run benefitting breast cancer.  

The run was a 5k course with all these obstacles and even better - mud.  Lots of mud (although I hear there was more in years past).  The run was held at the new Lake County fairgrounds.  We ran the first 8am wave and I'm so thankful because when we were leaving at 9:30 the cars were lined up for about 20 minutes out.  

Even though I had to get up at 6:15a.m. It was so totally worth it!  We had a blast and ill definitely do it again next year!  I only have our before picture now as I had to check my phone and my bag, but Laurie's husband came and took pictures so Ill share once she shares!

FYI - this was all the junky mud and gravel that came out of my clothes in the wash:)

Red And Black

I'm right now sitting on a crammed, 6:40 a.m. Metra train into the city, surrounded by never ending seas of red and black.  It's a nightmare for the work commuter... 

I was in Portland at the beginning of this week when my brother, the news/stock junkie, announced to me that the Blackhawks had won the Stanley Cup!  I was ecstatic!  And then my heart sunk a little with the thought of impending doom.  I had had an appointment with another outside customer set up with my big account downtown - it had been set up a month ago for this Friday at 10 a.m..  My gut told me that the Blackhawks Stanley Cup parade was going to end up being Friday morning at 10a.m.  

And then the announcement came -Blackhawks Stanley Cup parade scheduled for Friday morning at 10 a.m.  Ack!  I was working downtown in 2010 when they had won and it was a nightmare as streets were shut down and hoarded of people were everywhere.  I knew there was no way I was going to get downtown on time for my 9 am breakfast meeting and 10 am walk through.  

I thought of staying downtown Thursday night and had made a reservation and all.  But yesterday I filmed an instructional video (ok, I didn't "film" it so much as write and "starred" in it...ugh) and we started at 8:30 and didn't get out until close to 6 pm so I cancelled my hotel and just figured id do an early train.  I knew the train would be crowded, but never imagined this.  Literally, after the 4th stop, it was standing room only so now, people still keep pouring on every stop and there is just red and black everywhere - up and down the aisles and everywhere.  

The plus side to the crammed ride is that the train is $5 round trip all day.  

So - I won't get to see the parade or anything as ill be in a bunny suit, but at least I get the feel of Blackhawks cause the red and black is back!

Oh - and Karl, this would be your nightmare surrounded by so many rough Chicago accents... 

HELP!  They're on every streetcorner and in every building!  They're pushing and yelling and screaming .... If I were down here intentionally I'd be pumped, but now I'm just annoyed!....