247)

After dinner this evening, I decided I wanted to go for a run.  I went yesterday, a jaunt that lasted for just over a little two miles, and I found myself wanting more.  Of course, in true fashion, it got up to a high of nearly 90 degrees today so running at any time other than the morning or the evening was out of the question.

After dinner, I changed and set out on a run.  Almost instantly, I settled into a rhythm and found myself completely drawn in--to the music, to the very beauty of my surroundings.  It felt like Spring and Summer were never going to get here, despite the fact that we had a rather mild winter, and to finally have that sunshine and warmth is something of a blessing.

I ran nearly a mile before I took a few moments to walk and catch my breath--it was awfully humid, and I wanted to be able to pace myself.  It wasn't long before I was off again, though, enjoying the run and taking it all in.  It was nearing time for sunset, and the sky was a milky pastel backdrop of oranges, blues, and pinks.  The scent of lilacs and other beautiful flowering bushes and trees permeated the air and lingered pleasantly around me.  Everything was so vivid and perfect...  each house just a little bit different; the bright greens of grass and foliage (the leaves that seem to have exploded overnight, Spring personified) and the purples, whites, and periwinkles of nearby lilac bushes.

In total, I ran 3.17 miles.  One of the longest runs I've ever taken, and definitely one of the best.  I felt steady and certain, drawn in by the continuous rhythm of my feet on the pavement, my pulse in my ears, the music and the passing scenery to keep me going.  I've never been more sure...  I'm so glad I decided to become a runner.

246)

Well, as of today, there are thirty-two days until my first 5k, the Color Run in Chicago.  Only a little over a month.  It still feels so far away, but really, I know it'll be here before I'm really ready.  The last few weeks, I've been feeling like my training had stalled somewhat.  It wasn't that I was feeling unmotivated necessarily, but being incredibly busy at work and, then, catching the annual May cold that I always seem to get.  I took a week off from working out completely to give myself a chance to recover.  

Yesterday, I went for a walk that was over three miles, and it was glorious.  Today, I decided I'd lace up the running shoes and hit the road again.  Spring has finally made it to Chicagoland, and I've been feeling a need to make the most of it whenever I can.  It really was the perfect day for a run and I took in the sights and splashes of color as I made my way around the neighborhood.  I ended up going 2.23 miles, and while it wasn't my fastest run, it was definitely one of my most enjoyable.

And it's amazing, because when I think back to a year ago, even earlier than that...  I could barely run a few steps.  Not even.  It's been quite a long road since then, but somehow, some way, I became a runner.  That's right--I am a runner.  And I can only go up from here.  Here's to making the most of the next thirty-two days, getting ready for my very first race.

245)

Though it's rainy today, it seems we've reached that magical window of time where spring is alive and well in Chicagoland.  Earlier in the week, we headed into the city and, after a cup of coffee and lots of conversation, we wandered down to Humboldt Park.

In other news, 45 days until my first 5k! Expect a Jess Goes Running update of sorts relatively soon.  Until then, if you need me, I'll be off somewhere outside, probably with running shoes on.

244)

I.
Right now, I am thinking about travel.  It's been over a year since our last major adventure (oh, Costa Rica, how I miss you!).  We've had a few weekends and nights away here and there, but as far as an extended sort of vacation, well... it's been lacking in our lives and I am beginning to feel the acute effects of wanderlust.  Truthfully, it never really goes away... it just recedes for a bit, fading into the background before, all at once, crashing into the forefront like a wave.

Of course, the Husband and I have talked about this...  and there are several options we are currently enamored with: a trip to the Pacific Northwest, a long weekend in Las Vegas, a fall foliage drive through New England--these are all at the top of the list.

There are other places that I would like to go to as well...  California.  Colorado.  Mexico.  Canada.  Back to Costa Rica (because it was paradise!).  I've never been to Europe, and I would love to see London, Paris, Rome.  It would be so amazing to take a plane to Australia, to Southeast Asia, and explore a whole new world.  So... we'll see.  I've always had big travel dreams and I want to see and experience as much as I can, everything.

I got paid today, and after figuring out my budget for the next few weeks, I had some extra cash left over.  It wasn't a difficult decision, coming up with what to do with it; I put it in a savings account of ours.  Who knows?  Hopefully, we can use it for our next big journey, sometime soon.  In the meantime, I'll dream of hitting the open road, of soaring through the wide open sky to destinations unknown.

II.
I went on a walk the other night, almost two miles, and it was perfect.  The light was amazing and even though it was chilly, it was the perfect Spring day.  We're supposed to get weather in the 70's later this weekend...  we might finally have turned the corner (here, of course, is where I knock on wood).  So excited for good weather and the chance to be outside.

243)

"APRIL is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory with desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain."

--The Wasteland; T.S. Eliot

This was Tuesday afternoon, on a walk at a nearby forest preserve.  The proverbial "calm before the storm."

And this photo is from today, taken by my husband, at a park about a half mile away from our house.  We didn't get flooding as bad as some areas did, and thankfully all is well at home, but there definitely is still some flooding in the parts of town closest to the Des Plaines River.  It's expected to crest sometime in the morning, so we'll see.  I saw a lot of standing water while I was out and about today...  hopefully some of the major closures will be reopened by the morning.  Grateful that we're really only dealing with a washed backyard at the moment, and that we're all safe.  

Needless to say, the sun could really come out any time now!  Looking forward to that brief period of time where it's actually nice out, before the relentless heat and humidity of summer hits (not to say that I don't enjoy that, of course, but you know...).  It is fleeting, but full of potential.  Here's to blue skies, bright flowers, leaves on the trees, and lush green grass.

242)

I.
the forecast says rain
(and hopefully no
snow, at this point) for

days.  welcome
to spring in chicagoland.

II.
in that part of the
night too late to be
evening and too early
to be morning, the

thunder's constant
rhythm sounds like
fireworks, right in
the space above our
heads.

III.
grateful for the rain,
but hoping for dry
pavement so we can
hit the road, so i can
start running

(again).

241)

Somehow, March turned in April.  I've been busy as usual, but making time for the important things--spending time with the Mister, running, reading, writing, working hard and making goals.  I've started to amp up my 5k training again after a week of a bit of a break, and I'm looking forward to the first one (so far, anyway) in June!  I'm also spending this month participating in Camp NaNoWriMo, working on the sequel to the novel I wrote for NaNoWriMo 2012.  So far, so good!  It's a lot more relaxed than NaNoWriMo, which is the perfect pace for this month.  As it gets warmer, I'm looking forward to spending a lot more time outside and making time for fun adventures.

Though it's stressful and crazy sometimes, I wouldn't trade this life for anything!  I love it too damn much.

1) An afternoon at the Skokie Lagoons.
2) After a 4.5 mile adventure.

3) Fresh veggies, ready for a stir fry.

4) Handsome husband drinking a beer.

5) A delightful splash of color.