Phew- I feel like I’ve lived a lifetime since last Sunday- but in a good way! I started my trip last Saturday, where I flew to Texas, and the fun continued from there. Thanks as always to Kim and Deborah for hosting the Weekly Rundown! Here’s how it all played out.
Sunday
As soon as I woke up, I did a Caroline Girvan abs workout, And then…
Driving Day #1! We started in Round Top, Texas (where my son’s music festival was) and made our way north. The weather was so terrible- we were literally driving through a flash flood warning. People were being warned to stay off the roads unless they were evacuating. But we couldn’t stay where we were, so we persevered.
Our goal was to get past Little Rock, and we made it- but not till around 11 pm. Long day! But believe it or not, we still had fun. It was all part of the adventure.
Monday
Up bright and early to use the hotel gym! Hahahaha…. just kidding. We got eight hours of sleep and got on the road again ASAP. After a few hours of driving, we passed the Illinois state line! We both cheered, and I said “I want to see corn fields!” Then I looked out the window, and… tada!
After another fun day of driving, we made it to my sister’s by dinnertime.
Tuesday
Okay, this time I did get up early. I went for a 4 mile run in my sister’s neighborhood. It was fun, but the ground does a strange thing here… it seems to slope up and down alarmingly. Ha- what I’m saying is, there are HILLS! We don’t have that in South Florida. I was definitely huffing and puffing on this run.
In the afternoon, we drove up to Evanston and walked all around the Northwestern campus! We also got a look at my son’s house (from the outside- his lease doesn’t start till August 15th). It’s such a beautiful area- he’s so excited to start living there.
Wednesday
On this day, we just relaxed at my sister and brother in law’s house. We needed a chill day after all the excitement. In the morning I did my hip stability exercises, and in the afternoon we went for a walk.
Thursday
Travel day! But first- I got out early for a 5 mile run. It had rained the day before, and this run was delightfully cool. And overcast! I was happy.
Then we flew home! My son’s car will live at my sister’s for the next month, awaiting his return.
Friday
Oh, guess what- now I have jury duty! Luckily I didn’t have to go in today. PHEW. I needed a break after all the travel. In the afternoon I went to the gym for leg day! I discovered a hip thrust machine, which I’m very happy about. It’s much more convenient than struggling with a barbell.
Saturday
4 mile run before work! To make up for all the hours I missed on my trip (and the hours I will miss next week for jury duty) I worked all day, 9-5. Perfect way to jump back into reality.
Sunday
On tap- again working 9-5. Also, upper body strength was non-existent last week, so I’ll fit that in somewhere.
How was your week?
Have you ever done federal jury duty?- I’m on call until next Friday. Sigh.
30 Responses
Whew, busy week, but it sounds like it was a good one! I do love a good road trip and am glad that you had fun, got to see your sister and spend time with your son, and run in a hilly area! Fun! I was in Chicago basically at this exact same time last year and it was very nice. I went to the beach, wandered around Wrigleyville and spent some time at Aldi. I call that a fun time! It sounds like maybe your hamstring is not giving you any grief lately (?) which is good too!
I actually forgot to mention that sitting in the car for two days annoyed my hamstring- but running seems to be fine.
Chicago in July can be HOT- it was hot the day we walked around the NU campus. But then it cooled down by Thursday (the day we left- figures). Still- it’s always a fun cuty to explore.
Of those Texas floods. Terrifying. Glad the drive was ok for you. I think your son will really enjoy Evanston and the Northwestern campus. Our daughter will also be taking her car to campus in August so there’s a road trip to VA in our future!
Yes, Texas has had a weirdly rainy summer overall. Everyone was talking about how unusual it was.
Hooray for another college road trip! They’re the best.
Whew that was an ‘I’ve been everywhere’ kind of week! I am glad the travels all went smoothly and that you got to run in cooler, dry temps! We had some nice weather here last week, too! I ran one day when it was so cool, I think upper 50s, and it felt so good! But I paid for that on Saturday when I ran 6.5 miles in 91% humidity. Bleh.
I have never been summoned for jury duty. Fingers crossed I never do!!
Upper 50s??? Wow! It didn’t get that cool where I was (but then you’re farther north).
Let’s hope you don’t get called for jury duty. You can always request a postponement (which I did) but it catches up with you eventually.
It sounds like you had such a good week. I’ve not been to Northwestern but it looks lovely and I do love the Chicago skyline!
Sounds like your runs went well? Yay for that too!
I feel like I’m running SO SLOWLY- but nothing hurts, so we’ll call it a win.
NU is a beautiful campus and location!
Busy week, Jenny! How fun to road trip AND see your sister!
Jury duty, whomp whomp. I hope it’s a non-upsetting trial! Good luck with it!
Thank you Nicole! Actually the hope is that I won’t get put on a trial at all… we’ll see.
You lived another lifetime of your best life this week!
Lol if you want to see cornfields, Illinois will not disappoint! I had the same thoughts when I went to Champaign two years ago (how has it been that long???).
I am immature enough to giggle at the name Booty Builder. Here’s to Project Peach!
We actually passed by Champaign and I thought of you!
How did I miss the news that your son will be attending Northwestern? How exciting for him! Hopefully, we can meet up sometime when you’re in town. I love running through that campus.
One of my coworkers had to do federal jury duty once a week for 18 months. She sat for some really awful trials–she’s finally able to talk about it. Is yours for 18 months?
WHAT. Good lord, no- mine is for two weeks. Who in the world can commit to 18 months??? That’s insane.
Yes, my son will be at Northwestern for the next two years! Hopefully we can meet up on one of my visits.
Your road trip sounds so fun, minus the bad weather on the first day! And I’m sure it was nice to get some runs in cooler weather! I thought it was funny that you mentioned hills on your runs since I assumed Illinois was pretty flat too.
My favorite run of the week was on Wednesday because we got rain! Summer is our rainier season but we still don’t get very much rain typically so it’s special to get to run in the rain. I had the trails all to myself and it was a nice light rain for the entire run, and cool enough that I needed to wear my windbreaker jacket. And I just love the smell of the desert when it’s raining!
Ooh, that sounds nice. And yes- you would think the midwest is flat but it’s NOT! Maybe it’s “flat” compared to Utah or Colorado, but not to Florida.
Ugh on this jury duty business! I’ve never had federal jury duty, but have had my share of local summonses. Glad your trip went well, and yay for the corn 🙂
I have one more week of jury duty, and then hopefully they’ll forget about me for the rest of my life! Some people seem to get called all the time, and some people never get called. Hrumph.
Never had jury duty… lucky me.
I also would struggle to run when I’m away from home… Kudos to you.
I’m sure we’ll hear about that diet son.
Oh yes, it’s coming right up! Lots to say (as usual.)
I’m not sure I’ve heard of anyone to be excited to see cornfields! 🙂 But then again, I see them all day. What a fun week you had – spending time with your son like that must have been great bonding time.
I have been an alternate for federal jury. I had to listen to the case, but then didn’t get to be part of the vote. It was an awful case, but we did have other cases which were quite interesting.
Okay, well as interesting as it sounds, I’m hoping not to be called in at all (I call every night after 5:30 to see if I have to go- so far, so good).
I didn’t enjoy corn fields when I lived in Illinois, but we don’t have them in Florida!
Your drive is so reminiscent of my drive from Amarillo to home with my son, Ed. We drove my uncle’s car home after buying it from him.
My week has been full of checking things off my list after being out of town for basketball. I’m also working on what shoes and outfits everyone is wearing in the portrait on Sunday.
Ernie, I am very behind on your blog- I will swing by today and find out everything that’s going on! And yes- your drive does sound very similar.
Sounds like stressful driving with all that rain and I’m glad you didn’t have any trouble along the way. And yay for having your son home for the next month!
It was a hard couple of hours- but we made it through. And yes- having my son home is the best.
Looks like you had a busy week. I hate driving in a downpour – they can come on so suddenly! What a joy to have your son home for some time. I’m sure oyu are enjoying it! I haven’t had jury duty in some time, and hope that it stays that way 🙂
I was called for jury duty once (I live in Canada) and went in for the jury selection but was not selected. Funny thing is I wouldn’t have minded being selected (not for this particular case because it was a tough one) but for any other, because I think it would be an interesting thing to experience.
“It was fun, but the ground does a strange thing here… it seems to slope up and down alarmingly.” This made me laugh and laugh!
I’ve never been called for jury duty and have zero desire to do so. But I knew someone growing up whose life goal was to be called for jury duty. I can’t remember if she did in the end; I feel like it was a yes?
Ooooh, I would love federal jury duty! I bet that would be so cool!
Love that Booty Builder…. I wonder if my gym has one.
We had hills when we went to Athens. My hips and glutes were screaming, but it was such a nice change!