Travels

Summer is finally here, well not really, but at least it feels like it. High 80's and full humidity make for some very stuffy days.  I've been running like mad around here lately.  Trying to keep to running at least five miles per day. So far, so good.  When I was back home, I got a ton of running in. I love being able to walk out my door and go on for miles. It's a comforting feeling. Running in the warm air, and my body warming from the inside out is just a great feeling.  Now, when the temps hit 90...that's a different story.  I actually have a couple stories about running in terrifying heat.  One that comes to mind is when it was 90 degrees out, and 100% humidity, and I was hoping to run ten miles, give or take depending on how I felt.  I was convinced I was going to pass out, but I kept talking to myself, literally speaking to myself, saying "You aren't going to die if you keep running, if you stop, you will die."  Guess my mind games worked, because I ran the entire ten!

I've started back up at school again for the summer.  That week-long break sure rejuvenated me....yeah...right. I remember when I had the entire summer off....oh boy do I miss that! The one good thing about this summer, is that I have a pool!  It opens Monday, and you bet your bottom I'll be there!  I've always been a little fish during the summer, so I can't wait to spend the entire summer running, swimming, and studying....wait that last one doesn't fit.  I'm looking forward to running an insane number of miles with my swimming suit underneath my shorts and t-shirt, and crashing into the pool when I get home. Cannot wait.

I've recently read Born To Run by Christopher McDougall, and boy if that doesn't motivate someone to run, nothing will! I also started eating chia seeds, the supposed miracle supplement/food to ultra-marathon runners, and now me! Mike and I first got them at night, and eating them was a mistake!  I was up until 2am. They are a super food that packs a serious energy punch.  Great for running, and great for tired students that don't want to see 3-year-old patients at 8am, i.e. Me. Here's my chia seed recipe that I've been using to consume them.

Rach's Chia Fresca

1-1.5 cups of lime juice (I use "Simply Lime")

1 cup of water (to dilute the juice a tad)

1 tablespoon of chia seeds

Just let the seeds soak in the water juice, and stir every five minutes for about 15 minutes.  Then you can let the juice sit in the fridge for up to a couple days.  The chia seeds get a gel exterior so drinking them is super easy, and the texture is fun.  If anyone ever drank Orbitz, it's kind of like that. Worth trying, plus they have a super amount of antioxidants and omega-3's in them. Side note: Consult your physician if you are taking blood pressure meds before trying them.

And before I bid you all adieu, here's my weekly wrap up of what I've been doing besides running, relaxing, and getting back into the swing of school.  *Warning: tons of photos ahead!*

R-L, top-bottom:
Obligatory cat picture
My Broad Street Run 10 miler medal, nicest one yet!
The most colorful set of packed luggage I've ever had, spring is here!
Beaut-i-ful clouds on the flight home
Family farm love
Pearl Ice Cream, best vanilla bean ever
Granddad's Bluff tourist shot
Beautiful valley, i.e. My home.

R-L, top-bottom:
Good ole Wisconsin cheese curds
Goose Island at dusk
Chia Fresca
My favorite running road
Grandma's teacup
Sunset in Wisconsin

-I hope you all get to travel a lot this summer, even if it means running the furthest you've ever run in a place you've rarely been to!  That's still traveling to me!  

-xoxo