Two States, One Run

Good morning from Cincinnati!

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Yesterday brought another day of travel and a new city!  Luckily, Delta was kind enough to upgrade me to first class so I could work in comfort during the flight!IMG_4067 (640x478)

Per many of your recommendations on Monday’s post, I’ve spent the past two days trying to knock this cold. I’ve been drinking lots of water, taking my vitamins, eating fruit, washing my hands, getting extra sleep, and cut back on my cardio. Yesterday morning I did workout with my trainer but we did a heavy weights day versus doing cardio intervals. IMG_4069 (478x640)

Luckily, I woke up this morning feeling like my normal self because I had a running date with one of my colleagues, Erin! Erin reads the blog daily so when she mentioned that she was also in Cincinnati I knew a short run would be the perfect way to catch up, answer some of her running questions, and enjoy Cincinnati. Believe it or not, this was the first time I’ve run outside during a visit to downtown Cincinnati even though I come here for work at least 4 times per year!

My hotel provided us with an easy to read running map so we didn’t have to think about our route.

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I highly recommend asking the front desk of any hotel you’re visiting for a running map before you head out. They can point you in the right direction to ensure your safety and enjoyment. It makes running in a foreign city a lot easier!

You see that thick blue line on the map? That’s the Ohio River which separates Northern Kentucky from Ohio! We immediately knew we wanted to do that run since it would allow for some great views and hill work on the bridges.

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The 3.1 mile run took us over two bridges and through the newly renovated Newport on the River area. The run was done before I knew it due to the great company and constant conversation! Before I knew it we were back at our hotel with burning quads and smiles on our faces!

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This was the perfect way to shake out my legs before tomorrow’s long run!

Question: If you run when traveling to new cities, how do you find walking or running routes?

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A Perfect Scenic Chicago Run

Good morning from Chicago!

It’s hard to believe that I’ve run in New York, San Francisco, and Chicago this week! It’s been a whirlwind week for sure.

Yesterday, after a morning of meetings, I had an early afternoon flight to Chicago. The flight was uneventful and the morning’s long run meant that I was able to sleep for a a solid four hours.

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Upon arriving in Chicago, I was craving one thing: deep dish pizza. Even though I spent a wonderful weekend here last summer for Healthy Living Summit, I never had the opportunity to try this local treat.

Luckily, my manager was craving the same thing! Within minutes, we’d left our hotel in search of a local deep dish restaurant. Our concierge recommended Lou Malnatis, a local pizzeria located less than a mile from our hotel.

By 8:30, when we arrived, there was no line which resulted in quick, wonderful service!

Lou Malnati's Shines!

 

 

 

 

 

After studying the menu for a few minutes, we decided to share a medium Lou.

The "Lou"
A pizza so good we gave it his name!  Fresh spinach, mushrooms and sliced tomatoes covered with a blend of mozzarella, romano and cheddar cheese. No substitutions please.

The Lou did not disappoint!

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A slice and a half later I was happy and full! This was the perfect way to begin our quick trip to Chicago and fuel an easy morning shake out run.

Our hotel provides a perfect running map for runs in the area.

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My legs and hips were tight this morning but I knew an easy run would help loosen them right up!

The views were amazing and the other runners were inspiring as they sprinted past me on Lake Shore Drive!

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What a fabulous way to start the day in Chicago! If you’re looking for a flat and scenic route while visiting Chicago I highly recommend this 3.4 mile path.

Happy Friday!

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San Francisco Long Run

 

Good morning from cool but beautiful San Francisco!

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This morning I woke up 45 minutes later than planned, at 4:45, not knock out my long run.

I am proof that business travel doesn’t have to ruin your workout schedule!

Running in a new city, especially completing a long run, does take some extra planning. Before flying out to San Francisco, I referenced Google Maps and Twitter to find a perfect running route. I knew that I needed something relatively flat and that I wanted to see the San Francisco sights.

Luckily, multiple Twitter followers responded with suggested routes and tidbits of information.

In addition to figuring out a route, I also packed a few items that normally wouldn’t make it into my suitcase.

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  • Camelbak
  • Luna Bar to eat pre-run
  • A Gu packet
  • Garmin AND Garmin charger
  • Multiple layers since the weather is cool in San Francisco
  • Pepper Spray and a whistle for safety

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By 5am, I was out the door and ready for a slow and steady run. My goal was to keep my pace around a 10:30 today since I knew that 6 hours of travel yesterday and the time change had taken a toll on my body. I also decided early on to focus on the sights and sounds around me and actually ran without music for the first half of the run!

I captured some of the views so you could enjoy the sights of San Francisco’s Embarcadero and Ferry district. I only wish you could smell the fresh Sourdough Bread!

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Oh wait, who’s that you ask? Well, the beauty of Twitter and the blog world is that Katherine and I figured out that we’re both out in San Francisco for work this week! Even though we only live a few blocks apart in NYC, we’d never met. It was the perfect way to get to know someone, power through the last few miles, and enjoy the sights. She joined me for the last 3-4 miles which really helped as my legs were growing tired after the hills around mile 6-7.

My final time today was 2:06 which came to a 10:24 pace. While it isn’t quite as fast as I’m hoping to get, it’s definitely a pace I’m proud of considering that I spent 6 hours on a plane yesterday, didn’t have the best pre long run dinner last night, and only slept a few hours! In addition, it was a great way to see San Francisco!

Question: What city do you dream of touring on foot? I really want to tour Italy via bike someday but I’d love to run through Paris in the Spring!

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