A Sunrise Run

on August 16, 2010
in All Posts

Sleeping three bloggers in one bed wasn’t so bad.  :)  Apparently, Megan sleeps in a tiny ball, Katy sleeps like a log on her side, and I sleep like a corpse (on my back with my arms crossed across my chest), so there was minimal tossing and turning going on.

 

I slipped out of our room at 6:00 AM and hit the lakeside trail for a lovely sunrise run.  It was cold and crisp out, and the combination of the rising sun and calm water put me in quite the zen-like state.

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I completed a 5K (3.1 miles) in just under 31:00 minutes.  It was the perfect way to kick-start my week.

 

While running, I contemplated one of the presentations at the Healthy Living Summit about time management.  I consider myself fairly organized, but I do feel like I recently took on WAY TOO many commitments.  One of the points touched on during the presentation was that time is a limited resource.  There’s only so much I can do each day.  I’m going to spend some of that precious time today making a plan of my priorities and how I can tackle them most effectively.

 

Came home from the run and inhaled an AllieBar, the only source of food in our hotel room.

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Then, Megan and I traveled to the airport together.

 

I snagged a banana to finish off my breakfast:

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And then it was time for Megan and I to say goodbye.  I was pretty sad.  It was a great last five days with her. 

IMG_0546 IMG_0548

But guess what?  We didn’t end up saying goodbye for long because after I boarded my plane, they announced that they needed someone to give up their seat for two free round-trip tickets.  I jumped at the chance (literally), got off the plane, and ran into Megan in the terminal. 

 

I won’t be getting home now until 6:30 PM but that’s fine with me – the Chicago airport has Internet and good food options.  So… I’ll seeya in a bit with hopefully a rousing story of how I found a healthy lunch in Terminal A.  🙂

 

Today is a good day!

{ 66 comments }

 

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat August 16, 2010, 10:34 am

    Aww it looks like you had an amazing time Caitlin! Just getting through all your posts now from this weekend but HLS looks like an incredible experience. I can’t wait to be there next year! Have a safe trip home! 🙂

  • Anna @ Doing Good & Living Well August 16, 2010, 10:35 am

    Ah! What luck! I’ve always wanted to do that but I’ve only ever been on a flight where they asked twice. Both times I had time-sensitive commitments waiting for me at my destination so I couldn’t. I would Loooooove to hang out at an airport for free tickets. (I hate flying, but adore airports.)

    Have fun with your free time and have a safe flight home!

  • tanyasdaily August 16, 2010, 10:39 am

    what a great way to end the busy weekend!

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) August 16, 2010, 10:44 am

    aw, so sad you have to leave megan, but so glad you got in a great run and get to see the hubby soon!

  • Angharad August 16, 2010, 10:46 am

    Super fortuitous! I’ve always wondered about accepting those offers to give up your seat.
    And WORD on the time management thing. I have a habit of almost compulsively adding things to my plate when I super do NOT have the time for it. It’s good to take a long hard look at your priorities sometimes.
    Enjoy your airport day!

  • Bethany @ More Fruit Please August 16, 2010, 10:48 am

    I loved your description of the three of everyone’s sleeping positions. Too funny! Time management is a constant battle, I think. With priorities and schedules always changing day-to-day, it’s definitely a challenge. Good luck!

  • Rachel (Two Healthy Plates) August 16, 2010, 10:49 am

    Ooh, two free tickets are always a great score! I would give up my seat any day for more tickets!! =)

  • Tracey August 16, 2010, 10:49 am

    I really wanted to go to the time managment seminar. Wish I could have cloned myself and gone to all the sessions.

    Wasn’t the weather this morning great. That is if you like cool weather, which I do. The crispness was a nice change from the heat of the weekend.

    I’ve never actually went for a run, on the lakefront path, that early in the morning. Were a lot of people out on the path? Did you feel safe?

    • caitlin August 16, 2010, 11:00 am

      yes! i think that area of chicago is so safe and well managed.

  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin August 16, 2010, 10:50 am

    That is awesome!! I would totally do that too. Really nice to meet you in Chicago!

  • Molly August 16, 2010, 10:50 am

    ah I miss Chicago 🙁 I would have totally taken the tickets too lol

    Glad you had a good last day!

    xo-Molly
    http://www.givinganythingbutup.wordpress.com

  • Kim August 16, 2010, 10:51 am

    That was nice of you to give up your seat! 2 free tickets in an excellent reward for doing so 😀 I kind of love hanging around airports! I wouldn’t do it all of the time but every once in a while it’s fun!

  • Tina August 16, 2010, 10:51 am

    Score on the free tickets. That’s a deal you will definitely be able to use.

    I know I could learn some time management. I’ve gotten better with new responsibilities and managing it, but know there is always room for improvement.

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday August 16, 2010, 10:52 am

    2 free tickets?! So worth it.

  • Kelly August 16, 2010, 10:53 am

    Ugh see I was nice enough to do that once, but then the stipulations of when I could use the ticket, when I could fly, who I could fly with were the biggest pain in the ass that I never got to use it!

  • Carolyn @ lovinlosing August 16, 2010, 10:53 am

    Woohoo! I would have totally done it for TWO free tickets as long as it wasn’t too much of a delay.

  • Aimee August 16, 2010, 10:57 am

    I am enjoying the Healthy Living Summit recaps. It looks like it was such a great time. I have to tell you that I let out a little shriek in the check out line at Wal-mart when I saw you in First for Women magazine. I saw a blurb on the cover that mentioned post-its and I knew exactly who they were talking about. My 3 year old accomplice in post it crime recognized you when I opened the page. I have yet to take a photo of our work mostly because my son is a tad loud, but we have fun leaving our little notes around town.

    I think that I have mentioned this before in the comments, but I love your blog. I am beyond thrilled for you. I admire people who follow their dreams. Enjoy your successes!!!

    • caitlin August 16, 2010, 11:01 am

      Thanks so much Aimee! The FIRST mag plug is really exciting 🙂 I appreciate your support!

  • Jasmine @ Eat Move Write August 16, 2010, 11:01 am

    Two free roundtrip tickets is SO worth it. My mom almost did that last time she was visiting San Diego, but she’d already missed her flight once. :p

    Enjoy the last few hours of your “vaca,” even if you are at the airport. 🙂

  • Wei-Wei August 16, 2010, 11:04 am

    Two free tickets?! Wow! What a score 😀 You have to get someone take a photo of you sleeping. I can’t imagine a corpse position being comfortable!

    Wei-Wei

  • Angela August 16, 2010, 11:07 am

    That does sound like an awesome day so far! I would totally jump at the chance for two free tickets. Good for you. 🙂

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman August 16, 2010, 11:15 am

    My friend flies everywhere for free by always giving up her seat and getting free tickets. She just does it every time she flies (she’s a free spirit like that and doesn’t freak out about taking a later flight or one the next day) and so she hasn’t paid for a flight in a year!

  • Camille August 16, 2010, 11:16 am

    Oooh, lucky! I always try and do that but people manage to get there before me 🙁

  • Mac August 16, 2010, 11:17 am

    I’d take a free round trip any day… good call! Glad HLS was a blast!:)

  • Sarah for Real August 16, 2010, 11:19 am

    I’ve always wanted to take advantage of those “give up your seat” bonuses!

    Excited to hear about your priorities. I think that is SO important. That way the really critical stuff like husbands and doggies don’t get neglected in the mix 😀

  • Amber K August 16, 2010, 11:20 am

    What a great score! I would love free tickets. I don’t know where I’d travel, but just knowing that the tickets were covered would be enough to give me the travel bug.

  • Leanne August 16, 2010, 11:25 am

    I love all your chicago posts this weekend! I was wondering where you got your pretty scarf wrap? It’s gorgeous!

    • caitlin August 16, 2010, 12:08 pm

      thank you! $10 from Target.

  • Leanne August 16, 2010, 11:26 am

    How do I get my website link on here? anyone?

    • caitlin August 16, 2010, 12:09 pm

      when you fill out the comments form there is a space for website.

      • Leanne August 16, 2010, 12:53 pm

        I try and put mine and it doesn’t seem to work!

        Hmmm

  • Julia @ Brit Bride August 16, 2010, 11:30 am

    Lucky you with the round trip tickets!! Round trip to where? You should come to London (again!!). So jealous, not pnly do you have a lovely writers life but also get to take up offers like that as you dont do a 9 to 5. You are one lucky girly Caitlin!

    Julia

    • caitlin August 16, 2010, 12:09 pm

      I am very grateful 🙂

  • Corinne August 16, 2010, 11:36 am

    Two free round trip tix to ANYWHERE? or Chicago? Either way, awesome. Loved your recap of the HLS and from reading other blogs it was a very successful event. Nice work! Next year share some of the responsibilities… I’m SURE so many lovely ladies will be proud to take on some planning. Happy traveling!

    • caitlin August 16, 2010, 12:10 pm

      anywhere in the domestic us 🙂 thanks so much!

  • Tammy August 16, 2010, 11:38 am

    I sleep like a corpse too…glad to know I’m not the only one!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) August 16, 2010, 11:40 am

    Dang, that was a score! Have fun today exploring the airport! You may actually get some time to relax! Have a safe flight home!

  • Caitlyn @ A Spoonful of Life August 16, 2010, 11:43 am

    What a stroke of luck! Have fun with the extra friend-time!!

  • Nancy @ The Wife of a Dairyman August 16, 2010, 11:44 am

    Time management, what’s that?! I need to learn some:)
    Have a great airport day today!

  • holly @ couchpotatoathlete August 16, 2010, 12:00 pm

    So why did you have to give up your seat? Did they say why?

    My husband sleeps like a corpse — on his back, arms crossed or at his side and he doesn’t move at all!

  • Heather August 16, 2010, 12:00 pm

    awesome! I love when you have no time constraint and can give up your seat for money or more plance tickets!

  • Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter August 16, 2010, 12:09 pm

    That’s awesome that you have the flexibility that you can stay an extra while and get two free tickets out of that!

    When are the HLS speech videos going to be up? It sounds like there were some absolutely amazing programs (the one you mentioned included) that I would love to watch.

    • caitlin August 16, 2010, 12:11 pm

      I’m not sure how long it will take but we will definitely announce it on the HLS website and our own sites as well.

  • Natalie August 16, 2010, 12:10 pm

    wow that’s amazing! i would have given mine up too. now you and your hubby can travel somewhere for fun 🙂
    Plus airports are the BEST place for people watching…should be a very fun day!

  • faith @ gracefulfitness August 16, 2010, 12:15 pm

    Wow, they must have been desperate to offer up two free roundtrips immediately, that’s awesome! I have scored a few tickets by taking a bump, I went to Costa Rica once on a free ticket! Where are you going to go with it?

    • caitlin August 16, 2010, 12:16 pm

      somewhere with a beach + cocktails 🙂

  • Sarah @ Sarah's Shaping Up August 16, 2010, 12:22 pm

    I LOVE getting free airline tickets! 😀 On my last trip to DC, I got the option of doing the same and literally jumped at it as well. I’ll now be heading to Florida in October. 😉

  • Lindsey August 16, 2010, 12:49 pm

    Hi Caitlin! This is my first time commenting but I’ve been a reader of your blog for quite a while. I’ve decided to finally come out and respond to the blogs that I frequently read.
    I wanted to let you know that I’m so proud of you for creating Operation Beautiful and writing the book! Last year I was taken to the hospital because of how severe my eating disorder had become. I was down to 50 pounds, could not walk, speak, I didn’t know who my mama was. The drs told my mama that if I had not been brought in, I would have died over the weekend
    But now it’s been 7 months since I’ve been FULLY recovered. It was a long and hard recovery, I was in the hospital and then a day treatment program. I’m at a very healthy weight now and now I can finally live the life I had only dreamed of.
    Your blogs are such an inspiration to me and you are a true inspiration. Thank you for all of the hard work you’ve done in helping people love themselves for who they truely are.

    Lindsey

    • caitlin August 16, 2010, 2:37 pm

      Thank you so much for this heartfelt and thoughtful comment. I appreciate it and I’m so glad you’re better!

  • Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) August 16, 2010, 12:59 pm

    I’m so sad I didn’t get to go to the HLS. I wanted to meet you! Are you going to go to Foodbuzz possibly?

    Everytime I go on a crowded flight, I secretly hope that they will ask for someone to give up their flight so I can score airline miles/free tickets/whatever. That’s so awesome!

    • caitlin August 16, 2010, 2:38 pm

      I am thinking about Foodbuzz! Curious to see if its still free this year.

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing August 16, 2010, 1:22 pm

    woohoo for free tickets! And i love the scarf!

  • Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) August 16, 2010, 1:27 pm

    A glorious lakeside 5k run sounds like a fabulous way to cap off your stay at the HLS.

    Time management is something I’m becoming increasingly aware of as I just recently started working full-time, going to school full-time in addition to that, and am trying to keep up my blog and healthy, active lifestyle. Much to juggle, but I prefer to keep busy- it just takes a lot of foresight and organization.

  • Julie (Etsy Stalkers) August 16, 2010, 1:31 pm

    I tend to take on way too much also. It’s just the way I am – it’s a hard habit to break!

  • Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine August 16, 2010, 1:37 pm

    Hahaha I’m a corpse sleeper too. It’s good for our backs 🙂 Wooohooo for the free tickets, hopefully you get an amazing tropical vacation out of them!! Have a safe trip home!

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit August 16, 2010, 1:42 pm

    I LOVE early morning runs 🙂

  • Kacy August 16, 2010, 1:47 pm

    I’ve always wanted to do that, but I always have to be back at work the next day. Yay for free plane tickets!

  • Lisa August 16, 2010, 2:18 pm

    Glad you guys all had a great time in Chicago. I’m jealous! I’d love to visit Chicago again and run on the waterfront.

  • Kristy August 16, 2010, 2:19 pm

    Sleeping arrangement description = amazing visual 🙂

  • whitney August 16, 2010, 2:24 pm

    thats awesome you got to spend more time with meghan and get 2 free round trip tickets! Now you have to plan a fun trip in the near future 🙂

  • Sara August 16, 2010, 2:32 pm

    I LOVE IT when airlines overbook and offer free tickets! I always jump at the opportunity when I’m not in a rush, score 🙂 HLS sounds like a wonderful time, I hope to one day be an attendee!

  • Katy(The Balanced Foodie) August 16, 2010, 2:53 pm

    It was spacious..or totally cozy. I wouldn’t have had it any other way. So glad I got “stuck” in Chicago with you girls!! Thanks for letting me crash, I owe you big time. Can’t wait to be BFFs.

    Oh and you tagged my thebalancedfoodie.com not balancedfoodie.com. I think I need to buy the other domain name and just have it redirect. 😉

    Miss you so much already!

  • momsgottheruns August 16, 2010, 5:17 pm

    i LOVE that path along the lake! I used to live in Chicago from ’02-’03. I wish I could run that route everyday!

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