Calling all Chicagoans: Where's the best pasta in town?
34 days until the Chicago Marathon
Pasta pasta
Good morning, friends!
With the marathon getting closer, I’m starting to talk logistics with my friends and family. Any suggestions for a good Italian restaurant in Chicago for the night before the race? I have a reservation at Sofi for now, but I’m all ears if there is another must-try. I’m also a fan of Rosebud, which is where we went last year before Chicago’s Half Marathon race.
Speaking of pasta, Oliver and I made a variation on one of my favorite recipes last week: creamy Tuscan orzo. We added chicken and made do with some other veggies in our kitchen, but this recipe is good on its own, too. You can find it (and so many other delicious recipes, I really do recommend you take a look!) on the Salt & Lavender website.
I get inspiration all the time from their Instagram page, too:
Runner’s log
I ran twice after last Monday’s long run. I ran a 5K on Thursday and put in 18 miles — my longest run yet! — on Sunday. I also got a lot of walking in last week, and some much-needed yoga classes, too.
My 18-miler was hard. I felt great for the first 12 miles, and then steadily got slower and slower. My legs were aching and I felt like cutting it short for the last 3 miles of that run. But I pushed through and was so proud of myself when I hit mile 18!
I reclaimed the Little Miami trail on Sunday after last week’s water backpack fiasco. To help me get through those last few miles, I thought of some things I’m grateful for: my parents for always supporting me, cooler weather, living so close to beautiful trails like this and for my body, which surprises me each week by running farther and farther.
Self care checklist
I’ve been pretty hard on myself lately and was feeling low last week. I took a mental health day to regroup and felt like a new person afterwards. Here are some of the things I did to take care of myself:
I went for a run (with no expectations; I kept it short and stopped when my body told me to).
I finished a jigsaw puzzle.
I scheduled a massage (for Sunday, after my long run, and it felt amazing).
I watched a childhood favorite movie (“Tarzan”) with Oliver.
I cleaned the apartment.
I made a cup of tea and savored it.
I bought a scoop of cookie dough ice cream from the ice cream parlor down the street.
If you’re feeling low, I hope you can take some time to do things that make you smile in the week ahead. Remember, self care is never a selfish act. We need to take care of ourselves first in order to be present for others with our full selves, with all of the kindness, empathy and support we’re capable of.
xoxo,
mad mitch
❤️
Il porcellino is another great Italian spot!