As a student, I LOVE my schedule. I am so grateful to have a ton of freedom and flexibility, and not have to work the typical 8-5 workday. However, when you are a student, you are NEVER done. There is always work you need to do, always reading, always something to study or turn in. There’s never truly a break. Do normal 8-5ers get a break? Oh yeah.
It’s called the WEEKEND. I have never felt so free! When the clock hits 5 on Friday (okay, okay… more like 4:45) I am D O N E. Done. No huge books to carry home, no homework, outlining or reading hanging over my head. I can do anything I want without having to worry! This is pretty nice, and I am certainly enjoying it this summer.
So what have I been doing with my time!? Well, on Thursday (okay, technically not the weekend, but not AT work = no work to be done) I went to the Cubs game with several lawyers at my office and about half the externs that are also working there for the summer. It was a blast.
The stadium (field?) was completely packed and the crowd was crazy. We were playing the Detroit Tigers and since Detroit is pretty close, half the stadium was filled with Tigers fans. I actually got confused a lot because it would feel like everyone was cheering, but I kept thinking, the Cubs just got out! Oh, wait. Those are the tigers fans cheering. Haha.
I really enjoyed the game though, and getting to chat more with the other externs. A lot of them are from other schools across the country, so it’s fun to hear what they have to say about where they live, and what they think of Chicago.
Another good thing about the Cubs game? My first gluten-free beer.
How cool is that?!? I knew it existed, but I’m not much of a drinker so I never thought to just buy some. It was pretty good too, I was expecting horrible things but it wasn’t bad! And fun to have a beer since I’m pretty sure the last one was at least in September…
And what did I do yesterday? I was a lazy butt. And it was wonderful. Okay, a lazy butt after waking up at 4:50am and running 8 miles. But it’s like that never happened since I came home, ate, showered and got back in bed… haha.
It was my second group training run with CARA. Last week I went to the 6:30 run, but I already thought it was too hot last week, so I decided to switch to 6am this week so I’d be out of the heat a little earlier. After I’d woken up and gotten dressed, I had some coffee, water, and half a banana with almond butter. Then it was out the door to catch the bus!
I had wanted to just take the bus and walk to the starting point this time, rather than run like last week, but I realized the VERY FIRST bus that left the station and came past my stop would get me there in just enough time only if I ran the mile from the bus to my group’s starting point. Thanks CTA. Who doesn’t love being on the earliest bus of the morning!?
Haha, not such a convincing “excited” face, is it?
After running the mile to meet up with my group, I introduced myself to a couple new people, re-set my garmin, put away my headphones, and we were off! We ran 7 miles at a 10 min/mile pace and it went alright for me. My stomach really cramped up for the middle few miles and if I hadn’t been in the group I probably would have stopped and rested. But eventually it went away.
After the run we got some water (they provide water at the end, as well as volunteer-manned water and gatorade stations along our course) and then our pace group circled up and did some stretching. After that, I headed home!
Despite being a hot sweaty mess, I made a quick breakfast first – I was STARVING and it took about 40 minutes to get home, so I needed to get something in me to help my muscles re-fuel.
I made a smoothie with a TON of spinach, a scoop of Sunwarrior Vanilla Protein Powder, a little bit of Kale that was about to wilt, and the last bit of frozen berries I had (about a half cup). I added some flax milk to help it blend. On the side, a microwaved sweet potato and some PB2.
I love dipping my sweet potato into green smoothies, it’s weirdly a very good combination! After that it was shower time, and then I laid in bed watching How I Met Your Mother for a bit! After that most of the day was spent reading, putting together a grocery list, hanging out on my roof to enjoy the beautiful weather, running a few errands and hanging out with my brother, sister-in-law and of course, MOLLY! (their dog, haha if you’re a new reader).
Do you like having lazy weekend days?
Do you prefer a student schedule or an 8-5 workday schedule?