Every time I tell someone that I'm headed to Chicago this weekend for some "triathlon stuff" they get excited about the Chicago part. And while I'm happy enough to be going to Chicago, a trip there lost its allure about 20 trips ago.
My first trip to Chicago was senior year in high school (technically, senior year had ended I guess because I had already graduated) and we flew there a few days after I was un-wait-listed at the college I attended. We flew into O'Hare and drove the 2-3 hours to Northern Indiana and toured the campus (and asked for a copy of the letter proving I was in ... proof is always nice, just in case). Now that was an exciting, memorable, life changing trip.
And there have been other great times in Chicago ... my first Cubs game, visits senior year, the Incident at the Irish Oak, bachelorette parties that taught me who my friends were and weren't, beautiful runs, crazy New Year's Eves, post college football games, meeting parents and being nervous to meet parents (for some reason that was a one time thing, of course flying in on the bomb scare plane probably didn't calm my nerves) ... etc.
I've often thought about moving to Chicago. Still do sometimes - even though the people that made me want to live there in the past are all in suburbs more-or-less, the midwestern lifestyle (that many deny exists) still holds allure. That and the Well Fit training center. Of course, then I remember that the coldest I've ever been in my life has been in Chicago (did you know that your teeth can get cold?).
So for whatever reason, going to Chicago isn't that big of a deal to me. Its kind of like going to the mall except it takes longer to get there.
Packing for this trip however is a big deal. I couldn't sleep last night and right now the thought of packing is exhausting so it will have to wait until tomorrow (after I bribe someone to take the pedals off my bike and before my 7:30 am flight). I don't think I've ever made a written list of items needed for a trip but ... if there is any hope of me not forgetting anything I think I have to now. So, for most of you, this is the end of the blog:)
Pajamas
Toiletries
Camera
Garmin & Charger
iPhone, ipod & charger
Book
Granola Bars
Tri Clothes for under wetsuit
wetsuit
cap & goggles
towel
bike shorts, sports bra, jersey, vest, jacket, socks, bento box (?)
bike gloves, shoes, pedals, helmet & sunglasses
sneakers, running shorts, visor & hat
real clothes (Saturday night)
bathing suit
running shorts, sports bra, shirt, socks
biking shorts
different shirt, capris for yoga
real clothes (Sunday night)
running shorts, sports bra, shirt, socks
real clothes (travel home)
3 water bottles
fuel belt and bottles
6 bottles worth of gatorade
10 or so gus
flight & rental car information
directions to various places
It doesn't really seem that bad all written down. But I'm sure I'm missing something (Sara?)?
1 comment:
your list scares me.....but yes, it sounds about good. I have to do laundry tonight to even begin packing so I may just not even bother going to sleep tonight. Although that will probably prove not so great with gettting through our monster day on Saturday. Why are we doing this again? :)
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