“There’s 106 miles to Chicago, we’ve got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark out, and we’re wearing sunglasses.”  –Elwood Blues, The Blues Brothers

Windy City Wicked Wine Run

Fun is the word of this race. What a trip. It started on the train and just rolled on for the whole weekend.

Chicago is not that far from Detroit but I decided that, instead of driving, I’d take the train. And I am so glad that I did. I hadn’t taken a train trip since I was in high school, so I was looking forward to just sitting back, relaxing, and enjoying the ride…by that I mean napping, reading, and drinking Bloody Marys.

My train left Dearborn just after 7:00 A.M. and as we hit Westland (about ten minutes after boarding) I heard the unmistakable POP of a champaigne cork leaving the bottle. I perked right up and yelled, “I know that sound.” Turns out it was the ladies sitting behind me making mimosas. I figured if they started I could too, so I got out my bloody mary mix and tiny vodka bottles. Let the party begin!

That five-hour trip went pretty fast, so before I knew it we were pulling into Union Station. A friend of mine told me that there are lockers you can rent there for your luggage. My plan was to drop my bags in one of those and then wander around Chicago for a while. Well, after looking around for these lockers, I finally asked a worker and found out that the lockers were removed during a recent renovation.

There was no way that I was going to haul my bags all over Chicago, so I called for an Uber and went to my hotel. I stayed in the suburbs because it was close to where the race was being held. It was also half the price of a hotel in the city. After checking in, I relaxed for a few in my room (drank wine) then headed back downtown.

Uber Driver Spotlight: Boring Dude

The guy who drove me from the train station to the hotel gets a spotlight but for the wrong reasons. He was as exciting as watching a PowerPoint presentation about the drying characteristics of enamel vs. latex paint. We drove in silence for 35 minutes! That is torture for me. You know how sharks need to keep swimming or they drown? Yeah, similar for me with talking.

I’ve been to Chicago a few times so I knew exactly where I wanted to go for lunch. The Grand Lux Cafe is one of my favorite places. I had to go there for my pre-race chicken piccata meal. They did not disappoint. In fact, they introduced me to one of my new favorite drinks. The Blood Orange Martini.

Blood Orange Martini

This recipe will make two martinis (it’s up to you whether you share)
– 4 ounces Vodka
– 2 ounces Blood Orange Juice
– 0.5 ounce Cointreau (or Triple Sec)
– 0.5 ounce simple syrup

After lunch, I needed to do some shopping. Have you ever been to an Eataly store? If not, you HAVE to go! I’m Italian, so if I’m within six miles of one I black out and wake up in the cheese section creepily sniffing some parmigiano-reggiano.

The place is a piece of paradise on earth for my people. They have everything from fresh meat to cheese to wine to utensils to soaps. That last one is what I went for. They have an Italian soap that I just love. It smells amazing. No, it does NOT smell like olive oil, garlic, and chianti. Although, I would buy it if it did.

I made it out of Eataly and just wandered around a bit, then went back to the hotel. I was snuggled in bed early to rest up before race day.

Race Day

I woke up craving Starbucks like the Kardashians crave attention. No surprise, there was one just a few miles away (a Starbucks, not a Kardashian). I got my standard Fall drink, a Pumpkin Spice Latte with just two pumps of pumpkin. I know, there is something powerfully wrong with me. Who gets only two pumps of pumpkin in their PUMPKIN Spice Latte? I’m a weirdo, what do you want from me?

I stepped out of Starbucks and immediately smelled something delicious cooking. Like a Blue Tick Hounddog, I let my nose lead me around. I made it a few doors from Starbucks before a different calling grabbed me. Malloy’s Finest Wine & Spirits. When I walked in, I swear I heard the Hallelujah chorus from Handel’s Messiah.

The owner’s name was Michael (like my son and husband, so easy to remember). I told him about my 50 before 60 goal and this angel of a man said I must have “what, 15 years to get it done.” I almost kissed him right there in front of the fire-extinguisher-shaped vodka bottles (yes, those are real things).

Then he took me over to a table where he introduced me to FitVine. It’s a wine with less sugar and sulfites. So it’s healthy! Like a protein shake or a kale smoothy. But you know, WINE! I got a bottle, of course, and tried it later. Not only is it good for you* but it tastes good too.**

I spent some time talking with Michael about wine. He was so knowledgeable and so nice. You could tell that he genuinely loved talking to people and giving them great service. I am definitely going back to that place the next time I visit.

Time to Run

After grabbing a bite to eat at Jersey Mike’s (that’s where the delicious smell came from, by the way), I chillaxed at the hotel for a bit, then got ready to run. I wore my wine tutu and “Run All the Miles. Drink All the Wine” shirt. It’s my signature outfit. Then, I got an Uber to take me to the race.

Uber Driver Spotlight: Rocko

I was really amped up for this race and I think Rocko, the driver, could tell. He asked what I was dressed for and I told him. It’s still strange to me how excited people get about my journey. I appreciate it but it still catches me off guard sometimes.

Rocko, it turns out, plays tennis. I used to play tennis too! It’s been a few years but it was nice to talk about playing. Rocko encouraged me to get back on the court. You know what? I think I might. Thanks, Rocko! Five Stars, buddy!

This race event was so much fun. You could just feel that everyone was there to have a good time. The race was sponsored by Capo Creek Ranch Vineyards, so there were plenty of tasting opportunities. I was in pre-race mode, and I have a strict rule about drinking wine before a race. No more than two glasses.

I met a bunch of great people as I walked around before the race. That’s nothing new. The people I meet at these races are always so welcoming and fun.

 

There was one guy who took having fun and drinking to a new level. As we lined up at the starting line, I saw this guy walking up and down the corals drinking wine right from the bottle and hyping up the runners. I had my earbuds in and my music playing but I still heard this dude yelling. I assume he was either there to support a runner or he just really likes watching 5Ks.

The course was pretty flat and easy. I ran to my AC/DC playlist again, which got me pumped up and kept me going. I was a bit disappointed to find out that they were not tracking times or paces but I would guess that I ran about a 10:30 mile. It felt really good, especially when I crossed the finish line and someone immediately handed me a glass of wine. I’ll say it. Every race should end that way.

I was starving after the race, so I walked over to take advantage of the food trucks that lined the field. The decision was pretty easy once I saw that there was a taco truck. As I stood in line, I heard a familiar sound. You guessed it! The Loud Yeller was just a few feet away, surrounded by a group of older women, and pouring wine in their cups. For the sake of the women, I hope it was not the same bottle he drank from earlier. For his liver’s sake, I hope it was the same.

After I finished my tacos, I got an Uber back to the hotel. I was wiped out from the race, so I just had a couple of glasses of wine in my room and watched TV.

Uber Driver Spotlight: Brittany

I felt a kinship with my driver, Brittany, right away. I think it’s because we’re both moms. She told me about her kids with the happiness and pride that only a mom can have. To be honest, I was a little jealous of her. My kids are in college and about to start their own lives. She still has all those special, growing-up moments ahead. Cherish them all, Brittany. Five stars, Supermom!

I got up crazy early to make it to the train station for my trip back home. I slept for most of that ride, no Bloody Marys or Mimosas that time. Just coffee…OK, yeah, with a little bit of Bailey’s. When I got home, it was automatic this time. I went right to the map and stuck the pin in Chicago.

Holy sh*t! I’m doing this! Four down!

Next up…Sin City!!!

*I’m not a doctor or a nutritionist so this might not be true.
**I am an expert in drinking wine so this is true.