Good Old Colorado

Hey Everyone! So I’m finally back in Kansas City, and I’ll be back to Chicago at the end of the week! Haha I realize this blog has turned more into a chronicle of my travels rather than workouts and recipes, but we’ll be back to normal next week!

Where was one of the first places I hit up when I went to Colorado Springs? The Whole Foods, of course! Although the actual store was a lot small than the one in Chicago, their bulk section literally made my jaw drop.

It was the biggest bulk section I’d ever seen! They even had several Udi’s granolas! I was rather impressed.

The first day we were there turned out to be absolutely gorgeous! I think the temperature got up to around 65 degrees! Since we had some work to do at the house, we hung out there all morning, and by the afternoon I was out on the porch (the only place my phone had service…) enjoying the beautiful sunshine and a kombucha!

After helping out at the house, I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and head out on a run around the neighborhood. What I didn’t think about, however, was all the hills and the altitude! The first 2 miles of my run were all uphill, and trust me, I could feel it! I had to take a walking break to catch my breath (and try not to throw up… TMI?). However, once I got up to the highest point I really picked it up and finished out the last half of my five mile run at a great pace!

I was exhausted, but so proud of myself! I finished 5 miles in 45 minutes. Afterwards, my mom and I went on a walk around the neighborhood too! Haha much milder this time, no nausea!

For dinner, we went to my favorite restaurant in Colorado Springs: The Golden Bee! It’s a part of the Broadmoor, which is a gorgeous hotel, and was all decorated for Christmas!

The Bee was always my favorite growing up because they’d give you bee stickers when you went there. They are actually really nice stickers; embroidered and they last forever! (trust me, we have them ALL OVER our house… and on my computer… and phone).

I was a little worried, however, because the Bee is modeled off of an English Pub, in other words not very gluten-free friendly. Actually, when we got there I realized I literally could not have anything from the menu but a side salad, until…

The waitress said they had gluten free bread! You should have seen my face! Now I could order one of their delicious sandwiches!

I got a half Reuben with a side salad, and it was absolutely perfect! The bread was delicious!

Afterwards my mom and I ended up stopping at Baskin Robbins, which is right near our house. Perfect ending to the evening!

The next morning I checked out the gym in our neighborhood. The gym was great, but the view was even better. Who wouldn’t wake up early to workout to this?

Oh, and I have a great story about these pictures. When I got off the treadmill to switch to doing weights, I decided to step outside on the balcony to take these pictures… Little did I know the door locked behind me.

I had to go down the stairs and walk around the building, and back in through the front lobby, all in my gross workout clothes and 35 degree weather… Let’s just say I felt a little silly after that one.

 

Does your family have a special vacation place where you always went growing up?

Did anyone else have abnormally gorgeous weather this week? How did you enjoy it?