New shoes!

The time has come for new running shoes...which is kind of fun for me.  Not only do I like shopping but I love the smell of new shoes (weird, I know) and it's fun.  I went to Road Runners in Carytown because they were so fabulous to me before - watching how I walked/ foot rotation, taking me through different pairs and brands to find the right shoe.  Kind of like the Goldilocks and the 3 bears - having to find just the right one.  This time, they weren't as fabulous but I still got my shoes and kept my pride in check.  While I know you don't buy running shoes based on color, I was THRILLED to get a spiffy green pair!

I also got my 13.1 magnet for the back of my car...it only took me a year.  Better late than never, right?  And if my dream of moving to NYC comes true, I'll just have to find a new place to proudly display my accomplishment. :)  I can't wait for my next run!  I think I'm going to try a new bootcamp this week that meets up at various parks around Richmond.  What are you doing to keep things fun and new?  Happy trails!

Spring is in Richmond!

I woke up this morning to an absolutely gorgeous day in Richmond - a little crisp, cool air in the morning but with plenty of sunshine and warmth on my face.  It's official, spring has come to Richmond...my favorite time of year!  The only thing that would make it better is football, but we can't have everything we want. :)  My knee has been bothering lately...apparently I haven't been babying my knee enough and it's time to build the muscles back up around my knee, but the new thing is my ankle hurting.  I'm guessing it's time for new shoes.

Anyway, this morning brought me back to Flatwater for a run and it couldn't have been more fabulous.  One of the reasons I love this run so much is that I get to run next to the river for 3 1/2 glorious miles.  I have always loved being in or around water - to me, it's very calming and it helps me to straighten out my thoughts when things are bothering me.  I'm also a multi-tasker (just a hint, if you salsa dance, don't listen to that music while you run, otherwise you may find your feet trying to do the salsa moves while running...this usually ends in an almost face plant, based on my experience) so while I was listening to my ipod, I'm staring at the river marveling at the water.  Don't get me wrong, I took Science and Physics in school, I understand water and how it moves but it still shocks me, and makes me want to be more like water.  I know, this sounds weird.  However as I'm running, I'm watching the water, how the wind affects it, speeds up, slows down, splits to go around large masses, goes above rocks, etc.  No matter what life throws at me, I want to be able to speed up, slow down, move around or above objects and not let anything stand in my way.  How can we all be more like the river water?

These are a few of my favorite things

Clearly, trying to do healthy things makes me happy...hence the blog.  Though that's not the only thing that makes me happy.  Besides, life is about more than exercise. :)   This past weekend I was in Atlanta to celebrate my niece turning 1!!!  I can't believe she's 1 already!  It seems like the year has flown by but at the same time, I feel like she should be 5 by now.  I love making cakes so I convinced Andrea that we should make Maddie's first birthday cake.  Even though we were delirious by the time we finished decorating the cake at 12:15 the morning of the party, I think we did a good job.  (For those wondering, each of the "dots" are actually individually piped stars)

Then it was time for Maddie to blow out her cake and smash into it!  Though being the gentle, loving child she is...she wasn't quite sure what to do, so Andrea helped her out.

Then Maddie was nice enough to share...what a thoughtful kid.

It was a great party and a great weekend with Jason, Andrea, Maddie, my parents and the Smiths.  My little niece is starting to develop a personality and I love seeing it and seeing her laugh.  Pretty much, if she laughs, then I'm a happy person.  It's amazing how much I love her and how quickly that love developed.  However, all good things must come to an end and as sad as it was, we had to hop back in the car and drive back to Richmond.  This week has been crazy busy which includes two potlucks tomorrow.  Another thing that makes me happy?  Baking and cooking.  I had to decide on my dishes at the last minute...my favorite of the 2?  Angel food cake surprise.  It's yummy, light and filling. 

It's also nice to be reminded to be thankful...this has nothing to do with the fact that I use this over Thanksgiving. ;)

A pasta salad was made....but the picture's not too pretty.  What else have I enjoyed this week?  My family being silly...and loving where I come from.  Enjoy!

Rewarding weekend

After a drama-filled week last week, I just wanted to get out of town and away from all the craziness...preferably to some water...for some reason being around water is very calming for me.  However, after waiting too late to call and stop by griff & mc's place an then talking to a few people, I decided to self-heal in-town and with some friends.  Saturday morning brought beautiful weather and a walk/run 10k with my friend, Laura.  We started in Carytown and zig-zagged all around to Monument, Grove, Byrd Park with plenty of people watching and commenting along the way.  Our treat for completing the 10k was going to be Carytown Cupcakes - courtesy of Groupon.  After we finished, we grabbed our purses and headed back down Cary, making a stop at Subway...where I was quickly reminded what I conveniently forgot - if I do anything over 5 miles, I make myself sick.  Joy.  As I'm standing in line placing my order, I had to yell over to Laura to come finish for me and I basically collapsed into my chair.  Laura was a trooper and brought my food and sugar-filled soda to pump me back up.  Yay Mr. Pibb.  After that, I still wasn't feeling great, so we decided to hold off on the cupcakes for another adventure.  I woke up Sunday morning and boy howdy, I could feel the 10k from the day before.  Instead of taking a rest day, I chose to get a little swimming in and it was fabulous.  I forgot how awesome it is to be back in the water and block all the noise, thoughts and commotion out of my mind.  It's always nice when you rediscover the joy you found in something so long ago and one of the reasons you miss it too.  All in all, a great training weekend for both the 10k in April and my triathlon in May.  Wow.  That just sounds so soon.  And with that, I'm a little freaked out. :o