Tiny Thunder Running

Almost a month ago (April 29th), I ran the Race Against Racism in Harrisburg. Every year, my employer is a sponsor and allows so many employees to have a free entry into the race. I was bummed to miss it last year because they changed the course so I was extra excited to have the chance to go this year. source I don’t run a ton of 5k’s so I try to go all out and see what kind of effort I can muster. I knew I raced the Lucky Charm HBG 10k at an 8:43 average, so I was trying really hard to see what I could accomplish below that.  I knew I was capable of 8’ish minute miles because I had run them in training, but holding that for more than a mile was nerve-wracking.  People laugh at me when I tell them 5ks make me nervous. They think that because I run long distances, that 5ks are a breeze but they aren’t. When we train long distances, we don’t run really quick paces like we often push for in those pesky 5ks.  I get excited and nervous all at the same time. ...

T Shadle Photography In 2014, not long after I got more serious about running, I found someone in my running group who was involved in our local  Girls on the Run  chapter and I reached out.  I had been watching the website and wanted to get involved, but the 5ks prior were held on weekends I was busy. Lucky for me, the 5ks weren't the only option for getting involved. I ended up signing up to be part of the 5k planning committee (to make sure I was available) and also as a Solemate (the fundraising portion of GOTR). In the 3 years since working GOTR, I have helped plan four 5ks, been a Solemate 4 times (including this year), and have had a blast every step of the way. While I wasn't officially on the planning committee for this spring season, I did get to help out with a special group of people we like to call "Spirit Runners." The purpose of this group is to 1. wear a pink cape and be awesome, and 2. to cheer on all the girls and their running buddies. As ...

Last summer while visiting my sister in WV, my mom found a flyer advertising some local races. There was a spring half, 5k and kids fun run as well as a fall full, half, 5k and kids run. I knew these events had to go on my 2017 calendar.  The best part about the spring race,  Harper's Ferry Half Marathon , was that my sister lives about 10 minutes from the start line. The half marathon started at 8:00 am at  River Riders  which has both water activities and an adventure park with zip-lining and other really neat stuff. I hope to go back another time and explore. Back to the race though... Communication leading up to race day was awesome and ensured I wouldn't miss a single detail. Friday evening, packet pick up was at the Clarion hotel right behind/above the River Riders location. The process was simple and we were in and out without a problem.We even had to switch my oldest nephew to the 5k since online registration only let my sister's sign him up for the f...

If this weekend taught me anything it is that I have such amazing friends in this crazy world.. even if sometimes I don't make plans for a really long time because I am a spazz. Every day of this past weekend, I got to see some of my favorite people in the world and was reminded just how special these people are to me. Friday night started out with some old work friends, some of who I have not seen in almost a year. We went to dinner at our local Bonefish Grill and enjoyed all the delicious food and a few drinks. It was so much fun catching up with this crew and having SO many laughs with them. I think we might have scared some of the people around us when we burst into laughter, but oh well. I can't say enough about the few hours I got to spend with this wild group. I do miss the days we all worked together and could catch up in between our appointments, but I am not sure I miss being at the job. We have all since moved on to other things but still keep in touch! ...

The past two weeks I haven't posted a single blog entry again. I am not falling back off the blogging wagon. At least I am TRYING not to. I was doing well. I planned out Monday afternoons to sit and write, to get posts ready for the coming week. The last two Mondays have been busy and I didn't get that time. It is clear that if I don't set aside time, it won't get done. You see... between work, running, taking care of household stuff and trying to make sure I still give myself time to rest and relax... there isn't always much time left at the end of the day sometimes. That being said, I wanted to reflect a little on the self-care idea. I have learned that if I don't do something regularly for me.. just me.. it is not good. I am not talking lavish spa days or even a trip to the salon. Sometimes its just eating a really well balanced meal, others it might be taking time to paint my toenails, or even just taking time to putz around in the garden outside. The...

So I am a little late to the party today, but never the less I am joining  Running with spoons  again for some random "thinking out loud." I will start with why I am blogging so darn late in the day- work was holy terror, then I had a hair cut (LOVE!!!), came home for about an hour, talked to my neighbor and then went on a rainy run with friends. Today was rainy, I started work early to cover for someone who was off, and it was just entirely too busy. Stress from the start of the day is just too much for me. Took a step back, took a deep breath and just mustered on hour by hour today. The hair cut!! My hair salon moved and their new place is super cute. I haven't had a cut in almost a year and was pretty excited to get freshened up.  I have been obsessed with watching this Netflix series  13 reasons why . While the premise of the series is sad and revolves around a teen suicide, this series is addicting as heck. It is hard to stop watchi...

I am not usually one to publicly display my goals, but I feel this one needs talked about. Back in January, I embarked on a month long yoga journey via  Yoga Revolution  thanks to  Yoga with Adrienne  (you can download them  here  for donation or access on youtube for free.) This was the second year I started with one of her challenges and I felt so fulfilled a the end of it. After 2016's "Yoga Camp," I vowed to myself that I would practice at least once each week which I mostly stuck to. After this year's program concluded, I decided I would do the same. Well kids we are now in April and let me tell you something. It is no longer enough. Some days, I am so tense mentally and physically that I really JUST. NEED.MORE. source Working at a desk 8 hours a day and then sticking to my goal of 100 miles or more every month makes me feel all rigid, antsy, and inflexible (just to name a few.) By the end of January I felt great body and (mostly) mind. Al...