A Year Of Running

So I'm not a professional athlete. I had wanted to run for years, but had others tell me I wasn't exactly "runner material". With my asthma, bad knee and other health issues I even had a doctor laugh when I brought it up. I felt frustrated and defeated, then January of last year rolled around and the Air Force marathon popped up in my feed. I thought "Why couldn't I just try?' So I looked into what with would take to prepare for the 10k and signed up that week. Unfortunately I broke a rib and a toe prior to the race, but I was still determined to finish. I was in a lot of pain by the time I crossed the finish line, but I did finish.

A week after the marathon, I went to New York for a week and a half. During that time I was determined to continue my training while trying to be mindful of my current injuries. Lucky for me, the weather was perfect my whole trip (Except my last day) and I was able to start my day with a run in central park. If you haven't had the chance to do this, I highly recommend it at some point. (I will elaborate on this in a later post about my trip)

By far, my favorite race I did in 2018 has to be the Hot Chocolate 15k in Columbus,OH. Not only is it my farthest official race to date, the overall theme was so much fun, the medal is so adorable and its sponsored by my favorite hydration product (Nuun). The expo for the Columbus race is a little smaller than others I have been to, but there is still so much to enjoy! The crowd participation and ‘cheerleaders’ were wonderful too, from handing out little sweet snacks and water/nuun to the amazing signs they made!

I completed 6 races in 2018, determined to prove not only to myself, but to others that I could be a runner at any age, size or health condition. This year I've decided to do 12 races this year while also upping my training program. The goal is to average one race a month, ranging in different distances to keep my training interesting and give myself checkpoints to measure my progress. One of the 12 races I will be running will also be my first half marathon, which will be in the Rock n’ Roll series!

So the moral of this story is, no matter what people say, do not let them tell you or try to determine what your future is for you. It's your life. You are at the wheel, not anyone else. If there is something you have been wanting to do, take those first steps today towards that goal. Shut out the toxic negativity of others and believe that not only is you goal possible, but you are worthy of it.

Year Of The Flamingo

So I have the tradition of every New Year, while some make resolutions that may or may not be kept, I choose an animal to embody the spirit of what I want to accomplish that year.

This year I've decided it shall be the year of the flamingo! Yes, I've chosen the bright pink bird found most commonly in Florida. It's time to stop doubting myself and stand out instead of blending into the background. Be bold and go for my goals and embrace my true unique self instead of what makes others happy. Hopefully others will find the courage to do the same this year.

Bucket List: #9

So I am sure just about everyone has seen, if not heard about the movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” starring Audrey Hepburn. It’s based off the book by Truman Capote bearing the same name which tells the story of a writer and his escapades in New York with Holly Golightly. Now as I watched this when I was younger, the thought didn’t even occur to me that Holly was basically a low-key prostitute. I just remember seeing the glamorous Audrey Hepburn and the iconic image of her in a black dress, a pearl choker and the over sized black sunglasses having her coffee while gazing into the famous Tiffany & Co storefront window. That image has always stuck with me throughout the years, so much so that I have a framed picture of it hanging in my bedroom.

Tiffany’s has always been the epitome of feminine luxury and glamour, from the iconic engagement ring to their signature brooches worn by celebrities. Even Carol Channeling and Marilyn Monroe sang about the famous brand in the song “Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend.” It is even a part of the Christmas song “Santa Baby”, reminding us that there are many women would love to find that teal box under the tree.

I have always looked at the catalogs, storefront windows and the website, marveling at the sparkling crafted items in awe.There was just something about that teal box tied up with that white ribbon that has always lingered in the back of my mind. So in 2017 I had decided that I would have a “Treat Yo Self” day for my birthday with one of my best friends. We decided to seek out a different shopping landscape than our usual malls, so we headed the next state over to the city of Indianapolis. The first place we stopped was the fashion mall, which wasn't exactly something we had in our area back home. When we walked in, we were immediately greeted by designer storefronts that you usually only saw ads for in Vogue, everything from Prada to Burberry lined this two floor mall. After we found a mall map with a store roster, listed under jewelry was none other than Tiffany & Co. It was like the birthday gods were telling me that it was time to check something that had long been on my bucket list: To purchase something from Tiffany’s and have my own Audrey moment.

Now there is something about the atmosphere in a Tiffany’s when you walk in, there is a feeling that sweeps over you as you approach the meticulously maintained glass counters. The overall sleek interior is only complimented by the wide array of sparkling items that are perfectly arranged in all of the cases. The woman that approached us from behind the case was incredibly kind and helpful, especially once I told her what we were doing. I had seen a particular necklace on the website, The ‘Return to Tiffany’ double heart mini pendant. It has two iconic Tiffany things: the ‘Return to Tiffany’ stamp and the signature Tiffany blue. I couldn't think of a more perfect thing for both my birthday and the bucket list. So when I described the item to the woman, she knew exactly what I was describing and retrieved it for me.

She came back with this black velvet lined showcase book, the necklace perfectly displayed in the center. I knew that was the piece for me and asked her to ring it up and if it was ok for me to wear it out of the store. She nodded and helped me put it on before taking my information, informing me of the warranty and cleaning. She even wrapped the box my necklace was supposed to go in with the perfect white bow before placing it in the teal bag, picturesque for displaying.

As my grandma would say, “I don’t need a man to buy me jewelry. If I want it, I’ll buy it.” And that is how I checked off number 9 on my bucket list.

Hello there!

So before posting anything on this blog, perhaps I should explain what you will find here. I am a fairly eclectic person, this is very evident if you were to look through my music and movie collection among other things. I feel like it would only be right if this blog reflected that part of me too. You will find me writing about many adventures with my friends, an amateur running career, checking some items off a bucket list, maybe a few entries about some hobbies, and just life in general. If any of these interest you, then stay tuned! If not, then thanks for stopping by! Either way, mahalo!