2016 in Running and Books

Once again, I read a lot of books this year! Not my best year, but work and school caused me to read some academic related books as opposed to my fun, fiction reads! The starred (*) books are the ones I recommend.

1. Anybody Out There? by Marian Keys
2. Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari*
3. Cold Cold Heart by Tami Hoag
4. Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight
5. New York by Edward Rutherford*
6. Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married by Marian Keys
7. Last Chance Saloon by Marian Keys
8. The Other Side of the Story by Marian Keyes
9. A Man Called Ove by Frederick Backman*
10. Hatteras Girl by Leslie Wisler
11. Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand*
12. The Assistants by Camille Perri*
13. The Matchmaker by Elin Hilderbrand*
14. Summer People by Elin Hilderbrand*
15. Silver Girl by Elin Hilderbrand*
16. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson*
17. I Still Dream of You by Fannie Flagg*
18. Babyville by Jane Green*
19. Covet by Tracey Garvis Graves*
20. The Housewife and the Actor by Shannon Hale
21. Barefoot by Elin Hilderbrand
22. No Kidding: Women Writers on Bypassing Parenthood by Henriette Mantel
23. Gray Mountain by John Grisham
24. Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson*
25. Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella
26. Silver Bay by Jojo Moyes
27. Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead
28. Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult*
29. Truly, Madly, Guilty by Liane Moriarty
30. Deadline by Sandra Brown*
31. Turning Tables by Heather and Rose McDowall
32. Boys on the Boat by James Brown*
33. Drowning Ruth by Christina Swartz*

I also ran a lot this year! I set personal records (PR) in the 15k, 10k, 5k and half marathon (I PRed twice!). Sadly, no full marathon PR due to getting the flu, but overall, it was a great running year! Click here to see all my records and races! My total miles for the year are about 1382, which is lower than my 1414 from 2015 BUT I blame that on my un-run marathon and the week of non-running due to illness:)

My running goals for next year actually includes running FEWER races (trying to save more $) and doing two marathons in the fall- Chicago and Richmond! I am excited to run more for fun and less for time...thankfully, setting so many PR's this last year takes the pressure off and let's me enjoy my miles for my mental, physical and emotional health rather than the clock time. 2017 will be the year of LESS pressure on myself and MORE enjoyment of my hobby!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy NEW YEAR! GOODBYE 2016!

Unplugging

Happy New Year! I hope your first few days of 2016 have been full of rest, thinking about the new beginning, maybe a little less food than the past few weeks, and friends and family!  I don't believe in making resolutions at the new year, because I believe you can change your life at anytime, but there is a big resolution I have been thinking of for a while.

Unplugging.

I tend to get caught up in the day-to-day lives of other people and how I measure up to them. I spend too much time on Facebook and Instagram, twitter and tumblr, blogs and online news sites, and when I really thought about it, I realize how much happier I am when I am not plugging in. 

This goes back to things I said about my blog, too. I love this as a diary of my life, but I am finding I have less and less to say, and don't want to keep it up when it is not a true measure of my thoughts and activities. It is really at it's best when I am saying important/interesting/exciting things rather than the ordinary. I don't want to feed in to the culture of comparing and measuring up, because what I am doing and what you are doing shouldn't have to be compared. We are all doing fine.

So, this year I am unplgguing a little bit. I am not going to post as much and will only do so when I really have something to say. I think that many people talk when what they are saying doesn't mean anything. I think that the point of an online forum is to speak when what we say can help other people and make a difference. This blog does not do that for me anymore, and I only want to keep it up if it does. 

So I will be seeing you this year, but much less. I am sure I will have races and travels to talk about, but my day-to-day is just that, my own day-to-day. I'll catch ya when I do.

HAPPY 2016!!!

New Years 2015

Since Monday I have been in an awesome beach house with friends in Duck, Outer Banks. It has been a great way to celebrate the end of one year and start of another. Here are bunches of pictures- enjoy!

New Years Eve!

Awesome book quote. Reading is a must at the beach.

Final sunset of 2014:) What a wonderful world!

View from our porch to the ocean!

Our house! Living in luxury:)

The beach is great anytime of the year!

Walking to coffee in town with some of the crew.

So true:)

How was your New Years?

2014 in Books

I read a lot of books this year, but I did loose some steam after I started back in school. 

The ones with asterisks (*) are recommended. Enjoy!

1. Drive by Daniel H. Pink
2. **My Sister's Grave by Robert Dugoni
3. The Women of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan
4. The Beast by Faye Kellerman
5. The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell
6. **The Rosie Project by Greame Simsion
7. **Hello, Darkness by Sandra Brown
8. **Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
9. **Still Alice by Lisa Genova
10. We All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner
11. The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes
12. One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
13. **Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
14. The Second Wives Club by Jane Moore
15. Home to Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani
16. **The Last Letter From Your Lover by Jojo Moyes
17. Deadline by Sandra Brown
18. Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot
19. The Other Woman by Hank Phillipi Ryan
20. The First Affair by Emma McLaughlin
21. Otherwise Engaged by Eileen Goudge
22. **A Dog's Journey by W. Bruce Cameron
23. Queen of Babble in the Big City by Meg Cabot
24. Four Friends by Robyn Carr
25. **The Silver Star by Jeannette Wells
26. The Matchmaker by Elin Hilderbrand
27. Another Piece of my Heart by Jane Green
28. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
29. **Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
30. **Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
31. Ellen Foster by Kay Gibbons
32. Family Portraits by Jane Green
33. **Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham
34. Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding
35. Return To Sullivan's Island by Dorthea Benton Frank
36. **The Things We Do For Love by Kristin Hannah
37. **This Is Where I Leave You by Johnathan Tropper
38. The Fault in our Stars by John Green
39. One Summer by David Baldacci
40. Bleachers by John Grisham
41. Downtown by Anne Rivers Siddons
42. **Princess by Jean Sasson
43. Black Notice by Patricia Cornwell
44. Glitter and Glue by Kelly Corrigan
45. The Price by Joan Johnson
46. **On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves
47. The Collector by Nora Roberts
48. Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood
49. Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple
50. After the Darkness by Sidney Sheldon
51. **Orphan Train by Christine Baker Klein
52. **The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom
53. Fireworks Over Toccoa by Jeffrey Stepakoff
54. **Early Decision by Lacy Crawford
55. **Belong To Me by Marissa de Los Santos
56. Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
57. The Guest House by Erika Marks
58. Always Something There to Remind Me by Beth Harrison
59. Love Anthony by Lisa Genova
60. **The Promise of Stardust by Pricille Sibley
61. **Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
62. The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
63. **Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
64. **The Unlikely Disciple by Kevin Roose
65. Beachcombers by Nancy Thayer
66. **What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
67. **Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
68. Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston
69. Smoke Screen by Sandra Brown
70. **Low Pressure by Sandra Browm

Did I miss any great books this year? I love recommendations!

Happy New Year!

Happy 2014!

I hope you all had a great New Year's Eve and are ready for a fresh start in the New Year!

As I have said, 2013 was neither good nor bad for me...nothing major happened but nothing awful either. I did complete some running goals (two half marathons!) and traveled to new places (Spain!), but other than that life was pretty standard. Hopefully 2014 will only get better and the new job should be a big part of that:).

Last night I celebrated the end of the year at my friend Brooke's house. I didn't take many pictures but you can look below!

Some ladies

The yellow suite had to make an appearance.

Tawny and I...in 2014

I had to bust out a similar picture at New Year's a few years back to compare my "aging."

Me and my friend Meredith New Year's 2009...notice the outfit. Do I look older now?

I can see some new lines on my face, but I think I look pretty much the same (despite the lighting making me look paler this year).

Best idea ever: Everyone putting their predictions about 2014 in a jar and then reading them at midnight- hysterical!

Also, did I tell you all that I got an iPod Touch for Christmas??!! It is an amazing toy and I am loving instagram and all the apps. I had a lot of fun last night posting and reading people's updates. So much better than facebook! Luckily I get all the benefits of a smartphone without the increased monthly bill:)  

Enjoy your day!

Top 5 of '12

It's time for my annual TOP 5 of the year! Check out the last two years' lists....here and here!

5. Getting involved. This was more towards this years end, but I have gotten more involved in activities outside of work- joining a social sport league (kickball) and volunteering at the SPCA. In my quest to get involved and do things for fun or for others I am starting to cleanse my life of "extras." My first step in this is ending working for my friend's pet sitting business. I felt the need to simplify certain things in my life to allow for more flexibility and free time and that is the first to go (I will also work less at ticket sales for games). I am excited about the time I will have for other activities.

4. Weddings! I watched six friends walk down the aisle this year. All weddings were unique and great fun. I wish them all the best:)

3. Running! Ok, ok, I know, I know- I had this on the list two years ago, and it's not really an exciting thing, but I am continuing to make strides in my running and have registered for my first half-marathon. I hope my enthusiasm and good feelings continue until March!

2. Traveling to Texas! I had a nice, solo visit to my brother's place in Texas. It was a fun trip where I got to see a lot of the Lonestar State and hang with my bro and sis-in-law! Some giant Texas margarita's were also involved.

1. Buying my condo! I love love love my new home and feel like it is a great reflection of who I am at this point in my life. The process was not as smooth as I would have hoped, but it all worked out and has been an affordable investment. It is the perfect size, my neighbors are great, and I LOVE the area. It is close to everything with great restaurants, running routes, shops, movie theaters and parks. I think I'll stay for a while:)

And with that I wish you and your families the Happiest of Holidays...so Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanza, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! I am spending my Christmas with my parents and brother, visiting family in Ohio, and celebrating the New Year with friends back in Richmond! I hope 2012 ends for us all with a renewed faith in the beauty of everyday life.

The most sacred place dwells within our heart, where dreams are born and secrets sleep, a mystical refuge of darkness and light, fear and conquest, adventure and discovery, challenge and transformation. Our heart speaks for our soul every moment while we are alive. Listen... as the whispering beat repeats: be...gin, be...gin, be...gin. It's really that simple. Just begin... again.
Royce Addington 

Cheers to a new beginning this year!

No Fret-Feb!

A super sweet friend gave me an awesome compliment on Thursday. She said..."You make me so happy because I feel like even though you're one of the busiest people, you're ALWAYS happy, peppy, and glad to be there. It warms my heart."

This meant a lot to me a). because it is an awesome compliment and b). because sometimes I don't necessarily think I am as peppy/happy as I could be. I worry at work that I act jaded when I don't agree with certain things I have to do or am told to do something last minute. I worry that I say what I feel too much and that it could be constrewed as negative and cynical. I really don't feel that way (I just hate when I have to do the same thing over and over again that doesn't work when others expect a different outcome each time...isn't that the term for crazy?...but that's not for here)!

However, I do know that how I act is mostly happy/peppy. It is just who I am. So even when I am mad or frustrated, I know that I do it in a peppy way (if that is possible). I also know that gossip and negativity spread easily, though, so I need to keep a watchful eye on what and who I say things to. I just have a hard time keeping anything to myself because it's no fun to be the only one who knows or thinks a certain way!!

So a new 2012 goal for me (since the veganism is not doing well...damn you hidden cheese/milk!) is to be more knowledgeable of my actions, watch my word choices and keep things to myself at work  (even with friends). It is no-fret FEB!

New Day, New Month, New Year, New Life

It's always good to know that even when life is changing and you are adjusting and dealing with what you want from it, or even when you have a bad day or week or month, that the sun does always come up; you do go about doing things you love...spending time with friends, writing, exercising, reading...and you find that each day is a day to start over and make a change or adjust your way of thinking. I like that even though you may have been some way your whole life or even part of your life, each day is a chance to begin anew again. We can constantly reinvent ourselves. And for that I am grateful.

I wrote this back in June and was reminded of this thought the other night. When I started out on this blog, it was more of a joke- a funny thing I did in college that my roommates often pushed me to do. Then I decided I wanted to make it something more, like a journal of my life in grad school and in pursuit of a job. More and more it really has become a great reflection of my thoughts, my ups and downs, and simply what my life is like at each stage. It is becoming a great personal diary and place where I can compose my thoughts. I am getting comfortable sharing things I probably wouldn't have wanted to share even a year ago, and I am finding people saying more and more to me that they appreciate the honesty and can relate to what I post.

Where am I going with all this (this seems to be a question I often post on here along with my thoughts)? Well, there is a topic that is a bit taboo for me to speak about, simply because for years it was uncomfortable for me to bring up because I didn't want people to judge me, look at me or think of me a certain way. Only close friends and family know and as I become more distant from it, I am more and more comfortable talking about it. The bottom line is I suffered from an eating disorder the end of high school into the very beginning of college. I am not bringing this up to go into details of what it was like or how I recovered or to get sympathy, but part of the reason the beginning statement on this post is so powerful to me is because that is how I have (and had to) look(ed) at life for a long time. Each day was a new day to make it better (or make it worse) and it was with each waking sun that I moved closer and closer to who I am now. I was in control and it was up to me to make my life what I wanted it to be. Now this doesn't have to just relate to what I was struggling with, and as I have gotten older it has different meaning, but I find it is still a powerful message and thought process to have going through my head each day.

Life is hard. Harder than I think anyone ever expects it to be. You have internal struggles no one knows about and external failures that everyone sees. No one is perfect and everyone is constantly changing. I will never be 100% over my eating disorder just as someone is never 100% over the death of a loved one or a tragedy that changed their life. But we adapt, learn, grow and recharge. We make do and move on. We're all quirky and that's ok (hey, it's what makes us who we are)! We're weird. But we find passions to keep us going and avenues that allow us to reevaluate and make changes in ourselves. We become this person that may be far from where we started but closer to our true selves than we thought. We become comfortable in our own skin. We are always learning. I think the secret to life is resiliency and what better way to be resilient than to approach each day fresh and motivated to make it a good one? To take control every waking morning of your life?

So as you go into the new year, think less about a single resolution, but work with yourself every day to change your struggles or bad habits. Today is your day to be your best and to do what you set out to do. You can change everything about your life starting right now. Isn't that fabulous to hear?

Happy 2012:)