Weekend News

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GABBY! A huge shout out to my best friend who is celebrating her birthday today! Happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you!!! Y'all might have this kind of friendship... shes that friend who can make me laugh, cry and hold my hair back when I'm not feelin so hot. She's opened her home and heart to me. I'll never forget sitting up on the 8th floor at the UCSB library and we shared our life stories (all 18 years of it) with almost no introduction prior to chatting it up. And I knew our fate was sealed when we were sitting through Poli Sci 12 and she asked me, "what would you do if I just ran up to the stage and mooned the entire lecture hall??" THATS SO GABBY!!!! Shes the real deal... kind, loving, hilarious, goofy and a great friend. I hope she has a kick-ass birthday.

After celebrating tonight, I'm running a half marathon on Sunday and I'm sooo excited! I've been pretty nutsoid about my training this time around and I'm STOKED! If all goes as planned, I should be kickin some booty. I'm injury free and rested. HUGE! More details to come....

Some new love

I really don't know how it happened but I've had a total new appreciation for where I live. Its crazy! I think I live in the most amazing part of town!!! I've been spending some more time by the beach lately and the views have been INCREDIBLE! A couple days a week I'm out on the bluffs for a morning workout - we start in the dark and get to watch the sun light up the sky (as we're getting our abs worked to death!). And last night I saw a beauuuutiful sunset... every bright color was blasted in the sky. Kinda took my breath away.

And then the trails!! and the mountains!!! I actually just got back from checking out a trail I'm going to dominate tomorrow... I'm sosososo super excited. I'm actually giddy at the thought of going out for a long run in the morning... the views are going to be killer and I can't wait to try something new. And of course, I couldn't be more excited to kill it with my favorite running partner... (a total side note - for anyone who runs solo, running with a group or a friend or a boyfriend... AMAAAZING!)

Annnnyway.... I can't forget to mention, its 70 something out - short and a tshirt wearing weather in JANUARY! My friends back east can't even walk a block without hating life and I get to enjoy the beach and warm weather most of the year. Its pretty unreal.

What gets me up in the morning

I'm sitting here on a Sunday morning at 6:46am and dyyyying. I woke up about 45 minutes ago so I could run... and in all honesty, I'm pooped. I was lying in bed this morning and just asked why. Why in the world did I pick up running??

I picked up running because there is nothing better then the accomplishment of one more mile. I picked up running because I love how its just me - the crazy one - outside in all sorts of weather, on all sorts of paths, at weird hours of the day. I picked up running because I love the way I feel when I cross the finish line or how it gives me strength and courage to beat anything that is trying to keep me down. And I picked up running because there is something so thrilling and electrifying about it. Its really that simple.

I just finished my last gulp of water before my 13 miler. Its time to go!!!!!

New year, new times

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I've had an amazing start in '09 and couldn't be more thankful for all that life has brought me. I have an incredible set of friends that keep me happy and grounded. I guess I'm feeling a lil nostalgic right now, so bare with me while I take a look back....

I kicked off 08 with a bang... nothin like a little car accident to get the year started off in the right direction... it was just all a little test to see what I'm made of!! But not to worry, I passed with flying colors and I learned I have more inner strength then I ever knew possible. I then made my way to Atlanta for a year which was AMAAAZING... incredible professional opportunity that I thank my lucky stars for. My team ended up saving a safety net hospital from closing its doors. SWEET! How awesome is that?

In the midst of the crazy travel, I managed to run 2 half marathons and finished strong with a 2nd 26.2 under my belt. Not bad for being in 2 time zones every other day. THEN... not only did I move and shack up wherever I could find a place for 6 months, I FINALLY GOT MY OWN APARTMENT! I'll never forget standing in line with Kel for lunch in May and telling her that by the time I'm 28, I'm getting my own place. Done and Done. Love that I can check that off the to do list. (and with a month to spare!)

OOOOH. And Obama gets elected. How coooooool is that? Totally random and off the subject, but I just saw Milk the other day and it seriously amazes me how progressive we think we are, but maybe we're really not so much. It took how many years to get a non WASP in office (sorry, with the exception of Kennedy, but he's close enough)?? And the whole gay rights movement - which is clearly still far from being resolved - only made headway in the late 70s. Thats nothin! Maybe its that I live in California and we're as liberal as it gets, but its pretty reeeediculous how long it takes to get our country to see the light. (I'm never biased, I know)

Annnyway, back to the topic at hand. Thanksgiving. Something definitely felt different in the air. Atlanta was behind me, the move was underway and things just fell right into place. I had my family beside me and the turkey feast was delish. In all actuality, this holiday season has been nothing short of breathtaking.

I rang in the new year with my guy and my closest friends beside me. How perfect! And in 09, I've laughed more then ever, I scored a new running coach and feel excited - for the first time in a long time - for the year to come.

Bring it 2009!