Running and Laughing through the Golden State
Running and Laughing through the Golden State
For my 30th birthday, I wanted to hike 30k. I have come to realize that I have no interest in running 30k anytime soon (let alone 30 miles), and hiking 30 miles in one day seemed…too much. So I settled on 30k. While I knew how far 30k was, I didn’t dawn on me how long that would take. I’ve backpacked that far in college, but I haven’t hiked that far in a while. That being said, I was prepared and ready to do so.
Today is my 29th birthday.
For some reason, I always imagined at age 29; I would look and feel older.
Maybe like an adult? It hasn’t come (yet). Anyway, looking back at age 28, I had a great year. I’ve been an “adult” for a decade now.
Last year, I started age 28 with my first “real” trail race. I ran the Copper Mountain 25k, and it was one of the best running memories I’ve had.
It’s hard to believe that was a year ago now!
Last summer, I did a lot of traveling up and down the East Coast. We visited family, I saw friends from college, and I just had a good summer. In August, I ran/hikes my second trail race in Killington, VT. To me, it was more challenging than the race in Colorado because the terrain was much more technical. 
Then in the fall, I changed gears entirely and trained for the NYCM. I didn’t think I would do another marathon, but when the opportunity to run in the “sub-elite” corral presented itself, I couldn’t say no. I’m glad I did, and it was one of the best running experiences I’ve had.
Since the NYCM, running hasn’t quite come into place. I’ve trained, but I haven’t had any “spectacular” or amazing races. I’ve had a lot of great and fun races, but I’m well off PRs. Right now, I’m content with that.
In January, my husband and took a trip out to California. We drove from San Diego to San Francisco and just explored. We had no agenda (as most of our vacations are).
The highlight of the Spring was adopting my two cats: Frick and Frack. I always had cats growing up, and I’ve wanted them for years, but our landlords or landladies always said no.
Finally, after proving we were good renters, they agreed. We found these two cats at the local shelter, and when I found out they had been there for five years (YES 5), I knew I wanted them. They were shy at first but have come out of their shell.
The last few months have been quiet as far as personal and running life goes. I’m training for the Big Cottonwood Marathon in early September. Running another downhill marathon terrifies me because the last one wasn’t my favorite race ever — cheers to doing things outside of your comfort zone.
Fulfilling my other hobby, I also went to over 50 New Jersey diners last year and have now been to 253. I don’t know if I’ll make it to 300 (if we move). When I started this journey 5 years ago, I never imagined going to 250 diners. But as they motivational quotes say: you never know until you try! 
This year, I wanted to do something and different for my birthday, so on July 20th, I’m running the Teterboro 5k to Homes for Our Heroes: a mission to build safe, affordable housing for military and military families.
This includes Veterans who have nowhere to live as well as military families in the NJ area.
I appreciate anyone willing to donate and support this cause with me.
My goal is to reach $500 and any amount matters. Here is the link if you are interested.
Questions for you:
Tell me about a charity you support.
What did you do for your birthday?
As my unoriginal title indicates, today, July 12th, is my 28th birthday. Some years I write X number of things I learned before age X. Other years, I don’t even write a post about my birthday. Some years I spend with family, some with my husband, friends, and others I’ve spent alone. I haven’t learned a heck of a lot new since last July 12th, and there is no way I could write 28 things I’ve learned since 28.
Last year, I decided I wasn’t interested in material items or junk. I stopped buying new clothing, and in 2018 my New Year’s Resolution is not to buy any new nonathletic apparel (I don’t go crazy on buying athletic apparel either). After bills, I’ve chosen to spend my money on experiences rather than things. Experiences like races, diners, and traveling to random places. Things that I can look back on and think: dang that was fun. I don’t need or want any useless junk.
As I reflect upon that, I’m also sitting on an airplane to Denver, Colorado. I’m doing something out of my comfort zone, and maybe the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’m going to run the Copper Mountain 25k. My only goal is to finish.
I haven’t been secretly training for trail races, but after running the Xterra 10k a few months ago and having fun, trail no longer terrifies like they once did. I’ve spent a lot of time this spring and summer hiking and it’s become just as fun to me as running. It will be my longest run in a long time, the highest altitude I’ve ever run, and maybe not my wisest idea. As I mentioned on my blog, when the opportunity first presented itself a few weeks ago, I said no but thought: why not? I have nothing to prove, and it’s getting me out of my comfort zone.
I’m really looking forward to running this weekend.
Our vacation last year that we booked two plane tickets to Denver and a rental car with no plans. We ended up driving 2600 miles and seeing amazing places.
PRing at the Phoenix Half in February 
10 Mile Hike through GrayBeard Trail (North Carolina)
Air Force Marathon (half for me) with my husband and in laws
Those are just a few of the many memories I have from age 27. I can only hope 28 will be just as fun!
Questions for you:
When is your birthday? How did you celebrate last year?
Any last minute trail tips?
Today is my 26th birthday. I’ve been blogging for while and have celebrated five birthdays on LOLZ blog. Sometimes I post about my birthday and other times I don’t.
To be honest, age 25 wasn’t my favorite year but not every year can be. At age 24, I moved, got married, bought my car and was riding the high of a newly wed. Age 25 wasn’t bad and had both its fair share of both good and bad moments.
I thought it would be fun to reflect upon and think out loud about some of the things I learned over the past year. Some were good, some bad. Some are running related; some are life-related.
Life is not perfect and never will be. Social media doesn’t tell the full story. We all have issues and problems behind the scenes. We all have tagged facebook photos we wish never existed. Don’t judge a book by it’s cover. About a month ago, I found out I had a severe case of food poisoning as well as a fracture in my ankle.
Do things you like and skip what you don’t like. Your life is yours to live and no one else’s. Enjoy it as much as you can. Choose wisely of activities and things you want to do.
Do what you like and skip what you don’t like part 2: Enjoy your job. A job could be in an office full time, blogging or taking care of children. I like my job at the Running Store. I like seeing my friends, helping plan group runs and seeing new running excel! Whatever you choose, enjoy it.
Rest up. You only have one body and it follows you around. Your body is direct reflection of how you treat yourself. Treat your mind, body and soul well. 
Enjoy the moment. In this day and age we find ourselves looking into the future far too much. One of my favorite quotes: The future has yet to be written, and the past is written in permanent marker. You have the power to write the present. Enjoy the current moment.
Small things don’t matter. Trivial things like the slow driver in front of you, a paper cut, small issues…you probably won’t remember any of this stuff in a week.
Be confident in your beliefs and values. If you don’t stand behind yourself, who will stand behind you?
Don’t lie. A lie turns into ten lies which turn in 100 lies that you can’t remember. It’s never worth it to lie.
Similarly, speeding only gets you a ticket which ultimately slows you down. If you live in New Jersey, then you know there is always a faster drive in the left lane anyways…
Nothing comes easy. If everything in life were easy, we would all be Olympic multimillionaire CEOs. Pick and choose your battles.
These two images are within a week:
You are not always right. It’s impossible always to be right. Accept advice and help from others. You will grow as a person both mentally and physically.
When you are late, you waste other people’s time. No one’s time is more valuable. Time cannot be replaced. It is one thing that cannot be bought. Respect other people’s time.
Smile. Smile as much as possible, so people don’t think you’re a mean girl (When in reality you just have a resting bitch face…like me).
Be flexible in everything. If everyone was able to do every single thing they wanted, the world would be chaos. Your plans are not always the most important.
Our culture is full of extremes. Extreme beauty, extreme sports talent, extreme music talent, extreme weight loss or weight gain…Real life doesn’t work like that and moderation, and balance is key.
Everyone wants to be treated the same. Be polite and caring. No one likes a jerk. No one deserves that.
Find your most productive hours of the day and do what you need to do. I find myself most productive in the mornings. As the day flies by, I typically become less productive. I try and do the most important things in the morning.
Do what you don’t want to do: first. Save the best for last and do the tasks that you don’t want first. That way they get done.
Quiet days are never a bad thing but social days are not a bad thing either. It’s so important to balance both. Everything is moderation.
How you dress says a lot. It’s easy to dress like a college student or an old lady. Dressing like a 26-year-old is tough! Have a few well-fitted outfits that make you feel confident.
It’s totally okay to be by yourself. It’s okay to go out to eat at a restaurant by yourself, and it’s okay to treat yourself. Doing things by yourself is okay.
To stay in touch with friends, it’s a two-way street. If you don’t go down the road, you can’t expect someone else too. Make time for your friends and family.
Sometimes life needs an exact plan and sometimes it doesn’t.When I moved in with Tim 3 years ago, I had no plan. We worked through the current time, not the future, and it ended up working out.
Stay Confident in Yourself. You are your biggest fan and your biggest critic! Make sure to stay confident in yourself.
Be Open to Others. Other people have different beliefs and viewpoints of the world. Be open to ideas that do not agree with your own.
The End is Not Now: Remember, your life, your story, and your book are not complete. Always strive to be the best and add more words to your story.
Questions for you:
How did you celebrate your last birthday?
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned recently?
Today is my husband’s birthday!
Last year I joked that this was our quarter life crisis year because we both turned 25.
We sure accomplished a lot:
And who could forget running together too?
So happy 26th birthday to my husband!
