A Runner's High

I’ve been a work out-a-holic lately. Instead of just running, I’m also going to the gym to lift weights. I want to increase my strength and endurance. It’s also increased my hunger. I am hungry all.the.time.

I realized that I never posted how Race for the Cure went. You might remember when I wrote about the disappointing 5K I had a few weeks ago. I went into Race for the Cure with a whole different attitude… I mean, how can you not? That race is so inspiring and the turnout was incredible.


Not my race but our crowd looked like this - amazing!

I ran with a friend who was running her first 5K. She did great! And I was relaxed and enjoyed it. I think I probably ran a little more than a 5K if you count all the weaving I had to do around people. I used Sarah’s (A Girl in the Sunshine) advice, which was to view the 5K as a game and see how many people I could pass. That really worked! It gave me something else to focus on. Thanks for the advice, Sarah!

My next run is an all-women’s 5K in mid-October. Can’t wait!

If you can’t tell my current outlook on running is… content.

What’s making you feel content these days?

Life

Life is a gift. It’s a gift that some of us are blessed to have for many, many years. But for others, their time on earth is far too short.

I won’t pretend to understand how or why. I just know that we need to do the best we can. Hope for a long, healthy life. Be nice to your neighbors. Love with all of your heart. And be the kind of person to leave a mark on the world.

That’s my goal for myself – to do good and be good. I think that’s a life worth living.

What's your quirk?

We all have quirks. Something about us that’s a little weird or off-putting. For some, it’s a messy office (or seeing others with messy offices). For another, it might be that they need to eat all the brown M&Ms first.

I’m not afraid to admit mine.

Hi, my name is Rachel and I’m a germaphobe. I’m not proud of it but it’s my reality. I’ll save how I got this way for another post.

Here’s a list of my top enemies:

1. Door handles.

Unfortunately these are everywhere. (I love doors you can push through!) I try my hardest to open a door with a paper towel, my shirt or the back of my hand. It’s the worst when none of those will work and I actually have to touch it with the palm of my hand. The horror!

2. Your hand.

Shaking hands is the worst. It’s a part of life though, especially in the professional world. I cringe (in my mind) when I have to shake someone’s hand. I don’t know what you touched! Afterward, all I can think about is how I need to sanitize and wash my hand PRONTO!

3. Public toilets.



These are just nasty in general. I never flush a toilet with my hand. That’s a big no-no. That’s what a shoe is for! Speaking of shoes…

4. Shoes.

I ask people to take their shoes off when they come over. Think about it. Shoes go outside in dirt and they go with you to the bathroom (they may flush the toilets for you)…. and that’s just gross.

5. Elevator Buttons.

Shudder. I press these with my knuckles because of the amount of people who touch the buttons every day. One good reason to take the stairs (and not touch the railing or door handles!)

There’s more (Hello! Office keyboards! Phones!) but those are some of my top nemeses.

Before you give me the number to a good therapist… I want to know what’s your quirky habit?

Woeful Runner

I wish I could say I rocked my 5K this past weekend.

I didn’t.

Saturday was difficult, hot and sticky. Did I mention hot?

I feel too proud to blame it on being sick the Sunday-Wednesday before the race. But I do think that and the heat did factor in. My running partner was a champ though!

On a personal level, it was the worst 5K I’ve had in regards to time. Slower than my first one! And right after I finished, I felt so nauseated, which is unusual.

Do any of you ever feel like you have a mental hindrance when it comes to competing or exercising? I do. When I run the distance on my own, I CAN rock it (majority of the time.) But when I run a 5K race, I start thinking that it’s so long and I’m never going to finish. I set myself up for failure. I think it’s the pressure.

How do you overcome your mental blocks?

I’m smiling here but only because the run was over with.



Time to put this race in the history books and focus on Saturday’s!

Tales from a New Runner

I have my fourth 5K tonight.

I started running earlier this year through a Couch to 5K program. Before that, I could barely run down the block without having to stop and gasp for breath.

Even with completing the program, I'll admit that I'm not a natural runner. It's difficult for me but I'm seeing progress. I finally ran 3.4 miles consistently in 30 minutes! This was a battle and I was so proud of my friend Julie and I for accomplishing that together. On our next run, we did it again but a little faster! Then a few days later, I ran by myself and was barely able to run 2 miles without stopping. Go figure, huh? I would describe it as a run-by-run battle.

My goal is to one day run a 10K. I'll get there.

But as for tonight....

My shoes are ready.



My outfit is, too. I'm also going to don this shirt at the Race for the Cure 5K next week (fifth 5K)!



And so am I. (I never look happy when running. Hmm...)



I was sick earlier this week so I'm crossing my fingers for tonight. I want to do my best. That's all that matters!

I'm in love with...

...a bag. Not just any bag. My camera bag, which arrived today! It's just so cute. I adore it. I got it off etsy at a store called XcessRize Designs whose motto is "Life's too short to carry an ugly bag." Very true!

Check out the website here. She makes so many stylish bags and I highly recommend her!

My camera's new home is below. :)

Something to Smile About

I've been sick this week so I haven't had too much to say. Instead I thought I'd share a cute photo with you. I hope you each have something to smile about this week. Feel free to share what it is!

GLEEful news

Quick post. I never watch The Simpsons but I will on Sept. 26. Why? Well, Glee cast members lend their voices to the first episode (I heart Glee)....

As do my two favorite New Zealanders Bret and Jermaine from Flight of the Conchords. I'm in heaven. Check out the article here.

What fall premieres are YOU excited about?

I found these images on google. :)

Yay for Blog Awards!

Sarah from A Girl in the Sunshine gave me a blog award! Woo hoo! Thanks, Sarah! I love reading your blog and appreciate you thinking of me!

1. Thank the blogger who gave me the award...
Big thanks to the lovely Sarah (my LITTLE!) for the award. Love you!

2. Sum up your blogging philosophy, motivation, and experience using five words...

Life in thoughts & photos

3. Pass this on to 10 other bloggers that you feel have a substance in their blogs.

puzzle pieces

Southern-Belle-Simple

The Roaring Twenties (mine that is)

Mildly Melancholy

Photography by Varina

ponderific

Under the Sycamore

Goia Bogdan Ioan

and even though they were both already awarded one... I think they should get more acknowledgement:

A Girl in the Sunshine

Sunny Days & Starry Nights

Fun photos

It's photo sharin' time.

My friend Anna asked me if I'd shoot a few photos of her son, Jack. It's fun and perfect practice for my new camera (and me)!

Here's a small sampling. There's more at my brand-spankin' new flickr page.



Ignore the background. This smile had to be captured!

The Things We Do While Driving

So the other day a good friend of mine told me that she ate a Lean Cuisine. Not big news, right? Except that she was driving! She thought she was doing to be late to a meeting, so she ate the microwave meal on the drive. I adore this friend and we laughed about it, happy that she didn't spill food on herself.

The next day I was driving and I thought about her story. It made me think about what I've seen people do while driving.

There's the normal stuff: talking on the phone and texting (you can usually tell those two because they are either driving really slow and/or swerving.)

Then there's the crazier stuff like having one hand on the steering wheel while you're facing the backseat. Or putting makeup on while driving. I have to look twice when I see someone applying mascara. Mascara?! That's quite a feat. But maybe wait until the stoplight if you HAVE to do it? I don't want you to poke your eye out. :)

And then there's drinking and eating. What's that fall under? Normal or crazy?

Granted, I'm guilty, too. I talk and text when I drive. I'm really trying hard not to text anymore though. Like today. I told myself, "Those texts can wait. They are not an emergency. You're only 5 minutes from your destination." And I listened. Yay self! I also fumble with the radio, reach for things, look at a person when we're having a conversation (and I'm driving). I'm trying to be polite! But these things are all bad. I'm sure a friend or two (or five) can list other bad things I've done while driving. But I never said I was perfect.

I'm going to try to be a better driver though. My goal is to pay more attention and to FOCUS. Let's do it together.

I leave you with two questions:

• What is your worst habit when driving?
• What's the craziest thing you've seen someone do while driving?
  

Dallas visit

I hadn't been home to Dallas since June, so Labor Day weekend was the perfect time to go visit. I'll share with you some special moments.

On Friday night, I got to babysit this sweet girl.



Rebecca, my niece, turned 2 in June. She is becoming quite the ham, so these days you'll often find her doing something funny like this.



I also got to see these two little guys. Meet Dawson and Hudson.



Gramps (my dad) shared a sweet moment with Rebecca.



So did Mimi.



We also celebrated the birthdays of these lovely ladies.



All in all - a great weekend! How was yours?!

Good News!

There's nothing like receiving good news when you're having a day. One of those days where stress tempts you with snacks and soda... and the snacks and soda usually win. I was having one of those yesterday.

But toward the end of the work day, my boss informed that we were receiving money from a grant I submitted. Great news because it was my first successful grant!

On the drive home, I spotted a rainbow and it reminded me that it's the little things in life. I'm thankful for a job that does good for others.

And because I always want to post a photo, I will leave you with an image of my friend Ron's artwork. It reminds me of a rainbow, in a way.