These Are A Few of my Favorite Things

Happy Sunday, everyone!!

I have made it through a very tiring, very busy, very hectic week.  But, I got a lot accomplished and even made it out for a pre-wedding 5K for two of my favorite peeps from my running group this morning.  Their wedding was this afternoon…so I hope all in attendance had a fantastic time!!

But I’ll get to that some more in a moment.

This week, I’ve learned a lot about…patience.  I’m Irish.  Patience is not a virtue that I really have.  Not much, anyway.  But if there is one thing this hip labrum tear recovery period has taught me it’s that…I have to be patient.  With myself.  With my body.  With my running.  With vast changes in weather this week, my hip has been screaming at me.  Everything is day-to-day…which is frustrating, but, it’s how it has to be.  That being said, getting out this week in the various weather conditions and with a variety of people for various things has been…good for my soul.

So, with that in mind, here are some things that I found good for my soul this week…

1.  Laura & Mike’s Wedding 5K

When I first started running consistently with the Blue Mile group (which has sort of stayed together despite the store no longer being there…although no more Monday fun runs), I got to know both Laura and Mike rather well.  They are both fantastically bright, fun, and amazing people.  And a perfect match for each other.  When they (finally) got engaged, it was something to be celebrated.  And then, today, Laura & Mike invited everyone out for a special running of the Breakfast Club, for a pre-wedding 5K and then breakfast.  They surprised us all with finisher’s medals that commemorate the event and their special day.  Runners are the best people.  I wish both of my dear friends (both of whom I have had the honor of running with for short and long distances) much luck and love in their future!  CHEERS!!

2.  Louisville City FC First Kick @ Home

Well, the winds were insane.  That’s about all I can say.  Nothing like seeing the guys out on the pitch kick a ball high, have it spin in place and then come right back to them.  We had some crazy strong winds yesterday for the first home match for Louisville City FC.  I (FINALLY) got to hang out with Natalie again, as she took up the third seat in the Season Tickets that we have kept from last year.  Same row.  Same seats.  Same awesome view.  LOVED being there again, despite the cold.  LOVED hanging with Cathy & Natalie, watching the guys take on the New York City Redbulls II.  And…sadly…and very disappointingly…we lost.  Bad.  It felt like we just didn’t have any rhythm.  And we sort of looked a bit like a squad of newbie kids out there just mucking about.  I hope this doesn’t set the tone for the rest of the season because Louisville City FC was SO amazing last year.  Crossing our fingers that Saturday’s match is better.

3.  THESE LEGGINGS!!

A gift from my very own Sole Sister, Natalie…I love these leggings.  They fit me perfectly, and they perfectly suit our friendship.  Thank you, Natalie…for these.  I have been sporting them all day and I really don’t want to take them off!!

4.  A Run in the Rain

A lot of times, I stay out of the rain and opt for a treadmill run or a later run.  But this past Thursday, the 5 miler I put in during the wee hours of the morning was both cleansing and rejuvenating.  I had no pace goals nor expectations.  Normally I don’t want to go out in the rain, but it was the only time that day I’d have to do it, with nasty storms brewing that evening (right about the time I left work).  And I’ve found I hurt a little more after a treadmill run than I do after an outdoor run.  Sometimes a lot more.  So, I opted to throw on some old running shoes, suit up, and take in 5 very wet miles.  And I loved every moment of it.  It was like I was a kid again.  Splashing through puddles (one was ankle deep…thankfully I found that one (accidentally) near the end of the run), hearing my feet against the wet pavement, wondering what the drivers in the few cars that passed thought as I was lighting up the dark with my reflective gear and blinkie lights.  It wasn’t a perfect run, nor a fast run, but it was the run I needed that morning.  And I take every good and enjoyably run I can find these days!

5.  Dinner Rolls

It’s such a simple thing…and yet, after promising Cathy (the roomie) that I would make my gluten-free dinner rolls for over a month now, today, I finally set out to do it.  And, yes, despite a very busy afternoon, much of it spent away from home…they are being made and I have one very happy roommate on my hands.  Sometimes…it’s the simple things that bring the most joy!  Gluten-free dinner rolls…oh yeah.  As Oprah says…”I love bread.”  HAHA!!  And when I make it myself, I know exactly what is going into it!

6.  Deciding To Run for a Charity

I can’t plug this enough.  When you believe in something, you do something.  So, when I found the opportunity to run the Lumiere’s Challenge (Disney Wine & Dine 10K on Saturday and Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon on Sunday) for Disney Wine & Dine weekend not just for myself, but for a charity, I couldn’t be happier.  As I said in a previous post…I have wanted to run for charity again for awhile.  My injury kept me out of the running circuit for a year…so…yes…this had to happen.  I am going to be running for Alliance For A Healthier Generation.  And if you would like to support me with a donation, I would be forever grateful!  I love being able to support a cause and do something I love at the same time!

You can throw any donation my way at this link: http://giving.healthiergeneration.org/site/TR/TeamHealthierGeneration/TeamHealthierGeneration?px=1065517&pg=personal&fr_id=1271

So, that was some of the high points of my week. What brought you joy this week?  What made you smile!!