Life is Great!

It has been two weeks since I last blogged and so much has happened!

I just celebrated my quarter of a century birthday, and my birthday weekend was spent moving into our house!!! BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!! My family and friends helped me move, and man, if we never have to move again (which we probably wont!) I would be so happy! Moving is a pain in the butt. But it feels so great to have our own house…it’s feels like home :)

Just before the move, Sean surprised me for my birthday and took me to Vegas! I LOVE Vegas and usually go a couple times a year but hadn’t been in just about a year. I really wanted to go, so my fiancé, being the amazing man he is, took me to Vegas!! We stayed at the Hard Rock (super cool hotel) and lounged by the pool all day. It hit 113 degrees and luckily we had a cabana so we could escape into the shade if we needed…plus, our cabana had misters! Woohoo!

I’ve been working out a lot at the gym focusing on strength (arms, legs, back, shoulders, core), and my running is still sadly on the back burner. I’ll warm up on the treadmill, but I haven’t gotten a good “long run” in lately. Honestly, the days I’m not with my trainer, I’m either working (40-60 hours a week) or going to class. Any free time is spent driving to and from class, unpacking, or sleeping. If only there were more hours in a day… :) But I couldn’t be happier!


On another note, I can’t believe this weekend is the 4th of July holiday weekend!!! Do you have any exciting plans for the weekend?

Love,
Mags

Three Things Thursday!

1. I’ve become a gym rat. I haven’t been runnning nearly as much as I used to, but I am going to the gym a lot and training with my trainer twice a week. I’ve definitely noticed an increase in my strength and more definition (especially in my arms which is a goal of mine), and I love it!



2. There are several books on my June/July reading list. One of the books I just downloaded onto my iPad is Tina Fey’s new “Bossypants.” I absolutely love Tina Fey, and everyone I’ve talked to about her book has raved about it. I also downloaded “Bitter is the New Black” by Jen Lancaster, which is my book club’s June book (I should probably start reading that!). And I’ve been re-reading the series “Song of Ice and Fire.” I read this series years ago, and even though each book is 1,000+ pages, I finished each one in no more than three days (given it was summer vacation and I had a lot more free time). They’re totally capitvating. The first one is “Storm of Swords” which I’m reading now. These three books are my June/July summer reading books.


3. Wedding update!! The bridal boutique I bought my wedding gown at called me and my dress is here!!! It took 6 months just like they said! I’m going on Saturday with my mom to try it on with my shoes and jewelry! I can’t wait!!!!!!!!!!!! I still have plenty of time, so I won’t do alterations for another couple of months. But just to try it on, my wedding gown, not the store’s try-on gowns, but my gown. I. AM. SO. EXCITED.  :-D


Happy Thursday!!!
<3 Mags

I'm a Sucker for Race Challenges!

I am a complete sucker for race Challenges and their medals!
Challenges like the California Dreamin’ Racing Series which I completed in 2010 (now the Beach Cities Series) and Disney’s Coast to Coast Challenge which I will complete after I run the Disneyland half marathon on September 4th this year!


Today I received an email from the San Francisco Marathon introducing their new challenge – the “You can HALF it all!” challenge! Here is the description:

Run the 1st Half Marathon and 2nd Half Marathon in 2 consecutive years, and pick up a special Half it All Challenge Medal at the finish line!

Now you can Run the Golden Gate AND Cruise through the Haight, covering all 26.2 Miles!

It's pretty darn tempting!  Right now registration is $105, which isn't too bad, relatively speaking.  But then add the cost of the flight, and we're starting to get a little pricey.  I want to do it, but with our new house (mortgage!) and wedding, I don't know if I should.

What do you think about racing series and challenges?  Love them or hate them?

National Running Day 2011!

Happy National Running Day!!!


If you want to celebrate, lace up your shoes and head on out for a run!  Or for some more ideas, check THIS out.

I run because:

1. It makes me happy!  I love it!
2. I love to eat.  I enjoy good food (and wine) and running allows me to continue enjoying this.
3. It's good for my health.  Running is good for your heart, lungs, muscles, etc.  Running is good for you.
4. It's a great time to think.  It clears my head and I get some of my best ideas while out on a run.  Sometimes I will put together my "to-do" lists for the day/week :)  And other times I will just let my mind wander and enjoy the scenery.
5. It gives me tons of energy.  After a morning run, I have constant energy throughout the day until I go to bed.
6. I'm very goal-oriented, and it's fun to have a goal for running.  It can be a goal time, a goal distance, a goal race, or a goal place to run...anything really.  It's exciting to set a goal and achieve it.
7. Two words:  Runner's High.  There's nothing like it.
8. It makes me feel good about myself.  I love the way I feel and the way
9. The commraderie!  Running with my friends is always a blast!  And I've met so many inspiring runners and athletes through blogging and tweeting.  It's incredible and I am so grateful for that.
10. I run because I can.  There are so many people who can't.  To be able to is a gift, and I don't want to take that for granted.  I am thankful for my health and my ability to run.

Why do YOU run?