24 Thanks on this 24th of November

On this 24th of November Thanksgiving Day, I decided to list 24 things I am thankful for.  Without further ado....

I am thankful for:

1.  My wonderful fiance who loves me and all my goofyness; you complete me in every way baby, I love you!

2.  My parents, who are always there to support and encourage me.  They were high school sweethearts (this picture is from their senior prom <3)

3.  My brothers, who make me smile no matter what, even when they make fun of me


4.  My entire family (aunts, uncles, cousins) – we are all so close and we love and respect each other and always have the best times together!

5.  To be marrying my soul mate and best friend in a matter of days now!!

6.  My health

7.  My ability to run, and my love for running

8.  To have a house that Sean and I call home <3  (We are homeowners!!!  Yay!!!)

9.  My kitty, Raja (he's the biggest cuddler and snuggle bug in the world!)

10.  Sean and I are getting our first furbabies as a married couple:  2 Bengal kitties! (post on this to come soon!)

11.  Food.  I know there are many people in the world who go to bed hungry, and I am so grateful to have food in my belly every day. I am especially thankful for the delicious meal I will be eating tonight for Thanksgiving (Grammie’s sweet potatoes-which I will be making this year, brocolli and cheese caserole, garlic mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey, fresh cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, mmmm)

12.  Technology – I get to video chat with my big brother, sis-in-law, and two handsome nephews who live 2K miles away

13.  My friends, who are always there for me, and who all know how to have fun whether it’s a girls night out or snuggling up on the couch watching Sex and the City or Friends.  I have the best friends any one could ask for…they are family.

 14.  Being able to travel to as many wonderful places as I have (topping my list are France and Italy, and I can’t wait to plan more adventures with my soon-to-be hubby!)

15.  Living in SoCal with my second home in NYC (figuratively not literally).  I lived in NYC for 4 years and I am lucky enough to travel there several times a year to see all my NYC friends!



16.  My career – I have a wonderful job as an analyst in the healthcare industry.  This is a very exciting time for health care, not to mention I work with the best team ever!  Speaking of which…

17.  My coworkers – I work with some of the nicest, smartest, creative people I’ve ever met.  You guys help make coming to work every day FUN!

18.  My readers.  I really appreciate you taking the time out of your busy days to read this little old blog of mine.  Thank you.

19.  The opportunity to further my education through my Masters in Business Administration (MBA) program.

20.  To have a sense of humor and that I can laugh at myself when taking silly pictures of trying to speak in accents that sound like an entirely different accent than what I’m trying to do!

21.  My soon-to-be in-laws.  They are wonderful people and have welcomed me into their family since day 1 nearly 5 years ago.  I am lucky to have such kind and caring people for my in-laws :)

22.  Other runners who share their experiences and knowledge via the internet for other s to read.  I always find good advice and inspiration through the blogs I follow and new ones I discover.

23.  To be alive.  To experience the world and all it has to offer, to dream, laugh, and love so passionately.  Life is good :)

24.  Spending 25 memorable years with my Grammie.  This is our first Thanksgiving without her, and I know it will be very hard.  I have to remember she lived 92 incredible years, and I was blessed to spend 25 of those years with her.  I am also thankful to be named after her.  Grammie, I miss you every day and I’m so thankful you were such an influential part of my life.  You will always be a part of me.

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving? In Two Days??

Yesterday I did a double workout, each with a lot of cardio and a lot of weights.  Today I feel great!!!  I'm sore, but it's that good sore one gets from really pushing oneself.  I love it!


Can you believe Thursday is Thanksgiving??  I sure can't!  Where has this year gone!?
I love Thanksgiving...running the Turkey Trot (last year's recap) with my family in the morning then spending the evening with them engaging in wonderful conversation and enjoying delicious food and terrific wine.  It's one of my favorite holidays because it's all about family, friends, and giving thanks.  There are many things to be thankful for this year :)  I will share my list with you on Thanksgiving Day.


Is anyone running a Turkey Trot?  How do you celebrate Thanksgiving?

Stronger

This morning's run was even better than yesterday's :)

Serenity

This morning I ran a good, solid, peaceful three miles.  There was a heavy cloud cover so it wasn’t too cold.  I set out just as the sun was rising (which I couldn’t see due to the cloud cover) and everything seemed so quiet and still.  All I could focus on was the steady beat of my feet hitting the pavement and the *surprisingly* calm and steady sound of my breath.  That’s right.  My breath was every so steady the entire run.  I don’t think I’ve experienced that in ages!  Towards the end of my run, the wind picked up…against me…and of course I was going up hill.  I was in my happy place though and it didn’t seem to phase me.  I cruised up the hill, wind pushing against me just focusing on my stride and breath.  Before I knew it, 3 miles were in the bag!

Don’t you just loves runs where everything is so serene and before you know it, you’re done and thinking, “Wait, that was __ miles?  Impossible.  I could run for __ more!”

Happy Wednesday!

Paddle Boarding + Final Wedding Gown Fitting!

This past weekend was amazing!!!  I got several kickass workouts in, including paddle boarding!  I had never been paddle boarding but always wanted to try it.  Recently my cousin bought a couple boards so we decided to go out Sunday if the rain stopped.  Alas, after Saturday’s rains, Sunday was absolutely spectacular!  Crystal clear skies, fresh air, sunshine, it was the perfect day.

I cruised over to my cousin’s house and we took the boards out!  I was a little nervous getting ON the board because it felt unstable stepping from the dock and putting my weight on this surf board-like thing in the water.  Luckily a neighbor came and helped us on our boards, so we didn’t fall in trying to get on the board…WIN!  Once we were on, it was so FUN!  We paddled all around the bay and through the canals.  It was super high tide and we had to duck going under a couple bridges!  Major leg and core workout!

It was so fun.  We just chatted about life, her kids, the holidays, and my upcoming wedding!  We had so much fun talking and laughing that it hardly felt like a workout.  But let me tell you, it’s a dang good shoulder, core, and leg workout!  My shoulders were feeling it the next day (also it didn’t help that we went AGAINST the current) :)

On the wedding front, I had my makeup trial and my final fitting over the weekend too!  My girl did my makeup perfectly, exactly what I want – classic and elegant.  And my dress….*smiles*.  I LOVE my dress.  It fits perfectly, like it was made for me.  My mom and my girls came with me to my fitting and seeing their faces made my heart melt.  How am I going to get through my wedding day without a million happy tears??  I see waterproof mascara and lots of tissues in my future.  Good thing my bridesmaid dresses have pockets ;)

How was your weekend?  Did you get some good runs/workouts in?  Did you do anything else exciting?

Photo Friday - Bride Runner!

We are officially less than one month out!!  I can't express in words how excited I am to be marrying my best friend and soul mate!  He is the love of my life :)  We couldn't be more ready and happy to start our married lives together.


So with less than one month until we say "I DO", I thought this photo was very fitting for today's "Photo Friday."

Happy Friday!!

4:45am? Piece o' cake! (Intervals + T-minus 1 month!)

I don't know why, but waking up at 4:45am is SO much easier than waking up at 5:30am for me.  I struggle getting out of bed at 5:30, however when my alarm goes off between 4:30-5am, I jump right out of bed!  I guess I'm just weird :)


Anyways, after I jumped out of bed, I went to the gym and ran intervals on the treadmill for 45 minutes (not including warm up/cool down)!  It basically went like this:
2 minutes @ 4mph
1 minute @ 5
1 minute @ 5.5
1 minute @ 6
1 minute @ 6.5
1 minute @ 7
1 minute @ 7.5
1 minute @ 8
Repeat 5 times


It definitely kicked my butt and I felt fantastic!  The time flew by with the constant change of speed, and I also had my handy dandy iPad.  I downloaded and watched the pilot episode of the new TV show "Grimm" which was awesome by the way!


On another note...Happy 1st of November!!!  Do you know what that means??  I'm getting married NEXT MONTH!!! Weeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!  I'm so excited to be marrying my best friend and soul mate.  He is the love of my life and I couldn't be happier to marry him!!!!