Three Things Thursday- 30 Edition

So yesterday I turned 30.... cue the dramatic music.  On one hand it was neat in the sense that I've accomplished a lot before turning 30 and I'm told I don't look my age (lets hope that continues for awhile. ) On the other hand there is the nagging feeling you can't avoid, thinking you should start that next chapter of settling down, getting married, and start a family. Although I do want those things... its beyond my control so I have to be patient.

Anytime you enter a new decade, there is always time for reflection, but to keep this light, I chose to focus more on what I DO have in my life that I'm thankful for.
My family
Mom sent a care package to my work on Monday and when it didn't arrive she freaked out and thought this was putting a damper on my surprise. Since it was insured, it required a signature thus there was a delay and it arrived on Tuesday (day before my birthday) She is always so thoughtful with her gifts. Obviously you have to have the obligatory 30 knick knacks, but the pandora bracelet (i've been needing a new one) with the 3 charm as well as the book full of great stories are both fabulous.

Close up of the 30

I got my first pandora bracelet for my 25th birthday and its neat to look back on all my charms that mark important events- when I moved to Nashville and left Louisville, my Alaska race, when i hit 50 states etc etc. 

On my actual birthday she kept posting photos of when I was young- surprisingly I hadn't seen either of the below photos. 

One of my brothers called in the morning, the other sent me a series of jib jab cards featuring him dancing along with rest of his family--- love these. 

And of course my dad offered some words of wisdom... although no phone call <cough cough> ;) 

My friends

I came into work yesterday and 2 of my best friends happened to decorate my desk (all before 730am mind you) and it looked like an explosion of glitter and chocolate. I haven't felt this loved in a long time. As a joke, they bought me stripper shoes because they say the 2-3 inch heels I wear aren't "real heels"-- still no idea where I would wear these to, or how I would walk in them. 

They bought me a growler of beer, and my mom had beer shaped cookies delivered to my office.... sensing a pattern here??

After taking a half day off to get some errands done, we rounded out the night with a ladies night at one of the "newish" restaurants in East Nashville called the Tree House... and yes we ate in a tree house :) I haven't had a group of girl friends since I moved to Nashville. Most of my friends were guys, AND I had pockets of friends independent of one another, so to have some of them interact and be friends with one another was something I've been missing for a long time. 

All that I've accomplished

I think too often we focus on what we don't yet have, that we forget where we came from. 5 years ago I was living in Louisville in a 2 bedroom apartment with 9 people. I had NO money to my name, was just getting back into interacting with my family, and had zero direction  on what I was doing with my life. Now I have a great career that enables me to make enough to live comfortably as well as go on some adventures,  a strong support network, completed my goal to run a half in every state, a stable home with only 1 roommate, and most importantly, I like where my life is headed. Obviously there are times when I feel "lonely" or that I measure my success to my peers, but I do snap out of it and remind myself to be grateful for the journey. 

Here's to what I'm sure will be my greatest decade yet!!!

For those that are 30+, did you have fears entering this milestone birthday?

Do you check in with your self to be thankful for all that you have?

Go Shorty, if your burfday!

First and foremost:

Today I'm 28! Uneventful age, but hoping there is more to bring than 27 did. Even though I love beer, I'm not big into partying for my birthday (especially because its on a Monday, boo), but I did enjoy my weekend and all the thoughtful messages I've received so far today.

Although I'm meeting up with a few friends after work for drinks and food, the R.E.A.L. celebration will be this weekend in Seattle when we finish our Ultra Relay with these ladies.

I find it fitting that my mom sent me a cookie bouquet to work considering I had this bad boy stuck in my head all morning- Cookie Monster's version of Call me Maybe... "you've got cookie, share it maybe"- apologize in advance if you get it stuck it in your head :)

and yes I will be sharing. 

. Much needed rest day today after yesterday's hot and humid 15 miler, then 1 more run before leaving for Washington!

Tuesday's Tangents in photos

First off I had 2 events pass by me completely unnoticed the last few weeks:

• I hit my 1 year blog anniversary October 25th- and here I am 2 weeks later just now realizing this missed occasion. It's been a whirlwind year of successes, failures, and most importantly..... lessons learned. Thanks to all who've shared in my journey and brought me to where I am today. 

• Can anyone guess what this photo from HIMYM is from???  If you answered : the gang sitting in the waiting room of the garage to see if Marshall's fiero is going to make it, you are correct.  So how is this relevant??? My Toyota Camry recently hit the big 200,000 miles and I didnt' even realize it! I happen to look down the other day and see 200,084 --- I missed my Marshall moment. 
• Lastly: I'm still struggling with my race schedule for 2012. Since the Rock n Roll series is honoring the $20 discount for 11-11-11, I decided on Friday I'm signing up for 2 . I know that I'm racing MUCH MORE than whats below, but for now, I'm excited to at least have 4 down in the books. These are my DEFINITES to block off 

Jan 15

June 23

July 27-28

Running this one with our all female all blogger relay! 

Tentative dates Sept 28-29

Team Trunk Monkey had so much fun this weekend, HEREwe decided to do another relay together!

Because I knocked out 23 states in my first year, I have less options to choose from, which means more money on flights and travel expenses. To keep cost low I only plan on traveling for 1 race in Jan, Feb, and probably march before hitting the big months, April and May hard. 

Anyone going to be at these  4?

If you click on the tab at the top titled "states completed"- all the blanks ones I still need to race.... any suggestions for those?!?!

Tangent Tuesday (Birthday Edition)

This year I decided to do a low key birthday with family and running- got a little of both.

• I took an extended weekend (Friday through Monday) to do 2 of my favorite things- visit family, and do a race.
• Sister-in-law Courtney came and picked me up from airport and I got to hang out with her and my nephew Codyn all day while waiting on the rest of the family to drive up to Columbus for my birthday dinner celebration!

He likes to suck on things- my finger for example! 

playing in his pool 

this is his serious face- I got this the majority of the day as he was observing me since I'm "new" to him in his life. 

ahhh baby blues. 

• Rest of fam arrives and we meet my dad at one of my fave restaurants that unfortunately we don't have in Nashville- Bjs Brewhouse. Their menu is intense in terms of selection- I worked there a few years back in the evenings, so I already knew what I was craving....

Parmesan Crusted Chicken--- mmmm.

• After stuffing my face it was time for cake- or in this case, my mom's cookie cake

Traditional mother daughter w/ cake pose

They were both mesmerized by the flame from the candles. 

• Afterward we head to Andy & Courtney's house that is being built to check it out- quite huge and impressive.

Holding "my baby" - Andy, Court w/ Codyn, Tracie w Joseph, Eric

• Say goodbyes, head back to Dayton for the evening. 
• Mom and I head out to Erie, PA for state #18 (race report to come later- race did NOT go well)
• I have a slight tendency to LOVE to take my photo with inanimate objects- so I made my mom take some photos...

Got lost on our way to find the towns Goodwill- a pre race tradition- found this gem

So far north that apparently this is acceptable- on way in to TJ Maxx

Post race food at Sallys Diner

Got lost AGAIN trying to find the Goodwill (it was closed day prior so we tried again) 

• Take nap after race (MUCH needed)- decided to tour Presque Isle- although gorgeous, unless we wanted to go to the amusement park, wasn't too much to do. Tried to get some good views of light houses, but that was a no go. sand was SUPER hot to walk on.
• Left the beach and finally found the thrift store- got a few good finds and then headed to the new Harry Potter movie- excellent as anticipated. 
• Completely exhausted + getting sick earlier in day = going to bed early so I can get a good nights sleep. 
• Drove back to Columbus, got dropped off at brothers and hung out with Court and Codyn before having to go to airport again. 
• Yup and that was my weekend- doesn't sound like a lot, but it was just what I needed to get away and spend some time with my fam since I don't get to see often... would have more photos, but most were taken with mom's camera, and still waiting to get an email with those in them (hint hint mama J)

Three Things Thursday!

1. This has been an interesting week for me as far as working out due to a cut that got massively infected HERE, and not being able to have anything touch the top of my toe. I would like to take a moment and thank antibiotics + bacitracin for my quick ALMOST recovery in time for the weekend.

I went from looking like this yesterday

To this morning...

I celebrating my healing by doing a round of p90x legs and back + ab ripper x (barefoot of course so nothing would touch my toe)  Modified some of the leg moves bc its still tender to bend the toe since the cut is RIGHT on the crease where toe connects to foot, +   I have a race this weekend so I also want fresh legs. 

2. I have my first half marathon race since May 28!! That may not seem like a long time to some of you folks, but considering I was doing anywhere from 1 -5  a month, I feel out of shape. The Presque Isle 1/2 race in Erie PA is actually where Becca did her first half marathon, and she assured me it was a pleasant course both elevation wise and scenic---- she better be right. 

3. Lastly and most IMPORTANTLY- I fly out tomorrow morning back to Ohio where I get to celebrate my birthday with my family!!! 1 year closer to the big 3-0! (I'll be 27)  Last time I spent my birthday with my fam was when I turned 25 and they came to Louisville to visit me. 

Dinner at Captains Quarters

By the end of the evening, everyone had a good amount of alcohol in them and things got silly...

Dad doing his 'myspace' kissy face

Andy pretending to be trampled by a horse?

Here's hoping to another great year- running, financially, rich with friends and loved ones!