Thankful Thursday: Toasts, Tea & A Toddler!

Happy Thursday and last day of May! Woo! I caught some slack for skipping last week's post, so I'll try to make up for that today!  I'm still recovering from a crazy weekend trip up to Rochester visiting my  college loves, celebrating a bridal shower/bachelorette party and hanging with an 18-month old. Good times and so many things to be thankful for.

Today, I'm thankful...

...that I got to sleep in today. I don't really sleep past 8am, but it's nice to sneak in a few extra hours.

...for mimosas and old friends. Congrats to my dear friend getting married in 24 days!

...for rural running. Yeah, there's a little greenery in the city, but you can't beat the sights, smells and sounds (or lack of) of upstate.  I absolutely love when it's just me and the road.

...that my niece-in-law finally likes me.  Or doesn't hate me.  See? We're totally playing and "smiling"!

...unsweetened iced tea. It makes me think of my mom and it's perfect for summer! :)

Your turn--tell me what you're feeling thankful for today!

Thankful Thursday: DONE!

Wooohoo! I am a very happy lady today! With SO many reasons to be thankful, let's get started!

I'm thankful...

...that I am finished presenting my clinical case study! So very close to being officially done!

...that I have tomorrow OFF!

...for post-race bagels. So. freakin. good.

...for dogs with smushy faces. (I realize I'm a little bias in this..)

Can you handle it?

...for cute old couples.  I'm not the most romantic person, but seeing little old couples together melts my heart. Holding hands as the shuffle along all slow and in my way? Adorable.

...Happy Hour.  Celebratory drinks tonight starting....NOW. 

I'm off for a margarita or 10, so tell me what you're thankful for!

Race Recap: UAE Healthy Kidney 10K

 A combo of my crazy work schedule and a little IT band situation has kept my weekly mileage under 10-12 miles lately. It makes me feel terrible.  

However, a few months back I signed up for the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K and even if I didn't really prepare for it, I'm glad I ran.  This race is sponsored by the United Arab Emirates and proceeds go to benefit the National Kidney Foundation.  I'm always about supporting a good cause and it was a beautiful day for an easy 6.2 miles.  

It was about 55 degrees and sunny for the 8am race start. Amazing.

My only goal for this race was to stay under 10-minute miles.  The course is one clockwise loop around Central Park, so there's a few rolling hills.  I felt great for the first few miles, keeping a 9:15 pace.  As with most NYRR races, there were a ton of runners so the first few miles were pretty crowded.  Around mile 4, the road thinned out, but my legs started feeling tired so I slowed down a bit.  

Not my best photo...

As usual, there's not many bad things to be said about a race put on by NYRR.  Every mile was clearly marked, there were plenty of water stations and porta-pottys around, and my personal favorite: there were plenty of delicious NYC bagels post-race. 

My official time? 1:00:07 (9:41 pace) 

Not a PR for me, but I'm perfectly content with it given my lack of "training" recently.  I felt great for just getting in 6.2 miles in Central Park with thousands of other New Yorkers.  Oh and with the U.S. Olympic team.  No big.

Up next: Rugged Maniac on June 30.  Hopefully I'll be better prepared for this one!

Thankful Thursday: Birthday Blessings!

Happy Thursday! I've got a lot on my plate right now with the end of this internship.  But I told myself to stop and take the time to reflect on the happy things in my life these days! Let's do it.

I'm thankful...

...that I've lived 26 fabulous years! Well, every day hasn't been fabulous...but overall I have a damn good life.

...for a beautiful day at the beer garden with all of my very favorite people celebrating my birthday! (why did we not take a picture!?!!)

...for feta cheese. And Greek salads.  Actually all Greek food.  Did I mention I love living in Astoria? :)

...that I can finally straighten my hair again.  Thanks, Goof!

Hello, CHI.  I've missed you so!

...that this weekend's forecast shows only sunshine, no rain.  I'll still be inside writing a 15-page paper regardless of weather, but I'm sick of the clouds and the gloom.

Now you go! What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday...An exercise in happiness

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm exhausted.  I've been going non-stop, getting no sleep and definitely not making time for running.  I need to get it together, ASAP.  I'm hoping this Thankful Thursday post will perk me back up and get me on track!  So let's do it.

I'm thankful for...

...my people...my very best friends, loves of my life, etc. 

...my puppy.  Okay, he's not a puppy..he's getting to be an old man but I love him.

...Honey Nut Cheerios.  So simple, so delicious. Yum.

...Don Draper.

I mean, really?

...boys in Yankees hats. Or in well tailored suits (see Don Draper). 

...this video. Gets me everytime! 

Happy Thursday y'all! What are you thankful for today?