Tag Archives: Austin Texas

Austin Runs for Boston

Posted on by
11

photo-2

Thursday evening over 1,000 Austinites met at Austin High School to embark on a run in honor of the Boston Marathon Explosions victims; with love and grief in our hearts.

541617_10151381045493365_120248476_n

The night started off with Amazing Grace being played on bagpipes while so many runners, both friends and strangers alike, held hands. The moment was so overwhelming it moved me to tears.

A sea of blue and yellow set off down the trail to honor those killed and injured in the explosions, and celebrate the safe return of the hundreds of Austinites who ran Monday’s 117th Boston Marathon. The quick response to Monday’s tragedies was beautiful. A run that typically has no more than 100 runners quickly became a mass of over 1,000 compassionate souls. It was the perfect reminder that no matter how much evil is out there, the good will always trump the bad. We will always stand together and stand tall.

552993_10151553343231178_1912926865_n

Running with a group in silence, I heard things that I don’t normally notice.  I heard my own breathing, for example, and the breathing of the people next to me.  I heard each and every step clearly as well as the steps of those around.  Paying attention to these easily ignored sounds around me, I couldn’t help but embrace the connection.  You start breathing with the people around you.  You start keeping pace with them if they’re not that much faster than you.  Suddenly, the group is in a very real sense running together as one.

Runners run together.

That’s why I know that we will move forward and continue to run high profile marathons, and that the Boston Marathon will be sought after like never before.

photo-1

“Good or bad, we’re all in this together — just taking one step at a time” 

The Disappearing Act

Posted on by
9

I have been so utterly terrible at blogging lately!!!

tumblr_inline_mihddqSy2n1qz4rgp

When I realized how long it has been since I actually sat down night after night and pounded out pages of writing, it really made me sad. I adore writing. It is a true passion of mine…. Something that has always felt very therapeutic for me.

Writing was once something I did on a daily basis. I would do it out of both the love of writing and necessity. I’d get out of bed in the middle of the night after the ex had fallen asleep and sit on the couch in the otherwise pitch-black living room; with the only sound being that of my fingers hitting the keys and his light snoring in the background.

It really makes me truly sad that I haven’t been taking the time to blog recently. I have been in a constant cycle of running (I have been training for SFM still. Training update to come soon), work, having an amazing time in Austin: repeat. I’ve realized recently why I started my blog in the first place…. I originally started because it’s so therapeutic… To release everything…. However, the incredible, strong, beautiful people I’ve met through blogging are the reason Wild Things RUN Free ever got to where it was.

That’s why, I’m so sorry… not to you guys as my readers, but AS MY FRIENDS.
I’m sorry for disappearing. I promise I am back in full force, not only as a writer, but as an active and good blend :)

That One Time I Jumped Out of a Plane

Posted on by
9

When I first moved to Austin one of the very first guys I met was this handsome and super cool dude named Jake. It was almost scary how much we had in common and both share a love of adventure. I knew at that very first “dinner date” that it wasn’t the start of a relationship, but the start of a friendship that was going to last a very long time. Even after only meeting once, it was as if we knew each other for ages, the way we just kept babbling on and on about things.

I remember the conversation from that very first night, when he said that one of the most incredible things he has ever done was when he went skydiving in Switzerland… Free falling with a straight shot of the top of the Alps. Can you even imagine such an incredible view? He later showed me the video from the jump and I was blown away. I decided then and there skydiving was high up on the list of things to do before I die.

Fast forward several months and one random day in February, Jake called me all excited that he had found a living social deal on skydiving out of Texas Skydiving Center, which is about an hour drive from Austin… Obviously, we jumped on the opportunity. It was also a relief to know my first jump was going to be with someone who has done it multiple times.

As the date approached I started to get super nervous. Thinking of all those (very rare, and mostly only in movies) stories you hear about the parachute not opening. Being typical Charlotte….

photo

The night before almost felt like the night before a big race. I was a jumbled mix of anxious/terrified/excited/doubtful/over-the-moon… I couldn’t sleep worth a darn… But as soon as we hit the highway I was snoozing in the passenger seat on the way to TSDC.

Before doing a high-altitude jump you have to sit in a 5 hour classroom before, where you learn all about the equipment used for skydiving, aircraft procedures, skills demonstration, steering and landing… I decided last minute that I felt better doing Tandem (where an instructor is harnessed to you and he has one huge parachute on his back) So we only had to do the ground classroom for about an hour….Jake as a trooper and sat through the classroom with me even though he’s a veteren. Then we were boarded onto our aircraft where all the gear was strapped to us and it was time for lift off….

Once in the air and the equipment was on, I started to panic a little. I have no fear of heights or anything… But I had one of those “wtf am I doing with my life right now?!” thoughts. Ya know…. just gonna go jump out of a plane and free fall for an entire minute and hope to god that the stranger on my back deploys the shoot… and here I am sitting on the ground of a tiny plane between the legs of a man I just met who is attached to my back….

Jake on the other hand, was easy breezy. Smiles and sunshine like we were just going to jump off of a 2 ft step or something.

photo-2

A few people go before us, then Jake jumps….. I’m up next. I’m standing in the door of the plane… So much wind gushing at me. Suddenly my instructor yells “GO!” I must have looked absolutely petrified because the camera dude next to me waiting for us to jump smiled a little and said “just remember to breathe” and nudged me forward. Welp, I was at the point of no return, I could jump… or I could let my instructor jump, at which point I would just fall with him. So, I leaped out of the plane.

The first 50-60 seconds of free-fall went by so fast. I didn’t even have time to register “holy fuck I’m plummeting at free-fall speed toward the earth” before the parachute pulled. I did have time to close my eyes for a few of the 60ish seconds and I remember thinking “I’m just a bird….that has no wings and can’t fly, but right now, I’m still a freakin’ bird”

Once the chute pulled, I tried to soak up the experience as much as possible. Time seemed to just disappear, though… The teeny-tiny houses in the distance grew larger and closer. My instructor let me do a few turns to try steering, and before I knew it, it was time to prepare for landing. ;)

I wasn’t sure what to expect with the landing. I expected it to be rough, maybe even a little painful…. But, it really wasn’t at all. The ground was grassy and soft, and while the landing wasn’t “soft”… It didn’t hurt at all.

photo-1

I still am having trouble putting into words just how incredible the experience was. It was scary, but honestly taking the jump out of the plane was the worst part. The adrenaline rush was unlike any I’ve ever experienced, and the view was extraordinary….

If I ever get the chance, I will certainly be jumping again in a more exotic/gorgeous setting!!!

After jumping Jake and I hung out for a little while and watched other jumpers while the sun set. It was quite beautiful and relaxing! :) Met so many interesting people from all over the world that were jumping while on holiday in the states :) :)

photo-3

All in all, I highly recommend tandem jumping to anyone who has considered skydiving!! It is an incredible adventure that I wish more people experienced!!! :)

Texas Gone Arctic: AKA 3M Half Marathon Recap

Posted on by
32

After the RnR San Antonio debacle I immediately decided I needed to A) hold off on my first full marathon. Which most of you know, I pulled out of the Austin Marathon and decided to wait until June to knock out my first 26.2 (The San Francisco Marathon) and B) I needed to register for another half-marathon to redeem myself. It was a no-brainer what half-marathon I was going to choose. The 3M Half-Marathon! This race has been on my running bucket list since I started running. I wanted it to be my first half last year, but travel logistics were going to be too expensive for a gal who was (at the time) planning a mostly out-of-pocket wedding, so I ended up running Columbia instead. This year, since I now live in Austin it was an easy decision to just go for it. :)

I set some mighty goals for myself with 3M. I really wasn’t okay with running my first full marathon this Summer without having run a sub 2:30 Half-Marathon. I just wasn’t going to accept a time any slower than that. Plain. and. Simple. It was a pretty big goal to make. If I crossed the finish line in 2:29:59 that would shave 30 minutes off of my half-marathon time in under 9 months.

The 2-3 weeks leading up to Sunday I was feeling less and less confident about the race. Work ate my life, and I missed two long runs because of work and other life events. I tried to make up for my long run last Monday and did 8 miles at a pretty easy pace and felt good. I still had no idea what 13.1 was going to bring me, though.

When Saturday rolled around I wasn’t even sure if I was going to be able to race. I had planned on hitting the expo before work, but was woken up by my boss calling me in early. Great…. All day I was so anxious. Terrified I wasn’t going to get out of work early enough to make it to the Crowne Plaza Hotel by 6pm. Around 5:30 I even went outside and had a moment where I cried a little. I was certain my chances of racing Sunday were o-v-e-r. I got out of work at exactly 6pm. When the expo was closing. Fantastic. I didn’t know what to do, so I just decided to speed across town and see if they would let me get my packet. What was the worst thing that could happen? They say no?… At least I tried… I get there, and everything is taken down except for the registration/cashier booth which was being stripped down as I walked up. I’m sure my words were a jumbled mess because I was FREAKING out, but I explained my situation. They could see the panic in my face and gave me my bib and t-shirt. I wasn’t able to get my swag bag, but screw it. I got what I needed. Insert huge-ass sigh of relief here.

Sunday morning started at the crack of Dark-Thirty. I decided to take the metro to the start area since the finish line was literally 6 blocks away from my apartment and there was no sense being shuttled back to the car from where I live just to drive back over this way. I looked at the weather and died a little. I was pleased as punch that the chance of rain seemed to disappear over night, I was not impressed with the fact that it was 35 degrees with headwinds that made it feel like 25. I THOUGHT I MOVED TO TEXAS, Y’ALL!

59916_10151386037521014_1862873737_n

6:45AM is not a time I am used to and not a time I want to start a race. I am not and may never be a morning person, but I was surprisingly alert jumping up and down at the start line trying to keep myself warm. I had planned on ditching my jacket at gear check, but when I was still freezing my booty off I decided to just keep it on. If worse came to worse I would just tie it around my waste and bring the 90′s back. ;) I was thankful at the start line to have kept it on. Mostly for the thumb holes that were keeping my hands a little bit warmer than they would have otherwise been. While hanging out I was shivering soo bad! The wind was wipping around all over the place, and the nerves of “oh god the last few weeks of training have been terrible” really kicked in. I decided then and there that my biggest priority for this race was just to push myself as hard as I can and leave it ALL on the course. Even if I didn’t make my goal, at least I’d be able to say I gave it my all.

We were off! The course starts wayyyy north by Mopac and Capitol of TX Highway, in an area of Austin I am absolutely not familiar with what-so-ever.

3mcourse

The first 9ish miles are ‘downhill’. It’s a nice, easy, downhill course that doesn’t take too much of a toll on your legs, and sometimes isn’t even noticeable at all.

3melevation

Every couple of miles you can see your time during 3M. This was awesome.. I ran with my Garmin, but it was nice not to have to worry about it. I’ve never run a race where you can see your splits that often. I was surprising myself during the first 10k with how comfortable I was maintaining a faster pace than my goal. I live in West Campus, though. I knew the last stretch of the race had some pretty decent sized hills. I had to reel it in so I’d still have momentum going into that section of the race.

Mile 9 is where the bigger hills come in. We turned on to 45th street and we were running directly into the part of town I know like the back of my hand. Unfortunately, this didn’t really make the hills any easier since it was toward the end of the race. ;) But, it was really cool that the last stretch of the race was something I know and see every day.

These hills hurt. It’s a cruel joke that all race organizers are in on to always make the last stretch of a distance event, up hill… ;) I kid I kid. I just tried to tune out the pain and focus on the beautiful surroundings. Running down through campus and up MLK is a beautiful view. On Deen Keaton you get a beautiful straight on view of the Austin skyline and you cross the finish line to a beautiful view of the Texas Capitol building.

I finished in an official time of 2:28:34!! PR baby!!! I DID IT. Sub-2:30. :D :D :D

3m3

I’m really proud of myself for just letting it all loose on the course. I may not be very fast. I may very well never be, and that’s okay because I IMPROVE all the time. I’m constantly growing as a runner, and that’s all that matters to me. :)

photo-1

and just so you have an idea of how windy it was. My hair was super hhawwwt after the race. The back was pretty much sticking straight up. haha

photo-4

Absolutely a fun fun race!!! I’ve never run a distance race in my home town. Columbia and DC were both only an hour away, but still. It was a really neat and stress-free experience! Not to mention 3M SURPASSES it’s reputation! It was a great race, so incredibly well organized. I may be a little biased because of my situation, but the volunteers were amazing. I’m so thankful they let me get my bib, even though I was absurdly late, and I’m sure they were exhausted. I saw the swag bags and they were packed with goodies, since 3M makes like, everything! :P

There were even some food trucks in the finisher’s area, but I didn’t stick around to eat anything. Once I stopped moving I was absolutely FREEZING. The space blanket didn’t protect my face from the winds :P All I wanted to do was change into something warm and head to brunch! lol

If you want to run a half-marathon with a fast course, beautiful finish, huge medal, and organized to a T… 3M is definitely a great choice!! I plan on running it again next year, for sure!

Life Is About The Journey

Posted on by
13

I apologize if you came over to my corner of the web today looking for a Rock n Roll San Antonio recap. That is not what you will be getting.

With half-marathon under my belt I have come to this moment, right here, enlightened. In regards to MY OWN running, that is.

You see, before this year I never thought I was capable of running 13.1 miles. I never thought I could actually run much more than a 5k. I mean marathon runners have like…. Less than 10% body fat (or ya know.. so I thought). I’ve always been a thin girl, but average thin.. Not anorexic thin. Until I became an adult I absolutely never had body image issues. Crazy, since I was a gymnast and a dancer. Both notorious for self-image issues.

I can pin the day I started having bad body images to the day I had ovarian surgery. I was bed-ridden for what felt like an eternity. I was on a diet that consisted mostly of mashed potatoes and ice cream. I needed help with everything. After a few weeks, I hated what I saw. Although even at my worst, I was never actually overweight. Actually, I don’t think anyone other than myself, including my boyfriend at the time, even noticed a difference what-so-ever. But I was growing more and more disgusted with the girl looking back at me in the mirror. I was also growing weaker and weaker every day. Truth be told, I had stopped being truly active about 2 years prior to this. Quit gymnastics and dancing entirely. My only form of physical activity at that point was waiting tables 30 hours a week.

When I began running, I saw my body transform. Not necessarily in appearance, but I was definitely getting stronger. I felt my core that was pretty badly destroyed from surgery recover with every run I went on. Even if I was running a mile with frequent walk breaks. Throughout my journey as a runner I have become stronger every day. My legs became the rocks they once were as a gymnast. After some time, I learned to incorporate other forms of strength training. Core work. Leg work. Even my arms, now…

At one point during this journey, running even taught me to love my body. It proved to me that my body is something to be proud of, flaws and all. If I’m smart about it, and put in the work; my body can do anything (within reason) I want it to. This is my body, and it’s the only one I get… Assuming I don’t get bionic parts in the future.

For this very reason, because I love my body. Because I respect my body I have decided to drop to the half-marathon at the Austin Marathon in February and postpone my Marathon debut. This wasn’t an easy decision to come to, yet it was the easiest decision of my life…

I realized there is a genius to the run-walk approach. Hang with me here, because I’m not being literal, though I really am at the same time. (Charlotte, get it together here. You’re not making any sense.)

Physical work is easier and healthier when you take breaks. This also works for learning…. There is a reason that teachers start their lessons with a brain warm-up, then dive into the heavy material, and end the class having backed off a bit.. Allowing creative and cognitive thought to replenish the brain.

After two-ish years of running, one of which was more ‘serious’ running, I have learned that my body needs me to back off after an intense training cycle. Like our brains, my body works best when given rest and variation. After 13 weeks of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion, I know that my body needs me to back off a little. I never really spoke about my brother’s death. I downplayed how upset I was after the split between Zack and I. I downplayed how stressful it was to try to move to Austin after just getting back home to NY. I downplayed how painful my hip was getting at the end of training for San Antonio.

Sitting here right now.. It’s kind of silly to me that I did. I grew more than I knew possible this year. I’ve grown more in less than a year, than a lot of people do in a lifetime.

All of this. Every aspect of it. The epiphanies I’ve had, the injuries I’ve experienced, the heart ache…Wanting to rip my hair out over some of the stress; Have lead me to this comfort… I know now, that life really is all about the journey. There is no rush. I do not want to just survive this life, I want to thrive in it!

I don’t want to just survive my first marathon. I want to thrive! I want to be the strongest I’ve ever been. I want to cross the start line confident, not terrified. (Though yes, there is a certain level of fear in every marathoner, newb or experienced) I know that if I run in February, I will end up only half-way pleased. I will be proud of myself for finishing, but I will be disappointed with how poorly executed it was. I will be extremely frustrated with my body for doing something that it wasn’t prepared to do in the first place.

I will run a marathon. I still plan for it to be in 2013, it just won’t be Austin. It just won’t be 2 months from now. Instead I will be giving myself some time to back off the intensity so my body mind and soul can recover from the last several months of intense life. I’m going to find some local 5ks, pick out my favorite hole-in-the-wall bar in Austin, go to social outings and meet people, and even go on my first post-engagement date. GASP.

If you want to rain on my parade, go right on ahead. It will not bother me. I am comfortable with my decision. No, actually, I’m proud of it. Being smart enough to listen to our bodies takes a level of responsibility that only come after growing as a person, and a runner.

The Group Run That Changed Everything

Posted on by
18

This has been my first week in Austin. My new home. I’m a texan again, and according to the rest of the state, a good-for-nothing-dirty-liberal-hippie ;) I’m perfectly okay with that generalization though. haha

Naturally, one of the very first things I did after settling into the hotel I’m staying at until my apartment is ready, was wander around the city into the local running store nearby! RunTex! (Which I just learned, that the owners of Charm City Run were inspired to open their first store in Baltimore after living in Austin and loving RunTex stores! Totally awesome. From one great running city to another! :D )

20121018-223543.jpg

The store was pretty massive when I walked in. A lot of space, a lot of awesome going on… But, I was instantly a fan because I was greeted by this little guy…

As I was wandering around looking at all of the running goodies that I wish I was a millionaire so I could buy… An employee came up to me and started asking me if they could help with anything. I said no, that it was my first time in the store and was just looking around. The run nerd in me couldn’t resist a new local running store. So then he asked where I was from and I went on about how I had just moved here the day before and am training for the Austin Marathon & yadda yadda. Next thing I know he’s handing me flyers, brochures and schedules galore. A schedule of all of the group runs, all of the workouts that are hosted out of RunTex, races that I need to sign up for. He was the bomb-diggity!

Of course I decided to join the very next group run, last night! Y’all…. I ran 2.6 miles and it changed the course of my running life forever.

I know! I KNOW, how can 2.6 measly miles change your life when you’re training for a full marathon? That’s NOTHING.

But it isn’t nothing. That’s what I learned on that run, and I promise to never ever take a single step for granted ever again!

You see, I met this incredible man during the group run. He was an elderly man, who at first I honestly didn’t think was even running… Until we start heading down Riverside and he’s chugging along with us. He was also the first person to talk to me. Right off the bat cracking jokes and making me feel welcome. I appreciated him immediately… After all, it can be a bit intimidating being the new girl in a group of runners who clearly run together multiple times a week.. AND ARE SUPER FAST.

He started telling me his story, and I was shook from the very first moment. He has a heart condition that makes him rely on an oxygen tank to breathe. After multiple major heart attacks he has been given a projected 3 months left to live… Out of the 10 months we’ve had so far in 2012, he has spent a grand total of 4 months at the Heart Hospital of Austin (if you combine all the days he’s spent there) Yet, every single day he’s not in the hospital, even though breathing while laying down is difficult, let alone while running, he still goes out there and runs as hard as he can, for as long as he can. Oxygen tank in toe and all.

He’s even training for the Austin Marathon in February, in hopes that he’s still around long enough to cross the finish line. It would be his 16th marathon, and his 9th since being diagnosed with his heart condition.

He tells me all of this as we’re running Town Lake… At one point I couldn’t hold it in any longer and just burst into tears. He turned around in front of me, put one hand on each of my shoulders, looked me square in the eyes and said “Don’t cry for me. I’ve accepted that I’m dying, I’ve crossed everything off of my bucket List. I’ve lived a full life and I’m ready. Don’t you shed a single tear for me.”

I was astonished. Does this man not know how incredibly inspirational he is? Does he not know how strong he is? Does he not know that in 25 minutes he completely changed my perspective on EVERYTHING?

The group took a turn to head around the east side of town, I however turned around and headed back. I had already run 4.5 in the morning, and have a very heavy training schedule for the rest of the weekend… I stopped at the bridge on Congress and just stared into the sunset and let the last half an hour of my life really sink in.

Here I was before he started talking to me, complaining in my head that my hip was bothering me. Some days my head just isn’t in the game. Some days I just don’t want to run at all. But here is this man, who is defying his genetics. Here he is busting his butt day in and day out with a ticker that doesn’t want to cooperate. Doctors telling him that running could kill him. Saying that he’s a moron for even trying to run marathons. Yet he still goes out there and proves everyone wrong.

I will never take a run for granted ever again. I will never ever complain that my hip is too tight. I will never give up. I started running because I wanted to be IN CONTROL of my body, during a time where I felt like it was failing me. Where did that drive go? Why have I let the aches and pains of becoming a distance runner get to me? Stupid. Plain and simple. I’ve let myself become weak minded, and I promise you I AM DONE WITH THAT.

I am stronger than that.
So, Jim, if you ever happen to stumble upon this blog post… Which next group run I’ll definitely tell you that you inspired me to write it, I want you to know that you changed this little runner for life. For that, I thank you. I can’t wait to see you at the start of the Austin Marathon!

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard

Posted on by
11

Today is my last day in New York… Tomorrow I close this chapter of my life, I seal it off and lock it up. Only to be re-opened as a memory to look back on fondly, at just how strong I really am. Tonight I am going to sit around with cocktails and just smile while watching these amazing human beings in my life. I have grown so much in the last 2 months spent here. Jamestown isn’t home. Jamestown isn’t for me, but it has produced some world-class individuals. BUT……..

“You’ve got to keep it moving while healing.“

Tomorrow I am moving to Austin, Texas. I’ve daydreamed of living in ATX since the first time I visited at age 6. Most little kids aren’t dreaming of moving away that early. I was. I guess I’ve always been a gypsy at heart.

I think when I left Dallas two years ago, there was a part of me that always knew I would be back in Texas soon. Not Dallas or the surrounding areas, but Texas. It was and always will be home. I certainly haven’t spent the most time of my life in Texas, but when I did, and every single visit a calm sense of belonging washes over me… I just never really realized what that meant until about 6 months ago. When my perspective entirely changed, and I realized that what matters really does matter.

Our society loves a legendary good-bye. Hollywood, in particular, romanticizes that last moment before anyone is able to walk away from anything. The heart-melting conversation when E.T. goes home between him and Elliot. “Go.” “Stay.” then he lights up his finger and says “I’ll be right here!“. The most heart-wrenching good-bye in Cinema history, of course, Forrest Gump standing at Jenny’s grave saying his good-byes. Roy Batty saying “All those moments will be lost in time. Like, tears in the rain. Time to die.” in Blade Runner. (A magnificent scene, btw)  My oh My there are plenty of big and sad goodbyes in Hollywood; and they always involve one thing. Drama.

For now I choose to enjoy the excitement of moving, and to do it without the legendary goodbye.

Rather, I am going to follow the principles of the finale of one of the most popular Television shows ever aired in the States: Seinfeld. After their last episode, the cast just walks away as Elaine says “see ya.”  That’s how I’ve always left Jamestown. Nothing too complicated, no tears. Just a simple “see ya“

Dare to Dream

Posted on by
14

Sometimes, I truly believe that horrible things happen so that wonderful things can fall into place. As anyone who knows me or reads my blog knows, 2012 has been one (pardon my French) BITCH of a year. It has been one thing after another since January 1st rolled around. I was starting to think that I would drown from all of the stress and worries. But, this morning I woke up with a much different perspective.

If bad things didn’t happen, would we really even be able to appreciate the good? Better yet, if bad things didn’t happen… Would we have the drive, determination, and motivation to accomplish great things? No, no, no, one thousand times no. I honestly believe that.

For a while there I was maintaining my life but not exactly bettering it. Sure, not THAT long ago I began running, (okay wow its been nearly 2 years now.. holy cow) and I’ve been building my strength, health, and distance since. But as far as my career goals, my life goals, the bigger picture… I was simply floating along.

I’ve been over the restaurant industry (in the traditional sense) for awhile now. I love to cook, and working in restaurants is pretty much all I know, and I’m dang good at it. Everything from waiting tables, to tending bar, to running the kitchen.. I’ve done it all at one point or another and I’ve always been highly successful at it. I’m great under pressure so a busy section on a Saturday night was easy-peasy. Running a fast paced kitchen was stressful as hell, but I was good at it. But, to say I “LOVED” it would be a bull-faced lie!

If you asked me what my true PASSIONS in life are, my answers would fly out before you even finished the question. Travel, Music, Running. If I could get paid to listen to music while running in a new city every day.. Well, you just let me know when a job like that opens up. kay? ;) haha, however… I have the travel part down pretty well.. In the last 4 years I have lived in 6 or 7 different cities. (I’m a gypsy..) Some of these cities were close by, some of them were complete different parts of the country…. Running I’m on top of as well, especially because MY COUGH IS FINALLY GOING AWAY *knocks on wood* with my second half a month and a half away, and my first marathon 7 months away.. Running is doing its thaaang! ;) Of course it’d be nice to be paid for either one of these passions but well, I’m no elite runner so I don’t see that happening in my near (or distant) future. :P

But the stars did align themselves perfectly for me!!!! This week as a lot of you know I’ve been down in Texas for two reasons. One reason was to help my step-mom with the race she’s directing. We’ve been busy tying up all the loose ends and getting things set up tonight, and tomorrow I’ll be helping out all morning before I run the race! But the MAIN reason (it honestly just worked out that I was here this particular weekend. So glad to be able to be a part of the race set up though! What an incredible experience) was to find an apartment in Austin and have an interview for my absolute DREAM JOB.

& I am THRILLED to announce that it all worked out. I fell in absolute love with the first apartment I viewed. I told my realtor to just rip up the rest of her listings because I was SOLD. It’s absolutely gorgeous and the perfect location in South-Central Austin!!! But it gets even better.

I am the new booking agent for this totally friggin AWESOME, adorable, venue in downtown Austin. What is a booking agent, you ask? Well, I will be booking bands/musicians/artists for concerts, gigs and other live music performances. I couldn’t contain myself when I went to my interview yesterday and was offered the position at the end of it! I literally jumped up and hugged the owner of the venue. Thankfully he just laughed and wasn’t weirded out by my ways of thanking him. haha.

Seriously though, this is basically a DREAM JOB for me. You see.. I have always been deeply rooted in the local music scene. Yes, Jamestown NY is a tiny tiny tiny city… But we have some of the best local bands I have ever heard come out of anywhere in this country. I have had the pleasure of meeting, being friends with, dating even… some of the coolest musicians. There is something about music and musicians that just inspires me. I love it ALL. There isn’t a single genre that I’m just like “ew no way”. I love music. Simply put! I couldn’t be more excited for this next chapter of my career.

You know what made them decide I was the perfect match for the position? My blog. They loved how passionate I was during the “local flavor” week of PLAYLIST THURSDAY. So, really… if I’m being perfectly honest I owe a big thank you to Pavement Runner for starting Playlist Thursdays and convincing me to join the fun!

Life truly is beautiful if you DARE TO DREAM and GET AFTER IT!!!
xoxoxoxo

when was the last time YOU dared to dream?

Movin’ On Up…..

Posted on by
26

I’ve thought long and hard about where I want to take my life next. I fully anticipated having to wait until after the wedding next July, but with the recent turn of events I’ve started to realize that perhaps this is the path for me. Perhaps, I’ve finally found my calling and this is life’s way of saying “JUMP ON IT BEFORE ITS TOO LATE”

(It sometimes scares me how much power we have over our own destinies)

So, it may come as no surprise to some of you, that I have decided to move to Austin and get my career plans under way…. In September!

Austin has been on my radar since I was… 6 years old?! haha. Seriously, the first time my dad ever took me to Austin I knew that someday, I was going to live there… Even then, I knew that the live music scene in Austin, the culture, the easy going and laid back environment, friendly people, exciting downtown life.. I knew it was all for me.

The best part was when I grew up and realized that Austin really was the best of all worlds. Food, affordable. Beer, cheap. Apartments, totally reasonable. State income tax, pfffft what is THAT nonsense? JOBS — EVERYWHERE.. Especially for my bar/restaurant management degree. Uh, 6th street, I hear you calling my name! Gas is OVER 50 cents cheaper than it is here in New York (or Maryland for that matter) People are so dang friendly, the weather is gorgeous (HI i hate snow unless I’m skiing) there are trails GALORE. I’ve basically decided I’m going to be spending 94.3% of my time running town lake. It’s just meant to be. ;)

It comes to no surprise to any of my family and friends that I’m moving there! None. As soon as I told my friends I got “ohhh you are going to EAT UP that music scene” Austin hands down, has one of, if not THE biggest live music scene in the entire world!

I am truly and honestly STOKED about this next chapter of my life. I have so many friends in Texas that have migrated down from Dallas to ATX… I have so much family all over the state. Mostly in San Antonio which is less than an hour south! :D

I am truly over joyed.. Which, lets face it… I needed something to bring this year to a happy end! The only thing I’m super nervous about is finding a decent apartment. If you are in Austin, or know anything about Austin and can point me in the right direction to find a place in Downtown/central austin (close to UT, close to 6th street… but not necessarily on top of either) I will owe you my life! ;)

:D :D :D

So, tell me darlings… Whats the most exciting thing thats happened to you recently?! 

Texas Weekend Getaway; I BOUGHT MY WEDDING DRESS

Posted on by
15

This weekend was exactly what I needed. 2012 has been rough, and although I have some pretty thick skin, I was at my tipping point. The getaway could not have been more perfect timing! Truly.

Bright & early, Friday morning Zack & I were off to visit my dad’s new home in New Braunfels, Texas. They’ve been building the house for awhile so I was really excited to see the finished product. I had simply no idea what it was going to look like.

The flight from Tampa to San Antonio was smelly. Luckily I passed out pretty early into the 2 hour flight ;)

Even though I have seen the property multiple times… To see the new house sitting on top of what was before just land, and to stand in the back yard and loook out over the hills of Canyon Lake. Unreal. So beautiful. I can not begin to describe the jealousy I feel that they get to have that view every single day for the rest of their lives. Ufff. Seriously gives me “OMG LETS MOVE BACK TO TEXAS” pangs. Austin or San Antonio… I’d move there in a heart beat.

Oh, the beautiful Hill Country of Texas <;3

That night, before my sister and niece’s flight got in we went to one of my favorite spots!!! GRUENE HALL!! The oldest dance hall in Texas. You simply can not pay justice to the place. It has old wooden floors, live country music every day, strings of lights outside, rustic Texas charm like no other. It is the greatest. I’m not even a country fan, but this place brings the Texas out of me EVERY time. All of the country greats have played there.

Wear your cowboy boots and get ready to Texas 2 step.

Gruene, Texas Y’all.

After we returned home little baby girl (my niece) Haylie Lynne arrived. I know I’m biased but I also truly believe I have the cutest niece in the entire universe. Seriously.

Little princess

Excuse me while I overdose you in cute baby

Can you BELIEVE she just had a baby 7 weeks ago? DANG!

Anyways – Onward to Saturday… We decided almost immediately we were going to tube the Guadalupe River. Something I hadn’t done in YEARS but has always been a favorite childhood past time. I was excited to do it the “right” way with booze this time ;) It was truly the perfect weather. We had an absolute blast. Drinking sangria and mikes hard lemonade, which eventually became a mixture of Sangria and Mike’s hard that was absolutely TO DIE FOR in that hot Texas sun. Delicious. The time flew by with the rapids.

20120529-085522.jpg

This sign was in the shuttle bus that took you from where the river lets you off, back to the Rock n R Parking lot. Basically the best sign ever, right? (it was a weekend for good signs) we also saw someone with car window paint that said “honk if you love pooping” us all being slightly immature when it comes to our humor laughed and honked. Too bad I couldn’t snag a picture of it

Texas brings out my natural spirals. LOVE my TX hair. (probably the only person who says that)

As you can see I am white as a ghost. I glowed, I was so pasty… I burnt up like a lobster, despite the sunblock I used.

ouch.

Saturday evening consisted of many adult beverages, Texas Rangers, grilling out, and loving on the sweetest baby girl.

Be still my Heart. He is going to make the best father (SOMEDAY)

The sun completely drained all of us, and we were all in bed by 9 o’clock. For the first time in MONTHS, I completely slept through the night. I didn’t wake up one single time until Haylie started crying around 6am. Even she was exhausted. (Rough life, being loved by 6 different adults 24/7 ;) )

The next morning, was a morning I have been looking forward to for AGES. As a lot of you know, I found my wedding dress a month or two ago. But, I was waiting to purchase it until this trip. I wanted opinions and since my dad was so generously paying for it, I wanted him to see it.

Well, I found the dress I was considering getting for a bit cheaper at Nordstrom. So we went there. My consultant also decided to pull a few others she was dying to see me in after I sent her a picture of myself.

SPOILER ALERT: I ditched my original dress. Almost immediately. The woman is a genius. Randi of Nordstrom La Cantara, is great at her job – THAT is for sure. Which is amazing since when she was asking me what I was looking for I was all “um well, uhhh” I knew I wanted a drop waist or a sheath. Nothing poofy or as she says “cupcakey”

This is the dress I was previously planning on purchasing; from when I tried it on at DB in Bowie.

The dress was simple. But had a little bit of flare to it on the one shoulder thing goin on. I really liked it. I should have known that it wasn’t the one though. Like, is not the feeling you want for your wedding gown.

Then I tried this dress on…. This is the dress that made me realize I was NOT getting that other dress. I had fallen in love. It was my number 1 choice until I did find THE one.

is this not breath taking?! — NOT MY DRESS THOUGH ;)

I might be hiding something behind those flowers ;) ;) I mean I can’t SHOW you my dress.

Note to all bride to be’s… Do not go dress shopping with hideous sun burn lines. Multiple of them. Please note the bikini line. The tank top line. and the T shirt line. (Runner Probz?)

I really couldn’t imagine finding a more beautiful or perfect dress. I was dead set on this. But then I locked eyes on THE one. I saw it, and knew it was going to be it. I tried it on and NEVER wanted to take it off. We bought it!!! When I go down in November for RnR San Antonio, I’ll have my first fitting!!!!! I can not believe it. I truly truly can not believe I bought my wedding dress. The dress I will be getting married in. :D :D :D Now if the next 12 months could just zoom by, thank you. (Which, I’m sure they will)

After dress shopping we were all famished. We wandered on down to the Yardhouse for cocktails and lunch. DELICIOUS. They have something like 90 beers on tap. Then we spent our last night in town by the pool, grilling steaks, and having MANY many adult beverages. ;)

It was the perfect end to a perfect weekend.

I could easily call this home

I am so thankful. Thankful for everything. I am 100% refreshed today, and can not describe my gratitude. So much about the weekend was just what I needed. Time with family, playing with my baby niece, buying the dress that will mark the next chapter in our lives…

I nearly cried when we pulled up to SAT this morning. I just did not want to come home. Back to reality.. With a whole new attitude :)

How was your Memorial Day weekend?
Did you make sure to thank those who have and are serving to protect our freedom?