I finally got it!

Every year, for the past four years, I have run the Hot Chocolate 5K in Atlanta.

And every year, for the past four years, I've watched runners complete the 15K and walk away with these amazing chocolate bar shaped medals.

And, Lord, forgive me, but in those moments, I have coveted.

Last year. My husband's 15K medal.

But this year, I signed up for the 15K, I trained with my running bestie, Jaimee, and I ran it.

AND I GOT THE MEDAL!

A dream come true for us!

Not gonna lie. This was hard! The training was hard - waking up every Saturday morning to go run in the bitter cold. And then, race day was less than ideal. #wet

But it was TOTALLY WORTH IT!

Not only did I get the 15K medal, but because this was my 5th year running the race, I was given a special legacy medal!

BLING BLING! #money

These medals were HARD earned! Especially after mile 7. It was at about that point where Jaimee and I began to REALLY feel the miles.

But we pressed on!

9.32 miles of memories.

My running chicas and I came, saw, and accomplished.

Before and After

Now, we're on the lookout for our next adventure.

I hope you are too!

#runningtheracebeforeus

The First Race Report of 2017

My fourth Hot Chocolate 5K (I have been running for 4+ years now) was completed last month.  This race remains at the top of my "gotta run this one" racing list for multiple reasons:

First - FRIENDS!

This is a race for girlfriends. Females running together for chocolate equals fun! How could it not?!

Second reason to run this race - CHOCOLATE!

Those who know me know I love chocolate. And if you are a fellow chocolate lover, you MUST participate in this event. Just imagine, after pushing yourself forward 3.1 miles, consuming rich hot chocolate, then enjoying marshmallows, rice crispy treats, and bananas dipped in melted chocolate! It's as close to a utopia as you can possibly get here on earth.

The final reason to run this race - FUN!

This race inspires fun. Silly is your middle name as you run toward your chocolate waiting for you at the finish line.

So I obviously recommend signing up for the Hot Chocolate 5K/15K race whenever it next comes near you. Get a group of friends together, and go enjoy some chocolate!

Running Tip: Indulge sometimes. #chocolate

Count Your Many Blessings

As my Thanksgiving break comes to a close, I feel I should take some time to count my blessings.

I'm thankful for so much! My Savior, first and foremost. My family, especially my selfless husband and my beautiful children. My job, I love teaching English and coaching debate. My church, love my Jesus peeps. My blog, love this outlet for my thoughts, my words. My friends, special shout out to my Jaimee! And, of course, running. Sooo thankful for running!

Truly, those last two blessings often go together. My friend Jaimee and my love of running.

Recently, my best running buddy came with me as I ventured to Chatsworth, GA, for the fifth year in a row to participate in "A Walk to Remember and 5K."

Every year, this event provides me an opportunity to remember my Angel and all babies lost too soon.

This year, despite the smoke from all the wild fires in North Georgia, my Jaimee and I ran/walked the 5K.

We both took it easy, not wanting to inhale too much smoke, and I was too tired from having chaperoned a speech and debate overnight trip with teenagers the night before to push myself too hard. Although, none of that really matters cause WE DID IT!

Aside from the 5K, we enjoyed seeing all the vendors at this event to support pregnancy and infant loss awareness - including my friend Kristie at Footprints on the Heart. And, of course, they had their awesome raffle to raise money for the March of Dimes. I usually win something from the raffle, but this year, it was not meant to be. Even though that was a bit of a bummer, knowing the money I put toward the raffle was going to such a great cause made my heart happy.

We left after the raffle concluded, so we missed the candle lighting that ended the event. But Jaimee and I each got to take home a candle. And later that night, she sent me this pic.

She had lit her candle for my Angel.

So, you see, I have much to be thankful for. Events like these. And my Jaimee.

And Angel. Always you, my Angel.

Today's forget-me-not: all my many blessings

December 10, 2015

On December 10, 2015, my friend Jaimee called me and suggested we go for a run. She had bought entries for a virtual 5K that came with medals. For those of you not familiar with virtual races, you buy the bib (and other swag that may come with it) and run the race whenever and wherever you want to run it.

It was the perfect gesture of friendship from my best girl who knows I love running.

Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

And for some reason, I never wrote a post about that run. How could I have neglected to do that?!

It was a good run. We both needed each other's company that afternoon for various reasons. We had a lot weighing on us both. Jaimee had a lot more on her mind than me given her mom had gone on to glory only two months ago.

So we ran. And we walked. We paced ourselves. And we talked. It felt good.

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Afterwards, we hung those virtual race medals from our necks, enjoying their awesomeness, and took the above selfie.

"Is any pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a good fire?" C.S. Lewis

It was a great run. Our friendship is a great run!

And in honor of all our runs and, more importantly, in honor of my Jaimee, please enjoy this video: Jaimee and Jamie - Running Buddies.

Today's forget-me-not: My best buddy (running and otherwise) Jaimee.