Christmas time & running from coyotes!

Robert and I celebrated our last Christmas as a unwed couple. I can't believe this time next year him and I will be Mr. and Mrs B! We had a wonderful holiday with our families and kept our tradition together opening presents & breakfast in bed on Christmas morning. It was perfect!!

Santa was extremely good to the both of us, and I'm so excited to ring in 2012. This past year was hard with us having to say good bye to my grandpa in February, so I'm ready for a healthy and happy 2012.

Another thing I'm ready to get moving in 2012 is my running. I have been lagging so much that I'm a bit ashamed of myself. I think with the time change and sitting in almost 2 hours of traffic every day to get home makes me lazy. I want to get out there when I get home, but I'm so tired that sleeping sounds better.

Coyote Creek Bike Trail, La Mirada Ca

Yesterday I got a email from Penny and a few text messages for my friend Jessica that put a little spark back in me. When I got home last night I changed my clothes right away and went for a nice 4 miler. Behind my house is a great new little trail that I ran for the first time. I've heard coyotes several times in this trail at night playing and barking, so I was little scared to go. I don't know much about coyotes. but I heard they're a little fierce if they feel threaten. Not sure if they would feel that way with a girl 5'2 running through their playground, but I wasn't going to take any chances. I took my ipod off so I can hear around me (just incase a coyote was hungry) and just enjoyed the quite of the water running through the riverbed. IT WAS AMAZING!!

Nathan Safety Light..I love this gadget for night time running.

I knew it was going to get dark while I was out so I decided to take my awesome Nathan safety light with me. I bought this last year and have realized when I wear it I get noticed more by cars. I clip it right on the front of my shirt or pants and make sure I have the most annoying flashing mode on. I can't express the importance of making sure your seen at night while your running. People don't pay attention while driving, so you have to make sure your safe!

My new favorite running partner!

Robert got me a nano for Christmas that is now my new running BFF!! I used to use my Iphone for music, but sometimes I just want to go out without wearing my Ifitness belt. So this little guy just clips right onto my pants and holds all my playlists! Amazing how a small 4 miler makes me want to get home today change my clothes and go for another 4 miler!!! I'll keep you posted........

I hope everyone had a wondeful Holiday and I wish you all the best New Year!! Bring on 2012!!!

Where have I been??!!!

WOW!! October is the last time I shared a race report or even posted on here! I’ve been so busy that I just haven’t had the time to sit and write anything. Lots of things have happen since then, and lots of exciting things to come. So I suppose I should share and get things up to speed!!

Let’s start with the month that pretty much took over my life OCTOBER!

I once again had an amazing time this year at Halloween Haunt as a makeup artist. This year was bittersweet for many reasons. I decide that this will be my last year as a full time makeup artist for the event. After 15 years I think that its time to hang up my haunt shoes. I know there are many other things out there for me, and it’s time to explore them as an artist. I’m also going to miss working with some of the best friends a girl could ask for. It’s always hard to explain the friendships that come from working only one month of the year with people, but believe me when I say they are all special and I’m a lucky girl! Not to mention if it wasn’t for this event I wouldn’t be engaged to the most amazing guy in the world. It was a wonderful time to say the least and I’m truly going to miss everyone….Next October I’ll be a married women on my honeymoon, so it’s definitely something to look forward to!

Some Spooky Fun Photos!

Before I knew it...it was November!

Robert and I took a trip to New York for the weekend mid November. I've never been so I was really excited to see a Broadway show, 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Center, Statue of Liberty and all things NYC! Robert is lucky to work for a company that has a few apartments in the city, so we got to feel like true New Yorkers with our little place. I absolutely loved the hustle and bustle of the city and could totally spend more time there. I can’t even imagine how many miles him and I walked…we walked EVERYWHERE!!! The whole city was already decorated for the holidays which totally put me in the holiday spirit!

Our weekend in the Big Apple!

In a blink of a eye Thanksgiving was here and it was time to Turkey Trot. My my mom and I participated at the Long Beach trot, she walked her 2nd 5k, and I ran the 10k. It's such a great family event and I was so happy to have my mom there with me. I wish dad was there to, unfortunately he doesn’t get many holidays off so he was stuck at work. This race is always such fun and I really enjoyed just running it alone. I had my music going and I was just running enjoying myself. I’m still having pain with my shin area that only hurts when I first start running, then after a few miles the pain is gone. Not sure what’s going on, but I think it’s time to get a appointment with my A.R.T. therapist. I was contemplating only running the 5k, but as soon as I hit the turn around I decide to just keep going to complete the 10k. I forgot Mr G 2.0 that day so I have no idea what my time was, nor do I care. I was there to have a fun and that’s exactly what took place…FUN!! After the race we headed home to celebrate the holiday with my dad!

Turkey Trottin!

Now for December…

I know its only December 8th but so much has happen. Tons of wedding plans took place this week, and this past weekend we took a trip! Saturday we packed up the car and ventured out to Las Vegas with friends to run the Rock N Roll half marathon. A week before the race I came down with the worst flu ever, so I wasn’t sure if I was going to run or not. I wasn’t going to make a decision until last minute so I packed up my running gear anyways. We got to the expo in the early evening to pick up my packet and I can't tell you how frustrating this was! Not only did I never receive any sort of email with instructions like most races, but when we finally found the convention center there were NO signs on where to park, or where the expo was. We got 3 different employees give us 3 different ways to get the expo. It was a disaster! I got my stuff and left as quickly as possible!
When I woke up Sunday morning in the hotel unable to breath, I knew that running wasn’t an option for me. I’ve ran with the flu before and it was an awful experience. It was sort of a blessing in disguise because after reading the Rock n Roll Las Vegas Facebook page, the race was a disaster! Since I wasn’t running that day I had only one other goal which was finding Fern before she started her half marathon! After a few tweets and text messags I found her! YAY! She was ready to walk her little heart out and I made sure she knew that so many people were cheering for her!! I was extremely disappinted to hear that Fern was one of the thousands of people not to get a medal. I find that odd because it was a sold out event and I didn’t run, so that’s one extra medal. I’m sure I’m not the only person not to run that day, so who got our medals! I’m not race director or nor have I ever been involved in organizing a race, but if an event is sold out I would think that enough should’ve been ordered? No?....

Little Vegas Fun

So what does the rest of 2012 have in store for me? Well I'm going to keep my racing to a minimum and just focus on getting training in for LA Marathon. I have a few races in early 2012 that I really looking forward to..and I'm also looking forward to my wedding on April 13th! Can't believe that is only 5 months away..WOW! I also promise myself to keep my blog updated as much as possible. If I have a hour to sit and watch a silly reality show, then I have hour to write a race report or update here and there! Hope you enjoyed my super long post...I've also promised myself to shorten these =) HAHA!!

Thanks for reading!