Birthday - Hawaiian Style

This is what 48 looks like!

I spent 8 days and 7 nights on the Big Island of Hawaii for my birthday. Paradise! The weather was expected to be gray and raining the entire time, but we lucked out! It was 90 and sunny at least part of every day we were there. We hiked the lava fields, saw the glowing lava at sunset, played in the pools and on the water slides, tested the water on paddle boards, ran a 5k, and I had several beverages with umbrellas! It was a great vacation and a great way to celebrate my birthday!

47 is out with a splash!

Can't wait to see what this next year has in store for me!

Kona 5K



Tiara for my B-Day!



Spring Races

The spring was full of some race challenges. I was really sick with bronchitis for several weeks early this year, but even after being only about 70% recovered, I ran the Hot Chocolate 15K with my friends Teresa and Blair on March 1st. It was a long 9.3 miles. For the first time in my race history, I actually had to stop and walk one of the hills. I wasn't happy with my finish time, but was happy that I didn't quit and finished the entire 9.3 miles.

In April, I ran the Seattle Seahawks 12K. This time Mark and Blair joined me. This was Mark's first official running race (in years). He and I stayed together the entire race. He claims I threw him into the fence at the finish line, but I just passed the woman in front of me and did, in fact, beat Mark across the finish line. It was fun to do together and my time was faster than last year's Seahawks 12K.




 
For the 2nd year in a row, I joined Team UBS to run the Susan G Komen Race for a Cure 5K. This is a fun event with my co-workers that is rounded out by a delicious brunch at Paseo's following the race. Kaitlyn joined me for this event, although she didn't run, she was the support team, holding all of our stuff, and even watching one of my co-workers little boys while we ran. She's such a good sport!

There was also the Strip on the Strip 5K in Vegas (see previous post) and the Brooks Trailrun 10K in May. The 10K was awful, I really wasn't in shape to run 6.2 miles and my time showed it. I have another 10k in July, but not sure I'll fair much better then. The weather has been exceptionally warm, which is my excuse for not getting my butt out there to run!

VEGAS BABY!

Took a weekend trip to Vegas with my girlfriend Aimee. The goal was to run the Strip On The Strip 5k race. I was successful in my attempt, which was pretty amazing since I went to bed after midnight on Friday night, after a little "vegas activity" and got up at 6:15 a.m. to head to the race. My time wasn't great, but I finished and got the medal, which is all that really counts.

Ended up celebrating as a Divorced Diva over the weekend, which wasn't originally the plan, but the timing worked out perfectly.
Did lots of walking and shopping, and drinking (duh, it's Vegas!). Came home with a new cocktail dress, jewelry, coffee mug, personalized M&Ms, and the all important Divorced Diva sash! Oddly, I didn't do much gambling, which based on my Visa bill when i got back, was a wise choice! :)
Michael, the bartender at Paris where we stayed, knew exactly how to make my Mimosa! He was ever so entertaining to visit, which we did on a few occassions!
I saw my first Vegas show - Le' Rev at the Wynn. It was AMAZING! I've never seen such amazing athletes. It was incredible and well worth the $125 ticket price.
After the show, we went to the Bourbon Room bar at the Venitian, where I literally got picked up by a Marine. There is a picture to prove it! It was such a fun night of dancing! I have blisters on my toes to prove it! We closed the bar at 5 a.m. and were the last to leave, which we finally realized when the music stopped and no one else was around. Finally made it back to my room at 7 a.m. Sunday morning. Too bad we had to be checked out of our room by 11:00! The night, and a trip to Vegas, wouldn't have been complete without some creepy French dude propositioning me in the casino a little before 7 a.m. Of course, I was sitting there in a cocktail dress with my shoes in my hand, I must have made a sight! :)
It was a great trip and exactly what the doctor ordered!

Life is Messy and Suprising!

Life is Messy and Surprising!! After almost 15 years together, Tim and I finally agreed that our relationship was making both of us miserable. Life is too short to be unhappy all the time! We filed for divorce in November. I stayed busy with Kaitlyn's wedding and my running. Having just ended a long term relationship, I wasn't really looking for a new relationship. I hoped to date and learn how to interact with the opposite sex again (when they aren't my husband). Apparently, God had another plan for me. He put this amazingly sweet man named Mark in my life. At first glance, I didn't think anything would come of this, other than a few dates and maybe a new friendship. Well, I was wrong! When we are together, it feels so easy and comfortable, like we've been together for 20 years, not 6 weeks. We spent a great weekend away for Valentine's Day. It was so relaxing and enjoyable. I have no idea what the long term future holds, but for now I am extremely happy and extremely grateful for the blessings in my life.