Friday Favorites: week 4

 

I'm feeling pretty bad that I haven't checked in too much this week. But the week kinda escaped from me. And I was tired.

1. Favorite Workout

The 3 miles I ran on the beach for megsmiles. I ran hard, the sun overhead, windy ocean inches away, sand underfoot.

Truth time: this run, and then the 7 miles I ran Monday is all I have exercised this week. Yeah, workout fail for this mama.

Returning to our regularly scheduled challenge Sunday. I can't ruin the streak now can I?!

2. Favorite Article

This article about digital photo storage and organization was a great one this week. My favorite word: DELETE! The designated print folder in each months folder is great too. I've bookmarked this and need to get my photos organized. ASAP. And I think Sara's ideas are brilliant.

3. Favorite Picture

I had a lot of pictures I could have chosen from our weekend adventure. But this one just warms my heart.

 

4. Favorite Meal

Again, I could have picked our free lunch at the hotel restaurant. I mean what's better than free lunch?

Or vaca date night. And it was good (and great alone time with hubby), the salmon was good, but mine is just as good.

I think for this week, Wednesday nights dinner of classic spaghetti and garlic bread. The homemade garlic bread was a hit.

 

5. Favorite Moment

I hate to sound like a broken record, but again (I know AGAIN), I could have picked a whole slew of moments from the beach.

But last night, after getting home from Noah's basketball practice and getting Lydia and Noah in tub and then in bed, I had 30 minutes of pure quiet before Chad and Madison got back from her practice. What did I do with these moments? NOTHING! Shhhhh, don't tell my hubby :)

*****

What are your favorites for the week?

 

Winter Beach Vaca

We had a great extended weekend. At the beach. I have never been happier to see sandy beaches and clear sunny skies! Especially since it was like 11 degrees when we left Ohio.

And this beautiful sunset:

 

I was lucky enough to be able to get a few minutes away to run a couple times. On the beach. Without a coat. Or gloves. Or a hat.

Saturday afternoon, I ran 3 miles for Meg.

 

It warmed my heart in the final half mile to see someone else had written #megsmiles in the sand.

Monday morning, I ran 7.3 miles for my half marathon training run. Probably the hardest run in a long time.

*****

Let me tell you a few secrets about running on the beach:

1. Time matters: Saturday, I started out about 2:15pm, the tide was way, way down. I had a ton of packed sand to run on the entire way. Monday, I started about 7:15. The tide was up, but there was still plenty of packed sand to run on. It was softer than Saturday's sand, so a little more work, but that's okay right? Just makes you stronger :) what I didn't consider was it would continue to creep up on me my entire run and I would run entirely out of packed sand before my planned miles were completed. I'll definitely pay more attention to the tide charts next time.

2. It is windy. Like, so windy, you ask yourself, am I even going forward?

3. It. Is. Awesome! I'm so grateful that I was able to run on the beach, and would do it again in a heartbeat. Tomorrow? Yes, please! In fact I thought running on the beach was so awesome, I'm considering the MB marathon next year. Say wha?!

*****

 

#MegsMiles

Let's take a moment to talk about the death of Meg Menzies. Oh, you didn't know her? Me either. She was a wife, mother of 3, avid runner.

I have struggled the last two days with what to say, not wanting to gloss over it, or (worse yet) pretend that this tragedy didn't happen. Nothing I can say will ease the pain her family feels.

Facebook

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You can read about her tragic death here.

From the moment I heard the news (here), it cut straight to my heart. Of course, my heart was broken for her 3 young children and her loving husband. But also, selfishly, I began thinking of my own 3 young children and how their lives would change without me to guide them. I hugged them all a little closer and a little tighter that day. I pray for Meg's family to find comfort in The Lord.

If you are planning on running or if you have the chance to run or walk on Saturday, I would urge you to consider taking part in #MegsMiles (Facebook event here). Take a mile or two to run in silence to remember the importance of running safety. Think of Meg and her grieving family. Hug your little ones close after your run. Be sure to snap a pic and post it to Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #megsmiles.

The last time I checked, over 58,000 runners have joined in the virtual run. Way to go running community!