Life's Little Things - Random Admiration

So. I have a little story from yesterday afternoon...

I'm finishing off my vacation.  I spent a few days in the Austin area trying out new things. I spent most of yesterday actually out in the Burnet/Marble Falls area going to the Longhorn Cavern State Park. In the afternoon I went to Round Rock cause I grew up in the area, and I had get some Round Rock Donuts and shaved ice from Kawaii's Shaved Ice.


Well. I ended up visiting the library down the street to see how it was (remember, I grew up in the area and actually volunteered there in high school), but also to use their bathroom. While washing my hands like a good girl, I noticed how flushed and sweaty I am from walking in 104* weather for 20 minutes, after having done the same at the park before the cavern tour. My hair was slicked back in a ponytail. I was slightly questioning how less lean I looked because of my vacation noshing and for a second debated if I was starting to look pear shaped and that my sports bra was making my boobs look funny.

A few minutes later I was saying "Hi" to their pet snake (yes, folks, this library has a pet snake Rocksssanne!) right near the restrooms when another person heading into the hallway. He probably saw me take pictures of snake and her sign. Then, all of a sudden, he walks up next to me. We looked at each other and smiled. I was half expecting this guy to say something like "I remember you...". But instead he said, "Food for thought question of the day... If you could go back and tell your 10-year-old self one thing, what would you say?"

I responded with, "Oh, there would be too many things. I'd have to think about that." as a way to maybe get out of a conversation with a stranger. He said, "Think about it" and headed towards to the bathroom. He paused at the water fountain and said "Just one thing." I replied, "That's tough. Got to think about that." as he went to the bathroom. 

I started to walk away, but paused to look at something else. I couldn't get the question out of my head. What would I said if I could time travel back? At that time the fellow came back, saw me, and said, "Times up!" Well. I responded with, "I would say don't be afraid of what others think. That's a pretty big important thing."

This guy, who wore black skinny jeans, a plaid button shirt, black gauge earrings, a black flat cap, began to tell me something along the lines of, "You're right it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if your are fat, thin, tall, short - it never matters. I have to say that you don't have to change a damn thing about yourself!"  I was not expecting that. "Wow. Thank you." I really meant that. "You look amazing! Don't change." Again, I said thank you.

Then he raised his hands up almost in defense, "I'm gay, so I'm not trying to hit on you, but I wanted to tell you that. Don't change." I replied with, "Thank you, I really appreciate you saying that."

And pretty much... that was that. We kinda went our separate ways. I wish I had asked for his name.

No on ever expects things like this to happen (other than hoping to have the hot guy across the room to say something).

I'm not saying he was... but I wonder... was he an angel of some sort?

For the rest of the day I could not forget the encounter. I do wish I had a name to say thank you to.

Image found here.

Motivation Monday - I Ran... A Lot

Running is emotional. Plain and simple.

I run a lot (or at least in my mind I do). One reason is because I love running. Another it's because I'm gearing up for marathon training later this year. A third reason is because I have so many emotions going through me it's flat out ridiculous.

I feel alive when I run (until I bonk then I feel like shit). For X amount of time my mind isn't racing - my body is. My mind is focused on what my body is doing and how it feels and focused on the course. Other thoughts pop in my head, but they are soon pushed aside. Then afterwards it's all the hormones that kick in that make feel great and ok and nothing is or could be wrong in the world.

I'm sure everyone can share stories of how running has made them cry, scream, and brood. 

One of my "cherished" moments during a race was when a cyclist crossed my path during the 2015 Too Hot to Handle 15k and I fell on the sidewalk - skinning my knee. Right after the halfway point. I was bleeding. My knee hurt like hell. I was crying because of the stinging pain and the frustration at the cyclist (who never stopped) and the fact that my pace was ruined because of pain and the fact that I had to wipe the blood that was streaming down my leg. 

I never cried at the finish of a race, but I can count the number of times when I finish a training run with tears streaming down my face cause of the pain that I ran to avoid came flooding back. In the end of those runs I do feel better - or perhaps it was the fact that I just go numb by then. Maybe it's both. Last Fall I actually cried, praying to the Big Guy Upstairs - asking to help my then-boyfriend to stay strong during his mom's death and through his grief afterwards, then again (selfishly?) asking for this guy to be the One for me because I never felt so happy and special in my life before him - all of which during 5k training runs. My first 10k PR during a training run was because a running buddy frustrated the hell out of me that very morning (I don't think I even said anything to her until she texted me that she was done).

You know, maybe I should just say that my eyes sweat too. Does that sound better than crying?

I have a best friend, K, who is going through a really rough time. It's rough enough that sometimes when I talk to her it puts me into perspective on my recent breakup (I'm not saying that my pain and broken heart don't matter - cause it does - but I have to remember there are worst things out there). She still has a long road ahead of her, but she's finally putting her foot down that make me feel so proud of her.

What also makes me proud is that K even started walking, and confessed to me that she even wants to running. She's starting out very slow and is just walking and isn't ready to run yet. I know that she'll get to that point eventually, and she knows that I'm here to help her. I can't wait till our mutual BFF Jennie and I get her to do a 5k race (2016 Hot Chocolate 5k, anyone?!) with us!.

I can't say for sure, but I like to think that K's new desire to be active is due, in part, to me. I can't say I'm the most inspirational type person out there, but it makes me feel good to know that I can help her through rough patches as we walk and run... and hopefully someday doing it together.

My advise.... Keep Running. Keep Walking.

Source of image found here.

Great Job Marathoners!

I just wanted to do a shout out to all the runners who ran this morning in the Big D Half Marathon and Full Marathon! I got to White Rock Lake to do my weekly 9 miler - totally spacing out that the race was today!

I ran on the edge of the course for a little while before I veered off and tried out the trails further afield. I never used the trailers before, but I actually like it. Granted their conditions were nasty, but I didn't sprain an ankle! I also discovered Winfrey Point. So beautiful.

Thank you marathoners for not only getting me to try a new part of the WRL, but I want to especially thank you for running this race! It was inspiring to watch every single one of you. I hope that I will achieve the same stamina, endurance, and determination that you all have!

Oh, and because of your race, after my run - in the parking lot - I got to educate a cyclist to the fact that there were such things as marathons that happen throughout the year - not just the big Dallas Marathon in December!


Great job to all runners out there today!