10 years in 1 blog post. A tribute to the last days of my 20's

As I approach a new decade this weekend, here is a look back (in photos) at some of my memories of the past 10 years.
In no particular order:




Visiting Europe with friends in July 2002.




Taking CB "Churro Bear" aka Hampton home from the humane society in 2005. He has brought me so much joy with his wiggly butt. :)




Meeting my wonderful, wonderful, L in 2009. CB loved him at first meeting (a rare thing) and so did I. Since then, everything has been better with him.




Playing clarinet professionally in Mexico- including a concerto! February 2008




Living in the Yucatan, Mexico from 2006-2008 was a blast!




Graduating from St Leo college with a degree in Accounting in 2011. (and finally getting a "real" job)

Graduating from U. South Florida in 2004 with a music performance degree.




Convincing L to run his first half, RnR San Jose 2009! Which spiraled into Bay 2 Breakers and a host of other events we ran together.




Hanging with my mom in Chicagoland. So nice to finally have her visit where I live. 2012



Seeing this guy happy back in the USA after leaving him in Mexico for 4 months while I got things figured out. July 2008



Hot air balloon ride in Napa for my birthday with L- July 2010. Magical.




Wine tasting in napa. 2009-2011



Hanging at Chrissy Field. And of course moving to the SF bay area. July 2008- January 2011


Spending time with life long friends and making new best friends along the way.



Seeing my dad achieve his lifelong dream of getting his BQ at the RnR Phoenix 2010, and then being able to share in his Boston experience in 2011. He is the main inspiration for me running.




Driving route 66 to move to Chicago from SF bay area. January 2011



Surviving our first Chicago "snopacalypse" blizzard of 2011.




Probably the 1st photo I took of Chicago as we drove in from 5.5 days on the road. I'm still in awe of this city just as much as the first day- over 1.5 years later.




I'm ready for this new decade and all of the amazing memories that will come with it!

Tchau 20's, olá 30's!

- xaar

Who do I run with?

Maggie at Mag Mile Runner's photo challenge for this past week was Your running group. Who do you usually run with? A running club? A group run at a store? A buddy? Your dog? No one? Whatever, take a picture of it, even if it’s just you looking lonely.


Usually I run by myself. I enjoy the solitude and the ability to get lost in my thoughts as I cruise the lakefront.


Lately, I've been running with my wonderful, wonderful more. He is training for his first marathon- Chicago! I enjoy doing some of my easy runs with him. I'm so proud of him and the progress he is making :)


Sadly, it's too hot to continue running with my precious CB. Once the temps drop below 67, we'll be back out there hitting the pavement together again.


Sometimes I get the extra special treat of running with my Daad. We've run several marathons and 5ks together over the years- he always beats me! Unfortunately he won't be running for a while due to finally getting diagnosed with a meniscus tear in his knee- which he has likely had for a few years. He will go through surgery in a month to hopefully repair it and make him good as new so we can run the Boston Marathon (if I qualify in the fall) next spring.


I also get to run with 5,000 of my closest "single serving" friends sometimes.

- xaar

June!

I saw this plaque out on the path this morning. I really liked the quote on it:



"Dream what you dare to dream. Go where you want to go. Be what you want to be. Live."


166 running miles in June.


130 miles in the first 3 weeks of Fox Valley marathon training. Only 11 more weeks till game day!


1:46:15 a new PR In the half marathon.


1 beer festival attended with 14 new delicious beers tasted.


1 really bad thunderstorm.


1 free pair of shoes (wave elixir 7) from Mizuno's Mezamashii project. #brilliantrun So far, I like these shoes a lot.


1 2nd place finish in a 5k.


I also went to the Three Floyd's brewery in Munster, IN. Great food and of course yummy craft beer.


I became a Sweat Pink ambassador! I really like their mission to "sweat hard, play hard and inspire those around them to inspire their best selves."


Fit approach, the geniuses behind sweat pink have also just started the Sweat Pink Race program.For $35, you get a sweet pink tee or tank with the design above, a wine glass and button to wear. The idea behind it is to show your pink love and be able to meet up with other ladies who share the same fitness ideas at local races. Anyone and everyone is able to join. If you use the code "SPACharlynC" you will receive 10% off the $35.


I'm just really enjoying life right now. I love spending time with my WW and ChurroDog, as well as running outside on the path.

looking forward:

It's hard to believe that a week from now I'll be 30! OMG where has the time gone!?!

I have the rock n roll Chicago half later in July. So far I'm feeling strong and injury free, but I still have 10 more weeks of training to get through until Fox Valley. I also feel such a joy about running that I haven't felt before. Going outside and enjoying the runs and not dreading them, has been the biggest change this season vs last season.

- xaar