Stuff & Things

An attempt to do more fun things, and other stuff.

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Point Lookout Trail: Saturday, Sept 24, 2016.

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As of Monday (yesterday) I am no longer working for the business that I have been with for the last year and a half. It’s terrifying- but also feels great. I feel like the world just opened up and is offering me a mountain of new possibilities that I can choose from. I have no idea what’s going to happen and I am super excited and optimistic about the change. 

I also signed up for another run today- which I’m nervous and also excited about. My longest race yet will be next month- an 8K... Adding a 10K between that and the half marathon next April will be the best thing I can do for myself to keep myself going and to gradually add those miles.  

A year ago, I was sad to have no idea what would happen to me... Now I feel like myself again, after months of self care and self reassurance. I *still* have no idea what will happen- but I no longer believe that things will happen to me, but rather will happen because of me. I am more confident and happy than I’ve ever been and am so stoked to live out the rest of my life making sure that I’m doing as much as I can to end it without further regrets.

(Side note: I’m really, really excited to get the Adidas Avenue A box I ordered a while back. It should get here any day now- and I can’t wait to run in the new shoes!)

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Insane Inflatable 5K Obstacle Fun Run - Charlotte, NC | Insane Inflatable 5K

The Insane Inflatable 5K is coming to Charlotte, North Carolina! Get ready to experience the most fun, wild and insane obstacle run in the world.

November 2nd will be challenging... and so fun!

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I’ve wanted to live tiny for a while, but it was never a ‘good time’... I was in a relationship, or was in a lease I couldn’t break, or whatever other excuses I’d tell myself. I’ve made the decision that I’ll build my own THOW (tiny house on wheels, and have a loose plan on how to do it. First things first- get rid of stuff. I don’t have as much as I did in Austin, but I have more than I’d want to live with (or could live with) in such a small space. I’m super excited to get started and move in asap. 

As a subscriber to Shine texts and Notes From the Universe- I’ve been amazed at how they’ve all been very applicable to this goal over the past week. 

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Cannot wait! Next May I’ll be headed to Antigua Guatemala- a place I never considered before last night, but a place now that I’m super super stoked to get to. It’ll also be my first trip that I stay in a pretty decent looking hotel, and not the usual “what’s the cheapest hostel I can find? kind of place. 

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Good Saturday. I tried Go Yoga today, which was great- it was hard for me, and it was exactly what I wanted from a class. The place in town is great for mild stretching, but this was much more intense.  I wanted so much to be lazy and just lay around tonight, skipping the run. I also knew that as soon as 8pm- race time struck, I’d regret it. Instead... I went, ran and beat the time that I’d set as my goal by nearly 3 minutes. It was a friggin tough run, with one very long very steep very seemingly neverending hill that I thought was going to make me barf (it didn’t, but it did make a woman ahead of me do so). I made it to the end, and when I saw the time I was just so happy.

Also found this You Vs Year when I synced my tomtom... which I don’t use when I run nearly as much (it takes so long to start!), but am set to start using it on every run till the end of the year now. I love a good virtual challenge, it turns out (racery got me hooked).

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Outer Banks, NC

As it was a holiday weekend, I left work a bit early on Friday to make a trip I’ve been considering for the last month or two... to the Outer Banks. Originally, my plan that I came up with on the Wednesday prior was to head to New York and make a bagel run. I decided to change up the plans however on Friday, when I decided that while one good bagel is worth a bakers dozen of meh bagels- I’d rather go somewhere I’d never been before, and see what these waters looked like. It was a ton of fun, and I beat the crowds (those I saw on the way out, lined up for many miles to get in) so we had the beach pretty much to ourselves. I woke up early, to see the pinks and lavenders in the sky and realied it was 6am- which was awesome, in spite of the very little sleep I’d gotten. Clem jumped into every wave that came at her and had a blast. I applied sunscreen often enough so that I got a bit of sun, but didn’t get burned. It was pretty great to drive to the end of the road (there’s a ferry, but I figured I’d save it for next time) and back again. As usual, I thought the same thing that I think when I visit anywhere new that’s pretty great- “Oh my gosh, *this* is where I want to live!”

I don’t know where it is that I’m meant to end up- if anywhere at all... maybe I’m meant to be a bit of a nomad- but maybe someday (when I get my own camper) I’ll come back and spend a bit of time here, enjoying the sun and the coffee and the crabs scattering across the sand.

On the way back, I made my first stop on Raleigh and had dinner at a place called Crazy 9. I enjoyed the veggie dog, and the generous amount of friendly people and thought.. “*THIS* is where I should move to!”

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Hip pain or not, I’ve been wanting to sign up for this race for a while now and just felt nervous about doing so... Tonight I went ahead and signed up, as I don’t have any other races until the Thomas Wolfe 8K in October. It’s in a couple of weeks, and I’m super excited to get ready for it! I know, this tumblr is supposed to be a “great year” sort of thing... but it still is- I would’ve never thought I’d ever run a race at all, let alone *keep* doing them. 

Continuing Hip Hop Fitness on Monday nights (adding Saturdays this weekend!) which is one of my favorite things to do now. Just another thing I would have never guessed that I’d be so in love with.

(I think next weekend might be the one where I finally go zorbing!)

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Ran a race this past weekend- and while it wasn’t my best run yet, it’s good to be able to remind myself that not every race is going to be. It was very hot and my hip hurt- but I made it through and finished anyhow at a time that I never would have imagined me doing a few years ago. Maybe not a personal best, but I’m proud of myself for giving my all and doing my best that I could do anyhow.

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I'm going to run in my underwear in February!

Next February I'm signed up for Cupid's Undie Run - a charitable event that is helping to make MASSIVE advancements in neurofibromatosis research. I'm going to take my pants off and run through the streets of Charlotte to raise research money and awareness for NF. You heard right and oh yes, there will be pictures... Since 2010 Cupid's Undie Run has donated over $8 million dollars to the Children's Tumor Foundation, the most venerable name in NF science. When Cupid's started, there were ZERO clinical trials for NF treatments; fast forward 5 years and there are TWENTY FIVE! And some of those trials are shrinking tumors for the first time ever. They've got skin in the game (no pun intended). Most of the staff and volunteers for Cupid's have kids or family with NF - or even have it themselves. I can get behind a charity like that, maybe you could too? So I have to ask - can I count on you for a donation? Here's my page if you're willing to give: YES, I'LL DONATE NOW  They accept one-time gifts, or even monthly if you wanted to give even $5 - $10 a month. Most people wouldn't even notice that, but a kid with NF would! Thanks for the read - look for me in February! In Undies, Beth 

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I took off too fast, even after reminding myself at the start of the race not to... and cramped up about a half mile in. I didn’t get under 30 like I’d hoped- but I did beat my last 5K time (which had been my best time yet), so I’m not doing too bad! Fingers crossed I’ll be able to do the race this weekend (hip problems)!

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2016 Running the Vines 5K: Another race accomplished! I ran my best time, even after dropping a pallet on my left foot, and am super proud of myself. I’ve got more races coming up- it’s hard to believe that this is something I’m into now. Never would I ever thought that I’d be a runner.

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Warm Water Bathing Therapies are extremely beneficial due to the relaxing, rejuvenating, and naturally rehabilitative qualities of hot tubs. At Shoji Retreats, enjoy the revitalizing properties of...

After having a relaxed night out on Saturday with friends, and some needed Me Time on Sunday with the dog- a friend and I went to Shoji to take advantage of their locals pricing (you pay for one hour and get a second for nothing). It was awesome, and I’m glad to be in this area for so many reasons. 

I have no idea where I’ll be a year from now. For a second thought that it would be San Francisco- but after thinking about the costs, how much I enjoy my job and the friends I’ve made here.... I think I’d rather put the money that I’d spend on a tiny efficiency there on building my own tiny home. To have the freedom to move around and experience everything I can in this country, and the world, is something that I need in my life. I hadn’t really thought about it too seriously (but do think about it everyday) until someone asked me what my birthday wish was, and it snapped that it was that. For the next year, I’ll be doing my best to come up with as much money as I can to pay off my debts in order to start working on this. I’m excited and feel great having something to work for... and even more excited at the thought of building something myself that I can live in and be proud of. 

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Took a chance on something I expected nothing from... and the smallest glimpse of light shone back. No matter what this particular opportunity results in, I’m excited to have put my foot forward and can’t wait to see what happens. I’ll be 37 soon, and the more risks I take- the happier I am.