How I got here…. Well, let’s just say the last few years have been life changing, to say the least.  On a visit back to Vegas to see my best friend, I met one of her current roommates (quick FYI, I lived in Vegas briefly and left) and well, he and I are now married.  I’ll spare you the details of the quirky love story.  Suffice it to say, after a summer of emails and phone calls, we drove cross country together.  Since we still liked each other afterwards, we became a couple and 10 months later, I was back in Vegas. 

So, I was back in Vegas, unemployed, but happy.  Oh, and about 65 lbs overweight and unhealthy to put it mildly.  Some friends and I, one local (Karen), one in PA (Jen) decided to try this Couch to 5k program and run a 5k.  I somehow survived the program and my first 5k, but slacked considerably after that race in October 2010.  Then, in January I saw photos of me at Christmas.  Wow.  I couldn’t believe that was me.  So… a new journey began.  I set out to lose weight and get healthy.  I started running again.  I researched all about running, ways to get better at it, programs to try, etc.  I joined a gym briefly (more on that later).  I revamped my eating completely.  It worked.  I dropped 50 lbs.  I BECAME a runner.  Seriously, I’m a runner.  I’ll admit, here and there I dabbled in it, never stuck with it, and sucked at it.  But this time, something changed…. I loved it.  Loved how I felt, loved to see myself get better.  I ran 15 races in 2011 between a 5k and 11k distance.  I ran my first ever half marathon this past January, the Tinkerbell Half Marathon, in 2:33.  I now live to run. This whole running thing is apparently contagious.  Jen started and is now a runner as did my friend Kristin.  They are great running partners!  Even though I only see Jen a few times a year….

So, that is how I got here.  The short version.  I am 37, I am a runner.  For a day job I am a health educator and manage a research grant.  It’s fun and inspirational to encourage people to get healthy!  I volunteer doing social media.  I have two awesome dogs who you will undoubtedly hear all about, Brinx (mastiff mix) and Mia (boxer/shepherd mix).  I also love yoga as much as I love running, for many of the same reasons.  My life is very full of love, laughter and inspiration.  I want to share that with you.

(Mia on the left, Brinx on the right… and the hubby in the back)

The end of 2011 was hectic, putting it nicely, but all for great reasons: I got married, one of my best friends (Jen) got married, I graduated with my masters, the holidays, you get my point.  But for the first time in my life amidst chaos, I stuck to something.  I still ran several times a week, increased my mileage each week and prepared to kick butt at my first half.  So, now that life appears to be calming down (I so just jinxed myself), I will drop the last 15ish lbs.  You will all have to hold me to it. 

I will be sharing my journey through life with all of you.  The running, the smiles, the silly things my dogs do, even the bumps in the road along the way.  I will be hoping to inspire and motivate you to take a step into the unknown, to care for and love yourself and to succeed in life.  To make it fun, I’ll even post a recipe of the week, so you can try new meals!  On that note, I love food, so feel free to share recipes!! 

So welcome to my insane life!