Friday Favorites #9 – good reads

Happy Friday! I had every intention of my next post to be about changes I’d make in my next training cycle, but I just don’t have the heart to write it yet. For once after a marathon, I’m not itching to run another, not yet at least. Plus I woke up on Wednesday morning with some hip pain again, so I’ve taken it easier than I’ve already been doing this recovery. I am running the Brooklyn Half Marathon next Saturday, so I hope I can get back into my running groove soon.

Instead, here are some of my favorite reads/tips/wish list items from the week:

Taking a Run Break – Hearing about others who aren’t currently overzealous about running is helping me feel better about taking a break from running because I know…

That Marathon Was More Painful Than You Remember – Please remind me of this when in three months (when I feel that the London Marathon was 10% less painful) or in six months (when I feel that it was 20% less painful) and I want to sign up for another marathon (oh, and yes I’m already signed up for two other fall marathons, what was I thinking?).

8 Reasons You Should Never Date A Runner – Sorry, Josh for #2, 4, 6, 7, and 8! At least for #8, we travel to cool places.

Chicago Marathon Lottery By Numbers – I love the Chicago Marathon so I loved reading this article about the percentage of runners who get in by lottery. That is how I got my chance at running it last year so I am very excited for everyone to have the chance to run the scenic course and in such a great city.

#fbf to my favorite picture from the Chicago Marathon

#fbf to my favorite picture from the Chicago Marathon (I know I’ve used this picture over and over in my blog. I love it so much, it never gets old – for me at least!)

Why You Should Have A Quiver Of Running Shoes – This is how I justify buying so many pairs of running shoes throughout the year even if I am on a running break!

7 Lessons Learned From A Running Group – Everyone has heard me go on and on about how much I love my running team and this article reinforces some of the benefits of running with a group, especially #1, 2, and 7!

The best team ever

The best running group ever

How To Clean A Yoga Mat – This is such a random tip but after traveling with my lightweight mat, which I love by the way, I need to sanitize it. Plus the one I have at home that is permanently laid out on the floor (still too lazy to put it away), that needs to be cleaned too!

A bad picture of my poor downward dog pose on our patio in Santorini (at least the backdrop looks nice)

A bad picture of my poor downward dog pose on our patio in Santorini (at least the backdrop looks nice).

Kindle Wish List – I wish I spent/had more time to read. Vacation is usually the best time for me to do this but it’s a shame I didn’t plan well for this last trip. Regardless, here are some of my running-related reading wish list items — Meb for Mortals (how can one not love Meb?), The Happiness Project (not exactly running related, but I think it will help improve the mental aspect of running), The Art of Eating Well: Hemsley and Hemsley (such great insights to eating well and recipe ideas), Anatomy for Runners (I’m guilty of wishing I paid more attention in biology and anatomy and physiology classes), and on the wish list is to finally finish the Advanced Marathoning book that I bought over two years ago!

My guilty pleasure (US Weekly) – I came back from vacation with three weeks of US Weekly’s waiting for me in the mailbox. I need to get cracking on these otherwise I will know very delayed celebrity gossip!

We're up to 4 now including the one that came today!

We’re up to 4 now including the one that came today!

With that, I should probably go read something. Have a great weekend and Happy Mother’s Day!

What I’m grateful for and 100th post!

One of the first pictures on my previous blog of my grandma and I

11/1984 – Celebrating my first birthday… one of the first pictures on my previous blog of my grandma and I

This is the 100th post of cindyruns.com! I started this blog after the failed attempt at the 2012 NYC Marathon (Hurricane Sandy year). When I started training for the 2012 NYC Marathon, what would have been my first marathon, I started blogging to track my progress and share memories of my grandma. However, after the training season ended, it didn’t feel right continuing with the original blog and I really wanted to preserve the memories from that experience, so cindyruns was born.

Fast forward two years later and here I am writing my 100th post. This blog has been predominately about my running, occasional shopping adventures (though I shop a lot more than I share on the blog, don’t tell Josh!), and traveling. I share very little about the professional aspects of my life here, though maybe one day I will when I can find a way to combine my professional and personal interests. Cindyruns has become in some ways a journal for me, and hopefully a place where you can go to learn about what I am up to, and get some running ideas.

2002 - Our first Thanksgiving together

11/2002 – Our first Thanksgiving together

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love the idea of eating and spending time with family and friends. There is no pressure of presents and since there is usually a whole weekend involved, I was fortunate to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving with both my mom and dad’s side of the family growing up. It also helped that my uncle (on my mom’s side) and my cousin (on my dad’s side) had birthdays around this time. However, in recent years with some changes in our family, getting married and the combination of two families in two different states, other events – a friend’s wedding in Thailand, celebrating with cousins in Virginia, we haven’t stuck with our traditions. Last year, we celebrated with Josh’s family in Pittsburgh and this year we will be with my family followed by a friend’s wedding. Regardless, the highlight of this holiday is the chance to see family and friends and eat lots of good food.

With that said, I am so thankful for the year thus far. It has been filled with a lot of running, traveling, eating, and celebrations. I am grateful for…

—the ability to run. Running has bought me so much joy. It is the extracurricular activity and passion outside of work that I was trying to find for years. I am so grateful I found it and am very fortunate that it is such a big part of my life.

2012 - One of our first team practices for the 2012 NYC Marathon

06/2012 – One of our first team practices for the 2012 NYC Marathon

—the opportunities that running has opened up for me. Running has helped develop my interest more in fitness and nutrition, opened my eyes to the endless opportunities out there including blogging and who knows, maybe different paths I can pursue in the future.

11/2012 - the day of 2012 NYC Marathon

11/2012 – the team on the day of cancelled 2012 NYC Marathon

—all of the friends I’ve met from running. I am so lucky to have met some wonderful people who I can call my friends. They help fuel my crazy obsession and when we’re together, there’s no stopping how many races we end up entering.

10/2014 - Some of us crazies after the Chicago Marathon

10/2014 – Some of us crazies after the Chicago Marathon

—all of the trips we’ve been fortunate to take this year, from Florida to Abu Dhabi, India, Mustique, Croatia, Hartford, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Chicago, and the year’s not over yet! I love a good trip; the chance to see a new city, meet new people, try new foods, and run in different locations all excite me.

06/2014 - Celebrating our 5th anniversary in Croatia

06/2014 – Celebrating our 5th anniversary in Croatia

—the wonderful friends and family I have. No matter how far or close everyone is, I love how as soon as we get together it’s as if no time has passed.

03/2014 - Being silly with my family at our cousin's wedding

03/2014 – Being silly with my family at our cousin’s wedding

—all of the support and love from my friends and family (and of course a wonderful husband). Between running and work, it’s essentially two full-time jobs. I am so lucky to be surrounded by people who don’t necessarily have to understand why I love running but understand that it is important to me.

04/2003 - Throwing the discus at a track meet in college

04/2003 – Throwing the discus at a track meet in college

—the opportunity to share so many exciting moments with friends and family. From birthdays, weddings, baby showers, and births, it has been a year of joy for so many around me and I am so glad to be a part of all the special occasions.

06/2014 - Celebrating one important birthday for one important person in Pittsburgh, with Josh's family

06/2014 – Celebrating one important birthday for one important person in Pittsburgh, with Josh’s family

—so many more things that this blog post cannot do justice!

I am very excited to celebrate Thanksgiving 2014, see what the rest of the year holds, and just overall be very thankful! And thank you for celebrating my 100th post with me! In honor of today, Thanksgiving (a Thursday), and the 100th post, please enjoy the throwback Thursday (TBT) pictures!

How are you celebrating Thanksgiving this year?

What is your favorite holiday and why?