New Name, New Chapter

As most of you know, I am going through a bit of stress in my personal life right now which is why my blog has been severely lacking content over the past few months.  To keep things brief, Tom has decided he wants a divorce (now we both want it but he initiated the thought).  I do not want to publicly go into a lot of detail but let's just say he decided he liked to spend most of his free time with someone other than his wife and coupled with a lot of stories and lies, he has actually left me in a far better position mentally and emotionally (now that it's almost over).  Yes, things were very difficult for me for a few months.  Yes, I was in a very tough mental and emotional place at the beginning of everything; things were very dark for me for those few months.  But.  He has done me a HUGE favor by asking for this divorce.  I have learned a lot about him, learned he is a completely different man than the one that I fell in love with and subsequently married.  I am now the happiest I've been in a long time and I can see that in my big blue eyes- they are finally back to light blue (for months, they rarely got lighter than a grayer shade of navy).  Yes, divorce is stressful and I wish it upon no one.  But in the end, I am much better off and I will find a man (eventually, down the road, not right now) that will appreciate me for me, treat me the way that I deserve to be treated, and that will respect me for the woman I am!  I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life.  I'm in grad school at the University of Georgia, I am in the best physical shape of my life, I look the best I've ever looked, feel the best I've ever felt, am the healthiest I've ever been, have a great job with a great company- needless to say, I have a lot going for me in my life right now!!  My support network has been sensational.  My family has gone above and beyond to get me through this and I could not have asked for better friends throughout all of this.  They are exceptional people and I am incredibly blessed to have so many loving and caring people in my life.

All of that being said, I will be going back to my maiden name.  I go to court with my lawyer next Monday, December 10 to appear in front of the judge and hopefully have him/her sign off on the divorce decree.  My lawyer has no reason to believe that the judge wouldn't approve of the divorce as it is uncontested, not messy, pretty simple.  After court, I will go through the name change process (nightmare but worth it) so that I will become Brittany McElroy again!  The blog will also have a new name- not 100% sure yet, but I'm thinking "B-Mac to the Max!" and that also incorporates that sweet little furbaby that is mine to keep (I welcome blog name suggestions by the way so if you have one, I would love to hear it!).  If I don't choose that, obviously it will be something geared towards running so be on the lookout.  I did want to let y'all know of the divorce though as it is less than a week out.  If you have questions for me, I am always more than happy to answer them, just don't want to do it publicly.  Feel free to call/text/email/etc.

As always, I appreciate all of the love and support in my life and again, could not have asked for more wonderful people in my life.  I'm in a much better place and know that I will be MUCH better off at the end of this divorce!  I look forward to what the future holds and this next chapter of my life!  First semester of grad school ends next week (thank goodness, I need a break) and then off to California for the Holiday!  Be on the lookout for new things with the blog!  If I don't get another post up before the holidays, I wish everyone safe and happy holidays, a very Merry Christmas!  And don't ever forget the true meaning of Christmas!

Happy Reading!

xoxoxo,

Britt!

It's Never Too Late...

"No matter our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born."

-Dale Turner

I know y'all are probably tired of the inspirational-type quotes by now, but I truly never get sick of them.  Every morning, I wake up to a quote from Runner's World Magazine and they're always from a motivational standpoint.  While I don't necessarily like ALL of the quotes I get, I do find one every so often that I think is very inspirational and worthy of sharing.  Not all of the quotes are from runners or necessarily about runners, but are still great quotes nonetheless. 

Today's quote is one I find to be very true.  It's never too late to start ANYTHING.  I can very easily apply this one to my running life.  I never thought I'd start running at the age of 25 and my only regret about my journey is that I didn't start sooner.  But what can you do when you're still stuck in a lazy mentality (and believe me when I say that I used to be VERY lazy)?  Thankfully something clicked in my head the day I saw the embarrassing number on the scale and whatever untapped motivation that was sparked a fire within me and now I can't live my life without being active and healthy.  People ask me all the time how I got into running because they KNEW how lazy I used to be when it came to working out and living a healthy lifestyle.  I tell them the story about my trip to the lady doc and that it took off from there.  Some of the most powerful and encouraging conversations I've had are those when people ask me for running advice.  I NEVER thought I'd be the person someone turned to for advice on how to eat healthy or get started with running.  It's been very rewarding over the years, more specifically for the past year or so as that's when I started getting a lot more serious about my running.

I am truly flattered when people ask me for running advice.  Since my last post, which I know has been quite some time (things have been a little hectic and very stressful- more to come on that later), I've placed in my age group in 3 races!  I placed 1st in my age group in the Paint the Mall Pink 5K on October 7, 3rd in my age group in the Anything is Possible 5K on November 3, and 2nd in my age group this past weekend at the JE Dunn 5K!  After I finished the race this past weekend, a gentleman walked up to me and thanked me for helping him keep pace (I paced at 8:15/mi for this race).  It's very encouraging as a runner to have people ask you for advice or tell you that they use you as a pacer.

My journey over the years shows that if you can stick with something, fully dedicate yourself to it, that there truly are untapped possibilities within us.  Again (and I know I continue to say this), I NEVER thought I'd be able to call myself a runner, run races almost every weekend, or even place in a race, but I can and I do and I have.  It's a great feeling to be so committed to something and have people recognize it about you.  So go out and discover something you love and keep at it!  You'll find the results SO incredibly rewarding!

Happy Reading!

xoxoxo,

Britt!

Anything is Possible 5K - Finish time of 25:14, placed 3rd A/G (out of 84), 46/758 in Women Overall, 166/1191 Overall, 8:08/mi pace.  All starting at 150 AM so we could finish before we started (time changed!)- VERY FUN RACE!!!

Paint the Mall Pink 5K - Finish time of 26:31, placed 1st A/G (out of 21),  18/225 Women Overall, 48/299 Overall

Freedom..

Running gives freedom.  When you run you can determine your own tempo.  You can choose your own course and think whatever you want.  Nobody tells you what to do.

-Nina Kuscik, marathoner

This is so incredibly true.  When I first started running, I did it as a step up from walking.  Now I do it to be by myself, clear my head, blow off steam, let the day go, etc.  I go at my pace that is comfortable to me.  I may try to keep up with others or run faster on any given day, but it's because I choose to, not because someone else is forcing me.  I run for me and my health.  It's very cathartic for me and it is the very first thing I want to do when I get upset.  I want to put on my gear, tie up my laces, and hit the open road.  

I run races for the fun of things and to try to improve my personal records.  I don't try to compete with anyone else.  Sure, it would be nice to place in my age group here and there, but that's not what's important to me.  What's important to me in a race, is setting a goal (ie. personal record, cross the finish line, have fun) and fulfilling that goal.  I have a slew of races throughout the rest of the year (thank you Atlanta Track Club and Active.com Advantage for all of the free entries) and I will use those to set goals, to train for my upcoming half marathon (Silver Comet Half- if you want a good first half marathon or a flat course, this one is supposed to be GREAT), and to grow as a runner.  

Let's fast forward a few weeks.  I started this post a few weeks ago and didn't finish.  As an update, I DID finally place in my age group!!!  I ran the RunningNerd ATL 20K (yes, that's 12.4 miles) on September 2 and even though there were only 9 of us in my age group, I placed 3rd with a time of about an hour and 48 minutes.  I don't remember the exact time though.  

ATL 20K Finisher's Pic

I'd like to place in a bigger race one day, but as mentioned above, that's not what's important to me about running.  I just want to improve my personal times and keep pushing forward.  Sometimes pushing through the pain is hard.  Countless long runs have given me sores and blisters on my feet, even had a toenail come off once (think Peachtree Road Race '12) but I kept pushing.  I love setting my own path and determining the distance.  There's no one out there to tell me I can't do it; it's all up to me.  My training goals have kept me going and I will push this 27 year old body as far as it will let me for as long as it will let me (within reason obviously).  Running is what I do when I want to escape.  I never ever thought I would become a runner and I cherish the day I ran that first half mile home under the twinkling stars of twilight.


Until the next I lace up (maybe tonight but probably tomorrow), happy reading!

xoxo, 

Britt!

GOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGS! SIC' EM!!

As many of you may know, I've recently been entertaining the thought of going to graduate school and getting a Masters of Business Administration.  Well.  Long story short, I went onto the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business website to see if their admissions requirements or information had changed from last year to this year and saw a little blurp that said "Still accepting applications for Fall 2012." I jumped on the opportunity and have been accepted to the University of Georgia's Professional MBA program!!!  I was really looking for information to start getting ready to apply for next year, but when I saw that little gem of a sentence, I couldn't put it off.  I HAD to talk to someone about applying this year!

So I emailed the program to ask if they accept GMAT waivers (for anyone who doesn't know what the GMAT is, it's a beast of an exam to test your quantitative and verbal reasoning skills as they would apply in the business world- well that's the intention...).  I received a phone call from the admissions assistant the following day to say no, they do not accept waivers, but would accept the GRE which is supposed to be a little bit easier than the GMAT.  All in all, they're both 2 very hard exams, just different formats.  I decided I'd take the GRE in 2 weeks and then go from there.  During that day's run, I received a phone from the Admissions Director of the Professional MBA programs.  On her voicemail, she indicated that based on my work experience and undergrad performance alone, I'd be an ideal candidate for the program and just needed to submit a GRE score as soon as possible!  I returned her phone call the following day and we briefly chatted and next thing I knew, I'd received a $1000 scholarship from UGA and would be taking the GRE less than a week later!  I studied.  I took the test.  I got scores a little above average (decent for the amount of time I studied, but not my greatest performance by any means).  I submitted my application.  The following day, I got my acceptance email from the Terry College of Business at The University of Georgia- I was about to start grad school!!!!!

Fast forward a few weeks.  Class starts next Monday.  I already have assignments due on Day 1.  This program is about to be intense but I.Can't.WAIT!!!!  I attended new student orientation last week at the Gwinnett campus (I'll be in Buckhead).  I learned a lot of info (including the fact that I'll be able to buy UGA football tickets next season as a student!) and I'm even more thrilled about starting the program!  I know this is not going to be an easy feat by any means, but I look forward to the challenge and the day that I graduate from The University of Georgia with a Masters of Business Administration (I've not yet selected a focus or concentration as that happens about a year and a half from now).  This progressed so quickly that I still cannot believe it's happening, still can't believe I start grad school next week, but I could not be more excited or anxious about it!  As I said, this is going to be a busy and difficult 2 years, but I look forward to all of it!  It will open so many professional doors and I will meet great friends and colleagues along the way.  The UGA network is huge and I am thrilled to now be a part of it!!!  So on that note,

GOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGS!!!!  SIC' EM!!!

IT'S GREAT TO BE A GEORGIA BULLDOG!!!!

XOXOXO,

Britt!

I AM A RUNNER

I AM A RUNNER because I run.  Not because I run fast.  Not because I run far.  I AM A RUNNER because I say I am.  And no one can tell me I'm not.

-John Bingham, author and runner

I find this quote to be exceptionally motivating for beginning runners.  When I first started running, I didn't consider myself a runner.  I was probably running for 6 months before I actually considered myself a runner. And no, I was not fast.  I was actually pretty slow (think 11 minute miles).  But like Mr. Bingham indicated, it does not matter how fast you run.  As long as you are running, you are a runner.  Don't ever let anyone tell you differently.

As for an update on the running front, Tom and I are registered to run the 12th Annual Silver Comet Half Marathon on October 27.  It will be my second half marathon, Tom's first.  It is a mostly flat course (thank goodness) so it will be a great first half marathon for Tom and I am planning for a PR (hopefully will be easy to do considering I only have one time to beat, HA)!  Training has been good this time around.  I've been running only outdoors (unless it's been storming- I value my life too much to risk getting struck my lightening) which is entirely the opposite of my training for the Publix Half in March; I trained mostly indoors for that which made the race more difficult in deailng with the hills and weather.  Tom and I are training separately thanks to our very different work schedules, but that's okay.  While I would love to have a training buddy, I'm okay with doing solo long runs.  I can check my pace, my breathing, my stride and not have to worry about keeping up with anyone else.  I'm not saying they're easy long runs (are they ever?) but I still find them enjoyable.  I love walking through the front door knowing I've just run 7, 9, 10+ miles.  It's a good sense of accomplishment.  I do have a VERY long run this weekend.  I'll be participating in the ATL 20K (yes, that's 12.4 miles) and the only reason I signed up for the 20K in lieu of the 10K was because of the distance.  It fits almost perfectly into my training plan.  The 12 miler isn't technically due up til next weekend, but I may as well do it this weekend and get a medal out of it!  More to come on those results later!

I know some of you may be tired of me going on and on and on about my running ventures, but running has become something about which I'm extremely passionate!  Going through the struggles we've had over the years (job changes, Tom's addiction, etc.), it's become a great stress outlet and it keeps me sane.  I clear my head and start fresh!  They always say the hardest part of running is the first step out the front door.  I couldn't agree more and I'm incredibly grateful for God giving me the physical ability to participate in something I have grown to love so much and for allowing me to be able to take that first step out the front door.

Run on!

Britt!

I Will...

"I'm glad to be here right now, poking at my threshold.  

I want to get more comfortable being uncomfortable.  

I want to get more confident being uncertain.  

I don't want to shrink back just because something isn't easy.  

I want to push back, and make more room in the area between I can't and I can.  

Maybe that spot is called I will."

-Kristin Armstrong, Mile Markers blog, RunnersWorld.com

Over the past few years, running has become my safe haven, my place where only I exist and no one else.  I run for me, not to prove anything to others.  I talk a lot to God while I'm running.  In fact, he may even want me to just shut up in my head and listen (I do that too but probably not as often as I should).  My runs provide me with time for self-reflection, a time to assess what's going on in my world.  It's my catharsis, my greatest form of stress relief, a time to blow off steam so-to-speak.  It brings peace to my sometimes chaotic world and it gives me time to get lost in my thoughts and music and just go without a worry (except to avoid getting hit by a car of course).

I can officially say I've been running for more than 2 years now and it's been a long, but plentiful and beautiful journey for me.  When I started running in August/September 2010, I could barely finish half a mile without wanting to die on the side of the road.  Now I run 4-6 mile minimums, I participate in races on an almost monthly basis (some months, I run consecutive weekends), I've joined the Atlanta Track Club, Atlanta's largest running club, I've run a half marathon, I'm running another one in the fall, the list of my personal accomplishments goes on.  I am not the same woman I was 2 years ago nor do I plan on ever going back to that woman.  Yes, running played a very significant part in my weight loss journey, but it has done so much more for me.  It has given me the determination, motivation, and strength to keep going when times are tough.  It has forced me to rely on my inner strength to get through those rough patches.  It's given me insight on what it feels like to push through pain- physical and emotional.  But it has also provided me with a lot of good times.  The races I do with family and friends are always fun.  I've been told by others I've encouraged and motivated them to get in shape and hit the road (the BIGGEST compliment I could ever receive).  The running community is one of THE nicest communities out there and I've met some great people throughout my journey.  I could not imagine my life without my running shoes anymore.  I plan vacations around my running (Tom and I are going on a running cruise February 2013- more to follow.  Can't.Wait.) and always pack my gear.  I plan my weekends around races.  I look forward to each and every race I run and no matter how I finish, good or bad, I'm appreciative God has given me the strength and ability to get through it.

When I saw this quote, it reminded me a lot of how I felt 2+ years ago.  I was afraid.  I didn't know how to start.  I didn't want to look like the idiot flailing her arms too widely.  I didn't want to be judged for running slowly or not far enough.  I had no clue how to run or what shoes I should wear or what an acceptable form was.  I didn't want people gawking at me through their windows, pointing fingers, saying to others "that girl looks ridiculous".  I didn't know anyone in the running community nor was I aware of any running forums or blogs.  But one day, I got over all of that and my irrational fears of judgment.  I'd changed my mentality and was determined to push through whatever was holding me back.  As usual, I was walking in the twilight hours before work one morning and I said to myself, "I'm going to run the last half mile home."  So I guestimated what that distance was and I went from there.  Next thing I knew, I was telling myself to go for a mile and then some.  To say I caught the "Runner's High" is an understatement, but I still love running to this very day.  I am grateful to be where I am today and I pray that God continues to bless me with the ability to continue on my running journey.  There is no more maybe when it comes to hitting the road.  I WILL accept my personal challenges and I WILL continue to become a better person, spiritually and physically.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Happy reading!

xoxo,

Britt!

Happy Birthday Lady America!!

Hello Patriotic Friends!

So this July 4 marked the 236th birthday of Lady America!  Independence Day, as you all know, is a HUGE day of celebration in the US of A!  Most businesses are closed (including Publix- we realized that when we needed meat for the grill), people are off work, and it's a day for family and friends to gather and celebrate our independence from England!  I hope everyone had a safe and fabulous 4th of July and I hope you all celebrated our freedom, taking into account our soldiers that have fought so hard to preserve that freedom!

Our 4th of July started around 5 AM when our alarms went off to wake us up for an Atlanta tradition, the 42nd Annual Peachtree Road Race!!  This also happens to be the largest 10K in the world, a race you run with 60,000 other friends where you're being watched by 150,000+ spectators!  I wish Tom and I could have run it together but we were in different start waves so I met him at the finish line!  He's been training with me the past few months and he finished with a time not much slower than me so I am ULTRA proud of him!!  Now that we run about the same speed, we can run and train together for our races and finish future races together.  I just hope our health continues to allow us to stay active (no reason why it shouldn't) so that we can share in our running adventures (we're going on a running cruise in February 2013- more on that later).

Raising the American flag at the start of the PTRR

The starting line of the PTRR- where 60,000 people all began their 6.2 mi journey through Atlanta

We survived!  (Despite getting a bad blister UNDER a toenail on my foot)

One of my fave views of Atlanta- the skyline from Piedmont Park.  During the PTRR celebration

The coveted PTRR shirt (I voted for this design)

The rest of our celebratory day consisted of cleaning our humble abode, spending the afternoon relaxing by the pool and grilling out with friends.  Yes, we watched fireworks... just on TV and not out in the summer heat.  We watched the Independecent Day celebration in Centennial Olympic Park as it was televised.  I heard some going off somewhere not too far away so it made a tad more realistic.  We were just too tired from lack of sleep and being in the sun all day to leave the house again to watch fireworks.  Overall, it was a GREAT Independence Day and we look forward to running the Peachtree TOGETHER next year!  We will be running a PTRR qualifying race in a few weeks so we plan to run it and finish together so we can be in the same start wave next year!


One more quick note.  Tom and I joined the Atlanta Track Club while we were at the PTRR Expo!!!  I know that I am more excited about it than him, but we couldn't pass it up.  We paid $50 which includes our membership from now until the END of December 2013.  We get FREE entry into 13 low-key events in 2013 sponsored by the ATC (as well as the remaining events of 2012) as well as other discounts, including 6 months of FREE coaching (I want to get faster)!  There are also social functions for being a member (great way to meet fellow runners) as well as many other ATC events throughout the year.  The list of benefits goes on.  On top of all of that, Tom and I will have GUARANTEED entry into the 2013 Peachtree Road Race!!!!  I am thrilled to be a member of such a great running club and look forward to taking full advantage of our membership, including our first free race this Saturday- the 2012 Decatur Dekalb YMCA 4 Miler!

Hope everyone is staying cool during this hot summer!  And I hope you all had a fabulous (and safe) 4th of July!  Would love to hear stories!

Happy Living!

xoxo,

Britt!

Dedication to Daddy

So I know it's been a few weeks since Father's Day, but I wanted to take a few minutes to write about my father as other than my husband, he is the most important man in my life!

My dad has always been a constant figure in my life, one I look up to (literally. And metaphorically speaking of course). He has been everything I could ask for in a father- the disciplinarian (even when I didn't want to be disciplined or felt I didn't warrant any discplinary action), the business role model, the caring, nuturing man in the first 20+ years of my life, the man on which I based great character traits for a future husband, etc.  My daddy is a true Southern gentleman and has taught me so much in my life.  He has helped develop me into the woman I am today and continues to offer his constant love and support in everything that I do.  Over the years, he has let me make my own decisions, some bad but mostly good, and he is always there to pick up the pieces when I've fallen, to offer the love and support Daddy's little girl could need.  Even when he forced me to move across the country during pivotal moments of my life (entering my freshman year of high school), he has always been there for me.  He has made a LOT of sacrifices for our family with the sole intention of giving us a better life, a life he didn't have growing up.  He didn't miss my basketball games or choir concerts or my brother's football games because he wanted to or didn't care; he missed them because he was travelling for work, allowing us to keep our commitments and live where we wanted to instead of making us move too quickly.

My father may be the most stubborn man you'll ever meet, but he is also one of the greatest men you'll ever meet!  He is witty and intelligent, sarcastic yet caring, loving and courageous, the list goes on!  Sure, my dad's made me angry or upset, hurt my feelings, etc. but I know all of his actions are out of his love for me as his daughter, his baby girl, and that he will always have good intentions at heart. I may not talk to Daddy every day but I know he's there for me, know he loves me and cares for me deeply, each and every day.  I love that man and fear the day that I lose him (hopefully FAR in the future).

I'll end this post on the greatest memory I have of my father.  It was my wedding day and he made me cry twice (tears of joy, of course).  The first was when he saw me for the first time on May 15, 2010.  I had just finished getting ready, had opened my wedding present from Tom (beautiful cross on a chain), and in walks my dad!  He looked at me and immediately tears welled up in his eyes.  Of course, I started crying in return and he gave me the longest bear hug and told me how proud he was of me, how beautiful I was, and how this was one of his greatest moments with me.  The second was during our Father-Daughter dance at the reception.  I told Daddy a few weeks before my wedding that I had picked out the PERFECT song for us to dance to but for obvious reason wasn't going to tell him.  Throughout my years, there have been songs that will ALWAYS remind me of my father, specifically "Old School" by Steely Dan and "Africa" by Toto, but neither of those was the song I chose for my dance with my dad.  The song I chose is one that he told me long before planning my wedding always reminded him of me, that he came downstairs to the basement to ask me a question and I was listening to it and he really liked it and had to put it on his MP3 player immediately- "When You Come Back Down" by Nickel Creek.  The lyrics are absolutely touching and very indicative of my and my father's relationship.  He's let me go to chase my dreams but will always be here for me should I fall.  So when the guitar started playing, the spark of recognition flickered across my dad's face and he said to me, "No you didn't!  Are you trying to make me cry again?!" but just loud enough so that only I could hear him.  He walked up to me, took me in his arms, and we talked, cried, and laughed while we danced to our song.  Those two instances of my adult life are two of my greatest memories of Daddy and they both occurred on the same day, the happiest day of my life!

Daddy, I know you probably aren't reading this, but if you are, I love you SO much and you are the best father I could have ever asked for!  Everything you've done for me has made me such a strong woman and I could not imagine my life without you in it.  Thank you for everything you have done for me and all that you will do for me (and Tom) in the future.  Love you so much Papabear!!

New Job, New Beginnings

Happy Tuesday!!  (If there is such a thing, right?!)

SO I know it's been a few weeks, but the past few weeks have been a little hectic!  As I mentioned in my last post, I was to start a new position with SunTrust Bank on June 4.  Well June 4, 2012 came and went and I started my new job!  I attended a half day of orientation that Monday with the rest of the day free to absorb all of the information.  It was a very exciting day for me so I ate lunch at Tom's Panera and went home and relaxed with Max the rest of the afternoon!  That Tuesday, I reported promptly to my new office (Midtown, 14th and Peachtree, Campanile Building for those familiar with Atlanta) and started getting familiarized with SunTrust policies, procedures, my new job, my new coworkers (still don't remember all of their names, but I'm learning), my floor (it's very maze-like), etc., etc., etc.  

Fast forward a few weeks and I'm now in my 3rd week of the new job!  I'm still getting my feet wet so to speak.  I'm learning the new systems, learning the new formats, etc., but everything is a learning process!  I've gotten myself acquainted with a lot and doing a lot of the research and analysis on my own, but still have questions.  So far, I'm loving it!  It's a breath of fresh air from my last position!  I enjoy what I'm doing and it's definitely a bit more challenging than my last job duties!  My coworkers are very nice and while I don't remember all of their names just yet, I will learn them eventually.  The person I interact with the most is a Romanian expat who moved to the States in 1998.  He has been a great help and I love talking to him about the cultural differences between Romania and the US of A!  For instance, in Romania, people (children included) don't sit on the floors because they are "dirty" whereas in America, we always sit on the floor!  While it was strange to hear that this is an oddity in other parts of the world, it's enlightening at the same time.  I LOVE to learn about new cultures so I look forward to learning more from him on this new career path!

So not only am I really enjoying my new position three weeks into it, I'm also LOVING my new benefits!  I get discounts on things (such as Braves and Falcons tickets, tickets to shows and theaters, stores, electronics, restaurants, etc.).  We will have MUCH better health insurance options.  I am able to join diversity groups and become more involved in the community through the community service programs.  I have stumbled upon a fabulous opportunity with a GREAT company!  While I'm sure my opinions will change at times (as no one's job is absolutely perfect), I can't foresee disliking my company or my career growth and development options.  I'm VERY excited about this opportunity and look forward to new opportunities that lie ahead!!

Front of the Campinile Building with the Suntrust Logo!

Love being in tall buildings!

On a side note, Daddy will be in town this week!!!  So even though I didn't get to spend Father's Day with him, I get to see him for the next few days!  I'm VERY excited about this, too!!  I will soon have a Father's Day post dedicated to him!

A New Chapter

This post will be pretty brief.  It's time for a very exciting update in my life!

On June 4, 2012, I will begin a new chapter in my professional life!  I have been offered a position with SunTrust, one of the South's largest banks, headquartered right here in Atlanta!  While the past 2 years in my position with J.P. Turner have had their ups and downs, I am looking forward to the new venture!  I will be a Portfolio Investment Specialist.  My primary job function will be to assist the Portfolio Managers in investment research and portfolio analytics.  I will create client presentations and prepare the managers for these presentations.  While I have been informed that I will be required to do small amounts of work in an administrative capacity, I am okay with this as EVERY job has at least some administrative work!

I am VERY excited about my new position!  Not only will this open the door to many other opportunities with a large financial institution, it will be another learning and growing opportunity!  Not to mention, it comes with a pretty significant raise, better benefits, and higher sense of professional development!  My family has been very supportive of me throughout the interview process and I could not have asked more of them.  They were very encouraging when I got bad news from potential employers, telling me to keep my head high and that God would put the right opportunity in my path.  There were times of grave disappointment when I thought I was very qualified for a position where I didn't receive an offer, but I just had to keep telling myself that God always has a plans and while things may not make sense, there's always a rhyme or reason as to why it's happened.

I'm really hoping this is going to be a long-term opportunity for me as I am tired of changing employers every few years.  I need some professional longevity and because SunTrust has many opportunities in a variety of departments, functions, and capacities, this could be a long-term career move for me!  I am fortunate to be afforded this opportunity and I look forward to what the future brings!  It's a very exciting time in my life and I hope I'll be able to get some sleep on Sunday, June 3, 2012!  (I don't usually sleep well the night before my first day on a new job- fingers crossed!)

On a side note.  Tom and I are visiting the old stomping grounds this weekend for the Memorial Day holiday!  We leave for Jacksonville, FL Friday afternoon to stay with a friend from my high school in California (that I haven't seen in almost 10 years- thank you Facebook for the reconnect!) so I'm VERY excited to visit with him!  Saturday, we'll go to the beach- FINALLY!  We haven't had a beach trip since our honeymoon to St. Lucia so we're looking forward to seeing the ocean for the first time in 2 years!  After Jacksonville, we'll be heading to Orlando to visit my uncle, aunt, and cousins and hopefully one of Tom's former coworkers that we haven't seen since shortly after we moved to Atlanta!  It should be a very fun weekend!  Pictures to follow (assuming I remember to take them)!

Thanks for reading!!

All my love,

Britt!

2 Years and Going Strong!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012 was a very special day for Tom and me!  We celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary!  I know this isn't as many as some couples, but it counts for me and we're still going strong!  Of course we have had our ups and downs over the past 2 years, but just as life happens, it happens for a reason.  So to celebrate our 2 years of marriage, we went to Imperial Fez, a Moroccan restaurant in Buckhead.  Neither of us has ever been to a Moroccan restaurant nor have we eaten Moroccan food.  To say this was an experience is a vast understatement.  If you have never been to a Moroccan restaurant and can get an experience like what we had on Tuesday, I highly recommend it!

Dinner started with confusion.  All of the tables were extremely close to the ground so we felt like we were sitting on the floor.  It was a set up different than any we had ever seen.  After being seated, a server came over to tell us a little bit about the menu, get drink orders, etc.  We ordered the five course meal which started with a lentil soup and a salad variety (don't ask me what they were because I couldn't tell you).  There were 5 or 6 different salads on the plate with a basket of Moroccan bread and per our server, our forks were for decoration only, that we were to eat with our fingers.  Tom looked at me with wild eyes to indicate our server was crazy.  He politely obliged but it somewhat closed his mind to the experience.  He eventually opened up as the next course came out and then our entrees and dessert.  We used our decorative forks after the salad course as there was NO way on God's beautiful green Earth that we could gracefully eat the remainder of our meal with our fingers.

Imperial Fez dining room

Throughout our meal, Imperial Fez provides a source of entertainment I've never witnessed- a real live belly dancer!!  As she started her dance sequence, I leaned over to Tom and said, "I could do that!  Give me a costume!"  She continued to dance.  I retracted my statement.  She was moving her body in ways I know I never could.  She balanced a sword on her head AND DANCED!  Although the music was a bit on the loud side, we enjoyed the few times she entered the dining room for entertainment purposes.

Belly Dancer

You can faintly see the sword balanced on her head- talent.

Throughout the meal, we befriended the table of women next to us and chatted off and on with them.  It was one of their birthdays (lady in the pink shirt above).  They were loud yet entertaining.  Their conversation was intriguing and we were glad to join in on some of it.  Right before we left, some of the servers came out to do a birthday celebration for the Birthday Girl.  Little did I know, my husband was going to join and start dancing!  It was by far one of the most fun things I've ever seen him do in a restaurant!  I hope he keeps his young, jovial spirit as we grow together!

Tom doing a jig for the Birthday Girl

All in all, this was a very memorable dinner!  For Tom, it will be one he only wants to experience once.  I really enjoyed the food and would definitely eat it again, but I'm not sure Tom shares in my sentiments.  He did buy me a "Happy 2 Year Anniversary Cake" and some flowers so I enjoyed a small sliver of cake when we got home (I was too full from dinner to eat more than that).  And I'm still eating small pieces of the cake as it is very delicious!  I look forward to sharing many more May 15ths with my husband!  He is a very caring and loving man and although I want to punch him sometimes, I love him to death!  We had a great anniversary celebration and I can't wait for the years to come!  Love you Poop!!

Thanks for sharing in my love and enthusiasm!

All my love, 

Britt!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!

So I started this post on Sunday, then the evening got away with me and this week has been hectic so I'll continue it today.  Sunday, May 13, 2012, was a day dedicated solely to mothers.  For the children in their lives to appreciate and thank them for everything their mother has done, to show their love for their mothers, to pamper their mothers and treat them like the Queens they are.  It is a day for Fathers to show their appreciation as well as a mother typically goes far beyond the call of duty to enrich her family's lives.  Unfortunately due to distance I was not able to spend Mother's Day with my mom so I'd like to take the time to dedicate this post to her.

I'm not yet a mother (unless you consider me a furmom), but look forward to the day that I become one.  This doesn't mean that I can't appreciate the toll motherhood takes on a woman.  My mother is the greatest woman in the world to me.  Words cannot even begin to describe the love I feel towards my mother.  I can tell you how much I love her and appreciate her until I am blue in the face (or until you're ready to punch me in the face and tell me to shut up), but that still would not do her justice.  I share a bond and relationship with my mother that I would not trade for anything in the world.  Yes, we argue on occasion.  Yes, I want to scream at her sometimes.  Yes, she sometimes infuriates me.  But nonetheless, she is and always will be my best friend next to Tom (and on some days, more than Tom when he's on my bad side, ha).

My mother has been the most supportive figure throughout my life (as well as my Daddy not to discredit him in that role).  She is my role model and heroine.  She is the person I look up to on a daily basis.  Well, I physically look down to her as I surpassed her height in 5th or 6th grade, but you know what I mean.  She is a person I will always turn to for advice and guidance.  I cherish her words of wisdom.  Until I got married, she was always the first person I called with news.  My mom is the most loving and caring person I know.  She is strong, brave, courageous, patient, trusting, VERY forgiving, and she is by far the nicest person you'll ever meet.  I really could go on and on about how special of a lady she is and how wonderful she is, but I think you get the picture.  I just wanted to express my love for her and dedicate this post to her.  I love the bond we share and I will do everything in my power to make sure we never lose that bond.  I love her with all of my heart and I tell her every day that I love her, even if it's through a text message or an email when the time difference prevents an actual  phone conversation.  So Larraine, if you're reading this, I love you and you are the absolute best mom I could have ever hoped for.  Thank you for your constant love and support and thank you for everything you have done for me in the past and whatever you may do for me (and Tom) in the future.  You're the greatest!!!

Mom and me a few weeks ago when she was here to visit

For the mothers, I hope y'all enjoyed your Mothers Day!  For us non-moms, I hope you were able to show your mothers appreciation.  Mothers are very special people.

Happy Reading!!

xoxo,

Britt!

Giving Back to the Community

Good Morning Monday!  It's a new work week and we had a great (and rather relaxing) weekend!  I hope all of you had fabulous weekends as well!

As I mentioned in my previous post, Tom and I helped with a community service project on Saturday.  We were up bright and early (I was up earlier than Tom as I was able to fit in a 5 mile run while he was sleeping) and ready to get to work!  We met up with the rest of the Panera team at 830 AM to then meet up with ServeCobb and ServeATL at the Vinings Home Depot to learn more about the ServeCobb organization and what our project was going to be.  After a brief introduction, we found out our location and what we were going to be doing- cleaning up a stretch of road in Austell, GA that fell victim to the flooding in September 2009.  Upon learning our assignment and talking with the site leader, we set off to our location to get started!

ServeCobb Organization

More than 250+ volunteers throughout the city of Atlanta and Cobb County to help this past weekend

After making the 15-20 minute drive, we spoke with another volunteer organization at our site, got our gloves and another volunteer tshirt, and set to work.  Yes, it was hot.  Yes, there were bugs.   Yes, there was debris EVERYWHERE.  But.  We worked together as a team and with strangers to clean up this location that had been completely demolished by the floods of 2009.  When we started at the beginning of the road, a lot of the debris had already been gathered by the other volunteer organization and brought to larger piles so the guys with the Caterpillars could then scoop up the pile and deposit it in the dumpsters on site.

One of the houses we were cleaning up.  Yes, that was once a house.

Tom and his GM after throwing a large chunk of house into the dumpster

After moving further down, we saw the 2 houses whose foundations had pretty much wiped away by the flood waters.  It was devastating to find a child's lunchbox or stuffed animals and toys soiled from the flood.  I could only get the clear shot of the house above as the other was set a little farther back and blocked from view.  As we were cleaning up, Tom's GM asked me to take a few pictures of everyone so I wandered off to do so and upon returning to Tom, he yelled (politely but yelling was necessary for the distance between us) for me to grab his backpack, that we had to go.  I was confused but did as he asked and when I caught up with him, he told me that one of the volunteers spotted what looked like a small meth lab and directed the two cops that were volunteering with us to the area.  They quickly confirmed what the volunteer saw and directed all of us out of the area as the rest of the area needed to be searched by a HAZMAT team before work could resume.  We were waiting for about half an hour before the site coordinator told us our group could leave as we had finished cleaning the rest of the surrounding area.  Our main focus from that point forward was to clean the area right around the houses, but once the small meth lab was found, we were unable to provide any additional help.  We felt badly for having to leave, but didn't want to interfere with the police work so we did as we were told and left the area.

The Panera team- I took off the green shirt after I realized no one else put theirs on over the blue.  Oops

Getting ready to work!

Overall, it was great to give back to the community albeit briefly in my opinion.  But we're hoping to get more volunteer projects in the future.  I hate that our community service project was cut short, but there wasn't anything we could do about it.  I'm looking into more volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved around the community so if anyone has any advice or organizations in need, I'd appreciate any feedback!!  

The rest of our weekend was pretty low key: laying poolside with Fifty Shades, running, grocery shopping/errand running, catching up on a few shows, the likes.  It was nice to not have anything planned outside of our community service event.  I hope everyone else had a great weekend as well!  

Happy Reading!  Have a great week!

All my love, 

Britt!

Weekend Preview

Once again... HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Just wanted to say hello and express my excitement for the weekend that lies ahead!

1. Mom flies in tonight for her annual Girls' Trip to St Simons Island.  Tom and I are scooping her from the airport tonight to deliver her to one of her nursing school friends in the morning. 
2. Tomorrow, after a morning run, Tom and I are doing a most-of-the-day community service project with Panera.  We have no clue what we'll be doing but no matter what it is, it will be fantastic to give back to the community!
3. After Panera Community Service Project, we have intentions of hitting the driving range.  But we may be too pooped to do so!  We'll see how the rest of our Saturday pans out!
4. Sunday Funday!  Tom will be at work so this chick will be catching up on shows in the morning, maybe going for a run (depending on how I feel from Saturday's project), and going to the pool as early as possible to get some color on my pasty white skin!

I'm hoping to get some good pictures of our community service project to post so I will keep you updated!  I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe weekend!  

Side note.  This one is for the ladies.  If you have somehow not heard of the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy, do yourself a favor and find a copy (of each book obviously)!  Yes, all of the gossip is true- it is very sexual, very intense in parts, and a definite page turner!!!  You will enjoy yourself.  I promise.

As always, Happy Reading, Happy Friday, Happy Weekend!!

xoxoxo,

Britt!

My Real Age...

First off, HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!

So about a year ago, I was introduced to this thing called the "Real Age Test" that asks a series of questions concerning your current health, your family health history, your personal health history, your diet and exercise habits, etc. in order to determine how old your body thinks it is.  After entering page after page of information, it does whatever calculations are necessary then spits out your "real age" and things you can do to improve that real age, maintain your youth, etc.

When I initially took this test last year, I was pretty healthy, was eating really well, exercising 3-5 times a week, not regularly subjecting myself to any vices, etc.  At that time, the Real Age test produced the results that my body thought it was around age 20 (my actual age was 26).  I don't remember the exact result but it was in that ball park.

I revisited the Real Age test a few days ago and was very pleasantly surprised with my new results!  I'm in MUCH better shape than I was a year ago to start off!  I run a lot more and run much farther distances.  I still eat very healthy (although I still enjoy my sweet tooth but in MUCH smaller amounts).  I'm currently in the best shape of my life so it was very pleasing when I got my results.  After retaking my Real Age test, my new results indicated that although I am 27.3 years old, my body thinks I am 17.3 years old!  I have the health status of a teenager 10 years my junior.

This test is yet another reason why I am absolutely elated about how far I've come over the past few years and how badly I always want to remain in shape for the rest of my life!  Of course I can't predict the future, but I have no intention of ever reverting back to my former chubby self.  My only regret about starting my health and fitness journey is that I didn't start it sooner.  Had I known way back when how great I could feel by working out and running, I would've started a very long time ago.  But.  That wasn't God's plan for me until I got a little bit older.  And I appreciate it going from where I was to where I am now.  As previously mentioned, I'm in the best shape I've ever been in and I plan to maintain this.  Thank you to everyone who has always supported me and offered me their words of encouragement!  I hope that I can do the same for others.

My intention for this post was to be short and sweet so I hope you all have a VERY wonderful weekend!  My weekend should be a good one- relax with the hubs tonight, strength training class and a run tomorrow morning, maybe hiking with Tom tomorrow afternoon, Atlanta's Annual Dogwood Festival on Sunday!  Y'all have fun and stay safe!

With love,

Britt!

Easter Glory

I know it's been over a week since Easter, but this Easter was more special than past Easters so I wanted to share my joy with y'all.  The Easter season has always been a special one in my household, long before I got married.  It was tradition for the family to wake up to Easter baskets, attend church together (usually a later service but the sunrise service on occasion requested our attendance), have Easter brunch together, and enjoy each others' company. As an adult, Easter has become so much more than that.  It has more recently become a season of reflection for me.  I'm not trying to get all religious on you, just expressing what the Easter season means to me now as I've gotten older.  I reflect on all of the blessings God has given us and thank Him profusely for all the blessings in our future.  Without Him, I would be lost.  He keeps me grounded and provides guidance even if I don't understand why things are happening the way they are.  Easter makes that feeling so much more profound for me and I relish in God's blessings every day.  Tom and I attended the Good Friday service at my parents' church (my old church, where I was confirmed) in California where I discovered some scripture that hit home for me, Hebrews 10:21-35:

And having a high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not foresaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much more, as ye see the day approaching.

This bit of scripture is a reminder to always look to God for guidance despite not knowing what my future holds.  It encourages me to keep a full heart especially in times of want or need, to not give up on the Lord, and to continue to love others as I wish to be loved.  I'm sure I've read this scripture in the past, but it didn't mean as much to me as it did a week and a half ago.  It is one of the best pieces of scripture I've read to date.

Easter 2012 has probably been my favorite Easter of the previous 26.  Tom and I were fortunate enough to be able to visit my parents and grandmother in California for Easter weekend!  While the weekend was busy, it was so full of love and happiness, fun and entertainment.  As always, it was fantastic to spend so much time with my parents and grandma!  Other than a slight fiasco at LAX (L.A.'s international airport), travelling was a piece of cake!  The trip was WAY too short though!

We flew in late Thursday after a full work day.  We were up at 430 AM EST- Tom to work and me to the gym for a morning run.  We worked all day.  I got off work a little early to take Max to the PetSmart Pet Hotel to be boarded for the weekend (this made me very sad as it was his first boarding experience and I didn't want him to think I was leaving him indefinitely) then Tom and I ate a quick dinner (thank you, Panera) then were en route to Peachy Parking to park our car and catch our shuttle to the airport!  Airports are always a great source of entertainment to me- I LOVE to people watch and the mix at any airport is always great to look at!!  Upon getting settled, Tom and I were cruising at 30,000+ ft and on our way to California!  Upon landing in LA at approximately 930 PM PDT (1230 AM EST), we found my parents and set off for their small farming community, Visalia.  We got to my parents' house around 2 AM PDT (5 AM EST) and crashed.  We'd been up for 24+ hours and needed sleep. Thanks to our lovely time zone change, Tom and I were awake before 730 AM PDT each day we were there and were not able to adjust to the time change, regardless of what time we fell asleep.

The days to follow were busy, busy, busy for me, not as much for Tom.  Friday morning, we went to brunch at my absolute FAVE place to go- Valhalla's, a quaint Dutch restaurant that serves my favorite breakfast item ever- aebleskivers.  If you have not tried them, you need to!!  After brunch, mom and I ran errands (Tom did not wish to join) then we all went to the Good Friday service, followed by dinner at my parents' country club.  Saturday, Tom and I went for a run.  Tom made me VERY proud as he did a 4+ mi run (I ran a little bit ahead throughout our run and reached my 5 mi minimum).  My mom somehow managed to schedule a hair appointment with me with the one and ONLY person I trust to do ANYTHING with my hair without hesitation and on this trip, I got balayage highlights (similar to ombre highlighting)- see Easter pics below.  We did a little bit of running around, then had a nice family dinner.  Sunday, we went to the Easter church service, had brunch at a family friends' house, then off we were to LA to catch our red eye flight back to Atlanta...

This started our somewhat dramatic return to Atlanta.  After my parents dropped us off at the airport, Tom and I checked in (no baggage thank goodness as we got everything in carry-on's).  We got through security and were about to settle into a booth to grab a quick bite to eat when Tom threw his boarding pass on the table.  I then realized that Delta had switched our seats and moved us to opposite sides of the plan, me in 36B, Tom in 41F.  To say we were upset is an understatement- I was VERY upset as I selected our "companion" seats at booking.  Without hesitation, we go straight to the gate agent who proceeded to tell us there was nothing they could do until 30 minutes before departure which is AFTER the boarding process begins.  He elected to tell us that they can't change seats of the passengers who have not yet checked in to which I reminded him that they changed OUR seats prior to check-in and without notification nor did the ticketing agent question our seat assignments prior to printing our boarding passes.  He looked at me with a face of confusion and could not offer anything other than, "Come back 30 minutes prior to departure."  I was fuming by this point.  I did not want to sit next to a stranger.  On a red eye flight.  Trying to get a few hours of sleep before the workday that lay ahead.  After eating dinner and waiting then waiting some more (we arrived to LAX around 830 PM and our flight wasn't due to leave until 1145 PM), the gate agent let us know they were able to switch our seats so that we could now fly home together- thank you for FIXING the problem you created in the first place!  Neither agent was very pleasant and the lady rolled her eyes at me at one point (I made Delta aware of this in my post-flight survey).  Neither Tom nor myself felt like we had been treated very well prior to boarding our flight.  At that point though, we brushed it off, boarded the plane, got situated in our seats and did our pre-flight routine- I powered up my newly-purchased Kindle Fire (which I am in LOVE with) to read until the cabin door was closed, Tom fired up his iPod to listen to music. Mr. Pilot then proceeded to tell us our flight was going to be leaving late- awesome.  We pushed back from the gate about half hour behind schedule.  Once airborne, Tom and I attempted to sleep, waking up every half hour or so, but somehow managed to get a few hours sleep.  Upon landing, we got to our car where Ms. Exit-Gate-Attendant let us know that the special under which I'd booked our parking reservations was no longer valid (it was for FREE parking and now we had to pay) so we settled up with them and left in a hurry to pick up Max before going to work (I was already late and let my boss know so in lieu of leaving work on a lunch break, I didn't take a lunch and I picked up Max prior to work).  Upon arriving at PetSmart, they brought little Maxwell to me and he was THE happiest camper on the planet- he jumped straight up for me to pick him up and was the most excited I'd ever seen him.  After our hasty hello, it was time to pay, only to find out our debit cards weren't working and I didn't have the checkbook.  Let's just add to the Morning of Drama!  Tom and I went to the bank, got cash from the teller, went BACK to PetSmart, got Max home, changed clothes for work, I took Tom to work, finally got to work at 10 AM, 2 hours after my expected arrival.  All in all, the night and morning were a tad stressful, but we got home safely and got our crazy pup and that's all I could really ask for despite being a walking zombie suffering from major sleep deprivation and moodiness.  Needless to say, we went to bed at a decent hour that night.

Despite our hectic return to Atlanta, we had a fabulous weekend in Visalia with the parents and grandma and I am itching to go back as soon as we can!  I miss my parents more each time we go our separate ways.  They really are the best parents I could have ever asked for.  They gave me a great foundation of moral character and instilled a sense of pride in myself.  They raised my brother and me very well and continue to be loving and supporting in any way possible.  They are absolutely wonderful and I could not imagine life without them!

Hubs and me

Three generations of women- so special!

Tom and me with Grammie

Mis padres and me

I hope y'all had as wonderful of an Easter as Tom and I did!  Again, this trip was way too short and I look forward to our next Western adventure- hopefully it will be longer than a long weekend!

xoxoxo

Britt!

Race Funzies!

As you know from yesterday's post, I've run quite a few races in 2012 and I'm currently registered for more races!  I just wanted to give a brief update on the other races I ran in March, the SFX Fitness Challenge 5K and Color Run Atlanta.

The SFX Fitness Challenge 5K is hands down without a doubt the most difficult 5K I have ever run!  On top of the 3.1 mile jog (at which I did well), there were 11 fitness stations, 5 dispersed throughout the course and 6 at the end of the run, right before the finish line.  The stations were as follows:

• 50 burpees
• 150 squats
• 100 push ups
• 150 v-ups
• bear crawl up a hill with walking lunges down the hill
• 25 kettlebell swings
• 20 box jumps
• 50 rope slams
• 25 medicine ball slams
• 30 lb sand bag toss and carry
• scale an 8 ft wall (with help if needed and I needed it)

To say this race was hard is an understatement.  It wasn't the running that made the challenge difficult.  It was everything else!  I was sore for DAYS after this race, but I must say that it was physically one of the most rewarding.  Even though it was difficult, it was one of the best workouts I've ever had!  I placed 4th in my heat, 1st female of my heat to finish, and 5th female overall.  I have to say though that I was most nervous about the "wall" at the very end.  I knew I couldn't pull myself over it as upper-body strength has never been a forte of mine, but using the lovely 2x4 triangle holding said wall in place, I was able to get over it without too much trouble!  After completing the race, I was very proud of myself!  It wasn't an easy feat to finish, but I finished and met some fun people in the process!!

Now for the Happiest 5K on the Planet- The Color Run!!!!!!  When this race was announced months upon months ago, I wanted SO badly to register for it but didn't know if we'd be here for it (the move).  Once I figured out we'd be here through the end of March, Color Run Atlanta was already sold out.  I was so incredibly bummed that I wouldn't be able to partake in such a fun race!  A few weeks passed and I was scouting Craigslist for anyone looking to sell their number at a decent price.  Never found one.  

The day I got the information about the half marathon bib I purchased, I randomly went onto Color Run's website.  I saw they added another Atlanta race for Easter weekend.  I was considering registering for it so I followed the registration to get a little bit more info on it.  Upon doing so, it gave me the option to continue through the registration process for the original date: March 31.  I couldn't believe it!  I whipped out that debit card and signed up with a quickness!  When I got my confirmation and subsequent email, I called The Color Run Customer Service line just to make sure I registered for it and the lady told me it was my lucky day because I was successfully registered!  When I went back to the website out of curiosity, the 3/31/2012 Color Run link was no longer active and right next it, it said in big, bold letters "SOLD OUT".  I somehow managed to register for a sold out event.  I assume someone was refunded their money for whatever reason and I just so happened to look at the website at the right time and got an entry into the race!  I was the happiest kid on the planet that day because I also got my bib for the Georgia Half Marathon at a great price!  For the next few weeks, I was scouting out Craigslist for anyone selling their numbers because I wanted Tom to run it with me.  After talking to my brother, he was going out of town for his man's weekend so Tom was able to get his entry and Tom and I got to run the race together!

So the actual race was an absolute blast!  At ever kilometer, there was a color station.  We started with yellow where all the runners came out looking like we'd been through a pollen storm.  (Oh wait!  We have.  Highest pollen count in history occurred a few weeks ago.)  The following color stations were green, pink, and purple.  After crossing the finish line, we then went to the "Color Festival".  Every entrant was given a packet of this powdered paint/color to save for the Color Festival.  Every 15 minutes, the DJ would do a count down and at 0, everyone would throw the contents of their color packets into the air and everyone came out a paint-splattered mess.  We.Were.Covered!  But we were dancing and laughing and having a great time!  I met up with my sister in law and some of our friends afterwards, hung out for a little bit, then drove home very carefully and on top of blankets so as not to mess up the car's interior!

Before Color Run- Tom was impatient and ready for the race to start- Sorry for his scowl

After the Color Run as paint-splattered messes!

Group shot!

The Color Festival

As you can see, everyone had a blast!  It was the MOST fun 5K I've ever done and I cannot WAIT to participate in next year's Color Run!!!!  Afterwards, Tom and I went to eat lunch at his Panera and we actually scared some of the patrons and employees.  The employees didn't recognize us and the patrons did triple head turns to look at us, trying to figure out why exactly we were covered in paint.  Overall, it was a great experience and even more so because Tom and I got to do it together.  I paced with him and we kept each other motivated to finish.  I look forward to even more Color Fun next year!!!

I hope everyone has a GREAT Easter weekend!  We are off to California to spend it with my parents and grandmother and I could not be more excited right now!  So be safe, have fun, and remember why the Easter season is so special!

All my love,

Britt!