Liebster Award and Memory

My work bestie, Bizzy Bae,  tagged me for a Liebster Award and I will do my very best to answer all of her 11 questions. One of the questions (number 2) will be used as November 15th's "memory" in my November Photo Challenge. So let's get started...

1. Describe your perfect Saturday!

Perfect Saturday would include a wonderful run, beach day (with an empty beach), and delicious dinner with all my favorite people.

Moonlight beach in Encinitas 

2. What is your favorite childhood memory?

This may sound sad but any happy memory of my parents married is my favorite.
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3. If you were trapped on an island and could only have three items, what would you bring?

Huan, Peanut, and Chloe. We'll figure the rest out. :)

4. What is your favorite race that you've done?

I think my favorite race has been The Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The course and the spectators were amazing. I loved the energy and it was my fastest marathon to date! So many of my friends ran that race with me, including the amazing Madelynne. It just happens to be her birthday today! Happy Birthday, Madelynne!!! 

5. What is your dream job?

Bae and I have a dream to open up a science themed coffee shop in a small California beach town. We would make delicious mitochondria cupcakes and cookies in the shapes chromosomes (among other hilarious nerdy desserts). Oh, and have some amazing coffee because Bae was a kick ass bartista in a previous life. :)

6. What are your top 3 favorite TV shows?

Scandal, because Olivia Pope is Bad Ass.

Modern Family

Happy Endings- so sad they cancelled it. BRING IT BACK, TV GODS!

7. What is your favorite quote?

8. What is your biggest fear?

A life without my family.

9. Where would you go on a dream vacation and what would you do?

Southern Vietnam! Visit the beautiful beaches, explore the cities on mopeds, admire the amazing temples, and eat all the food.  Tôi muốn đến thăm Việt Nam.

10. What is the craziest dream you've ever had?

I was a part of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's wedding. True story.

11. Random Fun Fact!!

I'm running the Avenger's Half Marathon in Disneyland tomorrow!

Thanks for listening! Have an amazing weekend!!

Happiness

November 14th-  Happiness

This is my favorite topic yet in the November Photo Challenge.

“Happiness is a mental or emotional state of well-being characterized by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.”

We make our own happiness. We must choose to be happy. 

I wanted to share a very happy day- My mom's wedding day on September 20, 2014. 

I don't know if there is any better feeling than seeing your love ones bursting with happiness. 

My boyfriend and I flew home to New Jersey for the wedding. I was so thrilled to share this day with my mom. From the moment we woke up she was beaming with happiness. The day was perfect and went exactly to plan.

The Lovely Couple 

The New Blended Family 

Best Cousins

Best Boyfriend

Being Silly

Have a happy Friday! xoxo

Health

November 13th- Health

It is my personal and 100% bias opinion that running is the best exercise for your health.

But seriously, there are many health benefits to running...

Running has helped me battle depression, anxiety, and improves my sleep cycle. Before I started running consistently, I worried a lot. My mood was very fragile. The smallest upset could send me into a serious breakdown. I feel that running has made me emotionally stronger. It has taught me discipline when dealing with difficult obstacles in my life.

I am so thankful for running. :)

Luxury

November 12th- Luxury (a day late)

This was a hard one.
What came to mind were the most luxurious races I have run... The Nike Women's Marathon Series.

I have ran Nike Women's Marathon 2013 (SF), Nike Women's Half Marathon 2013 (DC), and Nike Women's Marathon 2012 (SF).

Nike really knows how to put on a race. Let's list the luxury...

Tiffany Necklace Medal

Fireman (SF) and ROTC men (DC) handed out the necklaces on a silver platters in tuxedos 

Both courses were absolutely gorgeous

Free Nike manicures 

Your name printed on a wall at Nike Town 

Free Paul Mitchell hair styling and Bare Mineral makeovers at the finish line

So, YES, Nike has all the luxury and I highly recommend running their races. :)

Necessity

November 11th- Necessity

First necessity would have to be our wonderful and strong veterans that serve our country. Thank you for your service! Happy Veteran's Day :)

Second necessity would be my boyfriend. He's my rock and best friend.

Third necessity... Starbucks iced coffee. Enough said.

Lastly, Running. The races, running buddies, the training- I need it all.

See you tomorrow! xoxo

Special Treat

November 10th- Special Treat!

I can't write this title without thinking of my favorite Parks and Rec episode. TREAT YO SELF! Hopefully, you know what I'm talking about. If not- Watch this clip! You will not be disappointed.

But seriously, it's important to reward yourself for all your hard work, especially when it comes to running. Training for races can be super taxing, both emotionally and physically. Rewarding yourself help keeps your motivation from wavering and can keep training interesting.

My last 20 miler I knew would be pretty tough, with warm weather and major hills. I was not excited about that run but I booked massage for later that afternoon. It gave me just enough motivation to push through those last miles knowing in the next few hours I got a spa day.

Special treats don't have to be lavish or expensive but they are necessary. Sometimes a restorative yoga class can do the trick for me after an intense week. Instead of additional training, restorative yoga focuses on relaxing and resting poses. It's a great way to de-stress and stretch it out.

Of course we can always bake something amazing for a special treat once in a while. We burn so many calories running, we deserve a taste of heaven. Tonight I baked good old fashion chocolate chip cookies! Wine and homemade cookies... my dream team

I modified the recipe from Martha Stewart's Soft-Baked Chocolate Cookies.

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup packed dark-brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chunks


DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat sugar, and butter until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture, beating just until combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
Drop dough by tablespoons onto two baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake until cookies are no longer shiny, 10 to 12 minutes.

Hope you had a great Monday!

Laugh & Keepsake

November 8th - Laugh

Not exactly sure why, but this meme just cracks me up. I'm probably one of the handful of people that actually find sloths to be adorable. Just look at that face and super long lanky arms and legs. SO CUTE.

Friday night, my boyfriend and I babysat for our good friends. Baby Macy definitely kept us laughing all night. She has such a great personality and loves to play with all her toys all the time.

Saturday morning, I went to the RUSH for another amazing spin class. I'm so happy to be back to spinning. It feels great to pedal hard and be in a room with inspiring, hardworking people. The instructors there really know how to pump you up.

Post workout I stopped at Whole Foods for a smoothie and ran some errands. I was so sweaty the guy making my drink asked if I had gone swimming. GROSS! Nope, just sweat! I was slightly embarrassed and slightly flattered. :)

I got my favorite- The Might Maca Malt! Ingredients: Maca Powder, Banana, Chocolate, Chia Seeds, Shredded Coconut, and Vanilla Almond Milk.

Saturday night my boyfriend and I had dinner downtown at the University Club on the 34th floor of the Symphony Towers. I highly recommend checking it out. The views were gorgeous. I love seeing the city all lit up at night. Afterwards, we met my good friend Bree for drinks in Little Italy. She's moving to Virginia next month and it's been really hard. I'm so happy for her but I will miss her so much. I'm never good with goodbyes.

Bree and I last summer wine tasting

November 9th- Keepsake

My keepsake is my first medal from my first marathon. It felt like the hardest race I have ever ran. Miles 20-26 seemed to last forever. I've never felt so  proud of myself after I cross that finished line. That race I raised over $2,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I felt good!

I had a great run this morning- 8 miles by myself. I felt sore from the spin class but strong. It sounds strange, but I really love running by myself. It gives me time to be alone and de-stress. There's no better feeling than after a good run. I was all smiles the rest of the day.

Tonight, we're going to see Big Hero Six! Hope its as good as everyone says it is! We love kid movies in this house. :)

Hope you had a great weekend!