June was filled with trips to waterfalls and kayaking with whales.
July I volunteered throughout the night at Santa Barbara Endurance Race 100 mile and 100k. I got to make Dean Karnazes a peanut butter tortilla roll up warm and crispy. I drove a long windy road to return runners not wishing to continue back to the starting line and I got to watch my friend and inspiration Jadd cross the finish line taking first place and a course record.
I donated my last pint of blood to complete gallon 7 on my way to my 10 gallon donor goal.
I drove the Bus of Fun to MidState Fair 9 out of its 12 operating nights. It's like a shuttle bus with lots of great people having fun. I got to enjoy wine slush each night, great concerts, people watching, omg olive oils and lots of fun.
August I made a big decision along the lines of my health and fitness goals in preparation for an endurance event I chose to apply for. I quit CrossFit and it's a decision I am happy with. In life when something stops being beneficial or something I look forward to I know it's time for change. I make a decision and find the positive side of it.
I ran the second of 3 half marathons in a race series and traveled to Utah to surprise my mom for her 70th birthday and run another half marathon one week later.
September was my birthday month and it was filled with so many surprises and great times.
I booked my flight and registered for Fuego y Agua in February 2016. I ran the 3rd half marathon in the race series and received a $100 gift card for donating blood again. My boss and the business partners brought me flowers and a gift card to my favorite salon. My friend's got me a machete that I need to sharpen and get comfortable using. My previous clients daughter and I enjoyed a movie and lunch. My mom sent me the best card and a special surprise.
This month has been just as busy as the Summer. Last weekend I traveled with my friend to Tahoe where we met up at the cabin with her boyfriend and more friends staying with us. I didn't want to race I only wanted to volunteer and follow the last runners as course sweep. It was a great opportunity. I wish I would have taken a photo of Ashley the young lady who showed so much courage and determination to get to the finish line. She placed a lot of trust in me, my strength and my headlamp. Sunday I got to collect on my hug from my friend Iram who is a brain cancer survivor I met in Vermont 2 years ago. He came from Texas and it was great to watch him race to the finish line of the charity sprint.
My friend Corinne gifted me a race entry 2 years ago when I did my first Spartan Race not knowing what it was. Her generosity struck again as she registered for a half marathon prior to her becoming pregnant. She gave me her entry and the race director accommodated making the transfer to me. I had said I was done running half marathons for the year 3 weeks ago. I liked being wrong. Today was fun and even though I ran just as slow today as I did my first half marathon 6 years ago I got to be outdoors running and see great friends.
