Today I thought I would focus on a few things I l♥ve...
☺Finding interesting things while out cruising a local road or trail.
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Running and bouncing...How many miles could you go without having to chase the ball into the weeds?
☺Meeting up with bloggers, (especially ones that are as sweet as this lady!) Even better when it comes as a surprise, and I happen to be working one of the best jobs that comes with being a Brooks ID member- helping with the Brooks tour bus.
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| Sweaty post-marathon hugs from special people make me smile! Thanks for coming to say "Hi" Laurie. |
☺Listening to the joyful sounds of my oldest playing in his first concert. My boys are home schooled, but we participate in some activities at the school. We pay taxes for it. Why not? These lessons are a gift!! The local school district only has a few hundred students, but an excellent music program. So blessed!
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| Budding talent. |
☺Good socks. Especially ones that match and don't have little holes. (Is there an expiration date on socks? Mine seem to get a little hole in the toe before they should.)
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| Matching today!!! Thank you, Feetures! , for improving my odds. (Please tell the foot with the L on it to get with the program) |
When socks are anatomically designed (like these are) they feel better to run in. (Way better than my eight year-old's basketball socks, which I have been known to use in a frenzied, desperate, dash to get out the door.) There was no bunching, slipping or friction (that means fewer blisters); just the feeling that my feet were wrapped, snug and protected, inside my shoes! I ordered a larger pair because I wear a ladies 10.5 shoe, but maybe could have gone just a tad smaller.
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| They make nice colors for guys too, (or ladies who can't stay out of the mud). |
You can find out more about Feetures! on Facebook HERE , HERE, or follow them on Twitter @Feetures
Would you like to try some free for yourself? Enter my giveaway below and you might win 2 pairs!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
What are YOU loving this week?
Did anything make you smile?
Did you run or race over the weekend?
Let me hear about it!
Talking to my dad both before and after his Marathon in Stockholm, Sweden. I'm usually there to cheer him on, and while I was crying because of homesickness and bummed about not being able to be there for him, he always brings me joy, motivation and a BUNCH of inspiration. AS a matter of fact, if it wasn't for my dad I wouldn't have started running.. I would've missed out on a huge passion in my life!
ReplyDeleteSo yes, my dad made me smile many times this week! :)
Your dad sounds like an INSPIRATION to me! I love my dad, but I don't think I will get any pics of him running a marathon :) What a memory that will make for you!
DeleteWatching the live coverage of the Comrades Marathon on TV made me smile (and cry a little!) yesterday. I love witnessing every runner's individual Comrades journey: Some run with banners saying "This one is for you, Mom!"; blind runners complete the 90 km journey with their guides; some crawl over the finish line; and others miss the 12-hour cut-off by mere seconds (and don't get a medal), but vow to be back next year to try again. RESPECT.
ReplyDeleteComrades...an amazing race. I would love to come to SA one time to witness the experience. I bet you get some great TV coverage there!
DeleteMy late dad ran 12 Comrades. An amazing man. I've still got his permanent number in my "trophy cabinet".
DeleteOh I sure hope socks don't expire!!! This weekend I found myself smiling wide as I played with my girls in our backyard...kind of like I got a glimpse of what I had always dreamed of!
ReplyDeleteAh. That sounds excellent, Nancy. It sure is powerful when you catch that perfect moment.
DeleteI ran a 5K on Saturday. I really wanted a PR, but the start of the race was a cluster so I ended up going too fast and then my little wheels fell off. Oh well. I was less than 40 seconds off so next time I will bring my "a" game.
ReplyDeleteHave you run the Newport Marathon before or just spectated it? I have heard great things about it. It was my cousin's first marathon last year.
I have been dying to try out feetures socks. I have only heard awesome reviews on them.
I am loving the fact that I am not marathon training at the moment and that I am doing my own thing when it comes to my training. I like being my own coach now, but that might change. I don't like to make all of the decisions. :-)
So far I have only been able to watch it..but it looks SO good. I know why they cap it at 1000- perfect size for a smaller marathon and keeps parking reasonable. What a great race!!
DeleteEnjoy this in-between period. It's sure nice to have no pressure or expectations for a while- but I know you'll need a training goal again soon!
Daily running, and daily healthy cooking!
ReplyDeleteOh yes...daily of both is an excellent smile recipe.
DeleteGetting pout for my first post marathon run put a HUGE smile on my face yesterday! :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you! That first run back always feels a little rough, but good , all at once.
DeleteWatching my son swim on his own for the first time!
ReplyDeleteThat is fantastic. So much empowerment- and safety -there!
DeleteI absolutely love Feetures! socks!! I had an awesome & super hilly long run this weekend and that makes me smile!
ReplyDeleteI love a super long and not so hilly run..but any run is worth smiling for!! Good for you!!
DeleteAwww congrats to your son. Their concerts are always so special. It was ice show weekend. I am exhausted but so SO proud of my girls!
ReplyDeleteAnother proud mom! They know how to make us smile :D
DeleteAs Karien did I also watched the Comrades and smiled a lot. I have many friends that run it every year. I was a little sad not to be there but I am very focused on my trail goals ahead. Watching my 83 year old dad taking care of my 83 year old mom after her knee operation was very special.
ReplyDeleteYou are going to do great with your other trail goals, Johann. Next year will be a Comrades year.
DeleteSeeing parents in their 80's still doing well and caring for each other is very VERY smile - worthy.
My son lost his first tooth, his reaction when it came out made me smile.
ReplyDeleteThat would have been fun to see! They are so cute with missing teeth :)
DeleteThose socks look great! I got a huge smile when I saw you working the Brooks booth... it was a very welcome surprise. :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you said hi!! YES- a good surprise indeed :)
DeleteI love Feetures socks! I would love to win a pair.
ReplyDeleteThanks for entering, Janice! Best wishes!
DeleteMy boyfriend was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle about 3 years ago and has made an amazing recovery from most of his bones being broken or shattered between and including his neck and his pelvis. He walks, talks, swims, plays guitar... He went to a follow-up appointment with a new doctor last week and was going through his history. The new doctor is amazed he's recovered so well. From the first responders to his most recent evaluation, doctors give a huge amount of credit regarding his survival to the 15-20 weekly miles we used to run - he can't anymore and has substituted swimming. The aerobic and toning exercise of running gave his heart, lungs, and muscles the ability to withstand and come back from the trauma. THAT makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your boyfriend's amazing story! What an incredible recovery. I am sure he misses running, but is miles ahead of where he was expected to be..and playing guitar :). Awesome. You have every right to smile- BIG.
DeleteI smile every time I see my dogs play.
ReplyDeleteThey can be pretty funny, can't they?
DeleteThose look like great running socks! I like socks that tell me which foot to wear them on until I take them off and realize that I wore them the wrong way!
ReplyDeleteYay for first concerts and meeting bloggers! That would make me smile!
I have several pairs that have the R L on them...and when I lose one, I have to turn one inside out. Not perfect, but it works-- STILL better than basketball socks.
Deletesupporting my son and all the inspiring athletes at yesterdays Quassy Rev3 1/2 Ironman brought many smiles!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a proud dad!! I can't wait to see my son do his first 5k in a few weeks :)
DeleteCompleting my first triathlon this weekend definitely put a smile on my face....and the fact that the race was right down the road from where I will be getting married next year was even better!
ReplyDeleteWell done! I bet you are looking forward to your wedding :)
DeleteAttending the wedding of a friend this weekend and dancing the night away with my wife and daughters. Any accomplishment I could have would never be as much fun as spending the time making memories with them.
ReplyDeleteThat is an AWESOME outlook, Bill.!
DeleteThose socks look pretty sweet and I love the blue color! No racing for me, but I did an Insanity workout that had me sweating bullets and I did a 5 miler before yoga on Saturday.
ReplyDeleteI have never done an insanity workout, but yoga is a lot harder than I realized..and works some serious strength in as well.
DeleteOoh, I have a pair of feetures socks that I LOVE, too! Love all the things that make you smile. I think mine has been conversations with my 3yo lately... I love this age!
ReplyDeleteIt is a great age. I am still trying to decipher some of my son's words- He'll be 4 this month but speaks in an accent :)
DeleteWhat made me smile last week? My son going down waterslides and off the diving board for the first time. Also running the Bolder Boulder and not worrying about my time and getting some time with friends afterwards!
ReplyDeleteYou had an awesome week/weekend! Diving board is serious stuff...it's that time of year again!
DeleteRunning made me smile this weekend!
ReplyDeleteThat's all it takes!! Puts a smile on my face too :D
DeleteFinishing a 5K with a local group of middle schoolers running their first 5K.
ReplyDeleteThat WOULD be fun! What an accomplishment for all- are you a coach?
DeleteHaving my boyfriend at the finish line of the rock n roll half yesterday. It was our fourth date and I loved that he was there to support me.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a perfect date to me!! Was it RnR San Diego?
DeleteRunning in the sun (after a long, cold, winter), racing on a great day with friendly people, fantastic organisers, and doing something nuts (racing 17 laps of a course) - all of that made me smile. The incredible comments and support from my friends near, far and virtual made me smile. Getting back into life with the monkey of a bad race OFF my back - today made me smile. Buying my husband new running shoes so HE can run his first marathon - that made me smile. I'm all for the smiling today.
ReplyDeleteYour hubby is going to do his first!? That would be sure to put a smile on my face as well. So many good things this week for you, Petra!
DeleteI have an injury that is finally showing strong signs of healing, that has put a HUGE smile on my face. Well that and I am going to take off and go camping for the rest of the week..
ReplyDeleteThank GOD about that injury! It sure is a good reason to smile. Enjoy the camping trip! Tent or trailer?
DeleteI won't enter because it'd cost you a fortune to post them to Australia. Look good though.
ReplyDeleteYou now need to find another two balls then you can become one of those running jugglers when you run the Newport Marathon!
You should enter! Feetures will send them :) I need to brush up on my talents, but I was able to keep it under control for the 2 miles to get home. haha.
DeleteI'm loving my new strength routine, summertime in Texas-regardless of the heat it just makes me smile, and the fact I get my weekly massage tomorrow by Ray!
ReplyDeleteSummertime anywhere is cause for smiles! Enjoy the visit with master RAY. Jealous of your massage :)
DeleteComing home to the US after 9 months abroad definitely made my day today!
ReplyDeleteThat would make me smile too. I hope you had a safe and adventurous time overseas!
DeleteFeetures are my "absolutely can't run without them" socks. Seriously, I have torn the house apart looking for a mate that was lost :) Oh, and I homeschool too! However, none of my kids are musically inclined.
ReplyDeleteI have a few singles of socks to deal with. I turn them inside out if I'm desperate! ha! Nice to meet another home school mom! I bet yours have other hidden talents :)
DeleteLOVE the photos of your boys playing their guitars!! Yay!! My boys play piano and violin, and it's been a great part of their homeschool curriculum. THANK you for this giveaway and for the info. on the socks. I tried a number of pairs during my marathon training, and some just aren't worth the price tag. I'm looking forward to giving these a shot! - Susan
ReplyDeleteYour boys are blessed to have those instruments to choose from! A piano or violin gives such a good foundation. Hope you like the socks as much as I do. You definitely want a good pair for marathon training!
DeleteThe photo of your son... what a blessing that must have been to watch him! That would just make my heart smile. So happy for you!
ReplyDeleteSeeing one of my daughters earn 3 awards at school made me smile. A quick one miler also made me smile last night!
ReplyDeleteI heard such great things about feetures! What made me smile? Lots of things. Avocados. Sunshine. A Rainbow. Running. Yoga. Friends. A new hair-cut. The color pink! Singing in my car!
ReplyDeleteI love good socks too. It's the little things that make us happy right?!?! Your son looks adorable with his guitar and his button-down shirt. So handsome!
ReplyDeleteThis past weekend, we were actually in town. No traveling for a race, no weekend jaunt to Disney World. We were 'home'. It was so relaxing. We hit the farmer's market and I was so happy and smiling to be a part of my community.
ReplyDeleteToday my younger son came to me with his shoes tied...I asked who tied his shoes..he said "me" ..."I did it my own way" he said!
ReplyDeleteI never shown him how to do it:)
My sweet daughters sharing with one another and giggling!
ReplyDeleteRunning with my dog, Dora made me smile this week. She was recently diagnosed as hypothyroid and since taking her medication, she's regained her energy and joy of running. Seeing her eyes light up as we run...well, SHE runs, I just plod along after her.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to try those socks.
ReplyDeleteHeading to northern Wisconsin tomorrow for a guys fishing weekend. Been smiling since I got off work :-).
I love Feetures!! Your blue ones are very cute. I've only been able to find my size in orange.
ReplyDeleteMy kids' awards ceremonies, at school, gave me teary, proud smiles. :)
Love the fact that you found a ball and actually played during your run. So fun. I was wondering how you keep your patience with 3 boys at home constantly??!! Love that you got to meet up with Kristen!!!
ReplyDeleteMy son called me and it wasnt to ask for money or food!! It was just to say hi and I love you!! (hes in college, and most calls are for money!)
ReplyDeleteThe no-reason calls are the best. He loves his Mama :)
DeleteCongrats to your son and the proud (running) mom.
ReplyDeleteThe meetings with our blogger friends are something of special. Glad you had this possibility.
Thanks Stefano! It was a great surprise :)
DeleteI went for a run with two lovely local ladies i met via TWITTER! WE have ecome frineds and now i have great running buds. WE ran 18k in rain, then jumped in puddles and laughed! THEN had a great coffee. Run Dates are the BEST!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, not too long ago I thought socks would be the last thing that mattered when it came to running. Heck, I really didn't even pay that much attention to shoes - shoes were shoes to me, or so I thought.
ReplyDeleteNow, I wear compression sleeves, my Brooks shoes, Injinji socks and honestly, I couldn't do without them. They make the world of difference! So yes, having a good pair of socks, really does matter.
Both my kids play musical instruments. It is great for their development.
ReplyDeleteSocks - Mine get torn-up from the muddy trails.
I came across your blog as I was searching for Newport race recaps. I remember meeting you at the finish line (I was the one wearing the Ghost 6's) and I didn't realize I was meeting such a famous and incredible blogger! Excited to start following you!
ReplyDeleteAh!!! Yes!!! I totally remember you :) AND your fabulous shoes!!!
DeleteThank you so much for leaving me a comment here :) I hope we can run into each other again!
My socks *always* get a hole in them at the toe. How wonderful your kidlets get to have some classes at school. =)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog! Looking forward to following yours! Good luck in your marathon training! :)
ReplyDelete