Birthday Wish List

One of the joys of being an adult is being able to treat yo self. However this makes it difficult to answer the annual question "What do you want for your birthday?" This year was no different. 

Luckily, I have a handful of sites I frequent always adding things to my cart but never checking out.
Full disclosure, I am not as fit minded as this list makes me look!
My Kind of Lovely started carrying the Aviate brand this spring and I constantly get compliments on my BNA hat. So I naturally had to add the Pittsburgh hat to my birthday list. Sarah Marie Design Studio is a great site for running merchandise that has some sass to it. I discovered her through Runners' World and Instagram last month after the half marathon and now want everything she posts. And of course a coral Fitbit sport band has my name written all over it [mom has the black version and loves it.] But really all I want for my 27th birthday is a Penguins win [and something monogrammed.] 😉
Happy Gemini season! 

1// Aviate PIT baseball hat

2// Fitbit Charge 2 HR sport band

3// Sarah Marie Design Studio
bRUNch tank
I'd Rather Be Running sweatshirt
iPhone 7 phone case

4// Nike Free Run

5// Tory Burch Love Relentlessly 

Five on [a pre-long weekend] Friday

1.

Over the past couple months I have really grown to love the band A R I Z O N A. 

They've released a hand full of singles with each being better than the last.

Their full album came out this week and it did not disappoint at all! Hello summer soundtrack.

2.

Not only does Memorial Day weekend mean an extra day of fun and sun but all the sales!
JCrew Factory currently has EVERYTHING 50% online and in-stores!

3.
On the off chance you don't get any sun this holiday weekend Netflix is here to save you!
The third and final season of Bloodline started streaming this morning.
#praisehands

4.
Third Eye Blind has been releasing previously unheard tracks this week off their self titled album Third Eye Blind. When I saw one of the tracks had my name in it I obviously had to give it a listen.
Think I might have a new favorite Caroline song...



5.
Last night was Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Eastern Finals. Two OTs later the Penguins pulled it out and are now on to the FINALS!!! #gopens

Happy Memorial Day weekend 2017!

Friday 5/26

13.1 #3

This past week I hit the pavement for the first time since running my half marathon in April. 

I realized I never posted about my half after sharing about it here in the months leading up to the race. I'll be honest, I am a competitive person. And not just with others but with myself. This race was not my best time and I haven't been very vocal about sharing it. That's when I realized I was too focused on the time and not the experience or the friends and family who cheered me on with so much love. I mean what's better than waking up before your alarm to a text from your mom telling you you're a superstar before you even have your running shoes on?

Let's start at the beginning...

First things first, IT WAS HOT. When I finished it was 81 degrees, that's without a heat index. 

In true Caroline fashion, I released with the wrong gate and was in tears before the gun went off. 

Mile 1 was Broadway, MY FAVORITE!! There's just a different energy coming down the hill to neon signs and cowbells. Miles 2-4 were Demonbruen and Music Row, my old stomping ground.

And then I hit a wall.

I hadn't hydrated like I should have the day before and my body was not having it. I remember texting my brother "I shouldn't have run today" and then my best friend "I'm already walking. I'm going to cry." Tad dramatic? Eh, yeah. Luckily there was a water station within sight and I grabbed two Gatorades and had a small pep talk walk for the rest of Mile 5. Sara had been texting with me this whole time [little did I know she was also tracking me online] and I started running again soon after [keeping my phone in my hand so I could see messages.]

Around Mile 6, the texts started flowing in. First my little Molly, telling me "left foot right foot repeat" and take it mile by mile. Then Sara with a picture of Warren telling me "GO Aunt C!" Then my mom. Then Lindsay telling me she was at Mile 10 with a water and a banana but most importantly a hug! You see, Sara had been playing race mom and texting everyone my times, where I was, and to send some love my way the entire morning. I burst into tears when I found this out later that day. The love and support was overwhelming and more than I ever deserve. A final "PUSH IT" text from Sara got me through Mile 13 and that final .1. I called my brother before I even found the Gatorade tent. 

At this point the only thing left to do was get some ice on my knees and cheer on Ashley and Jae as they finished! I sat under a nice big tree with a banana and water and texted mom telling her funny things I heard/saw along the route. We all smelled like sweat, salt, and dried hose water but we did it. 

So what was my time? 2:28.
But that medal and bib will always mean a little more to me than the others on my wall.