Friday Favorites #20

It's a short week in real life, but in work life, it's still a five-day work week for this girl over here. But that's okay - it's still FRIDAY and that's still happy, even if I am working 12 hours tomorrow before heading down to San Diego for all the fun.

Lots of happiness and fun things this week. First and foremost:

1. HAPPY NATIONAL DONUT DAY!
The best day of the year dedicated to the best, sweetest breakfast treat ever. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little disappointed I forgot it was donut day because I fully intended on bringing a box to work... and then totally and completely forgot about it. Fail.

Tomorrow, I shall hav a belated celebration and still eat donuts.

2. Rock 'n Roll San Diego 
Because I can't keep talking about it, duh. The weekend is finally here! If you recall, last year was the epic year where I ran a 2:12 in someone else's shoes, in a brand I never wear (Asics) and still had a pretty good day doing it.

This year, coming out of this slump, I'm just looking forward to having a fun run. I can't wait to check out the new course, seeing all kinds of #RocknBlog friends, running with Ashley (finally!) and hanging out with some of the cool kids at the We Run Social meet up. It's gonna be all kinds of good times and if you're in the neck of the woods for RnRSD weekend, you sure as heck better check it out. Be there.

3. Summertime Beverages
Last summer throughout orientation, I frequented our on-campus Starbucks. Like a lot. While my go-to cold drink is a java chip frapp (helloooo chocolate!) or a shaken passion tea lemonade (sweetened, please), our campus baristas would always recommend new blends or mixtures, just to change things up a bit. The drink of choice soon became a strawberry acai refresher with a pump of raspberry. Go get one. You're welcome.

I'm having my first of the summer this morning and while it's way sweeter than I remember, it is way freaking delicious!

And last but not least, a little gem for you.

4. Nostalgia
I've been digging through photos to use for our wedding website that Kasey is so generously working on for us and found a ton of total gems. Mind you, there are thousands of photos given how long Doug and I have been together, but there's a few that always stand out. We always have our favorites, right?

This is from when Doug came to visit me in Flagstaff our freshman year of college. The Grand Canyon had just gotten a dusting of snow, and it was his first time ever going up there, and my first time ever seeing it with snow. It was just beautiful - but look what babies we were! :) Aaaaah, the nostalgia. <3


What are you loving this week?

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Friday Favorites #19

This has seriously been the longest, stupidest week ever. Thus the reason that all the posts I intended for this week are all sitting in Draft mode and are halfway partially hardly started. The struggles of being a blogger, trying to work full time, and pretend to have a life that's put together! Let's be real.

1. Rock 'n Roll San Diego Weekend
Though I'm missing on all the fun because I can't run Fontana due to work next Saturday, I am still way super stoked for San Diego and one of my favorite races. They've announced a new course for this year, so that's exciting and I am way stoked to see Gavin DeGraw at the finish!

Better yet... this part!

I'm not counting on my race being spectacular, but I am already looking forward to celerbating post-race with all the cool kids that will be rockin' & rollin' through San Diego on June 5. Stoked.

2. Sparkly Soul Grab Bag Sale!
Because it's the best Sparkly Soul sale there ever was. You can create your own Sparkly Soul headband grab bag! There are new summer styles coming and they need to make room, so they're offering their best deal ever. 

Headbands are priced at $8.50 per wide headband and $7.50 per thin headband. Choose as many as you would like, with no limit! Only while certain supplies last, so get on this soon! Promotion ends and regular prices will return on May 31st at 11:59pm PST. Free US Shipping over $50.00 too! You can find the grab bag styles here - get your shopping on! 

3. SOCK SALE!
Don't you love all the sales?! I do.  Pro Compression is rockin' a Memorial Day sale too through Monday. You can save 40% with code MEMORIAL. Get you some socks and #keepittight.

AND, while you're at it, make sure you're on the email list because June's Sock of the Month is coming next Wednesday and you do not want to miss it being announced! I've gotten a preview of this beauty and trust me... you want it.

4.  Social Media Honesty 
Social media is hard. It's hard to pretend that right now, I have my life together and that it's all good - I haven't posted anything on Instagram since Monday, and that was just a handful of M&Ms, so I kind of feel like a failure. As an apparent runner, it's hard to admit I'm not exactly doing any running. So what else am I supposed to post, right?!

I found this video the other night on Facebook and was dying giggling, not just at the scenarios they come up with (let's face it, they're all true), but collectively, it means how ridiculous we are in trying to perfect our social media posts + persona. SketchShe is awesome at calling us out on our ridiculousness and I love them.

So, if I were being honest on social media, here's what I would tell you:
- I haven't run in a week and a half. And that last 'run' was really a walk up, run down with the dog.
- I'm starting a #RWRunStreak challenge with a dozen other women who I hope will challenge me to get my ass off the couch... but I am also secretly terrified.
- Exhausted isn't even the word I feel lately. Last night, I came home, fell asleep for an hour and woke up at 7:45 when Doug got home and in bed again at 9:30. And slept like a rock until 6:30 when my alarm went off. I'm over it and want to feel alive again.

There's my honest for the day. What's yours?

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Friday Favorites #18

This first week of May probably couldn't have gotten any better. I'm feeling pretty dang lucky + just oh so spectacular. Let's kick this fun off, shall we?

1. Rock 'n Roll Seattle
So I mentioned this a couple of weeks ago but it's now even more official that I am headed up to the PNW to rock at Rock 'n Roll Seattle! My flight is booked, hotel stay confirmed with the lovely Sparkly Soul ambassador sister Libby, & I'm ready for a whopping 30 hours of a good time! Washington's gonna be half marathon state #10 and I am soooo excited!

Better yet? (I know, how could it?) I'll be hosting the Seattle We Run Social meet up with my fave, Linz. Join us on Friday afternoon at the Pro Compression booth at the expo for some selfies, Insta love & maybe even some sweet gear + stuff.

Who's gonna join us in Seattle?

2. All the Socks

So I've been meaning for awhile to get my socks in order. Like, needed to desperately throw some away, some had pairs floating around my sock drawer, and it just looked a hot mess. So I finally spent some time getting ish organized and ended up re-arranging my entire dresser pretty much. 

That turned into organizing all my Pro Compression in rainbow order (duh) and that turned into this gloriousness:

I guess I might have a lot of socks. Funny thing is, there are tons of PCs I know I'm missing that I desperately want! #runnerproblems to the extreme. I need a separate sock fund, TBH. There are a complete of imposters in the drawer above, but let's be real, Pro Compression is the only way to go! They also just announced and released their spankin' new logo & a new teal sock! Who got the May Sock of the Month?

3. RunDisney

Last year, Tinkerbell was my first west coast RunDisney race and while I wish I were running it again (but you know, budgets), my mom and I are spending all day Saturday volunteering at the expo. That means COME VISIT ME! I'll be sure to post where I am on Twitter/Insta, but I would love to see any and all of you that are coming to play in the parks for the weekend! 

I'm excited to also introduce my mom to the fun of RunDisney expos and all they are. Maybe I'll even convince her to sign up for next year's Neverland 5K. 

4. Lexus Lace Up Series Ambassador

I'm also super stoked that I've been asked to return as a Lace Up series ambassador for 2016! The Lace Up series is by far one of my fave local series in Southern California for TONS of reasons, so I am way pumped to get to help spread the word again!

I won't be able to do Riverside this year, but am hoping to get to at least Irvine and Palos Verdes on my tour stops this year. 

Check it: you can save 30% on any of the Lace Up races with code laceupmegan. The best part? In the SAME registration, you can register for a second race for another 20% off! And yes, my 30% is good on top of that! Um, hi, what a deal! Steal it while you can! 

You can check out my recaps from last year's Irvine 10K & Palos Verdes 10K to see the fun that Lace Up brings! Where will I see you this fall?

5. This Guy

I don't know about you all, but especially after this marathon, I'm really realizing how much time running takes up. If I'm not on a run, I'm thinking about a run, and even if after my run, I'm thinking about how that run went. It wasn't until a few weeks ago when Doug asked if, after OC, we could have a weekend without running, that I realized just how much it's consumed me. Goals achieved, but I couldn't have done it without him:

For pushing me on days that I didn't want to get out the door. For believing that I always could, even on the days when I didn't think I had it in me (which, let's be real, was most of the time). And for being the best cheerleader and support person any runner is lucky to have. As soon as I turned the last corner in the U-turn towards that finish line on Sunday, my first look was to find him immediately. Knowing that he'd been there all morning - dropped me off at 5 am at the start, drove himself to the finish area, slept in the car, ran the 5K and hung out more waiting for my finish meant the world. I don't say it enough, but thank you. I hope you know this PR is yours just as much as it is mine because I couldn't have gotten there without you.

Mush aside, it's FRIDAY! Whatcha doin' this weekend?

Friday Favorites #17

I can't believe another Friday is here and April is almost over. Insanity -- because then that also means that OC is just a week away and ZOMG cue the nerves.

Honestly, I'm feeling great and ready for another 26.2, but you'll read more about that in a sec because you know taper time is definitely part of my faves for the day!

1. Rock 'n Roll Seattle

I'm taking myself on a 30-ish hour adventure up to Seattle for RnR in June, as of this week! 

It's our commencement weekend so orientation season will not be taking my life that weekend so I'm taking the opportunity to go hit up half marathon state #10 and get one of these fab fish medals in the process. Best yet? Free flight, free race reg through #RocknBlog and I am a freaking happy camper! 

Join me before the price increase in 4/30 -- use code RUNMEGANRUN for $15 off your entry on the half or full (there's an 8K too!). 

2. Local Scenery

I run the same routes pretty often, but it's rare that a new sight literally stops me in my tracks. The other night on a run before yoga - again, in a place I normally run, this literally caught my breath:

The purple flowers, the sunset, being able to see down in the valley was just incredible. I'm looking forward to summer when I can get more daylight runs in and find some new sights around our area too! 

3. Retreat Weekend

It's retreat weekend with my student leaders up in Big Bear - which also means new sights! We're at a camp resort center with tons of trails downtown the creek and around the lodges and even out to a lake. I'm excited for a weekend to get to know our team of 50, but also excited for some new views!

4. SOM Needs

Y'all didn't miss Pro's new Sock of the Month, did you? Hope not! Anyway, these mint with white dots are a-freaking-durable and I can't wait to rock them at OC. 

My problem is such: I need a mint tank to wear them with! Got a fave or seen some lately? Send links and recommendations my way! I've got 8 days to get myself dressed for 26.2!

5. Taper Time!

You didn't think I'd miss this, did you? Week 1 of taper time is done and I've got one more full week of runs and then it's GO TIME. 

After last weekend's kick-ass 21-miler, I've got a new sense of confidence about rockin' at OC. There are still some big goals at bay, but it's not impossible. In fact, I find it more do-able than ever. Bring it on, OC! Bring. It. On. 

What are you loving this week?

Friday Favorites #16

1. #StripatNight
Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas registration opened on Monday!

Both the half and full marathons are on an early bird rate of $125, so you better jump now if you're going to! Register today and let me know if you're going to be running the #StripatNight in 2016. I'm registered thanks to the Rock 'n Blog crew, but will need to make decisions on travel (and/or doing the 5K on Saturday?!) over the summer and figure out a plan. Wanna be roomies?

2. New Sparkly Things 
I told you a few weeks ago that Sparkly Soul had just released the bridal collection of their headbands (seriously, they're so good, what timing!) and even better, they sent me a special engagement present! Thanks, Dari! I love being an ambassador for Sparkly Soul and the company Dari and Pamela have started! Now to see if I can get the other two passed off... ;)

3. RAGNAR!
I'm cranking out these Ragnar recaps as quick as I can and hope to have the full recap done next week! For now, revel in this year's new bling: 

I love the Ragnar cutout logo, LOVE the new shirts. When's the next one, y'all? Kidding - Ragnars are a once-a-year adventure, but seriously can't wait to add a 2017 sticker to my collection!

4. Lexus Lace Up Series
I am way super excited to be able to announce that I've been asked to return to the 2016 Lexus Lace Up series ambassador team. I absolutely love this four-part series, all throughout Southern California and cannot wait to begin spreading the Lace Up love! A great race crew, and though they're small productions, they go BIG with amenities and offerings to runners! Their races are in Irvine, Ventura, Palos Verdes and Riverside again this year; check the website for details and dates and let me know where I'll see you this fall! You can check out my recaps from Irvine and Palos Verdes from 2015 and see why this race series is one of my growing faves around the area.

What are you loving this Friday?

Friday Favorites #15

1. Look Human
I ordered a tank from Look Human forever ago for Ragnar So Cal 2014 and I still live in it. My friend Kasey posted a tank the other day and that got me looking because who doesn't want more tank tops (especially in California for an upcoming summer) and then I fell in love with all the yoga ones. Because yoga is a thing in my life now, so... yanno...

{ fox yoga } 

2. New Toys!
If you've read any race recaps in the last few months, you know my old Garmin has been less than reliable. The Garmin 110 has served me well, but she's nearly four years old and definitely acting her age! I finally caved (after a lot of debating) and bought myself the absolutely gorgeous frost blue Garmin 235 and I am in love. Now that I also have an operating phone that will let me download apps and not fear for storage room, I'm so freaking stoked about having a watch that will auto-sync and let me see stats, info and progress right away. Mind blown. Oh, and the texts? And social? It can't get any better! Excited to take her out for a run tonight! :)

3. Wedding Planning is Crazy
I can't even say we're planning entirely yet - but solely doing the research is just totally crazy. No wonder it's such an industry. Venues, caterers, photographers, people who do nothing but tablecloths and chair covers. It's crazy! Where do you start?

4. RAGNAR!
I'm fairly certainly I talked about this last week but it pretty much just dawned on me that Ragnar So Cal is ONE WEEK from today! Next week is Spring Break for my students, so despite my having to work, we're closed on Thursday for Cesar Chavez Day and obviously, I took Friday off, so hey-o four-day weekend and Ragnar shenanigans. Our team meeting is tomorrow, so I'm super looking forward to meeting everyone (just a few folks) and getting this show on the road! Squee!

5. Rock 'n Roll San Diego Medal

Have you seen this gorgeous medal? I love the sailboat! It just came out this morning but it IS. SO. PRETTY. And I'm so excited to add it to my collection in like, two months! 

Are you running #RnRSD? You should be! Use code RUNMEGANRUN for $15 off and register today! Both the half and full marathons are running new courses this year, so I'm excited to check them out and see some new sights in San Diego. Join me on June 5, yes?

That's 'bout it, friends! Happy Friday!

What are you loving this Friday?

Friday Favorites #14

 Aaaaah, Friday. This week has gone by fast - but as always, not fast enough - but I am definitely looking forward to some fun this weekend!

1. Sparkly Soul
Y'all know I pretty much have a Sparkly Soul obsession anyway. I mean, I've got probably 40 headbands hanging out under the bathroom sink and it's always fun for a race deciding which of the four shades of purple I have matches my tank best. But NOW, they've outdone themselves...

Heck freaking yes! You know I'm gonna be grabbing one of these for myself and maybe even some of my to-be-determined bridesmaids because ZOMG, love. You can find these ones here!

2. Ragnar So Cal
Ragnar is just TWO WEEKS away - how is this possible? After running So Cal in 2014, and the hot mess that it was, I swore I wouldn't do So Cal again until I'd run enough of the destinations (and I've hit Napa and Phoenix since, so that's cool) - but some of my favorite people from my run club are forming team #SWAGNARstrikesback, so who was I to say no?

I've got 22 miles over our two days between Huntington Beach and San Diego, which is perfect for a solid long week of training for OC. Solid. Bring it on, Ragnar! 

3. Hot Chocolate San Diego

Tomorrow afternoon, I'm heading down to San Diego with Jacky and her mom and a boatload of IERC friends for the Hot Chocolate 15K. I haven't run a HC race since the inaugural Atlanta race in 2013, so I am way excited to tackle the hills through downtown San Diego and Balboa Park to earn some chocolate deliciousness!

 

I'll be pacing the 9:30 group out of the preferred corrals (as opposed to the open corrals), and am pretty pumped! The 15K now offers medals, which I'm also pretty pumped about! Hot Chocolate races offer a medal to the 15K finishers, and chocolate fondue and jackets to all participants - the swag is pretty hard to beat. 

4. Repeat Roses

I won't lie, I spend a good bit of time on Pinterest every day oggling over flowers and colors and oohing and aaahing over some pretty spectacular and gorgeous arrangements. I don't know about you, but I've always wondered how people spend hundreds on flowers that are used for a few hours... and then what?

Like all things meant to be, this popped up on my Facebook twice this week and I think it's just too fantastic not to share. What an amazing idea. 

Repeat Roses is based in New York, but you can bet yourself I'll find a way to pass flowers on, too. I just love this!

5. 500!
Happy 500th post to me! I can't believe this little blog is still going after three and a half years and I'm so grateful to all of you that read (or pretend to read) it! Amazing how it's gone from life in Georgia (first post ever!) to furniture refurbishing to running and all things inbetween! Crazy. 

What are you loving this fantastic Friday?

Friday Favorites #13: Spring Races + Discount Love!

Southern California is pretty awesome in that we don't really have a downtime in our racing season. Sorry friends back east, but we can pretty much race 12 months a year and have pretty fabulous weather for like 85% of it. #SorryNotSorry Spring is by far my favorite though, as it is usually warm but not blazing hot yet, glorious sunrises and sunsets, and some fantastic cities and areas bring out the best in their races on weekends.

I've got a pretty fun and full spring calendar and am stoked about all that's coming up ahead. Check it out and let me know where I'll be seeing you this spring!

St. Patrick's Day Half Marathon 

March 12 | El Cajon, CA

I'll be pacing Team 2:15 for this one with Beast Pacing. Excited for a new race, and a themed one at that! And ready to rock my new SOMs from Pro Compression because... duh. 

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Hot Chocolate San Diego 15K 

March 20 | San Diego, CA

I haven't run a Hot Chocolate race since in the inaugural Atlanta race in 2013 (before their medals were a thing), so needless to say I am way stoked about this! I'll be pacing for Beast and pacing the 9:30-minute mile group, which also guarantees myself a 15K PR. Score! Chocolate and a chocolate bar medal - count me in!

Ragnar So Cal 

April 1 - 2 | Huntington Beach to San Diego, CA

After doing Ragnar So Cal in 2014, I said I wanted to do other locations before repeating. However, naturally that all changes when some of your favorite running club people form a team and you say yes before you even realize what you're doing. So I'm back for So Cal round 2, with team #SWAGNARstrikesback. Ready for it and using it as an awesome lots-of-mileage (22) weekend for OC training. Double win.

And then I am race-less until May 1...

OC Marathon

May 1 | Costa Mesa, CA

Yep, in for full marathon #2 for the year and am PUMPED. I've only done this half once (last year as a pacer) and am excited to jump to the full this year. Ready to do work and get to it. If you want to run with me, make sure you register and list me (Megan Johnston) as your ambassdor referral! <3

Rock 'n Roll San Diego 

June 5 | San Diego, CA

Everyone knows the #notmyshoes saga, so I am looking forward to tackling this race again in my own shoes! They've also just announced a new course for the half (and surely the full coming soon), so I am eager to check it out and finish in a new area (though I liked the Petco Park area finish, so that's a bummer). 

Hopefully...

Rock 'n Roll Seattle 

June 18 | Seattle, WA

I would love to add another new state to my 50 States list, and am desperately eye-balling Seattle for a super quick getaway weekend with Team #RockNBlog. 

If you want to join me for any of the Rock 'n Roll races, jump on it and save some cash in the process! For more discounts and fun, you can also head over here and see what else I've got for you! 

Busy spring. Awesome spring. Let me know where I'll being seeing you!