Happy Love Day!! {link up}

Posted by hellyontherun in About Me, Link Party and tagged with Erin Condren, I Run 4, Love, Run Club, RunEatTweetAZ, Snacks, Valentine's Day February 14, 2015

Linking up again with the DC Trifecta girls, Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney!

This week’s theme? LOVE, duh!! ❤ Here ya go!

Things I Love, Part Deux (Part One is here)

1. I love my run clubs.

I have no idea what I’d do without them. I joined one on a whim last last October and have had a blast ever since. Stuff I never thought I’d ever do I’ve done with them. There are people who are super hella fast and people who walk and just meet up for the camaraderie of it all. It’s awesome.

My AZTNT crew

I also joined a new one this past year that was started by a blogger I “met” on Instagram. He’s local and asked if I was interested in being a part of a local running group of social media runners. I blog, I insta, why not? It’s been a lot of fun so far and Jeremy has really done amazing things with the group since he’s started.

#RunEatTweetAZ

2. I’m kinda sorta obsessed with David’s BBQ Sunflower seeds.

Like, it’s not normal.

This made the ultimate top 5 list because recently, David has decided to “upgrade” the flavor and let me tell you, TWO BIG THUMBS DOWN. The taste is so incredibly different and not good different that I’m going through a mini depression. I can tell by the packaging which is the old flavor and which is the new so whenever I come across the original bbq, I stock up. I have a bad feeling I won’t be finding the old bags anymore.

I bought 5 bags yesterday. That was all the store had.

Old is better.

3. I’m on the Erin Condren bandwagon.

I was forced to try something new this school year as far as where I’d organize my lesson plans and school calendar. My old planner had stopped printing 😦 and I was left with no idea what to do. Then, one of my AZTNT girls mentioned EC Planners and as soon as I checked out the website I was hooked. They’re a little pricier than what I was used to, but it’s been worth every penny so far.

Personalized with all the things I love 😀

4. I Run 4 Graisyn

I joined the I Run 4 community last year and have been so moved by the love people have for one another. This community pairs you with a person with a disability and you dedicate your miles to them. My little boy’s name is Graisyn ❤

I Run 4 Graisyn

Sometimes it’s tough to see stories so heartbreaking. You wish you could do something for each and every person. It’s tough to see. But, it’s real, it’s happening, and they need our support. So I joined and have been so grateful to be a part of something so special like that. I wrote about the process here if you’re interested in becoming a part of the I Run 4 community.

5. My Valentines

My loves.

Daddy’s taking the picture ❤

I hope everyone has a good weekend!! I actually have a race tomorrow, a 10k, that I’m pumped about running. It’s a local race called The Lost Dutchman and it’s super fun with amazing views. Recap soon!

❤ , helly

–What are some things you’re loving right now?

–What’s your go-to snack?

–Have you heard of the I Run 4 community?

Friday (4+1) Five! {link up}

Posted by hellyontherun in About Me, Bloggers, Link Party and tagged with About Me, Friday Five, Link Up January 23, 2015

So one of my faves, Hailey @StridingStrong, tagged me in a fun About Me post where I share 4 things on different topics.

I was looking forward to linking up again with the DC Trifect ladies, Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney, and when I saw their Friday Five topic was an About Me, I figured, why not add a +1 to Hailey’s post?? I mean, you all wouldn’t mind getting some extra Helly info, right?? 😀

Okay, here goes!

4 (+1) Names People Call Me

1. Peke (short for “pequena” which means “little” in Spanish)–I’m the youngest of 3 siblings
2. Helly–My real name is actually Angelica (the ‘g’ sounds like an ‘h’) and my college girlfriends decided it was too long and shortened it to Helly
3. Hells–My name to close friends
4. Mrs. B–My teacher name 🙂
5. Mama–My favorite name ❤

4 (+1) Jobs I’ve Had

1. Tutor–I tutored in high school. It’s like I always knew I wanted to teach.
2. Boot Seller–I also worked at a western store during high school where I sold cowboy hats, boots, and saddles. Yep, I wore Wranglers and the whole bit 😀
3. Sales–I worked at a few high fashion stores in college. I love, love, love dressing up and wearing heels and I had some of the best times working in the fashion industry.
4. Waitress–I got a job working at a sports bar/restaurant and it was the best because I never missed any basketball games working the late shifts.
5. Teacher–Still have this job and I love it so very much.

4 (+1) Movies I’ve Watched More Than Once

1. Dumb and Dumber
2. Tommy Boy
3. Forrest Gump
4. Gone In 60 Seconds
5. Grease

4 (+1) Books I’d Recommend

1. The Last Lecture (great non-fiction book–get your tissues ready)
2. The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns (same author)
3. Anything by Jeffrey Deaver (if you like suspense/mystery/horror)
4. Nothing (good, albeit disturbing, YA book)
5. Where The Red Fern Grows (my favorite book from childhood 🙂 )

4 (+1) Places I’ve Lived

1. My hometown in southern AZ
2. Phoenix, AZ
3. Tempe, AZ
4. Scottsdale, AZ
5. I’ve never lived outside of AZ. You can’t move me from here ❤

4 (+1) Places I’ve Been

1. Italy
2. Spain
3. France
4. Puerto Rico
5. Costa Rica

I’ve been fortunate to travel to some pretty cool places.

4 (+1) Places I’d Rather Be Right Now

1. San Francisco–my husband and went last year and had one of, if not the best, trips ever
2. Ohio–I miss my brother and sister
3. Baltimore, Maryland–Salt. ‘Nuff said.
4. Chicago, Il–the next cool place I want to visit (and race!)
5. Home–I’m currently at work.

4 (+1) Things I Don’t Eat

1. Peanut Butter
2. Ranch dressing
3. Mushrooms
4. Cooked carrots
5. Pecans 😦 This is a new allergy

4 (+1) Of My Favorite Foods

1. Bread. Any kind. That includes tortillas.
2. David’s BBQ Sunflower seeds. The addiction is real.
3. Red chili tamales. Mexican food in general. Tacos.
4. The Caribou sub sandwich from our local sub shop, Silvermine’s (ooh, and their broccoli cheese soup!)
5. Pizza. With just pepperoni.

Story. Yesterday, I went to a local pizza shop near work and ordered my usual, 3 slices and a soda. It was a new guy I didn’t recognize behind the counter and upon placing my order, he says, “Are you sure? That’s a lot of food.”

Um, yeah, I’m sure.

4 (+1) TV Shows I’ve Watched

1. Mickey Mouse Club House
2. Doc McStuffins
3. Octonauts
4. Princess Sophia
5. Mickey Mouse Club House

Our house only has one channel.

4 (+1) Things I’m Looking Forward To This Year

1. My little girl turning 3!
2. My little guy turning 2!
3. Phoenix Marathon
4. Chicago Marathon??? (I hope I get in!)
5. The unknown 🙂

4 (+1) Things I’m Always Saying

1. “Seriously?” (or “Really?”)
2. “I’m hungry.” (like, all the time)
3. “There’s a reason I don’t teach elementary school.” (to my students when they’re being squirrely)
4. “Besitos!” (asking my kids for kisses 🙂 )
5. “It was on sale.” (to my husband, always)

I’m supposed to tag people, but I’d so much rather YOU choose something from the list to tell me!

I hope everyone has a good weekend! I’m supposed to do 20 miles tomorrow –eeek!!!

❤ helly

The year that was two thousand unFOURgettable teen

Posted by hellyontherun in About Me, Race, Running and tagged with 2014, BRF, Family, Half Marathon, Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, Personal Record, Phoenix Marathon, R2R2R, Running, Trail Running, Year in Review December 31, 2014

And it’s here!!! The last day of 2014!!

This has been an incredible year for me personally and in my running life. I honestly don’t think I’ll ever have such an amazing year as this and I don’t even want to try. This year will be its own very special year in which I accomplished so much and did so much…

Here’s a look back at the year that was 😀

1. January My first sub 2 hour half marathon 1:58:11

This was such a special race because my husband and I trained so hard for this. It was also 6 months post partum and to have met my goal so soon after giving birth made me feel like a total badass

yay!

2. March: My FIRST marathon

Oh. Em. Gee. This was such an epic day. It was so hard and so amazing at the same time. Crossing that finish line was one of the proudest moments of my life–it made me a marathoner!

Crossing that finish line=best feeling ever

Yep, I’m a finisher!

Seriously, how beautiful is this medal??

3. March: I froze my butt off and got a 5k PR in Ohio

This was a special race because it was the first race my brother, sister, and I ran ever ran together. My 6’2, 300lb brother crossed the finished line at a veerrry respectable 33 something! And I placed second in my age group with my shiny new PR of 24:18 🙂

My brother on the run

Our after pic 🙂

My Shwings and AG award 🙂

4. April: I have a 2 year old!

My favorite girl in the world growing up so fast ❤

Party time!

5. April: Um, I ran a race in MADRID, SPAIN!!!

Okay, first, I never thought I’d ever visit Europe. Second, I neeever thought I’d run a race in Europe! But, the opportunity presented itself this year and my husband and I found ourselves running a 1/2 marathon through the streets of Spain

It was absolutely incredible and something I will never, ever forget.

6. May: I crossed the Grand Canyon…TWICE

Okay, so I never thought I’d go to Europe and I did. But if someone told me I’d hike the Grand Canyon twice I woulda told them they were crazy. Yet, I was the crazy one who actually did it!

Day 1: South Kaibab to North Kaibab. Day 2: North Kaibab to Bright Angel.

Looking back at the miles

and at the finish line of the Canyon 🙂

7. June: My first trail race (and first at night!)

The newb trail runner in me came out this race as I had NO idea what I had signed up for lol! This was hella hard!!!

Started with the 10 mile loop followed by the 10k loop (see mountain).

Started with the 10 mile loop (bottom pic) followed by the 10k loop (top pic).

Pre-race pic at Adrenaline 27k–still smiling having no clue….lol

Soooo happy to be done!

8. July: My little guy turned ONE!!!!

12 months=1 year in case you didn’t know 😀

9. August: I went back to work

This was a hard decision for me but one I am very glad I made. I felt like I wasn’t ready to let go of teaching after taking a year off and I really missed it.

My bib board makes my classroom complete 🙂
(don’t mind my soda collection lol!)

10. September: I completed 100 Days of NO Soda!!!

Those who know me know what a big deal this was. It hard, it was tough, but I honestly think it has made a lasting impression on me as I definitely have seen a change in my drinking habits.

11: October: My dream race!!!

Holy cow, I ran the Marine Corps Marathon!!! I still can’t believe I was able to do it. It was everything I’d hoped it’d be and MORE–because I also got to meet my BRF and Sole Sister, Salt!

❤

Cheesin’ real hard at packet pick up

Best. Medal. Ever.

12. November: A humbling race

I ran the Gilbert 1/2 Marathon at 2:00:16 baaareely missing what would’ve been my second sub 2 of the year. It was a poorly run race on my part but a HUGE learning experience.

Oh man, that’s always tough to look at.

13. December: To then run the race of my life!!

The Fiesta Bowl 1/2 Marathon proved to me that I can do hard things. It was seriously a tale of two races as the first half of the half, I struggled and was about to throw in the towel on trying to get my second sub 2 race of the year. But then a light switched on at mile 7 and I ran the rest of the race a different person finishing with a brand new, incredible, half marathon PR

Best!

14. Last, but not least…1000 miles!

On the dot!

Such an incredible year for me. I’ve been having a blast blogging and while sometimes life gets busy and I can’t do it as much as I’d like, I appreciate all of you who have shared this journey with me. So looking forward to 2015!!!

P.S. I turned 30 this year! 😀

–How would you describe your 2014 in ONE word? (me? Un-Four-gettable)

–What are you looking forward to in 2015?

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Be safe out there

❤ helly