Running ... and dreaming!

"And then the dreams break into a million tiny pieces. The dream dies. Which leaves you with a choice: you can settle for reality, or you can go off like a fool, and dream another dream." - Nora Ephron

Running... and high hopes while hiking!

Wednesday was my 3-year anniversary with my boyfriend. However, I had class so there was no celebrating to be done on Wednesday. So yesterday, my boyfriend told me he had a day o' fun planned for us... starting with hiking at Crowders Mountain. And hiked we did.... 5.2 miles... 5.2 miles that make your ass sore kind of miles.

 We got all the way to the top and I was thinking to myself... THIS would be the perfect spot for a proposal. Sitting on top of the world, peaceful, together... but no. I won't drag it out because it's simple.. it didn't happen. Although, he was super sweet up there telling me how much he loves me and how great our 3 years together has been... still no ring.

All hope was not lost, because we had a delicious dinner reservation at The Fig Tree and that too, could be the perfect place for a proposal. Romantic dinner in a darling little house set in Elizabeth... we were dressed up so pictures would be amazing afterwards. So we had appetizers and salads and entrees and dessert and coffee (and some libations)... and the night was winding down. I was pretty sure when the check came that it wasn't going to happen there... and THEN...

He suggested we go for a walk in the park across the street. Meanwhile, my friends are texting me/blowing up my phone asking if anything exciting has happened. Of course I agreed to the walk in the park, which lasted all of 5 minutes before he suggested we go back home and watch a movie in bed.

There you have it folks, I'm still "single" by all legal definitions. I'm still just the forever, live-in girlfriend.  I still don't get to start planning my happily-ever-after because for all I know, it's never going to happen.

Maybe I should just start running... and see where it takes me.

Running...a trail run on accident!

I signed up for a 5k spontaneously.... as evidenced by the 30 minute drive from my house to its location. My boyfriend said he preferred to run it with me than to stand at the finish line, so he signed up as well. We got to the park where it was being held and I didn't see pavement anywhere... odd for a road race, I thought, but somehow still assumed that the run would be on asphalt. WRONG... dirt/gravel/sand was our terrain... along with some hills and a backside that had been washed out. My quads are screaming at me right now, wondering what the hell I was thinking running on trails for the first time in my minimalist shoes without training. Quite the surprise....

I finished 8/26 in my 20-29 age group, so not too bad, but my time was definitely not what I expected for this supposed "fast" 5k that I had signed up for. Oh well, live & learn. Now we know we CAN run trails but somehow still prefer the feel of asphalt and hardness under our feet. 

Now to go put Biofreeze on to get me through the day at work...."OMG - ouch my glutes." 

Running + birthdays + babies!

My nephew was born on May 30th. Perfect, happy & healthy and we are so thankful for this little bundle of joy. He's literally the cutest baby that I've ever seen (and I'm not just saying that because I'm biased).

My boyfriend's birthday was only a few days after the birth of the world's cutest baby, so we had to celebrate! We had a few dinners here in Charlotte (Fish Market (yum) & Boudreaux's (yum)) and this past weekend we traveled to Atlanta with his sister and her boyfriend for a weekend of southern goodness! 

We ate at Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint on Friday. Holy cow. I had fried chicken, mac & cheese and spinach. The BF won out with his fried pork chop. Seriously, like heaven in my mouth. Obviously, I needed a run after that meal, so Saturday morning we ran around Olympic Park before a day of walking through the Georgia Aquarium. I love that place. For my 24th birthday, he took me swimming with sharks at the aquarium. What an amazing experience. 

The best part of the trip was by far the Braves game on Saturday evening. We had 5th row seats right by the dugout. We (over)indulged in hotdogs, funnel cakes, ice cream, beer... and tequila shots while at the game. Again, I'm in serious need of a run. Feeling blah when my alarm went off this morning, I told myself I will run tonight. And not at ZX Fitness as they've yet to respond to my message on Friday. 

 I start my new consulting job today as a Social Media Strategist! What an awesome title! More to come on this because it was a total surprise that I got offered a position. And I'll leave you with a picture of the world's next heartbreaker:

Happy Monday!

Running... NOT at ZX Fitness.

I got off work early today as we are traveling to Atlanta to celebrate my boyfriend's 30th birthday. I thought I would allow time for myself to hit the gym before we get on the road... however, instead I've been dealing with this situation below. Here is my message to the gym.... after I spoke with billing for half an hour and then went in to speak with the manager without any resolve:


"I'm very disappointed with the level of service I have received from ZX Fitness. I have been a member for a while now and recently had my debit card number compromised. My bank deactivated the card and sent me a new one. I got an email from ZX saying I needed to update my billing information. I came in and did so, and was informed there was a $20 decline fee on there as well. I asked if that would be removed since it was not my choice to change the card number and was told that it would. I tried to contact the billing on 6/6 to be on hold for over 20 minutes. I went in the gym again on 6/7 and asked if there was any other way to go about this and was told no, I would have to call again but also assured that the $20 would not be charged to me. I spoke with billing today 6/8 and was informed that I had been charged the decline fee and there was nothing they could do. I went into the gym, hoping the situation could be rectified there since that it where I was first told I would not be charged the decline fee and that it would be waved. I was told there was nothing the manager or his manager could do unless i get written proof from my bank. 


I've brought in 3 additional members to this gym and have diligently paid my dues monthly. I'm highly disappointed in the run around and that I'm having to chase down an email from my bank to "prove" this - because obviously I would make up a story like this and then willingly come in and update my number. It makes no sense. 


I am considering canceling my account with ZX after this situation is rectified, as well as my boyfriend moving his account and my two friends that have joined with me. I will gladly pay cancellation fees for them as I do not want them to have to endure stressful and unnecessary situations such as this one... ever. 


You might want to make sure your front desk staff knows what they are talking about before you let them inform your members that fees will be waived. And what's the point of having a manager who has no authority to do anything? 


Highly disappointed in this company and my gym in particular." 


Needless to say, I did not get to run today. Hopefully Atlanta will provide some time for rest & relaxation!