Friday Five: 5 Good Things

It’s Friday, so I am linking up with Courtney at Eat, Pray, Run DC, Cynthia at You Signed Up for What and Mar at Mar on the Run for their weekly linkup. Each Friday, they host a link up — a “Friday Five.” Each week they pick a theme and bloggers join in and link up. This year instead of specific themes, they are letting us be creative with broad themes for each week of the month. This is the a “free” week. We can write whatever we like. I decided to reflect on “5 Good Things.” Why? Well, it seems like the world has gone crazy between US politics, shootings and heinous acts in Europe and other places, I need to reflect on some positive things.

5 Good Things…

Looks like I was swimming, but it was another fun night with friends + great swag!
Looks like I was swimming, but it was another fun night with friends + great swag!

1. Running fun and “girl” power– I’m an Esprit de She race ambassador again this year. Despite the heat, a whole lot of women came out to run 5K and to celebrate together. The theme this year is “Be Your Potential.” I love the pink finisher tank, bag and extra t-shirt for volunteering. I love the fact that my friends come out in the heat (and cold and whatever we get…) to run and enjoy the company and vibe of this fun women’s happy hour style run. Storms shortened the party, but it was still a great evening with lots of friends and goodies!

2. Health and improving health– As I get older, we have more friends and family members that have health issues and scares. I am grateful for my health, our families’ health and for the improving health of a dear friend’s mom who suffered a stroke after a surgery. Here’s to good health!

3. Friends – old and new– I love when friends from the past reach out and I can connect with them in person. I saw a former colleague who was passing through and I made plans to re-connect with a friend I met in a race next weekend at the SF Marathon. I can’t wait to see lots of friends from all parts of my life in SF next weekend to celebrate my milestone run (see #5). I am so grateful.

Victoria Falls, Zambia and Grenada, Nicaragua
Victoria Falls, Zambia and Grenada, Nicaragua

4. Planning a vacation– The Husband and I took awesome vacations almost every year since we got married. The last few years except our 10th anniversary in South Africa and then a trip to Nicaragua, we have not done as well at getting away together for a big (week +) trip. We are thinking Cuba this year – anyone have tips?

5. Celebrating milestones and anniversaries– If you have been around here, you know that my running goals this year are very celebratory. Next weekend is the 20th anniversary of my first marathon in San Francisco. I’m a race ambassador and a bunch of friends and I will celebrate the occasion. I hope to beat my 1996 time when I am at it. I even ordered a #Beat1996 shirt. Let’s hope I can do it! One way or another, there will be a lot of miles and smiles.

What good things do you have going on/to look forward to? I hope there are many!

Have a great weekend!

PS. Don’t forget my great giveaways.