Saturday in the park…

Last Saturday, my family went on our “Annual Family Picnic”  and it was beautiful outside!  My youngest sister was home from college on fall break and we were joined by mine and my twin’s boyfriends.  We had a blast!  Here’s a picture I took of our beautiful surroundings… aren’t you proud Neil?! ;)  ok so its not as cool as his awesome photos but I thought it was beautiful!

We ate and then went on a hike and played on the playground… I guess the best way to explain to you the fun we had is in pictures… so enjoy! :D

My parents and I

 
Why yes, I am wearing my BIC band I won from Running Diva Mom.  If you dont know about BIC bands please click the words to read about them!  They are seriously awesome!  I wore it all day and it didn’t budge!  It was so comfortable I forgot I was wearing it and usually I have to keep rearranging headbands on my head because they keep falling off!

 

The Self-Timer is our friend lol

 
yes, my family is goofy lol… it makes for fun times!  AND YES, we are all adults… but we act like kids when it comes to play time!! ;)

It was a fun weekend!  I always enjoy spending quality time outside with family!  Good luck to everyone racing this weekend!  Can’t wait to read all your race reports!! Also, don’t forget to enter my Fuel Belt/GU giveaway HERE!

Three Things Thursday

1.  Jodi over at RunJodiRun has a weekly “Thumbs up Thursday” where she spotlights a runner by interviewing them.  This week she honored me by asking if she could interview me and I said yes!  Jodi, Thank you so much!  It honestly made my week!

SO… go check out her blog post featuring me and say hi to Jodi!

 

2.  I wanted to remind everyone about my Fuel Belt, GU, and chocolate #9 giveaway!  If you haven’t already entered, CLICK HERE!

 

3.  When it comes to blog awards, I am a terrible receiver!  It takes me forever to write about them and pass them along so without further ado…

The most recent award I got was the Versatile Blogger award from One Crazy Penguin!

*Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award
* Share 7 things about yourself
* Pass the award onto other bloggers who you know are fabulous

1. My name is Zaneta
2.  I LOVE ice cream!
3.  I spend too much time blogging
4. I have 3 siblings
5.  I secretly miss school
6.  I wish NIKE would sponser me!
7.  I don’t wear makeup

Another award that I received way back at the beginning of September (whoops!) was the Happy 101 Award from Char over at My Life’s a Marathon!

*Thank the Giver
*State 10 Things you like
*Give this award to 10 other people

1.  My family
2.  My boyfriend
3.  Sunny warm days
4.  Ice cream
5. Running
6. Laughing
7.  Knitting/Crocheting
8.  Fall weather!
9.  Realizing that I am growing as a person
10.  My blogging friends!!

Thank you so much ladies for the awards!  It really is an honor and makes me happy to know that people read my blog and like it enough to give me an award!

Seriously… I follow and have MANY amazing followers!  If you feel like grabbing one of the awards (or maybe have nothing to blog about or are having writers blog) than feel free to grab the awards!  You all deserve them! :D

What makes you happy?!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ok, so this isn’t the rest of my race report but it kinda sorta does have something to do with my first half marathon and this past week.  I’ll start out by telling you about a sad sight/experience I had as I was getting ready to leave the race last Saturday.

My parents and I were walking towards the parking lot and were walking along the finishing stretch… I was cheering on everyone I could by name since it was on their bibs.  I was still feeling a little out of it and totally happy and excited about what I had just accomplished!  Then I saw it… an ambulance.  As we got closer I could see that someone had collapsed less than 100 yards from the finish line!  The medics were desperately trying to give her CPR and get her to breathe!  They were giving her CPR for what seemed like forever and finally put her in the squad and raced her to the Nashville hospital.

All I could keep thinking was “This is supposed to be a happy day!”  It was sad and unexpected and something I had never seen before… it was very scary.  I thought about her and prayed for her throughout the day and couldn’t get that image out of my head.  It was later confirmed that she had passed away!  Why God?  She had family cheering her on, she was healthy and volunteered her time and was making a difference in other people’s lives!  I don’t know why it was her time to go but it got me thinking.

First, I had never been so grateful that I had had my heart tested in the week leading up to my first half marathon!  Yes, that could have been anyone out there, including me!  So, please, if you haven’t had a physical or had your heart looked at and are running… GO GET IT CHECKED OUT!!  It’s worth spending the money in the end to make sure you will still be alive to share your special memories with family and friends!

Also, I have been taking a lot of things for granted including my relationship with God.  He has blessed me with so much and I have so many things to be thankful for!  I am healthy and getting stronger!  I have parents who would and do help me out if they can and will make an effort to come to things and support me when it matters the most.  I have siblings that although at times can annoy me, are there for me if I am having a bad day (most of the time).  I have a boyfriend who supports me in anything I do and can see past my faults.  I have jobs that keep me on my feet financially and a degree that I can fall back on if I need to.  I have a brain that works properly and motivation to keep me going when things get hard.  I have an awesome GOD who created me and all these wonderful people I have in my life and is there for me when I feel the world is crashing down all around me. 

The list goes on and on… but I am so thankful for everything!  This week has been an eye opener and I continue to pray for that lady’s family.  Don’t take things for granted!  Tell people in your life how important they are and how much you love them! 

Any day can be thanksgiving day… what are you thankful for?