Happy Love Day!! {link up}

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

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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.

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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

#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.

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.

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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 ❤

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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 <3

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?

 

 

I Run 4

A couple of months ago, I came across a post on a Facebook group page I’m in about an organization called I Run 4 that pairs runners with children and adults with disabilities. This immediately intrigued me because often times, like I mentioned yesterday, when I run I think about those who can’t. That’s what I Run 4 is all about.

I scoped out their website and it was a pretty simple process. I registered as a runner, joined the Facebook group, and waited. They let me know that there would be a waiting period but I didn’t mind at all. In fact, it was so awesome to see people get so excited as they saw their number getting closer and closer to getting paired. Other blogger/runner friends and I would seriously tell one another, “Did you see?? They’re at 338! We’re almost there!”

And then one day, I was finally matched! I Run 4 Graisyn 🙂

Once you are matched, you dedicate your miles to your new buddy and post pics and write messages on the Facebook page for them (and their parents) to see. It’s so so awesome because the runners are so excited to share the miles and the recipients are equally as enthused if not more. Even those on the waiting list post/share their miles for everyone and for others on the waiting list.

Some runners, when they participate in races, ask for a second medal for their buddy; I love seeing the kids wearing their medals.

It really is an inspiring community.

At times though, it can get really overwhelming and I get emotional from seeing the kids and thinking about their parents–I know that I would have felt this way regardless but somehow being a mom heightens these feelings. I wish there was something that could be done for each and every one of them.

But it makes me happy that people like Tim Boyle, the founder of I Run 4, come up with organizations like this one that helps bring a smile to these kids’ faces and brightens up their day–especially when it’s because of something we love doing so much.

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If this is something you think you might be interested in, I definitely recommend checking it out.

–Have you heard of I Run 4?

–Are you a part of any running partnerships/organizations?

***I was not asked to write a review on I Run 4. Opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.

The Bondi Band giveaway is still happening!–click here for details.