nothing come close to the golden coast

In-N-Out vs. Shake Shack vs. Five Guys Taste Test

 the declared winner was shake shack, even though the analysis clearly favors in-and-out. I love shake shack with a deep and endless love, but I could never call it more than a side squeeze. In-and-out will always and forever, be my number one main squeeze!

a few rewinds

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for example:

when I realized how much cherry garcia I've eaten while watching this.

when I think about walking into f21. physically can not get out of that place without an armful of purchases.

every time I see my pinterest board and realize I've never made one these.
but MOST OF ALL when this happens

I knew I could, I knew I could

in case you were missing my relentless commentary on the 10K, here's more! a recap of saturday's events.

(a shoot of central park west jam packed, my bumpin 10K playlist, andrea & I pre-race in columbus circle,  me & my flailing arms crossing the finish line, and some action shots. after the race I downed a huge breakfast, took a sparkly bubble bath, got a mani/pedi and filled the afternoon with bread)

this is the first shot of the day. I got up bright and early, grabbed a gatorade and met andrea at the subway. I was really nervous having never run 6 miles in my life. I know it doesn't seem that far and it really isn't, but it seemed like a nearly insurmountable feat for me. andrea, ever the voice of confidence, assured me I could do it. we rode down to columbus cirlce, made some swedish friends, and then got ready for the race to start.

after 6 something long miles I bounced across that finish line singing defying gravity with a few tears running down my cheeks. my emotional/super red from exhaustion face is extra special.

the first 3 miles I kept up with andrea & marilee and their smooth, swift strides, but after hill number two I had to acknowledge those blue romney shirts were moving forward at a pace I could not sustain. so I ran along on my own trying to think of anything besides, HOW MUCH FURTHER?! when I got to the "800M to go" sign I was about at my limit. I remember my sister telling me how much she loved listening to defying gravity during her half marathon so I clicked to that song. hearing the crowd and seeing the finish line gave me an extra push and I ran hard across the line. I'd be lying if I said this race wasn't incredibly hard for me, but I'm so glad I pushed through. it was wonderful to know I had followed through and that I could do it. I surprised myself so much that I decided to run a half marathon. one step closer to figuring out what I am made of.

girl power!!!!

could not have done it without this cute running mate. she's much faster than me so we didn't get to run together on race day, but she encouraged me through every step of the journey. she even texted me at the end of the race that she was waiting for me at the finish line. I knew on mile one that I would be too disappointed to tell her I had walked... there was nothing to do but keep running.

and so I did. I ran the whole thing! slowly as you can see, but without walking none the less.

NYRR Race Results Member Race History ING New York City Marathon New York City Marathon Archive (1970-2011)		NYRR New York Mini 10K List by Name: Kaitlyn Ray Distance:  6.2 miles, 10 kilometers Date/Time:  June 9, 2012, 8:00 AM Location:  Central Park, NYC Weather:  69 degrees, 55% humidity, wind 5 MPH.

Overall Place	Gender Place	Age Place	Net Time	5K Split	Pace/ Mile	AG Time	AG Gender Place	AG %
4825	4825	1185	1:10:11	0:31:52	11:19	1:10:11	5141	43.23 %

this will knock your socks off

it was never between you and them

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"People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway."

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{practicing setting myself free from the bonds of "others"}