Island Running

One of the things I feel most grateful and blessed for every single summer is running on Vinalhaven.  While I often don'e run a lot of miles or set speed records, I love the feeling of the salt water air breeze more than anything.

The sky out here is the bluest you've ever seen the scenery can't be matched.  It looks just like you've pictured every Maine coastal village to look, lobster boats in the harbor, blue green ocean, floating seaweed, and beach roses blooming everywhere.

I will say that I often stop and admire the view.  I love to stop and let Roxy take a quick dip in the ocean too.  We run down Main street and say hello to everyone we see.  Often, people want to ask about Roxy too.  Sometimes she wants to say hello and sometimes not so much :)

We also see people we know and stop and say hello.  I've been told by a few locals over the summer that they see me all the time and know that they will see "running girl" out in the island streets during the summer months.

I could run some of the backroad and really not see anyone.  However, I love seeing the busy harbor, the ferry coming in, and the hustle and bustle of Main Street in the morning.

I don't carry my phone out here, but I did snap some shots during another outing I took.  This is just a small sampling of the amazing sights and sounds and smells I see on my island runs.

Friendship

This isn't a running related post, it's about life and how line has been made so much richer in the past few years.  It's been enhanced through friendship.

A few years ago I realized that I was putting work first and some of my friendships were one sided.  Toxic relationships are worse than none at all.  I realized that true friendships need work.  Just like a successful marriage, you need to work at things every single day.

I love that texting and Facebook do allow me to send a quick note to friends just to tell them to have a great day or wonder how something in their lives went.  It's a great way to keep in touch without spending a lot of time.

I have also found that true friendships are amazing mood lifters.  It's no secret that sometimes the last thing you want to do is hang out with people and chat with them when you're feeling sweat pant wearing blue.  However, in those times it's the best thing you can do to call a friend, tell them you're down and talk it out.

I love that my friends are there for me, day and night and I know that we can talk about anything-work, life, money, love, events, and of course fashion.

I have been able to surround myself with people who love life and friendship as much as I do.  And I know it's not all wine glasses and parties, it's a life connection that you feel each and every time you talk.   I'm so blessed to have so many amazing people in my life.

Getting Back to It

After a few very busy weeks working with clients on moving projects, events and other things, I am finally regaining my footing in life.

It's been controlled chaos this week and I've been doing my best to get rested up again.  I've also been getting back to clients after a website glitch that backed up 200 emails over the past few months.

I'm lucky enough to be a part of a wedding in January and I ordered my bridesmaids dress this week.  Just for the record, I even went into a dress shop, without being pushed through the door :)

I've also been trying to get back to working out, more than just some short bike rides I've been doing in the wee hours of the morning or late at night.

With the heat, humidity, my asthma and fatigue, it hasn't been easy.  I've gotten a few runs in, with some short breaks to work on my breathing.

Roxy got a little out of practice and we're relearning our routine together.  It will take a little time I know.

It's frustrating having to put working out on the back burner from time to for work, but I know that there will be many winter days when I can spend hours at the "gym".

Life is all about balance and sometimes that gets a little off kilter.  However, knowing it, and making some small adjustments can make all the difference.