Race Recap & then some

I hope your eyes are ready for some serious visual intake. I have about a bazillion pictures from today, but I'm going to try to narrow it down to ohhh a few a hundred or so. I'd hate to be held responsible for your failing eyesight two hours from now.

Now the race! I'm not sure if I even mentioned it earlier at all because it was kind of a last minute thing, but I ended up in the Run for Amyloidosis this morning. Even though I only got like three terrible hours of sleep last night (*sad face*), I knew it was going to be a good day when I turned on the radio and heard Bulletproof by La Roux AND Your Love Is My Drug by Kesha. I hate to admit it, but I have a terrible weakness for cheesy pop songs. I hope you don't think less of me.

Oh and heads up, please excuse the awful pictures of me in the following. Beauty sleep is a literal thing for me and three hours just doesn't cut it.

There were so many people! This is by far the biggest run I've been in. Almost two hundred people showed up today! It was really touching since the run was held by the family of a woman who died last year from amyloidosis. She actually went to school with my aunt, who ran the race with me! It was her very first race so instead of running it at my pace, I slowed down to match hers and doubled back every time she walked. What can I say? I love the woman.

And can you blame me? Look at her! Isn't she just darling? This is us post-race (if you couldn't tell from the insane hair). All in all, I finished in 32:45 alongside my aunt. Not bad considering with all the doubling back I did, I probably ran a little over 3.5 miles. And guess what? Even with that sucky time, I placed second in my age group. My aunt placed first in hers and my aunt's friend who also came with us placed first in hers as well. Crazy, right?! I couldn't stop laughing when they called me up during the awards ceremony. The worst time I've ever run a 5k in and they give me a medal. Next time, maybe I'll walk and cross my fingers for a brand new car?

La Roux and Kesha did me right. Once the race ended, we decided to explore Mill Creek Park where the race was held. I had never been there before and boy have I been missing out! This place is gorgeous. I couldn't stop gawking. I felt like a tourist in my own town. We went to the Fellows Riverside Garden first. It was set up like an English Tea Garden. So so beautiful.

Then we ventured over to Lanterman's Mill which is an old mill that was restored and now continues to make all sorts of flours! Buckwheat, spelt, oat - it has it all baby.

As if all this natural beauty wasn't enough to make my day complete, we decided to hit up The Flaming Ice Cube for lunch!

Now here is where a little random craziness happened. There is a little gift shop attached to the restaurant and I was idly walking around, trying my best not to accidentally break anything, when I saw this:

which just so happened to be on this:

The shirt I got from the race today! Totally weird, right? Especially since I've never even heard that quote before today. Has anything crazy ironic like this ever happened to you?

Before I stray too far, let's get back to my beloved Flaming Ice Cube. This name probably doesn't mean much to you right now, but it would if you had even one bite of their food. It's all completely vegan and 100% rocking! It's the kind of place you go to and have trouble ordering at because you just want to have one of everything on the menu. I ordered the Organic Soba Noodle Salad - soba noodles with spicy plum dressing tossed with carrots, cucumbers, peanuts and tofu over romaine lettuce.

Try your best not to lick the screen. Honestly, it was every bit as yummy as it looks. I laid waste to my poor, defenseless lunch. My aunt got a flatbread whole wheat pizza with pistachio pesto, daiya cheese, grilled zucchini and diced tomatoes which I had to try, you know, just to make sure it was good enough for her.

And uhhhh yeah, yeah it was definitely good enough. Maybe even too good. In fact, it should be illegal for anything to be this good. I should alert the proper authorities...

You would think my amazingly awesome day would be over, but, oh no, my friends, not just yet! To top it all off, when I didn't think my day could possibly get any better, I found these goodies at the counter when I went to pay.

Was this day even real? I'm not too certain. Someone pinch me to make sure I'm not dreaming. This was probably the best day I've had in a while, hands down. Oh and how hot is that chipping nail polish? Ha!

You know, I could totally just keep going on about my day, but I think your brains might be fried from overstimulation by now. Go rest up little chickies and I will see you all soon (:

Here's hoping your tomorrow is as good as my today! And just to guarantee it, press play for instant happiness.