happiness is Erin shaped.

Winter is technically over! And Monday is calling for 60°! I never thought this day would come.

Isabel went running outside with me for the first time since early winter last weekend. She & I moved to Fenton at the beginning of February, so she got to explore the town with me for a bit.  Then, 2 days later, she some how managed to run almost 3 miles.  And not incredibly slow either. She's a beast. She told me she wants to run the Fenton 5k in May, so "we gotta train, Mom!"

I feel like my blog is constant disappointment. One entry will be like "I'm doing this race!", then the next will be "oh,well.. I got sick, yadda yadda.." The A2 Half is Sunday, and I will not be running as planned in the winter. The same health issues occurred, along with a breakup, a move.. and cancer. So, forgive me for my excuses, but.. I won't be competing on Sunday. As for the health issues- they're good and done, (hopefully forever now), the breakup- well.. also good & done, and the cancer- I had surgery on Monday.. so.. April 7th will be the definite 'good & done' verdict at the follow up. It was caught early, and luckily no radiation or bigger surgeries were needed. Also.. lots of love & support from lots of angles. I'm a pretty lucky lady.

Enough about that!

I've obviously had a few things on my brain lately. Running is a great cure for anxiety/depression/anger/happiness/anything. A couple weeks ago, I was having a rough time and I set out for a run. The run wasn't cutting it, and I was feeling angrier and angrier. It was 14°, and a lot of snow on the ground, but I ran to the playground and I played on the swingset for a really long time all by myself. Best. Therapy. Ever. Then I ran home happy and smiley. I told Isabel all about it, and of course, we had to make a park pitstop during our run together.

In the last year, I've learned a lot more that nobody should take away the things you love. If you're in a relationship, and the other person is jealous of your hobbies.. it's not a good relationship.The other person should try to better you- encourage you to do the things you love. Not take them away for no reason. I solemnly swear never to put running on a back burner because a boyfriend/girlfriend/whoever is jealous of my running alone time. Not even just alone time- this week was the first time in almost a year I saw my running club friends. It's kind of liberating. I missed this. The freedom of just running whenever I feel like will never be taken for granted again.