Posts Tagged ‘Peter’

Since I’m 30 now … here’s a list of 30 things what I’m thankful for:
1. My fiancée, Sweet William! He loves me for my craziness, randomness, dreams and goals.
2. Gabby and Sofia — my beautiful and fun nieces.
3. My brother, Mike, and his wife, Kim. They give so much to the community …
4. Hardworking parents. They’ve given me so much!
5. Front-row friends.
6. Cousins by the truck-load.
7. Loving and supportive “in-laws.” They are so generous!
8. My SUV. I can drive in the snow!
9. A set of new, sharp knives. I love cutting stuff now.
10. Inspirational books.
11. People that challenge me.
12. My Fit Friends, my workout partners and students.
13. Writing mentors — Holly and Greta, who really helped develop me and encourage me as a writer.
14. My Twitter friends.
15. People who give me blog love.
16. My favorite aunts — Auntie Evelyn, Auntie Alice and Aunt Diane.
17. Danielle — my maid of honor/BFF.
18. My education. No one can take that away.
19. My job at Amerikick. I’ve been teaching there for almost nine years.
20. Private jokes that make me laugh, even when I’m by myself.
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Front-row friends – The first people you call to share good news and bad news. They tell you how it is with the best of intentions. You cry hardest and laugh uncontrollably together. They’re clapping when you succeed and gasp when you fall … and stay strong when you are weak. They’re in your front-row because they’ve earned a spot there.

I don’t know what I’d do without my friends. They are so good to me — and they love me for all my crazy ideas … and support everything I’m passionate about. I wear an outfit held together by scotch tape — literally, my pants were hemmed and my belt was help together with scotch tape — and they tell me I look great! I tell them I love twitter and how Comedy Central retweeted me — and they say — NO WAY!!!

Anyway, this blog post is an ode to the people who are in my “front row.” You know, those people that are there cheering you on to every new adventure.

Danielle

Danielle, aka “bff” and maid of honor

How we met: Freshman year in high school, we were on the same bus. Our parent’s live about two minutes from each other. One time, early in our freshman year, Danielle gave me a “piece of chocolate” — it really was a laxative. I ended up running from the track to the bathroom in gym class. Keep your “enemies” closer, right?

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Years ago, my cousin Peter ran his first marathon. I thought he was insane. Then he did a few more …

I’ll never forget the first time he encouraged me to run. I was intimidated next to such an experienced athlete! (He’s a breakdancer, played rugby, did jiu-jitsu, everything.) But that was the first time I really ran – other than 15 minutes here and there in college. He was living in La Jolla, CA at the time, I think it was 2004. Anyway, picture this …

It’s before 9 am on a beautiful California morning. It felt like a cool summer day, although it was April. On the boardwalk, there were hooded sweatshirts with “Lifeguard” on them. Flimsy cover-ups. Boogie boards. It was like the Jersey shore – only way better. The air was different …

I didn’t know what to expect, but Peter was a great coach. He said – let’s run for five minutes then walk. You can do it! So he led, and I followed … I did it … and I was never the same!*

A month later, I signed up for my first 5K race!

Here I am at my first 5K. I begged Dan to come with me - and I finished in 31 minutes!

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