Gretch Runs

Happy March! February was definitely a strange month, full of a lot of change for me. Here are some of the highlights- - I learned how to pay Mah-Jong. One of my friend's aunt has a Mah-Jong club and occasionally teaches new people how to play, and I was lucky enough to get to join in this month. It's such a fun but challenging game with some luck and strategy involved. I had so much fun and can't wait to go back to play again! - My friend came to visit for President's Day weekend and we had a great time! We did a little tour of downtown Raleigh, stopping by 42nd Street Oyster, Aunty Betty's Gin and Absinthe Bar, Watts and Ward, and Bittersweet one day, then had dinner at Brodeto and explored Iron Works another day. The weather wasn't great while she visited so we didn't do much outside, but got to have a ton of amazing food and had a really fun weekend. - I started #The100DayProject on Instagram. I was in need of a little motivation and a project (more on t...

We're already a week into February somehow, but today I'll be sharing a quick check-in from the month of January! For the most part, it was a pretty normal, unremarkable month. I didn't go on any trips or have any major projects at home, so I got to rest and relax after a crazy 2024. Here are a few highlights: - I did a trail race that started at Occoneechee race track, went through greenways to Occoneechee Mountain, ran to the top of the mountain and back to the track. It was such a fun race and I did way better than I expected! - I played a lot of tennis and joined a gym. Last year (and honestly every year since 2020) I felt kind of in a rut physically. I like having a routine and having a regular workout plan, so I'm really happy to have a place to go again. My gym has a pool, tennis courts, racket ball, classes, and all the machines you need. It's a community center so it's not super fancy, but the price is right and I'm really enjoying it! I'm also ...

Good morning everyone! I hope you're all settling into the new year. I know for me, a new year is always a welcomed fresh start, and one that I really needed. Last year was kind of a stressful and very up and down, so I'm excited for this year to be full of new experiences, getting back in better routines, and taking better care of my health. With that being said, I always start the year with resolutions. I love a goal and checking things off, so for the last few months I've been keeping a list of new experiences I wanted to try. These are things that I've been wanting to try and haven't made an effort to do, or new things that I've heard of and wanted to give a go! I'll be tracking them as I cross each one off, but here is my list: Tarot Reading - I feel like a lot in my life is kind of up in the air right now, so I'm thinking it's a good time to try a tarot reading. I've never had any kind of reading done before, and to be honest I don't kn...

Hello! Does this thing even work anymore? It's been a very long time since my last post, and that's mostly because my last few months have been very busy. Between a lot of travel, keeping up a busy social calendar, exercising, and working crazy hours, I kind of let everything else go by the wayside. But- I'm excited to be back and hopefully will post more regularly in 2025! In the meantime, here are a few highlights from the end of 2024 as well as a few favorites from the year. - I got to see Earth Wind and Fire in concert with Chicago! They're one of my favorite bands so I was really excited to see them. This was also my first concert at Coastal Credit Union, which is a really cool outdoor concert space in Raleigh. I also saw Gerald Albright at the Raleigh Improv and that was a really fun experience. - I did another sprint triathlon and placed in my age group for the first time. I did the same race last year and took about 10 minutes off my total time which I'm rea...

I'm a little late with my post this month- to be honestly I've been so sucked in with the Olympics lately that everything else has kind of gone out the window! I got really into rugby last week, and now this week it's all about track and field, the finals for team sports (soccer and volleyball and basketball). I also really liked kayak cross- if I could see myself competing in any Olympic sport it would probably be that one! In August I have some exciting plans that I can't wait to share in next month's recap, as well as another sprint tri to prepare for my big Olympic distance tri in October. It's going to be a busy month! But for now, let's recap my goals. To be honest, there wasn't a lot of movement, but I'm hoping to change that this month. Fitness ANNUAL GOAL: Try a new class each month.  This month I tried out Kick and Burn at my local gym. It was a kick boxing class and was pretty tough and left me really sore afterwards. I also tried out a pr...

And just like that...half of the year is over! It's hard to believe we're already in July, but at the same time this has been such a busy year full of tons of fun adventures and changes in my life that it also feels like it's been the longest year ever. I just got back from a whirlwind trip to California to help crew and pace a friend that was doing the Western States 100 mile race (so much fun!). Now I'm back to recap the first 6 months of the year and check in on my goals. Let's go! Fitness Run a trail race.  I guess I can technically check this one off- while I was in California I entered in a fun race that started at base camp in Olympic Valley (where the 1960 winter Olympics were held) and finished 1,800 feet higher at High Camp. It was a really tough but fun run/hike and had the most gorgeous views! I'm also entered in an actual trail race in October so I'll definitely check this off later this year. International triathlon.  I completed a sprint tri i...