A typical day for me, right?

I signed up to do the Hot Chocolate 15k, my second 15k and fifth or sixth Hot Chocolate Race, “The Sweetest Race in America”. I picked up the packet yesterday, as I mentioned and there was my bib and an embroidered jacket. Embroidered? Did I sign up for that? Nope, it was a perk of registering early! I like it! All the jackets had the name of the race, the special ones say Atlanta 2016, pretty cool! The women had blue trim and the men, orange. They also coordinated the bags this year, only orange or blue.

The only things I bought at the expo were throw away gloves, a hat and a neck scarf, kind of like the ones I wear to ski, but this has the Hot Chocolate logo and it matched my jacket!

I didn’t even realize I had paid for parking, but I had and I’m glad I did, I didn’t have to search for a place to park or take a shuttle, bad part…the lots closed by 6:30am, so I had to be there before they closed and my corral didn’t start until 7:40am! I was staying with RJS, so much fun, as always. My alarm went off at 5:30, then I snoozed and about 10 minutes later I heard “JJ, time to get up!’

I got dressed, got in the car and was out the door by 5:50am, in the parking lot by 6:20 and I could not fall asleep, so I hung out until about 7:30 and then braved the cold to head to the start.

When I say cold and Georgia, no one believes me. It was TWENTY FOUR degrees and with the wind chill, it felt like 15! By the time I crossed the finish line it was 29, ooh, heat wave! I had hand warmers that I had gotten when I was in NYC, but I didn’t think about food warmers, I wish I had!

My corral didn’t start until about 8am, I wasn’t going to run at all, because I haven’t trained or run since the half marathon in Lisbon October 18th, but…it was so cold I said f-it! Sorry for those of you who are sensitive, I know that was harsh! Just to warn you, there might be more!

When we started, I ran because I couldn’t feel my toes, so perfect thing to do to get the circulation going. I ran about half a mile, then walked, then ran. I ended up walking most of the way and I’m ok with that. About mile two they said you could split off and do the 5k, especially with the weather being so cold. I was thinking about it and I said, nah, f-it! I want my medal, so march on! Look, it was really cold, a little harsh language was called for!

Let’s just say that in the end I was pleased with my decision to keep going, but about mile 6 and 7, I was thinking, this is f-ing nuts! Then it was mile 8, then 9 and there was the finish line. There were times I was tricking myself, just like everyone else “It’s just three 5ks” or “We just did a 5k, let’s do another” “I just finished the 5k, only 6.1 miles left” “Less than 2 miles, you can do it!’

I crossed that finish line and I was so happy, I got my medal and headed towards the after party. As I was passing a police officer, I joked, because I had the scarf around my face “We could go from the finish line to roving a bank”, he laughed. I said on not going to, he thanked me.

Speaking of thanking, I made sure to thank a bunch of volunteers and police for being there today, awesome people.

I went to RJS’ to shower and head out. If I had more time, I would have taken an ice bath, I really need that relief right about now. I never would have believed it before I tried it!

I visited with RJS a little while longer, then headed to Decatur to meet some friends for brunch. It was C & J C and their adorable son, M, doll baby!

M had even made me a card and put some candy in a bag for me, I loved it! You know me, anything hand made!

We had a really nice lunch and caught up, then after I stopped in a store and bought something for PSM, I think he’ll like, then I went to meet TS at the movies. We had decided on Hotel Transylvania, but Goosebumps was there, so we saw that instead, it was great! And I am not a Jack Black fan, so I must have really liked it!

We got into the theater and there was no one in there until about five/ten minutes before the movie, we sat in the theater and talked until everyone else showed up, then it was quite packed.

From there, I went up to see L&AK and their three girls, K, J and K. Whenever I am here, it’s like no times has passed, like we had just seen each other or spoken last week. One of my favorite things, all three girls call me Aunt J…they were the first and I love them so! L is like a sister to me, we’ve known each other forever, I love this family!

L had picked up a salad for me at “Whole Paycheck” otherwise known as Whole Foods and she and I sat and ate, everyone else had eaten earlier. We talked about everything and no one, we were all caught up. I talked to her husband A, during the commercials, he was watching football and I love spending time, just being around my girls.

L and I talked until about 11:30 and then shuffled off to bed. Here I sit writing to you ready to crash out when I finish this post.

So, we covered a race, a brunch, the movies, dinner and a visit.

I’m sure your day was just as fabulous, what did you do?

Today was another great and busy day. I’m in Atlanta, what else would it be?

I got in yesterday about 545pm, just as the snow started to fall. I picked up my rental car and headed to JCT’s house for the night.

I picked up food on the way and got to catch up with JCT and “mom” when I got there, just the three of us,  it was great.  We talked about her trip to China,  family,  the works. JCT’s daughter,  ST,  had her wisdom teeth pulled earlier that day,  so she was in bed,  get dad was up there taking care of her.

We talked even after mom went to bed, we both fell asleep in the big comfy chairs, it was awesome. 

This morning, we got up,  had breakfast,  hung out with the rest of the family. As I was leaning,  JCT’s mom almost made me cry. She said she loved me and she had two daughters, I love that! I don’t call her mom a just a term of endearment!

Then JCT and I left to meet RJS for lunch. Such a treat! The three of us met in October of 2009 when we worked together,  with ST as well and the wonderful,  we’ve all stayed friends and when we can, we all get together,  doesn’t happen as often as we’d like, but when we do,  even sweeter.

We caught up, laughed, reminisced, laughed, goofed around, swapped stories about work,  life,  relationships, laughed. Have you noticed there is a theme with my friends?

After a nice long leisurely lunch, we went our separate ways,  promises to do this again,  can’t wait!

Then I went to the Georgia World Congress Center where the expo for the Hot Chocolate race is,  I had to pick up my race packet, toys is my fifth time participatingin the Hot Chocolate,  America’s Sweetest Race, second time for the 15k. It’s going to be c-c-c-cold! 29 degrees, feel of 15! Oh my!

After picking up my packet, a warm hat and gloves for running, I was set.  I’ll show you the swag tomorrow!

And in fine JJ tradition, I kept going! Off to see LGR and her family, husband MR and their adorable six year old,  CGR, what a cutie! Oh and their newest addition,  a Ridgeback named Belle. I can’t believe I don’t have pictures of her,  I’m sorry!

I do,  however, have pictures of CGR whether we were playing in her room, she has a stuffed animal collection that rivals FAO Schwartz!

We had some fun, LGR and I burying her under the animals then trying to get her to stay under until she could surprise daddy, apparently a much harder concept to convey! But third time is the charm, right!

Dinner and great conversation. We talked travel, families, travel, laughed, caught up,  work,  laughed, travel,  the usual.

Then back to the house,  a rousing game of hide-and-go-seek. I love that most kids are the same,  you how,  they find you,  they hide next in the same place! Still fun! Oh, and having a dog who stares at where you are hiding,  really funny!

Such a good time! But it was time for bed,  not sure who needed or wanted it more,  CGR or mommy and daddy!

Then off to RJS, a visit with her, her fiance, KS and the furry babies, Maddie and Max, then off to bed, I have to get up at 5:30am, parking closes at 6:30am! Race starts at 7:40am, oh my! Then brunch with friends.

Sweet dreams! Hot chocolate…