Strike Iron While Hot

Last week was one of the best weeks I've had in a really REALLY long time. I'm not a true believer of fortune cookies but this cookie I got the other week was spot on for what was to come.

I received some very exciting news Friday afternoon -- after several interviews and phone calls/emails later, I was offered the Director of Communications and Donor Engagement position with the North Penn United Way. I am thrilled to let you all know I have accepted the position and will be starting with them in November. While saying goodbye to all of my friends at Merion is upsetting me as each day passes, I am so excited to start this journey with the United Way. I love being involved with the community and building relationships with my fellow neighbors. It will be great to interact with local businesses again and to see how many lives are improving because of this organization. I'm a people person and as of late, helping people has been a huge mission for me (ie.: Special Olympics and running for Liam.) I can't wait to see what happens, I'll be sure to write more once I'm in full swing!

Luckily for me, I continued to stay hot the next two days. Last weekend I participated in the Runner's World Half and Festival, signing up for the 'Hatrick' -- two days, three races and 22.4 miles total. I went in to the weekend ready for the challenge, knowing there was going to be hills, hills AND MORE hills (we are in Bethlehem!) For my marathon training I needed to run 19 miles so I thought this race weekend would be a perfect substitute.

My race confidence was pretty low going into the race weekend. Just a month earlier I was running the Philadelphia Rock n Roll half marathon and I was disappointed in my performance finishing with a time of 2:13 -- I really wanted under 2:10 (but beating my PR of 2:04 would have been amazing!) So a bit unsure of how things would go I went out last weekend ready to run. My little man Liam was feeling under the weather and I felt like I owed it to him to run the best I could run.

Running my best is an understatement -- I RAN THE BEST RACES OF MY LIFE.

I'm honestly not too sure what got into me but what I can say is 'trust the training.' My mileage and training really showed it is working. I ran my fastest 5k and 10k times on some tough roads Saturday and Sunday I ran a new half marathon PR -- 2:01:48. Like....WHAT!!! I've never been happier in my life to run all of these times especially on a course covered in hills.


And to seal the deal I won $65 at the Sands Casino after the 5k and 10k.

Cheers to a great weekend - lets hope things continue to stay on the up! 

Plugging Away - September Blog Challenge

Oh man, of course I fell off the wagon with this September Challenge, but here I am entertaining you with a few more posts in the 5 remaining days of the month I have. There are lots of posts on this challenge like “outfit of the day” and “make-up less Monday” or the “thoughtful Thursday.” But I’m going to spare you on my sub par fashion sense and save your eyes for the no make up (even though I don’t wear heavy makeup to begin with!!) I picked topics I think are pretty interesting and sharing my thoughts on them. So here we go!

Top Guilty Pleasure

Favorite Things About Blogging
I’ve been seriously blogging since 2011. A lot of it was sparked from when I worked at The Reporter newspaper as an entertainment writer and I used it as a source to provide fun/interesting/factual information and stories to our readers. It’s amusing to go back to my original blogs and see what my content was like and what it included. And to be honest, the blogger that I am nearly 4 years later is pretty much the SAME person – writing to inspire, entertain and educate all of my followers on an array of topics. While my writing skills are more sharp and posts are way more detailed, it’s the same concept today! I love to be creative, personal and informative, but my favorite thing about blogging is that I get to write! I get to be me – there is no hiding here. It’s raw, it’s real, it’s Amanda. It’s my freedom of speech each and every day whether no one reads my post or 500 people read my post. I get whatever I'd like off my chest. All bloggers should have the liberty to feel alive and themselves when writing. It’s what writing is all about – being YOU!

Link Love
MY FELLOW RUNNERS: Meet Sarah Dudek - Certified running coach, personal trainer and
athletic coach. I’m obsessed with her blogs whether it is running tips, healthy eating or brutally honest posts about runner issues like pooping and chafing. She’s a must follow. Don't forget to follow her on Facebook and Twitter as well.

PR/MARKETING PROFESSIONAL: Meet Jessica Lawlor – she works in public relations promoting Bucks County and during the early mornings, nights and weekends she runs her blog ‘Get Gutsy,’ while also writing for several publications and websites, leading group lectures, being the president of organizations and much much more. Wow, I’m exhausted typing that. Learn all about her on her blog and be sure to follow her on Twitter for some of the best advice!

FOR FUNNIES: I love BuzzFeed – I love everything about it. The videos, the photos, the quizzes…it’s ridiculous and I love it. The End.

Songs You Currently Have On Repeat
I'd be lying if I didn't admit that the following three songs are on repeat all day at work (sorry
Theresa) and my entire car ride (sorry Taylor.) I hope you all enjoy them as much as I do. :)

Twenty One Pilots – Guns For Hands (oooobbbbbsessed right now!!!)
Lovers On The Sun – David Guetta, Sam Martin
Crazy Girl – Eli Young Band

Three In One - September Challenge

I’ve had a few busy days so today I’m cramming a few posts in to one for the September Blogging Challenge.

September 9: OOTD (Outfit of the Day)
I unfortunately do not have an outfit from what I wore to work, but I DO have my outfit I wore to the gym that day because I am always sending pictures to Liam of our workouts that day. Here I am in my FAVORITE Nike running pants and my favorite Nike Legend Tank Top (I have it in about 4 colors and want MORE!!!) That day we ran a 4 mile treadmill workout and also did a Kettlebell Circuit! Great workout that night!




September 10: A Day in the Life
I’d like to say most of my days are pretty eventful, however, yesterday was pretty relaxed. Did my typical 7-3 work day and then I was soooo excited to go home and do NOTHING. Marathon training is REALLY starting to take a toll on my body – my legs are feeling it and so is my energy level.  So with yesterday as a rest day I did just that – rest! I sat on the couch for hours and watched ’12 Years a Slave.’ If you have not seen it, you NEED to watch it. Great movie – completely worth every Oscar they received.



September 11: Make A Wish
Today I would not like to make a wish for myself but a wish for others. My wish is that everyone who has been affected by the September 11th attacks has a day full of remembrance, peace and comfort as this day is no easier than it was 13 years ago. I will never forget sitting in my 9th grade English class as the two towers were struck. My heart goes out to each of you today!!  I hope you will one day find peace.