Embrace Winter at Cold Camp

I recently spent a weekend with Unbounded at Canada’s Cold Camp, and if peace & tranquility had a home, it would be right there on that secluded peninsula by Oak Lake. It was awesome. For more photos & info follow @stayunbounded on Instagram & scroll down for a discount to book your own experience. Unbounded’s motto is all about embracing winter and immersing yourself in nature, and trust me, they deliver on that promise. The setting was pure magic – a private spot that offers the perfect blend of serenity and comfort, far removed from the city chaos. Very chill vibes. 😎 The experience encourages you to step out of your comfort zones with cold exposure, but in the most laid-back way possible. Imagine frozen lake ice pools, a cedar barrel sauna, and a cliffside cedar barrel hot tub – all against the backdrop of nature. Winter at its best. Throughout the weekend, Sean and walked in the woods, did yoga, breath work, and cycled thought cold dips in the lake, hot sauna sessions, or relaxing in the hot tub. Sean even got out for a cross country ski on the frozen lake. Activities at Cold Camp are thoughtfully curated for relaxation and are low-key yet invigorating. Each moment was an opportunity to unwind and connect with nature in a way that left us feeling rejuvenated. We stated in a private chalet on the property that had a queen size bed and smaller room with a couch that folds out to a bed. I used the smaller room as my closet because I packed 100 outfits. Unbounded gives you the option to bring your groceries or you can pre-order meals, snacks, and juices from their partner, Nook Kitchen. We packed our own food because cooking at a cabin in the…

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Winterviews RendezViews 

Imagine a retreat that’s part cottage escape, part Winter Wonderland, and right downtown, let me introduce you to Winterviews, presented by RendezViews. A unique experience that brings the best of Canadian winter traditions to the heart of our vibrant city. We stopped by to check it out and it’s so fun! You only have a couple more weeks to get in all the winter activities so scroll down for more info or tap the link to book. This one-of-a-kind destination boasts 10 private dining cabins, a snug communal lodge, and a synthetic skating rink that’s set to be the largest Glice® Eco™ Rink in Toronto this season. Thanks to the support of the Toronto Downtown West BIA, this eco-friendly marvel works in all weather conditions, using zero water, requiring no energy, and emitting no CO2. 👍 But that’s not all – the culinary delights from the talented team at Selva (amazing food!) take this experience to a whole new level. Picture yourself sipping on specialized hot drinks and indulging in a full spread of mouthwatering food while surrounded by a magical winter landscape. Booking Details for Winterviews You can book these cozy cabins online for up to 9 people. The packages are as enticing as the experience – there’s one that includes a feast of food, drinks, and even s’mores (just $75 per person + gratuity & tax). If you’re in the mood for a more casual get-together with friends or a date, there’s a package with a $50 fee and a $200 minimum spend for the group, + gratuity & tax. All the booking details are right here, so you can plan your perfect winter escape hassle-free. Winterviews is open Wednesday-Saturday 5pm +. Hold on to your toques, there’s more…they now have a karaoke cabin! Follow @rendezviewstofor other announcements…

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CHFI | When Your Song Comes On

How cool is this! In December, after dancing to Taylor Swift in my audition, I booked a gig with Rogers/CHFI for an upcoming campaign. I had one day on set to film a TV commercial and one day in the Rogers studio for print images. It was so fun! I thought it wasn’t going to be live until later this year but much to my surprise, it is! I got a DM on January 2nd that someone saw me in a CHFI Instagram ad, the next day someone saw the TV commercial, and on Friday I got a text that I was on billboards. What a cool start to the year! 🤗

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Dark Side of Comedy on Vice/Crave

A couple of weeks ago I booked a role on a Vice show called ‘The Dark Side of Comedy‘ that’s currently streaming on Crave in Canada and Vice in the USA. My role is small but it was so much fun to be on set for a TV show! The episode is all about Ellen Degeneres and her career. I play a writer on ‘Ellen’ the TV series named Tracy Newman. The real Tracy Newman appears in the Dark Side of Comedy episode and was also a writer for Cheers, The Nanny, The Drew Carey Show. The image above is the real Tracey Newman with Ellen Degeneres, on the right is me as Tracy Newman with the actor Zoe Towne who played Ellen in the episode. My husband in the show was so nice, IRL he’s Gary Poxleitner. On set, I was giving my castmates tips about how to do social media. 🤓 Watch a Snippet of The Episode Here If you’re in Canada, you can watch Dark Side of Comedy on Crave here, if you’re in the USA you can watch it on Vice here. This is the first time I’ve been on a non-reality TV show and I hope it’s just the beginning of more shows! Please let me know if you watch the episode. It’s a great show! Here’s hoping I book more acting jobs in the new year! I love this new career path for me. So fun!

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Metro – Catch The Excitement!

The Metro Holiday campaign is now LIVE across Ontario. I love that is says ‘Catch the excitement’ on my photo. A few days before we went to the Venice Film Festival in September I was booked on a holiday campaign. It was the first job I booked with my new agent and part of what got me the job was my selfies! Ha. I do have a LOT of practice! I went for a fitting the day before the shoot and when I showed up to set, I was so happy they picked this cute, red, sparkly number. Totally something I would wear!

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Interior Design: My Bespoke Rug

If you’ve been following me on Instagram for a while, you’ll remember last year when I posted about my first venture into textile design. Using a piece of my art made on iPad Pro, I uploaded the image to Weaver & Loom‘s digital platform and the process of creating my first rug began. 🤗 Fast forward to 2023, and I’m heading to Miami with the Weaver & Loom team! The first image below is my design from iPad, the second is a rendering of my 18 x 18 sample, the third is a color strike rendering of my 31 different colours, and the last image is my hand-knotted sample. The day I received my sample I was SO excited I decided to have a photo shoot with it! I was blown away by the construction and how vibrant the colours were. Going through the rug-making process with Weaver & Loom was incredible, as my rug went through production, I received updates from the weavers in Kathmandu, Nepal. Here’s my rug on the loom!

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Keith Haring: Art Is For Everybody

Sharing a couple of photos from the media preview of Keith Haring: Art is for Everybody at the AGO earlier this week. I won’t share them all because I want you to go see it! The exhibit with over 120 works by Keith Haring, is on from November 8, 2023 – March 17, 2024 . Adult tickets are $30 but for $35, you can buy an annual Pass and go for free all year! Girl Math that and you’re easily saving money if you go 2 or more times. I buy an annual pass each year and especially love going to the AGO in the winter for an art escape. I will be going back to see this a few more times before the spring. TBH I am obsessed with all the bright colours. I went with my friend Nate Kogan and for the talk, we were sitting behind Keith Haring’s sister Angel Haring! On stage are Gil Vazquez (Executive Director, Keith Haring Foundation) and Sarah Loyer (Curator and Exhibitions Manager, The Broad, Los Angeles), in conversation with the AGO’s own Georgiana Uhlyarik (Fredrik S. Eaton, Curator of Canadian Art, AGO).

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It’s Fall Y’All!

Why YES I DID stop by a pumpkin patch just in time for a post about the change of seasons! It’s fall y’all! On the 2nd last day of summer, I went to the media preview of a pop-up by GayLea Foods at the Stackt Market. They had coffee, snacks, and a pile of pumpkins for the perfect photo op. Side note, I have still never had a PSL. The change of seasons is always bittersweet, I love layering but it means the hot summer days are few & far between. It won’t be long till I venture over to the storage unit and pull out my array of coats and sweaters. Until then, I’m making the most of light layering, open-toe shoes, short sleeves, and bare legs. I recently shared a fun partnership with Value Village for their #ThriftProud Campaign. I had two pieces of content on my feed and there’s more that will be shared by the brand. I picked up all the items in the content from my local Value Village except for the white shirt above (it was my Dad’s!). POST 1 & POST 2.

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Illuminarium: Experience Extraordinary

I recently went to the opening of Illuminarium Toronto in the Distillery District, an immersive art experience. I almost didn’t go because we were leaving for Venice Film Fest the next day but I am so glad I did! I’d actually like to go back when it’s not an event so I can take it all in. Illuminarium was one of Las Vegas’s top immersive attractions and now you can experience immersive storytelling as a permanent fixture in the city of Toronto. The event was super fun, we danced, drank, and immersed ourselves in the art around us. My favourite was the safari adventure, seeing the animals all around you was a cool experience. About Illuminarium The immersive venue uses cutting-edge visual, audio, and projection technology to bring you shows and experiences unlike anything you have ever seen Illuminarium will transport you to the surface of the moon, face to face with an African lion, or down the rabbit hole to Wonderland. Thank you Deanne Moser & DM Public for a great night! Photos by Kennedy Pollard for Getty Images ‍

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TIFF | Bask-It Style Lounge

This year’s Toronto International Film Fest was so much fun. I was hot off the heels of Venice Film Fest and the whole experience felt like a movie. One of my favorite events every TIFF season is the Bask-It Style lounge hosted by Glo Communications. They bring together a variety of brands spanning fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, inviting media to discover what’s new and take home a great selection of items. Natalie and I met up to view the brands together and it was truly a great time. We had our makeup done by Stila, hair by Marc Anthony, tried on glasses by Victoria Beckham, and more. One of the BEST gifts was the Philips Sonicare Prestige, it has Bluetooth, an app, and uses AI to get to know your mouth. Incredible! We sampled wine from the Rueda region in Spain. A personal favorite of mine, ever since I visited the region back in 2019 (see here!). Wine sommelier Renée Sferrazza was on site to take us through the different blends and I took home a 2020 bottle of Nēkora by Diez Siglos. Renée was a guest on our Cast of Creators podcast earlier this year, listen here.

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Venice Film Festival

At the start of September, Sean and I flew to Italy for the Venice Film Festival. His immersive documentary, Spots of Light was accepted into the Venice Film Festival competition! It was also my first time in Italy! We arrived in style with an Official Festival car picking us up from the airport and taking us to the airport boat dock. I’d been dreaming of taking a fancy water taxi and arriving just like Lady Gaga’s iconic arrival in 2018. It was close to that, aside from the paparazzi and me dangling my feet off the side of the boat lol. We arrived at the Excelsior Hotel (where all the celebrities are dropped off!) and were whisked away to another festival driver for hotel delivery. I was loving every moment!

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Smythe | FW23 + Pre-Spring 2024

I recently went to preview the SMYTHE FW23 / PS24 collections at the Ace Hotel. The collections are GORGEOUS, I loved the colors, shapes, and fabrics. Smythe makes the most beautiful blazers and suits, love this fit! This was my absolute favorite item I saw that day! A 2-piece suit with sparkle details down the pants and blazer, LOVE IT. 😍

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The Perfect Glamping Getaway

If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse yourself in nature, glamping in Ontario is the perfect solution! Combining the comforts of modern amenities with the tranquility of the outdoors, glamping offers a unique and luxurious experience. To ensure that your glamping trip is a success, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind.

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Yorkville Murals: Jules Monson

Over the past 2 months, I’ve been working with Weaver & Loom through Funday to bring this exciting project to life for Yorkville Murals featuring rugs designed by Jules Monson. 👩🏻‍🎨🐍🐍🐍 This was especially exciting because Jules is a friend, our first guest on the Cast of Creators podcast, and I have a few of her pieces on the walls in my room. Using the Weaver & Loom platform, Jules created a series of rugs for her ‘Sssnakes’ installation at the Manulife Centre. This installation includes 18 unique snake-themed rugs, available in three different color schemes and various sizes. This collaboration has shown the incredible opportunity for artists like Jules to transform their art, both new and existing, into exquisite, high-quality floor coverings. We worked closely with Jules throughout the entire process, from design and initiation to production and shipping, completing this remarkable project in just two short months. Weaver & Loom’s digital platform streamlines the traditional rug-making process by removing layers of middlemen, making project delivery more efficient and cost-effective than this industry has ever seen. If you’re in Toronto, check out Yorkville Murals this weekend to experience Jules Monson’s large-scale installation inside the Manulife Centre, near Over The Rainbow. 🌟 If you’re an artist/interior designer and want to explore the platform or dream of creating your own beautiful bespoke rug, shoot me a DM.🌟 Photos by @jgazze

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A Sweet Escape

Last week I was at Stoney Lake and it was a sweet escape from the city. Our time was filled with cooking, family-style dinners, peaceful afternoons in the sun, naps, and lots of sunsets. I took Sean wakeboarding with the sea-doo, spent a good amount of time floating, and finished an entire book (highly recommend!). My friend Jen brought her dog, Gary, and I made some new friends from NYC. It was a bit bittersweet as our friend who owns the cottage aka ‘Scottage’ is selling the property. As much as it was great to be away, it’s always nice to be home. I’ll miss these beautiful sunsets tho!

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Be My Light, Be My Yellow

This summer has been so busy, can hardly believe we’re almost half way through August. WHERE DID THE TIME GO? These bright yellow photos were from the KIND Summer Fair last month. This week I’m taking some time to recharge at Stoney Lake with Sean and some friends. I’ve been swimming, tanning, sea-dooing, cooking, laughing, running, reading, and doing yoga. It’s amazing how a few days at the lake will refresh your perspective, help you sleep, and brighten your mood. Sean and I did this almost every weekend for years. Yesterday I did a self-tape for a commercial from the cottage. I can’t tell you what it’s for but if you are reading this please put out some good vibes that I book it! Can you spot two differences in these photos?? We’ll be back in the city on the weekend then it’s the homestretch of summer before we go to Italy in September (more on that later!!!). 😁 In other news, this is one of my fav songs right now. Good lyrics.

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Grounding Yourself!

When was the last time you kicked off your shoes and felt the soft, cool grass beneath your feet? Taking a moment to connect with the earth and embrace the simple pleasure of lying in the grass can do wonders for our well-being. It might sound a bit woo-woo, but trust me, there’s science behind it. Studies suggest that grounding can reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and even boost our immune system. It’s like hitting a nature reset button for your busy life. When I was home visiting Mum I took a few minutes to lay in the grass each day, look at the sky, close my eyes, and take a few deep breaths. If you’re feeling stressed, try grounding yourself in nature. It doesn’t have to be complicated, find a (clean!) patch of grass, take off your shoes, and let the earth do its magic. Tune in to the sounds of birds chirping, the rustling of leaves, and let a feeling of calm wash over you. Your mind, body, and soul will thank you for it. 🙏 Stay grounded my friends. Have a great week!

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HOME SWEET HOMEY

Went home recently to spend a few days at Mum’s with the fam. My uncle Jimmy (Mum’s twin brother) passed away in New Zealand and I wanted to be there for her. I didn’t realize how much I missed spending time together. My sister was there for a couple of days too! We went for nice walks in the neighborhood by the river, checked out the local thrift shops, and drive around remembering the places we used to hang out. I had three days off work and stayed a few extra days to work remotely. Grateful to have a job where I can work anywhere. Before heading home, Bonga and I went for wings at our old stompin’ grounds, Moose Winooski’s. It’s changed a lot since we used to go there on Thursday nights back in high school. The wings there are just as huge as I remember tho, so good. This is the first summer in 15+ years that Mum & Steve have been home and not sailing on the boat. Already planning a trip back soon. 🤗

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Soul In the City at Casa Loma

Recently I went to Soul In The City at Casa Loma AND IT WAS INCREDIBLE. I hadn’t heard of this event before Natalie invited me and I am SO glad I skipped yoga to go. The music & performances were amazing, we sang, we danced, and it was all over around 10 pm. If you are looking for a FUN weekday night out with friends or a great date, GET A TICKET. I want to go again before summer ends! Summer evenings at the castle gardens are so magical, there are heaps of great photo ops. It’s like being in a fairytale! We had a table near the front of the stage and ordered some light snacks including ceviche, hummus, and dips. EVENT DETAILS: SOUL IN THE CITY Tuesday evenings in the summer months, Casa Loma plays to Juno Award-winning artist Sean Jones, accompanied by a seven–piece band The Righteous Echo, and special guests, in the spectacular Glass Pavilion. Guest can enjoy stunning views of the city, majestic castle, and the beautiful estate gardens while enjoying this energetic live show under the stars. Guests also have an abundance of al fresco food and drink options while onsite. More info on Casa Loma Website There were so many people dancing and having fun. The night ended with a Beyonce cover and ‘This is How We Do It’ by Montel Jordan. I was having the time of my life! A special shoutout to Sean who after a decade of being together, is truly an incredible Instagram Husband! 💘

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Trying New Things: I Have An Acting Agent!

I recently signed with The George Agency, one of Toronto’s top talent reps! It’s been 5+ years since I had an acting agent. She’s back baby! I’ve done a few commercials and movies in the last ten years and did my first commercial at 15. I’m really excited to be represented by my friend Summer (from my college era) at this agency, who recently switched from actor to agent. Over the past 2 weeks, I’ve had a couple of auditions but haven’t booked anything yet. I hope I get something soon! This image is from a self-tape for a commercial that called for pets. I asked my bff & professional actor Cory Lee to come over with her pup Quincy Bonez to help me out. It feels great to be doing this again! Stepping a bit out of my comfort zone with this but I like it. Here’s to trying new things & new opportunities!

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Don’t Worry Be Happy

The other night Sean and I went out for dinner to Dotty’s around the corner from our place. The menu was looking extra cute and so was the patio. I wore one of my all-time fav jackets designed by Valfre, an artist & illustrator from Mexico. My first post about her was way back in 2011! I remember being so excited for this jacket to arrive, love that it says ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’. Not sure if the skeleton & dragon are dancing or fighting. ☺️ I’d recommend Dotty’s for cocktails, fries, and the house-made pimento cheese + Ritz crackers. Patio is cute! We had the burger, Caesar salad, and chicken sandwich, unfortunately, neither of us really enjoyed the mains. Dessert was amazing though. This lemon square tasted just like the ones a family friend made when I was a kid. I’ll go back just to have it again! Overall Dotty’s has a nice vibe & design.

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Collision Conf 2023 – See You There?

Next week, Toronto’s biggest tech conference is back! Collision Conf is like the ‘Olympics of Tech’ and brings together people and companies redefining the tech industry. Nelson and I were there each day last year and it was so much fun (see blog post here!). We even filmed a couple of Cast of Creators episodes in the glass podcast booth. Including one with Raine Maida from Our Lady Peace! Trending Topics to Watch I chatted with the Collision Conf team this week to see what sessions and topics are trending: There are some big-name speakers (see here) and I’m looking forward to hearing from Geoffery Hinton, the founder of artificial intelligence. Early registration is open this weekend at the Union Station UP Express platform and then onsite at Beanfiend Centre from Monday to Thursday. I’m planning to get my badge this weekend to avoid the chaos. I’ll be at the opening party on Monday night and then at the conference each day. I look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new people. My experience last year was so great I left feeling excited, inspired, and with a few new friends! If you’ll be there LMK, download Hvr to leave a comment on my blog!

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Big Bang Baby

She was ready for a change! Went back to Hair by Beni in Yorkville and got a little trim. I have had bangs so many times in my life and I was happy when he said ‘let’s cut your fringe’. I have seriously never loved my hair more. The mirrors and lighting in this salon are next level. Also, the title of this post is a song by Stone Temple Pilots. The chokehold this song and Scott Weiland had on me as a teenager! I loved his dance moves, the green pants, everything. The cutest thing about me showing up at Saon Jie on this fine Saturday morning was that Beni and I were wearing the same bright yellow! It was so adorable, love him! We met up later that night at Do West aka Dundas West Fest and had the best time.

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Trying New Things: Vettä Nordic Spa

The other weekend we drove up to the cottage to visit the parents’. It’s been ages since we’d been up North. On the way home we stopped at Veta Nordic Spa for a little R&R. We also stopped by Currie’s Music in Gravenhurst, my fav vintage shop in the area. They have a fab curated selection of vintage finds in the back of the music shop. This yellow number had my name on it but was much too big. Almost got this cute prom dress! It’s always fun to try things on even if you dobn’t end up buying them. Our experience at Vetta Spa was very nice. 100% would visit again. It’s very quiet. You can’t use your phone. There is a bar and 2 restaurants. The cold plunge pool was about 7 degrees which was warm for a seasoned dipper like me but still, it was nice. All you need to show up wth is yourself and bathing suit. You get a robe wen you register in and can rent slides. If you have sandals I would recommend bringing them. Look forward to going back, probably in the winter!

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Sweet Summertime Sets

In the winter I was really all about wearing jumpsuits. So much that my friend Raymi asked if I was a janitor bc I wore them so often. LOL! See Raymi’s blog here. In warm temps, one of my absolute fav things to wear is summertime sets. They’re the best! I have so many different ones and I can’t wait to wear them all. Posted this cute one in my Stories yesterday and it’s been ages since I got so many DMs about an outfit. If you want to match me you can buy it here. In other news, have been going to the gym and mixing up workouts with more yoga. Still running a few times a week. It’s almost getting too hot to run later than 8 am now! I love it. Today I walked High Park for an hour at 7 am. Got a delivery from my friends at Smartwater yesterday, roof top fridge is stocked! I feel this alkaline water is the best water and I will drink all of it in no time. TY Smartwater Canada! Do you use Slack for work? I thought this was quite cute. I love how Slack has a lil’ sense of humor. Remember you’ll never be younger than you are right now so make the most of it! Have a great day! Wear sunscreen.

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Planting A Herb Garden w/ ChatGPT

Today was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, and I decided to get my hands dirty and plant a herb garden. I’ve been super excited to breathe some life into this raised bed container we had previously used to grow cannabis. She’s got a green thumb! I saw something on the internet recently that said you should plant certain things together and wanted to make sure I did it right. Sooooo, we called upon our trusty friend ChatGPT to see which herbs should be planted together. 🤓 We put in the exact size of the container and the different herbs, then asked which should be planted together for optimal growing. In less than the time it would take to Google, I knew exactly what to do: oregano and basil beside each other, chives and cilantro together, and peppers to separate the dill. It even had instructions as to which herbs preferred more sun. It was such a therapeutic experience getting my hands into the soil. The fragrance of these herbs as I planted them was divine. I look forward to more rooftop BBQs and adding fresh herbs to our meals. Cheers to new adventures in gardening and tastier meals!

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Trying New Things: Toronto Marathon!

Last weekend I ran 5k in the Toronto Marathon! It was my first race and the first time in about 2 years that I’d run that far! About a month ago, my BFF Sarah mentioned she was doing the half marathon and I decided to sign up for the 5k. Before the race I was by myself and sure sure where or when to line up in the corrals. I saw this tiny blonde woman with big glasses ask “is this where we line up?”, I replied, “I don’t know I was wondering!” Next, she popped right through the metal barrier and started walking to where everyone was lining up. In her words “if we’re not supposed to be here, they’ll let us know“. Her energy and attitude really helped to lift my spirits before the race. Thank you, Kelly, I hope to meet you again! I kept a steady pace for the entire race and when I came to the finish line, I was ready to keep going! Next time I’ll do a 10K and then in spring 2023 I’ll sign up for the half marathon. The vibes were so high that I stuck around to watch Sarah cross the finish line for the half marathon. It was such an exciting moment to watch her run past! In a surprising twist, I came in the TOP 20 for my category! I’m feeling more motivated than ever to keep training! You truly never know what you can accomplish until you try! Here’s to more adventures & new things!

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