Good morning!

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I’ll be 25 years old this year. It’s about time I started dressing like it.

My breakfast was slamming.  I have this thing for adding nut butter to my green smoothies.  Try it, seriously.

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Speaking of leafy greens, I have been consumed with apartment hunting.

Any outlet for renting an apartment - believe me I’ve tried it.

It’s just so bloody expensive to live here. And finding a vegetarian/vegan roommate in a world full of weird creepy dirty people is like pulling teeth.  I had a man email me asking to be my daddy.  Not kidding.  But I’ve been reminded of this post, where I declared as long as I have a tiny apartment, a job I love, and food.

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And I actually visited Virginia Beach, VA this weekend (Home of the Shamrock Marathon and VB Rock N Roll Marathon).  I fell in love with that city.   It’s a vegan runner’s city.

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It’s definitely a lot “cleaner” and spacious than Norfolk, even though they practically overlap as cities.

There are SO MANY runners here.  Basically any time of day, there are handfuls of them on the street.  “Sharing the sidewalk” is my middle name.

Special shout out to my family who is taking care of my baby, Gravy.

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He looks happy and not completely depressed without me, right?

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xoxo

My thoughts are still so consumed with Boston, and I just wanted to send out a wave of support to every runner in the world.  Let’s run Boston and bring back the hope!

xoxo

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Caught up in my head and my worldly problems, I felt pulled to the road. I didn’t plan a route I just went with the wind.

I ended up passing my job and it looked so beautiful I cried.

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I’m so thankful for my legs, my lungs, my health, my family, my dog, my job, and my friends.

Can’t wait to join some fellow runners tomorrow for a 2.62 mile run in memory of those affected by the BOSTON MARATHON BOMBINGS.

Xoxo

Over the last couple of years, I have debated getting rid of this blog and starting a new one that is more up to date with my current style and life.  Different blog names went through my head, but nothing I connected with like Marathon Sweetheart.

I still LOVE to run marathons. 

At one point in my life, I probably tried to earn grace by running so much – to the point I injured myself and that was just counterproductive.  Now, running is much more of a healthy part of my life and I look forward to all of the amazing races Virginia has to offer!

With that said, I am looking to move my blog to a self-hosted blog.  My website will still be http://www.marathonsweetheart.com, but the design and everything will change!  I absolutely have no knowledge of this process, so if you do -I PLEAD FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.  You can email me at aggiebrittny@yahoo.com.

xoxo – B

On April 15, 2013 the spirit of running was crushed.

I had followed the elite race all morning from my office desk, and was just as joyful this year as I ever was to see a Kenyan man and Ethiopian woman win their races.

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Hours later, I overheard my coworker talking about an explosion in Boston.  I checked my Twitter feed and saw all 10 trending topics were about the Boston Marathon.  It was then I learned about the HORRIBLE, TRAGIC, SENSELESS bombings near the finish line of the marathon.

After crying at the news all afternoon, I couldn’t sit anymore.  Runners don’t stay still in the face of tragedy for long.  We move, we help, and we run.

I am so thankful for the community of runners and though we are bent, we are not broken.  We are more determined than EVER to qualify and run the Boston Marathon.

Speaking of my office, I have now been working for PETA for 1 week today!!!

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My paperweight given to me when I graduated from TAMU now reminds me of home at my desk.

It has honestly been one of the best weeks in a long time.  Yesterday, the PETA crew threw me a welcome aboard potluck luncheon!  So yummy!

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And I participated in my first official PETA protest!  It was an eye opening experience that probably requires its own blog post.  Maybe another day…

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I actually kind of have a social life now – albeit with coworkers and drag queens.  But it works.

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I went to a “Drag Brunch” on Sunday with coworkers. So super fun!

It’s been a struggle to find an apartment, because it is so expensive here.  But I’ve enjoyed shopping around!  The real estate here is so antique and gorgeous.

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Finding places to run that are not interrupted by traffic lights is tough in the city.  So I drove about 20 minutes to the beach – TOTAL FAIL.  Running on the beach is too hard, and not for me!

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I don’t even use my Garmin anymore! I use this handy FREE App called “Run Keeper.”

I’ve met another serious runner here in the office who has told me about some cool trails in Virginia Beach which I will check out soon!  Another way I keep the stress low is to take lunch break walks to the water.

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On a personal note, I was asked on a date!  Ha ha, I don’t waste any time do I?  I ended up cancelling because I really wanna focus on some goals of mine rather than get involved.  I just have issues saying NO sometimes.  Anywho, he responded to my cancel text with “Okay, love you.”  I thought to myself, okay there is sufficient evidence right there to never go out with him.  Like, ever.

xoxo

The last week or two…

has been an absolute whirlwind.  Some adult instinct has really kicked in to high gear, as I’ve been setting up appointments with realtors in the Virginia Beach/Norfolk area.  Apartments are really pricey there, but I think I’ve found some that are great picks for me.

I’ve also decided to not take very many belongings with me.  Honestly, I want a fresh start, but also I can’t afford to ship all of my things!  I will simply be taking clothes, food, a TV, kitchen essentials, a blanket, and a pillow.  This means getting rid of A LOT of belongings.  I’m having to sort through them, sell some and donate others.

The gym has been my salvation

throughout the last few months.  I wake up at 5AM every weekday to go run on the treadmill or do a circuit training.  My gym happens to have many locations in the Virginia Beach area.  But I’m hoping to score a cheaper membership there – or ditch the membership altogether.  With great weather in Virginia, why would I need to spend $50 a month on a gym membership?

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A few things left on my To-Do list:

-Call gyms/auto insurance agencies in the area and get prices/quotes

-Stock up on non-perishables (quinoa, steel cut oats, vegan chocolate) and body products (shampoo, soap, toothpaste) as they are MUCH cheaper in Texas than in Virginia.

-Finish out my last three days at my current job (YAY!)

Looking forward….

This weekend, I’m thrilled to spend it with my family.  On Wednesday, I will finish out my two weeks notice at my job and then embark on the 24 hour drive to Virginia.  I have started to see how the awfulness of 2012 was actually working in my favor.  I still don’t think I fully understand it yet.

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But when I get where I’m going, and I get settled and really have time to sit and think on this amazing transition in my life, I will probably cry.  And I will laugh and be glad for 2012.  

xoxo

Five months after I applied and several interviews later, I sat in a conference room this afternoon on the phone with the Vice President of PETA – the largest animal rights organization in the world.

For the last few years it has been my dream to work for this company. I never knew it was even possible for the ordinary people to get an interview. Since I graduated, I faced this internal struggle. I blogged a little bit about it but mostly I cried and kept running and concealed my struggles with a smile. Every road to a hopeful job opportunity ended with a stop sign. I fell into this anti-social, slightly depressive state.

Somewhere along the way, I lost my relationship with God. I feared his presence thinking he would judge me for the distance I placed between us. Broken and hurt from rejection, I found God or maybe he found me.

A few days later, PETA called me. At that moment I felt in my spirit this was going to work out and this was where I was meant to be all along. My flight was booked, and before I knew it I was hanging out in a PETA house in the most beautiful part of Norfolk, Virginia.

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To make a long story longer, I was offered the job in the Department of Laboratory Investigations today.

And I accepted!!!!

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So in a few short days I will be packing up my belongings and driving from Texas to Virginia, my new home! I’m nervous, but more happy than anything. Everyone at PETA has been so kind, friendly, and welcoming. Other than my office job in College Station, I’ve never felt more at home.

Thank you to everyone who has sent me emails, comments, tweets, etc. I am glad to be back!

Xoxo

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