This morning I went for a 4 mile run, but it was different than normal. I thought so much about what happened yesterday at the Boston Marathon. It hit me really hard as I have crossed finished lines and I thought a lot about when I was working for a race management company as well. I was sitting silently at my desk at work, with my facebook news feed filled with people checking in letting their loved ones know they were safe and it was surreal to me that this was happening.

I can tell you, every time I cross a finish line, there is a sense of pride. Whether it’s a new personal best, a race I never though I’d run, something I ran with a friend, from a 5K to a Marathon, it doesn’t matter the distance, there’s always a sense of accomplishment. It’s always exciting and undoubtedly the best part of any running event.

I thought a lot about my past job. The most special thing to me about that job was the finish line. It’s this cumulative effort for the race directors and the runners. I would always find time, no matter what race we were at to watch the finish line, and usually it would fire me up to sign up for my next race.

When a participant crosses the finish line, you can see their raw emotion and feeling pouring out as they cross the finish line. You see the signs of the spectators, cheering their loved one on, you see your hard work coming to fruition. Participants see their hard work paying off. Volunteers placing medals on necks, the clock continuing to run as more and more people cross the line. Hands over their heads, big grins, and such a sense of pride. It was my favorite part event, just standing there watching strangers cross the finish line. You plan for runners cramping, fainting, injuries like pulled hamstrings, or scraped knees, but nothing like this. Nothing where someone would blatantly attack something so innocent.

I cannot put into words my sadness of this event, and how they tried to take away the euphoric feeling from so many people, and took the lives of innocent people.

I’ve seen so many runners come together, and I know the running community is amazing. I see it through the comments on my blog, the races I’ve run, and the volunteers and community who stand beside each other, and I feel like event is no different. I know it will bring runners together even more, in sadness and in celebrating a sport we will always love.

My heart breaks for those who had to experience this. So this morning when I ran, I ran for Boston. I will continue to run with them on my mind and my heart.

xoxo

It’s this week – RAGNAR… More on that later though :)

For now… join Team Sparkle on Twitter this Wednesday!

I’ve gotten a few random tweets and questions about some of my favorite must haves my gym bag or what I take when I’m going to the gym. This is a pretty wide plethora of things, but they all are important to my morning routine of getting ready at the gym. I go to the gym 2 days a week in the morning. I either run in the morning and stop there on my way to work and do a quick routine or I run and work out there and run home and get ready at home.

I have two different routines to pick from… the shower and wet messy bun gross hair routine, or the dry shampoo try to salvage the hair but it’s still in a messy bun routine. Either way, I use the most of the same products. (The Dry Shampoo I use is John Frieda “Volume Refresher”, which is the best one I’ve used thus far, but I’m all out so I couldn’t take a pic)

1. I recently found these tanks and bought them in all the colors possible. They are cotton but I love them, they are great for summer, under a sweater for work, anytime, anyday. Obsessed.

2. I also am loving my Violet Love Headband for working out. I like that it’s larger than the strappy smaller headbands, which I haven’t found one that I like yet, and it’s such a soft material. It also makes my dirty hair not look as unkempt if I wear it to work in a high messy bun with the headband, which I happen to do often. They come in great colors and are so soft, they don’t give you a headache or get caught in your hair either.

3. Strappy Workout Bras are my go to lately. I am over the super thick straps. I just got this one and love it, and I also love the one I got from Zensah, just wish they had more colors ;)

4. I also am loving these super fun Lady Footlocker socks I got. They are perfect for me because my socks never match. I always just keep a few pairs of these in my bag and it doesn’t matter what goes with what. I also love the fun colors that peek out from my shoes too :) I couldn’t find them online, but they have them in store and they are great for the gym and running!

The shorts in my bag were from 2 years ago from Walmart. But I am digging these brooks shorts and going to grab a pair next time I’m shopping! I like the wider waistband of them, they seem to be a little bit more forgiving.

5. Nuun. Enough Said. These are perfect for throwing in a water bottle when I’m planning to do spin or kill myself on the stair master. If you haven’t tried it, get on it.

6. I recently got addicted to this. Another costly addiction that B doesn’t appreciate :) It’s SO good and has little bits of Aloe vera plant in it. I love it on the way to work. If I don’t take an Alo, I opt for #7.

7. Zico. Refreshing coconut water that helps hydrate and replenish. I like chocolate more, but we didn’t have any in our fridge when I took this pic. :)

8. Another great thing that I recently was introduced to is the Dickinson Wipes. I actually use these before I wash my face. If I’m doing a quick workout and don’t need to shower (don’t tell my co-workers) I’ll ‘towel’ off with these before heading to work. It’s easier, they smell good and they clean me right up.

9. Then we have this new lotion that I recently got in my Influenster Box, and let me tell you, it works perfect for me. It’s by Vaseline and I really like how easy it is to use. I don’t have dry skin, but one thing I hate doing is putting on lotion. I don’t know why but it bugs me so much. This is just a quick, fast absorbing lotion spray. It’s just like sunscreen that you spray on. It makes the whole routine much faster and I don’t have rub it in.

10. Thera-gesic. Ummm yea, need this all day every day. People ask me why I always smell like peppermint and it’s worth it.

11. I always have some kind of bar in my bag to eat after, and these are my go-to right now. I love all the benefits Chia Seeds have… and I love Kombucha! This is like having a kombucha without having to refrigerate. The thing I really like in the bar is that they are so hydrating, without having to drink liquids. I also really like how gelatinous the bar gets when you eat it, that might sound gross but take my word for it, they are delicious  They’re easy to pack and the perfect amount of food pre or post workout. My favorite flavor is the Chocolate Peanut Butter but I also like the Coconut too. Find out where you can try this bar near you here!

12. This is random but it’s what’s in my gym bag and this is what is in it. This smell is AMAAAAAAZING. Deodorant, So you know, I don’t smell.

13. Another quick on the go makeup product that I’m LOVING lately is the Origins Vitazing Moisturizer. I love a tinted moisturizer and this one is absolutely perfect. I actually got the trial box for Christmas and I am going to be purchasing this in full size soon. It’s smooth, gives just enough coverage and all I have to do is put on some powder after and I’m set to go. I like how even it makes my skin look, it lasts throughout the day and I never get oily. It’s so great on the go!

I recently posted about Team Hoyt and their amazing #RunFor video that has helped inspire me while training for the Pittsburgh Half Marathon but I thought this article was too amazing not to do another post on them. If you want to watch their #RunFor Video you can here

It will leave you inspired as you are tying up your running shoes no matter what time of day it is or what you’re training for. I saw this article on Facebook about how they are being honored with a statue near the start of the Boston Marathon. Totally deserving in my book, they are one of the most inspirational pairs I’ve ever heard of in my life. I still cannot imagine the sacrifice and love that they share for each other.

To see the whole article and watch the video of the unveiling of the statue with Team Hoyt, you can view it here.

I thought about them a lot this morning on my run, and I really am so thankful for all they do to inspire many.

xoxo

It’s been quite a while since I highlighted some of my new favorite songs, but now that I’m up and running quite often again I’ve been adding more and more to my list. So here’s what I’ve been uploading lately.

Per usual – some of these songs are NSFW (not safe for work… if you work in an environment that might not approve of rhi rhi galavanting around and in a bathtub music videos) but you can also listen to the whole list on my youtube channel too – in the background at work.

Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Penny – Hanni El Khatib

Let Her Go – Passenger

All Around the World – Justin Bieber ft. Ludacris

Just Give Me A Reason – Pink

Entertainment - Phoenix

Sail – Awolnation

Stay – Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko

I love It – Icona Pop

Mirrors – Justin Timberlake ( I usually press skip once it gets to minute 5)

Next To Me – Emeli Sande

Don’t Stop the Party – Pitbull

Intro – XX

Animal – Miike Snow (Why the two iis? One will never know)

You can see the entire little playlist on my youtube channel! Perhaps I will try to keep my music posts in this format from now on.

Have a happy day and enjoy these new tunes!