The Green Girl's New Year's Run

The Green Girl went for her first run of 2011 this evening.

I decided to start off the year with some hill work so I headed over to Signal Hill.

After an unusually intense day at work, it felt really good to get out and feel the crisp air fill my lungs as I hit the pavement.

From the top of Signal Hill, I paused to catch my breath and I took the opportunity to look out over the city.

It was one of those runs where I felt like I was flying but when I looked down at Mr. Green Garmin, he told me I was doing a 16 minute mile. Instead of pushing myself, I just disregarded the disconnect and enjoyed my run.

It was a beautiful night and the perfect way to start off the New Year.

The Green Girl's New Year's Resolution

The Green Girl's New Year's Resolution is stay injury-free.

After struggling with posterior tibial tendonitis for almost two years now, I am determined to run pain free.

At this point, I am not focused on mileage or speed - the most important thing is for me to be healthy.

To symbolize my commitment to this, I am coloring in one of my daruma eyes.

The Daruma concept is based on an ancient Buddhist monk who, after nine years sitting meditating in a cave, lost the use of his arms and legs.

A symbol of good luck and protection in Japan, a Daruma is a type of traditional Japanese okiagari-kobōshi papier-mâché doll. Okiagari-kobōshi dolls have a weighted bottom that enables the doll to recover to an upright position after being tipped over. This represents persistence of spirit and recovery from misfortune.

Daruma dolls are traditionally given to someone starting a new venture, celebrating a birthday, or at the beginning of a New Year.

At the start of an endeavor, one eye is painted and a wish is made for good luck. The other eye is painted when the goal is reached.

The Green Girl's Ultimate Secret Santa Holiday Gift

The Green Girl received a surprise in the mail from her Secret Santa yesterday.

Before I reveal what I received from my Secret Santa, I would to formally thank Jill from Run With Jill for organizing the Ultimate Holiday Gift Exchange.

So, when I got home from work yesterday, there was a square envelope with a metallic candy cane sticker waiting for me. The return address was from 'Blogger Secret Santa'.

I excitedly ripped open the envelope and pulled out a green Season's Greetings card.

My Secret Santa revealed her hidden identity as Raegun from Diminishing Returns.

Inside the card, was a folded up piece of paper with a hand drawn Keroppi marked 'Open me last. I'm your gift!'.

I opened it up to discover it was a receipt for a generous $20 donation to the Angelman Syndrome Foundation!

Raegun, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the most meaningful Secret Santa gift ever. The amount of thought you put into my present means a great deal to me.

I love that you managed to incorporate my favorite things - the color green, my beloved Keroppi, and my passion in life - finding a cure for Angelman Syndrome.

Although children with Angelman Syndrome have normal life expectancies, seizures can sometimes shorten their lives.

This has been a very difficult holiday season for Angelman families who had to say goodbye to their angels when severe seizures took them away.

This gesture from my Secret Santa means a lot to me as my heart goes out to each and every person who was touched by one of these precious angels who passed on this year. And as much as I love my niece, I am anxious to see the day when no child is born with this genetic disorder.

Happy Holidays From The Green Girl

The Green Girl would like to wish everyone a happy holiday full of loved ones and fond memories to cherish forever.

I will be heading up to my parent's house again for the holiday weekend to play with my niece.

“To many people holidays are not voyages of discovery, but a ritual of reassurance.” Philip Andrew Adams

Happy Holidays, CasITa-to-5k! Happy Running!

The Green Girl wanted to do a little something for the CasITa-to-5k for the holiday season.

I decided to order some customized Softie Shoe Keychains from Mostly Even, Sometimes Odd to give as gifts.

The Softie Shoes are replicas of the CasITa-to-5k's Saucony shoes.

Our little running group is currently on hiatus but I am hopeful we will be able to get back into our routine in the new year.

I'd love for us to be able to do a 5k together in the spring for a CasITa-to-5k graduation celebration.