Blog
Tips, helpful information and resources to help you travel and live alcohol free.
Running Copenhagen
It will come as no surprise that most of my traveling revolves around running. If it's not for a specific race I'll still try to sneak some running into the schedule, even if it means getting up before the sun rises. I am often, however, faced with the dilema of where...
Top 10 Chiang Mai
Although I am usually not a fan of "top 10" posts, I wish there had been a comprehensive list such as this before I left on the 22 hour flight to the other side of the world. Chiang Mai, referred to as "the rose of the north", is the largest city in Northern Thailand....
The Story
With a trembling hand you hit the send button. You have officially just let the world, or at least all your Facebook friends, which at times can feel like the world, know this thing about you. Shit. What have you done. Should you quickly delete the post in the hopes...
The Power of One
I had planned on writing this post about my recent stay at the Elephant Nature Park in Thailand. What I did. What I ate. Where I slept. Blah, blah, blah. It was going to be very informative. After rereading it, however, I realized something. This was not the post I...
What I know For Sure
One of the many recovery podcasts I listen to, Home, had an episode where Holly Whitaker and Laura McKowen (two of my personal superheros, but I'll save that for a separate post) talked about things they knew for sure. I don't know why this particular episode stands...
Temple Hopping in Chiang Mai
When they say there is a temple on every corner in Chiang Mai they aren't kidding. There is literally a temple on EVERY corner. I would venture to guess that there may be as many, if not more, temples than there are 7-11's. It can be downright overwhelming,...
Thursdays with Ann
I met Ann long before we would take our first run together. Although neither one of us remembered it at first. We would sit next to each other week after week in an overheated YMCA watching our kids attempt to swim the length of the pool. I don't know what we talked...
Lost in Sobriety
Today marks 187 days. 187 days of sobriety. 187 days since I kicked chardonnay to the curb. With these 187 days comes an enormous sense of freedom and gratitude. Freedom from the constant strain of attempted moderation. Freedom from the inner voice that kept telling...
Traveling with Tweens
Traveling with a tween, get ready to experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I have been truly blessed with the opportunity of traveling with my youngest daughter, who just this past week turned 13. Together we have traveled throughout the United...
Running Chiang Mai
Having never before traveled the 8,000 plus miles to Thailand, I had no idea what to expect once touching down in the city of Chiang Mai. Located in northern Thailand at the foot of the Himalayan Mountains, Chiang Mai is the quieter counterpart to the hustle and...
Dear Chardonnay
Dear Chardonnay, I bet you never expected to be receiving this letter from me. After all, we've been best friends for so long I'm guessing you thought our friendship would go on forever. You have been my constant companion. Through good times and bad, you were always...
What’s In My Bag For The Long Haul
In light of my upcoming flight to Thailand next week, I thought I would give a peak inside my carry on bag and what I consider "essential" items for a long flight. The most important item, of course, is the bag itself. My two requirements for a carry on bag are 1. is...
Running in Recovery
I am in recovery. Isn't everyone. Aren't we all recovering from something. I mean life is hard. Whether its food, gambling, shopping, drugs or, like with me, alcohol, we are all searching for something to "numb" life's difficult moments. The problem, however, as...
HOMETOWN RUNS
Christmas morning; my eyes blink open and my senses are immediately inundated. The competing aromas of coffee, freshly cut oranges and pine needles enter my nostrils simultaneously while the distant sound of O'Tannenbaum playing on the stereo begs me to forego my bed...
My Top 10 Bucket List Races
Every bucket list of races will almost always include the "big five". If you are a runner, more than likely you are familiar with this phrase. It refers to the five biggest races in the world: Berlin, Chicago, Boston, London and New York City. Entrance into these...
Birthday Run in Scotland
Scotland has been on my radar for quite some time so when I saw that the Edinburgh Marathon was going to take place on the weekend of my birthday I needed no further excuses to start planning a trip across the pond. Running on my birthday in the city where I was born,...