The Baltimore Color Run

 

 I have been wanting to write a post about the coolest 5K on earth, that I was able to partake in a few weekends ago, but I've only just found the time. 

Two of my friends and I decided that we wanted to participate in the Color Run, so we signed up over the summer. I did not know what to expect, but I knew that we had to show up, dressed in white, and that we would probably come out of the race a little more colorful. 

On Sunday, November 17th, race day, we got up early, grabbed some Dunkin and drove to Baltimore. 

By 9 a.m., the city streets had become crowded with eager and excited people, from children to grannies, dressed in white. The earlier of the two heats of the Baltimore Color Run was to go off an hour later.

The Color Run has grown into the largest event series in the United States within just a few years. This was definitely made clear on Sunday.

We strolled about Camden Yards for a bit, trying to find where we could register. When we finally got our registration packets, we put on our temporary tattoos, t-shirts, and sweatbands and were ready to run. 

The Color Run is called "the Happiest 5K" in the world, and I believe that it actually, truly is. It was a non-competitive race, so we were not timed and we jogged and even walked during some of it.

 

At each kilometer mark, there was a color station where volunteers would throw colored powder at us. I was so glad that we had all brought sunglasses because the powder would have undoubtedly gone into our eyes if we had not. 

The powder is just colored corn starch, and we got some in our mouths during the run. It is harmless to us and to the earth, but it leaves you with a funny taste and smell. 

As you can tell from the above before and after photo, we came out of the race quite colorful. This after photo was also taken post- color festival, which is where we were turned into smurfs. 

After the race, we were able to grab some water and a KIND healthy grain bar, and then we made our way to the stage where we RAVED.

The DJ and other motivators were playing loud music and getting us to dance! They were throwing fannypacks and towels at us. I wasn't able to get my hands on any of them, but I did catch a few extra color packets. 

When they gave the word, everyone in the crowd opened their color packets and flung the powder into the air. It was superb and suffocating all at the same time.

After we drove back to campus, we each took a long shower to try and scrub the powder out of our skin and hair. It took a while, but being able to take part in the run was an amazing and unique experience! We did not want it to end.

Fashion Friday: 11/22/13

If I were a pessimist, I would start out by saying that this has been one of the most stressful weeks of my life, but since I try not to be so negative, I'm going to go ahead and say how thankful I am that I survived this week and that it is finally Friday.  

I owe a big thanks to the contents of my sweater drawer, because my trusty pull-overs have helped me get through this week without looking like a mess. 

For some reason, when I was around fifteen, I refused to wear sweaters... I would only wear cardigans or zip-up hoodies so that I could show off the shirt that I was wearing underneath them. Though this makes sense, I do not know why my past self decided that sweaters were unacceptable. 

The sweaters pictured above are all ones that I have acquired within the past year. The one at the top of the photo (and at the bottom of the pile) is from pull and bear. I am still so very proud of myself for finding this lovely, light sweater, with its delicate shoulder cut outs and slit in the back at a store on Oxford Street, in London, and purchasing it for around £10. I also bought a peplum shirt there for £3. That is my kind of shopping trip!

The next sweater was also bought while in London. I love how unique it is. It is from Europe's version of F21, Primark.

The maroon sweater is from a fabulous thrift shop in my area. It is made of wool and is from Eddie Bauer. It is so very warm and cozy. Although the bottom of the sweater is not fitted in the way that I would prefer, if I could wear it every day, I would. 

Next is a comfy creme jumper from the Gap. This sweater is a classic, however I have just begun to appreciate it for its true value. I was wary of wearing sweaters tucked in for the majority of my years on this earth. Even though you may not have anxiety of untucked shirts and sweaters, here is a photo from pinterest of a simple outfit with this kind of sweater.    

At the very bottom of the first photo is a quirky sweater that I bought at a thrift shop near my hometown. it has parrots on the sleeves and is a great conversation starter. A sweater like this is meant to be worn with long hair tied back, so that people can really see the details along the sleeves. 

Cheers!

Fashion Friday: 11/15/13

 

(Please excuse my awkwardness)

 Ahem, RAWR. 

So my boyfriend and I were discussing over text message, whether the animal that is cross stitched onto my sweater is a cheetah or a leopard... I vote leopard, but either way, it is fierce and cuddly at the same time.  

It is fall and Maryland weather drives me crazy. I love days like today when it is just above 50 degrees. It is just chilly enough to have to wear a sweater and maybe a light jacket or a vest and either flats like mine or boots are valid footwear options. I thoroughly relish in sweater weather. 

Winter weather is quickly approaching and I'm not all about that just yet. I'm going to miss the bright Autumn colors and leaves that litter my campus and surroundings. Watching the trees change colors and lose their leaves from day to day will never not impress me.

I just recently bought this sweater on a whim at PacSun and the vest, which is my new favorite Fall item, is from the Ralph Lauren Outlet store by my house. Here is a similar one that I was able to find online (But I bought mine for much cheaper). 

Today, one of my peers told me that she liked my eclectic style and I have found that I'm just really not good at accepting compliments. 

My response: "ehhhhhhhh" followed by some mumbled thank yous.

Go ahead and enjoy this rift that I found in a parking lot:

Revival

Hello! Yes, I am alive! 

I'm planning for the revival of my blog because this nearly two and a half month hiatus has reminded me of just how important writing is to me. I've been so very busy with university and work that I have let go of some of the activities that I really love to do. This has made for a very stressed and anxious Angela. 

I've made a point to start running again, and I have been pretty dedicated thus far, but we will have to see if that changes with finals and chilly weather coming up. I've been running on one of the trails near my university and I have enjoyed pushing myself to go farther and faster. I did not realize just how much I loved the slight soreness that welcomes me when I try to get out of bed in the morning after going for a nice long run the day before. 

I have also been going to the weight room at my school... This is the first semester that I have ever even set foot in the weight room! For the past two years, I've been intimidated by the people who frequent the gym... Most of them happen to be athletic males who wear muscle shirts, grunt loudly, and make a point to slam their dumbbells down like they are trying to announce to the others in the room that they are, indeed, the alpha male and that they could take over for Atlas if need be. 

I try not to make eye contact. 

Running and working out in my spare time has helped me survive this semester, but it hasn't been enough. I've never been this busy, and I actually enjoy all the extracurriculars that I am involved in, but it bothers me that I have had to give up writing and blogging to do homework or sleep. 

(I just have not been able to embrace the true college lifestyle because I know myself and myself does not function properly past 1 a.m. let alone on no sleep at all.)  

(Also, I refuse to be a part of the "all-nighter" club because I know how miserable I will be for the remainder of the day and I am already always tired enough.)

Hopefully, that will change, and I will find time to both as well as balance all the activities and work that I have to do to keep up with school, enjoy life as a young adult, better my future and all that jazz. 

Well, cheers to the newest rebirth of my blog!