Because, YOLO: Being Queen Bee for the day!

"It's better in life to look back and say 'I can't believe I did that' than to look back and say 'I wish I did that.'" Tomorrow I will be participating in my second half marathon. The Cincinnati Queen Bee is a women-focused half and 4-miler, and tomorrow is the inaugural race. More importantly, tomorrow is MY inaugural race with my new body, and fresh outlook on life. Flash back to spring of 2013 and my first half marathon. It was something myself and a few friends did together and was awesome, but it definitely wasn't easy. (I'm waiting for Maria to read this and text me asking if I've lost my mind!) But let's get real, if I can deal with two surgeries in six months, I can run a few hours on a Saturday morning.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not planning on running the whole thing or breaking any records, and I really haven't had a ton of time to train (physically and in regards to my more-important social calendar) since I've been cleared to get back to regular workouts, so I'll be doing the best I possibly can by run/walking it. Since I was able to start going back to the gym, I've tried my best to make working out more of a fun routine. Dragging friends to the gym at 6 a.m. so we can gossip while stair-stepping, going on walks with a BFF and her dog to Coffee Emporium on Fridays and running outside or at the gym on the treadmill as a way to decompress from a long day while listening to a lot of Mat Kearney. It's been fun, and kept me in pretty good shape. So really, why not take on another half marathon?

When it comes down to it, my reason for doing it is both simple and admittedly selfish: to show myself that I can. I want to show myself, and other young women who may be in similar shoes, that the surgical decisions I made in the last year did not take away my ability to stay in shape, be healthy or the possibility of coming out on top. You don't have to bounce back to win triathlons or climb mountains, but having a goal and sticking to it can be as rewarding as the medal at the end of the race.

So wish me luck that this simple, selfish idea of mine proves successful. But hey, a little self affirmation never hurt anyone. #YOLO

Xoxo, Molly

List in Pics: Weekend getaways for the body & soul

So here's the deal - for two months, I was kind of lame. During recovery, I did a lot of resting, and don't get me wrong, I still am being very conscious of that. But really, I was ready to get the heck out of town and have some fun. Kevin and I are used to constantly being on the go, or "yoloing" if you will. Luckily, the last few weekends have been filled with quick little getaways that have rejuvenated my body and soul! Below are some of my fave pics from my Michigan and NYC trips, and although this past weekend was filled with 12+ hour work days, I was able to see two of my best friends in the world Saturday night, so I'll count that as a successful "getaway" as well!

I will surely be clinging to these getaway memories this week. Tomorrow I head back to University of Cincinnati Medical Center for my next and final (and way easier than the last) surgical procedure, my "exchange" surgery. I'll be posting about it later this week once I am back amongst the living and off the pain meds. So today, cheers to enjoying weekend memories & continuing the journey to a happy & healthy life!

Xoxo, Molly

First up: Our trip to Crystal Lake to celebrate the wonderful matriarch of the McKnight family's 80th birthday! No one deserves a bday bash more than her.

Next up: NYC! We took a family trip to celebrate Olivia & Kyle graduating high school and all had a blast. From baseball games, bridal gowns & country concerts, it was a jam-packed weekend in the city.

And finally, a work weekend in Chicago! The weekend was filled with work, but once it all was over Saturday night, I met my two BFFs Whitney and Lori for dinner & drinks at Quartino. I swear we could have sat there chatting all night! Nothing in the world is better than catching up with best girlfriends. 'Til next time! :)