Friends, hello! We made it to Sunday!
A week ago today I was slow running my butt down the road and back in Houston. I finally ran that half marathon I’ve been working towards for months. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN! For years I had settled on the story that running that far wasn’t for me. I feel really proud for proving myself wrong.
The night before the race (we’re talking like 7:30pm) I wanted to go for a run to shake out my nerves. Will borrowed his mom’s tricycle bike, brought along a beer, and rode next to me through that 25 minute shake out run. It was the sweetest thing. Will also ran with me very early this year when I felt heavy footed and tortured and after riding with my run he mentioned that my running has really changed. I could have cried. This goal of mine has been mostly solitary. No one has really had eyes on my progress. It was really nice to be reminded of what I can feel in my body.
Anyway. I did the thing. Will cheered me on at three spots along the race. I’ve signed up for my next half marathon in New Orleans (and got Will to sign up, too!). It’s all very good and I’m grateful to YOU. Thank you for all of your encouragement. Your comments over the past few weeks really mean so much to me.
I’m glad you’re here! Here’s today’s offering. Thank you for being so welcoming to my friends Toby and Kim these past few weeks. I love their Sunday offerings and they’ll be back a few more times before the end of the year.
• This week I’ve been thinking a lot about energy. The burning energy that got me across the finish line in Houston and the missing energy that fully bonked work deadlines this week. It’s tangible and intangible. I found this to be incredibly interesting: Energy, And How To Get It (The New Yorker)
• I admire Cherry Bombe founder Kerry Diamond so much. She’s curious, brilliant, generous, chic, and lives in my mind as a classic New York woman. Here’s A Day In My Shoes: Kerry Diamond. “You have a lifetime to do things” which is an excellent reminder. (Tory Burch)
• Researches Just Compiled the Ultimate Playlist of Song That Will Give You Chills. For a shortcut, here’s the Spotify playlist. I’m going running to this next week and will report back on the chills. Chills or tears? Why does this happen? Thanks for sharing this, Suzonne! (Inc, Spotify)
• I fully freaked out this week when one of my favorite authors commented on one of my Instagram posts. Turns out she’s been lurking for years and WHAT!? Amazing. As recommended by Samantha Irby: No One Will Miss Her by Kat Rosenfield (Books A Million)
• When I was a personal assistant for two soap opera writers (did you know this!?) about a millions years ago, I was in charge of grocery shopping and cooking them dinner a few nights a week. Their favorite dinner was Beef Stroganoff made with sliced filet mignon. I mean yea… what’s not to love about that!? Jon’s Ground Beef Stroganoff reminded me of those days and fits into my food budget much better. (The Candid Appetite)
• Enjoy deez bees of Instagram. (Instagram)
• I think Deb makes the best Pumpkin Bread on the internet and these Apple Cider Doughnut Blondies from The Kitchn seem like a fantastic way to apple cider. (Smitten Kitchen, The Kitchn)
• We have a new series together on Instagram. You ask me your big questions and with very little background information, I give you advice. Does that sound like a mess? It’s called The Spiral, lol. (Instagram):
• This week I downloaded this audiobook and I’m plotting my next discomfort (ugh does it have to me swimming?): The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter. (Audible)
• Sezane makes my favorite blouses. (Sezane)
• I really had the most wonderful time making cake for those of you who came out to Williams Sonoma in Knoxville! Thank you THANK YOU for coming out! I learned about the Tennessee Volunteers. I met two Hannahs, Jaclyn, Tammy, Rebecca, Lisa, Aubrey, and a self-appointed mall enthusiast who told me this history of the mall and then called me weird. It was – well, it was great! I can’t wait to see you in Houston and Dallas coming up!
Have a wonderful Sunday, friends!
My love to you.
xo Joy
28 Responses
Half marathons are like potato chips..you just can’t do one! Congratulation, Joy. The feeling at the end of your first goal race ..if it could be bottled and sold, someone would make a fortune. Here’s to many more and I hope you also come to enjoy your local community of friendly runners. A very welcoming crowd ??
I’m so happy and moved for your goal Joy!! Congrats!!
Congratulations on your half marathon! I am in awe.
I love Sezanne’s blouses. So lovely.
Cherry Bombe! I loved the Julia Child issue.
Thanks for all of the good stuff. I look forward to it (even if I am sometimes a week behind).
Saw you on the Today show. You were amazing. Complete natural. I enjoyed it. Congratulations! They have to have you back.
Congratulations! I had also told myself that running wasn’t for me and then this past August, my sister and I set the goal of doing a 5k on Sept 18. Who decides at age 55 and 52 respectively to start running?! Well, we did it and though I don’t really have any aspirations beyond the 5k, I do keep up on that twice a week. Who knows where it will lead.
Awesome, Joy! You’re amazing :)
Way to go Joy! How exciting for you and that Will, he’s a keeper.
Good job Joy! You should be so proud!
Way to go, Joy! Proud of you! I admire you for leaning into something that is out of your comfort zone. Good job!
One of the Hannahs here! SO enjoyed meeting you and seeing your handiwork with the boxed chocolate cake. Always glad for your Sunday offerings here, and the other days’ offerings/recipes as well
Hello Joy, this is Hope, up here in Kingston, Ontario Canada. So impressed with you doing the 1/2 marathon and glad you got the whole medal. My first 1/2 marathon they gave out 1/2 of a whole medal. I know, I know, I only ran half of one but come on, I wanted a complete medal!! Also, thanks for the playlist. My husband is obsessed with music and I like to pass on great music and pretend I am as good as he is, which is never.
As for The Spiral, I am amazed at how great you are at giving advice on the fly like you do. Keep it up! You are an inspiration.
Oh, and your baking is always great!
Thank you for sharing your life with us, have a wonderful Sunday and week.
Congrats Joy! Just wanted to stop by and say that I love your Sunday posts so much. They’re a highlight of my day. Thank you for compiling such wonderful content and sharing it with us!
Your magazine arrived this week and it is gorgeous! I’m so thrilled for you. Next year I will order it online – that worked great. Congrats on finishing your marathon! I’m a happy weekly reader of your JTB Sunday posts.
Joy, I just love you.
You did it! You ran the half marathon! Congratulations Joy, what a beautiful milestone and I can relate to the “I’m not a runner” story.
Felicidades Joy! I have followed your blog for several years now and your journey of self discovery. I too wish to run my first half marathon and have been on the self doubt journey lately. Life is too short and I will keep your words of encouragement in my back pocket when self doubt starts nagging at me! Muchas gracias
OMG LOL I stood in line next to Garret the mall-enthusiast, what a trip! He told me he is a senior in High School and I was tickled to know he is carrying on the tradition of high schoolers haunting the mall like my generation did before him. I didn’t catch him calling you weird, that is hilarious. Good luck on the Today show, you’ll do great! Yesterday was so fun and super delicious, thank you for coming to see us!
Congratulations Joy! I’m not a naturally gifted runner but I’ve done a marathon and a few half-marathons over the years, mostly to share the experience with various family members. I’m proud of you and excited about your accomplishment! We can do anything we put our mind to!!
Congratulations Joy!!! I’ve been following you for 8 years and you always encourage and inspire me. Thank you!!! ??
Congratulations Joy! I’m so happy for you! Way to go. Thanks for all the great recipes!
Congratulations. It was wonderful to see you in Knoxville. Can’t wait to make the Chocolate Cake with Neapolitan Frosting. It will greet family when they start arriving for Thanksgiving. Love your new Holiday magazine Thank you for the shoutout for the “Vols”. It was a good football night.
Congrats on your first half marathon!!
I’m intrigued by that Spotify playlist. Thanks for sharing.
Bravo!! Our bodies are made to do difficult things!!
I don’t think I have ever left a comment before. Thank you so much for your cheer and inspiration!
Good job, Joy the RUNNER!
See you soon at the Dallas William Sonoma.
NYC Marathon next year? Oh yeah, bring a pen and your magazine for an autograph?
Awesome job! What a great feeling, onto the next run!
Yay, Joy, so happy you finished your 1st Half, and you have signed up for another. I am so proud of you.
Woohoo! Congratulations, Joy! So happy for you!!