March 15, 2006, was an exciting day. With a U-Haul trailer hitched to the back of my boyfriend’s SUV (that boyfriend was Mr. rUnladylike who became my husband 3+ years later), I followed him in my car as we drove from Tallahassee, Florida, to Atlanta, Georiga, to start a new journey. Everything was new and shiny and exciting. Infinite opportunities were waiting to be discovered.

For more than 9 years, I’ve called Atlanta home.

In less than a month, I’ll be saying goodbye.

It’s a bittersweet feeling – opening the door to another exciting adventure, yet closing the door on a place that has defined so many aspects of my life and the person I have become.

Atlanta is where I got married.

Atlanta is where I have met friends who have changed my life.

Atlanta is where Mr. rUnladylike and I bought our first house together.

Atlanta is where I worked in my first dream job.

Atlanta is where I fell in love with long-distance running and discovered endurance sports.

Atlanta is where I ran my first half marathon and finished my first triathlon.

Atlanta is where I started runladylike.com and became a running coach.

Atlanta is where I joined a community of everyday athletes that was stronger than anything I’ve ever known.

Atlanta is where I did things I once thought were impossible.

Atlanta is where I discovered who I am and who I want to be.

In just 4 short weeks, I’m going to be like that younger version of myself back in 2006. With Mr. rUnladylike once again by my side, we’ll turn the key in the lock of our beautiful home and say goodbye for the last time. We’ll drive away from all the friends and memories and Saturday morning group runs that have become such an integral part of my life.

And we’ll start to make new ones.

Next month, we’ll start a new journey in Tampa, Florida. As we take steps to start a family, we know being close to our families is where we really belong. We both grew up in the Tampa Bay area, and we’re finally coming home.

I have admittedly shed a few tears. Ok, a lot of tears. Don’t get me wrong, I’m more excited than sad or scared, but I’m going to miss some aspects of my life here beyond words – and most importantly, the people who have shaped that life (you all know who you are).

On the running front, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. Will I find the deep running community I’ve come to know and love here? Will I find women I love to run with and who can run with me stride for stride – running friends who get you and know everything you’re thinking without even having to say it? Will Saturday mornings be filled with the same joy the past 4 years have brought?

I’m confident the answer is yes. But the running community I’ve come to know and love in Atlanta will never be replaceable. Elizabeth, Tricia, Amy L., Amy W., Teesha, Tammy, Katie, Andrea … all of you others who know who you are … thank you for making my past decade in Atlanta and my many runs here so meaningful.

In honor of my farewell to Atlanta, I’ll be sharing some Atlanta-inspired posts during the next few weeks, including the best places to run, best running and triathlon stores, best fitness studios/workouts and best places to eat in Atlanta for runners and athletes.

So let’s raise our bottles of Gatorade and electrolyte-spiked beverages: Here’s to a new adventure in Tampa. If you live in Tampa or the surrounding area, I hope you’ll reach out to me so we can meet up for a run.

If you’ve ever lived in Tampa, where do you think are the best places to run? Best running groups? Best running stores? How did you adjust after a big move from a city you lived in for many years?