Super Cute Running Tops

I found these on pintrest today and I think I may just need to buy one.  They are super cute, and the there is a hidden message that appears on the back once you've sweat through it. SWEAT ACTIVATED MOTIVATION! Kind of gross but mostly awesome.

Weird things about girls

So one of the comedy bloggers I follow recently wrote a segment called "Things I don't get about girls" and she pointed out the most hilarious thing we women do.

Goo Hoarding.

We keep so many half empty bottles of lotion, shampoo, leave in conditioner, lip gloss, face cream, shaving gel and the list goes on. In my make up bag alone I found thirteen different lip gloss. I didn't say ten, THIRTEEN! WHO NEEDS TO CARRY THAT MUCH LIP GLOSS!?

And my bathroom cabinet is even worse...

My name is Kelly and I'm a Goo Hoarder.

Climbing

Ryan and I have been frequenting our climbing gym more often these days. It's super challenging and feels like I'm doing pull ups most of the time, but I'm getting better at it.

It's making me want to climb something big. Maybe this summer? :)

Why I hate my scale more than horses and mullets

So I've made some big lifestyle changes lately. Eating lots of healthy snacks, three healthy meals a day, no more soda- only water, mustard instead of mayo, and an intense training schedule that has me working out (running, cross training, strengthening and stretching) six put of seven days a week.

I've lost five pounds from my starting weight. Five. Pounds.

I put in the freaking work. I'm STILL PUTTING IN THE WORK. AND THAT SCALE HAS BETRAYED ME. That scale has no idea how many blisters, aches, pains, sweat, and the ridiculous amounts of tears it's taken me to fet here. If it did my weight would reflect the constant effort I'm putting into myself. I hate my scale more than anything in this world. Satan only uses it to steal my joy and kill my motivation.

Hellogoodbye

Six Miles Stronger

By most runners standards, six miles isn't that far, and a 12 minute mile average is extremely slow. For me, it's the first of many victories and I couldn't be more proud.

My first race was awesome. I went through about so many emotions, but the sweetest one was the joy of finishing.  I'm so freaking proud of myself.

Now it's time for half marathon training!

Also, I have the best sister in law ever.Thanks for the sign Jen. Got me through mile four!

Running Hero

Six months ago if you told me I would be a runner, I would have laughed in your face. I would have told you, I'm not an athlete, I'm not a runner, I'm a fat bookworm with a charming personality. That's all I thought I could amount to. I had little to zero confidence and I didn't believe in myself at all.

Hence why I broke down in tears on my drive home from my first 10k.  My big brother Mike asked me what my running story was, and mine, like many others is one of hope. Through running I've learned to believe in myself for the first time- ever.

God has taught me through running that I am capable of great things. I am an athlete, I AM a runner, and I can achieve what I once told myself I'd never have the drive or the ability to do.  Running for me is an act of worship, and I've learned a lot about endurance, commitment, humility and never giving up.

Through this journey my friends and family have been crazy supportive, listening to me rant about runs, being sore, losing weight, doubts, and joys, but one person has been eternally supportive- my big brother Mike.

Mike is my running hero. I've watched Mike with envy and awe for years, waking up at the butt crack of dawn, most of the time in the cold or rain, to see his races and cheering him on. He's always been a shining example to me in his commitment to health, fitness, and attaining his goals.  I wanted to run to be like my big brother.

Big thank you to Mike, for all the nights you let me come over after work and use your tredmil. For teaching me about everything to shoe shopping, new stretches, the pain of injury, and the beauty of success. Thank you for the letting me borrow your watch, for the late night and early morning chat, all the little inspiring text, for pushing me, and taking pride in me, I wouldnt be where I am without you. Love you Bro.

Ugliest race shirt known to man

...I mean seriously, what even is it!

YOUVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME

...yeah this book exists.

I'm going to go shoot something now.

As of late...

Been super busy lately, most of you know my mom had a knee replacement so I've been hanging out and trying to make life easier on her as well.

School has started again, this semester has been super challenging but I'm really enjoying getting into the nitty gritty of my field.

Church stuff has been keeping me busy as well, between starting kids ministry this weekend (so excited), a new MC, and possibly joining a new young women's renewal team coming up. I'm not quite sure I will be able to make the time commitment to team again. However, it is something that has been coming back to me over and over again for the last month or two, despite how I keep telling God I don't have time for anything else. Guess I may just have to make time.

As for my running, my race is quickly approaching, like within a week. I'm not as prepared as I would like to be, unfortunately for me and my body I had to cut back with all this craziness going on. Now I'm back into the swing of things though and have a schedule set up so I can keep doing what I love. Can't wait to run my first big race! I NEVER thought I would ever be a runner or an athlete of any kind. I know it's only six miles, and for most runners it isn't that long. To me though, six miles is such an amazing accomplishment.

First Big Race

Holy. Crap.

I'm gonna be honest here, I'm pretty scared. I'm terrified I will do poorly, get a cramp, break my leg, fall oj my face, vomit on a spectator...you get the picture. I had nightmares all last night about it.

Pray for me! I need courage and endurance and peace!

Can't believe its tomorrow already.

Annoying

We all have cell phones. And we NEVER ANSWER THEM. (myself included)

Depression

This depression is like a black hole. Totally inescapable.

New Fun Adventures

So I've been getting into all kinds of adventures this summer. I've started seriously training for my half marathon. Am planning on running the 5k in august, 10k in October and the Turkey Trot in November. So that's a fun line up of races for fall.

The boyfriend and I are also taking rock climbing classes at a climbing gym and I'm super excited about that as well.

Also Ryan and I took the girls geocaching the other day, which was crazy fun. If you've never been picture a treasure hunt for grown ups complete with map, coordinates, a compass and treasure of course. If you haven't tried it yet, its a super fun way to waste a day.

Running update

I've been running a lot lighter these days as to not flare up the shin splints again, but I'm still running. It's hard when it is so stiffling hot, especially today. I ran two ten minute miles around the block, but as soon as I came in the house I had to stick my head under the faucet to cool down.

Birthday Wishes

So everyone has been asking me what I would like for my birthday.  Here is a short list, I appologize that so much of it is money oriented but I am a poor college kid:

1. Money
2. Gas Card
3. H&M gift card
4. Running shirts (target brand, racer back XL)
5.  Strap to hold my ipod (m&j might be already purchasing this so ask them first)
6. Dvds: City Slickers, Elizabeth Town
7.  Thunderbolt Phone Charger
8. Yoga capris, old navy L

Motivation

New Routine

It's gorgeous today and I really want to run. Instead I did some really intense core exercises and some weight training. It was a whole new kind of difficult, running has definitly given me more endurance, but my muscles need some strengthening.  Either way it felt good to work new sets of muscle groups and change up my work out a bit. Still icing and resting up my shins hoping to obliterate these damn shin splints so I can get back out there and start running again.

Also having drinks and dinner with Jaimie tonight after a long work day, cannot wait! 

My Boss Uncle Rico

So my boss Doug, is totally Uncle Rico from Napolean Dynamite, as evidenced by the following conversation.

Me: Doug what's your password you locked this register.

Doug: Boomer64

Me: What is that, your dogs name?

Doug: No kiddo that's what they used to call me around campus, back when I used to be a kicker at Mount. 64...that's my jersey number, that's a legacy.

New Highs and Lows

So a couple of days ago I had the best run of my life. I ran five miles in just under an hour. That's about 12 minute miles. For me this is a huge milestone so needless to say I was stoked, I felt great afterward and couldn't have been more ready to go out and do it again.

So today I decided to run with Mike, who is trying to recover from a pulled calf and has been running much slower paces.  The first fourth of the run was okay, everything after that went to shit. My left shin splints flared up super bad and I ended up walking far more than I did running.  Again, needless to say I am really bummed. I've had the shin splints for like three or four weeks now and I cannot seem to shake them.  I'm doing all the right things but it still caused me enough pain to completely crush my attitude and my pace.

So I'm going to switch up my exercise routine next week to something much lower impact on the legs.  I'm pissed that I did so poorly after doing so well, I'm pissed that its taking my body so long to get with the program. It's hard to get set back, but there is no freaking way I'm going to quit. I just can't.

This is how you know you had a badass run.

Changes

Some people have been asking me if I'm still running.  My answer to you all: hell yes.

It's been about three or four months now and I figures I would be really brave and show off my results.

The first picture is the very first night I started running. The last one is from about a week or two ago.

Pip

I got written up for not getting enough customer emails. It's on the fridge. #don't care #coorporate bullshit.

For Anastasia

This is a blog entry, not about running. Just for you!

In other news, my clothes are feeling much looser these days. Such a good feeling. Also, I really really want to see avengers.

Thoughts on the Park

So I just took a longer through the park today.  Turns out, I'm a lot slower off a tredmill. Like add three extra minutes per mile, slower. It's okay though, it's much harder to run on pavement, so I'm not going to beat myself up over having a shitty pace. I have decided though that I need to run outside more than I run on a tredmill, after all, races aren't run in my brothers basement.

Things to remember for next time:
1. I need a completely empty stomach. I had a super light lunch before hand and I still wanted to vomit and got stomach cramps.

2. Must find a way to bring water with me on the run, dry mouth makes it much harder to keep running.

3. Wear capstick.

4. Buy an armband for my ipod, super annoying carrying it.

5. TAKE ALERGY MEDICATION. I could barely breathe because I was so congested and kept coughing.

6. Must find a better way to carry my car key than in my sports bra.

7. Friction is not kind to yoga pants, find higher quality material that will hold up longer.

I really liked running in the park, it's beautiful, and the time seems to fly much more quickly.  It also seems more enjoyable and less like a chore.

My Mirror

I like to write things on the mirror of my bedroom. For the longest time I had written "you are beautiful". I would look at it, and wrestle with my self esteem.  How can what I am seeing in the mirror be beautiful?

Took me a really long time to see the beauty in myself, inside and outside. God had a lot to do with that.

I finally don't need to be reminded everytime I look in the mirror that I'm beautiful, I'm getting pretty cocky about it now. So now it's time for a reminder.

Be Strong. And Do The WORK.

I'm fighting against low expectations and goals. I will put in the work and I will make the effort

Week Five

I'm trying to update my running progress, not so much because it's thrilling to read, but because it's easier than keeping a journal.

I was told running usually gets easier after the first six weeks. This was my first run for week five, I did pretty well, but I seem to be at a stand still. I'm not getting any faster, and I can't seem to run any longer. I was hoping it would at least be easier, and I guess it is a little, but not significantly.

The nice thing about the first three weeks of running was I saw instant results. Even if the run was harder to accomplish I was constantly improving. Now I'm in this place where I feel like I'm not getting better, faster, or able to run longer. This is the point where I would usually give up.

But I will not stop. I don't care how hard it is, how long it takes me, I have goals and I am going to reach them. I've worked so hard to even get this far, I know I can be good at this. I desperately want to be good at it. I need to prove to myself that I have what it takes to be a runner.

Cookie

I love going to Mike and Jens place for a number of reasons. Hanging out with my family, seeing the kids, petting the cats, going for runs, but what I love most about their house...they always  have these delicious maple leaf cookies and I steal one everytime I go over.

Running Songs

These are some of my all time favorite songs to run to.

Girl Named Tennessee by Needtobreathe

Knights of Cydonia by Muse

City on Down by O.A.R.

Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Jet

Baba O'Reiley By The Who

Sweet Child O Mine by Guns N Roses

Alligator Pie by DMB

Sometimes I love My Job

Just had a group of regulars come into work, we chit chatted a bit about this and that, one of them must have heard me asking my coworker if she had any motrin, and asked if I had a headache. I told them that my knees had been bothering me from running and that my family is known for bad joints. Then they asked if they could pray over me, which I polietly accepted.

After praying for my knees, my running and my endurance, one of the ladies Karol, prayed for a whole slew of stresses I hadn't vocalized to anyone but close friends. She prayed for Gods financial provision over me, that doors and opportunitys would start flowing in for work and grad school. 

One of the customers praying with us also said that he sees me as a princess, which kind of puzzled me at first, but then on to say that I'm bold in knowing what I want to stand for and have a heart for fighting injustice. He also said that I was a fighter, and that he can tell I'm running to win.

I'm not sure that I'm a princess or a fighter or any of those things, but I do know I was encouraged. Sometimes I love where I work. :) 

Just Run

When I run I forget about all the bullshit. I'm not worried about screaming customers, looming finals, judgemental eyes, or a number on a scale. When I run, I'm only concerned with getting air into my lungs, and putting one foot in front of the other. It feels good to be boiled down into something so elemental. That is what keeps me lacing up my running shoes, even when I have no other drive.

Dumped

This week I got dumped. The guy just "doesnt see us going anywhere".

I guess it's okay, I mean I want someone who wants to be with me.

But who dumps someone through a text message. I mean what kind of etiquette is that!?!

Anyway that's the newest update from my crappy love life.

Really FCS...Really?

Because you know, college kids need a bottle opener with a bible verse on it to open all of the classic Coca-Cola bottles we all love so much.

Give me a break.

New Kicks

Oh hey sexy shoes, fancy meeting you here.

Week Three

Well I'm proud of myself to say the least. Yeterday marked the first day of my third week of running. I have to admit it's not as hard as I thought it would be, and harder than expected at the same time.

When I run, I forget everything. I can pound out all of the frustrations, aggrivations and worries my day holds. I don't have to think about anything but getting through that next mile. There is a huge satisfaction when I'm done, knowing

I've run better, and faster than the day before. It also feels good to stick to something and really commit to it.

I also need to throw a big shout out to Mike and Jen for being so supportive and always letting me come over and use their tredmil day or night, you guys are the best.

Also to mom who let's me rant, rave, and gush about how much I love it and how I'm progressing.

Life is better when you run.

Babysitting

Sam: Aunt Ka-wee where's momma?
Me: Out on a date with Daddy, Sam.
Sam: I wanna go on a date
Me: Oh really? With who?
Sam: You! I wanna go on a date wiff you!

Heart= melted.

My Boss, King of Flashbacks

My boss Doug reminds me a lot of Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite.  If he isn't trying to swindle people into spending money he is constantly reliving his glory days. 

So the other day we are closing up shop and I was playing some songs off YouTube, when Doug requests a song I've never heard for before.

*flashback dream sequence*

"I remember it was back in the summer of 95, Daytona Beach, mid July...I won $500.00 lip singing this song." 

What's the song you ask?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGVnH39UzI8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

After hearing his rendition of the song I immediately retorted:

"Doug you're a Decon!"
"Actually I'm an Elder"

FACE-EDGING-PALM

Marriage

I know this is totally iny head, but a bunch of people I know from college are married or engaged righy now. Somehow I feel like I'm falling behind or something.

Family Life

As much as I love being single and in my twenties, when I am around my family a lot, as I was a lot this weekend, it makes me really want to settle down and have a family of my own.

I feel like it would be nice to never be alone, to always have a best friend and a husband.

First Week Running

So my first week of running wasn't as bad as I anticipated. I ran four times this week and took a three mile walk with some girlfriends and did about a mile with the dogs.

At first the worst part was the soreness. The first couple of runs really took a toll on my body, for days after moving seemed to be a chore. The last two times I've been running though I've ran farther, faster, and with the exception of the post run "I'm so tired I want to die" feeling, I've felt pretty awesome.

I seem to want to run more and more. I wish I enjoyed running outside as much as I enjoy running inside, because although tredmils make it a lot easier to track and run for longer, the real races are outside on pavement.

I'm trying not to get caught up in how fast I ran or for how long. I'm trying really hard to focus on consistency, mike says speed and endurance will come naturally as I get serious about it.

I seem to have an itch for it.  Even though it's hard, I want to keep doing it everyday. I'm going to try and run three times a week inside, twice a week outside with Jaimie.

Dagnabit

I recieved my new phone at around 11 am this morning. By midnight I had already dropped it twice.

I suck.

Running

Needless to say I look up to both of my big brothers. Recently Mike has inspired me to take up running.  He's always been a really good example for me, and has pushed me to do well in school, encourage me in my faith,  and care about my health. On top of that he is always there when I need him, even now that he has a family of his own. That is love.

So in an effort to get in shape and be more like my big brother, I've decided to start running. Last night Jaimie and I ran a mile and a half in about 17 minutes, not bad for the first time out, being freezing and covered in hail. Today I ran the exact same path with Roxy and it took me 22 minutes. Not only was I slower, but I feel like shit too.

Not sure when I will start getting good at this, but I am going to keep doing my best till I get there. I hope I can make my big brother proud!

Another One Bites the Dust

So, you guessed it. I've broken yet another cell phone.

My Seventh Phone: The Droid Thunderbolt

Ahhh my first smart phone...I remember it well. Even though I went through seven new chargers (not exaggerating) it was a great phone. This phone lasted no matter how many times I dropped it in the parkinglot, dropped it while tweeting in the shower (don't judge), and even that time Roxy stepped on it. Even with a cracked screen that thing held on.
Cause of Death: I have no idea, I woke up and it was on the floor and the charger would no longer fit in the port.

The crappy part about all this, is that after having a six am freakout about not having a phone, I purchased a new one from the insurance. Not ten minutes later, I was able to ghetto rig my kindle charger to get ny droid up and running. FML

Oopsies

So today I accidentally hit my mother's boyfriend's car while trying to back out of my driveway today.

Keep in mind he parked it like a senior citizen (his words not mine). Anyway the side mirror is being held on by tying it to my windsheild wiper...which should work fine so long as it doesn't rain.

Creepy

Isn't this gross? I didn't give enough blood so they have to try a third time. Peggy and Kathy, my nurses, did a great job, but it wasn't easy.

Whatever drug they gave me in this IV is amazing, cold, but amazing. 

I Hate Waiting Rooms

So a lot of you have been asking what's going on. Here is the scoop.

I have a severe kidney infection. It is not responsive to the antibiotics  they put me on. After some tests they concluded I needed a CT scan to determine what is wrong with me.  It would take a week at least for my primary care doctor to have one ordered since this is an out patient situation.

So I'm sitting in the Fairview emergency room, waiting to be seen by a doctor. My primary care doctor ordered blood tests, and a ct scan of both kidneys. He said it could be a kidney stone, an abcess on my kidney, an anatomical anomoly, or I could just have a faulty kidney.  They also found Ecoli in my urine and  glucose, which could be another indicator of diabetes.

Depending on what the ct scan reveals I may be spending the night in the hospital.

Dans Dogs

Is the best place in the world.

Family

I love my family so very much. I can't wait to meet my beautiful twin nieces<3

Being around my four nieces and nephews makes me so excited to get married and start a family of my own some day. Of course I have to rock out a couple more excellent years of my twenties, finish school, and get married, but someday I'm going to have a big family of my own. 

By now I have a very real expectation of just how hard being a good parent is, but I'm up for the challenge :) I know I'll be an awesome mommy some day.

One Uppers

I can't freaking stand people who just HAVE to one up you. It's rude, and for the record no one is impressed after you "one up" them, they just think you're an asshole.

Me: wow I feel really sick.
One upper: my throat is on fire and I feel like someone is pulling my spine out of my body. I barely slept last night, I can't even find the will to move yet.

Give me a freakin break.