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.