Running: Day 8

Motivational Quote: "Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in the muscles." - Alex Karras

Favorite Running Song of the Day: "Can't Hold Us" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Run Time: 20:00

Distance: 1.91 mi.

Average min/mi: 10:29

Calories Burned: 189

~~~

I have a hard time pushing myself.  I didn't complete the set.  I had two more to go and I decided to give up.  I'm not mad or disappointed in myself, but I knew I could do it because I've done it before.  I want to blame it on my skip day yesterday, but I know that's not it.  I just was getting tired and I didn't push myself.  I need to find better ways to push myself.  The motivational quotes help a bit in the morning, at least to help me get up and go.  But while I'm running and I'm sweating and I'm keeping my breathing steady and I'm ignoring the dryness in my throat and that my side is hurting and that I may have swallowed a bug, I need something for that.  I know that if I want to lose weight and gain muscle and get stronger I have to push myself.  I know I can do it.  I know I can.  I just have to make my body do it.

I've been doubting myself a lot recently.  I think it's because I'm graduating and I don't have a job lined up and all the jobs so far that I've applied to have passed on me.  Not that I want to work at Urban Outfitters for my entire life, but I need a job for a year.  I'm worried that my life isn't on track and I feel like I don't know what I'm doing.  I feel like I'm not smart enough for the things I want in life.  The thing is, is that I know I am.  I am smart and I know that I can get what I want if I only try, but there's always that small voice that tells me to go back to Dairy Queen because that's the best job I'll ever have.

I don't know if that's a phase I'm going through or if I really need to talk about it to someone.  My friends are great because I know they will always lift me up and tell me I'm awesome, but sometimes I'm unsure if they're saying that because they believe it or if they feel they need to.

Okay, this has gotten way too depressing.

I did have a good time on my run.  I wish I had finished it, but I'm glad I at least went.  The favorite song of the day is kind of the best thing ever right now.  "Can't Hold Us" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis is definitely something to check out.  I just watched the music video and it's kind of awesome once you get past the opening scene.

Well, I'm going to get ready for the day and I hope that I learn how to push myself tomorrow.  I'm determined to finish that set.

Here we go.

Kelly-Rae

Skip Day

Motivational Quote of the Day: "Life's challenges are  not supposed to paralyze you; they're supposed to help you discover who you are." - Bernice Johnson Reagon

~~~

 

 

The reason for skipping is fairly simple -- I have way too much homework due today and I need to work on it.  I have to finish my twenty-five page screenplay; I need to read over my last paper for a class; I have to fold and staple twenty-one copies of a chapbook.  I feel a bit overwhelmed.  I will exercise tomorrow and it will be amazing.  Today, I just need to focus on getting things done.  I know I would have stressed about it on my run, and that's now how it should be.

 

Here we go.

 

Kelly-Rae

Running: Day 7

Sweaty Pic of the Week

Motivational Quote: "Failure will  not overcome me so long as my will to succeed is stronger." - Michael Kirby

Favorite Running Song of the Day: "More" by Usher

Run Time: 30:00

Distance: 2.86 mi.

Average min/mi: 10:30

Calories Burned: 280

~~~

 

Well, I completed the set.  I think I died a bit.  It was great.  I think I'm going to keep this post fairly short because I have a lot of homework and final projects to get through.

 

I feel really good right now.  Sweat is dripping down my face, but I feel good.

 

Have I ever mentioned how much I love showers after working out?  Not just working out, but working out like a beast.  They are the best.  I mean, I'm all sweaty and I smell bad, and when I step in that shower everything goes away and I feel like I earned that shower.  I think that's why I like it so much -- because I've earned it.

 

Well, going to take a shower and get some stuff done!

 

Here we go!

 

Kelly-Rae

Running: Day 6

Motivational Quote: "For me, I'm focused on what I want to do.  I know what I need to do to be a champion, so I'm working on it." - Usain Bolt

Favorite Running Song of the Day: "That Power" by Will.I.Am

Run Time: 20:00

Distance: 1.94 mi.

Average min/mi: 10:20

Calories Burned: 192

~~~

 

I ran hard this morning.  I beat my time last week by one whole minute.  That's pretty cool.  To be honest, though, I didn't finish my entire run.  I cut out two sets because my chest was hurting.  I think I'll be able to do the whole thing tomorrow though.  I also got a bit of a late start this morning because I was more tired than normal.  Now I feel like I'm making excuses.

 

Man, I felt good until my chest started to hurt.  That was a good run.  I felt pretty powerful most of the way through.  "That Power" was what really got me going.  It had a great beat and a pretty good message.  Check it out if you have the time.

 

Yesterday, I actually couldn't wait for this morning so that I could go running.  I don't think I'm to the point where I turn to exercise instead of food when I'm stressed, but my plan is that someday I do.  I like working out and I like running.  At least, this morning I do.  I feel like I'm ready to take on the day, and trust me I have a lot to take on.

 

I have to work on my "big" paper for one of my classes.  I was writing it yesterday before I realized that I need to have four or more outside sources in it.  To be honest, I was kind of mad.  It's due Wednesday and I really procrastinated on it.  Of course, I procrastinate on most things.  My twenty-five page screenplay is due Wednesday too.  I have fourteen or fifteen pages.  It goes kind of fast if I write dialogue.  I also have a short paper due on Wednesday.  My chapbooks are supposed to be done on Wednesday too.  See a pattern?  I think all the English professors got together and plotted this.  While it's great to end all my classes on one day, it's super stressful to have everything due that day.  I have a lot to do and not a whole bunch of time.  So, I'm going to wrap this up, take a shower, and get cracking.

 

But, I will leave with this awesome picture that usually gets me motivated to do what I need to do.  Also, this is how "That Power" made me feel.  Beast Mode!

 

Here we go!

 

Kelly-Rae

Running: Day 5

Motivational Quote: "Happiness lies, first of all, in health." - George William Curtis

Favorite Running Song of the Day: "Bringin' Sexy Back" by Justin Timberlake

Run Time: 21:00

Distance: 1.94 mi.

Average min/mi: 10:49

Calories Burned: 187

~~~

 

Last day for a while!  Yes!  I am really proud of myself.  I haven't been this motivated to run since I started training for the Color Run, and even then I didn't push myself that much to finish some of the sets.  So far, this blog is doing exactly what I hoped it would.

 

I honestly get so excited to blog after running.  It makes me feel good knowing there is someplace where I can log my progress.  Sure, I could journal, but there are pictures I want to post and what's the point of logging progress if I can't share it with people?

 

Next week I start running for four minutes and walking for one minute.  This week has been all about running two and walking one.  It will be a challenge, but I've done it before and I know I can do it again.

 

I am excited for my rest days, though.  I have to catch up on homework and work on my final projects for my English classes.  They all end next Wednesday.  That's a little weird, but I'm kind of looking forward to it.  I want my classes to end because I'm so tired of doing all this work, but I love the people in my classes and my professors are fantastic.  I wish we could keep hanging out but without all reading and work.

 

This weekend I am going to apply to some jobs in Boise.  I have this app called Job Alert and I can look at jobs in Boise.  I had narrowed the search down to places in my area of expertise, but I realized that I should not be so picky and go for whatever comes along.  I think I found about eleven that I plan on applying for this weekend.  I hope I find something.  There's this job offer in Lewiston that seems really great, and I think I'm going to apply for it.  I just don't want to stay up here for another year.  I will have friends, but I miss my family and the Boise area.  Plus, we got a new dog that I just want to play with all the time.  Boise is my home and I'm itching to get out of Lewiston.

 

I know if I pray about it, everything will turn out the way it's supposed to.  My selfish heart wants to be in Boise, but I know that whatever God wants I should listen.

 

Here we go.

 

Kelly-Rae

Running: Day 4

Motivational Quote: "The secret of getting ahead is getting started." - Mark Twain

Favorite Running Song of the Day: "Independent Woman" by Destiny's Child

Run Time: 21:00

Distance: 1.94 mi.

Average min/mi: 10:51

Calories Burned: 187

~~~

 

I think I see a pattern with my running.  At this point, I'm not aiming for speed, I'm aiming for not dying and building up my body.

 

I hate the end of the week when it comes to exercising.  I see that it's Thursday and think, "I don't have to run on Saturday," and then I want to skip today so that I can get to Saturday faster.  Those rest days are pesky if I let them get inside my head.

 

I really, really, really did not want to do this this morning.  Even more than yesterday.  When I looked at the quote by Mark Twain, I knew I had to do it.  I mean, if Mark Twain tells you to do something, you do it.

 

The first and last sets are always my favorites.  During the first set I feel energized and alive, like I can do just about anything.  I feel like I can keep running for hours.  During the last set, I'm just about ready to fall over, but I know I only have two more minutes of running and one minute of speed walking.  It's just a bit longer, I tell myself.  I will my legs with my mind to keep going, going, going, until my time reads 21:00.

 

I have a science exam today and I'm not quite sure what it will be like.  We supposedly did a review on Tuesday, but the professor just ran through the slide shows and said, "Blah, blah, blah.  We've covered that . . ."  I mean, how the heck am I going to study if I don't know what the French to study for?!  I do have a good grade in the class and I think if I take my time, I should be okay.  I just pray I don't bomb it.  This section of the class has been the hardest because the professor has been all over the place and not very helpful.

 

This is why I'm an English major.  Mostly everything is up to interpretation, so I can't get anything wrong.  In science, there seems to be a little lee-way and some room for creativity, but essentially, there's always one right answer.

 

Thank God I'm graduating in fifteen days.  It's strange to realize that I'm finally getting my degree.  I'm going to be a college graduate.

 

Now, I just have to find a job.

 

Here we go.

 

Kelly-Rae

Running: Day 3

Progress Report: May 2013

Motivational Quote: "Failure happens all the time.  It happens every day in practice.  What makes you better is how you react to it." - Mia Hamm

Favorite Running Song of the Day: Nothing.  Pandora was not liking me this morning.

Run Time: 21:01

Distance: 1.99 mi.

Average min/mi: 10:34

Calories Burned: 192

~~~

It's getting colder and colder every morning.  Monday it was around fifty degrees, Tuesday around forty, and today it's around thirty.  I don't know what game the weather is playing, but I want it to stop.  Running is the cold is not fun at all.  It's kind of like a race with the weather -- if you slow down, you get cold; if you keep moving, you're warm.
 
I feel like I'm getting a later start every morning, but at least I'm getting up.  I really wanted to stay in my nice, warm bed and sleep a few more hours.  It was so cold I actually had to change into my running pants and double up on a layer of shirts.  I remembered my gloves though, so my hands were semi-toasty.

I can't wait to run in the summer.  I think I'll feel more motivated when the weather gets warmer.  Sure, I feel tough running in the cold, but, man, it gets tiring.

So, here's a bit how my blog is going to run (ha, run.  See what I did there?).  Every week I'm going to post a sweaty picture after my run and every month I'm going to post a progress report.  I may post pictures of random things, like that bunny, or I may post some new recipes I find too.  I want to make this blog as interactive as I possibly can.  These are mostly assignments for me so that I keep the blog up, but it's also for people who read the blog to see how I'm progressing.

Yesterday, I went bowling with a bunch of humanities majors and English professors.  It was a blast.  I lost every round, but it was still fun.  The last round we did was a speed round, and the person to get the lowest score won.  I got the highest score.  So, the time I wasn't even trying, I actually didn't do too bad.  I never broke 100, not even close.  I'm a terrible bowler.  It's a good thing I'm not that competitive or else I wouldn't have had that much fun.

I did win something, though.  Every year the Humanities throws this bowling thing on and every year they have prizes.  They have best haiku, best bowling shirt, best high score, best low score, and a mystery prize.  The prizes are these bowls with 'Humanities' painted on them.  In the five years since I've been going to LCSC, I've always wanted on.  Well, this year I must have wanted it hard enough because my haiku won.  I was so happy.
Only two more days of running and then I have some rest days.  I cannot wait for that.

Here we go.

Kelly-Rae