30 days.... Shmirty days!

Day 30!

Strongest woman in the world!!

Ok so I'm definitely not,

 

but I'm well on my way to being the strongest me ever!

Today's run was a definitely a test of strength, both physical and of willpower.

What running conditions we had today!

It was cold, rainy, and windy!

I didn't meet one soul on the trail.

I did see one lonely man out fishing though.

With the lack of bodies on the trail and since I waited for the rain to slow, 

there were MANY feathered friends cheering me on along the way.

Among them were a ton of western meadow larks, a crow (!), and a male cardinal.

(I was hoping to see his female counterpart, but I was speeding by too fast, ha)

So, with the weather and the fact that I was more interested in the little birdies along the trail rather than focusing on form, today's run was very challenging.

But I did it.

And I'm done.

30 days in a row.

I didn't quit.

Cool.

2.45 miles @ 8'20"/mi average pace

I salute you Holmes Lake.  

I'm very happy that you exist.

And I'm very happy that I exist.

And if you're reading this, I'm very happy that you exist.

Look at us all existing.  It's wonderful.

Let's all celebrate!

I already started, with a very long hot shower, a very yummy egg sandwich, and a very large cup of coffee!

I just might finish off the celebrations with a trip to Barnes and Noble.

Part 1 of my next 30 day challenge is to read 3 books.

Ben has The Hobbit here so I might just start in with that,

or if I'm feeling rowdy, I'll pop on over to Barnes.

Here's something I think we should all do:

but how about for the next 30 days?!  

You know, it's a theme I have going.

And why they need to call it air squat, I don't quite understand.

Anyway, you may look a little silly doing squats in the breakroom 

before you chow down at lunchtime, 

but who knows, 

maybe you'll inspire someone!

Your buttinsky and hammies will thank you!  

Let's do it, ready... set... go.

30 squats before each meal!

This random finding on pinterest sounds pretty awesome too:

Well, so long 30 day running challenge.  You were fun, and challenging, and good for me, probably everything you should be.

Part 2 of the next 30 day challenge involves an inquisitive little fella named Ferdinand, and a very special little girl named Addison.

Stay tuned, the next 30 day challenge starts on Monday April 16th!

(Unless of course you count the squats.... let's get started on those pronto!)

Thanks for joining me!

Tis boring, my posts as of late!

Day 29

(Yep that's right...29!)

1....run.... left!

2.43 miles @ 8'09"/mi average pace

After this run tomorrow, 

I am supposed to feel no guilt 

when Ben's shelling out the bones to do whatever I want in KC.

I'm sure I will however, and I will plan mostly free things. 

I am after-all a good-for-nothing starving artist

 who is only fed by the generous hands of her boyfriend.

He believes in me, it's adorable!

With his schedule though, who knows when this trip will actually happen.

For now I'm going to try to feel as if I have accomplished something.

Something I've never done before.

As big or little as it may be, it's a feat I have achieved.

The only weird part is, there'e no real end to this.

Maybe that's my own fault for not following through and setting SMART goals.

You know:

Specific

Measurable

Attainable

Relevant

Time-based

We just made a blanket statement: run everyday for 30 days.

The point being so I could get in better shape 

and possibly beat Ben at running (the latter one I made up of course).

So really the main point is I guess.... that it doesn't end here.

It was a challenge that hopefully catapulted me into a healthier lifestyle.

I'm just not feeling that great sense of accomplishment 

since it is really something that I need to continue.

I'll be running off and on from now on,  

I just hope I don't feel like a slacker 

when I only run 5 days a week instead of 7.

I plan on adding Bodyrock back into my life.

It's so fun, and very challenging.

It's mainly body weight based, so anyone can do it at home.

I'll probably post about those too, hopefully you don't find it all too boring!

I have a few other ideas on the horizon.

I'm starting my new 30 day challenge on Monday!

This one is not fitness based.

Now for what I did today.

Um... yeah....

well, here....

I participated in a little Noblegarden.

(Don't you love the bunny ears?!)

And then I spent some quality time with the boyfriend.

He bought me these fancy new headphones,

so now we can use Warcraft party chat 

instead of trying to use my crappy phone on speakerphone!

Hallelujah!

Better get to bed, it's midnight, and I have a very important run tomorrow!

Bleh!

Day 28

Today's run.... was..... horrible!

Here's the reason.

Ben got French Quarter Tuna (I think that's what it was called) 

last night at Buzzard Billys.

It was absolutely awesome, and he didn't eat it all, 

so we brought home leftovers 

and I made it into breakfast burritos this morning.

Best leftover breakfast burritos ever.

But I probably shouldn't have eaten it,

or waited longer before I ran.

I thought I was going to lose it four times.

Horrible run, but I did something I guess.

2.03miles @ 7'52"/mi average pace

2 RUNS LEFT!!!

I spent most of the rest of the day cooking and cleaning.

I made Ben 10 breakfast burritos for the rest of the week for his breakfast, 

and sweet potato burgers for his lunch.

I had a rough night.  

For some reason I was extremely sad that Ben was leaving, 

even though I got an extra day with him this week.

I'm probably super sad because there's a 90% chance he's going to A&P school,

leaving on Saturday for two weeks.

Sad days.

The Buzzard

Day 27

3 runs left!

2.46 miles @ 8'21"/mi average pace

We went on our usual weekly date night.
We were going to get sushi and right before we headed out the door
Ben says, "how about this curveball?"
and suggested Buzzard Billys.
This is only comical if you know us.
We go there nearly every week.

If you haven't had the Miller High Life Spinach Artichoke Dip
at Buzzard Billys you're missing out!
It's the best spinach artichoke dip I've ever had!
Get it next time.

intensely listening to one of Ben's stories... or so he thinks ;)

He's my favorite!

Why don't you like me, sun?

Day 26

Easter Sunday!

2.47 miles @ 8'12"/mi average pace

4 left!!

We went to Ben's moms to celebrate the day!

It's always a fabulous time out there

(Let's call this the before picture)

Sitting out in the direct sun for 40 minutes or so, got me this:

the after photo

oops!

Ben says my genetic weakness showed up to the party.

(since I'm a ginger).  He's so nice.

He loves to throw in a good ginger joke.

Gypsy and I dyed Easter eggs!

I LOVE this girl!  

Yesterday she said we were sisters!  

I love it!

Wonderful Easter Sunday full of lots of laughs, good food, beers, and maybe a little too much sun.
Hope you all had a good one!

Just keep following.....

...the heartlines on your hand!

Day 25!

5 DAYS LEFT!!

Heartlines!

Have you heard this song?  I have to share it!  

I decided not to listen to my usual playlist and just listened to Florence And The Machine.

The song "Heartlines" came on, and it's so fantastic!

This is the chorus:

Just keep following the heartlines on your hand 
Just keep following the heartlines on your hand 
Keep it up, I know you can 
Just keep following the heartlines on your hand 
Cause I am

I don't know, for some reason I was really touched by it while I was running.

Stats for today:

2.46 miles at 8'21"/mi average pace

So I ran without Ben, grabbed subway on the way home, 

we both did a couple chores around the house 

decided not to go out to eat

and then resumed doing this:

If you don't know what this is, congratulations!  You're not a loser.

If you do, congratulations, you're not a loser either!

It's so fun, isn't it?!

Noblegarden starts at 2am! 

I know I will not be up for it, 

but I can't say the same for Benjamin.

You should listen to this song!

Hope everyone's having a fantastic Saturday!

Made in the 80's

Day 24

The success is in the stretching.

It's something I really need to work on.

When there's too much to look at I'm horrible at focusing on enforcing discomfort on my exhausted legs.

I shall get better, it's very important!

I think that's what saved my hammy from freaking out yesterday, I really concentrated on stretching it.

More stretches!!

Ok today's run:

2.48 miles @ 8'13"/mi average

If 80's hair ever comes back in, I'm in business.

I would just need some feathery bangs and I'm all set.

It's Friday!  

That means Benjamin will be home!

It's not quite that exciting though.

He goes to sleep nearly immediately.

Tired working man.

It's really rather boring.

But at least he's home!

Possibly he will join me on a yog tomorrow.

6 runs left!!

It's time for some randomosity!

"I can talk, can you fly?"

Time to clean so Ben doesn't fire me as his housewife.

Happy Friday!!

Serious Business

Day 23

This.... is serious business.

So serious that I think I'm close to being put on the injured list.

My body is saying: 

"Whoa whoa whoa!  Are we really going to be doing this everyday?"

And my mind replies:

"Why yes body we are!  Get used to it."

It's trying to keep up with my demand, but it's not quite primed to run everyday.

My left hammy is hurt-ting!

My right quad twitches.

And at the start of every run,

my (get this) patellofemoral pain syndrome acts up.

I hate that term patellofemoral pain syndrome. 

When I went into the doctor a year and half ago I didn't want a label, just a solution.

But apparently this is what we call it, patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Which is another term for my knee is bending out of alignment.  

Caused by a few things one being underdeveloped quad muscles (vastus medialis I think).

Repeated pounding of the pavement (or dirt/rock) is not advised.

I, however, have inherited some of the Dorsch girl stubbornness 

and won't quit until I get my 30 days in!

Back to seriousness.  These runs are hard, very hard.

I don't think it ever gets easier, it just takes you a little longer to reach the point of exhaustion.

Everyday I start out thinking "oh sh!t how am I going to make it all the way around here today?"

And everyday I struggle through the run, 

my mind talking directly to my legs, 

telling them "don't stop, you can do it, just keep running."

And I do.

Running is a mind game.

If you don't have a physically debilitating condition (and sometimes if you do) all it takes is your mind to say, 

"You can do this!!"

And guess what, your body does it.

It's hard, everyday it's hard, but I'm already reaping so many benefits from it that far outweigh a bum knee and crampy hamstring.  

I probably wouldn't advise going from couch to 30 days in a row though.  Ideally I think I'd like to take one day off a week, which I probably will once I get done with this challenge.

But getting out there and challenging myself has been the best thing I've done this year so far!

Here's to hoping my hamstring doesn't turn into something more serious.... just 7 to go!

Today's specifics:

2.46 miles @ 8'18"/mi average pace.

How about a Japanese Pizza Commercial? lol ok!

Random.  Sorry.

What am I doing again?

Day 22

Things are looking up!

8 more runs!

3.05 mi @ 8'36"/mi average pace.

(trying to get my runs under 8'30"/mi average, so I missed the mark on this one)

I played around with picmonkey.com.

Tis fun.

This is what I looked like today.  

Currently I do not look like this.  

I'm very tired.

It's 12:22am.  

I shall go to sleep now.  

Sorry I don't have anything halfway interesting to say.

I think maybe my brain is already sleeping.

Oh yeah I remember, the point of that picture is that I'm wearing a very important flower on my necklace.

(Add it's my bridesmaid hair flower from your wedding)

Yeah still not interesting.

Sorry folks!

Goodnight!

A Walk Around the Lake

Day 21

That was not fun.  I really did not enjoy my run this morning, it was almost torturous.  It probably had something to do with the side of the bed I woke up on this morning.  I rolled over and really noticed the empty side.  Do you know I will only see Ben 6 days this month?  Well that's what it would have been, but I'm leaving here shortly to go see him for a couple hours.

The specifics:  2.33 miles at an 8'06"/mi average pace.  I didn't do a bad job, but I really had no energy nor desire to be there.  I did it though, and I do feel good about that so I guess that's something.

So as I'm on my way to Benjamin's temporary home, I'm sporting the ivory/clover polka-dot chiffon flower earrings from TheGrayCafe etsy shop.

You can find yours here

I'm extending the March Madness sale for a couple more days.  Buy 2 get 1 Free!

Just remember if you're in a funk

sometimes all it takes is a walk around the lake.

The Countdown Begins at 10

Day 20

Whew!  It was a shorter faster one today.
2.39 mi @8'12"/mi average pace.

I clocked my fastest mile time yet at 7'53".  Alright!

Just 10 workouts left to reach my jog-a-day for 30 days goal!

Random sharing for the day:

Get out there and own this day!

Why Hello Mr. Collie

I've noticed in the last two days, given it's the weekend, that the trails are much much busier.  

Which is something I could take or leave, but I love the added number of furry friends trotting along the trail.  

I find myself smiling ridiculously at the golden retrievers, not paying any attention to the humanoid on the other side of the leash, lol.  

I probably look like a real crazy person jogging past someone and more or less saying hi to their dog.

Day 18

Day 19

Extremely RED face?  Yep.  

I did it!  3 miles!  @ 8'38"/mi pace. Woohoo!

On another note, this weekend has been a fantastic one!

Starting on Friday, Goodwill had their $.99 clothing sale and I had extremely good luck!

I sported two new-old pieces shopping with Mom and sister Addie on Saturday.

We always have a wonderful time!! So fun!

And today....

1.  I'm starting out with 3 miles under my belt, pretty cool.

2.  It's darkmoon fair week on warcraft!

3.  I have an extreme amount of household cleaning to do

4.  I now need to rearrange my closets

5.  I'm quite far behind in my custom requests from the shop (sorry!)

6.  Looks like #2 might not happen today :(

Have a wonderfully sunny Sunday Everyone!

Don't you want a reason to run?

....or 15?

Day 17

Killed it.  2.49 mi at 8'23"/mi pace.

Not my finest picture, lol.

I saw this lovely ditty on pinterest yesterday so I thought I'd share!

Oh how fabulous!

Happy Friday!

Just keep running...

...just keep running, just keep running, running, running.

Day 16

Channeling my inner Dory.

(Good one Pixar!)

I really did not want to run today, but I made myself.  

Jogged the whole 2.5 miles.

Cool.

I think I ended up with an 8'41"/mi average pace.

Ben is currently snoring right beside me on the bed.

He got home 20 minutes ago and zonk, sleeping.

I'm gonna sneak in 20 minutes of Warcraft, wake up Mr Overachiever, then start supper.

Happy Thursday Everyone! 

Dead Duck

Don't fret, there wasn't really a dead duck, but I was dead tired after today's run.

Day 15

See.... dead duck.

Instead of the usual walking .2 mi to start with I started jogging right away.  I decided to push it and go fast (for me).  Yikes. Seems like a good idea to push it and go super fast a couple times a week. 

(I don't know if it is a good idea or not, I'm just making this stuff up as I go)

I finished 2.01 miles with an average of 8'17"/mi pace, but I had to end my workout about .5 miles short of what I usually do.  

I was dead.

I ended up with cramps, not of the female varitey, just runners cramps.  I do believe I pushed it and I possibly need to drink more water.

Let's see if I have anything interesting in my head to share today:

um....

Well this might be interesting to someone.  Ben is flying to three different states this weekend and then back to Nebraska on Monday.  Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico.  That's the cool part!  The cruddy part is I might not see him til next weekend, but such is life in the military.  I'm excited for him.

This 30 day challenge is fun.  I've been working on ideas for more 30 day challenges in the future. 

Stay tuned

Early to Rise with the Songbirds

I dislike Tuesdays, but my run this morning was delightful.

Day 14

2.5 miles @ 8'53"/mi pace :)

While I was sitting here stretching a red-winged blackbird was serenading me.

I think you should listen to one too so here's a youtube for ya.

http://youtu.be/q3QicOAiBXk

(I can't seem to get it to embed, but you should copy/paste it)

Wonderful.  It's going to be a beautiful day!

You're.... running?

I know, believe it.

To catch everyone up,  Ben and I jog/walked a couple weeks ago when I said "you know if you did this everyday you'd be in pretty good shape in 30 days."  He agreed and said I should do it.  I asked what was in it for me? (of course, because increased respiratory endurance was not enough me lol)  He suggested how about a free weekend trip to KC.  Done deal!  So from that day forward I have laced up my nikes (really) and headed out on the trail, rain or shine.

A couple things:
1.  I do not run. hate it. despise it.  you know, all those good words.  Definitely do not like it, and I always sucked at it.  Well maybe that's not true.  I was super good at running until about 6th grade when I couldn't ever get enough air and had to use an inhaler.  Since then my running attempts have been very few and very far between.
2.  Years ago I bought the Nike+ system.  Nike+shoes, a sensor to put in the shoes, and an adapter for my ipod.  Used it maybe 6 times.  Giving it a go on this 30 day challenge!
3.  I enjoy prefer(!) running in the rain.  Wow it's awesome.  It's as if you are running along and someone has a mister fan pointed on you the entire time.
4.  In 11 days I went from couch to jogging 2.3 miles nonstop! (Well that's not entirely true, a little boy on the smallest bike I've ever seen fell over right in front of me so I stopped to help him up, but after that I just kept right on going)

Here's some photos I've been taking with my phone and sending to Ben for proof that I had indeed exerted myself. (A couple days are missing because he was either with me or at home when I left to run)

Day 1 Wednesday March 14th (no photo) 

Ben and I jogged together for the first time in ages.  

(Challenge extended, challenge accepted)

Day 2

Day 3

Some friends on a super foggy morning. 

 Day 4

Day 5

Some crazy wind!

Day 6

no photo (Ben was home)

Day 7

 The rain! Oh love it!

Day 8
Rainy again - First time jogging over a mile (1.27 mi) nonstop!

Day 9

Guess it was a good one

Day 10

My very own warrior dash, lol

Day 10 also
I told Ben "Look!  Way over there in the distance I can see that KC trip!"

Day 11
Jogged 2.3 mi nonstop at a 9min/mi pace!  Not too bad for this girl!

Day 12

Finally have a running partner.  (Lovin those white crews Benjamin, lol)

Day 13 March 26th
Benjamin, oh Benjamin.

So that's that.  Tomorrow, day 14!