I WILL

I WILL run a half marathon.
There is a great multitude of things we all CAN do, but what really matters and where greatness is found within us, is what we WILL do. I could run a half marathon a while ago, but this weekend... I WILL.

I am hopping on a plane in just a couple hours with some friends and we are headed out to San Francisco for the SanFran Rock 'N Roll half marathon. After months of amping up my running and focusing my training the real hard work is done and now it's time to go have some fun!

To train for my first Half Marathon I roughly followed the Higdon Novice2 Half Marathon Training plan. I still kept a lot of my normal workouts in throughout the week and just added in more running. Did the three shorter to midrange runs during the week where I could push my pace a bit and then did my long runs on Saturday where I grew my endurance.

Here are some snap shots of my Saturday Runs.

With the low temperatures I had the pleasure to train in A LOT of my runs were done in this here sweatshirt.

I remember this run because it was during my 7 day challenge to go NO SUGAR to break some bad habits I was starting to pick up. That means carbs too. I did allow myself a Granny Smith Apple and an occasional sweet potato. That run I was definitely running on empty. It almost hurt.

Another one of my favorite outdoor running tops for the winter weather. Around Christmas time I picked up this great Nike turtleneck, the Nike orange sweatshirt above, a Nike Green long sleeved top below and the UA long pants to run in outside since I knew I'd have to rough it in some cold weather. So glad I did!!! I ran in some crazy weather through all this!

I remember I was really happy at the end of this run because I hit exactly 7 miles right at an hour which was my goal. Hoping to be able to keep an 8'30" per mile pace or lower for the race. We'll see how that goes with the terrain and adrenaline and nerves all combined.

Nike Running top... yes I have an obsession with Nike.

Fun Under Armor Pants!

This 5K was a blast and a good break to the long runs. It worked out perfectly because the same weekend I was scheduled to do a 5K race I also had to be in Houston for a friend's wedding. I stayed with Lauren who is doing the Half Marathon with me and following the same running plan so she found us a 5K to run in together. That weekend also happened to be the beginning weekend of the month long Rodeo in Houston so we signed up for Rodeo Run which kicked off the whole thing. Costumes were encouraged and when we found these purple lycra pants the day before we knew it was destiny! They were pretty fabulous, but I have to say I was super nervous to run in them (SO TIGHT!). It all worked out great though. There was a huge crowd there cheering on the runners which was a big energy boost and they all loved our pants... of course, so it was fun to hear all the "Go Purple Pants" shout outs. We ended up completing the run with a pretty good pace, had a blast doing it, and rocked our crazy pants!

This may have been one of my favorite (or at least one of my favorite) long runs. I just remember it feeling so good and when I finished I felt like I could have just kept on going and going. That's always a great feeling. 

My first run in the new shoes that will take me across the finish line. These poor guys got broken in quick. 

Without a doubt my least favorite run on them all! I felt every mile and I didn't enjoy a single one of them. It was rainy and gross, but hey I had been running in single digit temperatures and snow, so what was a little rain? I decided to switch up my location to mix things up and make sure I wasn't getting too comfortable with my route, so I went to the KC Downtown Airport. I hated it. Don't know if it was the weather, the location... don't know. I just didn't like it... but I did it and I did not stop. So, with that I think it was good for me to know that I could push through a rough run like that.

This week I was supposed to do a 10K race but I could not find one!! So, I signed up for the Big12 5K that was going on that weekend downtown by the Sprint Center. Thought it would be fun to rep my TCU Horned Frogs and I planned on doing the route twice to get my 10K in. It didn't work out for me to go through twice and the race was okay, but I did get to see an old friend from high school. I'm pretty sure everyone that saw me in purple just thought I was a KState fan... boo. Go Frogs! 

Now this one was a fun route because I ran from my house in Smithville to my best friend's house in Kansas City. The night before the run I was talking to my dad about wanting to do a different route and throwing around some ideas with him. He then said, "Why don't you run to Kinsey's?" It normally take me about 15min or so to drive to her house so I thought she was farther away, but when I googled it... 10.8 miles. Perfect. In fact from my door step to hers on the route I took it's more like 10.5 so I had to run past her house and then back, but it worked out. It was really cool to put a visual to the distance I was covering. Had some good hills to go over coming out of Smithville and had a couple good encouraging drivers that passed by that gave me a good energy boost. At mile 8 was feeling great.. and then some precipitation started coming down... of course.. but it wasn't too bad at that point. Then when I was about a mile and a half away I was running in a blizzard! Not just running in it but actually running against it. I had to put my head down as the snow was collecting on my face and in my eyes. The last mile was literally up the steepest hill, in snow, against the wind... With all that though it was a good run and aside from the final moments I had fun doing it.

The last big run and I had to test out a few new items. New fun pants for the run and a water bottle with a pouch for my phone. Wanted to make sure they both could go the distance and not drive me crazy! Love the pants they were great. These are my first pick for the run but I have two backups... just in case. Then for the water bottle I was nervous about a couple things: that my arm/back would hurt from the weight, complications with having my phone in the pouch since I play my music from my phone and use my Nike+ app on it, that I wouldn't really even need the water. I filled the water bottle just over half way if that so the weight didn't end up being an issue. I put my phone in the pouch and take it out one handed which is good in case I need to do that during the run. Otherwise it fit in the pouch great with my headphones coming out the top and I can press the home button from outside to hear my app tell me how I'm doing. So, those items checked out. Again, I really enjoyed the run and totally had San Francisco on my mind the whole time!!!

And away we go.

SanFran Rock 'n Roll... I'm ready for you!

Run in some crazy weather looking crazy right along with it.

End it there because I literally have to leave for the airport... like now! AHHHH! Here we go!

Anything

When I'm running, anything seems possible; because when I'm running, I'm doing what once was impossible. We can all come up with excuses to avoid doing the things in life that scare us. Stop it. Your excuses will become your regrets.

I wish I could explain just how much I used to hate running and how it scared me so that you could understand the feeling of overcoming and conquering that fear. When I would hear people say, "I love running." I would think to myself... "LIAR! They are just saying that because it sounds cool." How could anyone actually love running? A mile seemed like a gargantuan feat and finishing one seemed like an eternity... and now here I am. I love to run. I'm ready to run my first Half Marathon. In fact, I pick up my pace and try to sprint the last mile of my runs... cuz a mile is just a mile.

It was a year ago that I ran in my first official race. It was KC Track Club's 34th Annual St. Patrick's Day Run in Westport. It was four miles long and I ran it with a time of 37:44:9. My goal had been to break a ten min mile pace for it and really I wanted to get below 38 minutes, so I was ecstatic with this time. That was the beginning of me really falling in love with running, because I found that it was fun. YES, fun! At a race my adrenaline is going. I have the energy of the crowd to feed off of, and passing people feels so darn good. Since that first run, I have also completed the Warrior Dash, Color Run, Glow Run, Santa Run, Rodeo Run...

I was thinking of that first run from a year ago this past weekend as I completed my ten miles as part of my half marathon training. What a difference a year makes. What a journey, and it's only the beginning.

It was a rough ten miles. I loved running the nine the weekend before, but I felt every. single. mile. of those ten. Rough, but got it done. Rain and all, ten miles... done. Loved the "Emergency Stopping Only" sign. A good reminder to keep going!

I feel alive when I run. Lost in my thoughts, everything becomes clear. The world around me is white noise and suddenly it's me, my thoughts, and God. And ANYTHING seems possible.

If you want to do something... do it!
Don't just think about it. Don't just talk about it. DO IT!
Be the person you want to be. Do the things you want to do.
And if you're afraid of failure... you have to let that go. Failure is inevitable. Wouldn't you rather fail while chasing wildly after your dreams than to fail sitting on your couch... with your regrets?!
You were made for more and you have it in you.

Chase after your dreams. 

Get rid of your excuses or

YOUR EXCUSES WILL BECOME YOUR REGRETS

Along the way I have had a lot of excuses I could have fallen on. Some frivolous and some very legitimate! When my back went out last February, I couldn't go to the gym like normal, but I walked on the treadmill for as long as my body would let me at a time and worked my way back. A year ago I was out playing catch with my brother and got hit in the eye with the baseball which gave me a huge black eye. It swelled up so I could hardly open that eye and see... and still I went to the gym that Monday to train. I've worked late and have had to rearrange my schedule to fit some kind of a work out in. I've traveled and done my Nike Training Club workouts in the hotel. Oh, and the food!!! Gosh the food! Oh, the temptations. You should see the stuff that comes through my work that I just have to move past. Lordy, lordy, lordy, the food. 

I could go on with excuses that just pile up: job, family, time, etc. But if you want it, you have to find a way to make it work. You have to fight for it. It's not going to happen on it's own. Make a plan, then work the plan. Adjust and change as the world around you changes. But, YOU CAN DO IT!

Attack life the way you were created to!

There was a moment when the switch went off in my head and I knew at that very moment that my life WAS going to change and I've been going full force ever since. Here's the thing, as badly as I'd like to, I can't give that to other people. I can try to motivate and inspire, but they have to turn that switch on their own, no one can do it for them.

Motivation Monday

It's Monday... Time to get motivated for the week ahead!

I am obsessed with motivational quotes, workout memes, scripture verses, funny sayings, etc. and have a stock pile of ones I have saved. Literally, half the images in my phone photo album are screenshots of these quotes. It's time to start sharing and what better place than on here?

Enjoy!

So many times I have been overwhelmed with the trials of this world. I am thankful for my Rock, Jesus Christ, who brings peace and understanding to my life. "Let the peace of God rule your heart." -Col. 3:15

It is because I have stared Absolute Failure in the face that I am so determined. Facing failure, slapping it in the face, and moving past it is what has built me and made me strong.

Preach!
Working out (especially long runs) is my therapy.
It's also like medicine. Several times I have felt awful and still gone to work out and feel so much better afterwards.

A LOT of little steps!
Whenever someone talks about how they can't believe how much I run I make sure to tell them... I started walking.
One step at a time.

It's all about changing your lifestyle and making Excellence a habit.
Meaning... it won't happen over night, but it will happen.

QUIT MAKING EXCUSES!!!
You're cheating yourself and your loved ones!

This one has run through my head several times when I've gone to workout and just don't "feel like it."

Feeling Motivated?!

Now get out there and kick some butt!

(and come back next monday for some more)

Apples and Oranges

In the "Comparison Game" you lose every... single... time.

There will ALWAYS be someone:
Prettier
Fitter
Smarter
Funnier
Richer
Quicker
Better Dressed
Nicer
Etc.
Etc.

There's even someone who is all that and more than you. I don't say all this to be a Debby Downer but rather I want to talk about something I definitely struggle with: Playing the Comparison Game and losing every time.

I am sure you gentlemen struggle with this as well, in fact I know you do, but I am a female, therefore I will be speaking from that perspective.

Sometimes when playing this game we'll compare ourselves to someone "prettier;" and then to even things out, we'll tell ourselves we're probably smarter. Really? Why? Because she's blonde... Okay, well that's probably true then... JUST KIDDING! So back to the prettier blonde... What if she's smarter than you too? Then what? Here's the deal. There are so many gorgeous women. I mean just gorgeous! Trust me. I've spent a lot of time in Texas and they have an excess of them there! And so what? Isn't that a good thing? Why does someone else's greatness have to make you feel less than? Or someone else's downfalls make you feel better? One, you never know what their story is and what has led them to the place they are at now. Two, what if they are a shallow, selfish, pretty girl? Does that now make you better? No! I know I'm rambling, yet this is what I'm getting at... Stop comparing! It will tear you apart.

Here's the deal. There may be someone prettier and smarter and richer and funnier, but there is one thing you have on them, guaranteed. You are the only you! You can't be them, so stop trying. But they can't be you so do you to your very best. Be the very best you that you can be. And here is what I have found. When you are your best self, as flawed and messed up as that may be, you have the ability to impact people in an unspeakable way.

Recently, I have been following some different fitness competitors and crossfitters for inspiration on Instagram. It's nice to see other's photos to see what they are doing and to help set goals... my problem is getting too wrapped up in comparing myself to them. I've noticed myself struggling with some body issues recently as my body just won't do what I want it to. I look in the mirror and because of my loose skin, I still see a fat girl. It's frustrating, exhausting, and getting to my head. With that being said, I stopped following these pages on Instagram to take away the temptation of comparing myself.

I run, but compare me to a legit runner... I am an amateur.
I dance, but compare me to a legit dancer... I look like a fool.
I weightlift, but compare me to a legit weight lifter... I am weak.
I do kickboxing, but compare me to a legit fighter... I am beat.
I am pretty, but compare me to a model... And I am a beast.
I am smart, but compare me to a doctor... I am an idiot.

Lucky for me that being the best at these things is not what defines me but rather being my best self. Living out the will of God for my life to my very best is what will define me in this world. I am going to continue to push myself, but my goal is to be the best I can be for myself.

I have already been absolutely astounded by the impact my journey to be my best self has had on people around me. And I thank all of you who have shared this with me as it brings such great encouragement.

Choose to stop judging others and to stop judging yourself!

Get up every day with purpose, to be your very best self and make us all proud to spell our name...
W-O-M-A-N. (reference to Maya Angelou quote)

Obsessed

Wanted to share a few things I am a little obsessed with. We'll call this the Obsessed: Fashion Edition blog post. All the things I have been wearing to death.

Short in Front/Long in Back Dress (skirt)

Crazy about these. They're fun, funky, and functional. It's like a mullet... in dress form. Party in the front and business in the back. I love getting to show off some leg while still covering my butt, literally. Super comfortable. I can move around with ease and still look cute. I want more! I have to refrain myself from overstocking my closet with these. Don't want people to think they are all I am capable of wearing. 

[sidenote: There are some bad versions of this style of dress, so it is important to be picky.]

Scarves

Super original, I know. But, it's winter and these are my go-to pop of fun. Some do necklaces... I do scarves. I'm picky about my scarves though. I like them big and full. No need to bother with the wimpy ones. A great color, pattern, or just something that makes it pop a little more is always nice as well.

Leather Jacket

Everyday. Everywhere. Throw on jeans, boots, T, leather jacket - done! I have been wearing mine to death, but I can't help it. Maybe it's because I've always wanted to wear jackets like this and couldn't, so now I'm making up for lost time or deep down inside me there's a member of Hell's Angels... either way... obsessed.

Boots

I know, I know, just like the scarves, this is nothing original, but I can't write about the things I've been obsessed with this season and not at least mention my boots. They go with everything. Over or under the jeans, with a dress, with my skinnies... whatever, throw on some boots for a good look and yet very comfortable. And that's that.

Fun Nails

I usually never paint my nails because I am horrible at keeping them up and then I end up looking like a pre-teen at work. However, this is a trend I had to jump on. Granted my nails are currently naked as I type this, but I do have an appointment with my private nail technician extraordinaire (my sister) to have them done again. I just love all the experimenting and fun people are having with their nails. Add the glitter! Mix the colors! Make the patterns! I love putting a neutral color on the majority of my nails and then picking a fun pop for the ring finger... with some glitter.

High Sock Bun

I blame my sister for getting me hooked on this one. I tried it for the first time in the pic above and found that it was super easy to do and I like the look. Nothing like having another option with my hair that takes very little effort and looks like I actually tried. I've probably overused this one like everything else listed on this post, but when you are obsessed you just can't help yourself. 

Stacked Jewelry

Layer it on! Stack your bracelets. Stack your rings. I can't get enough! We'll know I've gone too far when I look like I did when I was 8 or 9 and decided it necessary to wear all my silver rings on all of my fingers... hmmm. But stacking, I love. With the bracelets it may be like the jackets where I used to not be able to wear them because my wrists were too big and now that I can, I love it. And I really love the leather straps wrapped around several times and some of the ones with words. This one says, "TOUGH" and my other one says, "FIERCE"... obviously. We all knew I wouldn't go for the ones that say "LOVE" or "SWEET." Ha!

The image that sums it ALL up for me!

Mix &Match

Hard & Soft

Dress Up/Dress Down

Layers

I totally want this outfit. I just love the juxtaposition of it all. Mixing and matching styles. Soft flowing skirt with a ball cap! Layer it on with that great pop of color and we are good. It says, "I'm fun, quirky, and I don't take myself too seriously."