This morning, I woke up and went for a 4 mile run in preparation for the impromptu Bloomin 4 Mile race hosted by the Dallas Running Club (which I joined about a month ago).

Honestly, it was a really good run! While I did get a stomach ache at around mile 2.5, I have to admit that mile 4 was strangely easy. It makes me wonder if I’m not finally tapping into that runner’s zone where I the first few miles are a struggle, then the body takes over. Who knows.

Anyway, it was hot by 9 and I’ve finally had to resign myself to the fact that am running is awesome, and I need to be willing to do it, even if just to avoid the crazy texas heat!

In other news, my sweet friend Kristen bestowed me with the Lemonade award! It is all about having a positive attitude and looking for the bright side of life. I’m bad with rule following though, and I’ll just be passing it on to a few fellow bloggers who always seem to have great attitudes, or who continue to strive for greatness in the face of struggle or adversity.

Lemonade Award

1. Angie – (http://angieeatspeace.blogspot.com/) Angie is a HUGE inspiration for me, and was maybe the first blogger that really inspired me to start running. Somehow reading about how she did it made me believe that I could do it too. 

2. Bobbi – (http://nhershoes.blogspot.com/) Bobbi really is the most peppy, happy, uplifting, positive blogger that I read on a daily basis. She seems to be constantly smiling and encouraging others. She really does epitomize the idea of looking for the best of life. 

3. Sarah – (http://www.sarahlane.com/) Sarah is a tech and interweb guru, who manages to bring a happy, light, fun spin to all of the tech news that she presents to her rabid readers. Through the years we’ve connected through no less than half a dozen social sites, and she is certainly worthy of of a follow via one of her many projects. 

4. Frayed Laces – (http://frayedlaces.blogspot.com/) Frayed Laces, “Frayed” to her happy followers, has inspired me a number of times, but most recently when she finished the BOSTON marathon while nursing a handful of pains/injuries. She really demonstrates the power of the human spirit, and I’m happy to read about her inner strength. 

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Well, I suppose that is a good wrap up for the night, so, I’m going to cuddle up with my latest treasure from the greatest used bookstore in the world : The 250 Best Muffin Recipes

MUFFINS!

After that, I think we’ll have to watch a little of the MTV awards, because I hear there are Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and New Moon goodies to be revealed tonight!!

Today was, all in all, a very good day.

My student worked really hard, and I got more work from him than I expected, which is always a nice bonus.  

Husband and I are getting ready for the arrival of Momma MACKE this weekend!! I’m so glad I don’t have to worry about all that “crazy mother-in-law” stuff, because my MIL really is (really, really) is awesome. I’m lucky to have her! Anyway, today after work, daron and I got working on all kinds of house work… He has graciously taken on the task of vaccuming. Which is awesome because I hate it so much. I worked in the bedroom and in the guest room (my office/blue room) to get it all ready for her. I still have a little work to do tomorrow, but we’re mostly ready. 

I’ve had money on my mind a little bit lately, I guess because we’re about to drop a serious chunk on this amazing trip to Spain… (with an overnight trip to Paris!!) It is funny because as soon as you start saving up for something, there are a dozen things you need to spend money on! Like, I want to get a new set of full sheets and bedding for the “guest bed” that is usually a sofa (a cute little ikea piece). I’m also trying to eat cheap for the next few weeks. mostly yogurtoats for breakfast and pbj sammies for lunch.  

I also worked on “accessorizing” an untouched area of our bedroom. Our bedroom has never felt “finished” to me… and certainly not “decorated”. We have a bedroom set from my mother, and the chest of drawers has been completely useless… well, except for holding stacks and stacks of junk, trash, letters, books, cups, and crap. It looked like complete shit, to be honest. Well, tonight, I scoured the house and found lots of treasures – some wall cubes I had tucked in a closet, a pair of very cute mercury glass candle holders from mom that I never found a home for, some books with spines of the right colors, some twigs from our dead bushes, and voila! A fully decorated looking chest of drawers. 

Tomorrow, I’m paining two canvases that I got for free which will go over our bed. It is nice when stuff that costs money gets done for FREE. I’ll post some pictures of all the changes tomorrow.

Now for a half palm full of carob chips and off to bed. Goodnight!

I had such a great run tonight. It was short, and it was really hot outside. I haven’t bought any body glide yet, so there was a little aquaphor adventure. I ran in nike tempo shorts, which, no doubt, show more of my still-squishy legs than I would like. But I listened to the first episode of the runnerslounge.com getting started podcast. I made a point to smile from ear to ear for no reason the whole run. I did NOT wear my garmin. I just ran.
 
I wasn’t running to lose weight.
 
I wasn’t running to accomplish a training goal.
 
I wasn’t running cause I had to.
 
I ran cause it feels good to turn my head off, and I ran because I can. I feel so much better.
 
What makes a good run/workout for you?

Posted via email from kelsnotchels’s posterous

Its funny, but I feel as if my life is like… um… a jelly donut , or a tube of toothpaste. When I apply pressure in one area, there is always a little bit of goodness that squishes out of the end. Maybe holding sand would have been a better analogy, but whatever.

The past few weeks I've just felt spread THIN! And it isn't for lack of trying, and it isn't like things are out of control, there is just os much to do! I had to finish up the grad school semester (I got all A's, and I'm hoping I can keep my 4.0 until I graduate in August.), and finishing up the school year for my students. I'm anxious about starting my summer field experience and taking my last class, and I have to start getting ready for my Spain presentation.

And on top of all that, I'm trying to train for that 10k… I really want to perform well and run strong. That is my goal.

For example,  my heart feels like it could EXPLODE with all the love I have for my husband. I feel so happy and lucky to have him in my life. I also have a wonderful job, and great friends. I've been getting ready for the trip of a LIFETIME to Spain where I'll finally see Lola in person…

Posted via email from kelsnotchels’s posterous

Today, I ran 5 miles. For the first time…

That is a pretty long way, for a girl who was completely useless after 30 seconds of jogging 4.5 months ago.

As I was running the final .25 or so, I started to get a lump in my throat, and a sting behind my eyes. Funnily enough, my almost-tears nearly ruined my breathing, my chest got so tight. Later, as I was sharing my joy with Daron, he made me start wondering. 

Why would I cry? Why be overwhelmed by my accomplishments? Will I continue to be shocked every time I set a new personal record or personal distance record?

I feel like every little goal, every new quarter of a mile, every achievement is like climbing Everest… and I’m shocked, amazed, humbled, and proud when I do. 

I am a person who has NEVER done anything like this before…

I’ve come to realize that there were a lot of things that I was good at as a younger person, and I don’t think I really ever took anything on that was a challenge. Only now, as a 25 year old, am I finally finding the joy and inherent rewards found in pushing myself. 

Fitness and athleticism do not come naturally to me, I am not gifted in these areas, I do not have a competitive spirit, I have to fight for every. single. step… every stride…

Maybe one day I’ll come to expect my successes. But for now, I’m in awe… and I’m proud.