I'm Moving

Hello dear followers! Like I mentioned in my recent post I will be following my topic of running and training a lot closer now that I have begun training.  Many of you have been devoted followers on this blog from the very beginning and I appreciate you.

I am writing this post to let you know my (this) blog is moving to another site.  I haven't been happy with the layout of this site and I'm looking to upgrade my blog/site to bigger and better things.  I have been working on this new site for two weeks now and am already 100% more satisfied.

I hope you will follow me there as this site will not have any more posts on it.  I will be updating the URL on my new blog very soon so it will be much easier to get to.  But for now, this is the link (click here).  You can follow my blog by email, for now, but I will be getting an RSS feed within the next few weeks.

Again, thank you for your support and reading my posts.  It's nice to know this isn't just on the web but actually being read.  :)

Olympic Athletes = Inspiration

The 2012 Olympic Games are at the start of the second and final week.  I have enjoyed these games almost as much as the 1996 Olympics.  Granted, I was seven when the Atlanta games were on, I still remember watching as the USA Gymnastics team take the gold! All of the athletes were so inspiring and I wanted to be just like Dominique Moceanu.  Watching her beam routine made me want to learn how to do a back flip on the beam so bad.  

Around the same time as the 1996 Olympic games, I was getting ready to move up a level in gymnastics.  We were evaluated based on the skills we could do on each apparatus.  I was so weak on the bars, had a decent run for the vault (I only ever competed on the old school vault, thank goodness), and was okay on the floor.  When it came time for beam evaluation, I had no fear! I could barely do a handstand dismount on the beam and my coach said, "Can you do a back walk over?" I didn't hesitate. I threw my head back and tried to do the back walk over.  I had done one of the floor... It's the same thing as doing one on a beam raised four feet off the ground and only 4 inches thick, right?  My coach leaped up as soon as she saw me actually going for it.  I was no where close to being ready to do a back walk over on the beam but I wanted to be like Dominique so I had to do it.  It wasn't even a level requirement to move up, I think she just wanted to see how determined I really was.

The Olympic athletes always inspire me to put more effort into my workouts and into my daily routine.  But why do I only get this drive every four years? Why does everyone only get this drive every four/two years?  I've seen more people swimming laps at the pool than I have the whole summer.  Runners are out everywhere at all hours of the day no matter how hot it is.  Seeing people perform sports that everyone participates in at the most elite level gives people hope that maybe if they put in the extra effort, they could do it too.  It gives everyone the realization that anyone can be an Olympic athlete if you want it bad enough.  

I know no matter how much effort I put into my workouts or my runs, I will probably never be an Olympic athlete.  But watching the stories behind the athletes, seeing everything they gave up to get to this point, and then seeing their dreams become a reality or missing it by .03 seconds/points is enough to make me put in an extra 10 minutes at the gym.  If they can give up four years of their life to train for one race, I can better myself by running an extra mile.  I can make myself just a little bit better by doing more than I think I can do.

Not everyone has this mind set, I know.  I'm kind of a weirdo.  But think of something you have wanted so badly you would do anything to get there.  You probably made sacrifices in order to reach your goal.  Dreams are not unreachable if you set your mind to them.  You are good enough and you can make a difference in your own life or other peoples lives.  Don't sell yourself short.  Put in the extra 10 minutes at the gym for yourself.  For your family.  For your life.

A Decision Has Been Made

First of all, I want to say thank you to my devoted readers. I started this blog when I started training for my first half-marathon.  I had planned to keep this blog devoted to fitness, working out, being healthy, and documenting all the ups and downs of training for a long distance race.  After I trained for my first half-marathon, I was injured from training so fast that I was not in the mood to run another race anytime soon.  Then one year later, I ran in my second half-marathon.  I wrote about training some of the time but my blog was mostly filled with posts about my boring life.  And yet you all continued to follow me and my obnoxious I-Know-All blog posts.  Thank you for continuing to read!

Today, I write to inform you all that I will be following my title and topic a little bit more closely than you are use too.  This blog was started with one goal in mind: to one day run a full marathon.  With polite bragging from some of my crazy running friends, my competitive spirit got the best of me and I have decided I too am capable of running a full marathon.  Since I have moved to Washington, DC my miles have decreased but my heart has gotten stronger for the love of running.  If I wanted to there are races every weekend within driving distance that offer all different distance races.  It is hard to not want to join in on all the fun (for me, at least).

The marathon I have committed to running is the Rock N Roll Marathon in Washington DC on March 16, 2013.  Yes this is far away, date wise, but it is right around the corner with the 22 week training program I have decided to train with.  This is going to be a long, grueling road.  I will start training in October with this 22 week program.  Until then, I need to build up to the mileage it starts with in order to keep up with the program.

I have read a Marathon Training for Dummies book twice now.  Along with millions of running blogs, running articles, and many more running tips.  The first rule of thumb when training for a marathon is support.  You have to have support from your family, friends, and loved ones in order to complete this journey.  There is only so much the runner can do for his or her self to keep their mind, body, and soul into running 26.2 miles!!  It will take a lot of personal time to run the distances required of the training program.  That time could be spent with family and friends but instead I'll be running.  Since I am in DC, mainly by myself, I think this is the perfect time to do it.  But I will need your help.  The more I put my end goal out there, the more likely I will be able to complete it.  I wanted to write this blog post so you all know 1. where the direction of this blog will be for the next year and 2. to ask for your support while I strive to do what less than 1% of the US has already done.  Thank you in advance for your support.  I hope you will follow my journey and share with your friends.

Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

For the last two weeks, I have had the people I love the most come and visit me in DC.  Two weeks ago, my Mom and sister came for five days and I was able to take a day off from work to spend extra time with them.  We had a blast and I was soo happy to see them.

Brenden came this past weekend for less than 48 hours.  We hadn't seen each other since mid-May so he was due for a visit.  While the weather was gloomy, we had the best weekend.  The best we had had in a long, long time.  Before we went our separate ways this summer it seemed fighting was the only way we could communicate.  I was dreading the distance.  I thought, if we can't communicate when we live two miles away from each other how the hell are we going to be able to communicate 1,200 miles apart?

The distance made us realize we had to work on our biggest problem, communication, or this was going to fail.  I would not wish long distance relationships on anyone.  However, after these last eight weeks, I would say it is worth a shot.  Before May, I was the most skeptical person when it came to long distance relationships actually working.  I've had plenty of people who have dealt with long distance to show me it can work but I never had enough faith in myself or someone else to actually make it work.

The key to making the distance work is communication.  That's all it is.  And of course a little give and a little take.  B and I were able to have longer conversations without fighting because the only connection we have had is talking to each other.  Before you leave each other, make sure you have a date set for the next time you are going to see each other.  It makes the 'good-bye' or 'see you later' a little easier.

My best friend, Holley and her husband Zack, and my parents were both excellent role models in making a long distance relationship work.  I have been so lucky to have them help me through this distance and provide me with tips on how to make it work.  It is possible.  Now with (hopefully) only ten months left in our year apart we will be able to stay together and be a stronger couple because we challenged our relationship.

If you have tips on how to make a long distance relationship work, please leave your tip below.  I would love to have some more insight to this.  It has only been two months into this long year for us so we still have many more hurdles to jump over.  If you have questions about making your long distance relationship work, I am no expert by any means, but I am willing to provide the  best insight I can. 

How Bad is Life Really

Have you ever had a life event put your life into perspective?  I'm sure we all have had some kind of life event that has effected us in a way that we will never forget.  This week, I started following three gentlemen on Facebook that I do not know.  All three are US Army Soldiers and are at the Medical Center in Bethesda (10 minutes away from my office) where they are having surgery every three days to fight infection in their amputated leg(s).  They are also fighting to keep their arms without having them amputated as well.  I don't know any of these guys but it is a life event that has put my life into perspective.

I have had minor issues this week, hell my whole life, compared to these gentlemen.  Everyday I get on their Facebook page and read their updates and I am amazed by they're strength and progress.  It makes me cringe that people complain everyday because of the most minor issues.  My mind has been filled this week by the dramatic changes that will effect their lives forever.  Everything I have done this week, from driving to work to trying to balance on one leg during a workout, I have thought about how their life has been forever changed. This tragedy will effect them and their families for the rest of their lives but yet they are still positive and staying strong.  Our minor issues, from losing weight to car repairs, cannot even compare to their sacrifice.  

These men are American Heroes.  They have sacrificed their legs for us to live safely in America.  Next time you are having a rough week, think about the million of men and women who have fought for our country and are living (or not living) with injuries because they don't even know you and they decided to sacrifice themselves for you.

Many of us know at least one person who has served in the military.  Take a moment to thank them for the service they provided you.  And next time you see a soldier just take a moment to say thank you.  After you walk away from them, think about everything they gave up so that you could walk around this world and not have a care in the world.  We all have issues that come up, big and small.  I'm not saying that your issues are any less important.  I just want people to realize that it could always be worse.  When you think you are at your lowest point, think again.  I promise you someone is suffering worse than you are.  Find strength in that and pull yourself together.  Stay strong and believe in yourself!

Roller-Coaster of Passion

Since I have moved to DC the weather has been all over the place.  I've experience a "cold" (50 degree) mornings and highs around 70, the power has gone out for 24 hours due to thunderstorms with winds at 70 mph, and temperatures in the 100's.  No snow, just yet, but I know it's coming for me in the winter.

The weather has been all over the place just like my running, training, and workouts.  I set a New Year's Resolution to have a purpose for my workouts.  Not to just go out and run aimlessly through the neighborhood but to have passion behind my workouts.  Yesterday was the second workout since I've been here that I actually had that passion.  My first was in the gym about two weeks ago when I hit my first low of missing everybody and wishing I was at home.  I hit the weights really hard and my body paid for it for the rest of the week.  I was so sore my passion dwindled from my workout for the rest of the week.

Yesterday, I rekindled that fire.  I came home, after work, and was stir crazy from sitting in an office at a computer all day.  So, I set out for what's been my usual since I moved here 2.5-3 mile run.  Once I got out on the road, I channeled everything into that run.  I found a 2 mile loop around my neighborhood with shade and a safe area that I was able to run twice!  I haven't ran more than 3 miles probably since April.

Now, I've mentioned to you all before, music keeps me going and yesterday was no exception.  Last week, I started to want that passion again.  So, I started a new workout regimen and made a new playlist. Thanks to Pinterest, I had a rocking playlist and a workout plan that was going to challenge every part of my body.  Even though I started this program last week, I was just going through the motions of the workout.  Feeling the burn, for sure, but not enjoying it like I use to.

After completing my run yesterday I walked down the hallway to my apartment with my arms in the air over my head and my fists clenched.  I was finally back with the drive to WANT to run.  I've done most of my runs early in the morning, because of the weather, but they have been really lonely.  My music wasn't "pump you up" kind of music.  I just kept wishing there was someone running beside me or that I knew the people I was passing like I did in Auburn.


After realizing I had this burn back in me I've decided I need to set another goal for myself.  My cousin and I have mentioned another half-marathon but I can feel deep in my stomach that my body wants to do a full.  I just need to get that feeling in my head in order to commit to the idea.  I hope I can keep up this passion for my workouts/runs.  It is great feeling.


If you are losing that passion in your workouts/runs, or if you have never really had it, try something new.  You will never keep or get that passion without doing something you love to do.  Workouts shouldn't be a miserable thing.  If you love to dance, try Zumba.  If you like to spend most of your time in quite places, try yoga.  If people energize you, try any group fitness class.  There are so many different workouts you can try to find that passion.  And if you still can't find anything you like, get in touch with me.  I will help you figure it out.  I promise you, once you get that feeling when you workout, you won't ever want to stop.

Power Outage in DC

What. A. Weekend.  When I left work Friday afternoon, I was very much looking forward to a relaxing weekend of movies, pool time, and just lounging around enjoying the wonderful AC.  Well, none of these things happened.  Friday evening, I was watching the movie Roommates (I don't do scary movies).  I decided it was getting a little too weird so I changed the channel to the Olympic trials.  Before I could see anything on the screen the power went out.  Now, at this point, I am freaking out and thinking somebody is trying to scare me.  Well, the power flickered and stayed on for about 5 more minutes.  This gave me enough time to get in my room, light some candles, and close my door.  The power went back off and I sat there hoping it was just a joke and that they'll be back on in a minute.


That never happened.  Creepy noises get extremely loud when you are sitting in the dark.  I sat on top of my bed with my knees hugging my chest for about 30 more minutes then decided I need to go to bed or I was going to torture myself all night waiting for the power to come back on.  I had no idea a storm had done this. It was a gorgeous Friday in DC when I came into my apartment that evening.  There wasn't a cloud in the sky.  I just heard loud winds rattling everything around me - well I thought they were ghosts trying to come and get me (haha).

Someone added a For Sale sign on the front of this car.
Glad to see they still have humor.

It's amazing how hot a room can get once the AC is shut off and your fan can't work.  I didn't sleep much Friday night.  I slept until about 2AM then went back to sleep and slept until 5AM.  That's when my weather system started going off.  An obnoxious beep every 20 seconds.  I was so hot and I just wanted to sleep so I grabbed my favorite pillow, my teddy bear, and the blanket my Mom made me and went to the couch.  I could faintly hear the beep but with my head buried in the couch and little sleep I feel asleep quite easily. I woke again at 8AM because my upstairs neighbor decided he was ready to be up and began his usual routine of running throughout the apartment.  The pool didn't open because the electricity keeps the pumps flowing which I guess keeps the pool safe?? 

This is a tree a few blocks behind my office building.

So after walking around the complex and realizing everyone around me was out of power I decided to go get lunch.  I was driving around charging my phone and began to notice this isn't just a Rockville storm, this was a DC Metro Area storm.  I was able to access phone service and a little bit of 4G once I was out of my apartment complex.  I called Mom to find out what had happened to the area and accessed Twitter to see what the rest of the world was up to.  Mom tells me millions of people in the area are out of power too.  While on Twitter the rest of the world was FREAKING out because Instagram quit working for not even 24 hours.  WOW.  This world just amazes me sometimes.

I finally got power back Saturday evening around 11PM.  I have never been part of a "natural disaster".  I was barely 4 when the blizzard came through Alabama so I don't remember much of that.  This was a huge eye opener to me.  While I've read and seen the aftermath of natural disasters, I had no idea what people went through when things like this happened to an area.  I was only affected in the smallest bit but it still makes you realize there are bigger problems in the world than an application on a phone not working.

DC is slowly recovering.  My office has power but just a few blocks behind us they are still without power and have trees laying on top of their houses and cars.  Maryland governor declared this the largest power outage in the history of Maryland and Virginia has declared a state emergency.  Please keep this area in your prayers as the three electric companies continue to work throughout the week to recover power for the area.  How does the most powerful city in the world function without power?  Well, it doesn't.