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.

April: The Month of Change

Can anyone believe it's April already? And the 2nd at that? What happened to the first day of the month? That was a full day... it definitely didn't feel like it.

This month is going to be the month of change.  Well the preparation month for change.  I accepted a job as of last week that I will be starting May 14th.  I am so excited for this next chapter and relieved that the job searching process is over!

However, one of my other dreams is to be a fitness instructor.  This process has only just begun and it will definitely be a lengthy process.  I'm still working on some details then this process should be finished before the summer ends.

Another thing that is also changing is that classes will come to an end and school will be over.  Making the move from college to work life will hopefully be an easy transition.  It will definitely be a learning experience so I expect a lot of blogs to come from my many hurdles to overcome.

Also, I think it is time for another addition in my life.  NO! Not a kid! I have wanted a puppy, or as normal people call them dogs or pets, for quite some time now.  My parents deal was as soon as I get my first paycheck, I'm free to do as I want because they won't be paying for me to live.  I have started the search but I know I will need some time to get use to my new life as a working professional before an addition can fit in my schedule.

This is the month of change people.  I encourage you to change something in your life.  Don't get stuck in a rut! Switch up your workouts, eating habits, people you talk to, or activities you partake in.  Don't be afraid to do something new.  It will keep you fresh and more energized when you aren't doing the same routine everyday.  Please leave a comment and let me know what your changes are.  We can help each other through these times.


-Kayla

Goals and Dreams

Everyone has a dream or a goal that they are trying to reach for.  Even if you don't think you do, you do.  There is always something in this world that is sure to make you the happiest you have ever been.  That is your dream.

Everyone's dreams are different.  Some may be the same as others but it is still your dream and your life.  Only you know what that dream is and how to completely satisfy that goal.

For quite sometime now, I have known that I'm a dreamer.  I was silly enough to get it tattooed on my hip just to remind myself that I can always fufill my dream if I just set my mind to it.  For the last couple of years, I have been completely lost on what exactly my dream is.  A lot of things make me happy so it is hard to just choose one thing to fully satisfy me.

This semester in school, I was given a project to design a website about myself.  On that website, I was required to have a page about my goals in life.  Well, being a senior in my major, about to graduate, you would think that would be a simple page.  It was definitely the toughest for me.  I have had this project since early February and the project is due next week.  I have just now completed my goals page! I had the entire webpage completed 2 weeks ago with the exception of that page. 

I have finally been able to put it down into writting.  My dreams or "goal" in life is to help people.  Simple as that.  As long as I am doing that I will be completely satsified.  Granted, add a little fitness, health, and fun and that would be my ideal way to help people.  I want people to be the best they can be and know they are the best they can be.  That is something I strive for everyday.  I want everyone to know that you can do anything you want to do, if you just set your mind to it.  Including health and fitness is just a great way to show people that you are doing the best you can.  As long as you are doing something to better yourself, that is enough to make yourself proud and strive for the next day.

If you are interested, check out my website I have been working on for a class at this link. Now the goal page isn't updated but it wil be tomorrow afternoon because this project is due Monday morning :) So check back Monday for a completed webpage!

2012 is Going to be a Great Year

Happy New Year!! I cannot believe it is 2012! I feel like it was just yesterday it was 2008 and I was graduating from high school.  Now I'm 5 months away from graduating college and jumping into this big ole world!

New Year's Eve is a day to reflect on what went well and what went poorly and on New Year's Day you think about how to fix the bad and move on with the good! For me, this is the best day of the year.  I set my New Year's Resolutions and prepare myself for a year long of being busy and much needed change!

My New Year's Resolutions are: to have a more productive way of working out (instead of just going to the gym to get on the elliptical), be nicer to the people I care the most about, get a job, rent or buy a place to live (whichever makes more sense), and manage my budget.  Also, I hope to write more blogs.  Maybe not as long but more often.

Life is going to be extremely busy this coming year and everything is  going to change! I cannot wait to see what the new year has in store but I must take it one day at a time.  This getting older has made the years and days go by way too fast.

They say whatever you do on the first day of the year is what you will do for the rest of the year.  Today I woke up in Atlanta (I'm hoping to move there in May), came home and ran 9 miles (must stay fit), helped Mom cook low-fat chicken noodle soup (must eat healthy), and spent time with my family.  If this was the first day of the rest of the year will be like, I am in for a GREAT year! :)

Goals

Having goals is how I get through life.  Making it from one goal to the next makes me realize I'm actual accomplishing things I want to get done in my life.  Writing things done helps me actually finish a goal.  When you set a goal what are you thoughts behind it?  Is it something you've always wanted to do, something you want to be better at, something that isn't achievable until you are a little older and a little wiser? That's the joy behind goals.  A goal can be as short-term or as long-term as you want it to be.

Today is the Boston Marathon and I'm following the updates on Twitter: @Runnersworld.  These runners are amazing.  Did they have this race in their mind their whole lives? Is this something they've been training for for years and years or is this something that they decided, "I'm going to win the Boston Marathon!"  How amazing it must feel after running 26 miles in less than 2:30!  I would just like to complete a marathon (long-term goal).  

Setting goals are meant to lift you up and make you feel confident about yourself.  If you set a goal that is too unrealistic, you won't accomplish it and you'll feel even more down than you were before you even started trying to accomplish a goal.  To do list are great ways of accomplishing goals.  I like lists and crossing things off.  This will help you notice the success your making! Also, make it known to everyone.  The more you put yourself out there the more likely you are to finish a goal.  Don't be afraid of the unknown.  Do something you've never done before and you'll become a more confident and more thriving you!

Reaching for the stars,

Kayla