I am... Nothing If Not Determined.

I can't even begin to say just how tired I am. Although I am taking a moment to evaluate if it's a "good" tired or a "bad" tired. Let me explain.

I ran again last night. W10D1 of the 10k Runner iPhone app. Just over five miles total (including approx. 20 minutes of walking, give or take about 2 minutes). 20 minutes of walking (plus about 2 extra minutes) and 50 minutes of running (... MINUS about 2 minutes. Oi)

I have NEVER gotten to five miles at one time when doing straight running or a run/walk combination. EVER.

Well, at least not that I'm aware of :) Sure there were the days in school where we had to do 2-3 laps before band, and doing the miles in from elementary school on up for PE and doing the mile for ROTC. Then there were the days in the months between high school and college where hitting the gym daily or nearly every day got me able to run at least a decent distance (probably half a mile to a mile) at one time.

It was a huge accomplishment, and I felt, well... Badass. Amazing. Awesome.
Horribly sweaty and smelly, exhausted, annoyed (that's another story!), and desperate for a shower, but definitely awesome.

And then I got up 4 hours later for a full day of work photographing little kids. What the heck was I thinking?? Well... That there wouldn't be an afternoon class, but there were two that we didn't know about. But the kids were good. The staff was wonderful. And I want a nap like you wouldn't believe :)

I'm contemplating running today - a short one. Or maybe using the stationary bike or going for a walk.

It's ridiculous how much this Nike+ SportWatch GPS watch can motivate me. I hope it doesn't wear off when I get used to it... Although the whole thing of a sweaty wrist... Not that attractive. LOL.

Goal: Disney Princess Half Marathon in February 2013.
I don't know if I'll be able to 13.1 miles, but I won't know until I try.

I am... Making a change

"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten."

I don't know who originally said that, or when I first heard it, but I know when I first *remember* hearing it. I was a freshman in high school and, of all the people to say it, I heard it from my choir director. And let's be clear: such a statement goes with more than just learning how to read the music and sing what's on the page correctly.

Becoming a runner hasn't been the easiest journey ever. It was easy enough to make the decision that it was something that I wanted to do, and having it as a goal that I want to keep is pretty simple... But often the consistency just fails me.

I also realize that I, like many people, tend to do better when supported by others, and especially when I have the opportunity to run (or exercise in general) with somebody else. Often that's what's missing - not the support, but having someone there who's along for the ride (and hopefully enjoying it). Of course, I have yet to transition to running outdoors. I'm sure that a change of scenery would be good, but I'm just not to that point yet.

That said, I did make a change regarding getting a small piece of gear that will help encourage me, and keep track of what I'm doing in addition to the app(s) that I use for training as far as the run-walk-run progression.

I posted previously that I'd purchased the Motorola MOTOACTV. Well, in the end it really wasn't the watch for me. It just didn't feel... Right. So last night, after owning the MOTOACTV for less than a day, I returned it. I ended up getting the Nike+ SportWatch GPS, and this is a transition that I am MUCH happier with. I'm glad I decided to change it up, and I am super excited to use it!

Plan: Running after work today. It may very well end up being a solo run, but if this is a change I want to make for myself then I need to hold myself accountable, huh?

Here's to making a change!

(and yes, this is my wonderfully bright Nike+ SportWatch GPS, with a horribly wrong date/time that I finally got set up correctly!)

"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten."

Hmm...

It's been long enough that I just accidentally deleted an old post. Crap-ola. Anyone have a clue if these things can be retrieved somehow, or is that not possible?

Darn :-/

I am... A Runner.

It's been far too long since I've posted, so I figured I'd post about some changes in my life :)
I can't for the life of me remember if I talked about getting into running before, but I have finally, well, *gotten* into running! It's a very new and exciting change for me, as I was always the kid who said she couldn't run. I was slow, I was out of breath, I just couldn't do more than a quick jog or sprint...

But I'm happy to say that, with the help of the 5k Runner iPhone app (HeavyDuty Apps) I have gotten to the point where I can do a 5k. I may be slow as hell (approx. a 13-minute mile) but I can be consistent at my speed. I may not be too happy with myself at the end of such a run, but I'm amazed with myself and super excited. And proud. And happy. Exhausted, but feeling awesome.

Next month DH and I will do the Jones Bros. 5K-ake Challenge... You have to eat a mini cupcake every mile before they let you continue! Am I a freak for being excited for this? Haha

And now I'm continuing on through their 10k program (6.2 miles) and then I'll continue through the 21k program (13.1 miles AKA a half marathon).
I'm training with one of my best friends for Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend. It's the weekend of February 23 next year (2013). And I'm excited.

Nervous and terrified, because what if I don't finish? What about everybody else, when most of the people have probably been running longer than I have (6-7 months)? What if I'm the slowest?

There's a whole lot of concern there, but I'm chucking it off of my list with a few simple things:
1) I want to do this run. Absolutely.
2) I want to dress up for this run. Yes, I said dress up for it. I'm totally going to dress up as a Disney princess (Tiana, who else? She's awesome!) and my friend and running mate will be Belle... Now if only our other friend would do it... She could be Rapunzel! Lol
3) I want to be able to say I can do it. Too many people spend their time doubting others, and that's part of it. But mostly I want to prove it to myself. To say that I can do it, and know that I'm RIGHT. Sure, it'd be nice to impress other people... But I didn't make this change in my life to impress others. I made it for ME :)

That said, I've got plenty of time to train for the half... I'm just striving for some consistency.

Last night DH and I went to Best Buy and I actually got a GPS running watch. It was a somewhat terrifying commitment to make ($150 for a watch?!) but one that I knew I wanted to make. I ended up with the Motorola MOTOACTVotoactv, which was on sale for $100 off.
Yes, you read that right.

However, after much debating, I think I may exchange it for the Nike+ GPS SportWatch. They're both great and they both have pros and cons, but I'm concerned about battery life. I've read numerous reviews that say the MOTOACTV is amazing, but that the battery drains quickly. It's not waterproof - not like I'll be running in the rain NOW, and I definitely don't plan to go swimming in it, but some races go on rain or shine. That concerns me, and makes me wonder about the stability of it when it comes to sweat.

I may be female, but when I get running for a long period of time, I SWEAT. No shame, but I don't want to have to worry about that.

It's amazing that this thing comes with a music player, but it's a music player I don't need. I just need a watch with GPS that can track my runs.

And then the vanity aspect... I've always preferred smaller watches. Don't get me wrong, it's an awesome watch... But now I'm thinking it may not be for me.

Both watches have a heart rate monitor and count calories, and can work indoors and out... And like running, I want to make sure I make the best choice for me.
So today? I'm going to test out this watch, wear it and test the comfort...

And see if this watch really makes me tick.

Pun intended ;)

(included is a shot of my new Motorola MOTOACTV)

Two more days, two more days!!!!!

I'm psyched because after today, I only have TWO more days left of the semester. Two two two two TWOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! :)

I've got one final to email a professor, one I've already turned in, and two in-class finals to take - one on tomorrow and one on Tuesday.

And after that? I will have survived my first full year as a grad student!
You know, excepting the summer classes I'll be taking in a couple weeks, but no big deal.

On Thursday the husband and I are going to a scholarship dinner. I feel just a bit goofy about it because I know that I'm supposed to dress up. I took the opportunity to go shopping.

Perfect timing for that shopping trip, too. Apparently the post-prom season is the perfect time to go shopping for dressed. And even better?
I took my father-in-law and my younger brother-in-law with me to go shopping for said dress.

Yes, you read that correctly. My father-in-law and younger brother-in-law.
Believe it or not, we actually found a really nice dress.

I'd forgotten what it was like to be in the hordes of people looking at prom dresses. I tell you, DEB was so neon bright it was scary. And Younkers, where I found my dress, had PACKED dressing rooms.
With reason, apparently. The hubs and I went to Olive Garden last night and there were apparently still people going to prom. I figured at the end of April they'd be done, but I guess not.

I have to say... I'm pleased with the dress I bought. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't afraid of embarrassing my husband.

(Psst... My mentality was somewhere between "Look like the awesome wife that I am" and "OWN THE ROOM!!!" hahahahaha... I'm just a little on the arrogant side about looking good with my husband) ;)

Before I forget... To the hubs and I have been married for 11 months :) and just one more month until our first anniversary!

Forrest Gump is on right now, so in Forrest style I say...
"And that's all I have to say about that."

:)

Almost there!

I'm so close to being done with the semester that it's not even funny!
Actually, now that I think about it... I only have two weeks left!
And two take-home finals, a giant paper, two in-class finals to go.
It's more than a little overwhelming when I add the paper into the mix. I'm thinking of doing a thesis, and said thesis would be spun out of this paper. I know I can do it, but there are moments where I just feel like hitting my head on something.

I feel very accomplished today. Since I got up (and lazed around for the first half hour) I've: eaten breakfast, did some muscle stretches, did W4D3 of my 10K Runner app (basically C25K, but aiming for longer distances), put my gym clothes in the wash, showered, went to the doctor, put gas in my car, and now the gym clothes are in the dryer.
And that was all between about 9 and 2.

Now I'm just being a bum ;)

I started my PLADC hours, and had to terminate that relationship because my supervisor had a petition for disciplinary action on her license :-/ but I've got an interview on Monday for another place, so I've got high hopes!

And in just over a month, DH and I will be going to my cousin's wedding, and then celebrating our first anniversary!
You know, with the finals and the end of the semester and summer classes and work and what not all in there somewhere. Oh goodness.

One day at a time.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying running.
But let's be honest, I wasn't enjoying it this morning. I'm definitely a bit dire, but not as sore as I was immediately after I finished running.

When I ran on Sunday night (on the treadmill) I finished that particular night's program... And then went a few extra minutes that I needed to hit the 5k distance! It was pretty awesome.

The 5k for Fertility is in less than 2 weeks! DH and I are just walking it, but I'm so excited!
The Runway Run on base is 2 weeks after that. I would love beyond LOVE to do that, but I don't know if I'll be able to crank out 7 miles just yet - and if I can, what about the hills and everything? I do little to no incline on the treadmill. I'm just not to that point yet :-/

But I have high hopes. We'll see.

Forums

If anyone knows of any good running and photography forums, please let me know!
I'm really interested in finding some, I just don't know where to look. I checked on ProBoards, but pretty sure I've been left hanging - at least for running. I think I found a decent one for photography, but it's hard to tell, especially when you're using your phone to look.

Please and thank you :)

I am determined to reach my goals.

I did W4D1 last night, and I tried something a little different with it. I stayed around the same speed that I usually do, but instead of walking at 4.0 MPH (which I usually try to do) I decided to jog it!

I tell you, I now know the purpose did sweat bands.
They say that females glisten - or at least that's what they used to say?? I'm a real female, and I was sweating like you wouldn't believe.
But it felt good to have another accomplishment under my belt :)

And I really am excited at the possibility of being able to do a run on the base's runway. I just hope I can work my way up to it (for this year as opposed to next year, I mean).

When one of my friends graduates college next year, we're going to look at starting a photography business. I'm beyond psyched for it! We both love photography. And talk about perfect timing, because I'll have graduated (again) then, too!
We've already got ideas about setting up a website, promotional photographs to draw people in, getting models, backdrops, you name it. I think it would just be a matter of getting everything gathered and getting it ready to go - you know, in addition to working on our Photoshop skills, and working to hone the photography skills we have.
One way or another, I think it'll be amazing.

I started working on one of my provisional counseling licenses, and it turns out I may have to find a new place to go so that I can get my hours.
My supervisor doesn't have any disciplinary action on her license, but the petition for it is there. I'll have to call the DHHS on Monday to see if I should go ahead and find a new place to get my hours.
It's all a little frustrating, and rather daunting. I finally decided to do it, and then found a place to get my hours in (after calling many places). I just hope I can do it. I just may have to branch out a little as far as distance, because I was trying a little closer to home.

You know what? I know I can get it done. It may just take some time, that's all.

Running as a team

DH has said that he's willing to do races with me :)
There's one I want to do next month, but I'll REALLY have to step it up because it's a 7-mile one. But holy crap, it's on the base's runway and there's no way I would miss THAT for the world!
...
There's also the Doomsday 5k. Which just made me laugh when I discovered that. Although doing that in the Midwest... In *December*?? I dunno about that!

In the meantime, less than two weeks until the 5k for Fertility :) We may just walk it together, but I'm excited for it!

It certainly has been a while

There really isn't much exciting going on with me.

Let's see:
I survived my first semester in grad school.

I started my second semester in grad school (no duh! Haha).

One of my teachers grades ridiculously. How I can have 3 A's and one C despite studying my butt off is pretty ridiculous. And I'm not the only one in the class who feels that way. I think I may start making voice recordings of me going over my notes and then listening to them in my sleep.

Yes, I'm serious about that last bit.

The whole job thing has been on and off. I've started on my hours to get my provisional license for alcohol and drug counseling. It's been nerve-wracking and very intimidating...

And speaking of alcohol, I think I've discovered an allergy to vodka. Fortunately I'm a very VERY mild and infrequent drinker, so it's not like I'm actually coming into contact with it very often. Which is also unfortunate because if I don't encounter it very often then how can I be sure?? It's not like I have any allergies that I'm aware of, so I don't really know the signs. Of an allergy - or if what I'm feeling is normal for those new to drinking. But from what I can tell, it is unusual.

And I'm contemplating adding a thesis to my program at school for a Master of Arts.
That said, I'll still be out in May 2013 :)

Also, DH and I have been talking about buying a house next year. We'll see how that goes.

OH! And something else!
Well, for starters, I'm NOT pregnant!! ::happy dance::
I'm trying to get into running/working out more often. DH and I are going to look into doing the 5k for Fertility at the end of the month. He's looking forward to being able to walk it, but I definitely want to try running at least part of it. I'm excited at the prospect of actually being able to complete a 5k :)

That's all for now, I believe. :)