Ramblings

Running a marathon was something I never thought I'd do. The thought sounded crazy, and so far-fetched. But a good friend told me that I'd catch the running bug once I'd run one, and want to run more. It's true. So this past week, I've been looking around several websites for my spring marathon. Running in the USA is my favorite because you can break it down by state and distance. 

My marathon training class picks a marathon to run as a class, so I'll definitely take that into consideration. Right now, Lincoln, NE marathon is looking great or the Oklahoma City marathon because I like staying in the Midwest. Two reasons why: my "fans" can come cheer me on, and driving a great distance, then running a marathon, then getting back into a van for hours upon hours is a surefire way to cramp up.

My friend Ciara is lucky and gets the opportunity to run a half-marathon in Paris over Spring Break. Dream big, right?

Have a blessed day.

CW

Daily affirmations

Good morning!

So earlier this week, I went through a pretty hard process: rejection. 

Rejection hurts like hell.

Thankfully, I have the cheapest kind of therapy. 

When I run, my mind somehow finds a way to reset itself. To let go of grudges, to be thankful for my blessings, and to set goals on how to further improve myself. The best way I've ever heard it put is: Running makes me the best form of myself.

What about you? What does running do for you?

Trying new things

Good evening everyone!

It's occurred to me lately that I don't post enough for this to actually chronicle anything, so I am vowing to try to keep it more fresh for you all. Last weekend was probably one of the better weekends of my life, and I'm predicting the next two will follow suit.

Friday night was my sorority's semiformal. It was a speakeasy/Great Gatsby theme. I had a blast with my guy and my friends. The next afternoon, Bobby and I went to Arrowhead Stadium (where the Chiefs play for all you non-Kansas blog pals) for a behind the scenes tour we got off of Groupon. It was amazing. We got to see nearly every club level and got to peek in the owner's in-stadium condo. It was gorgeous. 

We got to throw a pass down on the field and of course, B was the only one in our group of 50 people to sink it in the target pocket. On another note, I tripped over a hose on the field and stumbled. Yeahh.

After we traveled to Texas Roadhouse for steaks and salads. The rest of the weekend was filled with happy sorority-related occurrences and friends and as always, good food.

Can't wait to tell you about this weekend. Until then!

CW

Let's catch up

Happy Wednesday!

Can you believe October has almost come and gone? I can honestly say it's been one of the most stressful months of my 21 years of life. But, I've made a lot of memories and had some good times here and there so it's all worth it right?

My run this morning was gorgeous with the trees changing. At one point I was running through a canopy of reds, oranges and yellows and it felt like something out of a movie.

This is random but one of my favorite things is when I can help others want to run. No matter how you believe we got here, our bodies are made to run to survive. So when people realize their potential, and the runner's high it gives them and get hooked on the hobby? I love when they tell me all about it. What's your best run been lately? 

With tomorrow being Halloween, I thought I would share my Halloween costume with you all. I have a caffeine addiction and I really don't discriminate (except for root beer, I hate root beer) against how I get it. However, Coca Cola products will always be my favorite. So, I give you, my Diet Coke costume.

My friend Randi and I being illusionists.

Last but not least, here is my new favorite snack at the mall. Usually it's pretzels from Auntie Anne's, but since the Topeka mall doesn't have Auntie Anne's, I had to look around some more. I've tested pretzels, ICEE's, french fries, but nothing stands a chance against a slice of cookie cake with milk:

Washing down cookie cake with milk >> washing down cookie cake with soda

What are you being for Halloween?

What's your snack of choice?

Best Halloween costume you've ever made?

Oh...and have a Happy Halloween :)

Setting smart goals

Hi blog friends. I am so sorry I have not posted in almost a month. My life has kind of been up in the air and I do not wish to bring any negative energy to you all via this blog. 

I've always been a good student, and this semester, academics and learning has not came naturally. I have had to work really hard, and feel overwhelmed all the time. Between some things in my personal life and this, it's been a rough one. I never stopped working out altogether, but I have put on some noticeable stress weight.

So, when one discovers this, what do they do? I spent some much needed downtime at home. I talked to my mom, because moms are always right.

And I went to PetLand and played with puppies.

Last but not least, I set realistic goals. Several upcoming events I'm looking forward to are Halloween, my sorority's Great Fratsby semi-formal, and the White Violet Ball in November. For the last event mentioned, I have to squeeze into a dress that's a littttle tight (because I was being frugal and borrowing from a friend! Be proud!)

My goal? 25 workouts in 36 days. (Set on October 11th when the White Violet Ball was 36 days away...) This goal is smart because it gives me lee-way on days I choose to take off. So far, I've missed one day! And I haven't stressed it. If I don't reach my goal, I'll at least be close and be more realistic with my next round of goal-setting.

So followers, I have to thank you for letting me vent to you all. Please let me know what's gone on in your life in the past month? What's your favorite part of October? What goals are you currently working on?

My worst 5K ever and bedazzled wine

Yesterday started off not so great. I had a horrible night of sleep on Friday night, which really messed with my mentality since I had Race Against Breast Cancer on my campus the next morning. But I woke up and decided to do my best. My ZTA sister Ali Berg was supposed to run with me, but she got really sick the night before. So my other friend and ZTA sister Maddie Williams ran it with me! 

The race itself was probably my worst 5K I've ever ran in my entire life. Though I have been training, I arrived at the starting line feeling tired and sore. I also had to pee really bad but figured I would be done in less than a half hour so I would hold it. BAD IDEA.

Somewhere along the 5K course, a car was parked in the way of racers. So the race was delayed until that person realized it was their car and proceeded to move it. The race, in total, was delayed 20 minutes. 

So, my entire race was uncomfortable and jarring my bladder. But I finished.

Reason enough to finish a race: the food

This particular 5K was near and dear to my heart because I know so many folks affected by breast cancer. Seeing everyone dressed up in their pink kept the race from being dull. My favorite walker was this old guy, in his pink leather chaps and cowboy boots.

"Get at me"

After the race, Maddie and I sat on the back porch of our house and watched people cross the finish line. Our house mom, Linda, is a survivor of breast cancer. She was so proud to see us participating in this event!

Maddie, Mom Linda, and me!

Of course the first step to race recovery is refuel! However, I have this thing where I think I can just eat anything and everything because I've "earned" it. Not the case, but I did it anyways. Maddie and I joined several of my friends at IHOP for a post-race meal of pancakes, eggs, bacon, hash browns, and hot chocolate.

I felt kind of silly wearing my race clothes to the restaurant, but it turns out that hundreds of other people had the same idea! So many purple RABC shirts spanned across the restaurant. It was truly a cool thing to see.

My good friends Jerik and Olivia visited me after lunch and brought me the sweetest birthday gift. Literally. A bedazzled bottle of wine!

That little problem I talked about earlier? Yeah. Went to Target yesterday, and got a monster cookie and a cherry Icee. I went back to Bobby's place and we made spaghetti and French bread and I ate lots. Then we went to Dairy Queen and took advantage of the Buy One Blizzard, Get One 99 cents deal. I'm a very very bad person, I know, but Bobby is on a health kick so when it is his idea to indulge, I feel compelled to go along.

Today will be a day of relaxing, enjoying the weather, recovering. And not ingesting as many calories as I did yesterday. 

RP3 and things to look forward to

Good morning! How was your week?!

My week has been pretty great but I know it's time for the weekend. 

I ran 4 miles this morning in the glorious 60 degree weather, as opposed to the recent triple digit weather.

I woke up, ate a bowl of Cheerio's and hit the road. After returning, I ate my favorite post-run snack:
Every runner is different in the matter of what refuels them after a run. Some runners cringe at the thought of eating after a run, others can't stuff down calories fast enough. As mentioned in an early post, the hour or so after a run (long runs especially), is a critical period for nutrition and hydration. Meaning: your body desperately needs calories to refuel it and to help repair the muscles and tendons you did a number on while running.

My post-workout snack of choice right now is a banana, a tall glass of chocolate milk, and a scoop of crunchy peanut butter. It's the best. What's your post-workout snack of choice?

While I love to run just for fun, it's fun to run with a purpose. Running with a purpose gives your mind a place to wander to during your workout. Right now there are three things I'm focusing on when running:

1. Race Against Breast Cancer - next Saturday 9/21. I'm running this with a good friend of mine.
2. Intramural volleyball - I'm playing on a Co-ed Zeta Tau Alpha/Kappa Sigma team plus my boyfriend
3. PowderPuff football - I've always loved football and have never really got the chance to play outside of PE, but no longer. I'm in a tournament with my ZTA sisters against other sororities. Sooooo stoked.

Have a fantastic weekend bloggies, thanks for reading.