Epic Fail

Yesterday was Logan's first day of running since our Senior year high school cheerleading try-outs. (We both attempted a 9-minute mile and didn't quite make the cut...Therefore we didn't make the squad our Senior year.)

I was greeted by sweet Lulah Bell, Logan's beautiful puppy dog.

Isn't she the sweetest little thing you've ever seen? She is still very puppy-ish, but her paws are like that of a bear.

After we said goodbye to Lulah, we headed over to Two Rivers Park (can you tell I love that place?) to kick our butts.

We stretched and warmed up with a nice, fast-paced walk. There was a bit of a breeze, but it was still pretty dang hot. By the time we turned into the sun, we were both sweating pretty heavily. We would talk during our walking breaks and huff and puff during our running streaks.

At minute 21, I started to feel a little bit dizzy. And at minute 23, the last running minute, I felt even more dizzy. Once we started walking back to the car, it got even worse. I could feel the blood beating in my veins and hear a huge thud thud thud of my heart.

Now I'm prone to passing out, and Logan jokingly said to me don't pass out. My thoughts were well I think I might. Jesus, please don't let me fall out. It's Logan's first run with me. I don't want her to freak out. It's so freakin' hot.

I had to sit down twice on the way to the car. Once the second sit down session, I told Logan to go get my car because I knew I needed water. While my dear friend jogged to the car, I had a bit of a pity party due to the bad run.

First I was sad and upset that I pushed myself too hard, but it didn't seem harder than any other day. It had to be the heat mixed with my water and food intake.

Then, it hit me. It's just my luck. I would almost pass out due to heat exhaustion. But in my defense, it was really hot.

So Logan drove me to her house (cause I had picked her up.)



And we laughed about how I almost fell out. And she laughed nervously while I tortured her with picture time. (She thought I'd forget to get photos of her...Not quite.)

Then she cooked me dinner, which was delicious. I forgot to take a picture of dinner because my stomach was screaming at me to fill it with something yummy.

What started out as being my let's-help-Logan-run motivation session turned into a run with a not-so-good-ending for me.

Lesson learned: Hydrate more than you think you need to, and eat a little something about an hour before you run.

Too bad I had to learn it the hard way. Yikes. Tomorrow is a new day. Thankfully. Now on to the next.

It's a Revolution

I started this whole running thing with the idea of toning up. And the hopes of liking something I haven't been known to enjoy.

This is week two. And thanks to my shoes and mom I'm starting to like it more than I thought I would.

Apparently these posts about what I'm doing and how I'm liking running or not liking running is having an affect on other non-runners.

Case in point:

Logan.

She and I have been friends since forever, but I think we really became friends in high school. She turned 16 on October 6 of our sophomore year, and I didn't turn 16 until February 6. So she would pick me up for school, and we would ride around the "cool" part of town before we had to be at school. (Did I mention that she lives right down the street...about three houses to be exact.)

She had this boyfriend. A boy I was basically in LOVE with. He was the prettiest boy I'd ever seen and the son of a family friend. Needlesstosay, he was never interested in me that way, and after a while I got over it. (We were more like brother and sister towards each other.) But I never got over how pretty he was.

Anyway, he was a freshman at ASU in Jonesboro. And every morning I would get in her car to listen to them yell at each other. It's funny now to think about it, but back then I was a little nervous. And every day the fighting would always end the same way.

After 15 or 20 minutes of her yelling "Tyler, GO to clean-up," she would look at me and sigh. Ashten doesn't want to listen to me yell at you anymore. So please just get up and go to clean up...Ok....I will talk to you when I get out of school...bye. But on the very rare occasions, she would just simply hang up.

Toward the end of our junior year in high school, Tyler, her boyfriend, was in a car wreck in Jonesboro, and he died. It was hands down the hardest thing I have ever went through. He was my first friend and person close to my age that died. I was 17.

After he died, my friendship with Logan changed. I'm not really sure how to explain it, but I think we both realized what we had lost. And this horrible thing knit us together for life.

Once the hype calmed down and her real grieving process began, people stopped coming over to check on her. But I didn't. I would got stay at her house on nights when she was home alone and didn't want to be by herself. And eventually, time heals all wounds, even though a wound like that can only heal so much. We are both still and will be forever scarred.

We both went to college; she in Fayetteville, and I in Conway. But our friendship has always just picked up from the last place it left off. And that's what I love about her as a friend.

When I moved to Little Rock, we began talking more and more. And planning hang-out dates, dinners, and drunken nights where we've tried to remember old cheerleading dances to songs we can't really remember.

Yesterday she sent me a text message that said Make me run!!!!!!!!! I said Get your shoes ready. I will pick you up tomorrow. We are going around 7.

And that was it. A revolution has begun. She has made it well-known to me throughout our friendship that she is NOT a runner. In fact, she told me yesterday that she can run to the mailbox and back, but that's about it.

She wants to run, and I want to help her run. All it takes it a text saying we are going here at this time, get your shoes on, I'll pick you up in 10.

This is what friends do. Support other friends. I told her it would not be a bed of roses. It's going to be sweltering hot, sweat will pour, and she will probably hate running and me at first. But it will get better. She will get better.

It's all about accountability and a little self-motivation. You have to want to do it before you can actually do it. And it helps to have someone there to push you along when you really don't want to do it.

So today, Logan and I will run. It will be the start of something new and good for her. And it will be the next chapter in our friendship. Yippie. I've got a feeling this will be good. So stay tuned for Logan's post-run update tomorrow.



This Is What I Know

1. Running is hard work. It's a mental battle. Thankfully I have won each time we've met (so far).

2. Driving with the windows down and the music turned up after a run with a view like this is the best.

3. Running with your mom is seriously fun and scary. I had such mental anxiety because she's ran a half-marathon and could run circles around me for MILES. But she just let me do my thing. Thanks Momma.

4. Being sweaty is fun. And posing for pictures after a run with your mom is even more fun.

5. First run at Two Rivers Park and leaving with this view is too good. What is it about sunsets that make you feel all gooey?

6. The roommate got new running shoes. She's now "in it to win it."

7. The roommate also likes/hates it when she's had an off-running day. Hopefully she will have a better day tomorrow. Isn't this face priceless?

8. Two miles in the blazing sun is an accomplishment. Nuff said.

9. I'm still worried that my toe nails will fall off or turn black. Is it weird that I now pray for my toe nails? Surely not.

10. Running has become one of the times where I talk to God. Not out loud, just in my head. Most of the time, I pray that I will make it through the 30 minute workout. Or that I don't pass out due to heat. Or that I don't get dehydrated. But on a good run, when I feel at my best, I pray for my family, friends, frienemies, the future. You know things like that. I think God led me to make this decision to run to grow closer to some people and, ultimately, closer to Him. Now that is TRUE LOVE. I'll take it. Thanks, Jesus. See you on the trails, if not before.

Some Things Changes and Others Don't

I haven't forgotten that I was suppose to show you my new patio decor, but yesterday's post was just so long that I thought I'd save it for today.

Remember this is the patio BEFORE the new decor.















Pretty purple and bare.

And here is the patio AFTER:

Pillows in the chairs from Hobby Lobby really bring some life to the bland patio.

My chair with flower pillow.

The roommate's chair with pink pillow.

The door and floor also got some new bling.

Remember the yarn wreath inspired by Shanna at Keepin' Up With The Moody's?

I think the patio turned out pretty well. I'm still in search of the perfect flower pot since Anthropologie had an epic fail when I went to purchase a sweet giraffe flower pot, and it wasn't in the store anymore. What a let down. But on to the next.

Next topic: Facebook Cleanse

Have you ever had the urge to go through all your Facebook friends, e-mail contacts or something like that and "remove" people you don't know/like?

I've seen Facebook statuses where people congratulate "those who have made it through the Facebook Cleanse." I've always wondered what makes people keep some people and get rid of others.

I've never done a "Facebook Cleanse." If I have a problem with someone for whatever reason (they are mean to me, their statuses update every 5 seconds, they say dumb stuff, they turn into weird stalkers), I just block them. It usually solves the problem.

Blocking people on Facebook does have it's downfalls. The major one being that that person can and usually will find out you have blocked them. Other people can still see your stuff, just that one person can't.

It feels weird/hurtful when someone blocks or "defriends" you, but for whatever the reason it's for the best for that person.

Reason for saying all this: I blocked someone last night because of rude, unnecessary comments. I've known this person for a long time, and this person has been using rude, unnecessary comments for the majority of our lives. And last night I had had my fill. It had gone too far. Over the line.

So I became proactive. I'm not going to surround myself (or my Facebook) with people who don't support me in the best possible way. There is no need to have people in my life to push me down. I'm to the point where I can't worry about hurt feelings because some things never change. And this person never will.

It's very liberating to rid yourself of people and things who are hurtful and bring you down. We as people need to build each other up. Work together. Support each other.

It's taken me a long time to realize I don't have to have certain people in my life just because I grew up with them. Or we went to high school together. Or my best friend is her best friend's brother's cousin.

We are who we are. And some people just don't mesh and never will. AND THAT'S OK. People come in and out of our lives for a reason. As we grow, our friends change and grow. We grow closer to some people and away from others.

Challenge of the Day (or however long it takes): Take stock of your friend pile and work to "remove" those people who: make you feel bad about yourself, try to "one-up" you, critize you, disappoint you, intentionally say hurtful things and pretend to be "joking", etc.

Don't be scared or feel guilty. Rid yourself of those people or things that get you down. It will be tough, but you can do it. And if you need some extra support or encouragement, talk to someone close to you or talk to me.

It's a big step, but it's worth it.

The 100th Post: Recipe, Running, and Reflections

Another successful run down the tube. And this one was much more enjoyable since I didn't try to be a hero and run during the peak heat. Thanks to my sweet momma, I solved the car key issue after a purchased a 1990s style stretchy bracelet. Or I should say what I thought was a bracelet. When that didn't work out, I took my momma's advice. (Dang her for always being right about everything.)

Car keys tied to the shoe made me super nervous. And even though I double knotted my shoe, I was terrified my keys, especially my clicker, would go flying in the Arkansas River. Thankfully that didn't happen. But I kept a watchful eye on those keys.

The views from the River Trail were gorgeous.

7:30 - 8:30 P.M. is the time to go run. It was hot, but manageable. Lots of people were there, but I still managed to keep a nice steady pace, which I think increased from Tuesday's little heat jog. Baby steps. Always with with baby steps. And I didn't leave there looking too beat up, just a little sweaty and splotchy.

Don't mind the double Nike. Just trying to be "cool." Just kidding, but really. I didn't realize the sportsbra's logo would be so prominent. Oh well, there are worse things.

On to the recipe: Eggplant Lasagna. Now don't knock it til you try it. Very tasty, and you hardly miss the meat because the eggplant is so filling.

You will need:

1 Large eggplant (or 2 small ones)
Lasagna noodles
1 Cottage cheese container (low-fat)
1-2 Jars of Ragu - Tomato, Onion and Garlic flavor (depends on how saucy you like it)
1 Large packet of Mozzarella cheese
9"X13" pan

Picture is blurry, but I want you to see the label and know the flavor. It's the best.

Soak the eggplant in salted water for 30 minutes. This will remove the bitter flavor that can be associated with eggplant if not prepared correctly. Sidenote---Eggplant floats so you will have to stir them around and push them under the water every now and then. If the pieces look too big, cut them smaller so they will fully cook in the oven.

In a sauce pan on the stove, heat the Ragu while your eggplant soaks. Once the eggplant has soaked for the full 30 minutes, drain water and pat dry. Then layer the following:
Sauce, eggplant pieces, noodles, cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese.

Repeat until the pan is full. Top with remaining sauce and mozzarella cheese. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 40 minutes with the pan covered in aluminum foil. After 40 minutes, remove foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes. The finished product should look like this.

Looks good?

Saucy, cheesy, healthy, yummy.

Try it. It's pretty tasty. If you have questions, feel free to ask me. This is just an alternative to classic dish, and it is delicious. If you try and make it, let me know what you think or the changes you make. Make it you're own.

Thanks for reading my first 100 posts. Here's to 100 more. Yippie.