The Year of the Arrow

2015 is the year of the arrow. I've always loved the symbolic meaning behind the arrow. I wear an arrow necklace all the time, and the meaning is two-fold. First, to honor the Asher Brooklyn Ray's fight against cancer, and, second, the universal meaning.

"An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backwards. When life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means its going to launch you into something great. So just focus and keep aiming." - Unknown

I've spent at least the last 10 days trying to come up with my resolutions for 2015. I set some kind of resolution every year, and most years they are pretty frivolous.

Drink more water. Work out. Run a marathon. Cook more at home. Less sugar. More time with family and friends.

And while all those things are important and they add to my life during the moment, I never manage to make it to the next year having done them all with success. By March, I'm not working out as regularly. By May, I've had 98475982375934 cookies. It's a disaster.

I'm trying something new this year.

So far I like 2015. I like the way it started. I like the say it sounds when I say it. I like that it will be an odd birthday number. I like the newness. I like the possibilities. I like the unknown.

I've set three resolutions.

All of which are centered on Scripture and will lead to failure if I don't seek the Big Guy daily. No frivolous things. No grand gestures. No generalizations. Just straight up honesty and trust in what God will provide for me by daily seeking 3 things.

Resolution 1: Green Hope

Green is my favorite color. It symbolizes new beginnings. Hope is something I struggle with. It's easy to get down in the dumps and feel hopeless. Each day I will strive to have green hope. Hope for a new day. The future. Good choices. The possibilities are endless with green hope.

"May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope." Romans 15:13 The Message Bible

Resolution 2: Love

We all need to feel it. In relationships. Towards ourselves. Love is important. It's can one of the many reasons we get up every single day. Love of people. Love of family. Love of life. Love of music. Love of art. Love of community. Love makes us feel things we wouldn't feel. God is love. So love is something that needs to be given and shown freely.

"Let us stop just saying we love people. Let us really love them and show it by our actions." 1 John 3:18 NIV

Resolution 3: Gratitude

Probably the hardest one to actively seek on a daily basis. Each day give thanks and show it. I know there are days when you feel like nothing goes right. Everything is terrible. You feel hurried and not like yourself, and then things seem to go wrong all day long. Take heart. There is still something to be thankful for. Some days it will be obvious what you should be thankful for, and others you may have to reach a little deeper to find it.

"Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude." Colossians 4:2 The Message Bible

Each day. Every day. For the next 365 days. I will ask myself. What is my green hope today? Where is the love? What are you most thankful for? Each day the answers will be different. Because each day I'm given a new chance to experience them.

There is no time like the present to experience life at its fullest.

Share your resolutions with me.

Back in the Saddle Again

It's been a good week.

A weird one,  but a good one.

I took my first Pure Barre class, went to a sunset yoga class and ran/walked an unpaved trail by my house.

My hips are full of super tight muscles, and I don't mean that in a good way. The trail by my house is super hilly, but so beautiful. I'm working it into my rotation because it's a good work out. I love trail running. It works different muscle groups, and it always reminds me that I'm not as "in shape" as I'd like to be. Very humbling.

I'm also starting the daunting task of packing for the big move. Only 26 days until I have my own place. I've been collecting boxes from work, but I've yet to put them to good use. I'm gonna change that this week. I have to start. So far all I've packed is Christmas stuff, which was already packed. I just put it in a new Rubbermaid container for better storage.

I've also been listening to this song non-stop. My love for Phillip Phillips is huge. I saw him live with John Mayer last July. He is amazing. Sings like an angel.

The drums at the end of this song make my stomach hurt. I love everything about it. It's so full of energy, and he always sings with so much power. I can't even explain it. Just listen to it. The last 30 seconds or so will blow your mind.

This week's workout schedule looks something like this:

Wednesday - Pure Barre. Bring on the hip thrusts and gyrating.
Friday - Yoga. Relaxing on my day off.
One of those other days - Trail run or regular run. Gotta stick with my roots.

Next week will get even more intense. We will start our 5K training group at work. So I will run Tuesdays and Saturdays, and go to Pure Barre and Yoga once a week. Like I said, I'm turning my body into a machine. I want to run a marathon, but I have to make sure everything is in tip-top shape before I start the process.

The goal race is New Orleans Marathon in February. That should be plenty of time to get ready. I'm going to run the race and then overload on beignets and coffee from Cafe Du Monde. And I'm going to listen to some authentic New Orleans jazz because I didn't get to do that last time I was there.

What are some of your goals?

Tell me how you're getting back in the saddle again.

New Orleans: Race Expo and Race Day

The race expo was one of the coolest thing I've even been to because I've never seen so much running gear in one place. Brooks sponsored the race, and they had a lot of cool gear there for everyone to purchase. I scored some pretty awesome finds at the expo. See...

Official New Orleans Rock n Roll Marathon swag.

The back of the shirt

Brooks Adrenaline 12 running shoes

For my car

I love this tech shirt.

I could have went crazy in that place buying awesome running clothes. I'm most excited about the shoes. I know you remember I got shoes for my birthday, but they are not going to work out. Every time I've ran in them I've had some kind of sharp pain my ankles and knees. Not what should happen when you get new shoes.

So I went back to what I know, Brooks Adrenaline. You remember when I got my first pair, right?

Now on to the race. My mom and Lisa got their stuff ready the night before. Time chips tagged to their shoes.

We got up at 4:30 A.M. so they could get ready and eat breakfast. I didn't go down to the starting line with them, but my mom took her phone to take some pictures for me.

Kerri, Mom, Gayla and Lisa at the starting line

The line leading up to the starting line

I made it to the finish line at 8:30 A.M., and there were people already finishing the half. People ran a half marathon in under an hour and a half.

It's so inspiring to see so many people running. So many people run for different reasons. I felt like I could conquer the world...or at least run a half marathon.

When my mom and Lisa ran by me at mile 13, I got all teary-eyed watching my mom finish a half marathon. She is such a role model, and I love her so much. I was so proud of her finishing her second half marathon and cutting five minutes off her original time. She finished in 2 hours and 23 minutes.

The group was super happy to have finished the race. And their medals were so pretty. Very New Orleans.

Coming off the race high, I officially signed up for the Capital City Classic 10K in April.

And I'm going to tell you a secret. I'm going to sign up for St. Jude's half marathon in December. My mom and I are going to run it together, and I'm so excited about it.

All the entry fees go to St. Jude's Hospital, and  parents and patients line the race course near the hospital to thank the race participants for running the race and giving to the hospital. For more information about the St. Jude's marathon and half marathon, check this out.

What do you think about running a big race? Would you ever do it?

Recommitment to the Run

It's exactly 9 days until Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

I got my race packet in the mail a few days ago, and something sort of changed. The reality of the race is starting to set in a bit more. I've been working toward this goal since May. It's crazy that it's finally here. Nine days away. While it's not my first 5K, it is the first time I will wear a race bib and actually run in the Race for the Cure.

Since the cracked tooth debacle, I haven't been able to run. The dentist told me not to run, and I was actually kinda scared to since my luck is not the greatest. So yesterday was the first time I've ran in two weeks.

Time: 41 minutes
Distance: 3.17 miles
Best time: 9:41
Average time: 12:56
Calories: 312

I'm pretty proud of the time considering I haven't ran in two weeks. But I'm not about to tell you the run was cake because it was pretty tough. I could definitely tell I had taken a prolonged break, but I don't think it will hinder my plans for my next running goal.

New Goal: 10K Training
I have exactly six weeks until the 10K Duck Race in Stuttgart. It's the Saturday following Thanksgiving so I'm sure I'll be needing a run to cut through the pumpkin pie, turkey and the thousands of pounds of sides I will consume to begin the Holiday Season.

So as of yesterday, I've officially began training for the 10K. My plan looks something like this:

The first three weeks (Oct. 13-Nov. 5)
3 mile runs during the weekdays (Mondays, Wednesday and/or Fridays) at least two of those per week.
4 mile run on the weekends (Saturdays or Sundays)

The last three weeks (Nov. 6- Nov. 26)
3 mile runs during the week (same as before)
5 mile runs on the weekends

And I'll save the 6.2 miles for the actual race on Nov. 26.

It's gonna be the longest, straightest, flatest 6.2 miles of my life. Long straights with little curves in the road. I'm gonna be so bored. Who wants to run with me? We can sing songs. Or make up stories. Or talk about how we are gonna eat corndogs and funnel cakes from the carnival when we are finished running.

The First 5

Yesterday morning I had pure greatness happen. I ran the farthest I've ever ran. 5.2 miles in one hour.

I was so excited that I did it. It was/is such a huge accomplishment for a girl who didn't think running was for her. Nobody can be sure what I meant by throwing up the ones since I ran 5 miles. I guess it just seemed right at the time. Let's just go with it.

While I was excited to have completed the 5 miles without dying, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows.

First, it was in the high 50s, low 60s when I woke up yesterday morning. The sun was not out, and the wind was kicking on the Grand Prairie. Plus, rolling out of bed, putting on tenny pumps and running 5 miles before my morning coffee is not something I'm a fan of.

The first two miles were sheer torture. The wind was furious. And I'm one of those people whose ears ache when cooler air blows in them. So by mile two, my mom and her friend Lisa were tired of looking back at me with my fingers in my ears. We ran back by my house to get some cotton balls to shove in my ears to block the wind.

After that, everything was good. We ran 10s and 1s. Running 10 minutes with a 1 minute walk break is just enough to keep you sane.

When I think about running for an hour straight, it makes my insides feel sick. Why would anyone want to do that? One whole hour of nothing but running. Yuck.

But when I think about running in a series of 10s and 1s, it seems more doable. I think about each 10 as a separate goal. Ten minutes I can definitely do. I've been doing it for a while now. The one minute break provides just enough time to catch your breath.

So completing the 10s and 1s is the probably the only way I will be able to increase my distance. And that's alright with me.

I thought I'd have more internal struggles with the 5 miles, but they flew by. It didn't feel like an hour of running. I thought my mind would make it harder for me to complete it. But it didn't. And I'm so thankful for that.

I was ready to do something crazy, and I wanted to see if I could do it. And I did. Now that I know I can do it maybe I can make a 5-miler an option for me every now and then. You know, just to see if I still got it.

How was your long weekend?

What is one of your personal goals that you recently accomplished?

Welcome September

Fall is officially 23 days away. It's my favorite season. I love how the leaves change colors, and the air is crisp.

The roommate loves fall, too. But her true colors come out around Christmas time.

This is the exact photo that pops up when she calls me on the phone. Note the winter statement headpiece. Gotta love it.

So in the spirit of fall, I thought I'd do a recap of August. And I thought the roommate's facial expression would lure you in...

I survived the hottest day of the year.

I successfully rid myself of a Stage 5 Clinger.

Shannon was danced upon at a piano bar.

Then, she got married.

I have a serious beach obsession.

The roommate made a really awesome tee everyone needs to own.

After 3 months of running regularly, 3.1 miles became an accomplished goal.

Let's see what these glorious fall months have to offer. I'm praying for cooler weather, better running, less stress, and more fun.

What is your favorite season? Month?
October is my all-time favorite month. The leaves change colors. Everything smells like cinnamon and pumpkin pie. People are gearing up for the holiday season. I LOVE IT.

What goals have you set for Fall?
Running 5 miles before it gets frost bite cold outside. Keeping a positive attitude when it comes to school related things.

Future Running Endeavors

Everyone knows my philosophy about good running shoes. It's something I preach. Lindsay got fitted for running shoes today. So that makes Logan the laggard of the group when it comes to getting new shoes. Help me people. The girl needs some new shoes. She's running in Nike Shox from her Sophomore year in college. #yikes

I'm a tad bit jealous of Lindsay's PURPLE shoes. Grass green and UCA purple = my two most favorite colors. And Easy Runner fitted her in a sweet pair of Brooks.

We are Brooks Buddies!! I was too excited about our run tonight for a lot of different reasons. 1. Lindsay was going to have an awesome first run in her shoes. 2. We changed the routine to run 8 minutes, walk 5 minutes, run 8 minutes, cooldown. 3. I look forward to the run all day long.

It's weird how that happens. In the beginning, I was running to complete a goal. Now I'm running because I want to/like it AND because I have a goal.

After the first 8 minute run, we felt good. It didn't seem that different. Or too difficult. The 5 minute walk was more than enough time for us to catch our breath. So we felt the same starting the second run, which has never happened before. Usually we are all sucking air and praying that we are close to the end. Tonight was not the case.

The second 8 minutes conversation still flowed nicely. Our pace was quick, but right on. I say quick because it was quicker than normal. I wish I had a fancy watch to tell you exactly what it was, but nobody has $300 to get one.

The sun was setting at the end of our run. The last minute we really pushed ourselves. We ran hard and fast. The pace was cray cray fast. And who was leading the pact: The Roommate. She was in rare form and kicking all our butts.

We finished the second 8 minutes hot, sweaty, breathing heavy and joyful!!!! It was the best run we have ever had. Hands down.

I've been nervous about admitting this next thing on the blog for about a week now, but it is time that I fill you in on our future running goals.

5K in October, obviously. That is what we are training for now. Then a 10K (6.2 miles). Then a half-marathon (13.1 miles). Then a marathon (26.2 miles).

Don't worry. This will be over the course of a few years, but it will happen.We will make each other do it. Logan will do it. Lindsay will do it. The roommate. And me.

The marathon is the only one that truly terrifies me. The thought of running for 26.2 miles makes me feel sick, but I want to do it at some point. The thought of 13.1 miles gets my blood pumping. I want to do it. And I want the 13.1 sticker to prove it.

So there it is. On the Internet. I admitted it. I set the goals. That means they have to happen. You have to keep me accountable.

Deep breath. And go.

A Ton of Bricks

It has officially hit me. I'm moving in two weeks. My paper is due a week from Thursday. I have two other papers to write, oral presentations to give, revision to make and bags and boxes to pack. EEEKKK!!!! And this necessary freak out stems from a letter shoved between my doorjamb.

How nice of the apartment complex to stick a checklist of what needs to be done to the box before we move out. Just what I needed. A little extra stress. Basically we have to clean everything, which is not surprising. But was is surprising is that everything includes the under and behind of the fridge, washer, dryer and water heater. Not complaining, just a little shocked at the size of the job.

I also have to figure out what cable provider we will be using, set up an account with Entergy, coordinate my family members coming to help out with the move, and do school. DOUBLE EEEKKK!!!

I just hit me like a ton of bricks. We move in two weeks. I've got so much to do still for school. How will it all work? What will I look like once school is over and the move is complete? I am so looking forward to the days of lounging by the pool with a book of my choice that has nothing to do with Arkansas history. Gosh, it will be so great. But getting there is the challenge.

I have officially written 15 pages of the 18-25 page original research paper. What it looks like/reads like, I have no idea. I'm sure it will lack the necessary transitions to make for a smooth read, and I bet there will be too many quotes and citations. But it will be done.

Goal numero uno of the day: Finish rough draft of paper...so the revising/rewriting can start ASAP.

Goal numero dos of the day: Pack some boxes...because we're moving.

Goal numero tres of the day: Take some time to unwind the mind...hopefully I can get some serious sleep.

I hope you guys had a nice weekend and got to do fun things. I did get to see the family for a short while and eat the best cake in the world. So that means it was a success. Catch ya on the flip side.

Until next time...