A Little Game of Touch and Go

This morning has been touch and go. And let me tell you why.

Touch: Nobody wants to get up. Period. End of story. It's become a problem.

Go: I had a healthy, delicious breakfast this morning.

Peanut butter and banana sprinkled with pumpkin pie spice on a 100 calorie English muffin. YUMMY!

Touch: It's freaking windy.

Go: But it feels great outside.

I'm suppose to run this afternoon. Hopefully I can get Logan to go with me (ahem, Logan needs to run again). But I don't think I can tell you how freaking windy it is. Blustery might be a more appropriate term.

I need to run. I have to run. I'm training. I have to run. I want to run. I need to run.

Touch: I woke up with a headache. NBD. I get those sometimes, but this one is the size of an elephant sitting on my tiny skill cap.

Go: CAFFINE AND ADVIL! Two of the worlds greatest miracle drugs.

Touch: It's freaking windy, which makes me not want to run.

Go: I found some really great quotes on Pinterest to keep us me going.

"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run." - John Bingham

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I will not run like someone running aimlessly.
1 Corinthians 9:25-26

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." - Steve Prefontaine

"The hardest step for a runner is the first one out of the front door." - Anonymous

Sidenote---I watched a movie about Steve Prefontaine one day. I was really into it, feeling inspired. And then he gets in a car wreck and dies. I was so upset. More angry than upset. Such a true talent. What a shame.

So the quote he said above is about running, but it can be applied ot any part of your life.

Another sidenote---I'm feeling much better now that I've shared with you all about my touch and go day thus far. I'm hopeful it will be a GO day for the rest of the day.

What are some of your favorite inspirational quotes?

How do you handle touch-and-go days?

When Are We Runners?

The roommate and I got up at 6 A.M. to go for a little run. Neither of us are keen on morning runs since that requires us getting out of bed at dawn. And it was especially tough today because we both had the opportunity to sleep in.

But that wasn't the case at our house. We got up slowly and moaned and groaned around the house until 6:40 this morning. It was a quiet car ride to the Big Dam Bridge, but still nice. Once we got there, we had a much needed stretch session. (We didn't really stretch too good at the 5K Wednesday night so our muscles were pretty pissed off at us.)

It was a glorious morning. 77 degrees. A nice breeze. Sun not too high in the sky. River Trail was partly shaded. Perfect morning for a nice run.

The roommate and I did a good job keeping a conversation this morning. It's something we've all been working on. We talk to each other to help build stamina, and it helps us know how our pace is. If we can't talk to each other, we are going to fast. Plus it's just added fellowship time.

There was a sweet little lady with a Camelbak water pack. I had to steal a picture. She was so chipper. Too bad we were still half asleep when she passed us during our warm-up walk. I told the roommate we needed to get a Camelbak water backpack. It's hands free. And just plain cool.

We saw some deer. Bambi times two. I tried to get a picture, but I got this, which is equally cool. But I still have no proof that I saw Bambi.

We are getting ready to change the running routine this weekend. After Wednesday's 5K, I am not as nervous about changing things anymore. I feel very confident in my running and in our running as a group. My mental attitude about running is changing.

The roommate asked me a very valid question this morning. When are we runners?

One might say that although we claim that we ran a 5K, it doesn't count because we walked some of it.

Obviously, we think that thought is complete blasphemy. A total crock. Ridiculous. Stupid. Outrageous. And just plain mean.

We are definitely putting in the work to call ourselves runners. So when does it happen? When do you get the title of Runner Extraordinaire?

Here's my 411: You become a runner when you make running a priority. You become a runner when you set a goal to reach. You become a runner when you make up your mind to do it. It's not about who says you are a runner. It's about that you say you are a runner.

I became a runner when I said I wanted to run Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure with my mom in October. And when I bought running shoes. And when I got the Couch to 5K app on my iPhone. And when I started hitting the pavement on a regular basis.

Nobody cares that I walk sometimes. Nobody cares that I'm not the fastest. Or the best breather. Or that my calves hate me when I'm running.

You have to get over the inferiority complex that you have set up in your own mind. People aren't staring at you. They are not judging you. They don't care that your shorts don't match your shirt. Or that you are dripping insane amounts of sweat from weird places on your body.

The people who get it GET IT. The people who don't are just missing out. And that is their loss, not ours.

We are runners. And we love that. We are proud of it. What an accomplishment.

What about you? Are you a runner? Or a biker? A dancer? A hiker? 

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.