outdoors

I never post when I say I am going to…

I never wrote about my birthday, probably because I ended the day really bummed out, and I’m not even sure why.  I think I was just over-tired and over thinking the day, and the upcoming year; everything I want to do and accomplish.  I have made it my goal to do something for me every single day and to accomplish something every day.  Some days they may be the same thing, but this way I will hopefully be more focused on what it is that I really want.

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Yesterday, for example, I finally ordered all of my material to become a certified personal trainer.  I have been talking about it for years, and even more so since becoming employed at a gym, and now the plan is finally in action. 

I also mixed up my workouts by playing a great game of ultimate frisbee!  Some sprinting and speed work is something I get very bored with when doing it by myself or on a treadmill, but during a game it is the best!  I was so impressed with my endurance 🙂  Plus, it is just great to get outdoors.

This morning, I had a killer workout at the gym at 5:30, and tonight, the boyfriend and I are going for a run together.  I really need to be better about consistency.  I am always moving, but either my eating is off or I lose focus on weight training, so this  year, I am aiming for consistency to finally reach my goals.

The birthday all in all was a great day.  I have been blessed with amazing people in my life who never let me forget that I am loved 🙂  So here is to a good year…

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Watch Your Step

I have never pretended to be graceful, and I always have the amazing super-power of proving why; I fall all the time.  I walk into walls, I spill things, I will trip on things that aren’t there, I have just been blessed that way.

Today while enjoying a run with one of my dear, dear friends and her 3 little girls, I managed to catch my foot on, and proceed to trip over, a slight crack in the sidewalk.  This happened 2 minutes into our run after I had made the joke that I should borrow one of the girls’ helmets because, back to the first point, I am not graceful. And sure enough I just bit it!  It wasn’t even a clean fall, it was one of those tripping, trying to catch myself for a good 6 feet, but still failing, trip.  Scraped hands and all, I picked myself up and kept going, laughing at myself along with a 12, 10, and 5 year old. 

About a mile later, the best part of my day happened when Bailey, the 5-year-old, called back to me from ahead, “Stephanie, there is a crack in the sidewalk up here, so don’t hurt yourself!”… perfect execution, and straight from the heart.

I am usually against running with people, but lately, I need it.  The option to stop is not as readily available as it is when you are by yourself, and having someone to talk to or just give you a boost, or for you to give them a boost, makes runs go by so much faster.  I didn’t realize how badly I was in need of a training buddy until today, especially one as awesome as this friend, who comes with a cheering section of 3.

Falling aside, it was a great run, and I have found my excitement for training once more!  Running is the most love-hate, turbulent relationship I have in my life.  A great run makes me feel on top of the world.  A bad run can make me feel like my life is falling apart and I can do nothing right.  It almost sounds like an abusive relationship because when it is good it’s great, when it’s bad it is the worst.  You can call me a bipolar runner; my highs are so high and my lows are so low.

But, I have found the magic ingredient that should help: a devoted running partner.  I am lucky in the fact that I love her to death, we laugh together, she is great at giving advice, and we run about the same pace.  She is perfect for me!

So onward my running partner and I shall go, tripping and all, to our half-marathons coming next month.  Hopefully her kids will be there to look out for me along the way.

So True!

I love spring time.  There is something so hopeful and rejuvenating about everything coming back to life after winter (even if we had very little winter to speak of this year).  

I took these on a lazy Sunday while roaming around campus with Max and my boyfriend.  

I caught myself in a funny habit while sitting on a bench waiting for Paul at one point; I always search for 4 leaf clovers.  I don’t even really do it consciously, I just sort of do it.  I have never found one, but I just had to laugh at this never ending journey to find one.

More to come later about my exciting weekend…