10 mi run

I've been slacking on writing about my exercise (but not on exercising, I swear!). On Sunday my boyfriend and I went for a 10-mile run. We finished it in 1:26:55, so I was pretty happy with it. My knee started hurting around the 8-mile mark, so I was a bit worried. I was wearing my knee brace, and my knee normally only hurts after I run (not while I'm running). I'm hoping it will be better by the next time I run!

7.2 mi run

Yesterday Stephen and I went for a 7.2 mile run after our intramural Ultimate frisbee game (which our team won!). I had a stitch in my side starting around the 2.5-mile mark and later around the 5-mile mark. I don't know if it's just because it's been awhile since I last ran or because I was tired after frisbee. I also wore my knee wrap just because it was bothering me a bit at the game on Saturday.

4.1 mi run

I feel bad because I haven't posted a blog in forever, mostly because it means I haven't exercised in forever. I've been a bit stressed out and busy with marching band and classes the past few weeks. Unfortunately, I've been letting that get in the way of my personal well-being. So the goal from here on out is to not let that happen. I started by going on a 4.11 mile run this evening. I got to try out the new running watch my parents got me for my birthday. I ran for 37:35, so my pace was about 9:08 per mile. It's not the best, but I didn't really expect any better after taking two weeks off. So the goal is to keep ramping up my distance and time before the Des Moines half in October. I'm also going to take a look at the Zumba schedule and try to fit that in at least once a week!

8.2 mi run

I got a long run in today! The 8.2 miles were brutal, to be honest. It was so humid, so I'm really sweaty right now. I think I may be dehydrated (surprise, surprise...). My goal for the week is to drink more water! However, once I cool down, I'm going to watch MIB 3 on the Hawthorne Court green with Chelsey. What a good way to end the weekend!

3.7 mi run

I got in another quick run today. The weather has been amazing for running! My boyfriend and I ran 3.7 miles around campus. Running with him makes jogging so much easier (though I'm pretty certain we go faster than I go on my own!).

3.5 mi run

I finally got to (or more accurately, convinced myself to) run this evening. The weather was gorgeous for it! My feet hurt a bit from marching band, because the entire past week has been band camp. Still, once I got going, I completely forgot about my sore feet, tired legs, and tense shoulders. I just started feeling happy and strong again. I was going slowly, but I was going. It was definitely worth it!

3.5 mi run

Yesterday morning I got in a 3.5 mile run. I've haven't been running much. This past weekend I was home with my family, so I got to walk with my mom and sister. We walked 3 miles one day and 2 another day. I love getting to exercise and talk to them! Talk about being truly happy!

I also ran a bit this morning. I thought I had a lot to do, so today's run was very short! My time freed up, though, so now I actually get to write this blog! I don't have internet access in my apartment, so I'm enjoying a mocha in the community center while I type. It's perfect for a cool, cloudy day! Have a great Thursday!

The Color Run

My friends and I ran the Color Run in Indianapolis this weekend. It was super fun and hardly felt like exercise (maybe because a lot of people walked, so we weren't going very fast!). Still, I love that there are ways to make running even more fun!

4.7 mi treadmill run

I seem to alternate between laying out at the pool and running at the gym. I positively love the lazy river... I could just float for hours! Today was a gym day, though, and I wish it was a pool day! I ran 4.7 miles (in 40 minutes), which is quite a ways when you're really not going anywhere. I needed to run though, because I'm doing the Color Run in Indianapolis with three of my besties this weekend! I cannot wait for such a fun run, and a weekend with my girls is always bound to be a success! I'll post pictures next week!

3.5 mi treadmill run

Treadmills are just not my favorite... but they do the trick! It was super hot today, so I went to the rec center to do my running. I got in 3.5 miles in 30 minutes. I actually felt really good while running, though I was sweating up a storm! I think it must be the humidity, because I was dripping! Okay, too much information... but anyways, it was nice to get a little workout in. Tomorrow is a Zumba day, so I'm looking forward to that!

Kosama Warrior Water Run

This weekend one of my best friends and I did the Kosama Warrior Water Run at Sleepy Hollows Sports Park in Des Moines.  I was quite nervous; it's only a 5K, but there were 30 obstacles throughout the course! We started off by running through a puddle of mud and over a dirt mound... then into a stream!  My favorite part was "dumpster diving" because it was basically swimming through dumpsters covered with a tarp and filled with water. It was so hot and humid, so the water felt nice! The only part we couldn't really do was this rope climb (due to the mud which made getting a good foot hold non-existent!). Thankfully, some guy was nice enough to pull us up! We ended by going down the huge Slip and Slide at the end. Confession: I had to push myself about halfway down before I really got going.  But man! The second half was fun! J-Gaff and I finished in 49.30 and actually tied for 4th for the female 20-24 age division, so we were happy! I was quite tired by the end, and my arms are still sore. 

With our warrior headbands!

Our socks and shoes were quite gross

The great thing about the race was that it was an exciting way to exercise! So get out there, and make it fun!

2.87 mi run

So much for slowly increasing my distance...it's just so hard to run for long periods of time when you only have your iPod to keep you company.  This run was a bit rough (probably because I drank a root beer shortly about 2 hours before running).  I try not to buy pop, but my mom sent me with an assorted 12-pack of cans that included Vanilla Coke, A&W Root Beer, and caffeine-free Dr. Pepper at the beginning of the summer.  And I love her for picking out my favorite pops!  I just know it's not great for runners...

But here's a quick happiness thing; I spent most of this past weekend in cut-off jean shorts and flip flops and LOVED IT!  I'm normally not a flip flop person and usually dress up more, but I just had a relaxing "do nothing" weekend with my family.  It was so great!

4.76 mi run

I went for a nice 4.76-mile run this evening, since the weather was actually decent (meaning it was 81 degrees).  I drank a lot of pop over the weekend, so this run was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be! I ran it in about 40 minutes.  I had no problems with my knee, which was wonderful!

I also did Zumba this morning.  We added some new songs, like "Where Have You Been" by Rihanna and "Sexy and I Know It" by LMFAO, which I enjoyed.  It's a great way to get pumped up for the day!

I also went on a three mile walk with my mom the other day.  She's going to walk the Des Moines IMT Half Marathon with my aunt and my little sister in October (my twin sister, uncle, and I are going to run it).  It's always good exercise, but my favorite part of the walk is getting to talk to my mom.  That's something that just makes me so happy.  

2-something mi jog

Yesterday I caved and ran on a treadmill... okay, jogged on a treadmill (I was sooo slow!).  I started at 6 mph and slowly worked up.  I just don't like that you can't set your own pace.  Still, I ran for 20 minutes and went a little over 2 miles (see? slow).  I was sweating a lot, though, and my ponytail was falling out.  After jogging, I did some ab workouts and a few arm workouts to supplement the short run.  I was just glad for a chance to work out!

I'm going home this weekend (yayyyy!).  I like Grinnell, but there is absolutely NOTHING to do on the weekends.  At least if there's nothing to do at home, I can do nothing with my family!  Talk about happiness! :)

2.06 mi run

It was a short one today!  I was going to go for a run around 7:30 this evening, but the heat index was 104!  I waited an hour, but even when I returned from my jog, the heat index was 94.  Oofta!  That's one reason why I kept this one short.  The other reason was that this was my "make up for all the horrible things you ate and all the exercise you didn't do over the weekend" run (in other words, I needed a quick jog to get it out of my system and get back in the habit of exercising).  My stomach was hurting by the end, so I am glad I didn't try to go any longer.

I also did some ab workouts today!  I just did the basic crunches/bicycles/plank things we do in Zumba to "I Like It" by Enrique Iglesias.

4.59 mi run

I finally got to that 4.5 mark (and then some!). I ran basically the same route today with a few bigger loops in there.  I think it's a bit hillier going this way! This time my other knee gave me a bit of trouble, but only for a few seconds.

We had a huge storm in Grinnell earlier today, so I was dodging quite a few fallen branches and some fallen trees. One small tree was completely torn out of the ground! Please keep Grinnell in your prayers!

DIY: Dyed sweater

Confession: I'm slightly obsessive about clothes. This weekend was the perfect opportunity for a DIY that gave me a bit of peace of mind. I had this adorable white cardigan from American Eagle that I absolutely loved! However, in an attempt to get ketchup stains out of the sleeve (long story), my naive self tried soaking it along with my pink cami which also had ketchup stains. Needless to say, this did not end well. My cardigan was now left with pink streaks that I just COULD NOT get out. So my mom and I came up with an idea to dye the sweater (otherwise I would never, ever wear it). I chose pink because I love the color and the stains were pink to begin with. I bought the dye at Walmart for under $3. We dyed the sweater in our kitchen sink. As a head's up, you'll need salt (I think 1/4 cup) to mix in with the steaming hot water and dye. I was nervous at first, but as soon as I put the weather in the dye I feel in love with the color. Mom and I took turns stirring continuously for the first 15 minutes, then I stirred it every now and again for the last 45 minutes. After putting the sweater through a quick cycle in the washer, I laid it out to dry. I was so happy with the way it turned out! I can't wait to wear my lovely pink sweater this fall!

4.48 mi run

I just finished a nice jog.  I haven't been running nearly as much as I'd like, so I was proud of the 4+ miles I hit today.  I didn't "map my run" until after I ran... I was SO CLOSE to the 4.5 mark!  It got really hard for me shortly after I finished the second mile.  My knee started hurting, so I was a bit worried, but by the end of the third mile, I was fine.  I think I just needed to get my stride; I could have jogged longer but I wanted to practice my piccolo for community band (I'm playing the Stars and Stripes solo on Thursday).  

I also found a deal on Groupon for this 5K Kosama Warrior Water Run in Des Moines on July 14th.  I haven't registered yet, but I may have convinced two of my besties to participate with me!  I think it will be challenging but super fun as well.  I can't wait to get all muddy (I can't believe I just said that...).  Here's info about the race if you are interested.

Welcome!

I got the idea for this blog when I read somewhere that runners should write about their running experiences. It suggested a blog, so I thought, "I'll do that!"  I want to take it one step further, though, from simply writing down my running schedule.  I want to write about all my decisions to be a healthier (and consequently happier) person.  Exercising is obviously a huge part of that, but there are so many other things that affect a person's health, whether it be physical or mental.  So for me, this is going to be a bit of both.  Yes, there will be posts about running this far and running here and running there, but there will also be posts about what I do to make myself happier!  So while this is mostly for me to track my progress (and hold myself accountable), I appreciate you following along/joining in as I work towards a healthy happiness!