Random Thoughts for Tuesday. Now in color!

Since I am home SICK today, I decided to put some real effort into this post. LMAO - Ok I decided to put out there a bunch of random pics of me and things I have taken pictures of and write a blog around them. I am so random sometimes it hurts. So one with this installment of Random Thoughts.


There comes a time in each of our lives that we must bloom. For some that means becoming the beautiful flower, while others become the thorns. Either way it is up to you to make that change.




Sometimes you just have to take pause for a moment and reflect on this big beautiful world around us. For me that means staking my territory in the sand and snow, if even only for a fleeting moment it was mine.






There is no shame in being yourself. If I did not understand the world on a different level I fear that life would be too 1-dimensional for me. I need to live life in full color. I want that 3-D, panoramic view, panetome color take on life.





How boring life would be if we did not take the time to stop and smell the roses. Or any other flower. Heck - if we did not stop to take a break and relax, we would never know what anything smells like.



You do not always need to take yourself too seriously.

Sometimes we tend to look only at our faults and weaknessses, not really taking into account that there is so much more to a person than one facet.

It is good to have fun.



Friends are amazing gifts. Without them I think that we would be too caught up in our own lives. We need to realize that this planet we inhabit is filled with millions of people all with a story to tell. A life to share. Disappointments, triumphs, and every day realities that are their very own. The only difference between Britany Spears and yourself if a tabloid cover. She is a just a person like you.

As long as I have the wings....

I am going to fly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I talked with a personal trainer today. Friday I am going to meet up with her to get in a pretty intense workout so I can find some new exercises to do to help build up my strength (read:kicking athlete body!)

I already have a swim coach, I have a running club, I even have a triathlon team. So why not add a Personal Trainer to my army... errrr. Ok, yeah, ARMY. I feel like I am becoming the bionic woman. Just without any bionic parts. I am rebuilding myself, faster stronger better. LMAO - Ok well at least I am giving it a real go this time. (less talk more action!!)

I am taking my triathlon training seriously. I do not want to just go out there and do it. I know that I can run well. I am strong. I am determined. Aim high and go for it. At the very least you know that you worked hard for it, no matter the outcome. So that my friends is what I am doing. I have aimed the bow, and now I am releasing the arrow and I WILL hit my target.

I feel that I come to every new year as a rebirth in running for me. I am sick of rebirth. NOW is the time to get it done my way. I have ditched the negative persona I tend to don when I am out in the field. I am getting it done. One step at the time, but I realized last night that I am on MY timeline. I am not in a race (pardon the pun) with anyone else. I am a field of one.

From now on toeing the line with goals set is the most positive thing I can do. So Detroit Freep - I may not hit that PR I want so bad on your course... but I will for damn sure give it my all. And when I cross the finish line OUTSIDE of Ford Field this year (Grrr stupid football game stealing away from my 50-yard line finish) I will be a star in that moment.

I have overcome quite possibly the hardest year in running I have ever had. I have overcome myself.

Runnergirl is here to stay. And if I do not say so myself, she is one hardcore chick.

Oh and Bold - I owe you this: The UBER GRAPH!!!

I know that it does not by any means replace the output of a power tap... nor can it replace the data that was stolen. But from one nerdalicious person to another - I thought that this may make you smile a lil. ;)

Random Thoughts for Tuesday, DWD Volunteer update, and shoe porn!

Every Tuesday I post the random thoughts I have as they pertain to running, training, nutrition, and whatever else pops into my head. Hence the title, Random Thoughts. I am quite, in case you have not realized, random. But I get the job done!

Continuing on with my trend of random thoughts:

• I really need to start being more serious. Nutrition. Training. Selfconfidence. The whole enchilada. I love running. I like being active. So why is it that I give up so easily? That is a personal growth thing. I need to start with realizing that I may just have the power and talent to do well at this thing I have chosen to do. I am still assuming that I will be last in all of my tris next year. I am going into this knowing that I have a LONG way to go on the swim and biking portions, but who is to say that I will not rock at them both? I mean come on... I have power in these legs. Maybe I will be a biking superstar! I am still thinking that I am going to pull a 3-hour half at Detroit. My goal is 2:40. My goals are pretty reasonable, and I know that I can do it. I have done it before. Many times. I used to be able to pull out a hilly 2:39 at a half with little effort or traianing. Why am I "settling" for slacking? Grr. MAJOR frustration point here. I need to start reaffirming myself. If I set a goal at 2:40 and finish in say 2:45 or 2:50, will anyone laugh at me? Not at all. They would cheer my victory of finishing. Period. So why am I afraid to succeed STILL. At least I have realized tht I have this fear still, and that my goal for the rest of the year is to get the heck over it already. I can succeed at things. I WILL succeed at this.

• Want to know why my runs as of late have sucked? It is not my commitment to the event. It is not my motivation or mental withdrawal. It is in fact my shoes. EVERY pair is shot. I have been trying to get a few meger miles out of my old Asics, but alas - RIP. We all know that I laid to rest my Mizuno Wave Rider 9's a few weeks ago. So for the rest of this week I am stuck with my 5K only NB's (a little to small for long runs, but fine for 4 miles and under) until I got to the store Friday and pick up my shiny new shoes. Shoe porn to follow.

• The Dances With Dirt Hell, MI crew (which I am now a very proud member of!) is the CRAZIEST event group I have ever had the previledge of meeting. I cannot even begin to tell you the fun we are going to have come 9/8. Mouse, who is running it again this year, watch out girlie. Good times await you!

• Sour cream angel food cake rocks. FYI.

• And here is my shoe porn for you all. Plese refrain from drooling directly on the uppers. I prefer dry feet.

I hope tht you all are having a good start to your week. Tomorrow is humpday, so we are that much closer to the weeked. AKA our long runs!

})i({ Runner Girl

Random Tuesdays

Well it is that day again...

• I went to the gym tonight after work. This time I went to the Bally's in Troy instead of the one in Novi. WOW. It has been a long time since I went to this facility, and have they ever made improvements! I am thinking that I am going to start going to this one full-time. One less possibility for excuse making... *pause for laughter*... I have a gym next to work, and another next to home.

• I did 1 mile on the dreadmill! This is a big deal for me as I HATE... LOATHE... no I was right the first time, HATE the dreadmill. And for the record - this is the longest I have ran on one of these contraptions. Tomorrow I am going to do 2-3 miles on it (hopefully, unless I run outside). There may (and that is a HUGE may) be hopes for me yet. ;) My dreadmill verdict - yeah it was not SO bad. But it is hard getting used to. Baby steps my friends... baby steps.

• Today I worked out back, bis and shoulders along with stretching and ab work. Since I only did 1 mile I am SO tempted to go out and do another 2.5 to make up my 3.5 for the day - however maybe I will take this chance to get up early in the morning and do a good 3 miles. For fear of my reader's potential for suffocation, I do request that you DO NOT HOLD YOUR BREATH on that one. Please. For your own safety.

• I am geeked to train this time. I think that I have an addictive personality, because I am jonsing to get back out there and do two more miles!!!! HOWEVER I do not want to overdo it so I will hold off. But. Seriously. I.wanna.run.more. *pout* On a serious note, I am genuinely excited to work my body but good. I went to my parents' house this weekend, and while talking to my mom about my future plans for my career and schooling, she pointed out something I may have overlooked. This time I am DEDICATED. Umm... when did this happen? I remember last year seeing hills and sidewalks on my drives and wishing that I was running them instead. TNT Coach Ken (AKA my Bayshore Marathon mile 5 saviour) told me that it was become I had become a runner. I am there again. I see places and times in my day where I could "sneak" in a run. Not for lack of time, but to literally "sneak" in a run for FUN! But this time I feel a lifestyle change with my running. I am running with a different mindset than previous, and it is so natural now. I am a positive runner and that my blogland friends has made all the difference. I mean look at me, I want to try my hand at speedwork, and am now willing to try the treadmill. *shakes head in wonder* I am still growing as a person and I love it!

• Wholefoods has a really good hot foods bar. Try the spiced eggplant if it is there. REALLY good.

• I am fairly certain that I will go to bed early tonight. How stoked am I for free sleep? STOKED.

• WHY have I hated the treadmill so much? I mean, honestly it was not that bad! I would not want to run aany more than 3-4 miles on that thing, but all in all... not bad. Brussel sprouts and treadmills... two things tht I thought tht I disliked, but may be wrong.

OK - again enough randomness for one day.

Keep on moving forward friends!

})i({ RunnerGirl

Random Tuesdays

Here is a new feature of this blog. Random Tuesdays. Since I am quite random in my life, I feel it only approprite to continue it on with my blog.

So without further ado - here are my random thoughts for Tuesday, August 14th, in the year of our lord 2007.

• Thank you so much for all of the kind words you have all given me over the past year and 2 months (ish). This journey means a lot to me, and while I spend a lot of time connecting with my friends and family and every other faction of people in my day-to-day terrestrial life, this blog means a lot to me. It is the chronicle of a single life journey from my perspective. You will see one common thing here... and that is growth. Sure I make wrong turns and add distance to the journey, but tht is how we move forward in life. This journey has no road map to guide me. I only posess a strong will, determintion, and a sense of adventure. This is is the chronicle of the life I lead. I went from negative lazy-butt to positive life lover. I am so glad that so many appreciate this journey like I do. I hope that you find realness and comfort in the words I type. If I can overcome, anyone can. And you do not have to be a runner to identify with this journey. Because each of us has a journey of our own. We may be on different paths... but in the end I really think that we end in the same place. And that place is personal growth.

• I am posing a challenge to myself, and to any one of you who choose to join in. Pat you sort of inspired me to do this. So I crown you the King of this Challenge. *bestows crown upon your head* The challenge is quite simple. I am challenging myself for 1 whole month I must exercise each and every single day. Be it run for 1 mile, walk for 20 minutes, strength train, stretch and abs, piltes, yogo, or just a nice leisurely bike ride or swim... each and every single day for 1 whole month I must work out on some level. Any takers?

• In case you wonder why there are so many spelling errors on this lovely blog... my keyboard sucks. I have limited use of the A or S keys, so you will see either those letters missing all together, or a duplicate letter once in a while. My appologies. I do try to catch them, but sometimes I just get exhausted hunting down missing letters.

• I feel odd lately. I am taking this week off from training, and all of a sudden I feel sort of lost. I know that you can get the post marathon depression... but is it possible to get that after a half? I think so. *bummed* So I am ready to switch gears and get back into my running for Detroit. However, I am llowing my body these last few days of rest before the fun begins. I have learned an importnt lesson. Rest is best.

OK - enough randomness for one Tuesday.

Take care everyone!! Tomorrow will be Wicked Wednesday! LMAO - I am just kidding.

*in best Homer Simpson voice* Or are I?

})i({ Runner G-I-R-L