If I Got a Dollar for Every Mile I Ran, I'd Run More...

The other day while having a moment of 'insignificance', I decided I needed to do something that would make me feel accomplished.  So I decided I would run 'train' for a half marathon.  Although I haven't really talked about it much on this little worm hole web space of mine, I'm what some would call a freak, and what others would call a runner.  I'll take either.

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I confess that I'm your weirdo that wakes up at 5am to go running or to Boot camp, and I love it.  I enjoy getting the day started, getting the work out done, and then pretending like it never even happened.  Except on days that I am so sore I can hardly get up off the toilet in which case it's hard to forget the work out, but I guess that's just too much information.

Also I'm sure I don't look like this when I run, but who does.  Oh that's right half the running I see out there who effortlessly glide, step after step making me hate them more and more as they go.  This is what I actually look like; I'm not a pretty sight before or after the run, promise.

But here's the thing, if I got a dollar for ever mile I ran, I'd be running A TON more. Just to think about all those sweet running gear I'd have, the shoes I could buy, and the purses I'd be wearing.  But then I guess I'd have to be running A LOT more than I am now.  Not quite sure how far $20 buck a week would get me.  Certainly wouldn't buy my current crushes these, these, this, and this, but I'd for sure take the extra money.


And now back to my 'need to feel accomplished', this must be a quarter century thing, heck knows I didn't feel this at 24.  So, honestly I don't know if I am going to 'train' as much as I am going to try to  run more. Mostly so I can keep accommodating all the sweets I've been eating, but also in hopes that when I actually do get around to running a half marathon (March maybe????) I'll be ready. My Mom said she'd run it with me, and if I have any hopes of beating keeping up with her, I gotta get my ass movin'.

WIW: A decade in the same shoe and running advice

I didn't even try these new friends on before I bought 'em.  While you, and the guy working at my local running store may find that odd; I was confident they'd be perfect. I've been running in the same shoe (and size) for a decade.

And then I die, a decade, really? Insert internal panic attack here.

Since when am I old enough to have had a designated pair of running shoes for decade?

In my ten years what have I come to notice about running?

A pair of well fitting running shoes is imperative, and will seriously change your feelings on running.

It never gets easier, it gets more enjoyable.

I always feel better after your run, no matter how short or long.

Making time, not excuses, is the most important part.

For me running earlier is better, then it's out of the way and I don't have to worry about it.

Some runs are just better than others for no logical or physically explainable reason.

Listen to your body.

It really is the fastest way to drop weight, or at least I think it is.

Running to music helps me run faster, and keeps me going.

Taking the dog can be both a blessing and a curse

Running socks are important too, these things aren't a joke.


Staying hydrated will help improve your runs.


Your progress belongs to you, be proud of what you accomplish.

When I'm running regularly my overall energy is up!

Running time is me time, and I've got lots to think about.

Stretching after is more helpful than stretching before (or at least I think so).

I always feel more confident on days that I've worked out or gone for a run.

Running removes most of the guilt I feel when eating desserts.

Finding good 3 and 5 mile loops in your neighborhood is a good idea.

I run for me, not anyone else.

Plus Ten Pounds

A year ago (give or take) today, I was officially ten pounds lighter, and I hate (sorry Mom, I'm using that word, and I know you don't like it) that feeling.

As much as I like to think I don't care about how I look. I do. I care.

 I care A LOT.

If you haven't read my story of weight loss via weight watchers, you can here.

I felt really good after I finished and had success keeping the weight off, which brought me continued happiness.  But at my annual appointment (that was lovely) I saw those three numbers on the scale, and I looked away. It made me sad.

I've been working out (strength training) WAY more than I was a year ago.

My strength has improved in measurable ways, and after reviewing my measurements, I'm 3" less (overall) the same as I was last year at this time, so it's apparently 'all muscle'.

My mind gets it, but my brain can't quite 'see' past the numbers.

I need to remind myself to keep it all in perspective, that a number is just a number, and that at the end of the day, we're all just a work in progress.

We might not all be working on the same things, but we're all working on ourselves. Some people are working on fitness, others are working on personal resolutions, relationship building, etc. 

And I am sure we're all doing a combination of all listed above, it's important to keep things in perspective. It's just one thing.
It's just a number.

I'm feeling confident in myself, my work, my relationships, and my life.

So what does that measley little number mean anyway?

Quite your mind Kaylin, it's all going to be okay.

Shirt//Target (similar)

Jeans//Express

Shoes//Target circa 2008

Glasses//Kate Spade (similar)
P.S. These wedges are my favorite and they are dying, 
so I have to wear them sparingly :(
 
Happy Wednesday!!!

Bitches Be Running

 Just the moment when the skinny fit bitch lady comes around the corner, and passes you on your run.

But she doesn't just pass you, she passes you with a perfect ponytail,
no sweat, and color coordinated work out gear.

You all know who I am talking about, a girl that looks like this 8 miles into her run.


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I do like what this image says, in case you were wondering.

She makes running look easy, effortless, and envigorating.
She probably runs twice as far as you do in half the time.
It's just not fair.

I'm an avid 'runnier'. 

Meaning I run voluntarily anywhere between 3-5 miles 3-4/week.

Well here is a true story that inspired this post.

The other day, I'm struggling to run.

You know the days when you get out on a run, and your mind just stops your body in it's tracks, 

sounding something like, "...you think you're running today, well lady, I have different plans for you." And your body says, "Yes, I am going to keep running, but every step will be labored, and you're going to look like a flailing rhinoceros while you do it."
And your mind turns up her nose, says,"fine." and walks away.

Yeah that's how I felt.
And during my last half mile, this beautiful skinny bitch girl runs from around the corner, with a perfect pony tail, legs that don't touch, color coordinated running gear, and a sweat-less forehead.
And right then and there I wanted to stop and give up.

My mind was like, "Dang she's fit."
My body was like, "You will never look like that, you're just never going to be a petite girl."

And that's when I started running just a little bit faster, still not fast enough to catch her, but a little bit faster until I reached my front door step and thought,
"Worst three mile run of my life."

And my body said, "Yup, but you'll do it again tomorrow because it makes you feel good."
And she was right, I was right back at in the next day.

Maybe to others I am that flawless runner, maybe.

Weight Watchers: Before and After

So this one time, a year and half ago, my then roommate asked me to do Weight Watchers.

I thought to myself, "Why would a 23 year old do on Weight Watchers,
 I don't have any weight to loose..."
Or so I thought.

Remember some college stories from this post??
It's amazing what four years of partying college will do to you.

Even when you think you're fit, healthy, and okay, you're wrong.  

Don't get my wrong, I worked out through college, ran multiple times a week,
but a five mile run can't keep up with the ten five drinks you the had the night before.

So we joined,
Weighed in (read: scariest and most depressing moment of my life),
and starting tracking our 'points'.
Logging every.single.item.we.ate.
But it Got results
Here are mine.

I was down 25 pounds in 3 months.

To give you some perspective:

25 lbs. = average weight of a 2 year old child

25 lbs. = five five lb. bags of flour

 25 lbs. = a small dog

25 lbs. = a 19'' TV

25 lbs. = a LOT for someone that thought she had nothing to lose. 

Here are pictures of my face (thanks photobooth) before and after

And here are pictures of my body before and after.

You can sure see those 25lbs., can't you???

That being said my lowest weight on WW wasn't maintainable with the lifestyle I wanted to live.
I enjoy eating out, getting frozen yogurt, and having a latte every now and again.

So I gained 5 lbs. back, BUT I have maintained the total 20 lb. weight loss for over a year now (you guys know what I look like now from my outfit posts),
so my experience was still SUPER successful.

If I ever need to lose weight in the future, WW is the tool I will use.

It's easy, manageable, and it gets results.

 But we all already knew that because we've seen Jennifer Hudson.

 Damn she's bangin'

If you have any questions, ask away.
I am happy to talk about any and all of my experiences.

P.S. If I am going to be totally honest, I am thinkin' this will be one of the more popular posts to date.
Isn't this the stuff people love reading about???
'Real life'

If it's not one of my more 'popular' posts so be it...sometimes I just can't predict what you guys are going to like.

P.P.S. I leave for Rio Tomorrow...Oh .Em .Gee.......

I like...Being on Top

I've been on top (of the world) twice.

...I'm clever, I know...

Okay, so this might be a smidge of lie, but I have been close to the top- Twice.

The first time was Christmas 2008

at the top of Mt. Siani, Egypt

P.S. The high desert is freakin' cold...like really cold!! 

and the second

was March 2009

at the top of Half Dome

If you're wondering what the top of the world feels like,
 I'll go ahead and tell you...because I know.

Being on top of the world makes you feel oddly insignificant.
It makes you feel vastly aware of your size, strength, and power as a human being.
I makes you feel hurried and excited, yet clam and relieved.
It invites your senses to explore places that they've not yet been; it lets the natural silence ring loud in your head, and the vastness of the Earth stay lingering in your eyes.

Being on top of the world is both invigorating and empowering.

If you've never been to a place that feels like the top of the world, I recommend going.

Your mind, body, and soul will thank you.

Try Something New

My try new things trio (and co workers Kara and Kerry) have talked me into TWO new 'fitness' activities this year.

The first was a eight month stint of pole dancing, yup I said it, pole dancing. It was a blast but came to an end after I tumbled, okay flailed off the pole landing in a pretzel-ed mess on the ground 'displacing' two ribs. Don't worry the sustained injuries were not serious, and were cured with one quick $35 trip to the chiropractor.

This morning we tried our NEWEST fitness adventure- Cardio Kickboxing!!!

We went before work, thinking it'll be easy- It was our first class after all.

Forty five minutes and a head of what hair later, we all needed a little more than a 'freshen up'.

It was a blast though- punching and kicking it out to loud pop remixes.

The wrist wraps and gloves made me feel like a true bad ass, even though I know I'm not.  During the warm up alone my coordination skills were challenged, and that's not even touching the punching, kicking, elbowing combos.

Bad Ass maybe not, Lame-0 for wanting a picture, yup!!!!

We're excited to go back though, this Groupon was for TEN classes (including hand wraps and gloves), so I've got more time to develop my punching rhythm and kicking technique.  

Needless to say we all decided it was an AFTER work activity.

If you get a chance, give it a try.

I can't wait for our next class!