Race for the Cure :-)

Good morning all!! Race for the Cure was this morning!!! It was a very exciting and nervous morning.

Thankfully, I had last night off. I went to judge some colorguard tryouts and then came back to relax. I knitted a little, did laundry, and overall tried to prepare myself for today.  I was up around 5:30. I had all my clothes out last night so all I would have to do is change and pull back my hair. I picked my friend up around 6:15 and we headed to where Race for the Cure was being held. I started to get super nervous when I saw all the competitive looking runners. Yikes!! Was my first thought. My second thought was, someone has to come in last place, right? I also started thinking about the shorts I was running in. I know, stupid. Stupid me decided to wear a different pair of shorts. Bad move!!

So, the race started and I knew right away it was going to be a "long" journey. I am no outdoor runner, as I think you all know by now. I decided it was going to be a jog/brisk walk type of journey, but no matter what I did I was going to finish. The most encouraging part was seeing the volunteers throughout the course cheering on everyone that was coming through. It really touched my heart. I also had to turn of the Pandora "Stevie Ray Vaughn" station I had going because it kept coming in and out, but when I turned on my playlist "Beautiful Day" came on a few songs later. :-)

The coolest part of all this is that the fundraising goal that was set was made!!! Thank you all so so much!! There was actually more than $250.00 given. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. The second coolest thing, at least for me personally, is that I finished. :-) Here are a few pictures from the race. I kind of like blogging and keeping you all updated on the fitness portion and just the everyday happenings in my life, so I will probably keep posting if there are no objections. :-) You all have a fantastic day and thank you all again!!

Kirstie and Me before

Kirstie and Me after

Just me after

DONE!!! At least with this one. :-)

S.

So close!

Hey everyone!

This post will not be as long as the last one, promise!! This is just another way for me to procrastinate on my homework for the evening, but when you combine crime and serial killer statistics for my math class. . .Who would not want to do the homework? ;-) I also want to get some more knitting in tonight. I actually had a dream about knitting last night!! Hehe! :-)

Monday's workout and today's workout were very similar. Took a little faster today on the treadmill and "covered" more mileage. I mean, technically, you are covering the same black revolving belt, which is actually kind of weird to think about. Maybe I am just tired. Okay, no more tangents. Weight lifting is going great too! I am so glad to be back to lifting. I feel better and I feel like my body is responding well to the changes that have been made to the workout routines.

By the way, the SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOR flies THIS FRIDAY!!! Who is excited??? I think it is time to get out Space Camp again and watch it. I think it is no coincidence that the last shuttle launch in June is with the Shuttle Atlantis. That is the Shuttle in the movie!! I HAVE TO BE THERE!!!!! :-)

Alright, time to get some "math" *cough, cough* done before bed. (Court was super interesting today, by the way. Not mine, of course!!) More very very soon, since Saturday is the day!! :-)

S.

Warning: Kind of long, but I encourage you to read it all the way. :-)

Hey ya'll!! I am sorry there have been no new updates for a few weeks. The last few weeks have been such a whirlwind and I have a feeling these last three weeks until graduation will be no different. I will try and do a brief plot summary of what has been going on in my world. :-)

Workouts the past few weeks have been happening. Yeah! But, not as often as I want them to be. Boo!! I ditched C25K last week. Probably not the best idea two weeks before Race for the Cure, but I was bored with it and needed something new. So, I started something new and something that I think will be more beneficial to me in the long haul. Speed intervals. . . Yep! I feel like I can get over the hump quicker by switching between a moderate running pace and a pretty good power walk pace as opposed to a slower jogging speed. So far, so good! I am also going to start incorporating weight lifting again. I miss it and I feel better about myself when I am lifting weights. I am going to search for a lifting cycle that will target areas and that will be the most beneficial. Will let you know how it goes.

Race for the Cure is THIS SATURDAY!!! Honestly, I am starting to get a little concerned. I think I just need to remind myself why I am doing this and to have a good time with it. Unfortunately, my family will be visiting a college with my baby sister and will not be able to be there, but my best friend is suppose to be there. No hard feelings at all towards my family. I actually wish I could be there with them and share in this exciting time with my baby sister. :-) I will finish the race regardless of how or the time. ;-)

Now, for something a bit more personal. :-) I applied for a job ( Sorry, no more details.) about a month ago and got the wonderful opportunity to go in and test for this job on Thursday. Now, this is just the very beginning of a very long process, but to even get the opportunity was an amazing experience. I cannot help but to thank God!! While I would be definitely upset if I did not make it past the test, to have the experience and opportunity was more than I could ever ask for. Hopefully, I will hear something this week on the test and I am hoping it will be good news. Originally, when this opportunity presented itself I was excited of course but still very wanting the military to work. I still want the military to work out, but I can feel a change within letting me know that if this is the only thing that happens, it will be a good thing. God has a plan. I know this. Now, I must hang on to that.

One last thing before signing off. I, for whatever reason, am intrigued (if that is the right word) with certain things, usually devastating, that have happened in history. The Challenger (Yes, I know I was not born), OKC Bombing, 9/11, and most recently the Tucson Tragedy. As more information came out on the news about who Gabrielle Giffords is as a person, I began reading more about her too. I hope to one day meet this wonderful woman and my continued thoughts and prayers are with her, her family, and every life change that day. I found a speech she gave to the 2009 Scripps College graduating class. I will leave you all with a little bit from her speech. It sounds funny, but the words truly touched me and reminded me of certain things in life. Here you go:

"You cannot authentically live anyone's life but your own. That is the deal life offers us. We as women have fought too hard and for too long against the narrowing confines of social expectations to have anything less. Here at this wonderful point in your lives today, this hatching into you future, it is now time for you to embrace what was denied those who came before--it is now time to follow the passion inside your heart and listen to its voice above all others. And what it says to you in the years may surprise you and invert the notions of how you thought your life would turn out. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being confounded like this, especially in your early twenties. That is part of the adventure of growing older-- and growing deeper into your old skin as women, or as the wonderful poem go: WARNING, when I am an old woman, I shall wear purple. So yes, I am saying being happy is more than just something to hope for. It's something to expect. When you do this, when you tune out the critical voices in your head and embrace what your heart is saying, you don't just make your own life better. You make the world better."

21 Days!!

It was an absolutely fantastic Saturday!! I was invited to a baby shower today back in FTG, but I unfortunately could not go because I was scheduled to work. I was however able to go play some softball today. The Criminal Justice/Sociology department played the FPD. I had an absolute blast besides being dirty afterward and sunburned. Yep, first sunburn of the season folks! I did not make it to the gym today, but between the ball game and working 6 hours I feel I got my share of exercise today. Thankfully, there were no sprained ankles (I forgot my brace) and hopefully I will not feel to sore in the morning. A bad shoulder and ankle could make for a sore morning. I am feeling muscles ache that I have not felt since I played ball. It was an awesome workout. Maybe I should start playing every weekend. We lost, but it was an awesome time.

So, future plans. . . I am about 70% sure of what path I want to take. I have, however, made the decision to wait until at least graduation to totally make up my mind. For now, it will be a lot of praytience. Yes, I totally made up that word and it describes exactly what I need right now. :-)

Well, I am totally wiped and body is already starting to ache. I am feeling some Tylenol and laying on the couch watching Twister (I am getting in the right frame of mind for tornado season. I am after all from OK and I love this time of year and we are suppose to get some weather tomorrow) in my very near future.Goodnight all!!

S.

23 DAYS!!!

Confession time: I cheated today. No, not what kind of cheating you are thinking. I could not help myself. The gym was right there and the treadmill looked so good. Yes, you heard me. Haha, I used the treadmill today. It was a beautiful day out, but I felt the treadmill calling my name. :-) It was a good workout. Physically, I felt a bit off today. My stomach did not feel all that great, but I went and did the workout anyway. For the first jogging segment, I did speed intervals. Second segment, I took it a little easier. I did get my marathon walk on though. It was a good segment. Not quite a jog pace, but a get your heart pumping pace. Overall, it was a pretty good workout. I am looking forward to more elliptical time tomorrow.

Not much else new going on. I have not heard anything from facebook about my blog yet, but I hope it gets fixed soon. I have tomorrow evening off and I am actually looking forward to being home on a Friday evening. Nothing new on Navy or any other job possibilities. Just keep praying praying praying. Just keep praying praying yeah! ;-) Much love to everyone and more soon!

S.

24 Days!

Hey!! I hope everyone had a wonderful Wednesday! The weather was beautiful outside and finally got announcements done and mailed. Amen!! I am so glad that is done. So, I am not big into asking people for prayer, but if you do send one up for me please. Mainly, a pray for patience. Some more disappointing news has come in the past few days about the Navy. I know there is a plan. I know that with all my heart, but sometimes there is a disconnect between what my heart feels and what my head thinks. So, not to get all mushy and such, but thank you in advance for the prayer. Instead of Dora from Nemo saying "Just keep swimming swimming. Just keep swimming swimming." My new saying is "Just keep praying praying praying praying. Just keep praying. :-) Another side note: The inquires class I have been going to at St. Paul's was a wonderful and very fulfilling/educational class last night. :-)

Now, WORKOUTS!!! Short and sweet. Another day on the elliptical. :-))) Today was supposed to be a jog day, but all the treadmills were taken at the gym and I was short on time. Tomorrow will be a jogging day. Promise!! I also get to play softball this weekend with my department against the PD here in town. I think I am playing catcher and I am slightly nervous, but super excited! :-)

That is all for now folks. Much love!
S.

27 Days!!

It was a great weekend!! I was able to see some of my family and to see my baby sister's performance. :-) Alright, time for work-out update! Yay!!!!

Since the last time I posted, workouts have been going great. Thursday I spent 45 minutes on the elliptical at school. 45 minutes, 4 miles, and 550 calories!! Wooo Pig!! Friday, I switched up what I did on Wednesday. Are you ready?? I went backwards on the trail. Take that! No, I did not run backwards. That would be extremely difficult. Hehe. It was a bit easier going the opposite way. Today, I got my happy rear end out of bed around 6 and went to the treadmill. Yes, I know I should be running outside, but the sun was not even awake yet and I could not see anything. It was a good reunion between the treadmill and me. :-) I also want to try to be under 40 minutes on the 5K. First 5K and race. It is a bit slow, but I think a good goal for myself.

Short and sweet today. I am going to sip my loose leaf tea in my new cup that has a strainer and enjoy the beautiful day! :-) Have a wonderful day and do not forget to click on the "Race for the Cure" banner at the top of the page.

Sierra