Day 21

Ok... I have to admit. I almost didn't post today because I was so embarrassed. I have not exercised at all for a whole week. That's not to say I was a lazy bum this past weekend. But my plans to run and ride my bike went down the drain pretty fast. I don't remember the excuse I was going to use for Friday. But I didn't do anything then. And on Saturday it was storming right up until I had to start getting ready for my birthday party. I played a pretty intense game of badminton though. No big deal. And on Sunday I did A LOT of walking. I know- it's not the same.

It was seriously the best birthday celebration ever. Starting on Thursday, ending on Sunday. A couple spurts of work in between, but that didn't get me down. I can't believe how great my friends are! I loved spending time with them. This birthday might have topped my birthday in Colorado. I'll reevaluate in a month or so. ;)

Anyway, I'm working late tonight, so I won't be getting home until about 8:30. I'm gonna be tired, but I really need to run! Curse this stupid blog for helping me stay accountable!!

Day 18

Hi friends! (all three of you...) Haven't updated this since Tuesday for a couple reasons. Tuesday night I went back to camp and spent the night. I didn't have to work on Wednesday (oh...Happy Independence Day!), so I was able to catch up with old friends and make some new ones. I went home during the morning and slept (cuz I could) and got ready for the day, then went back to camp until after midnight. It's such a special place, and I didn't realize how much I missed it until just recently. Love it there.

Yesterday, July 5, was my 22nd birthday. :) I didn't do anything too special. I had to work, and then I just spent the evening with my parents. But it was such a great birthday. My mom got me a Pandora bracelet, and my dad got me a pink ukulele! Even though the celebration was pretty low key, it was definitely my second favorite birthday of all time. (First favorite was my 20th birthday in Colorado. My friends that I worked with at another camp tried so hard to make it super special for me, and I just remember laughing all day.) Pizza for dinner- yum!!!! My mom also made me rainbow cupcakes!!

It was such a great day! I got a call from my oldest brother and I got to talk to my little nieces! And tomorrow night I'm having a bunch of friends over for a bbq. Then after that, my friend, Steven, says he has a surprise for me! Pretty excitied!!

Oh right. This blog is about running and being healthy and stuff. Hmm. About that.....this week has not been so great on the exercise front. I ran Monday, and that's it. While I was at camp I walked ALL over and up and down hills and was sweating like crazy, but no running. I know! So bad! But not only was it a holiday week, it was also my birthday. So, I'm not beating myself up over it. I've eaten a lot more than I normally do...and not healthy stuff. But again, not beating myself up. It happens. Life happens. But I won't let that define how this adventure is going to turn out. My mom also got me biking pants, workout shorts, and another workout shirt. So I really have no excuses to get back into it. I don't know if I'll run tonight, but I will at least ride my bike. Either way tomorrow I will definitely run.

Day 15

Last night I ran more than I've run in a long time! Still did the two-mile route, but I actually ran almost all of it (about 1 1/2 miles). I couldn't believe it. I've never stuck with a running program long enough for it to become easier. I mean, I knew that's just how it works. I've just never personally experienced it. This is definitely enough motivation to stick with it!

However talking with my mom last night, I came to the realization that a two-mile run is less than a 5k. I honestly already did know that, but I understood it in a different way last night. I knew I couldn't just jump into something like a 5k after doing nothing. My goal is to go around the big block twice (four miles), running the majority of the way, by the middle of August. I can do it. I know I can. This is more exciting than I thought it would be. Go me!

Day 14

Another full weekend! Friday was pretty low key, but I was sooooo tired when I got home. I had pretty much decided that I wasn't going to run that night. It was hot; I was tired; Our town was having their 4th of July celebrations so there was a ton of traffice (well....for a small town); It was getting dark. I had a million excuses reasons. So I was watching tv with my dad, and he switched it to the track and field qualification races for the Olympics. Five minutes. That's all it took of watching the race for me to realize I was being a lazy bum. I sucked it up and I went running. I'm so glad I did it. It. Felt. AWESOME. When I got back my dog was being all whiney cuz I didn't take her with me, so I took her over to a field (same field where my parents' picnic was) and let her run. While she was running I did yoga. *deep sigh* It was a great night.

Saturday....I didn't ride my bike. I know. I know. I'm really slacking on the bike-riding. I did yoga, but no cardio. I helped decorate my church's float for the parade, then I went to see a play (Lend Me a Tenor) with my friend, Emily. It was cute, but I was expecting more music.

Sunday is my day of rest anyway, so I never plan to exercise. I tried to take a nap in the sun, but it was too hot. So I just tanned. Mmmmm. It was nice. Pretty good weekend, and I'm looking forward to a break half-way through the week. :)

Day 11

Yesterday I was so determined to ride my bike and sweat it up! Well... my friend, Emily, texted me at around 2:00 in the afternoon and asked me if I wanted to go up to the best place in the world and visit our other friend, Steven. We all became friends at Camp Bayouca, but we never really get to hang out anywhere else. Steven is back this summer to help out, so naturally we would have to visit him! The only thing is I didn't have time to ride my bike last night. I'm not going to beat myself up over it though. The program I'm using to train advises to run three times a week. I'm still doing that, and I just chose to do something else on the off days. No biggie if I miss something. Plus we walked ALL over camp, so it's not like was just sitting there. And I was super careful about what I ate after I realized I wouldn't get to exercise. Back to it tonight!

Day 10

Yesterday was awesome! I did the Color Run training program, and I was able to run a lot more than I was expecting. My friend and I were planning on skyping, but I forgot about the time difference between New York and Iowa he was still in church. So while I was waiting for him to get back, I figured I'd exercise a little bit more. Thank you, Pinterest, for making it so much easier to find cardio exercises. I repinned an exercise for each day.
This is the one I did last night:

For the rest of the days of the week, along with lots of other tips and motivation, click here.

Tonight is bike night, and my hiney is NOT looking forward to it. I put socks on the seat to cushion the bumps. Doesn't help that much. I might actually have to break down and buy a pair of biking shorts.
Pretty good-looking, no?

Day 9

Feeling the burn!! Guys! The weather has been so awesome for exercising!! Last night I did my four mile bike ride (twice around the block). My butt is pretty sore from the seat, but my legs are sore from the work- AND ITS GREAT!

Tonight is a running night, and I'm still training myself to think positively about runnig. But for now I'm pumped! Also, I found ANOTHER plan. But this one is actually for the Color Run! And with the way I was tweaking the plan I started, it's pretty similar anyway. I keep changing what I'm doing. Oh well. I'm still doing something. Yeah man!