"I Kick It Like Adidas"

I had an awesome Friday and have much to report.  But first, I need to take a nap!  I'll be back later with an update!  For now, enjoy the music! 

Added song for the day:  B.O.B. "Magic" which plays at 165 beats per minute... perfect for my running! [BIG SMILES]

"Good News Is On The Way"

So, I've been reading "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall, and being now in about the middle of the book it is really beginning to have several catch-my-attention moments.  Like in chapter 17 William James is quoted and it reads: "Beyond the vast extreme fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own; sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction."  That certainly rings a bell with me, especially still working two jobs right now and not having college classes and wondering how I ever juggled all three for the last three years.  And, how did I ever get through eight years of college; where did those years go?

Now I'm in chapter 22 reading about beat poetry, and I am reminded about the time in college when creative writing was my favorite class and the speech I chose to give was one on slam poetry.  [Slam is not nearly the same, but it is presented similarly.]  I wanted in those moments to live in Chicago at the Green Mill Jazz Club and be entertained by Marc Smith.  Cheering in loud whoo!s and snapping my fingers were things I practiced while listening to slam poetry.  I am reminded of the nights I would write poetry for hours, expanding my vocabulary all the while, during my high school years.  And now here it all comes back, back in a story about running.  Running and poetry are both silent arts that scream out in their own ways.  For me they are both means to relieve pent up emotions; getting them out can do me a world of good.  But, never would I have thought I would see both of these together, especially not in a book I am so interested in finishing.

I'm amazed how much this book on running reminds me of things I probably would otherwise not remember about my past.  It was in beginning to write this post I searched for a song I heard on Carrier about a week ago, but I was unsuccessful in finding it and ended up with Modest Mouse in my lap.  Modest Mouse was one of those songs that played at some party that I never imagined being at in my high school years and stuck with me as a reminder of my past.  So there it is!

"And we'll all float on"... But, now I have only sixteen days before the run!  I was at mom's last night smearing lotion on my calves doing a bit of self myofascial release, but they're still sore.  I'm hoping I can get a good run in on Friday.  Maybe I'll even run into Rockford this weekend, grab a treat, and run back... back to somewhere.  I'll wait to see how the weather is and how the moving goes first.  Either way, I'm up for adventure!

"You Could Be There With Me"

Whoo!  What a start to the week!  There is packing, running, working, and studying all in major workloads this week!  What I thought would be an easy weekend, especially being Labor Day weekend, turned out to be a ridiculously busy time!  Moving from one town to the next by Sunday is encouraging to get organized, but the hustle and bustle of the week will certainly be a great challenge.

This Sunday's running didn't go as planned.  Docs have me on this new diet that started out great but left me completely unmotivated and feeling rather worn out.  What was going to be four miles, or at least 3.1, turnout out to be a warmup and 1.5 miles of sprints and walks to change things up.  Then feeling rather blah, I figured I'd cycle for twenty minutes at a HR of 150bpm.  But, after 10 minutes I had had enough!  I ended the workout with some pull-ups and shoulder work and headed out.  I have yet to return but have devoured many carbohydrates since.

...

I'm excited about not having a stereo system underneath my bedroom.  I'm excited about feeling welcome in a warmer environment.  I'm excited to have two of my favorite people so close.  I'm excited to be seeing someone in a month.  I'm excited about the fire burning within me and the opportunities that may come.  I'm excited to start fresh again and work my way back to the top.  I'm excited knowing I have Will-power on my side.  I'm excited about lessening the downers in my life and am grateful for all of those who inspire and motivate me.  I'm excited for change.

"Within the next year you will do something life changing.  That event is going to help you find your direction." - From July 23rd... I know you're right; I just wish I knew what this was.  :)

"We Could Be Anywhere"

Look for an update later today!  I'm looking forward to doing some running later this morning!

"Let's Take This Town"

I feel really healthy today.  Running another 5K felt great!  I managed to keep my heart rate at an average of 163bpm, but I wanted to run faster!  It was a depressing forty minute run, but it felt like ten minutes.  I followed it up with some elliptical heart rate training, and I kept my heart rate at 155bpm for an additional fifteen minutes.  I will get to where I want to be, that is if it doesn't kill me first.  Mu-whahahaha!

Take this [POW!] ...heart with extra beats!