What's that you ask? Why, yes. Yes, I am awesome. ;)

hahaha... I kid. I'm just a little proud of myself tonight.

It's Sunday night. I've been dreading this day all weekend. Last week I was feeling pretty crappy about running. I didn't want to do it anymore. Especially since I was sore all weekend from pushing myself on Thursday night. And, I wasn't looking forward to running tonight.

Today didn't really help. I wasn't sore when I woke up, but there were severe thunderstorms all night. Okay, I thought, I'll just go up to the apartment gym to run on one of the treadmills. I honestly prefer to run on a treadmill anyway. I just don't like to work out in front of people.

Well, those plans had to change because I couldn't find the access card to get into the gym. I spent forever looking for it and then I finally gave up. I decided to just suck it up and run in the rain... and hope to not be struck by lightning. ;)

Since it was pouring down rain, I didn't want to go with my normal route. It's a little too busy and curvy and hilly to run in the rain... I didn't want to be run over. So, I chose a safer route. It's a much shorter lap, which means that I had to run a lot more of them. It's also a less interesting route. But, it's less hilly, which does make it a little easier.

Before I started my run, I measured the route with my car to make sure that I was running the same distance. And then I ran. In the pouring rain. And, it was actually pretty pleasant. It kept me pretty cool. My lungs burned some for the first few laps but then I seemed to adjust. I ran the equivalent of my goal for this week (6 normal laps). AND IT'S ONLY DAY ONE OF THIS WEEK!!!

I feel awesome. :) I'm going to up my goal for this week now. My new goal for this week is seven laps. I know I can do it. Wish me luck! :)

Oh, ABDC Nights... You will be missed.

Thursday night I got my first stab of reality of something that I will truly miss about living here in Charlotte, North Carolina. There are a few traditions that I hold near and dear to my heart. Every Thursday night, my roommate Brandon and I watch ABDC (America's Best Dance Crew on MTV). We don't miss it. Ever. Even when I'm out of town, we still watch and call or text each other about what's going on.

In June, Philip and I will be moving to Denver, Colorado. That's about 1,600 miles away. And, around that time, Brandon will be leaving for the Republic of Korea (hopefully... *fingers crossed for ya, buddy*) to teach English.

That means that the ABDC tradition will probably cease to exist. And, it sounds silly, but that was really the first thing that has really made me think, "Ouch. I am really going to miss this." It's important to me. I don't have a lot of traditions. "Family" Thanksgiving with my college friends. Christmas with my family. Coloring and hiding Easter eggs with my family in Indiana. Watching Forrest Gump when I'm home sick. Going to Hacienda (my favorite restaurant in the world) when I go home to visit my family in Indiana. And, watching ABDC with Brandon on Thursday nights.

ABDC night isn't even just about the show. Don't get me wrong, I do love the show. However, it has also become a night of bonding. Bonding over who Brandon and I think should get to stay and who should go home. Bonding over the hookah and making jokes and just hanging out. It's become a night of fun and relaxation. And I know we both look forward to Thursday nights.

Since graduating, I've not seen a lot of my college friends very often. I see my friend Jon (check out his blog!) usually once every week or so (a lot of the time it's when he's joining Brandon and I to watch ABDC -- lol!). And, I live with Brandon. But, my other college buddies I don't see a whole lot. So, it that way, it's made it easier to leave Charlotte. My connections aren't as strong as they once were.

But, the connections I do have will be sorely missed. There are only a few episodes of ABDC left for this season. You can bet that I will be savoring every second of that time.

I didn't settle... and I paid the price. ;)

Wednesday night, I did the five laps. It wasn't pleasant, but I did it. I wanted to stop pretty much every step I took. So did Jack. haha. But, we got through it. And, I was proud of myself. It wasn't quite as awful as Tuesday night, so that's progress, right? ;)

Thursday night, it was really warm. I tried to run at about 9:00 pm so that I would be finished and cooled down and showered by the time ABDC started (I'm addicted... I watch with my roommate Brandon every Thursday night at 10:00). I only made it four laps. I was sweating and it was just ugly. It's been so cool every night that I've ran that I wasn't used to the heat.

I didn't want to settle. So, I came in. I cooled down. I watched ABDC with Brandon. Then, at about 12:30, I went for my run. I was determined to make all five laps. And, I did. And, it hurt. My legs were like jello by the time I finished. However, I had the pride of knowing that I didn't settle.

And then, yesterday, I got to pay the price for that pride. I woke up mostly just tired/achy. Not really that bad, but not feeling 100%. However, by last night, my thigh muscles were on fire. I had Philip rub them down with Icy Hot. It felt a lot better. But, then I couldn't sleep. :sigh: When I did fall asleep, I slept like the dead. I was completely out of it. For a LONG time.

I am proud that I did it. However, I need to make a mental note: I AM NOT READY FOR 9 LAPS IN ONE NIGHT. Yet. I will soon, I'm sure. ;)

This week's goal is 6 laps. I'm sure I can do it. Wish me luck. :)

I'm awesome... but probably going to die.

haha... okay, so that's probably an exaggeration, but I felt like I was going to die when I finished running a little while ago.

So, earlier tonight, I told you about how I was able to complete my goal for this week on day 2 of 5. So, I set a new goal for myself. I completed that goal tonight. HAHAHA. Yes, I am that awesome. I ran all 5 laps tonight without having to stop to walk.

Although, it did hurt. A lot. Not my legs or other muscles. My lungs. They burn. Like fire. I finished the run about 20 minutes ago. The burning has almost stopped, but I am still coughing a bit.

I really feel like I pushed myself tonight. I didn't think I was going to make it past three laps. But, I knew I could do it. I made myself keep going. The end of the fifth lap, I didn't feel as bad. I just felt proud that I was going to accomplish my goal already.

Since my body was really feeling it today, I'm not going to up my goal for tomorrow. I just want to be able to run the five laps with more ease. Meaning, I don't want to feel like death when I finish. ;) Wish me luck for tomorrow. :)


P.S. My new running shoes are great. I love them. They don't hurt my feet or my back. They are comfortable and breathe really well. I even ran through a giant puddle the other night when it was raining (I didn't see it in the dark), but the shoes were dry by the next day. They are GREAT running shoes. I really recommend them. Again, they are Saucony Grid Cohesion 3 running shoes. :)