The Hibernation Is Over

That's right, gentle reader, the season of resting is over.  Time to kick it in four wheels, separate the men from the boys... or something like that.

Why the sudden change of heart, you ask?  Why am I not continuing to be a lazy bum-ette who enjoys rice crispy treats, sugary coffee drinks, and fried fish?  Preferably while reclining comfortably watching either Glee or Sons of Anarchy?

Not to worry, I still enjoy those things.  The KenKen you know and love still exists, but now I've gone and done it.

I signed up for a 10k. 

I'm going to die.

The Chasing Snakes 10k, to be precise, in downtown JC (Johnson City, not Jesus Christ {How weird would it be if there was a town named Jesus Christ [I'm sure there is in Mexico]?}).

Anyway, I ran one mile today, according to Nike, and I am too embarrassed to post the time for it.  Even more embarrassing than when I posted I ran a mile in 9 minutes?  Yep, much worse than that.

Inspirational quote of the day: "I feel like I just played in a very tough football game with no hitting above the waist." -Alan Page

I Swallowed Multiple Bugs, and I'm Pretty Sure Another Is Stuck in my Eye.

I downloaded the Couch to 10K app on my iPod.  The only problem is, I have exactly 2 pairs of shorts iPod compatible (convenient little pocket on the inside).  And I've gotta say, I'm really not that into running with music.

The app is pretty amazing.  I started on Week 3.  You walk/warm up for 5 minutes, run for 1:30, walk for 3, run for 1:30, and keep going for 10 cycles.  It was a total of 57 minutes.  

Soft beeps and a soothing androgynous voice tells you when to run and when to walk.  

Nike Ad of the Day: "Training is the opposite of hoping." 

Daytona 500... or not.

So I am in Daytona Beach visiting Francesca and Bradley Robinson. Read Francesca's food blog here. I'm here to tell you, she doesn't just write about good food, she really knows how to make it. Try the Mexican Barbecue as Bradley calls it. Bradley's blog is here. Then they have a blog together about seminary.

Unlike me, they write with some frequency.

Now I'm going to let Francesca tell you, gentle readers, in her own words about this Couch to 5K thing she's doing. Over to you, Fran!

Thanks Ken. Well, that's really about it. I'm doing a Couch to 5k. Even though my sweet friend Kendra is in town I still have to train (3 days a week, no more no less...well maybe less). So Bradley, Kendra and I hit the track near the South Daytona trailer parks for week 4 day 3 of Couch to 5k (there's an app for that..no really, I'm not just being clever). Kendra wore her sweet running shorts and even cooler shoes. She really looks the part. I looked her up and down and thought I could take her regardless of her pretty dope running attire. We ran side by side, step for step, pausing only to trash talk the other (Bradley stopped to watch the turtles). On the last running section she took off like a bat out of hell (not in a cursing way). Turns out that style does create speed. Back to you Spirited Sprinter!

Thank you, Frantastic! Yes, folks, she did say dope. I know, you haven't heard that word since the early 90's.

As for style creating speed, it's all in the shorts. The ventilation in those puppies is ridiculous. Never underestimate tread and the shocks, either. If you take breaks, do it fast and smart (not too much water... or you'll puke). Races are won and lost in the pits.

It was the last lap, neck-and-neck. I saw the checkered flag, poised high in the air, ready to drop (seriously, I did see a checkered flag, they are all over Daytona.) We were coming down the backstretch, I went high on the inside, and went into high gear. I somehow came out across the finish line first, but it's really just about who is the fastest machine that day. Another day, I might have ended up spinning out in the infield instead of victory lane.

KendraLynism for the day: Alan Kulwicki, who won NASCAR's Winston Cup in 1992, said, "First, you learn to drive fast. Next, you learn to drive fast in traffic. Then, you do it for 500 miles." I say, "Well, two out of three ain't bad. But I'm a much better driver than runner. I would be better at driving in the Daytona 500 than running in Fran's 5k next week."

Sickness+Lack of Motivation=Laziness

So it's been a while... I bet you are wondering if I have quit running. You'd be wrong. However, I am slacking off. Both running and writing. Although I am running more than writing.

Who would've thought I'd be better at running than blogging? Certainly not me, and most likely not you, gentle readers.

Progress report: I didn't run for over a week because of a cold (thank you, Mama). So the last time I ran, it was less than a mile, and I thought I was going to collapse on the black top.

Inspirational Quote for the Day: "I exercise- Run my mouth, Push my luck, and Jump to conclusions."

Rainbows and Philosophy

I ran a mile last night in 9:26.3. Yay!

I also saw a rainbow. It was very pretty. Click here to watch my reaction.

Francesca called last night: "Do you like running now?" she asks.
"No," I reply. "I still hate it."
"Then why are you doing it?"
I have to ponder this one. I don't know why I'm doing something I hate. I think it is because I hate it a little bit less than the day before.

Here's my philosophy (Philosophy is a waste of time, but even I like to pontificate on matters that transcend the rational, logical, and the real. Um, like, yeah.): I'm not very good at hating things. I just could care less. Mostly, I'm just indifferent. I assure you, as much as I am capable of hating anything, I hated (deliberate use of past tense) running. I'm moving towards indifference. Sweet action!

KendraLynism for the day: "Just how witty do you think I am? I can't come up with an unlimited number of these. Look at the last paragraph. That's about as good as it gets today."

You know I like my Chicken Fried

Tasted really good. Hurt stomach when ran. Don't eat before running again. Check.

I ran at home this weekend, up to Gethsemane church and back twice. No cars/4-wheelers/horses passed me, so at least I didn't have to tell a cousin/uncle/family member of unknown relation/perfect stranger that no, I'm not running from the law/a mad dog/an armed serial killer, and that no, I don't need a ride to the hospital/home/Nana's/or just a ride drivin' around, because, why run when you can drive?

Inspirational Quote of the Day: "Quotation is a serviceable substitute for wit." -Oscar Wilde

I Swallowed A Bug

Last night, I was running, feeling the burn, but otherwise doing good. Then I swallowed a gnat. Cough, wheeze, wheeze, cough, snort, GULP.

I persevered and ran twice as far as the time before. Yay, me. I'm up to like a half mile. Hardcore!

Then I ate some Oreos.

KendraLynism for the day: I've heard, "Do or do not; there is no try." I think that came from Yoda. I say: "I think I could have outrun Yoda with his gnarly, stumpy legs. Although he most certainly would have beaten me in a lightsaber battle."

Yikes! My Nikes!

I made a rhyme!

Right now, I'm watching the Bachelorette (Team Roberto) and I'm eating an ice cream sandwich.

I ran for 38 miles, or so it feels. I really ran for about 10 minutes, and I have no idea how far. My Nike+ sensor is having technical difficulties. I listened to Kenny Chesney's "Ain't Back Yet," Jason Aldean's "She's Country" and Collective Soul's "Shine."

Inspirational Quote for the Day: "The pain I feel now is the happiness I had before. That's the deal." -C.S. Lewis

What have I got myself into?!

I've decided to start running.

I hate running.

This is going to be so much FUN! Yeesh. I'm all set to go. I'm all Nike'd up. I've got the iPod, the sensor, and the fugly neon lightweight shoes. Looking at myself objectively, I look hardcore.

Of course, that will change when it takes me 20 minutes to run a mile, and I collapse with exhaustion at the end of it and desire to throw the new ridiculously expensive shoes in the nearest trash receptacle.

KendraLynism for the day- I've heard, "If you never try, you'll never know if you can do it." I say, "If you never try, you'll never look stupid by failing."