Run It

Short and quick for documentation sake.

Mile Breakdown:

• 3 minutes walk (warm up)
• 5 minutes run
• 2 minutes walk
• 1 minute run
• 1 minute walk
• 1 minute run (end mile 1)
• 1 minute walk
• 1 minute run
• 2 minutes walk
• 1 minute run
• 5 minute walk
• 1 minute run
• 2 minute walk
• 1 minute run
• 3 minute walk (end mile 2)

Jukebox

Thank you Tumblr for once again introducing me to wonderful music such as Jukebox the Ghost. These guys are awesome and I'm really digging there sound at the moment.

Just a few good ones. And if you like Empire I'd recommend getting it for free by entering your email on their website.

Also, because I'm listening to this right now and it reminds me of good things...

Hope everyone is having a wonderful day. I keep thinking mine will get better, but we'll see.

Indoor Bike Ride

Oh the joys. Sitting on a stationary bike is about as exciting as running on a treadmill, that's right, it's not.
I mean, I guess it's probably better that the bikes at the Centre have monitors on them so you ride a virtual trail, but still. I did 5.5 miles and was done. Biking indoors can be hard, so don't judge me. I actually put my feet in the straps of the pedals this time too, mostly because I didn't even notice they were there before.  I was just surprised and how it almost made it harder, or made different muscles work I guess. I just can't wait to challenge myself this summer with this trip and hope everything works out for it to happen.

-s

It Might Sound Pathetic Comparatively...

But to me it's a big deal. I ran for a straight 5 minutes tonight, meaning straight half a mile. It felt good too!

I didn't plan on going to the gym tonight, but I couldn't focus on hw and I didn't know how else to clear my mind. I'm hoping it stays clear, although I doubt it. I kind of feel like my brain's been taking a trip on the TARDIS lately.

Anyway... I miss running like that and I definitely want to do it again soon. Hopefully I can build up some mileage again. I only went for 1.3 miles or so, 20 minutes. A short and sweet (or should I say sweaty) homework break.

So I guess here's the mile breakdown:

• walk 3 minutes
• run 5 minutes
• walk 2 minutes
• run 1 minute
• walk 2 minutes
• run 1 minute (finished the mile here)
• walk 6 minutes

I've been on a roll with this and I'm not gonna let it stop anytime soon. I just keep hoping my knees and shins will stay pain free... although I am definitely feeling a bit of tension in my right shin (the one that always gets hurt). Definitely need to rest it tomorrow and make sure I build up strength.

Exercise Log: Week 1 of Intervention

Well I made it the minimal requirement of 3 days for week 1 so far and I'm feeling pretty good about it. I'm definitely struggling more than I used to and can tell it will take some work to get my stamina up for running or biking any sort of distance.

On Friday I went to the Rec to bike for 2.5 miles (although I swear it was lying to me because I was on there for roughly 40 minutes). 

Sunday I just worked out at the Centre's gym for half an hour, alternating running and walking. As well as some core and arm exercises.

Tonight I started out on the treadmill for 10 minutes at an incline of 4-5 walking, then I moved onto the stationary bike for just over 20 minutes and 5 miles. I couldn't believe how bad my my legs hurt just after that little ways. So much time ahead of me. I'm definitely going to have to get to the gym more than 3 or 4 days a week.

I just wish I had my actual bike here to ride outside on a trail. Which reminds me that I need to find a bike shop around Kalamazoo so I can go get fit. If anyone knows of any let me know. Also if you have trails to recommend, I'd appreciate that as well. 

Sunny Days

I just wanted to lay outside all day! I wish I hadn't had class for so long. I can't get over all these record breaking temperatures happening. 80 degree weather in the middle of March... in Michigan. We're getting spoiled because I doubt this will last. Maybe it's best it doesn't or else my grades might go down the tube. With all this sunshine I just keep procrastinating longer. The other part I love about good weather... it reminds me to whip out my summer playlists. Songs about beaches, sun, going outside... all that good stuff. I need to find people who will be here this summer and will slackline with me. Three main things I want to do once summer starts, or really once I have free time: slackline, practice/learn to play the guitar, and finally learn to longboard. I still just think it will be weird not going home for the summer.

I know I've posted this before but I just really love this song, especially when it's nice outside.

What is a better way to up your mood than a live version of this song?... nothing

This Will Hurt

A few things:

• I had to come up with a behavior to modify for a Health Psych project so I chose exercise. I set a goal of 3 days a week (T/F/Sun) for at least 30 minutes for the first 2 weeks, and 4 days a week (T/Th/F/Sun) for at least 30 minutes for the second 2 weeks. For each week I make my goal, I get to buy a song on iTunes.
• Since today is Sunday, I needed to workout. The unfortunate thing being St. Patty's Day was yesterday, which left my body a little less apt to workout... but I did it anyway. 
• My dad called tonight to remind me to get spinning because after some research he discovered it's about 320 miles from Kalamazoo to Normal, IL. So what we thought was going to be a two maybe three day ride is now a four day ride... 80 miles each. That really will hurt, even after training I'm thinking.
• I will train train train train train!
• This is just a warm up for my across the US ride one day.
• Why do I insist on dreaming so big again?

Taking it back

I've been in such a New Found mood lately.

My Top 25 Most Played

I felt like I needed a year. I got my new computer last year on March 1st, and I told myself I'd have a year to regulate my top 25 playlist before I shared it with anyone. I was going to make a post about it right before my last laptop broke, but obviously that didn't work out in my favor. I have no idea if my old laptop would even turn on anymore and I'm not really sure I want to try at this point. I do know that the old list was much different that this list is. Sure there are a few overlaps here and there, but I think it adds up to something new in the end. It's weird how time changes us and music is just one of the ways of measuring that. So I guess it's time to get down to it...

1. Somebody That I Used to Know by Gotye - 76 plays (I've had this song in my itunes since early September and I'm sure it would have had many more plays if I hadn't obsessively watched the music video for a week before buying the song, or all those times I've watched it after the fact.)
2. Nicest Thing by Kate Nash - 72 plays
3. Re: Stacks by Bon Iver - 70 plays ("this is not the sound of a new man or a crispy realization" there's just something about that line that I've always been really attracted to)
4. Skinny Love by Bon Iver - 68 plays
5. The World Spins Madly On by The Weepies - 62 plays (I listened to this song for hours after my friend died because it said what I couldn't say. I also love this band and I love Grey's Anatomy.)
6. Fireworks by You Me At Six - 62 plays
7. Wrapped In Piano Strings by Radical Face - 56 plays
8. Winter by Joshua Radin - 54 plays (obsessed with this song since forever, thank you Zach Braff)
9. Kids in Love by Mayday Parade - 54 plays
10. Someone Like You by Adele - 53 plays (the 21 cd was actually the first music I bought on my new laptop and for the longest time half the cd was part of my top played. I was obsessed for weeks.)
11. The Outdoor Type by The Lemonheads - 50 plays
12. Set the Fire to the Third Bar by Snow Patrol - 49 plays (was number one played on my old computer)
13. We Sing In Time by The Lonely Forest - 48 plays
14. Set Fire to the Rain by Adele - 47 plays
15. Sleeping Sickness by City and Colour - 44 plays (another song where the lyrics describe everything)
16. E.T. / Waiting for the End by Michael Henry and Justin Robinett - 43 plays (I've mentioned them before but I just love this mashup and these guys are amazing.)
17. Laundry Room by The Avett Brothers - 41 plays
18. What Sarah Said by Death Cab for Cutie - 41 plays (sometimes I don't have the words to explain what a song means to me.)
19. To Kingdom Come by Passion Pit - 40 plays
20. The Freshman by The Verve Pipe - 40 plays (this song reminds me of high school)
21. I and Love and You by The Avett Brothers - 39 plays
22. Michicant by Bon Iver - 37 plays
23. Going to California by Led Zeppelin - 37 plays (because I really want to move to California, I swear I will play this the whole way out there whenever I do.)
24. Anna Sun by Walk the Moon - 37 plays
25. Stay With Me by You Me At Six - 37 plays

I'm in a Killers kind of mood

Lets Make Kony Famous

Together we can make a difference, capture Joseph Kony and stop these horrible crimes.

All I ask is that you watch this video and spread the word. Stop what you're doing and pay attention. It's not that much time to spend on something as important as this.

Big Snow Storm Movie Number 10

I came home Friday for Spring Break which has been quite eventful so far. Traverse City got hit by a huge snow storm Friday night, getting 18 inches of snow just that night and putting the county in a state of emergency. Power lines were down all around town causing most of the city to lose power. There were trees and branches on houses, cars, and in the middle of streets. We luckily still had power through most of Saturday, up until about 7:30 pm and no fallen trees. We got power back Sunday around 2 and internet/cable back some time after that. I can't imagine people who still don't have power, or heat, or hot water. This storm definitely reminded me of all that I take for granted and made me even more thankful for everything my family is blessed with.

On Sunday, my family met up at Minerva's for breakfast to celebrate my Grandma's birthday. Later my mom and I decided to go see This Means War (March 5th).

I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. It was funny, cute, but not lacking in action and scandalous jokes. It's definitely not just another chick flick. Both Tom Hardy and Chris Pine are hot as always and I love Reese Witherspoon and Chelsea Handler. I'd give this movie 4 out of 5 stars.