Go Make The World Beautiful

Thank goodness it's Friday. Right?

Friday is always my hardest day to get through. I am usually just begging for the weekend to be here, especially when my weekends are jam packed with fun like this one ahead.

And sometimes I need a little motivation. Bet a million dollars you might, too. 

So here's to sharing a little love every Friday with all of you courtesy of my favorite Pinterest board.

Source: gatherlove.tumblr.com via Jamie on Pinterest

Go make the world beautiful!

3.2 Miles

Here's a little secret about me...I don't really work out.

I am one of those tiny little people who somehow got blessed with a super high metabolism.

But...I am now 23. And that super high metabolism is slowly disappearing.

And unfortunately, I am an exercise novice. For 22 years of my life, I didn't have to workout, so I didn't. To give myself a little credit, about twice a year, I convince myself I need to get in shape and I then go to the gym twice. And for the other 361 days of the year, I  convince myself that walking fast will keep me skinny. (I promise I can speedwalk with the best of them.)

But there is this little bug in my ear that always reminds me....while I may still wear the same size pants as high school and I have almost successfully cut chips & dip and Oreos out of my diet...I still am not in shape.

So with that little nugget weighing down on me, I decided I should run a 5k. (It is one of my 101 in a 1001 goals after all!) So first, I convinced my best friend to run it with me. And then I paid my $33 entry fee. And best of all, I convinced my husband that if I ran it I got to buy myself a little present for motivation.

And then after I did all that, I realized I really stink at running.

Like really, really stink at it.

More like I didn't think I could physically run.

In fact, it took me one month to build up to .5 miles in a row. Yes, you are reading that right. .5 miles.

And then last weekend, something big happened. I convinced my husband to go on a run/walk with me and he taught me a little secret. (I desperately want to stop calling it a run/walk, but I also refuse to lie to myself.)

I guess I have been doing it all wrong. I assumed that running was running. That I should run the only way I've ever run -- fast. 

You see, I have only ran around bases on a softball diamond or up in down the gym doing killers during basketball practice. I never have run for pleasure and so I ran cheek to cheek (who knows what I am talking about?) just as fast as I could just like I have always done. And, as a result, I couldn't go more than a half a mile without nearly dying.

Then my husband taught me to jog. 

Do you know I can run almost 2 miles IN A ROW when I jog? I am not kidding you. It's amazing.

I know I'm a long way way from 3.2 miles one month from now, but folks it's a start. And I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

luckily this is on my path. it's some beautiful motivation.

The 5k is a month away from today. I am being realistic and I don't know if I will be able to get to 3.2 in the next 30 days, but it feels good to actually be working towards a goal and knowing that I am relying on something more than speedwalking to stay skinny. :)

So, if anyone has an advice for a running newbie like me, feel free to share. Honestly, I am not following a program. Is it a must? I am using iMapMyRun and I really like it so far. Any other must have apps? And any great song suggestions to download. I love good motivation!

P.S. Just to let you know how big of a dork my husband is: On our Sunday run, he wore he old tennies and long, thick green dress socks. WHAT?!? 

And for some reason I still love him. <3 

Hopefully that mental picture holds you over until next time,

The Blog Gets A Makeover

Cows, Corn & Country Girls got a little facelift.

I started this blog nearly three years ago and it's been an interesting adventure. I will be the first to admit, I don't deserve a blogger award for my work. I don't write every day. In fact, I rarely blog every month and more often than not, my posts begin with "I am sorry it's been so long." Like I've eluded to before, sometimes life deserves to get in the way of the online world.

So, despite being a a self-proclaimed social media nerd, I guess I have officially decided I am not going to play by the blogger "rules." I am just going to take this blog one day at a time and hopefully have an avenue to share the quirky thoughts that go through my head daily...and make some new friends a long the way.

But, despite my non-commitment to daily posts, I did decide it was officially time for a facelift. While I think the old look was fun, a lot has changed in the past three years and I needed something that reflected the new me. And if you remember nearly a year ago, I promised an update....it was time to finally follow through.

So, with the help of Kim from Seven Thirty Three, we are successfully rocking a new look. It's still a work in progress on my end, but I feel refreshed and ready to jump back on the blogger wagon. So friends, we will chat again soon!

Until then,