Desk jobs are not for the faint of heart

Reason #8745276 why desk jobs are the pits.

There is truth to my butt fatigue....

http://
Via: Medical Billing And Coding

Diamonds are a girl's best friend, and Emily's.

I'm pretty sure I have a finger this would look perfect on.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/3492919.stm

Cherry Blossom 10-Miler

I don't feel so good. I'm sitting here, at work (yes, I can blog from work.) (More like, shhhh. Don't tell.) clinging to my Kleenex with a kung fu grip.

You can have this box of tissues when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers. Ya filthy animal.

{Source}

God bless you, Billy.

Anywho, let's do a race recap, shall we?

The Cherry Blossom 10-miler, April 3, 2011.

Whoa, what an awesome race. I ventured into DC on Saturday for packet pick up at the National Building Museum. The line (at 11:30am) wrapped around the building... and this ain't no shack. It's the NATIONAL BUILDING museum.... of course it's going to be big. So, I waited. And waited. And made friends with the runners around me. And waited some more.

Finally, I got my number and t-shirt. I was seated in the "Red Wave," which was the second to launch, I think. Plus, I purchased this puppy. Win! (Bigger win if it had been a real puppy...)

Hi, my name is Kaylan and I'm a pinkaholic.

Sunday, I got to the Metro at 7, missed the train. Whoops. So, it being the weekend and all, I had to wait 15 minutes for the next train. Whoops. Got off at the Smithsonian and booked it to the starting line were I finagled through a gate to the Red Wave. I literally waited about 2 minutes before the gun went off. Me thinks I could've had better timing. Especially since I needed to use the little lady's room. Holding it for 10 miles made me run faster? I don't want to experiment with that again. Pass.

The race itself was crazy. The first 5 miles were crazy obnoxious-- so crowded I felt like I was running with my elbows up. Definitely running on the offense, zig zagging my way through narrow spaces (aka large, sweaty men in spandex... WOOF). My mantra during this? "Goonies never say die." Weird, I know. But it worked. It's the little things in life I find most amusing.

The last 5 were crazy MARVE. Around the tidal basin to Hains Point, down trails lined with blooming Cherry trees. Ugh, I felt so lucky to be running. It didn't hurt that my pace had quickened and the route had gotten significantly less crowded. I love when running makes me smile.

{Source}

Not a picture I took, but it illustrates what I saw well. I was pretty focused on balancing my pace and not barfing. But I managed to look around every once in a while.

I wasn't able to track my pace per mile, my first mile being 8:24 (aka, my angry face was on), but I did clock my last mile, 7:13 (aka, happy dance time!). I managed to do negative splits for a ten-miler? Whammy. My chip time was 1:15.54, with an average pace at 7:35.

At first I was completely devastated. I should've run harder, faster. I should've gotten there earlier and seated myself at the front of the wave, maybe it would've been less crowded. I should've knocked people down. Yeah, I'm looking at you, father of 2 pushing a twin stroller. Babies or no babies, I WANT MY TIME.

And then I saw my race photos. And I laughed. Loudly.

Remember the part where I said I was trying to balance my pace with not tossing my cookies? Yeah. It was true. There's the proof. Side note: Remind me next time I'm having my picture taken to brush the rat's nest on top of my head. Woof.

The more I think about it, the less disappointed I feel in my time. I showed up (1 point), I ran (1 point), and I finished (1 point). Bonus points go to:

1. NOT barfing

2. PR'ing-- but only because I've never raced that distance before.

3. Negative splits

Me thinks I'm more of a middle distance runner than anything. And I cannot wait to race again. I heart running. SMILES.

diagram of my heart.

Where my heart was...

is...

And still wishes it could be...

All maps a la here.

Desperately want these prints in my room. So. Bad. More to come on my nesting. It, much like myself, is a work in progress.

Cherry Blossoms

{Source}

The time has come (apparently) for the tourists to flock from far and wide to my beloved city. Traffic. Like, whoa.

Fanny packs. Whoa (read: woe. Fashion faux pas.)

Beauty? WHOA.

With the blossoming comes the running. After a near fatal.... ok, slight scare on the dreadmill last week, I took a few days off. That always scares me, but in the end my health is more important than my sanity. Wait, no? Meh, all's well that ends well?

This week I have been rocking it. The weather has been dreary,except Tuesday when I had a smokin' hot date (swoon) to see the Tidal Basin. So, I've been boppin' on the tready-- mile intervals up to 8 miles (1 at 8:30 pace, the next at 7:30 pace...repeat for a ridiculous amount of time.) Nothing gets me going more than Beiber followed by some Avril. It helps take my mind off the fact that I do indeed sweat. No glistening here. Super hot, I know.

Gross.

My rambling leads to this: The Cherry Blossom 10 miler is Sunday. And I'm so excited.

Happy Dance.

A-Z

Here I am... in all my glory.

A. Age: 25
B. Bed size: Queen. And I bought it allllll by myself. Mommy, wow, I'm a big girl now?
C. Chore you dislike: Taking the trash out. Woof.
D. Dogs: Wedekind's Third Deacon, master of disaster. Collie. Beautiful and smart as a whip. Full sentences are hard.
E. Essential start to your day: Coffee. Nummy.
F. Favorite color: RED
G. Gold or silver: Both
H. Height: 5'4 and 1/2" but I round up to 5'5"... and yes, I think it's fair.
I. Instruments you play(ed): I dabbled with a little acoustic guitar in high school, because it was cool. And I want to be cool. Still.
J. Job title: Does "Office Bitch" count?
K. Kids: Eventually?
L. Live: Arlington, VA (Metro DC)
M. Mom’s name: Momma
N. Nicknames: KayKay, DayDay and a million others.
O. Overnight hospital stays: None, knock on wood.
P. Pet peeves: Smacking. Poor table manners. Chewing with your mouth open. MAKE ME WANT TO DIE.
Q. Quote from a movie: Just one? Inconceivable. (See what I did there? HA.)
R. Righty or lefty: Righty tighty.
S. Siblings: 4 lucky brothers (and 1 cool sister in law)
T. Time you wake up: 6:38. I like waking up to even numbers.
U. Underwear: I hope so. Mornings are hard. (Kidding, Ma!)
V. Vegetables you don’t like: NONE. Ew, except fennel. Icky.
W.What makes you run late: Sitting down?
X. X-rays you’ve had: Ankle, teeth, chest, shoulders
Y. Yummy food you make: Oh snap, I can make anything yummy. I'm an awesome chef.
Z. Zoo animal favorites: Flamingos

Mush.

{source}

It's ok to be jealous.

It's been too long.

Well, hey there. Yes, I am alive. Contrary to what may follow, I am alive... and well. Almost.

A couple of interesting things have happened over the past few weeks, but I'll just include the highlights. Oh, like surviving my first snow storm. 'Surviving' should be used loosely as I did one of these:

{Source}

Don't worry-- it was extremely graceful. Like a one legged ballerina. B-E-A-utiful.

Day One:

(That white stuff is Neosporin.) Oh and that black stuff under my eye-- mascara. What? I like to keep it classy and get the rest of my eye make up off in the shower and rub it all around my face. Why? Because it's cool. (Do I even have to mention how good it looks? Puh-lease, the picture says it all.)

Day Two:
Or, the day I decided hanging out with Mel Gibson was a bad idea. Yes, it took me two days. Yes, I am a slow learner.

No, for reals though-- DO YOU SEE THAT SCHNOZE? People kept asking me if I got in a bar fight. At church. I wish. Oh, how I wish. That would be much more interesting than, "Aw no, I just ate it on some ice. BAD."

I went like that to church and my first night as a volunteer Youth Worker and met all the Junior ladies who I'd be working with. Lucky for me they are awesome and beautiful and extremely sweet when they told me my swelling gave my face "character." At least I think that's sweet. What can you really say to a 25 year old who still has trouble walking? "Better luck next time?" Yeah, no.

So, I took a week off from my running. It was nice, but also stressful. Running is my outlet. And I lurv it. I'm back on the wagon again. Reunited, and it feels so good.

So, I woke up this morning after having 3 crazy intense weeks and busy weekends (Emily came to visit YAY! and now Mom and Dad are here for the weekend YAY!) and I wasn't feeling awesome. I signed up to do the Love the Run You're With 5k in Pentagon City because I like to challenge myself and one of my goals for 2011 is to get that 5k time under 21 minutes. Even though I was tired and my throat hurt, I got in my car and drove down there. Convinced myself to run it. Ran it as hard as I could. And PR'd. All this, I would later find out... with a fever. Official time: 22:03. 17 seconds faster than my last 5k and PR. Boom.

So, now I'm in bed. Tired, feverish and typing. All's well that ends well?

Woohoo.

Tuesday night is cute-guy-at-gym-night. And I'm all like:

"Oh haaaaaaaay, boyfraaaaaaaaaaand."

Goals for 2011.

"If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things." -Albert Einstein

That Bert... smart guy. Someone should give him a prize or recognition. Bake him a cake or somesing.

I decided that 2011, my 25th year of life, will be the BEST one ever. I also decided that when I'm all old and wrinkly, that these are the days that I'll remember and cherish the most. So, let's make the most of it.

2011:

1. Run a marathon. Sub-goal: Run a marathon under 4 hours.

2. Run 2000 miles. That's like 38.5 miles/week. Child's play.

3. Start a career, not just a job. Find something I love, like working with Cause and make it happen.

4. Save some money for a trip-- funds for Dublin Marathon? Barcelona Marathon 2012?

5. Strengthen relationships with those I care about-- family, friends, most especially God. Yeah, the Big Man.

6. Be a mentor. Volunteer more. Work with a youth group. Become more involved in The Falls Church. (Whoa, that's more like 4 goals. Whatevs, my blog, my rules.)

7. Run a sub 21 minute 5k. Current PR: 22:20.

See? It's good to have goals. Potential goal #8: Own an alligator purse? I think yes. Best goal ever. (However, may conflict with goal #4.)

Ugh.

What have I become? Running shoes to commute home? WHO AM I? WHAT HAS THIS WORLD COME TO? WHAT IS THIS WHITE STUFF FALLING FROM THE SKY? DOES GOD HAVE DANDRUFF?

All questions on my mind right now as I prepare to go from work to gym. Per usual. Except today, YES TODAY, it snowed 3 inches.

Taking off my cute riding boots so I don't bust and look foolish. So, I'll just look like a dork instead. Actually, I think I'll risk it. Update later.

And while we're on my thoughts of the moment: Yes, nose whistles are sexy. I've been doing it allllllll day and I just.can't.keep.the.boys.AWAY.


Toot toot!

Toot! Toot!

Blogging is hard.

But life is good, so very, very good.

Since my last post, I have done quite a bit. I wish I could remember all of it. Oh wells.

I went home for Thanksgiving, which was by far the best Wedekind holiday ever. Thanksgiving is so great-- good food, good company, good weather, and all without the added pressure of hunting for the best presents for everyone.

I ran the Outback Half again this year with Jeremy. No IT Band issues... and I was the one pulling him through the course. Until the last .1 miles, where he kicked it into overdrive and sped off. Whatevs, you can have that win Kirch.

Don't lie, you love my shirt. And my ripped quads-- HEY-OH!

I came in around 1:54, I think. Which is fine, I just run that race for funsies. Plus it allows me to stuff my face with turkey and sweet potatoes. Nummy num nums!

It was a BLAST playing with Mary Buck Buck all weekend. She is the coolest baby EVER. Don't even try to argue with me on this, I will fight you. (And you will lose. The picture does not do my guns justice.)

I flew back to Reagan at 6AM and made it to work before 9. Then, after work, I babysat until midnight. After being awake since 4AM, I was dead. (Does it make sense that my voice is missing? I've been looking for it everywhere. She's gone.)

The week went by slowly. Woke up early on Saturday and drove to Rockville, MD for the Santa Shuffle 5k.

Yeah, it was a cool long sleeved tech shirt, which may have inspired me to drive so far out of the city to run a 5k. I love me some long sleeved tees.

I'm a rock star. Not only did I PR, but also in 30 degree weather in shorts and without gloves and a voice! I won my age group (my last race as a 20-24... sad face.) and a $30 gift card to Potomac River Running store! Woop woop! Oh hey running gloves... could've used ya on Saturday, but now you're FREE and alllll mine.

Results here. Check it.

For reals though, I couldn't feel my legs during the race. And the course was super hilly. Confession: I actually had to walk for about 30 seconds after a hill that was particularly brutal. So, I could've done better, but I'm still happy.

Christmas shopping in Leesburg. Church. Hanukkuh Brunch. Whole Foods/Trader Joe's/Costco. And now I'm watching Christmas movies on Lifetime Movie Network. Does life get any better than this? No, friends, it doesn't.

Life is good. So very, very good. Especially when I have this blasting constantly:

Merry Christmas Yall.

Whoopsie Daisies

I probably should blog more often. But I just don't care enough to. Or I'm too busy. You choose.

This week I was super busy. Work, running, work, yoga, work, winning at life.

I got some good ju ju goin' on right now. I found $8 on the ground the other day. Score! Then my co-worker Jessica took me with her to this industry networking happy hour thingy. Guess who won the raffle? THIS GIRL.

And now guess who is going to Reno/Tahoe to stay in a luxury hotel for 4 nights, a $150 credit to Charlie Palmer Steakhouse, and 2 (romantic... wink!) 50 minute massages?

ME. And my bestie. It's a girlmance. You wouldn't understand.

Then my team won trivia the other night! 3 free appetizers! 2nd place got a space heater... I think we were jipped.

That's some good ju ju right there. I intend on riding this gravy train all the way to 7-Eleven to buy some scratch off tickets. What WHAT!

I ran this weekend in Richmond. Confession: I chickened out of the Marathon (whomp whomp whooooomp). So I did the half. Results. It felt great! Only minimal hip pain, which is good. I finished better than what I wanted to going into the race, but was not tired or out of breath at the end. Which means I could've run it faster. Oh well. I listened to my body, and she said "Next time we will OWN!"

Too bad next time is in 2 weeks. Yeah, Outback Classic, I'm looking at you. Running with a friend-- who apparently is LAZY and won't get off his couch to train!

Signed up for another 5k. Santa Shuffle. Aiming for under 22 minutes. I can do it.

Home in 10 days for Thanksgiving. See you soon Jville. And family. And EMILY. YAY!

Happy Autumn.

I went for a walk this morning. And this is what I saw.
It's officially Autumn. It's cold outside. The leaves are changing. Who knew? Leaves can change colors, people.

I like you Arlington. I may keep you for a while.

Anybody? Anybody?

http://www.nbcwashington.com/around-town/events/U2-Announces-Tour-Stop-in-Baltimore-106437048.html

WHO'S WITH ME?!

Dear Metro,

Work out your kinks.

Best,

Kaylan

This guy nailed it. I like(d) the Metro. Until I had somewhere to be this morning. Apparently, so did 300,000 other people.

The Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear? MADE ME INSANE.

My goal for the day was to get to the Convention Center in the District and back in time to watch the UF-UGA game at 3:30. (First time I've missed this game in like 6 years.) Sad face.

Anyway, I make my way to the Metro at 10. I had to load my Smartrip, while 100 people were buying 1 day passes. With pennies. BECAUSE IT TOOK FOREVER. Do me a favor people, use plastic. Ain't that hard. Then I make my way to the overcrowded platform. Seriously-- you couldn't move. At all.

Theeeeeen, I watched 3 trains packed to the gills with all these emo liberal hipsters carrying signs (ok, some were funny. I.E. "Stop filibusting my balls!"). I vetoed this decision. Maybe it will be less crowded after the Rally starts (at noon). So I walk home, run errands, eat lunch, and venture to the Metro again.

SAME SHIT.

(And this was after 2 trains)

Somehow I managed to get on a train, where a very large black girl refused to hold on to anything and fell into me multiple times. Rude. We were packed in there like sardines, but dear God, if she had fallen, I think I would've died.

I did it. I made it to the Convention Center, got my race packet, scored some schwag, and got outta there. Made it back to my apartment for the 2nd Gator possession. And now we're winning. Yayyyyyyyyyy! Wish I were at Pour House though. Next week-- GAME ON boys.

Thoughts of the day...

1. Murphy's Law? Sucks. Only because it's true. Seriously, I sign up for the marathon-- something on my list-of-things-to-do-before-I-die, and run the next day and my hip hurts. Granted, I've always had a little tweak in my right hip. (I think my legs are uneven. Yeah, that's how bizarre I am.) But seriously? WHY NOW? 3 weeks. I have 3 weeks to get this taken care of. I AM NOT BACKING OUT OF THIS MARATHON. No way, no how. Now, should I post a pic of hot dogs on my hip? Eh, not as funny as hot dogs on my foot.

Isn't my nail polish pretty? Essie's Swing Velvet.

Wait, wait, let me explain. I was babysitting, you see? And the top of my foot is bruised (shoe laces were too tight for 10.4 miles. Whoopsie daisies!) and I needed to ice it. But they didn't have an ice maker. Or an ice pack. Or frozen peas. However, they did have frozen frankfurters. Yeah, that JUST happened. Don't worry-- it's Kosher.

2. Happy Belated Birthday Mary Buck-Buck! I'm sorry I missed your 2nd bday party. I also apologize for refusing to pay $20 to ship your birthday presy. I'll bring it home for Thanksgiving and you can unwrap it then. But really, do you need another presy on your birthday? It's so much more fun to celebrate it a month later. So, I'm doing you a favor. You're welcome. Your Aunt DayDay loves you very much.

You are 2! And the cutest EVER!

3. It was 40 degrees this morning for my run. I was embarrassed to show up at Iwo Jima for DCRR's SLR in a *Cotton* long sleeved shirt (that was, of course, over like 6 other layers... what? I was cold.) Mockery ensued. Sorry I come from Florida where the sun is always bright and there is no need for heavy running gear. Yes, I realize I don't live there anymore (Yay!) but I've already spent enough money on sweaters and tights and such for work. Don't worry-- I will blog my 'First Day of my Big Girl Job" Outfit. And probably all my outfits for the week. I'm gonna look sooooooo CUTE!

4. I'm glad Florida isn't playing today. I need a break from my Saturday disappointments.

5. Explored Old Town yesterday during the day. I met Kirby there earlier this week for some din-din when he was in town doing some big, burly, hardcore Marine stuff. Tres lovely. Reminds me a lot of Avondale. Except like 100x bigger.

6. Went to a DC UNF Alumni event this week. That was fun! I'm looking forward to doing more stuff with them. Perhaps a kickball team? Yeah yeah!

7. Fun tonight with Audrey and Jo in Dupont. Church tomorrow. And laundry. And grocery shopping. And being a big girl-- which, I might add, I'm pretty darn good at.

Time for frozen peas on my hip. Hmm... peas sound good for dinner.

When it hurts to run...

If this doesn't move you to at least get off the couch, then you have no soul.

In 3 weeks, I'll be able to call myself a Marathoner. Whoa.

Richmond.

Whoa. I'm going to run a marathon. And not just any marathon.

AMERICA'S FRIENDLIEST MARATHON.

Oh yeah? Really? We'll see about that. Bring on your happiness, Richmond. I'm ready.

YAYYYYYYYY

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

I got a job! I got a job! I got a job! (Picture me giddily jumping up and down-- it took MUCH effort not to do it whilst speaking with the VP as he was offering me the position!)

Oh man, I AM EXCITED.

First things first-- Book flight home for T-giving. Now that I can afford to! (That's $350)

Then sign up for the Richmond Marathon. Now that I can afford to! (That's $100)

OUCH. Bye bye monies.

1 month and 1 day in DC and I get myself a job. BOO YAH! Eat that, Recession!

The position, Administrative Associate, is with SEPA (Solar Electric Power Association). A non-profit focusing on research and education in solar energy. So, it's an up and coming market and the organization has been growing exponentially and will continue to as the market develops. My bennies and salary are great! I get a gym membership! Why is this the most exciting thing to me? Because I'm terrified to run in snow--when that comes. And it will.

Oh, good things. I am very very very blessed.