motivation

ahhh. I'm writing this smelling like delicious menthol I just rubbed all over my legs, and I can't stop thinking how satisfied I am with this awful pain from running today. I did 5 miles (on the treadmill, yes, because I am spoiled and don't like to run in the weird Texas weather!) training for this half marathon is probably the only thing that's keeping me sane, and focused, and I'm reallyyyy enjoying it. I didn't run for a couple of days, which is probably why I'm hurting a little more today than I should be, BUT I think it's also because I realized something, something pretty big. I used to work out because I wanted to feel good, but only because I felt good when others told me they were seeing changes. today, as I was running trying to think of things to motivate me I couldn't find that 'cute boy I wanted to look good for' I couldn't picture my favorite jeans not fitting (because I fit into my goal jeans now, WOOOOO!!!) I wasn't running for time, or distance, I was just running to see I guess how far I would go. Which means I could stop at any point right? As I was thinking of something to motivate me to at least finish mile 3 I thought, I'm doing this because it feels good, because I like the  way I feel when I run, and after my work out, and when I eat right, and especially because I will feel accomplished when I'm done with 13.1 miles. for the first time I was my ONLY motivation. and that felt soooo good. 

I found this quote on pinterest.com and I thought I had understood it, but after tonight, I think I reallllly understand it! 

so moving on, the holidays are quiiiiiickly approaching, which I'm a bit scared of because I don't want to fall off my workouts, but I think I enjoy them so much that I will be okay :) I've also made up my mind that I CAN eat whatever I want on Thanksgiving because I've been realllllyyy good with portions lately, and I know that my body is now doing a VERY good job of screaming at me every time I don't "eat right" so I'm not going to stress. I'll eat what I'll eat. I also have a feeling that since finals is coming up I will be super careful on eating the right 'brain foods' and because my time is going to be so scheduled, I will be forced to eat well balanced meals instead of just on the go fast food. (which I haven't really craved much lately) I have two Thanksgivings to go to this year...I'm going to my friend Dess' (soon to be my comadre ;) haha aka I will be her son's godmommaaaa :):) and then off with my parents to our friends house which I'm sure will be super fun!
I'm broke this year so no Black Friday for me...wahhh :( :(  but that's okay. 

but before all of this happens, Amanda and I will be doing our own little Turkey Trot...we're going running...outside! wahhh! but I just need to push through because the half is NOT inside so I just need to get over my weird fear/I don't know what else to call it of running outside and just do it! 

Hopefully I'll take some good Thanksgiving pictures and will be able to post them on here, especially how lovely I will look after running outside AND hills...two things I don't do very often AT ALL. stay tuned! :) 

I have a few questions, and you can email me or tell me in private or of course, post in the comment section...but what motivates you? do you have any specific songs that just get you going? what do you do on those days you're just 'not feeling' a work out?