Asia in the Summertime

I like LOVE adventure and find that traveling is my happy place. I feel at peace on an airplane and relish in the quiet time that I have all to myself. This summer I hit a milestone: 20 countries!

Here’s how it began- Back in February I had applied for a teaching opportunity in China through a program at UT. I was accepted in April, flights were booked in May and I left the country in June. When thinking of traveling to China, I knew that I had to capitalize on the opportunity and decided to visit Thailand as well. Then, as though it couldn’t get any better, I was able to book a flight with a long layover in Japan!

My accommodations in each country were great...I ate well and my money went far. I found Japan to be quaint and clean, the people of Thailand were a bit straightforward but friendly once a business deal had been made, and China was (once again) a delight.

After taking a trip, one of my favorite things to do is look back at pictures and videos. For this trip, I made a quick video that sums up my month of travel in under 5 minutes. 

While on the plane for 15 hours from Shanghai to Detroit I started this video recap and love how it turned out. Pictures are coming, I promise!  

The song is called, Colorful World by CeCe Winans

With so much turmoil in the world and hate crimes being committed against Black men, this song has brought me comfort. The Lord knows just what we need and reminds us that He is near, always.

Listen to the lyrics. They're perfect for this video. And a wonderful reminder that "it's a colorful world, a beautiful world that we live in."

I'm Only Half Crazy

You all are amazing! When I first put it out there on the good 'ol instagram that I had signed up and was training to run in my very first half marathon, I had no clue that I would get such positive and encouraging feedback. Here's the story on how it all began. **If you're in it for the pictures, just keep scrolling and you'll see them. Including proofs of the pictures that the fancy race photographers took and my snapchat story for the day!

A couple years ago I set out to become "a runner." I played every sport in the book when I was younger and even started track and field in high school. You see, I was the lazy one out there and chose to do the field events because I could get out of the running. Clever, right?! So when I was recruited to be a thrower in college I was unpleasantly surprised with the amount of running we had to do. If it involved becoming quicker and stronger; we did it (sprints, bounds, strides, etc). With practice beginning before 8am, on most days I struggled with the two lap dynamic warm-up! So this is where I pause and say that, holy cow, I've come a long way.

In April 2013, I successfully trained and completed my first-ever race. I ran a 5K during alumni weekend at UC Santa Barbara. With my $30 payment, I ran the whole way and was as happy as a clam to finish in under 30 minutes. After that race my running career quickly came to a halt due to no reason other than my own excuses and cravings for donuts and ice cream rather than a good sweat.

Fast forward to October 2015 when my friend, Melissa, visited Knoxville for the South Carolina vs. Tennessee football game. One conversation led to another and before you know it we were talking about health, nutrition, and fitness goals. We had a serious "ah-ha" moment when, at the same time, we pretty much both said I've always wanted to run a half marathon but don't have the guts to sign up. Well, that's all it took to get a pinky promise out of us and we decided to sign up for the Rock 'n Roll DC Half Marathon in March 2016.

I took the next month getting my mind right for the training that would soon kick my backside. I started with a Couch to 5K training plan on November 27th. The first workout was 5 min walk, 2 min jog (repeat 2x). And that was it. Done. It wasn't incredibly physically challenging but I definitely knew I had a longgggg way to go before I could even fathom me completing a half marathon. By December 15th I was able to run for 25 minutes without stopping. At the time, I thought I was going fast but looking back I was just trotting along (5.0 speed on the treadmill). With the holidays and parties rolling in, I kept steady and ran when I could for the next couple of weeks and planned to begin my 10-week training plan during the first week of January.

Monday, January 4th rolled around and I missed my run, and the one on the following day. But on Wednesday, January 6th my official half marathon training began! You'll see my calendars below but I had to get creative and take it back to my primary school days with construction paper and markers to make the calendars and keep my attention. Some days went well. Some days were skipped. Some days were a struggle. And other days were a complete blur. My goal was to take it one day at a time. When I completed my first long run (5 miles) I felt like I was the most accomplished person around town. With each week, my long runs increased and so did my mental capacity for challenging myself. I explored new trails and neighborhoods here in Knoxville and relied on accountability partners to keep me focused. Accountability partners are what made the difference to me so thank you, all of you, who encouraged and pushed me along the way!

With occasional calls to Melissa for check-ins and support, we eventually signed up and made arrangements to travel to Washington, D.C to earn our medals. 

Race Day:
I knew exactly what I was going to wear. I had worn the same outfit on a long run a couple weeks back so there was no guessing on race day how it would fit. My shirt said FIERCE which I thought was fitting for the occasion. The weather was absolutely perfect, 55 degrees and overcast. We got up early and walked to the start line before patiently yet anxiously waiting for our corral's start time. She went first and then me, about 30 minutes later. 

I had my nike run app and iTunes ready to go. My first song was This Is The Day by New Direction - Rain. In that moment, there was no better way to start the race. With the Washington Monument on my left and a lady running with a huge American flag on my right, it was like God was speaking right to me saying, "This is the day that is made perfect in every way." The weather couldn't have been better. I was injury free and running on cloud 9 and so, so thankful for everything. In that moment I knew that I was running with passion. Passion for better health, passion for a commitment to my goals, and passion in knowing that God is bigger than any MIGHTY challenge that lies ahead. 

Outside of a weak left glute that manifested in a tight muscle spasm around mile 8, I ran the race and had fun. The people of D.C. showed up with signs the made me laugh, a tequila bar (yes, right on the race path), a table of bbq (slow smoked- or so the sign said), and costumes…lots and lots of costumes!

Every text and phone call that I received made the experience that much sweeter! I gave that race everything I had and am proud of my finish. Two hours and twenty minutes, and forty-five seconds. I distinctly remember my legs coming to a stop just after the finish line and right in front of a lady passing out finisher medals.  She was turned towards the boxes of medals and I said, "Ma'am, I would gladly take one of those off of your hands." Haha I was desperate. I then drank a whole bottle of water and ate a banana in 0.2 seconds flat. Melissa and I reunited and boy did we celebrate. Lots of hugs and "I can't believe we just did that!" sayings. 

I set out to run a half marathon because it was one thing that I never thought I could actually do. I consider myself a lot of things: an athlete, an educator, a friend, educated, etc but a runner was never one of them. Without realizing it, I has paralyzing myself and holding myself back from all that is possible. Now, three weeks later, I truly feel as though there isn't a thing that I can't do. 

So go out there...set a goal (in fact, set many goals), find people to support you, and do it. Crush those goals and do it passionately.

Long run on a snow day. That shirt, #PunIntended

Post 9 mile run! Feeling Fierce, which is just what my shirt says.

Can we say, nervous smile?!

Pre-race, with all my runner friends :)

Mid race Washington Monument siting!

Lincoln Memorial! Mile 3 and a thumbs up

UCSB Reunion. Keli was the hook-up for our pre-race and race-day needs

Melissa and I. Half Marathon: Done!

Sweet, sweet victory.

A friend, colleague and accountability partner knew what this race meant to me. This took me by surprise and definitely put the cherry on top of an already great race experience. 

I swore that this was a once in a lifetime thing but I'm starting to think that I -might- be able to do it again.  Savannah, GA Rock 'n Roll half in October?! Is that you calling my name??

Cheers! To big dreams and MIGHTY goals, 

Xo Kayla

Quick Recap, 2015

First of all…..drumroll, please…I'm Back!

The hiatus was too long and, especially as of late, I have longed for a space to clear my head and share the joyous moments of life (and those really tricky and hard ones too). 

With yet ANOTHER 365 days gone with the wind, here are some of the highlights from 2015. 

FEBRUARY  SNOW DAYS.
FOUR.POINT.FIVE of them to be exact. Hallelujah!!

FEBRUARY
When it's too cold for snow…you get ice.
And more snow days. 
#CanIGetAnAmen?!

MARCH  
Roommates reunited.
Milkshakes for old times sake.  

MAY
Swinging from ropes in Costa Rica.
Living that #PuraVida life. 

JULY
Traveling with these two is nothing but headaches and belly laughs.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.

 JULY
Seeing my grandpa and his siblings makes my heart SO happy.
They bicker and talk trash to each other...and love so, so hard!  

SEPTEMBER
And water gushed through my kitchen to…
everywhere else in my place.
#LongNightOfCleanup

SEPTEMBER
It even managed to leak through the exterior door/wall and made puddles outside.
Those water molecules won that round. But I got the victory!
SIX days later when it was finally dry.

OCTOBER
Same costume, 10 years in a row.
Still haven't repeated the same combo of clothes.
#winning!

OCTOBER
OC to Rocky Top. Kristen visited over her fall break!
#SisterSister

NOVEMBER
My birthday brunch.
Didn't even know I knew more than 10 people in Knoxville.
(Pleasantly) Surprised myself. 

DECEMBER
Surprised my family & flew home to watch Lewis' last H.S. football game.
 Winning the State Championship made the rain wayyyyy more tolerable!

Plus, Christmas in California with family and friends is never a bad thing. May the joy of the Lord be with you throughout 2016!

Peace and Blessings, 

Xx Kayla