I hate running, I love running

Just got back from a run. I'm at 4 miles. Yes!

I've read that running (as with many things) is all in the mind. Your body will tell you that you can't do it, but if your mind says you can, then your body will have to follow suit.

I definitely experienced that this afternoon.

The first 2 miles of my run looked like this:

"I hate this. Why am I doing this? My ankles hurt. There's a park bench right there. I should sit down and call it a day. Seriously... I knew I never liked running."

But then, magically, my last 2 miles were excellent. A big part of it was that I switched my music to Christian rap. Who ever thought that Christian rap would be so good? Not me. But some of it is really great (e.g. Lecrae, Flame).

After that... I was all like "I love running! This is awesome!"

On the way to my run, I met the author of a book I recently read, called "Until Tuesday". Sweet, hey!

He is a war veteran who wrote about his experience at war, coming back to New York City, life with PTSD,  and the wonderful effect of getting a service dog.

It is great read. I learned tons about PTSD and service dogs. For instance, did you know that service dogs start training at three days old? And also, that it can cost up to $25,000 to train a dog for this very special role?

favorite day of the week

Today was a good day.

Applied for an internship at a PR firm (exciting!)... met with Eleanor (the wonderful, sweet, older woman I visit through Encore Community Services) and had a lovely bike through Central Park.

My hubby and I encountered something funny (and cute) in Central Park... a man trying to train his (ahem... snobby) cat to respond to commands.

Kudos to the guy for being patient.

So... to paint the picture, he had his cat on a long, long yellow leash. The cat was sitting up on a high ledge, just scowling at the guy, like really scowling. And literally not moving at all, despite the man's repeated attempts to get the kitty to "come." Tys and I probably watched for 20 minutes, and although this cat was in arms reach (I would have just yanked on the kitty's leash until he came... but then again I don't think I would have my cat on a leash in the first place...) the guy was so patient. Eventually he offered the cat a treat and the cat maybe moved two inches. Poor guy. Even though Tys said we weren't leaving until the cat left, we ended up ducking out of the fascinating cat training session early. So... we never found out if the cat ever responded, but I guess we can just hope we'll see this guy again on our next bike ride.

pump it up

I woke up this morning looking forward to my run today.

WEIRD. This has never happened to me. Even as I sit here now, I get excited as I think about running in the warm sun rays. I am eager to get out the door, put on my music, and hit the pavement.

Is this Alee writing? I don't recognize this girl.

Today I will run 70 blocks, equivalent to about 3 and half miles (20 Manhattan blocks = 1 mile). A half marathon is 13 miles, so once I can run 260 blocks (yikes) I will be ready for a race!

thighs of steel

At this rate, I'll be running a marathon next Friday.

I just ran 60 blocks! This is quite remarkable. You have to understand... I have never taken exercise seriously. Ever. I have stayed pretty slim, but that's due to a great metabolism and eating well. So this is exciting.

As a ran today, I envisioned myself running in some sort of race. Of course, in my fantasy, I crossed the finish line far before all the others in the competition. The officials handed me the trophy and I pranced off, all smiles and looking beautiful. My family and friends clapped and people asked for my autograph. The paparazi swarmed around me, searching for just one glimpse... okay, just kidding on everything after the winning part.

But seriously, I definitely need to sign up for something... but what? A mud race? A half marathon?

guess I'm on a roll

Two consecutive posts. Pretty good.

I just ran 50 blocks. FIFTY! By summer I am going to be fitter than the fittest of fit. And before I know it, the mayor will declare me the fittest of the land!*

I ran in Riverside Park, from 112th to 72nd, then from 74th up to 84th.

While resting at 72nd, I discovered that it isn't a dog's life I want, but a bird's. It was pretty windy, and this massive flock of seagulls was flying in circles. Whenever the wind picked up, the birds would glide on it for as long as they could. Then... repeat the whole thing again. People spend all this money to skydive when birds get to play on the wind all day for free. Honestly.

In other exciting news, I found out a new friend took communications and journalism too! We are hoping to work on some projects together.

*gotta credit Will Ferrell's Tight Pants song for that one

I've been a stranger

Hello. It's been a whiiiiilllle. As you can see.

But... my love for blogging has been reignited! (I think).

I don't particularly want to write about everything I have been up to... that just seems like... way way too much. But I will say this. I am applying for jobs in the city, and am super excited about some opportunities that I am finding.

I will also say this: I recently started volunteering with a senior's organization in Times Square, and the senior I am volunteering with has a Pekingese who apparently prefers young blondes with blue eyes... over any other person. So not only do men prefer blondes, but Pekingese apparently do too. Thank you God for making me blonde.

What else? I love New York City. My love for it is growing day by day. The more I see, the more smells I smell, the more crowded subway cars I ride in, the more taxis that zip past me. Every time Tyson and I talk, we add a year to the amount of time we want to live here. "Hon, we could live here after you graduate, right?" "Oh yeah, maybe we'll stay here for something like 5 years." "I am feeling 6 years is about right." "Well maybe I'll make a 5 year commitment to my job after graduating... so that makes it 7 years from this point. Does that sound good?"

And maybe, just maybe, this is where we'll live:

Alee and Tyson Kennedy
Bedford Street
APARTMENT 75 AND A HALF!
New York, NY

I promise you - If we ever live in this house, we will never leave. Ever. How could you ever give up this wonderful of an address? Basically, its story is that it is the narrowest house in New York. And right next to it, is the oldest house (as far as I can remember). It does cost about 4 million dollars so... that definitely limits the possibility of us ever living there, but I'll dream.