Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Disappearing Act

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I have been so utterly terrible at blogging lately!!!

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When I realized how long it has been since I actually sat down night after night and pounded out pages of writing, it really made me sad. I adore writing. It is a true passion of mine…. Something that has always felt very therapeutic for me.

Writing was once something I did on a daily basis. I would do it out of both the love of writing and necessity. I’d get out of bed in the middle of the night after the ex had fallen asleep and sit on the couch in the otherwise pitch-black living room; with the only sound being that of my fingers hitting the keys and his light snoring in the background.

It really makes me truly sad that I haven’t been taking the time to blog recently. I have been in a constant cycle of running (I have been training for SFM still. Training update to come soon), work, having an amazing time in Austin: repeat. I’ve realized recently why I started my blog in the first place…. I originally started because it’s so therapeutic… To release everything…. However, the incredible, strong, beautiful people I’ve met through blogging are the reason Wild Things RUN Free ever got to where it was.

That’s why, I’m so sorry… not to you guys as my readers, but AS MY FRIENDS.
I’m sorry for disappearing. I promise I am back in full force, not only as a writer, but as an active and good blend :)

Passion Is Everything

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For as long as I can think back, there has been a part of me that wanted to be a writer. I found myself writing prose throughout high school, filling up pages and pages on my Deviant Art account of sappy fiction. (with the most embarrassingly emo-teen angst screen name)

When it came time to choose a major for college, I decided against creative writing almost immediately, because I realized with time that I seemed to only produce good fiction when I was in a bad place in my life. Heart broken, especially. There’s a line in a song by the band Cursive that goes: “Fall in love to fail – to boost your CD sales. And that CD sells – yeah, what a hit. You’ve got to repeat it -you gotta’ sink to swim. If at first you don’t succeed you gotta recreate your misery cause we all know art is hard, young artists have gotta starve”

I never wanted that to be me. Wake up one day realizing how miserable your life is because it was the only way you could produce beautiful words. Life is too short for that! So I opted for Culinary/Restaurant management (Also note, life is too short to deal with drunk assholes all day as well. Moral of the story? don’t take career advice from me ;) )

Writing has never really left my side though.. As you can all see ;) I write on here multiple times a week, I write for OakleyPBC.com every week, I’ve even started freelancing a little on the side and from time to time I still write fiction into notebooks and on loose pieces of paper.

Several years ago… I’m talking, say…. 2008? Maybe 2009? I was struck with inspiration and in one day churned out 6 chapters of this little world I had come up with in my head. A lot of it touched close to home, but a lot of it was pure imagination. It was a wild feeling to sit in front of my computer and just press out pages of my own creativity. After that first night of writing, I kept going back to the story trying to add to it. Eventually, deciding to put it aside entirely. There is no use trying to force writing. A good story comes to you! You do not chase after it or else it will go down in flames. (In my experience, at least.)

When my brother died last February, I was reminded of the story by the only person in this world who even knew (and still to this day is the only one) I had ever begun to write a book. True to form I was able to start the writing process again and spent the last year slowly putting together the pieces of this whole world that give an ever so slight peek into my soul.

Last night, I typed the last words of the final chapter.

After 4 years, 27 chapters (plus an epilogue) and 147,749 words I have written a complete fiction novel.

I’m not entirely sure what I want to do with this book yet. I don’t know if I’ll try to get it published. Or if I’ll make copies for close families and friends to read. Or if I’ll just send the final product to the old friend who so appreciated the original chapters. All I know, is that I am a writer. I have been in a happy, good place in my life for months now and have still connected with my creative energy. There are days I really feel like I’m not a writer. I don’t typically get paid for what I do. Even the average blogger is making money these days. I’m not.. I don’t write here to sell a product, I don’t write here to make an extra buck. I write because it’s my passion, and Passion is Everything.

That folks, is the moral of today’s story

What have YOU done lately to fuel your passions?

You Had My Curiosity, Now You Have My Attention

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Christmas has always been a holiday I associate with being far too cold, stressful, and disappointing. No, not because of gifts or lack there of. Nothing of that sort… But growing up in a divorced family meant dividing our holidays. Typically school breaks such as Christmas, Easter and summer were the only ones long enough to make a visit down to Dallas to see my dad… Meaning holidays were automatically his most years. I always envied those families that had huge get togethers during the holidays with 50 of their closest family members. That isn’t my family, well… Maybe on the Neitzel side…. That is a newer tradition though…. But, I hope that if I do ever marry, it’s in to “that kind of family” is that terrible?? Haha

This year, I really shocked myself. I truly embraced the holiday spirit. I bought a real tree for my dinky little apartment. I baked cookies and gave them to my neighbors. I caught myself singing random christmas songs on several occasions. I embraced shopping for gifts for my family and friends… I looked forward to Christmas Day for the first time in my entire life.

I can’t quite pin point what it was exactly, but there was something very peaceful about this Christmas. Maybe it’s the fact that it was just 4 adults on Christmas morning. Meaning no one felt the need to wake up at 6am and make everyone else get out of bed. Maybe it was that none of us had any real expectations. Maybe when I wrote that post about my engagement last year, I wasn’t kidding with the title “and her heart grew three sizes that day”

Whatever the sudden change in my feelings toward the holidays, I welcome it with open arms.

I was stunned when I woke up this morning and went to take beckham outside, only to discover it was snowing!!!! In Texas!!!! And actually sticking to the ground. It was a beautiful thing to see, and really set in all the magic that seemed to have been missing from the whole “Christmas as an adult without children” thing :) :) :) it put a huge grin on my face. Beckham loved it, too. Running and jumping through the snow is his favorite.

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Every Christmas since I was a little girl… Seriously as far back as I can remember… My dad has taken us to see a movie Christmas afternoon. It’s probably the only actual Tradition my entire family has. I know that when/if I ever start my own family it’s a tradition I plan to carry on. It’s by far the best part of Christmas Day, each year.

This year was no different, and there was absolutely no question as to what movie we were going to see. It was unanimous. Django Unchained. I can not say enough, just how awesome this movie was. I highly recommend it to any Quentin Tarantino fan!! Of course, just like all of his films, it is not for the faint of heart or easily offended. (If you’re wondering, thats where the title to this post is from) But my gosh is it an incredible story. Plus, Jamie Foxx dressed like a cowboy???? Yum! ;)

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It shames me to say this, because I hate him (for reasons I don’t even have…. I blame the Titanic. Hurrrrl) but Leo was pretty drool worthy looking all rich and fancy in his burgundy suit, as well ;)

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It was such a comfortable and relaxing holiday. I spent the evening reading and thinking about how much love is in my life. I may not be engaged anymore… But I have so many great people and so much love surrounding me all the time, that I never really SAW before. I am so thankful that 2012 has helped open my eyes.

I promise to return to your regularly scheduled running and fitness related posts tomorrow. Enough with the sentimental crap. I’m sure you’re all over it ;)


How was your Christmas??? What was the best part? Did you get anything ZOMG awesome?

Politics FREE: Election Day Pride

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The day after ‘Election Day‘
100% Politics aside, I wanted to take a moment to appreciate this day.

I (like to) believe that most American’s can recall exactly where they were each time they found out who won a Presidential Election since they were in grade school. Perhaps not off the top of your head. But it’s a memory that is unfolded every morning the day after a Presidential election.

I remember my mother waking me up out of bed, dancing and celebration when Bill Clinton became the 42nd President of the United State of America. I remember begging her to stay up and being exhausted in school the next morning when he won his second term.

I remember the exact words that came out of my mouth both times George W. Bush won in 2000 and 2004.

I remember standing in line to vote for the very first time I was over 18 during an election. Going inside the voting booth and just being completely overwhelmed.  (It has since become a much more enjoyable experience, I assure you.)

We live in a country where we can vote! 

Many people across the world do not have the luxury of having a voice! We have the right, and thus the obligation to make sure that we, the people, are heard! Whether you voted for Obama or Romney, a 3rd party candidate, or stayed home and played Halo 4… Today is a day to be thankful that we have the chance to be heard. We have the opportunity to go out there and put our share in the turnout. We live in a Nation that allows us the freedom to have any opinion you want. Republican. Democrat. Green. Libertarian. You name it! You can go out and vote for any of them and not meet any deadly repercussions.

I don’t enjoy this day just because of the privilege we have to vote, but also because it symbolizes this country we live in. (I’m a sucker for symbolism) The place we call home. Elections are a beacon of hope, and progression. Taking two steps forward, regardless of what path we choose.

Not only is that a huge metaphor for how I live my life, but a huge one for how we as a country have always made it through the storm. How we keep moving forward. We keep putting one foot in front of the other, even when we’re terrified of what may come darting at us around the corner. We move forward. Together. 

Regardless of who wins any presidential election, it is always important to be thankful that what we want to see as a nation is within our reach to make happen.

GUEST POST: Honor Your Body

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Hi friends! My name is Colleen and I write over at The Chocolate Mile. When Charlotte sent it out into the internet universe that she was looking for some guest posts I don’t think I could have responded any faster. Like Charlotte, I am a runner, except I’m not quite ready to embark on a full marathon training schedule yet, I ran my first half in May and I may be doing another in September. The beginning of October is when I’m in a pretty big race. I am running the Reach The Beach Relay, and am currently in full blown training mode.

I see people occasionally ask the blogosphere about training schedules. And they are usually refered to Hal Hidgons, because, well, let’s face it, his schedules are awesome. And then occasionally, I’ll see people asking about the importance of rest days.

Rest days are just as important as running days. By resting, you are still training. Your legs need to rest, without it, you’re risking injury. Even while you’re not running, you’re still building muscle. Which is what we all want, right? Right. Think about it this way, would you want to work 7 days a week, for your entire life, with no days off? I love my job and I would still be at risk of having a murder on my record.

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
Rest Day 5 MilesAnd

Strength Training

 3 Miles 3 Miles- Speed Training Rest day for runningCore Strength Training 5 Miles Long Run

This is my schedule for the week coming up, I always plan in advance, I am not the kind of person who can “wing it”, my “winging it” equals me laying in bed. I always have at least 2 rest days from running, one of them I’m doing core training and on the other I am doing absolutely nothing. And I really will do absolutely nothing.

I’m not a professional training schedule maker or anything, I make my routines based on how my body feels and how much I know my body can handle. As we get closer to the race, my mileage will increase, and my strength training will go down. This is because I know it is what I can handle. For other people, this may be completely different. The hardest thing I’ve learned about running is to listen to my body. It’s hard to learn the difference between tired legs, and exhausted legs. And also what an ache feels like, and what a pain feels like. I’m sure you’ve heard people say “honor your body“, this is something I live by, my body doesn’t work for me, I work for my body.

(source)

Are you a runner?
What are you training for?
How do you honor your body?

Colleen is the warm hearted, fun having, sassy writer of TheChocolateMile. She goes by Colleen, Coll, or Hey Kid. She has a bad addiction to coffee and requires a piece of chocolate every morning. She doesn’t believe in dieting, but instead, in lifestyle changes.


Connect with her anytime at:
TheChocolateMile.com
Twitter: @RunForDessert
Pinterest

Why The NHL Lockout May Destroy Hockey As We Know it

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In 30 days, the NHL Owners will lockout the players, thereby delaying the start of the 2012-13 NHL season. I would think that after the lockout which led to the cancellation of the entire 2004-05 season, and the fallout that came of it, the last thing the owners would want would be another labour dispute. The NHL lost their partnership with ESPN, a network seen in nearly 100% of households and bars across the country. Because of this, they had to partner up with the Outdoor Life Network (which became Versus, then VS., and now The NBC Sports Network). As many hockey fans soon came to find out, this network is nowhere near as readily available as is ESPN and it’s parent channel ABC.

Eight years ago the NHLPA had no strong voice negotiating for them. They were backed into a corner and were eventually forced to accept every single demand, many of them terribly unfair, that the NHL Owners wanted. For lo these past seven seasons, the league has operated under the collective bargaining agreement that the Owners set up. The Owners have gotten exactly what they wanted, but not it is still not enough. The players are better off now than they were before the 04-05 lockout, and therein lies the Owners problems. Whereas the Owners are making out great from the current CBA, the players are making out better than the Owners expected them to. Now the owners want to cut back the players earnings and profit sharings again, but this time the NHLPA has a strong leader with a strong voice.

A month ago, the Owners presented a new CBA to the NHLPA, and it was a horrible insulting one at that. Tuesday, the NHLPA offered up it’s counter-proposal to the Owners. Yesterday the Owners dismissed that offer. League President Gary Bettman yesterday said that the two sides are far apart from an agreement, and NHLPA head Donald Fehr agrees with that assessment.

My fear is that the last lockout hurt the NHL so badly, that neither side thought the other would allow another lockout this time around. Both sides believed that the other would back down first. But with 30 days left before a new lockout begins, it looks like there will be no NHL hockey come October this season.

Are you a hockey fan? What’s your team? (BUFFALO SABRES REPRESENT!!!)

Say It Do It – AUGUST Edition

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(inspired by Fit Chick In The City‘s weekly ‘say it do it’ – SAY IT DO IT, is my monthly blog feature where I track my goals for the month & recap my goals for the previous month)

For the last couple of months I’ve basically abandoned ‘Say It Do It’ But, with August being here already (what the heck!?) there are some big big big things that need to be accomplished this month. Time to hold myself accountable again! I found that publicly admitting my goals like this, really helped me stick to them. When I stay quiet about what’s going on, who can check in to make sure I’m getting everything taken care of?! Exactly.

Since I have nothing to recap from July, I’ll just get right down to brass tax.

1) Run at least 50 miles. San Antonio Half training has started and if I do every run just as my training says, I’d tap out at 61 miles this month. Since the last week has been.. well, hahaha. yeah…. I thought I’d be fair and give myself an even 50. There for, every single training run for the rest of the month HAS to be ran. 2:30 isn’t going to run itself now is it? (yea yea some of you speedsters are thinking ‘uh yeah it will’) ;)

2) Drink at least 90oz of water every day. I’ve been slacking in the hydration department recently. Unless a lot of wine and coffee counts as hydrating… If you take a look at my skin, you can SO tell. There is a direct correlation between the nutrients I do or do not put in my body, and the condition of my skin. Not to mention it’s just incredibly unhealthy not to stay hydrated, especially as a runner.

3) Get ALL addresses for our guest list. I didn’t realize before, just how difficult this process would be. It’s quite comical how few phone numbers I have in my contact list now. After replacing my phone last time, I lost them ALL… -Head Desk- so this has made getting addresses a bit more difficult. But — our list is finalized and we’re ready to gather the last bundle of addresses we don’t have.

4) Lose 5lbs… I have been watching more & more flab make its way to my body the last couple of weeks… I even stepped on the scale this past week and although I’m hugely against numbers and scales… I freaked out when I saw I currently weigh more than I EVER have. ever. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. The other day, you may have read my declaration to consciously make the effort to be fit and healthy. I wasn’t kidding. I’ve knocked out more miles in the last 2 days than I did in the two weeks prior, COMBINED. I’ve ate better. Created a menu plan for the week to come. I’m already feeling 1billion times better with myself and my body, just knowing that I’m on the right track and back in control.

5) Read 3 books. I love to read. Such a huge book worm over here! But, I’ve found that “me” time has all but disappeared. If I get any time to myself, I just enjoy the silence and nothingness… It doesn’t last very long so I just embrace it.. Then realize I didn’t do much of anything with that short amount of time. HA. So, I’ve ordered 5 books (what??…) and plan to read 3 of them by September. (I just threw up a little in my mouth realizing that NEXT month is SEPTEMBER!)

Summer is coming to a close here next month! Yikes. Where has it gone???!!! What are YOUR goals for August to bring summer to a close on a high note?

Wedding Music Wednesday: Hidden Meaning

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There are some songs on our wedding playlist that we were a little hesitant in adding. The meanings behind some of the songs. Or even, songs that don’t mean anything bad but the media has turned it into something that means something terrible… I designed the playlist for my brother’s wake, and they were all songs I know he absolutely LOVED…. Some of them weren’t exactly sunshine and rainbows… I got a lot of slack for adding a song that mentions death in his playlist.. I was really angry. DO THESE PEOPLE NOT REALIZE THAT THIS PLAYLIST WAS MADE JUST FOR HIM?? WITH NOT ONE SINGLE OTHER PERSON IN MIND?!

So, After a lot of back and forth we both kind of decided. “screw it” This is OUR big day, and these are songs that WE love — it wouldn’t be a wedding true to who we are if we tip toed around afraid people would take things the wrong way.

1) “Perfect Day” By Lou Reed – The original song wasn’t what pop culture has turned the song into (or was it?!). It was produced by David Bowie, The song’s lyrics are often considered to suggest simple, conventional romantic devotion, possibly alluding to Reed’s relationship with Bettye Kronstadt.. However, in the late 90′s the (amazing. incredible. Heartbreaking. Tragic. Touches way too close to home because of my brother) movie Trainspotting came out. During the scene where Renton, played by Ewin McGregor, overdoses on heroin they play this song. Ever since then, popular belief has been that it was written about drugs and Lou Reed’s struggle with addictions. This may or may not be true — but either way the song is beautiful. Heartbreakingly beautiful…. And it will be such a perfect day, I’ll definitely be glad I spent it with him ;)

2) “No Rain” By Blind Melon – It’s absolutely no secret that the song was written about his depression. It’s such a contradiction with the happy upbeat tune, but if you listen to the lyrics you can tell he’s struggling to keep a grip of his emotions. My mom & I used to dance to this music video alll the time when I was younger. It’s absolutely being played during the reception regardless of the lyrics. ;)

3) “People Say” By Portugal. The Man – We are having many PTM songs on our playlist. It’s one of our all time favorite bands. I’ve been listening to them since they came out with their first E.P. in 2005 titled Under Waves of the Brown Coat. They are pure musical geniuses. Their first single, AKA M80 The Wolf, was written about their struggle to find their way in the music world WITHOUT selling out. Beautifully written. Hauntingly so.

However, People Say is pretty obvious in the lyrics, yet Johnny Gourley or his fellow band mates have yet to come out and SAY what it was about (giggity. people say.) it is our interpretation that he is not please with the way this government is being ran or the attitudes of the general American public. If you listen to the lyrics “ I’m a president’s son, I don’t need no soul. All the soldiers say “It’ll be alright, we may make it through the war if we make it through the night.” All the people, they say: “What a lovely day, yeah, we won the war. May have lost a million men, but we’ve got a million more.” I don’t care how many people get offended. I’m a liberal. Our “war” was a lie. I know a lot of you are in the military or have spouses who are. BLESS YOUR SOULS. I support you. 100%, but I do NOT support the reasons we are or were over there. That’s not what this is about though. This song speaks volumes about why we are so angry with our country. People are referring to their newer music, as “cryptic hippie music” give me a break. Hippie music becase they dare talk about what is considered “liberal” points of view?!

It’s a beautiful powerful song. End of discussion ;)

Sorry I really didn’t mean to get all political… Between the health care bill and immigrants, and now this song — I’m just on edge when it comes to politics this week.

ANYWHO. Hope you enjoyed this weeks rendition of WEDDING MUSIC WEDNESDAY! ;)

Growing Up Is Bitter-Sweet

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Moving away from home has been a completely different experience this time around. I love it just as much more, though… Don’t get me wrong!…

But I’m realizing today how much I’m missing in the lives of life long friends. When I moved away at 17, I was so ready to just run away. Growing up in a small town, always itching to live in a bigger, brighter city. I didn’t have a care in the world about all the people I was leaving behind. (Okay, I did. But, relationships right out of high school are drastically different than the life long friendships you make.)

But here I am, in my mid 20s. I moved home at 21, and spent a year and a half wishing I never did. The truth is I found love, when I was home. No, not romantically… I actually began talking to Zack while spending a few weeks in Florida… That’s neither here, nor there… Reconnecting with the people from my childhood, even teenage years. Meeting new, wonderful, inspirational people. I grew, SO much while I was home….

So, here I am thinking about how I missed my best friend since KINDERGARTEN have her baby. I’m now missing her raise her precious little girl…. Who is now almost a year old. I missed my first and potentially only niece be born — now I’m missing every single one of her firsts. Then of course, I missed my “newphew” Kelvin be born. Kanisha has been the best friend I could ask for. One of the very few people on this earth I would honestly take a bullet for — and I missed her baby boy be born in April and I’m missing all of his firsts as well… I even missed my mom run her first race. It was a 2 mile run/walk for the “Jamestown Olympics”. She completed it in 23 minutes!! SO AWESOME. She signed up for it 2 weeks before the event, and had never really ran (distance wise) in her life!!! & the most painful of all, I missed the last several weeks/months of my brothers life… & NOW I DONT EVEN HAVE ANY PLACE TO VISIT HIM. (Although I cried & begged — there was no headstone purchased for him)

I’m missing such crucial events in the lives of the people I love most. I wish I could be there to see these people going through such life changing experiences….

However, with all that being said, I’m incredibly happy here. Maryland is beautiful. It’s so green. My job is, long, sometimes stressful, and consumes my life. But it is such a rewarding experience. I am learning so much about restaurants, food, the things we all put into our bodies day in and day out without thinking twice about.. It’s an incredible experience for my career goals. On top of that I have my incredible and supportive fiance by my side here, and our friends in MD will never be family the way so many other friends in my life are, but they are still hilarious, kind hearted, beautiful souls that I am truly blessed to know.

But it’s days like this that growing up is just so bitter-sweet. We all have family and friends who aren’t near us anymore, but some days it’s just too unfair.

Project Wedding: The Growth of Family

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Since day one, the union and growth of our family (and “family”) has been what we want our entire wedding day to be about. Love. Growth. Family. Eternity.

I tend to view it as Zack taking on my family. Especially recently with our trip to Texas where he was treated like one of our own & our discussions of life after wedding day. – but I forget just how wonderful of a family I’m growing.

The Fowlers

my future father in law and brother in law. Jackson boy turned ELEVEN today. old man ;) punk got a cellphone. I DIDNT GET A CELLPHONE UNTIL I WAS 16!!

I am so lucky.
There is not one family member of Zack’s who isn’t hilarious, fun, down to earth, & welcoming (with open arms. Literally) && that’s saying a lot since he’s 1 of 13 grandkids on one families side alone… I always hear of people dreading visits from the in laws. You see it in all the movies… I am so relieved to be growing a family I truly adore, respect, and trust.

They have done nothing but love me like I was already part of the family since day one! They’ll tell you this is because they knew I was supposed to be part of the family. But I think it’s just because they’re awesome, kind people. Who know how to have one heck of a good time. My family. His family (our family) at a BBQ… Can’t wait to see it!!!

I honestly wish I could pick up our families & move them with us!!!! Warm, summer nights not going out to cook in my grandma’s deck, zack’s step moms back yard. His grandpa Art’s for fireworks…

As the years pass Summer’s elsewhere are harder & harder. Sure I have plenty of adventures to go on. Camping. Running. Hiking… But there is nothing like the smell of charcoal, taste of beer & laughs with family.

It was just a beautiful feeling when Zack & I were talking about logistics of some things with all of our family & I thought “our kids are going to have the hugest, happy family”

:)

How do you really feel about your in laws?! Do tell ;)