Why I Run & What Keeps Me Going

I used to be on the cross country team in high school. I used to run when I was in high school, if I where on the cross country or track team I would run. I would run every now and then during the off season. Just going on a run or jog in the off season, just helped cleared my mind. Get the stress from school, and other things in life off my chest for a bit. Put me in a better and happier mood. Made me feel good about myself.

I ended up stopping running when I got into college. In college it was a new ball game for me trying to figure out what I wanted to do career wise. Which lead me to doing two internships at Walt Disney World, you know the story, then I came back from Disney with the thought in my mind, that I will be a journalist.

I did manage to squeeze in a gap year after my 2012 Disney College Program, within that gap year I took some time to look within myself. Look into myself to figure out what I wanted to study, and where I want to go from there. I managed to pick up running a bit again. It felt great to get rid of some of that pent up angst that was bogging me down at the time. Get that negativity out of my head, while I was taking on the hills in my town that gave me trouble when I was in cross country. Felt great to kick those hills butts when I did. Felt like I was on top of the world, for a little bit. But it was great to feel that feeling of accomplishment after a run again.

 

Went back to school for journalism. Took a break from running again, obviously was more focused on earning the degree. With that focus lead to stress, then led me to picking up running again during Summer 2016, that worked out nicely; until I ended up injuring my knee badly, where I was out for the summer. I was bummed out. Then Summer 2016 turned into the summer of rehabbing my knee.

Fast forward to the Summer of 2017 pick up running again. There was just a lot I needed to burn off in general. Had to take on running again, because the wheels in my head where giving me negative vibes and making me generally unhappy. I wanted to be happy and peppy Bailey, that everyone knows and love. Also, the fact I could not change the world with one wave of a wand, I can only change myself, and then hopefully the rest of the world will follow suit. I got some runs in here and there, and I started walking to work (saving money, plus it was to beautiful out not too). Moving more, the better I felt about myself and the world around me. When life throws you lemons, and other stuff your way; you make lemonade, and do worthwhile things with the other things thrown at you.

This summer right off the bat when I had a free day after finishing up earning my degree, and getting a day off from the bar I work at — I went on my first run of the summer. I loved it, and crushed it. Never felt that amazing about a run in awhile. I managed to sneak in more runs too. I have been running more often than I used to. I am proud of it, one goal I set and I am already reaching it. I am slowly setting random short-term goals for running. Something that I personally feel proud of. I am debating on actually adding in long-term goals for running at the moment, it's a more wait and see.

There are many reasons why people run or workout — to get that summer body, to feel good about themselves, to become healthier, and other many reasons. I am one of those who run because I want to feel healthier, distress, feel good about myself (mentally, and I want to live a long life), and gain some strength. Another main reason, is to enjoy the fresh air and get outside when I feel like I have been cramped up in a building all day long due to work. If I am not running, I am either hiking, or eating healthier. Mainly getting a balanced life style going.

Getting up every morning or every other morning and thinking "I am going a run today before breakfast" is never an easy thing. Due to weather (big part of it): if it is raining and lightening that day, I am not running in that, nor a blizzard, or the freezing cold (zero degrees is my cut off point), or if it's too hot out (get around 95 degrees, that's killer). It's really frustrating when you are in a mood for a run, and the weather has other plans. That happened earlier this week on Tuesday, and I felt like a bee that is held captive in a cup — bouncing off the walls of the cup before you let me out; in other words cabin fever.

Sometimes the whole getting up and going on a run thing is not just a weather thing, it's the mental part of it. Mind over matter. You are your own hero or your own villain. It's understandable if you have a bad cold or the flu, then obviously don't run. Take care of yourself to feel better. But it's not always a cold or the flu, it's your own thoughts. Mentally your head got the better of you, and you want to be lazy. That happened to me yesterday, thankfully to Superman himself, Henry Cavill's Instagram post to tell people to get out of their heads, and move. Does not matter if is a run, jog, or a walk just MOVE! That post got me going.

The three ladies who keep me going. If you want to follow them on

Instagrams (their fitness ones), just click their names. 

Right to left = Camille, Emily, and Isabelle.

Cavill is not the only one who gets me going when it comes to Instagram. I have other people who motivate me to get up out of bed, and sneak a pre-breakfast workout in — anyone from family members, friends, and others who motivate and inspire me. My cousin Emily, I see posts about her workouts, and what she eats as well; along with my other friend Camille who does the same thing.

 It was an interesting experience watching Camille post about her experience training for her first marathon (and completing her first marathon)! Also, my cousins Emily and Charlie, and my friend Camille are doing this plank challenge. It originally started with just between Camille and Charlie; but they opened up the doors for others to try. It's where you see how long you can push yourself to do a plank (up to how many minutes for one plank that one wants to do). Emily joined in, and I am now starting. I am working my way to do a plank for a minute, I am up to only thirty seconds. Another goal setting challenge I want to accomplish. It's the cross country runner in me to push myself to new goals and better goals in the future.

Screenshot of Camille doing the plank challenge, link to video is here.

I am also following others who like to run and workout also on Instagram. I don't know them personally, but they motivate me, and somewhat coach me in their own little ways. One major one I can think of right now would be BBC Radio 1's DJ Adele Roberts, she posts about training for running marathons (also sometimes another BBC Radio 1 DJ is mentioned too: Scott Mills) — both of them usually training for the annual London Marathon.

But this was not the only thing that caught my eye this year, another BBC Radio 1 DJ did something incredible too; Greg James did the Gregathlon: Pedal to the Peaks. Where James raised money for mental illness awareness in the United Kingdom back in February and March of this year. It was just fascinating to see James push himself to do the challenge in the conditions he did them in. When he had to call off the challenge in the middle of it due to blizzard and winter storm issues. He managed to jump back on the bike, and grab his climbing gear and finish the challenge a few weeks later; also, the stories from BBC Radio 1 listeners motivated him to keep on going on with the challenge. It was inspiring as James raised money for mental illness and help get the conversation going about it in the United Kingdom. 

BBC Radio 1's Greg James on his Pedal to the Peaks Challenge

Not all the people who motivate and inspire me on Instagram just run or workout, they also cook healthy meals. Isabelle Cornish (an actress from Australia, you may have seen her in Marvel's Inhumans) does make her food from natural ingredients, also runs, does yoga, and many other things. She gives followers a little insight to her positive mind and what makes her happy — with also allowing her followers to do the same. Cornish shares why it's good to get out of your head, and to see the world as a happier place; spreading the word of the world needs to be a more peaceful place.

Cornish is not the only one who I follow who also makes their own healthy food. My cousin Emily and my friend Camille both make their own healthy meals too. I pick out every now and then which recipes I want to tryout one day. Cornish managed to make these zucchini burgers/patties that look like an interesting invention that I would like to try one day (I truly think they look yummy!). I remember coming across somethings that Camille has made that I would like to try to cook one day. I remember something that has to do with sweet potato noodles, for some kind of spaghetti dish. In the morning coming across Emily's breakfast is always a joy, because it's my dream breakfast to have on a lazy day. Also, Emily is pretty good at making her own homemade pizzas! Food wise, there is always something to look forward to when following these three ladies on Instagram.

 Top left corner is the zucchini burgers/patties I mentioned above. 

Also, featured is other meals made by the three ladies mentioned

as well.

It's not only just food, working out, that are motivation on various Instagrams, it's the various quotes that we used to motivate each other. Posting images with motivational and inspiring quotes on them to get ourselves and our followers out and going. This is not just the few people I mention on here, it's everyone I follow. Everyone wants to build up and encourage each other on Instagram. I have never experience anything negative on Instagram. I guess I am lucky with who I pick to follow. So, in my advice follow those who encourage themselves and others while doing so. Who needs negativity in your life when you live in a world that is mostly positive and encouraging. Changing the world one encouraging and inspiring quote at a time. 

I am always looking for new ways to get moving and to stay healthy. We only have one life and one body that we live in. Why not take care of it. That's how I look at life. We should take care for ourselves by eating healthy, also moving around where we feel happier and healthier. There are days where I do not feel motivated to do go on a run or a hike, I have a feeling you feel the same. There are days that you just feel down and your mind has mentally gotten the better of you. But hopefully the negativity can be changed into positivity. That is where your support group will come into play and motivate you to get up and going. It could be a text, a comment that was made in passing, a tweet, or a post on Instagram that can get you up and going; I know that is what gets me up and going.

I feel like Greg James summed it up perfectly when he got going on his second leg of the Gregathlon with this quote: 

“It was the perfect metaphor for the whole week because we were going: ‘Don’t ever feel frightened to say that you’re feeling like shit because there will be somebody you know that has gone through it.’” ~ Greg James, BBC Radio 1 DJ

If anything, there is someone always there to reach out to motivate, inspire, and also help you. You are not alone in this adventure called life. If you feel like you are struggling with needing help to be motivated or inspired please reach out to someone close to you, or me. I am glad to help. Going on a run is like a cheep way of therapy for me, when other things like writing it out, or talking it out does not work out. It helps me clear my head, and become renewed and positive again. No one is struggling alone. We all need to reach out and help each other, and hopefully get a conversation about mental health started as well: internationally, not just nationally.

Get Inspired Series: Women Who Inspire Me

"Here's to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them." I can easily relate to this quote because I was raised by a strong woman, and I was raised with stories about strong female characters who stand their own ground.  I get inspired by the smallest things, it could be a motivational or inspirational quote, or just what was said as a line in a television show.

With International Women's Day being celebrated in March I thought it would be fitting to do a little ode to the women who have inspired me over the past few years. Anything from women who I known from Disney to any actress you can find on the screen. I have fallen love with their characters as well, but the real women behind them are women who stay true to themselves. I am still inspired by the women who are in my family, and my friends. If I made a list off all the women who inspire me throughout my life, I would be constantly writing, and no one would see the finished product. I hold all of you lovely women in my heart, dearly.

But what makes all these women interesting to me is the stories they tell, or the way they motivate other women. It can be anything from a small Instagram post with a quote in it, or the fact that they take to Instagram to share how to have a healthier lifestyle (working out and eating right). But, may just having a physically healthy lifestyle as well, but how to keep your mental well being healthy as well.

Some of these women are older, around my age, or younger than I am. There are no rules about age limit to someone to look up to. Everyone has a right to pick their own role models. Role models who help you through a rough time in your life, or give you inspiration when your feeling down about yourself. Possibly people who share your values, and also gives you motivation for when you are headed into doing something hard, like an exam, or another next step in your life. They are there for you to push you on and to help to keep you going. Your role models are there to keep you going through your good, bad, and your ugly. They are one of the many guides that help you towards the light at the end of the tunnel you are in.

  List of the Women who Inspire Me: & Why the inspire me 

Sophie Turner: Have a free spirit, be who you are no matter what others think. From what I gather reading her interviews, or coming across her on social media: is be yourself. You have a brightness to the world that only you can bring. Don't be afraid to show the world who you are. Only you have your sense of humor, and your personality. What I learned from Sophie is be okay with who you are, and no one will judge you for it. They will like you more for you being you. Take the piss out of yourself too.

Also to stand up for what you believe in, also to be brave. I may have also gotten that from her character on "Game of Thrones", Sansa Stark, but I think Sophie is a brave young woman too. Maybe it's just not Sansa, it's Sophie. As well: a thing I learned from Sophie is work hard, go with the things that scare you, and try new things. But one lesson I did learn from her, would be do not lose sight of who you are. Embrace yourself.

Rose Lelise: One thing I learned from this actress would be, get engrossed into stories. Never be ashamed for liking a good story. That story is a good adventure to travel down, it is also okay to geek out over the story as well. I feel like I personally lot sight of that. I used love reading and being engrossed into Harry Potter books. Always an adventure with Harry, Harmonie, and Ron. It just doesn't have to be Harry Potter it can be with Game of Thrones or other series. Take adventure with those characters as well. Also, get re-in-touch with series you enjoyed as a child, even though it was a cartoon then, now it's blockbuster movie series! Once I get a chance to, I think you may find me on my couch diving into that movie series.

I believe we may have the same motto when it comes to stories: make sure there are strong characters, with a strong plot-line. I am learning things from the characters she has played during her career. From what I've seen of the two characters she played so far, they're both strong women. Each of these characters fight for what they believe in, and stand their ground, firmly. It is something I am learning on the go, it's something I think we all need to be during our lives.

Claire (aclaireytale): Claire, oh where to begin? Just want to first say thank you for being a light during a dark tunnel in my life after my second program in 2012. Just motivating me to get off my 'felling sorry for myself horse' and to get a job. Not sure how you did it with your blog about your first program experience. Even though we did not know each other well at the time, you helped me out a lot. I don't think I can ever be thankful enough for you.

You surprised me with your news that you where going back to do another year stint at Walt Disney World in 2017-2018. It was such awesome news that you where headed back to work in your one of your favorite places in the world again. It was nice for me to see that you where vlogging your way through your program. It was nice to see that you where back working at Epcot again, and lived in my old apartment complex (there is nothing like Vista Way). You made me miss Disney World with your vlogging, but it is interesting to see how much has changed through your videos. With these videos you are motivating me to save up for my first individual Disney vacation so I can go out and check things out as a guest (in a first time in awhile) to see what is like after working as a Disney Cast Member.

I enjoy watching your vlog every week. I do not know what to expect! Always something fun around the corner. Even though you have finished your second program, you still have more memories to share with us on Youtube. But since you have gotten home, you have done leaps and strides for yourself. Within around being home for two to three months, you have landed your dream full-time job, and you and Simon have landed your dream house. Quite the accomplishments! I am so proud of you, and how you stay so positive, and you have that go getter attitude! You inspire me to do the same. Not have the negative thoughts in life, and being down on yourself. You are always encouraging your audiences to have a positive attitude because life is short, and look on the bight side of life and keep on going, and encouraging each other. You are one of the most inspiring people I have known from Disney, and I love you dearly for that! Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH for what you have done for me, words cannot even describe (more than you ever know)!

Oona Chaplin: She has taught me to dance around while hoovering (I mean vacuuming for American audiences). Not personally, she is an actress who played a small part on Game of Thrones, if anyone remembers her... (If you are big on Game of Thrones, you will remember her). Oona is a free spirited woman, who works hard, and who always have that drive to be working on something. If she is not working she is spending her free time with friends, and dancing around to music on her days off.

Oona is like me, she caught the travel bug. I always enjoy reading her interviews or listening to her in interviews talking about places she wants to go, or have been. She's very cultured, and it's interesting to hear her stories. One thing I am taking away from her, is do not be afraid to take on the world and travel to new places, and learn about the culture there. Dive into the culture. 

Emilia Clarke: "Be the dragon", work hard, but remember to have fun. Don't take life to seriously. In interviews she seems always to be a light of sunshine. She is an amazing comedian in her own right. Not sure how, but if I am having a bad day and I do come across a video on YouTube of Emilia being funny and silly it brightens up my day! She plays serious roles in movies and Game of Thrones, but after that's done she is back to being her bubbly self.

Another thing Emilia has taught me is always be reading a book of some kind. She grew up in a family of big readers, and it made her into a great storyteller that she is. Just like her friend Rose Leslie (who is also on the list) be engrossed in the stories you are reading or watching. Also, you can learn things about your friends and family about the books they read. Here is that great quote by Emilia, herself:

"My father always says, ‘Never trust anyone who has a TV bigger than their bookshelf.’ So I make sure I read. Back at home, I just put up a massive bookcase and asked everyone I know and love to help me fill it with their favorite books. It’s been quite nice because I’ve learned a lot about my friends and family from what they’ve been giving me. A book says a lot about a person."

From a recent interview I have read that profiled Emilia for her upcoming Star Wars film (the new Hon Solo one) it showed her intellectual side. She always enjoys learning, and discussing big issues with people. She was brought up that way in her family. Emilia teaches me that you are always learning, growing, and do not shy away from your intellectual and nerdy side. Open up and be welcome to learning. There is always something out there in the world to learn about.  

Darci (Freedom of Excess): The girl who introduced me to the world of Sports Journalism! She is a big Olympic lover like I am, so that made bonding with Darci easy, we bonded over our love for United States and Soviet Russia 1980 hockey (Miracle on Ice, and Olympic hockey), hockey in general, and obviously Olympics sports (all kinds of them). We also help each other through rough patches we both ran into in life.

Darci got me into starting this blog! I've been reading her's for ages. It's full of different things, adventures (traveling, and just normal adventures) she has been on. A cute, adorable, and funny story about that time she and her parents rafted the Colorado River, ending in the ER (everyone was alright, just scratches and bruises). She also started a series (was it a series? I don't remember)— either way it was something that really stuck with me. It was something along the lines of Darci introducing the world to what she was really proud of herself that week, and what made her stronger as a person. It was interesting watching her grow throughout the time period she did that. Also, I enjoyed reading her Women Crush(ing It) Wednesdays series. Darci, can those make a comeback?! I enjoyed reading about the women who you admire and inspire you.

Darci, there is something special about you. You know how to tell stories very well. It is always a delight to read your blog posts about your adventures you have been on. About the Paralympics you have worked when you where working with Team USA (Rio and PyeongChang), the late hours you had during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. Your time being a volunteering for the 2012 London Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony. Even though you don't work for Team USA anymore, good luck on your job hunt, and your next adventure in the sports world. I am also looking for something too, so it's so wired to be on the same square ground as you. One of us was in school, while the other was working somewhere. Now, we are both on the job hunt!

Isabelle Cornish: She is an Australian actress, she was in ABC's Marvel's "Inhumans", not that well known around these parts. I came across her Instagram one day, and that opened a new light to me. She is an runner (just like me), she loves healthy eating, and mindfulness. Not only is Isabelle a actress, runner, she is also a blogger too. She blogs about various things.

Isabelle is one of the many people I follow on Instagram who posts about their workouts, what they are eating healthy, and what they are doing to stay healthy (my cousin, and my other cousin's girlfriend are doing the same). While she is posting that stuff, she is encouraging others, to get going on their healthy lifestyle, and also to feel free. She goes through good and bad days like we do. Some of Isabelle's Instagram posts helped me through some of my crappy days, and other times some posts just spoke to me.

Emmi Kainulainen: To bring out my inner creativity, and work hard. To also be creative throughout art. I have not started up painting like I said I would. But seeing Emmi's artwork on display on her Instagram account, is just beautiful. I would consider her an abstract artist. I am at the moment not putting her into a movement, because I am not sure what the current art movements are... but I will describe her art as pink, bright, and airy. Emmi is one of those artists who will use color with her mood. She does not just paint, she also designs her own cloths, and does some interior designing too.

I follow Emmi's individual Instagram, as long as her one she made for her artwork only, and her one for her new businesses: FEDITED. She is also the founder of CHAÎNE which is a clothing line she opened up. It's inspiring to see her own her own business, and then open up a new one with one of her friends. Just seeing posts about working hard, and paving your own way that she posts is inspiring in it's own right. I have a lot of respect for her not only own a business, but running two at the same time. It motivates me to work hard, no matter what, work hard. Also, if you love doing what you do, you do not feel like you work at all. I am in awe of Emmi's lets go out and get it attitude. Women who run their own business or help own a business inspire me, Emmi and my mom are the two women who I admire the most who are in this category.

These are some of the many women who inspire me. Like I mentioned before if I could do a blog post dealing with everyone of you, it would never be done. I would be constantly writing it. I have so many strong, wonderful, beautiful, brave, and smart women in my life, I love you all dearly. I truly do not know what the world would be like without you all. We all have beautiful stories to share, tell the world who we are, we are not done yet, our adventures are just beginning.

** Pictures taken from fansites or Instagram accounts **