No Wasted Words

I finished that St. Jude's Marathon in Memphis.

That girlfriend named Katie Pauley became my fiancé and moved to Birmingham.  Eight months later, she cancelled the wedding.

I moved to Las Vegas to work at a construction site as an engineer in the field.

I am thoroughly enjoying life in Vegas, but I'm missing my best friends.

Lightning Update:

1. Finished the Citizen-Times Half Marathon in Asheville, NC. My time was 2:40. It was frigid and extremely hilly.

2. I finally decided to ditch my Vibram Five Fingers due to the massive amounts of blisters from very nasty seems inside at the worst of locations.

3. My training has been back an forth. Yesterday after 3 runs in normal Aisics, my legs almost exploded with pain and I was forced to stop at 1.6 of a 7 mile run. I have determined that it is severe shin splints.

4. Finally got my new shoes in: New Balance "Minimus.". They are the bee's knees!

5. I have a girlfriend. Her name is Katie Pauley.

Ok, you're pretty much caught up.

Sick.

I haven't posted in a while because I haven't had much good news. I was sick for a few days and had to take two runs completely off. That makes me nervous, but I think if I bounce back, I'll still be ready for Asheville next weekend. I would've posted a picture of my feet again, but it's gone past the point of grody and on to disturbing.

James Corbin, one of my best friends from college part two is joining me in Asheville for the half marathon! This is great, but he might piss me off by running circles around me the entire time.

This is What Pain Looks Like.

If there's a silver lining to that painful 9-miler it's this: my blisters (a cluster of new and old on each big toe) held me back more than my legs, lungs, or heart did. I certainly wasn't going fast, but I was able to maintain a healthy pace and could've definitely picked it up if it weren't for the pain on my power toes. I will have tomorrow's cross-training and Sunday's rest to try and heal them up before another week. If anyone has any blister healing tips, PLEASE let me know!

Houston, we have a problem.

A mile into my 4-miler today I had to crash into a yard with my leg up in pain. Ugh. It was strange, like my bone was hurting. Long story short, I rubbed and stretched until I could stand on it and discovered that if I ran on the balls of my feet, the pain was manageable. For the last 3 miles my heals almost never even touched the road. It was hard on my calves, but legs felt better and better. I'm praying that the Lord holds my legs together again tomorrow and that they are ready for this Friday's 9er.

Second Long Run

Well, logged another one of my Friday long runs. This time it was 7 miles. I ran it at the same pace that I ran last week's 6, about 11:30/mi. I'm not gonna complain about my pace since, I did it in an Alabama summer afternoon, but I do want to see that number go down a good bit. I find that I start out at exactly a 10:00/mi. pace and just can't keep it going. Which, everything I read says that that indicates I really need to slow down at the start. The problem I have is that a 10 minute mile seems so slow to me already?! However, I'd rather see myself start out at an 11:30/mi and speed up throughout my run to finish with a 10 minute mile. At least, that's what the running experts say to do. It's easy for me to think.. I'm gonna go out there and see how fast I can do 3 miles (which is my plan for today), but it's a whole different story when I'm a 1/2 mile in and already feelin' rough. I think it's most discouraging when I feel like I'm killin' it and I hear my pace update in my ear somewhere around 11:00/mi.

I recently asked some ex-runner guys at work for some tips. These are the recommendations I got: 1. It's in your genes, there's not much to do about being slow (great..). 2. Get more sleep (hmm... that could be an issue). 3. Being limber is everything. 4. If you really wanna be competitive, getchoo' some Adderall(really?).

I have made a point to try to pound a protein shake or something after my runs in an attempt to quicken my recovery. I may already be feeling the affects of that.

This week's long run is only 5 miles(it's a rebuilding year), but next week I will break my record and do 9!

Today: 3 miles

Night Rider

Another late night run through the hood due to how awesome Wednesdays are. Work, Superior Grill's free buffet/happy hour, then to Church of the Highlands.

The dark runs mean better weather. It felt good. I took it easy and maintained about 10:30/mi. I feel like my body needs restoration as much as exercise lately, so I've decided to do some push hard runs and some easy runs. I'm already a little nervous about Friday's 7-miler...

First Long Run

This past Friday was the first long run on the plan. 6 miles. I did it at Veterans Park by Spain Park. It was the hardest run I've done to date. After a short water break at 2.81 miles, I had to decide in my mind that I would not stop again. It was extremely hard. When I saw I was about to click over to 5 miles on my nikeplus monitor, I decided that I needed to get pumped somehow. So, the next runner that I passed on the trail (45 year old woman) I turned to and screamed at her, "WE CAN DO THIS!!!" I thought it would be hilarious and that we would both laugh and be encouraged. Well, at least I laughed and was encouraged ... Then my dang phone died at 5.9 miles. Think I'm gonna put it in a little baggy, then put it in the armband next time. I "crosstrained" the next day at SnapFitness doing some weights/bike/elyptical.

Ready and Willing.

I'm gonna try to be positive here. Lord willing, I will run today and break at least one personal record. That record is runs per week. I have done 3 runs on several weeks lately, but today's will make 4. Also, for the first time, I won't be running alone. My sister, Laura, is planning on joining me at Veterans Park at 5:15. Then, I will be a volunteer at "Motion," a student conference going on at Church of the Highlands. I'm considering wearing some actual shoes on my run today to avoid some of the pain from my PW. The first available appointment I could get to have it removed is on Aug. 11. So until then, and at least a few days after, it will be a struggle. If you think of it, cheer me on via FB "like" on my wall, or just literally come to Veteran's Park with pom poms? It's time to kick some ass today, but I will require some divine intervention.

Day 3

In the past month and a half I've done more running than ever in my life. On average, I've done 2 or 3 runs a week including my all time record of over 8 miles. Can someone tell me why the day I start my "official" 19-week program, meant to prepare me for a marathon... my body decided all it wanted to start was a grand suck-fest? I got through my measly 3 miles on the schedule today, but it was even slower. Granted, I skipped lunch and that screwed with me, I think my foot is bleeding, and I did pound a stout marg before Church of the Highlands...

Anyways, things are sure to get better and tomorrow's rest day should help restore my broken shell of a body.

Ugh. (Day 2)

Again, today's run pretty much sucked. I could only squeeze just under a 10:30/mi. average out of my 3 miles. I'm not sure why I have slowed back down lately. It sure seems like I'm still pushing for speed, but it is not coming.
One issue I'm having is this painful plantar wart pictured above. It's like there's a sharp rock in my shoe. I can get to running on it through the pain, but if I were to slow to a walk, it becomes a hobbly limp with unbearable pain. I'm trying to schedule a removal with a doctor soon. Even though, the pic really makes it look like it's shrinking... And I certainly can't blame it on my speed. I'm not sure what's wrong, but I will get faster.

Today: 3 miles (done)
Tomorrow: 3 miles
Friday: 6 miles

Day One.

Where do I begin? Many days in deep and strange thought has brought me to this day where I begin a 19-week journey towards running the St. Jude Marathon in Memphis, TN. I'm not a runner. I'm not even an athlete, really. I like to think I am, because I love being an active person, and really really wanna be. However, I'm out of shape and let's be honest, a little thicker than I'd like to be...

Hopefully, that's all about to change. This is going to be hard. After all, of all athletic activities in the world, I HATE running.

Am I going to do this everyday? No. I can't even remember to poop every day. But, I'm going to attempt to chronicle this journey here on my blog.

Today: 3 miles

Shacker

Alright, first a quick update... I sold my car to this guy:

A high school graduating senior in Columbus, GA. It was very sad to see it go, but it was a blessing that the Lord provided a buyer and I am able to progress forward financially. 18 hours of pound me in the ass Engineering courses have taken a toll on me this semester. I'm gonna go ahead and use that as one of the excuses for me never blogging... Shut up Dan and Chandler (even though, I love you). But my heart tells me that all this work will pay off at some point.

*Got a couple things I need you (people who care about and love me) to be in prayer with me about:

1. One of my greatest friend's mother has just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Praise God that they seem to have found it pretty early, but cancer is a bitch anyway you look at it. I trust God will bring them through this and, like in everything He does, use it for good. They are the Keyes family, my friend being John(Fleas).

2. My sister Laura and I feel the trip to Africa approaching rapidly and our hearts and our bank accounts are not any more ready than months ago. Pray that "Jehovah Jireh" (The Lord, our Provider) lives up to His name in this situation as well. The biggest concern is that we are made totally ready for this journey in a way that makes the ten days we will have in Kenya meaningful to us and the church in Kenya that we intend to encourage and empower. We will need God every moment while in Kenya, so pray for both Laura's and my relationship with God in general.

OK, and now for a quick tidbit of a blog:
I just finished The Shack. Read it. I don't pretend to be an expert, but I'm into theology and for years I pursued knowledge on the subject of Christian Theology. Having said that, this book through its little story, makes theology and truth about God, that it took me years to learn and understand, clear and easily attainable. While it may seem like just a cute tale at times, it was very intelligently written and has eternal substance. Understand the God of this book, and you and I will be headed quickly and correctly in the path to understanding our God and savior of this world.

Rough Week

Just a quick update: My G-ma on my mother's side, passed away on Friday. Therefore, I am in Birmingham currently to deal with all the funeral/visitation stuff. Pray for my mombo, I know this is really tough on her. But here's the deal, there is no sadness in my eyes! My G-ma lived it up! She got married at 20 to the most amazing man who spoiled her for 53 years while traveling the world and loving the Lord and her life. She's been the most healthy and active family member for years and years until recently where she has declined pretty rapidly I guess. Although, she was eating Ice-cream and laughing with friends just before she kicked the bucket... Just how I wanna go!
In other news, on my way back from a fun downtown photo shoot with my sister tonight, I had another blowout! Just when I thought I had a little financial break lately, it's to the tire store with my ass in the morning to replace yet another one of my brand new tires! Kells, out.

Occasionally, You Must Startover

That's my trusty friend giving me a little trim just outside my apartment last night.  This is exactly how it went down every couple of weeks in Kenya.  It feels so good to be back to the simple and rewarding life of having a shaved head.  Thanks chandler, I love you.

Fill It Up Again!

I'm going back.

That's right.  I can't take it anymore.  I think about my friends in Kenya every day and I'm constantly brainstorming about ways to get myself on a plane back over the sea.  There's no better time than the present, unless of course you're in class everyday, and then there's no better time than that small gap between Spring classes and Summer classes!  

Sure, I don't have the money to do this, but the Lord is soooo good.  I've got full faith that something will happen.  I decided that I can't really lobby friends and family for cash, because it's not really an all out "mission trip."  It's more selfish than that.  I seriously believe that all trips are mission trips in a sense and my intentions are to glorify the big guy at all times, but that kind of money probably needs to go to younger kids that have never had the opportunities that I have.

Anywho, this time it's going to be my sister Laura  and I.  There's a children's home we already have plans to go to with my good friends, Lawrence and Cornelias.  They, along with other African friends have promised to find some amaxing things like that to fill our time.  Most likely it will be split 50/50 between Kibera Slum and Eburu(village in the bush).  On the serious side, this is a location that was wrought with blood and havoc about a year ago over a rigged election, so I will be asking for a lot of prayers for blessing and safety.  I love you guys.

Update

I've noticed that many of my friends often write "update blogs" when they don't have anything better to write. Granted, they probably don't write theirs at 2:41 in the morning, but I thought I'd give it a go.
I guess if this was an update blog about my life it would include these recent events:

1. I've recently decided that my dream of designing and building a supersonic rocket is plausible and I will commence as soon as I can afford it(which is not too far away I hope). I'm actually pretty serious about it. I've spent most of my night using aerodynamic drag equations for a rocket about Dan Cater in height and seven inches in width(I figured that would be most probably in dice, so?...) along with the barometric formula to compensate for the likely conditions on a possible local launch date. When speeds near supersonic, the shit really starts to hit the fan by the way...(aerodynamically speaking of course)

2. I'm looking for a reasonable car for my sister lately. She's gotten in over her head with a lease deal on a Beamer. Any suggestions, throw them my way.

3. I recently had a dream in which a floating outdoor propane heater told all my friends about Daniel and I robbing Auburn Bank the week prior(which you may know as Bodega in the modern era). It was one like you see on decks of restaurants keeping the patrons warm and comfortable with the black china hat looking top. My friends and I were chillin in an above ground swimming pool when it approached and started to use projected images to give more and more clues until ultimately all of my friends would find out that Daniel and I indeed did rob the lady at Auburn Bank at gunpoint(which I had forgotten we had done in a previous dream).

4. I'm totally and completely out of money for the year. Credit card debt here we come! I wonder if it will be as fun as college loan debt, auto loan debt, or even an ongoing, unnecessary diamond debt?! oooo boy!

Middle Ground

We often find ourselves at a critical point in which things in life could go extremely well for us or fail miserably. Most of the time, its simply a reflection of how we overly dramatize things that are happening in our own lives.
Today I find myself at one of these critical junctures. I've been on course to make straight A's this semester, my second in Mechanical Engineering. My test average in Chemistry: 100, I'm really figuring things out in Calculus II and made a 95 on the last test, and things seem to just be getting easier in there. But of all things for Lee Kelley to be struggling in... Physics. Its difficult for me to even admit, because I LOVE Physics. This is not news to anyone. I got the highest grade in my 300ish person class on Test I and I was just rollin proud with my 105... The teacher assured me as long as I got a 90% average on all his tests, it would be A time for me. I understand the concepts to the point where I'm usually even helping others. No lie, I love it.
But all at once, it has hit me. Last test I was forced to turn in my test half blank from making damn sure what I had done was correct. It was a fluke of course, I'll just remember the clock and make sure to make quick order of this test... But friend's it has happened again. I'll spare you my angry ramblings about what was on Simon's test today, but basically, there was a lot of blank space when he gave the last call...
So here I am having 100% forsaking the other points accounting for over 50% of our grade in the class the entire semester knowing that my "for sure" test grades would provide the A and I'm now looking down the barrel of a very possible FAILURE!
On one side we have a very likely and much needed scholarship scenario with close to a 4.0 going into all my Mech. classes next semester, or the dropping of my entire schedule to fulfill the required pre-req of PHYSICS, thus leaving me behind a full semester's tuition and time! Flying colors-success or mega-failure, there never seems to be any middle ground with me.

Today, We Make History.

"Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation - not because of the height of our skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy. Our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago."
- Barack Hussein Obama


I'm gonna need all my neighbors here in the heart of the bloodiest red bubble imaginable to put on your "big picture" glasses for a moment and really allow yourself to take in what's happening today. Your candidate for president will lose, but things are gonna be OK. I think we'd all be a little better off if we could see from outside the haze of false fear many politicians have created here. After all, for some reason, 80% of the rest of the world has voiced support of Barack Obama over John McCain?

Two years ago, a random black guy stood on the steps of his capital building with a small crowd of his townspeople in the frigid cold of Springfield, IL and announced that he was going to run for President. Tonight, that son of a biracial, poor, immigrant couple will become the most powerful man in the world.

While his come from behind story is inspiring, if you think that today is about him, you've failed to realize the scope of what's happening. While he may have become the poster boy for this "Change" he is only one man amongst a global movement that, God-willing, will move this country forward to becoming an even brighter beacon of Hope and opportunity. I have only really paid attention to a few presidential elections in my life and even I can see the dramatic changes that have already taken place. Mark my word, things will never be the same in US politics. We're seeing that finally a large portion of the population refuses to listen to empty attacks on a man's character. In fact, we've seen them actually hurt the candidate that promotes them for once. Politicians can no longer assume the ignorance of the voters and actually have to prove their cases with more than just buzz words and sleezy insinuations about their opponent. I know that a lot of you will say that, "every one always says that every election is the most important in history, blah blah blah..." But, this one very well may be. Our country is no longer the lone superpower in any sense of the words, and we have come to a point where we need to make some strategic changes. It is imperative that we be extremely intelligent about what we do from here.
I have HOPE.


Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.
- Martin Luther King Jr.

Hide and Seek

Freshman and Sophomore year of my first college experience meant many great things. One of the things that it meant at times was hide and seek at the Oasis(my condo). We wouldn't just turn off the lights, I bought thick black plastic that we would cover the windows with. We even used duct tape to seal it around the edges. We would require that it was PITCH black darkness. I even taped over the little red light on the smoke detector and turned off all digital displays of any kind. You couldn't see your hands in front of your face. Which, by the way is a really trippy thing that you don't actually experience as often as you think...
Anyways, the point of my story is this, it would be really hard to find someone even if they were sitting right in front of you(kinda freaky). But, every time someone hid, you always found them in five minutes or so. There's only so many places to hide in a small college condo. Until one amazing night... I hid and no one ever found me! Eventually I had to climb down from the cramped area between the ceiling and the fridge. Below is a picture of what I looked like hiding on top the fridge.














(It was dark)