Run Baby Run, Don't Ever Look Back

Hello Munchkins -

As always, I am incredibly delayed trying to post something. I don't know about you guys, but school is really wearing me thin...and not in the skinny kind of way. I know, I know...I should be thankful to be able to study and hopefully make something of myself, but I. Am. TIRED! Anywho, I want to tell you all about a little piece of my summer...then maybe a little something else! ;) I know - I am always full of surprises, but this will make you oh so happy. READY FREDDY?!

 Lets think back to fourth of July, shall we? How did you spend it? Most were waking up late-ish, thankful that they didn't have to work, then preparing for their evening feasts and firework shows. 

As always, I would like to inform you all that I, Haley Danielle Moody, was different. Actually on the morning of the fourth, I didn't even wake up under the big, beautiful Alabama skies. 4:45 in the morning, my alarm sounded letting me know that that day was real...and it was really here. I was outside of Atlanta, with a few Georgia peaches, and my own little peach, lacing my shoes and pinning numbers to my chest...preparing myself for what was about to come. Speaking of my peach, the evening before, Adam and I actually followed a few of my friends to this section of Georgia. The entire time, which was about 4 hours, Adam said, "Haley, are you sure you want to do this? We can turn around! This just seems...I dunno...really crazy!" Thinking back, I realize I really should've listened to him.

 There I was, getting off the Marta, waving good-bye to ole Adam as he floated away into the midst of Atlanta, Georgia, and finally realizing that I really had to do this. Have you ever made up hundreds of scenarios in your mind simply hoping that one of them would happen just so you could get out of a hiatus? Well, there I was, praying that aliens would invade...or that Taylor Swift would finally give me a call-back to be her make-up artist. I think it's safe to say my dreams didn't come true that day. But as crazy as it sounds, I am almost glad that they didn't. Don't get any ideas, Taylor. I am still waiting on that phone call.

 We walked up the street in Atlanta and my heart felt like it was one continuous beat! I literally think if you would've been able to place your ear to my chest that day, it would've sounded like a monkey on crack with a drum...and I didn't even drink and AMP that day! My eyes were plastered on the concrete road because I couldn't bare to look up. Suddenly, my friend Michael, who very kindly forced me into doing this, stopped. There it was: the starting line.

 I, the same Haley Danielle Moody as stated before, was about to complete my very first 10k...well, hopefully. Here's the thing : running and myself don't exactly mix well. It's like mixing water and oil - one is going rush to the top of the solution, and the other is going to rush to the bottom. It may be hard to believe, but my heart began beating faster. Then Michaels father said, "only 6.2 miles past that point, Haley!" My thoughts: "Well that's just fantastic...because I don't even think I can make it to that point." There I was, along with 60,000 other Peachtree Road Racers, praying that the end was near...and that wings would form on our backs.

I got to be "Pamela" for an hour!

Suddenly the announcers words twisted with the lyrics "Never thought I'd live to see the day
when everybody's words got in the way" and we began our 6.2 mile journey. I saw so many amazing people, such as a cute 92 year old man delicately walking with a cane and a shirt that said, "meet you at the finish line."  I was also sprinkled with holy water and high-fived by so many little nuggets on the sidewalk - I think they somehow found out that I was a princess. I never once thought about running a road race...ever. I just already knew in my mind that I wouldn't have made it to the end and would've embarrassed the crapola out of myself. Guess what, guys? Not once was I embarrassed...well, I wasn't after I finally started the race. Sometimes I just have keep reminding myself that I have to give myself a chance...to either fail or succeed. We all do, really. This doesn't mean that I am going sky diving, though...so Adam, go ahead and get over it.

 Are you ready to see the photos from my journey to the end of the road?

This was midway through the race.
I threw up my "Hook-um Horns" for my big sista, Haley.
Confused yet?

FIVE MINUTES LATER

I look like one of those ladies you see power-walking the mall.
But hey...from this picture, it looks like I am leading the pack!

On the left, of course, is Gerard Butler. I MEAN ADAM!!!
The fellah on the right is one of my best friends EVVAH!
Michael - the top is our before...the bottom is after.
Boy, we are sweeeeaaaaaaaty...but amazing!

This is how it all ended.
It literally took me three days to recover...I am dead serious!

Speaking of my homeboy, Michael. I know I made him seem like a warden earlier, but he truly is a wonderful person. We all know how I feel about my body and ect. Last year he helped me through a lot of incredibly difficult times, and he doesn't even know how he did that. Every single night we went to the gym together, he taught me I needed to fight. That nothing, not even beauty, comes easy in this world. You have to fight to be happy, so when I almost wanted to give up and get off the treadmill or quit with one more rep to finish, he told me to keep pushing. Let me tell you something, that boy saw me cry a lot from my insecurities and frustration. Not once did he get mad, or tell me that I couldn't do it...he simply kept reminding me that I have it in me. Sometimes that's all we need to hear, you know? We all want to know and to believe we can do something amazing...such as finish a 10k, or write for people who will read and find you to be amazing. We all have dreams...and the only thing keeping us from succeeding is ourselves.

So here I am, starting out my new week with something incredible. I, Haley Danielle Moody, a girl who, by Victoria's Secret standards, am considered to be a plus-sized female. So what...there is nothing wrong with that if that is what you choose to be. But for me, it's time for change...so that I can be confident. I always give up once things get difficult or time consuming...but I refuse to do that any longer. Also, I, Haley Danielle Moody, have an incredible opportunity coming up this Saturday. I can't wait to tell you all about it...but that's the other big surprise, so I don't want to ruin it for you guys. I just keep letting my fear get in the way of my excitement. BUT...here goes nothing, right?

So for all you guys...it's time to do something amazing. We are all stuck in that "safe" moment...afraid to tell our big secrets for fear of hurting our parents or friends. So what if you don't want to be a doctor anymore...or if you don't want to date the guy your mother keeps pushing on you. So what? That moment when we start feeling lost is the same moment when we let ourselves be lost. Put those running shoes on...tie them tight. You can't make it to the finish line unless you believe....right, Michael?

I love you all, always -
Haley

"Never ever let the world get the best of you
Every night we're apart, I'm still next to you
Cause that's the way I like to do it."
Made in the USA - Demi Lovato