New Year...New Adventures

I really don't make a New Year resolution because I never stick to them. I always have the good intentions of doing them and being successful but it never pans out. So, I think what works for me is to  challenge myself. I've already accomplished something before even the New Year begins. My birthday was November 7th and that was the day I quit smoking.  What? Huh? (I'm sorry if you spit coffee on your screen) Yes, I started smoking about 4 years ago...WHAT!!! Yeah, yeah, I know..why would you do something as stupid as start smoking?  Well, it was a stressful time for me and it was  something that just happened.  Now the crazy part is that when I started cycling and then transitioned into running, I was still smoking.  How crazy is that?  My lungs didn't know what I was doing to them :( Well, I will let you know that I will be 2 months smoke free on January 7th :)  I feel so  much better, I can run faster and longer. I will never go back to smoking (knock on wood).  Well, lets  get back to  my personal challenges for 2014.

TOP FIVE 2014 CHALLENGES

 5) Read my collection of Diana Gabaldon novels

4) Stick with my running team (Presque Isle Runners...GO PIR!) monthly  workouts. Hoping  for some lovely abs by summer :)
5) Eat better...I struggle with this everyday. I don't beat myself up over it but I know  I could make better choices. Instead of this on my break at work

I could eat this...

or even this...

LOOKS YUMMY DON'T IT?



2) Drink more water... I did a 24 hour challenge through my Fit 4 Life team where we had to drink half our body weight in water. I used two 10 oz bottles from my fuel belt to keep track of how much I drank that day. My total amount  was 70 oz of water.
I realized that I don't drink enough water. I will also challenge myself and cut out  soft drinks. I'm pretty much there but once in awhile I have a craving for a Mt. Dew :)
 And my number 1 challenge...drum roll please...

 1) Run my first full marathon!!!
I must be crazy...someone check if I have a fever..lol.


I ran my first official 10k in 2013 at the Flying Pig Marathon and I will return to Cincinnati to do the full marathon.

26.2 miles of blood, sweat and tears. 

 So..the challenges are written down..I'm ready to crush them. :)

 

It's melon time

Check out @DuchessJoy73's Tweet: https://twitter.com/DuchessJoy73/status/416885436796387328

Gift of Life

I love virtual races! This one I just finished tonight is the third in the fall series through Fit4Life race series. I did the distance on my treadmill and divided it into 3 runs. Tonight's run was only 3 miles but it felt like nine, as tired as I felt. Probably has to do with the huge Christmas dinner I ate a few hours before. At any rate, it was my best time for a half marathon distance...I'm happy :-)

Winter Miles Challenge

I've been following the blog Run with Jess since the beginning of 2013. She is a fellow Moms Run this Town chapter leader. She has a new challenge beginning January 6th through March 2nd. The challenge is free to participate, you pick your distance and if you make your goal each week you can be entered into a giveaway each week.
PICK YOUR DISTANCE
Beginner- 10 miles a week
Intermediate-20 miles a week
Trainer-30 miles a week
Advanced- 40 miles a week
Ultra- 50 miles a week

PRIZE GIVEAWAY EACH WEEK
8 weeks of awesome prizes and one week has a bonus!!

Register through January 12th here www.runwithjess.com/2013/12/winter-miles-challenge-2014.html?m=1http://

This will be a great way to stay active this winter and get my training in for my first marathon in the spring.
My distance goal is 30 miles a week. I can't wait to start!

Leg hugs

I received a wonderful gift from my friend Nancy last week. These feel like a great big hug around my legs. I love my CEP Compression sleeves :)

Moms Run this Town

I am the chapter leader of the Southwest Michigan chapter of Moms Run this Town.
http://momsrunthistown.com/southwestmi/

If you are a gal that loves to walk, run, cycle or all of the above, you are welcome to join my group

Let's start the New Year right and get healthy and active! :-)

My Year of Running 2013

This has been a great year of running for me. I ran my first official race, the Flying Pig Marathon. I did a 10k and I'm hoping to do my first full marathon next year. I increased my mileage and improved my pace. I've made and met a lot of great people. Most of my races have been through virtual runs. www.fit4liferaceseries.com has kept me busy running and I've enjoyed every minute of it.
2013 stats
Swimming: 2.36 miles
Walking: 116.66 miles
Cycling: 640.45 miles
RUNNING: 551.24

2014 goal: 1000 running miles

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

Pub Run 2013

December 8, 2013...I ran the 2013 Pub Run in Benton Harbor Michigan. It was very cold but well worth it. I enjoy running in the cold and snow. I need to invest in  YakTrax.