Tag Archives: fitness

January 13, 2013 · 4:47 PM

26 Miles For 26 Victims

This week I will be pushing myself harder than I ever planned, but the cause is one that touched me deeply.

I will be completing 26 miles from January 14th – January 20th as part of the #FurtherFasterForever Sandy Hook Elementary School Memorial Run & Ride.

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The Sandy Hook Elementary School Memorial Run & Ride is an opportunity for you to get out and be active while donating 100% of the entry fees to the victims families and first responders of the tragedy that happened on December 14, 2012 in Newtown Connecticut. #FurtherFasterForever, an online community of athletes will be donating 100% of the entry fees to the HopeMob for their projects in Newtown and Sandy Hook Elementary.

If you would like to join, you can do so by CLICKING HERE.

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January 9, 2013 · 9:13 AM

500 Miles or Bust!

500 milesThat’s the goal for 2013!

I have until December 31, 2013, to complete my goal of logging 500 miles of running. I’m both excited and nervous about this new chapter in my fitness journey.

Setting a running goal is something I decided I wanted to do before the holidays, but I never thought about setting a mileage goal until I read this blog post. I had just downloaded the Run to 5k app and set a goal of being able to run a full 5k by the spring and once I could, I’d start working on my time. After reading that blog, I realized that setting a mileage goal was a fabulous idea and would help to keep me motivated.

It breaks down to roughly 10 miles a week, which isn’t too crazy. Granted, there will be weeks when I may not be able to hit the 10 miles. I’m sure there will be weather, soreness and other outside influences and set backs, but I’m pretty confident that I can make it up when the weather warms up or by adding an extra shorter run to the plan.

As for right now, I’ve been running at least 3.1 miles (a 5k) three times a week. It’s a walk/run combo that is moving more towards a full run. That distance includes a 5 min walking warm-up and cool-down, which I hope to tack on in the beginning and end of the full 5k (to increase my distance) as I become more confident in my running. Today my legs are really not happy with my running three consecutive days, so I plan on doing some lifting, a nice yoga session and then seeing how I feel as the day progresses.

(It’s going to be almost 55 degrees in January! I don’t know if I can resist going out for one today.) I am however, smart enough to listen to my body. If my legs protest, I’ll do an easy run with lots of walking. (Mileage is mileage and an injury will just be a major set back that I do NOT want!)

Part of my goal is to also get used to running on different terrains, since I do an annual 5k that is mainly on a wooded trail. For the most part I have been training on pavement, but last week I added my local fitness trail back into the mix. I am much slower on the rocky terrain and my legs fatigue much faster, but that’s okay! I feel a much different burn when I’m doing it and I go into it knowing that it’s going to take time to adjust.

Sooooo…wish me luck as I run towards my new goal! I haven’t felt this inspired since I did P90X for the very first time 3years ago!

Want to join me in a 2013 goal? If so, let’s hear it and cheer each other on!

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December 31, 2012 · 11:57 AM

2012 – A Year In Review

goodbye 2012Last year I couldn’t wait for 2012 to arrive. I was fed up with 2011 and thought things had to get better. Well….I was wrong. My 2012 had a very shitty start, then improved, then bottomed out and finally fixed itself for the most part. One might say it was a roller coaster but I always thought those were supposed to be fun….hmmmmm.

Now were was I? Oh….right…. I learned a lot over the past year. I learned that I can handle a lot without breaking (although I came pretty damn close), who my real friends are (and that there aren’t many), that as much as it’s nice to have fun with people – you have to be able to enjoy being alone as well…..cause happiness comes from within and if you aren’t happy with yourself, it’s hard to be happy with others. There were many other lessons but that’s the gist of it. Or at least all I’m willing to openly discuss ;)

As 2013 prepares to make it’s grand entrance tonight at midnight, I’m both excited and a bit nervous. I have high hopes that 2013 leads me towards new, exciting and happy things, but as I mentioned above, I learned a lesson in 2012 …things could always get worse.

Anyway, I’m going into this new year positive, happy and with the mind set that anything can happen. I have a list of goals and things I’d like to do in the up coming months and I have a new focus on what’s important to me.

With that being said, 2012 wasn’t all bad and I have the photos to prove it! Here are some of my most treasured moments from 2012…

As much as they drive me crazy, my family is the most important thing to me.Top Left: Mike & I at a BBQ over the summer, Top Right: Family photo while visiting Lady Liberty. Bottom Photos: My amazing kids at the beach.

As much as they drive me crazy, my family is the most important thing to me. Top Left: Mike & I at a BBQ over the summer, Top Right: Family photo while visiting Lady Liberty. Bottom Photos: My amazing kids at the beach.

Good friends are hard to find! Top Left: BBQ with Mike's coworkers. Top Left: Mike with Beth at the Jersey Shore. Bottom Left: Me with Kris during one of my OH trips. Bottom Right: Cheers to new friends!

Good friends are hard to find! Top Left: BBQ with Mike’s coworkers. Top Left: Mike with Beth at the Jersey Shore . Bottom Left: Me with Kris during one of my OH trips. Bottom Right: Cheers to new friends!

Fitness Goals & Fun! Top Left: I can finally rock a bikini. Top Right: The fitness trail & my goal of being able to run a 5k. Bottom Left: The Color Run. Bottom Right: Me sporting my "tough" look.

Fitness Goals & Fun! Top Left: I can finally rock a bikini. Top Right: The fitness trail & my goal of being able to run a 5k. Bottom Left: The Color Run. Bottom Right: Me sporting my “tough” look.

The Sky's The Limit! If you know me, you know I love taking pictures, especially of sunset and landscapes. Here are a few of my favorites from 2012: Top Left: Times Square while walking to Sweet Suite at BlogHer. Top Right: Open field on my way to the mall. Bottom Left: Sunset on my drive home. Bottom Right: My daughter and friend swinging high above Point Pleasant.

The Sky’s The Limit! If you know me, you know I love taking pictures, especially of sunset and landscapes. Here are a few of my favorites from 2012: Top Left: Times Square while walking to Sweet Suite at BlogHer. Top Right: Open field on my way to the mall. Bottom Left: Sunset on my drive home. Bottom Right: My daughter and friend swinging high above Point Pleasant.

This quote is so true and I know I'm capable of making great strides in my fitness this year.

This quote is so true and I know I’m capable of making great strides in my fitness this year.

If there is one thing I hope to do...it's to never lose focus on this.

If there is one thing I hope to do…it’s to never lose focus on this.

There is always good to focus on, despite the bad that might be plaguing you. Here’s to a very Happy and of course Healthy New Year! Thanks again for following my blog and keeping me focused on what is important to me. You all inspire me so much and I’m forever grateful to everyone who takes the time to read my ramblings.

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December 30, 2012 · 3:11 PM

Working On Goals For 2013

2013resIt’s that time of year where you begin to reflect on the past 12 months and start deciding what direction you would like the next 12 to go in.

For me, the focus has been on a few areas, but I’ve put a lot of thought into doing more “fun races”.

I did my first “fun run” this past September and I loved it. The Color Run was so much fun and I had never participated in anything like it before…especially due to my phobia of group fitness activity.

As I perused my 5k options on Active.com and RunningInTheUSA.com, I discovered many different types of “fun runs” and quickly started making a list of ones I’d like to do in 2013!

So far, my goal is to do the Glow Run, Foam Fest and The Color Run.

I, being the Pinaholic I am, have already started collecting ideas for my run attire, for the Glow Run…

I LOVE this idea for the Glow Run!

I LOVE this idea for the Glow Run!

I also like that I now have goals to train for. I tend to need something to focus on in order to keep on track. I know that I will need to make a solid run schedule as well as a lifting schedule for myself. Somewhere in that mix, I’d like to at least do month 1 of Insanity again, because I know how well it builds up my cardio endurance.

2013 has the potential to be amazing. A year for me to finally break out of my shell and start being a social fit person. I survived a group workout with Tony Horton in 2011 and Bikram Yoga classes in 2012. I even attended a BlogHer party by myself during the summer. Maybe there is hope for me yet!

Do you have any fitness goals for 2013? How about any “fun races” that you may have done in the past?

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December 18, 2012 · 9:24 AM

The Perfect 10

As usual, I was trolling around Pinterest and stumbled upon this. I used it instead of a run since the weather around here has been yucky. I felt a major burn in my lower body and teamed up with a plank hold. I really need to get back to my plank challenge, I seem to have lost some of my strength here.

The Perfect 10

I’m not a fan of the treadmill, nor do I have one (or access to one) anymore. I’m also not a fan of running in the rain, which is why I’ve been looking for short, yet solid at home workouts. What are your favorite workouts to do instead of running when the weather doesn’t cooperate? 

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Semi {Wordless Wednesday}

run

 

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December 12, 2012 · 8:03 AM
December 10, 2012 · 9:18 PM

…Just Don’t Stop

How Slow You go

Over the past few weeks, I have told myself this many times while working on my running. You see, I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself. When I set a goal, I get tunnel vision, and I can sometimes brutally push myself to that goal.

Now pushing in such a manner isn’t always a bad thing. If I didn’t push myself, I might still be overweight, out of shape and unhappy. If I didn’t push myself, I wouldn’t be sitting here sharing my story with you. (I know, that’s a very sad thought, right? What would you all do without my blog?!)

However, sometimes I push so hard, I forget to celebrate the small victories. I forget to be proud of the strides I have made. I forget to enjoy the journey I have pushed myself to take.

I often have to internally yell at myself while I run. I have to remind myself that the fact I laced up my sneakers, put on my running clothes and headed out in the cold to get a run done is a big win, all by itself. I need to remind my inner bully that Rome wasn’t built in a day and part of the learning process is going at a slower pace.

After over 3 years, I am still learning. I’m learning new aspects of fitness and nutrition. I’m learning just how strong I am and most importantly, I’m learning to have patience with myself.

The funny thing is, I tell people who come to me for guidance to be patient all the time. I tell them exactly what this graphic says ” It doesn’t matter how slow you go, as long as you don’t stop.” Maybe it’s time for me to start listening to myself, cause you know what? I give some really good advice.

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December 2, 2012 · 6:41 PM

Nothing Is Impossible

Nothing Is Impossible

I read this (on Pinterest of course) and fell in love with it right away. This is so me, especially the “Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare.” part.

Remember that nothing is impossible. As a matter of fact, the word impossible couldn’t be made without the word possible. You can achieve anything you set your mind to, you just have to want it badly enough.

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November 29, 2012 · 9:00 AM

Fuel Your Body Right

I hope you are enjoying the quick tips, workouts and fitness motivation I have been posting. I love searching Pinterst for fitness inspiration, and hope that the stuff I find, inspires you as well.

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November 25, 2012 · 8:17 PM

{Workout} Shapely Squats

Once again, I’ve been trolling around on Pinterest and I stumbled upon this workout that I thought you guys might like.

I love doing lower body workouts when I’m short on time. They work so many major muscles, that you really feel your heart-rate increase and know that you are working hard, even if you are short on time.

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