Happy New Year, everyone! The good Lord has blessed us with another year and it has urged me to set yet another New Year's resolution. To be honest, I can't say I'm all that great at reaching/keeping my goal each year. In fact, I have actually heard more people say this year that they aren't setting any sort of resolution. It makes me wonder: As a society, are we too afraid of failure, or are we just tired of trying? Something to chew on... Anyway, regardless of my past track record and the constant negativity, I'm ready to try a new resolution for 2012!
What is this grand plan you may ask? Well I've decided to become a more serious runner. This seems basic, possibly even easy. How hard can being a more "serious" runner be? The truth is, I couldn't decide if I wanted to be more dedicated, try new things, or just plain faster. So, I chose a goal that would mean all of these things.
I read an article in Self magazine today (my FAVORITE mag) called "The 5 Tricks to Keeping Your New Year's Resolutions." It listed 5 basic steps to reaching your goal.
#1: Set reasonable goals. Check.
#2: Create a schedule. This area needs some work. I am hot pursuit of a half marathon plan for my Lincoln race May 6th!
#3: Track your progress. I have to say, I don't really think I've ever done this for running. Looks like my planner will need to open up a few spots for running notes.
#4: Buddy up! I love this step! I have a wonderful morning workout buddy, Jenn. And there is a group of amazing ladies in the town where I work that band together for running. I would like to be a stronger member of their group, the Northeast Nebraska Road Runners!
#5: Don't give up! KEY step right there. Porbably the most important for any New Year's resolution.
Well, with all of that said, it's time for me to get to work on my goal! Hitting the treadmill at 5:30 AM! Small steps, everyone. Small steps... :)
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Sweet tooth
I have a sweet tooth. For those of you who know me well, this is an understatement. Red velvet cake with decadent cream cheese frosting, creamy chocolate and peanut butter cheesecake, warm snickerdoodle cookies... YUM! I just can't pass it up. And this weekend was my birthday so bring on the desserts! Here's a glimpse of what is sitting in my kitchen:
Looks delicious right? We have pumpkin cupcakes, (Which i definitely need to get the recipe for because these ROCK! Special shout out to my bestie, Amanda, for bringing these over!) a red velvet cupcake, funfetti cake with orange colored frosting, (Kudos, Mom!) and some chocolate/peanut butter cheesecake that I made as a treat for work. I need help eating all of this!
In the mean time, I have been working my butt off so I can enjoy these. :) Monday I completed a nice, slow, long run a few miles out in the counry, and this morning I cranked out 3 miles before finishing an ab workout. I really need to get a whole list of my daily workouts on this site, but here's a breakdown of what I did this morning:
- 3 mile run: I finished this a little under 30 minutes. I'm going to start cranking up my Tuesday 3 mile runs as I am planning on a Turkey Trot for Thanksgiving.
- 20 minute ab workout: I have a love/hate relationship with ab workouts. It hurts, but I feel great after I'm done!
Tomorrow I'm looking to get in a 5 mile interval run before work. Wish me luck! Now to enjoy a sweet treat before bed... :)
In the mean time, I have been working my butt off so I can enjoy these. :) Monday I completed a nice, slow, long run a few miles out in the counry, and this morning I cranked out 3 miles before finishing an ab workout. I really need to get a whole list of my daily workouts on this site, but here's a breakdown of what I did this morning:
- 3 mile run: I finished this a little under 30 minutes. I'm going to start cranking up my Tuesday 3 mile runs as I am planning on a Turkey Trot for Thanksgiving.
- 20 minute ab workout: I have a love/hate relationship with ab workouts. It hurts, but I feel great after I'm done!
Tomorrow I'm looking to get in a 5 mile interval run before work. Wish me luck! Now to enjoy a sweet treat before bed... :)
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Sunrise workouts
Ok - I've officially decided that I need to let everyone know what happens in my world while the rest of you are still snuggled under the covers in the morning. This is a run-through of what happens on a typical Tuesday through Friday morning for me. I will let the pictures do the talking...
Alright, this step might be the most important. It involves my favorite morning drink... COFFEE! (Cory lovingly calls this my "go juice" as I don't really get moving in the morning till I've had my cup of joe.) I usually set the timer on the coffee pot to start brewing about 15 minutes before I get up. It sounds silly, but the smell of coffee when my alarm goes off really does help me roll out of bed and shuffle toward the kitchen. Added bonus: The coffee is done by the time I get there!
Once I'm dressed and ready to go, I try to take a few minutes to drink my coffee and search the web. It gives me a second to collect my thoughts and get ready for the day ahead. My advice is to only take about 5 to 10 minutes. Any longer and it's possible to get distracted and talk yourself out of a workout.
My second suggestion is to drink plenty of water! I continue to chug water on the drive into town and while I am running on the treadmill.
Once I get home from the workout, it's time to quickly get ready for work and then... breakfast! This morning I chose to make my own. I microwaved some oatmeal (Bob's Red Mill, Whole Grain Oatmeal with Flax Seed to be exact) then added a little milk, a teaspoon of honey, a tablespoon of slivered almonds, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Delicious! I also had a glass of milk for added dairy and protein. My favorite part is that this meal really kept me full until lunch time!
After breakfast, I'm ready to start the day, but not without my extra mug of coffee of course! In all seriousness though, the morning workouts give me so much more energy and it's refreshing to know that my entire workout is done for the day! Can't wait to see what tomorrow morning's workout has in store for me. :) Speaking of, it is past time for bed. More later!
My routine actually starts the night before. I try to get my outfit together before I go to bed so it's one less thing to think about at 5AM. (P.S. I would be lost without the watch. It keeps me moving to make sure I get my entire workout in!)
Alright, this step might be the most important. It involves my favorite morning drink... COFFEE! (Cory lovingly calls this my "go juice" as I don't really get moving in the morning till I've had my cup of joe.) I usually set the timer on the coffee pot to start brewing about 15 minutes before I get up. It sounds silly, but the smell of coffee when my alarm goes off really does help me roll out of bed and shuffle toward the kitchen. Added bonus: The coffee is done by the time I get there! 
Once I'm dressed and ready to go, I try to take a few minutes to drink my coffee and search the web. It gives me a second to collect my thoughts and get ready for the day ahead. My advice is to only take about 5 to 10 minutes. Any longer and it's possible to get distracted and talk yourself out of a workout.
My second suggestion is to drink plenty of water! I continue to chug water on the drive into town and while I am running on the treadmill.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
I'm back!
Wow, it's been a while again. My apoligies to all of my avid followers. :)
While most everything in small-town USA has remained the same, I have made one major change - I now workout in the morning! That's right, while most people are snuggled in their beds welcoming another hour of sleep, I'm pounding the pavement (or treadmill as the case may be).
I have to say, this has been a huge challenge. A few weeks ago, I read a Runner's World article called "Rise and Run." It gave some wonderful tips on how to get the best out of an AM workout. My number one suggestion: COFFEE!
I can say that I've tried running in the morning before... here and there. I can count two times this summer when the weather was outrageously hot post-work, and a few times in my college life (usually after the first of the year when I wanted to "get healthy"). But I always felt sluggish and out of energy about halfway through my run. I was just completely conviced that I never got as much from my workout at 5AM as opposed to 5PM.
Lucky for me, the magazine article gave several tips on how to get prepared for the morning run and inspired me to get moving. And I am LOVING working out in the morning! I never realized how much time I have after work until I moved my gym time! I definitely suggest everyone give it at least one real try! And not a college try like I did. :)
While most everything in small-town USA has remained the same, I have made one major change - I now workout in the morning! That's right, while most people are snuggled in their beds welcoming another hour of sleep, I'm pounding the pavement (or treadmill as the case may be).
I have to say, this has been a huge challenge. A few weeks ago, I read a Runner's World article called "Rise and Run." It gave some wonderful tips on how to get the best out of an AM workout. My number one suggestion: COFFEE!
I can say that I've tried running in the morning before... here and there. I can count two times this summer when the weather was outrageously hot post-work, and a few times in my college life (usually after the first of the year when I wanted to "get healthy"). But I always felt sluggish and out of energy about halfway through my run. I was just completely conviced that I never got as much from my workout at 5AM as opposed to 5PM.
Lucky for me, the magazine article gave several tips on how to get prepared for the morning run and inspired me to get moving. And I am LOVING working out in the morning! I never realized how much time I have after work until I moved my gym time! I definitely suggest everyone give it at least one real try! And not a college try like I did. :)
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Fall Weather = Soup Time!
It's now the middle of September and I can feel fall in the air! To me, the cooler weather means... soup! Before I left for work this morning I put together Chicken Tortilla soup and threw it in the crock pot on low. When I got home, I put a few tortilla chips in the bottom of our bowls:
Then I scooped soup over the chips:
And last, I added a little sprinkle of cheese, fresh cilantro, and a dab of sour cream:
Ta-da! So delicious and super easy! Makes a great combination. :)
In running news - I did not go today. Wah-wah. I got home and kind of got side tracked. And the weather was perfect this evening, too! But as I've learned in past experiences, it does no good to sit around and wallow. So after bowling league tomorrow (yes, bowling...), I will jump back on the horse! Or, the treadmill if you will. :) All for now!
Then I scooped soup over the chips:
And last, I added a little sprinkle of cheese, fresh cilantro, and a dab of sour cream:
Ta-da! So delicious and super easy! Makes a great combination. :)
In running news - I did not go today. Wah-wah. I got home and kind of got side tracked. And the weather was perfect this evening, too! But as I've learned in past experiences, it does no good to sit around and wallow. So after bowling league tomorrow (yes, bowling...), I will jump back on the horse! Or, the treadmill if you will. :) All for now!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Creativity
So, lately I've been really hooked on HGTV. If you don't believe me, I think my hubby could attest to my new found past-time. If he has to watch one more episode of Design Star, he'll probably divorce me. :) Just kidding! He secretly loves it, too. He just hasn't admitted it yet...
Anyway, the show has really gotten me in a creative mood. And, since Hobby Lobby is not open today and our town has limited shopping for interior decorating, I found a project that I could do at home this afternoon.
Behold the Running Inspiration Board!
The combination of old scrapbooking paper and magazine pictures never cease to inspire me. :) I started with my old numbers and finisher medals:
Then I covered the board with paper I found:
After I found some inspirational pictures (I heart Ryan Renolds BIG TIME) and lettering, I topped off the board with a couple quotes:
Well, that does it for the creative side of me today. We'll see what tomorrow brings. :)
On another note, I downloaded some new music and took it with me for a five and a half mile run outside on Friday night after work. It felt great after the last weeks I've spent on the treadmill! I'm definitely ready for my workout tomorrow. :) All for now!
Anyway, the show has really gotten me in a creative mood. And, since Hobby Lobby is not open today and our town has limited shopping for interior decorating, I found a project that I could do at home this afternoon.
Behold the Running Inspiration Board!
The combination of old scrapbooking paper and magazine pictures never cease to inspire me. :) I started with my old numbers and finisher medals:
Then I covered the board with paper I found:
After I found some inspirational pictures (I heart Ryan Renolds BIG TIME) and lettering, I topped off the board with a couple quotes:
Well, that does it for the creative side of me today. We'll see what tomorrow brings. :)
On another note, I downloaded some new music and took it with me for a five and a half mile run outside on Friday night after work. It felt great after the last weeks I've spent on the treadmill! I'm definitely ready for my workout tomorrow. :) All for now!
Friday, September 2, 2011
This Week
So much going on this week! Let's start with my Monday run. Only one word can be used to describe it: HILLS! I completely forgot that training on a treadmill omits any type of elevation changes. Another reason to hate the treadmill. I've decided to move outside at least one day a week.
Next stop: The local grocery store. My usual weekly trip involves grabbing a cart and motoring through the isles as fast as I can to grab everything on my list. This week, I decided to take a little extra time and see what the store has to offer. Check out a few things I found!
Can't wait to try it all out! :)
On Wednesday, I ended up at Whole Foods. When the doors opened, I think my jaw dropped. It was like a whole new world for me! Everything is so organized and out of everything I looked at, there were no weird ingredients. I knew what everything was in the loaf of bread and guacamole I brought home. And the best part... the store has a whole area sectioned off called, "Wine and Cheese." Delish!
After work today, I ventured over to Oakland's new Anytime Fitness gym and it was fabulous! My workout buddy, Amanda, and I were able to take go into a room and take a cycling class through video. It kicked my butt. :) But what a wonderful way to mix up a workout!
Tonight I am catching up on my TV shows, Design Star and What Not to Wear. And I will be relaxing drinking some wonderful Apple Cinnamon Tea.
That about sums up the week! Bring on the three day weekend!
Next stop: The local grocery store. My usual weekly trip involves grabbing a cart and motoring through the isles as fast as I can to grab everything on my list. This week, I decided to take a little extra time and see what the store has to offer. Check out a few things I found!
Can't wait to try it all out! :)
On Wednesday, I ended up at Whole Foods. When the doors opened, I think my jaw dropped. It was like a whole new world for me! Everything is so organized and out of everything I looked at, there were no weird ingredients. I knew what everything was in the loaf of bread and guacamole I brought home. And the best part... the store has a whole area sectioned off called, "Wine and Cheese." Delish!
After work today, I ventured over to Oakland's new Anytime Fitness gym and it was fabulous! My workout buddy, Amanda, and I were able to take go into a room and take a cycling class through video. It kicked my butt. :) But what a wonderful way to mix up a workout!
Tonight I am catching up on my TV shows, Design Star and What Not to Wear. And I will be relaxing drinking some wonderful Apple Cinnamon Tea.
That about sums up the week! Bring on the three day weekend!
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