Checking In On Monthly Goals!

I cannot believe that March is tomorrow?!? January felt like it lasted a million years and then February happened in a blink of an eye! I also feel like the days between 60-90 before a goal race fly by. I’m less than 60 days away from Eugene Marathon! I’ve got some goals that will help me reach my goals there this month and will help set me up for success later on. I also got my hair cut yesterday- what do you think of my selfie?! I was pretty tired by the time I got done, but it was well-worth the 6 week wait to get in with my normal hairdresser!

I’m also excited to FINALLY be done with my book and onto a new one. YAY for new reads! Book review for the one I just finished will be up tomorrow.

Before we look ahead to March goals that I’ve set, let’s see how February went. Spoiler alert: It didn’t go great, but also could have been worse (looking on the bright side of things!). Looking forward to hitting some more goals next month:

• Read 2 books- CHECK!

• Ski @ a new-to-me Mountain..not so much

• Do 1 pull-up …not so much

• Yoga 1x /week- CHECK! Loving my routine of yoga at home a few times a week

• Meditate 1x/week- CHECK! Feeling good with the new Calm App (I used to use Headspace, but have liked the change to Calm instead lately)

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March 2019 GOALS!

• Yoga 1x/week

• Meditate 1x/week

• Ski @ 1 new-to-me-mountain

• Do 3 pull-ups

• Daily gratitude of 5 things (listing them out everyday. I normally do something similar in my journal, but want to make a conscience effort to list them out)

• Visualize race course (Eugene) 1x/week

• Save $$$

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Tell me what are some things you’d love to accomplish in March?!

Do you ever do a daily gratitude list or visualize your race before you run it?!

I need your TIPS on HOW TO DO A PULL-UP!

Eugene Marathon/50 Miler Training Week 9: 2/18-2/24

Happy Hump Day! I’ve felt a bit of a cold coming on, so I’ve opted to get the majority of my runs this week in the afternoon (so I can get more sleep). I was still on the fence on whether to get my 8 miles at marathon pace in the morning (on the treadmill) or try to get it in this afternoon (it could be sleeting)- so still up in the air as of last night! I WILL be getting it in regardless though. I’m also getting my haircut today! I was still trying to decide if I should get some bangs (they looked so cute on me in High School, but are also a super pain-in-the-butt!), but I’m definitely excited to get some fresh highlights (it’s been since October!) and shorter hair again. Photos to come tomorrow ; )

Last week really tested my patience with the weather. It was in the negatives every.single.morning and a high of low 20s the entire week. I had a crazy busy work/personal life week, so mornings were the only time I could run (for the most part), so I was on the treadmill a bunch (hoping to only be on it ONCE this week!). Not ideal- but do what you can right?

Monday, 2/18: 5 miles easy on the home treadmill while catching up on the news.

Tuesday, 2/19: 1.5 mile warm up / 8 miles at goal marathon pace (8:15) / 1.5 mile cool down. 11 miles & strength. Felt really good even after getting kicked off the treadmill for 10 minutes. Gotta love the 6AM treadmill rush that lasts 10-15 minutes. Sigh.

Wednesday, 2/20: 6.5 miles on the ‘mill. Normally I try to break up my goal marathon paced miles & speedwork, but this week was funky and this is when I had time. SO I did the repeats mainly on an incline (same benefits as a faster pace, but less strain on your body).

Thursday, 2/21: 13 miles in the morning on the ‘mill & then had a unexpected free afternoon, so decided to just go for the remaining 7 miles to get 20 for the day! Happy to get some afternoon miles outside : ) Plus some strength afterwards.

Friday, 2/22: 9.37 miles in a BLIZZARD in the morning (I didn’t think it was supposed to snow?!?). I took it slow because I was TIRED and it was icy (didn’t have my spikes). I ended up cutting it short in the morning and then got in the remaining 6.63 in the afternoon on the treadmill (still super icy out), which felt MUCH better. 16 miles for the day.

Saturday, 2/23: REST DAY! Completely lounged and it was amazing.

Sunday, 2/24: REST DAY! Went snowshoeing, did some strength, and a bunch of stretching.

Total Mileage: 58.5 miles!

Total Elevation: 2, 122’ up

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Also LOVING this new shirt I got from Oiselle.

THIS cream cheese (almond milk!) tastes amazing.

It’s finally warm enough here to wear just ONE layer on top & bottom! YAY! Does this mean Spring is coming?!?

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How’s your week going?

What’s the weather where you are?

Favorite ways to pass the time on the ‘mill?

Training Tuesday: How My Past Has Prepared Me For My Future

Happy Tuesday! I’m so glad that Monday is behind us and also that it’s a recovery week for me. I have two hard ‘workouts’ on tap this week (tomorrow morning with 8 miles @ goal marathon pace & then Friday afternoon  with 3 x 1 mile @ 7:20-6:50ish pace) and then 3 easy runs and that is all! It’s refreshing to have these weeks, where I’m 100% focused on recovery (i.e. getting my hair cut tomorrow and a massage booked ; ) , along with ample sleep). I also really love to train hard because it helps push me beyond what I believe are my capabilities.

Maybe you already know this by now, but I love to reflect when I’m running (anyone else there like to do this?). I know so many that say ‘don’t look back or don’t compare’, which normally I AGREE with, however with International Women’s Day coming up on March 8th - it got me thinking how grateful I am to have so much in my life and to have the ability to train hard every day. My parents sacrificed so much for me to be able to participate in sports growing up. Not only was I introduced to the great outdoors, but I learned how hard work and determination can help you reach your goals. I learned that with team work, you can achieve more than you would have just on your own.

TBT to my second-ever ice show. Those Annie-costumes were amazing and that is still one of my favorite songs. Also they put in pink. If only I had known how to pose in photos properly..

Way before I began running, I was super into figure skating. A very individual sport. I would train at 5:30 in the morning before school, after school, and on the weekends. I would travel over an hour to get to my coach several times a week and often sacrifice social events to prioritize my training and schoolwork. I loved how skating made me feel-

When I was on the ice, I felt free to be creative.

Strong even when I was falling. Resilient even when I didn't get the placement I wanted.

Being able to engage myself in skating gave me the confidence to pursue so many other opportunities outside of the rink.

TBT to when I would get my hair done for ice shows and feel like a queen for a few hours. It was amazing. I wish I had a reason these days to get my hair done ‘just because’

When I arrived to Syracuse (the first barrier that skating helped me break- I’m a first-generation college student!), I honestly had a hard time transitioning. It was a BIG school and I had lived a pretty sheltered life until then. I had never had friends who criticized their bodies or called themselves ‘fat’. I always appreciated my body for all that it did for me and never looked to food as somethings ‘bad’ for you. But WOW does college sure open your eyes to so many things! Unfortunately these thoughts started to hit me pretty hard and I no longer had skating in the same way that I had growing up. I still competed on the Synchronized Skating Team and trained when I could on my own, but once the negative seeds had been planted- there really was no turning back. I waviered through my college years; however my confidence was still pretty high (in some aspects). I guess that’s why I took on so many leadership roles and ended up taking something crazy like 18-20 credits per semester (WHO WAS I?!?). I also started to create those ‘bucketlist’ items - which is how I found myself running towards my first half marathon finish line.

LOVED these tights! I legit wore them for YEARS. I can’t find them anymore, but these are similar.

At the time, I had no idea how much an impact running would later make on my life. It’s funny how something that seems ‘impossible’ provides the most satisfaction when you achieve it. Finishing this race really boosted my confidence and gave me the strength that I had lost for a few years - I began to seek down opportunities that really terrified me.

I began exploring the outdoors.

I started hiking and camping by myself. When accomplishing these things, I felt strong. When others would question my plans or suggest that it wasn’t the best ‘idea’ to hike on my own- I was propelled to do it even more.

I began to stop questioning myself and then I started running more. I ran my first marathon and the confidence that came with checking off that accomplishment was incredible. I became hungrier to explore the outdoors and see everything that I could by foot.

This was a BIG breakthrough moment for me. I had never had the confidence to just ‘wear a sports bra’ out in public. Running gave me the opportunity to view my body in a positive way. You can find similar bras here. Also Mooney Falls is a MUST SEE.

I try to imagine what my life would be like if I didn’t have the opportunity to participate in sports like skating or running. If I didn’t have the encouragement and barriers already broken by other strong women (thanks to my Mom, Grandmother, Michelle Obama, K.V. Switzer, Michelle Kwan to name a few!) in my life to pursue crazy goals - none of what I’ve accomplished would be possible. It’s incredible to imagine where I’ve come from, but I still believe that we have more to go.

I will never take for granted the opportunity to explore the outdoors by foot. Not everyone is as fortunate and for that, I am grateful. Another thing that I’m also grateful for? Backpacks that hold all your crap and look cute. I’m currently adding these to my wishlist.

I’m fired up and ready to tackle some really big (SCARY) goals this year in 2019.

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Tell me- what barriers has someone else broken down to help you become who you are today?

What barriers are you LOOKING to break down?

What has the ability to participate in sports given you?

Weekend Recap

Happy Monday & happy recovery week to me! I ran 58.5 miles last week over 5 days, so I took both Saturday & Sunday off of running (I normally stick to ~10% increase in mileage per week) to not increase my weekly mileage too much. I really didn’t feel too sore or tired (yet-it could still be coming!), but I have been so hungry! I think I’ve averaged something like 5 meals per day ha. So forgive me if there are too many food photos in here! 

Flashback to Friday mornings 9.37 mile run in a blizzard (it definitely was NOT supposed to snow?!?)  

Saturday I was supposed to teach skiing, but they ended up not needing me so I took advantage and completely lounged in the afternoon. I watched Gilmore Girls, ate candy while reading, did my nails, watched the Syracuse Men’s Basketball game (they ALMOST won!!) 

Made homemade Chicken Pot Pie (yum! ) Pinterest win!  

Went snowshoeing on Sunday

Took Brady outside to explore the snow. He wasn’t overly impressed, but he was happy with how this photo turned out.  

Family afternoon cuddles under blankets while reading. I also got in a bunch of stretching & strength.  

Then I taught skating and got to bed by 8:30!  

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Whats your favorite candy? I tried Red Vines this weekend and wasn’t overly impressed  

How was your weekend?!? 

Favorite comfort food?  

Feature Friday: Still Me By Jojo Moyes Book Review

Happy Friday! Finally we made it to Friday and hopefully I’m out there crushing my first 20 miler this training cycle this morning (outside)! I’ve powered through this crazy hectic week and on Sunday, I cannot wait to just sleep in, put my legs up, and not have any early morning obligations to tend to! I also finished my 4th book of 2019, Still Me By Jojo Moyes this last week.

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While I’m much-more of a non-fictional type of reader, I really enjoyed this one! It had more depth than other fiction novels that I’ve picked up recently. It’s light-hearted and I honestly had no idea that it was part of trilogy series! I will absolutely be picking up her other books because I fell in love with the main character as she stumbles through life in NYC as a caretaker for an Upper East Side power-couple. Her viewpoints of her situation (and also those who have an obscene amount of money) made her super relatable and I could totally see a lot of my younger-self in her (she’s still trying to figure things out and what her passion in life is)!

It wasn’t what I would consider a “breeze through read” either, which I appreciated. I think that there’s a time and a place for those types of books (aka a beach), but this one had enough substance to it, then it made for a great read at the end of the night (and then also the next day because I was so engrossed with the storyline). I’d love to hear if anyone else has read this series or any of Moyes books? Which one should I pick up next and are they all equally fantastic?

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Three things you’re doing this weekend? —> sleeping in on Sunday, baking something delicious, finalizing plans for another ski trip!