2017 Running Goals

I'm a runner. There, I really said it. People ask me about running. People ask me when my race is. And just today I gave a facebook friend a tip since this is one of her first races (told her not to post her whole bib pre-race. Beware the race bandits!). So it's official, I run, I'm a runner.

And this runner has been thinking about her running goals for this year. These are big scary goals people. Like really racing, really training, get faster, get the hell out there goals. And if I tell everyone, ok mainly you, my lovely readers, I gotta do it right? So here goes....

2017 Running Goals

1. Run 500 miles this year.
This is totally doable. I've been adding in mid-week runs, and as long as I stay strong through the heat of summer (I noticed that last June I totally slacked, but August was good....).

2. Mid-week runs.
I have them on the schedule, and I need to get them in. They really do make a difference, even when they are slow and easy.

3. Keep getting faster.
Really work on my speed (and investigate how to really do that), and keep going faster!

4. Race in a new state.
Got New Orleans and Chicago already on the slate, so this is happening!

5. New half PR.
Looking for a race to aim for that PR. Probably in the fall.


And my so far races for this year... (Which I'm all actually registered for, cause I love me a sale.)
January 29th - Tropical 5k
February 5th - Rock n' Roll New Orleans Half Marathon
March 4th - Best Damn Race 10k Orlando
April 21st - Star Wars: Dark Side 5k
July 15th - Rock n' Roll Chicago 5k
July 16th - Rock n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon
November 23rd - Turkey Day 10k

Wish me luck and here's to running my ass off this year.

The Good in 2016

2016 was a hot mess. Not just all the celebrity deaths, the election, the things going on in the world, but also so much going on in people's families, at work and life in general.

I started the 100 happy days challenge recently to try to find some good within all of the crazy. And I figured looking at the good that came in 2016 will help. So here are 16 good things that happened in 2016:

1. Went to Disneyland

2. Met Jenn in person

3. Got a new half PR

4. Saw the Dixie Chicks

5. Started a new job

6. I'm running faster (about 12-12:15 min./mile pace)
7. Got 13 medals this year

8. Killed 21 day fix extreme this summer
9. Girls weekend with Kris at Old Key West resort

10. Saw the Main Street Electrical Parade before it re-retired

11. Joined my new OrangeTheory Fitness studio & love it
12. Completed "Hell Week" at OrangeTheory

13. Got a new 10k PR, and really raced for it!

14. Saw the welcome show at the Magic Kingdom

15. The Hamilton Mixtape

16. Only 1 day away from completing the FF Holiday Challenge!

January Mileage Report

This year one of my goals is to run 500 miles.  I'm usually good about getting in my long runs, but I want to get in some quick runs during the week too. I think this will help my speed. Here are my mileage total from the last few years (I think 2013 is a little incomplete, since it's the year I started running).

2015 - 344.42
2014 - 347
2013 - 255.8

Now, I don't think this goal is too nuts, considering all of the races I have coming up, and I'm sure I'll have some at the end of the year too. And now, my monthly update for January.

I only got in 5 runs this month, but managed to get in 21. 5 miles. The month included my first training run in the middle of a thunderstorm (see my lovely soaking wet look above), running in about 40 degree weather one morning (and bundling up like a crazy person to do it) and some IT band pain (which thankfully has gone away). A little crazy, but overall not too shabby a start to the new year. I have my first races of the new year coming up in February, so mileage will be increasing in the next few months.

Now, I'm not putting it out here to brag, but I do want some where to keep me to my goal. I'm ready to do this. Got lots of running clothes and shoes to keep me going!

Eight weeks to a better me: Week Eight

The last week is here! I can't believe it. It's all gone by so fast.

Now let's get onto this week's theme: awakening your creative side. This is something I need a push with lately. With all of the things going on with Handmade Miami, it's hard getting the sewing in for me. But I feel like I'm getting back into the groove of things and this week's goal will really help. So here go my:

1. Make more stuff! Actually making things makes me get back into the groove and want to continue making things. Today I made myself a skirt, and I think that the bag that I have in my mind to make will have to be my next project. I also have a stack of already cut aprons waiting to be put together.
2. Check out my Pinterest. There are tons of cool projects that I've pinned, but I never seem to go back and check them out. I have to go look at them and maybe tackle one.
3. Use my color inspiration list. I've been keeping a list of cool color combinations I see on my phone. Now I just have to put the colors to use in a project.

I hope everyone gets a chance to wake up their creative side this week. What creative stuff have you been up to lately?

Eight weeks to a better me: Week Seven

Craziness around here, so I'm a week late on this week's post. But I do really love the theme for this week: personal style. I don't feel I have a definitive style, but I am trying to hone in on one. If I could describe it, I'm going for a style that is creative and fun with a retro twist. From what you've seen on here, does that make sense with what you see?

So here are my style goals (which I kinda did last week, but will continue this week too):

1. Wear more skirts and dresses. I did this a lot this past week. With the scorching heat here in Miami, a dress is such an easy comfy way to get through it while still looking cute.
2. Expand my accessory wardrobe. I need some new earrings and necklaces to wear. Though I'm really loving the new pendant I made at a recent Crafter-noon.
3. Make myself a new item of clothing. I have a pattern for an easy skirt that I got at a craft party and I have some striped fabric that I think will work. I may have to make this skirt tomorrow, so I can wear it to work this week

8 weeks to a better me: Week Six

Week 6! I don't even think I can believe it. I'm having so much fun doing this project from Sometimes Sweet.

This week's theme is "home sweet home," which I absolutely love. I absolutely love decorating. When I had my own place, I'd always spend time looking for things to make it truly reflect me. Now I live with my grandma, so I mainly let her style dictate, but I've been wanting to make my little corner of the house more me. So here's the perfect excuse to get started!

1. Tidy up/prettify my vanity area in the bathroom. I started to do this a few weeks back, but never really got it going.
2. Get my craft room more presentable looking. Another project that began a while ago. I really just want to have everything have a place and put some of my cute things out on display. It's not too messy, but I'm sure cleaning up a bit will help.
3. Find a frame for my "Keep Calm and Sew On" print. A friend of mine made it for me to go into my craft room, so now all I need is a frame and I can hang it up.

This week's goals seem fun. I'll definitely be posting pics of the craft room once it's all done.

8 weeks to a better me: Week Five

I know I'm a little late this week, but Memorial Day weekend just threw me off. Plus I've been super busy planning fun stuff for Handmade Miami. But here we go with this week's goals.

This week's goals kinda threw me for a loop. I had no idea what to do. But I did finally figure out what to do. So here are my goals for loving life and having fun!

1. Get some sewing done for me! I'm in desperate need of a new bag. So it's time to whip one up for myself. Having a brand new handmade bag to tote my stuff around in is always great. Plus inventing a new bag is so fun.
2. Go catch a movie. There are so many movies that I want to go see, so I just gotta go and see them. I may just sneak out to the movies by myself this weekend... popcorn and a flick in the a/c sounds nice.
3. Take time to enjoy all the stuff I'm planning. My schedule is crazy hectic with all of the things I'm planning and doing. I gotta take time to have fun and take pics when the events actually come around.

I have a homework assignment for everyone... get out there and have fun this week!

8 weeks to a better me: Week Four

Week 4 is here. Wow, we are half way through this thing already. Last weeks goals came at the right time for me. It really helped me out with my workouts and I totally am feeling better/fitter!

Now this weeks goals are all about loving yourself. I consider myself pretty self-confident. But we do all have our moments. This week setting the goals has been the hardest for me, but here goes...

1. Get rid of clothes that doesn't fit/isn't me! I still have a bunch of clothes that just doesn't fit me. It also feels like that clothes is from another life. So it's time for it to get out and go to the Goodwill. I only want clothes that feels and looks like me and that makes me feel great.
2. Take a little time for me. I'm always juggling so much, I need to carve out time to just chill. I forsee a pedi for myself this week.
3. Accept all of me. When I was younger I hated having red hair. I was different and that was so not fun being called Strawberry Shortcake and Pippi Longstocking. Now that I'm older I know my red hair is one of the things that makes me unique and totally me. I have to accept all of me that way... my stomach pooch and all.

8 weeks to a better me: Week Three

Last week due to the Everglades being on fire and the smell of smoke in the air, I wasn't able to get on my bike. But I plan on getting a ride in tomorrow morning.

Now onto this weeks goals which are all about Healthy Eating. I've been trying to eat healthier to go along with my exercise. So this set of goals seems to be coming at a perfect time for me. So here goes...

1. Drink more water (at least 2 of my bottle-fuls a day)! I always seem to have problems with especially when I get home from work. At work I have a water cup next to me all day and am able to get through at least two 16oz. glasses a day. Now I have to keep it up at home.
2. Eat better breakfasts. I have to make time to get my breakfasts at home instead of on the way to work. I have much more healthful options here.
3. Have healthy snacks on hand. This is another big one. Grabbing chocolate when I need that snack at 3pm at work just won't do. I'll pick up fruit and nuts and other healthy things to keep at my desk.

I'm having a great time reading other people's goals and seeing how their 8 weeks are chugging along. So how are your goals going?

8 weeks to a better me: Week Two

It's time again for the week's goals. I'm so glad I got my 3 posts in last week. I hope to be able to keep that up from now on. So let's move on to this weeks goals, which are about fitness.

1. Workout at least 5 days this week. The Friday-Sunday time span is always hard for me.
2. Get some more workout clothes! I'm in dire need of them. I've started working out more, and I just need more clothes to wear to do this.
3. Ride my bike this week. I've had it since Christmas, but have barely ridden it. I think I may take it for a spin on Tuesday night before it gets dark.

8 weeks to a better me: Week One

I've become a sucker for joining these blog along things, but this one sounds like a good one. It's from one of my favorite blogs, Sometimes Sweet. Each week has a theme and then you set 3 small goals about that topics that you will complete this week. This week's theme is:


So here are this week's:
1. Blog at least 3 times this week.
2. Review/interview a local business.
3. Blog about the little moments.