First 5K of 2017!

Sunday marked the beginning of race season with the Shamrox 5k.  We had enjoyed some warm temps there for a bit but not on race weekend.  It was a chilly one and I could barely feel my fingers at the end!   This is one of my favorite courses....although "Mount Lucky Charm" is a beast of a hill.  The rest of the course is downhill and flat and is quite deceivingly easy until you get to the hill.  Julie was glad I warned her about it ahead of time.  

This was my third year doing Shamrox and each year I have managed to shave about 2 minutes off my finishing time.  This year I came in at 30:45 and took 2nd place in my division.  I strive for sub-30 minute 5Ks but with the hill on this course I was thrilled with my finish time.  A few folks attempt to run the hill here and there but mostly all I heard was cursing.  I always walk it and don't feel a bit guilty about it.  That hill is brutal but a great challenge.  Ultramax always puts on great events and this was a fun start to the 2017 race season!

Sunday musings

It is feeling like spring!  This weekend some friends brought over a powerwasher and I was able to use it on my back patio and front sidewalk.  It was so gratifying to watch all the grime clean off.  My patio really wasn't even that dirty but it sure does look nice and new now!

I'm excited to tackle some spring cleaning/updating projects.

I am currently obsessed with Westworld on HBO.  I had to really concentrate on that first episode or two to figure out exactly what was going on.  But it didn't confuse me nearly as much as The Matrix!

If you liked the movie Erin Brockovich you'll like Goliath on Amazon Prime.  It's an original series and I was hooked on this one last weekend.  Didn't take me long to binge watch all the episodes.  

I'm excited for the signs of spring.  I have spring blooms coming up, the spring cleaning bug, and the first 5k of the season next weekend.

The 2017 half marathon countdown has begun...

January Favorites and Empties

It is pushing 70 degrees.  In February.  What?  I love it.  I hope that doesn't mean summer will be brutally hot though!  

I'm combining my January favorites and empties into one post.  

I have to start with my go to post workout protein drink lately.  The Muscle Milk Strawberries N Creme is SO good and tastes just like a strawberry milkshake.  (well maybe not JUST like it but very close) It tastes much better when I don't have to make it myself.

My favorite blush this month is my Clinique Cheek Pop in Fig Pop.  It is the perfect natural looking blush.

I found this candle last year at Bath and Body Works and I am loving it.  Berry Vanilla Bean.  Reminds of those giant lollipops I used to get at the store as a kid.

Supplement Empties for the month....I have a lot of them!
Spark variety pack sticks:  $34.97  (wouldn't buy the variety pack again, will just buy my fave flavors)
Spark Fruit Punch: $38.97
Spark Cherry:  $38.97
O2 Gold: $31.16
O2 Gold:  $31.16
Magnesium: $4
Advocare Catalyst: $22
Up and Up L-Lysine:  $10
Great Value Ibuprofen:  $2

I will/have buy/bought all of the above again.  Spark is my must have as well as O2 Gold.  I am going to order a higher mg of Magnesium.  The ones pictured were 250mg.  These are good at both helping mood and preventing migraines.  L-Lysine is an amino acid and helps with immune support.  Catalyst is an amino acid supplement as well.
Total:  $213.23

Make-Up/Beauty Empties:
Clinique Repair Wear Serum:  $49.50 Love this, already have more.  Really obsessed with it actually. Seems to do the job it claims!
Bobbie Brown BB Cream: $46  I bought this because I had received a sample and really liked the sample.  I liked it but don't feel the need to buy it again.
Garnier Eye Cream: $10.99  Eh, this was ok but I replaced with the generic brand.
Nars Audacious Mascara sample size:  $8  LOVED
Make Up Forever Mascara sample size: $8  Liked
Lash Domination Mascara:  $19  LOVED...will likely repurchase
Sephora Ultra Shine Lip Gloss: $12  Really like these lip glosses...have a few other colors in my stash.
Total:  $153.49

Lotion/Smell Good stuff:
VS Mango Temptation Lotion x 3:  $15
Bath and Body Works Vanilla Bean Noel Body Cream x 3:   $15
Mango Temptation Body Mist:  $5

I think we all know I will and already have bought the Mango Temptation for replacements.  I will buy more Vanilla Bean during the holidays!
Total:  $35

Hair Stuff:
Wella Shampoo: $12 ($26.50 when not on sale but that's too much!)  I love this shampoo.  Smells awesome and great quality.
Suave Dry Shampoo:  $3  My typical dry shampoo staple
Total:  $15

Total of all empties 2/11/17-$416.72

I really like seeing things I use up so I feel like things aren't just sitting around adding clutter!  Been working on decluttering slowly but surely.

Ok about time to go out and enjoy this weather!  

Xander Cage

It has been a hectic 2 weeks.  More on that in an upcoming post along with January faves and empties.  Got a couple of good new faves!

This weekend I managed to make it to a movie in between tasks on my to-do list.  Went to see the new XXX movie with friends.  I thought it was going to be pure cheesiness.  And the first 30 minutes or so was.  But the rest of it was actually really pretty entertaining!  I was pleasantly surprised!  Plus, looking at Vin Diesel can't be all that bad right?  And the name Xander Cage is just really cool.  I laughed out loud several times during the movie at some of the lines.  I am glad I went.

Just wanted to check in since it has been awhile.  Longer update coming soon!  Life has been a whirlwind so far this year but looking forward to good things ahead!

2016 Recap/2017 Plans

I looked back on my list of goals to accomplish in 2016:

*Run 600 miles
*Run 12 races
*Build savings
*Increase water intake
*Set a new race PR
*Buy minimal make up and clothing and use what I have
*Write 100 words a week
*Be more present and live in the moment.

So how did I do?

*Well for mileage I totaled 1,075 miles for the year running and walking.  This year I am going to try to track what I actually run vs. walk.  I am confident I met or exceeded 600 of those miles being running.

*I ran 13 5ks and 1 half marathon.

*Savings-I built it...not like I wanted.

*Water-Definitely increased my water intake.  Made it a habit to drink more at work and at home.

*New race PR-set a couple of these both in 5ks and the half marathon.

*I definitely bought minimal clothing and make up.  I am going to try to buy even less this year.

*I did NOT write 100 words a week.

*As far as being present and living in the moment, that one is hard to say and hard to measure but I think I improved and will always be a work in progress.

So for 2017 what I do I want to achieve?

*Begin a new job.
*Track running and walking miles and aim to complete at least 700 miles of running and 500 miles walking.
*Meet savings goal.
*Write those 100 words a week.
*Read/listen on audio to at least one book a month.  (already on book three this month!)
*Continue my 3 day a week gym habit to build muscle.

I'm excited to see what 2017 brings!  It's time for some changes.

Why I want to run a mile a day this year

I have a post planned for a recap of 2016 successes and a listing of 2017 goals but ya'll I am tired tonight.  Most nights that is the case.  But I thought I'd at least type up one of my first habit goals for 2017 and talk a little about it.

I want to run at least a mile a day, every day this year.

A mile isn't much.  It doesn't take long.  On a bad day it could take me twelve minutes.  On a good day, less than 9.  Maybe by the end of the year even less than 8.  Basically, it isn't a big time commitment.

When I look at things I do daily, every day, without question or thought I come up with the usuals...brush my teeth, wash my face, feed the dog, etc.  But then there is also walking the dog.  This habit just started in December of 2015 after Magnus passed away.  It became therapy for both myself and Jasmine.  In the past 13 months we have missed maybe a total of 7 days, and that really a high end guess, of walking. Out of approximately 380 days we have walked approximately 373 of those days.  At first it was a bit hard to figure out a routine.  Now, it is like brushing my teeth.  I know it is part of my day unless there is ice covering the road, the wind chill is stupid cold, or it is thundering.  (The thundering is Jasmine's breaking point)

Another habit I have that I do automatically, and actually look forward to is my morning Advocare Spark.  I take all my prescriptions and supplements with it and it is just as much of a habit to me as coffee is to other people.  Without fail it is part of my every day.  Even weekends.  And when I run out of it there is no question I will re-order.

This year I also built in drinking at least a 20 oz. bottle of water while I'm at work every day.  20 oz. may not sound like much but at first it was difficult to even drink that at work.  Now I finish it every day by noon.  Again, it is just part of my morning routine.  I make my Blender Bottle up with my 20 oz. of water.  Before this habit I would find myself in the cafeteria buying a morning tea.  I'm not sure I've spent more than $2 in the cafeteria this year.  Funny thing about creating habits by the way...once you do, it is painful to go back to your old ways.  The thought of going to the cafeteria to shell out $2 for a tea now makes me think "What am I crazy?  Why would I spend that much on a tea?"

Working out is almost a daily activity for me as well.  I usually have one or two rest days a week.  However, my workouts vary a lot.  Lately I've been going to the gym very consistently and I love it.  I love weight lifting.  But I know in order to make progress in running I need to run.  So I schedule running into my week.  Often it is too easy to make excuses or think "I've done so good at the gym this week maybe I'll just wait to run on Saturday and take tonight off."

So I thought "what do all my daily habits have in common?"  They are all things I just do and don't think about.  I don't give myself the choice to say "well I could drink my 20 oz. of water or today maybe I'll just drink Diet Coke."  It's just not an option.  If I choose to drink something in addition to my water that's ok...but I've got to finish my water.  Usually I don't want to drink much else along with the water.

So why a mile a day?  It's not a big time commitment.  It is easily attainable.  It's something easily added to my routine.  And it's a small thing that can make a big impact to my life.  While a mile a day may seem minimal, I know it will add up to big changes over time.  That is the key to making life changes.  Small changes made over time.  I started running my first 2 days at 5mph.  Today, I needed to get to the gym by a certain time to meet someone and that meant running between 5.5-6.0mph to get my mile done before I left.  That's the other great thing about one mile...mentally telling yourself to run faster for a quarter mile is not overwhelming.  I anticipate being able to run a much faster mile by the end of the year.

A few people have said "Why one mile, why not make it three miles a day?"  That answer is easy.  I will always have no excuse to make time for one mile.  In approximately 7-12 minutes I can achieve a goal every day.  And nothing makes you want to keep achieving your goals than hitting that mark and knowing you are doing exactly what you said you would do.

Consistency is key.  It's not about resolutions to solve a problem.  It's about habits to create long term results.  We have the power to reinvent ourselves at any time.  It doesn't need to be January 1st.  That's the great thing about being an adult.  We can do whatever the heck we want to do.  I do like giving myself a sticker in my planner though every time I do something like run my mile or workout for the day.  So I'm rewarding myself with stickers.  Because I'm an adult and I'll do what I want.