Monday, December 30, 2013

2014 Thoughts Again - By the Measurements

So, while I really do like my list of goals for 2014, I'd also like a list that's completely obtainable and measurable, so I know when I hit a goal.  Thoughts and lifestyle changes are completely wonderful, but I also like the sense of accomplishment that comes from hitting a concrete goal.  So without further ado, here is the list.

1. Make straight A's in school, or at least no more than one B per semester (just in case it's one of those classes or teachers).

2.  Run a half marathon in 3 hours or less.

3.  Run a 5k in 35 minutes or less.

4.  Get to a weight of 130 pounds and maintain it.

5.  Add at least $500 to my savings account.

6.  Eat out no more than once a week, when not on vacation.

7.  Run a mile in 10 minutes or less.

8.  Volunteer for at least 30 hours.

9.  Run in at least 14 races.

10.  Volunteer for at least one race.

Do you prefer concrete goals or thoughts more?

Lauren


Friday, December 27, 2013

Thoughts on 2013

I'm just going to jump right into this, and list out a few thoughts.

1. I'm not honest with myself.  This is in regards to weight loss and running.  I don't do either diligently enough, and then wonder why it's not working.  Going forward into 2014, I'll eat cleaner, stop having so many snacks that I don't count, and truly truly try to run 3 times a week.

2.  I don't have enough me time.  I love living with my boyfriend and roommate but I just feel like I don't have enough time alone sometimes.  I do have my yoga, which is definitely me time, but sometimes I just want to be able to sit at the apartment by myself, and I feel like that doesn't happen enough.  I'll try to work in some alone time going forward.

3.  I don't keep in touch with people enough.  This goes for family and friends.  I feel like I have a very small social circle, and I'd like to expand that.  Even if it's just keeping in touch with people from New Hampshire, etc. and not actually hanging out with someone, I'd like to be more social.

4.  I'm not very smart with my money.  I won't go into details, because I'm sure everyone has gone through this.  Going forward I'd like to keep honest track of what I'm spending on, and spend it more wisely, therefore putting more in my savings.

5.  I'm not organized enough.  This is in regards to school, the apartment, all sorts of things.  I'd love to get a super in depth planner to keep track of everything (like Erin Condren ones -hint hint-) and put aside extra time for cleaning every couple days so things don't pile up.

I have tons of smaller thoughts as well, but these are my major ones.

What changes are you trying to make in the new year?
Lauren

Friday, December 20, 2013

Non-Running Thoughts

Well, I haven't run all week (but I am going to try for an 11 miler this weekend - my longest to date!).  I did go to a yoga class today, so at least I'm still moving!

My main reason for this is because I got a new tattoo!  It's a pretty om symbol with a lotus flower superimposed.


I do eventually want to do a post with all of my tattoos, but I don't have good pictures of all of them yet!  So be waiting for that in the future.  This is #7 for me.

In other non-running news, I'm going on a 12 Days of Christmas Bar Crawl tomorrow night, so that will be interesting!  We never go out and drink really because my boyfriend is slightlyyyy paranoid about it, so I'm excited to finally be able to!

I changed my major, and I'm super excited about it.  I mostly was doing nursing to keep my parents happy, and because there is pretty good job security.  However, I couldn't really see myself doing it forever.  Now...drum roll...I'm an Early Childhood Education major!  I absolutely adore working with kids, and I'm so so excited about it!  I think it will be great for me and I can really see myself doing it for my life.  I'm planning on also getting my master's in Early Childhood, hopefully right after I finish my bachelor degree.

I am doing a lot of reflecting on this past year, and the year coming up, but I haven't decided yet if I'll make a post about it yet.  I probably will though!  It's always interesting to me to read everyone else's thoughts.

I think this is enough random info for now.
Has anyone else been taking a running break lately?

Lauren

Monday, December 16, 2013

Reindeer Run 8k

On Saturday 12/14/ Ray and I ran the Reindeer Run 8k on Hutchinson Island, raising money for the Rape Crisis Center in Savannah.  I've ran on Hutchinson for 2 5k's before, so there was a little bit of extra course that I hadn't done before, which went under the Bridge.  It was a pretty nice course, mostly flat, except for the camber on the race track (as seen here).

People were dressed up in costume.  I had my tutu, shown below, that I talked about in my last post.  You still can't really see the sparkle, but I promise it's there!  

As far as actually running it goes, it was sooooo painful!  I worked out more than I ever normally do this week, and my body was not happy with my for it.  On Monday, I did gentle (but still power) yoga, Tuesday I did a Pure Barre class which was pure torture (look the method up if you've never heard of it!), Wednesday I didn't do anything because I was too sore from Pure Barre, Thursday I ran 10 miles even though I haven't gone more than 3.5 since Rock n Roll on 11/9, Friday I did yoga again, then Saturday was my 8k.  My legs were so heavy, and even just walking was painful.  Thankfully Ray was sore too from working on our roommate's car Thursday night, so we commiserated together.  But hey, technically it's a PR at 1:10:06 since I've never run an 8k before!  It was 4.92 miles, for those of you wondering ;)
Afterwards, they had a great after party in the Convention Center, with chili tasting and lots of other things going on.  Leopold's Ice Cream was there, and if you're ever in Savannah, you have to go!  It's so amazing, and the owner Stratton Leopold has also worked on many major films, whose posters are all around the restaurant.  I even got to meet him! (last picture)  Annnnnd, I also met Paula Deen!  I almost didn't recognize her because she's lost so much weight.  The Deen's were judging the chili cook-off.  Overall, it was a really fun race, I just wish I hadn't been sore!  I'm sure I'll be back next year!










Have you ever tried to do too much in one week?  How long did it take to "reset"?

Lauren

Friday, December 13, 2013

December StrideBox - Amazing Customer Service!

Normally, I wouldn't review a StrideBox, especially considering I haven't tried a single one of the products yet.  But this one looks absolutely amazing, and I'm so so excited about it.  Everything in here excites me!

I started getting my StrideBox's in June.  Some have been ok.  I've found a few products that I really liked, a couple that I've even bought, but none that I've been this excited about.  

But, I also wanted to tell you about the experience I had with StrideBox.  Every month I get my e-mail like clockwork that my (well, my boyfriend's) card had been charged, then shortly after my shipment notification.  On December 9th, I noticed I hadn't gotten the e-mail that I was charged, even though my package is usually shipped by then.  I checked my account, and sure enough my last charge was October 24th, and next scheduled one wasn't until December 24th.  I e-mailed StrideBox to ask them about it.  They had done an update to their system the week I was supposed to be charged, and think it must have just skipped my card.  That made sense to me.

However, what really impressed me was that they sent me this box for free!  I was expecting a sorry, you'll have to wait until next month; or even a sorry, but we'll charge your card now.  Instead, I got amazing customer service that I'm seriously impressed with.  And an amazing selection of things to try at that!

I just wanted to let everyone know about this great experience.  And let you see how pretty the packaging was!

Everything included this month

Such a cute sticker!

I didn't want to photograph everything individually, but these reflective laces are cool

I couldn't resist showing you the snowman, and the "maximum cheer"!

On a completely unrelated note, I made this tutu today!  And while you can't tell it's a mix of normal white and sparkly white tulle.  It's going to get some peppermint candies and candy canes added to it for an 8k tomorrow.  I'm just excited about it, and can't wait to show you the finished product and the sparkle tomorrow!
 
What company has impressed you with their customer service?
Lauren

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Savannah Bridge Run Race Recap

On December 7th, Ray and I ran the Savannah Bridge Run.  We ran the 5k, although they have 10k and Double Pump (5k then the 10k) options.  However, we had never conquered the bridge before, or any hills for that matter living in Savannah, so we opted to just go over it once.  According to the race website, the bridge itself is a "5.5% grade and 1.4-mile span" and then of course 1.7 miles after that (which had many smaller hills included!).  

Many people dress up in costume, a lot of which are shown below.  We didn't dress up, but his mom was Wonder Woman, along with the women from our local Moms Run This Town (also below).  And none of these at all are stolen from the professional photographer..... 

Like with the Pickle Run a few weeks ago, the race itself was hard, but the community was so amazing.  I had so much fun, and we might even do the Double Pump next year.  We'll certainly dress up.  I don't have all too much to say about this race.  We did complete it in 45:15, and my Garmin measured it long at 3.17 I believe, so about the same as the Pickle Run.

We did just join a local running club, and every Sunday morning they run the bridge, so that will be really helpful!



























Did I mention it got to almost 80 during the race?  He took his shirt off about halfway through.

These are our war faces.








Has it been unreasonably or unusually warm for anyone else lately?

Lauren