Pressure

Even if you don't run, you would probably agree that running is a current trend, especially with women. If anything, you could say it is trendy right now to be a runner. Just look at this statistic from Runner's World.

Ok so you know what happens when a whole bunch of women like the same thing/want the same thing??? If you don't I highly recommend standing outside a coach outlet store before a big sale... 

They get competitive and they compare every detail. 

I have tried really hard not to fall into that trap but I will say it doesn't mean I haven't felt pressure. Pressure to get faster. Pressure to buy nicer running gear. Pressure to sign up for more races. The list could probably go on & on, but no one cares. 

Basically what I am here to tell you is that I ran in four half marathons this past year (basically 5 after my last indoor race debacle) and some little voice keeps telling me that this is all great and good but you should run a marathon. If you run a marathon you will be a real runner. 

So guess what? I fell victim to that voice and I picked one out. I did my research and I decided I would sign up. I got on the site today, printed out a training plan and thankfully before I pressed submit I took my calendar out. I realized that two very vital weeks in my training would be spent on a cruise with my family in February. 

I totally intend to run while on vacation. I will run on the track, in the gym, and back and forth through every buffet. Initially it sounds like no big deal. I could probably fuel and run happily, but do I want the PRESSURE to do so. NAhhhhhh. It's not worth it. 

Honestly this will be the last time Jacob will see the sun and we have money to go on vacation till after law school. My dad will probably kill me if I am wasting pool time and/or falling off the side of the rock wall with him to get in another few miles.

So right now I am here to say it won't be worth it. I am not running a marathon in the spring of 2014. Oh well. 

The only pressure I will be feeling is to down another margarita with my family. 

So... Cheers! : )

bad habit & a challenge

This post came to me while brushing my teeth this morning.

I don't know why I felt it was important for you to know this but I thought it was a good place to start this post : )

*******************************
So I feel burnt out.

Normal feeling during this time of year, right? Sure.

But honestly I don't think my dilemma really has to do with the holiday season.

I think I say "yes" too much.

Yep. I over exert myself and I sign up for more than I can handle and then it back fires and I am in bed at 6pm with two rows of oreos and a bottle of wine with a straw. I skip working out and I am super crabby. Anyone else?

Look, here is what I am saying, we all feel obligated to do things. I feel dragged in different directions and there are things I dread going to. Networking events @ work or a workout class I felt I could make two days earlier but then 99 other things happened and trying to still make it destroys my day, & so on & so forth.

I forget 98 percent of the time that I am a grown up. No one is going to yell at me if I skip out on something. You decide your day. If you know you will enjoy something once you get there that's one thing, but if you are concerned that an appointment, or party, or any other type of plan is going to screw up your attitude and mood, say NO.

********************************
Bahahaha. I am seriously laughing out loud right now because I am crazy I realized this post just became an advice column to myself. 

You guys, I never do this.

I need to do this and I am wondering how many of you struggle with realizing you are in control of your life???

Why do we let guilt and other people dictate our happiness? I am done doing this.

Today I have exactly one month left of being 25. YAY birthdays!

I have decided here and now that I am making a bucket list of things I want to accomplish before I turn another year older.  

My 25 YEAR OLD BUCKET LIST 

1. Do something active for 20 minutes everyday.

2. Clean out my closet. Really clean it out (shoes and purses included) & donate or sell what I can. I have too much and I need to eliminate what isn't necessary.

3. Get up 10 minutes earlier than I do and make a commitment to plan to be places 5 minutes early. Being late is the worst habit ever. I know it would bring me more happiness to be on time. Not to mention I would be less stressed.

4. Use coupons 3 times at a the grocery store. I am so bad at this and I want to start being better at saving money. I think starting to cut and use coupons might be a good place to start.

5. Get a massage. My husband alwaysss tells me to schedule one but I never do. I guess I think spending the money on it is selfish, which is a joke because it is also selfish that I online shop like its my job. However I know mentally and physically it would probably do great things for me. I am really hard on my body because I run so much and showing it some extra love after a long run would probably be more beneficial than I could even imagine.

6. I watched this video today. Love it. Watch it. A plus size model talks about her experiences and she gives such wonderful advice. She says that she tells herself everyday "I love my body" and it works. She says since she has said it more, she believes it more. I am going to tell myself the same thing everyday. First thing in the morning, looking straight in the mirror.

Anyone want to join me in this experiment? I will be sure to let you know on January 11th how it is working
: )

7. Last but not least I am not going to let the word YES jump out of my mouth till I actually think about what I am saying yes to. I will ask myself: Is it going to cause me more stress? Does it actually fit into my schedule? Will it bring me happiness or make me feel good?

Cool. I think that is it. I feel good about that list.

I can bet a lot of you don't have a birthday coming up, but the New Year is just around the corner...

Instead of creating New Years resolutions, what are some things you want to accomplish before the New Year starts???? 

Ready. Set. Go. 

My 10th race this year. DONE.

Guys.

I am frozen.

Dear Weather Man, I don’t know where you get your information from. It FEELS LIKE -20. 

Anyways I hoped by showing you what it is like here you miraculously feel better about wherever you are : )

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yesterday I ran in my very last race of the year & thankfully it was inside !!!

The race was held on a track that wraps around our local ice skating rink. I was nervous for some reason about running on a track. I didn't run on a track in high school and since picking up running I honestly have never stepped on one. I figured I would go faster because I wouldn't be fighting hills, wind, and snow but we still went on Saturday for a trial run.

Let’s just say this.

It is better than the treadmill but it wasn't great.

I did seven miles on Saturday. I took it really easy but it didn't really feel easy. 7 miles was 25 times around that damn circle and it sure felt like it. I left feeling great about what I accomplished but all I kept thinking was I had 45 laps to do the next day. I was hoping that the enthusiasm of race day would pull me through because I can honestly say I didn't feel excited at all. I can usually find a positive but it is a different kind of mind game to go around and around like that.

Well there were two heats for the race. The first one started at 8:30 am and the second at 11 am. The first heat’s cut off was 2 hours, the second heat’s cut off was 3.5 hours. Back when I signed up I thought for a second about joining the second heat but I have finished all my half marathons in less than 2 hours and this was about a mile less, plus again, no hills and no wind so surely I could get under two hours, right?

When I got to the track on race day, you could just feel how experienced these runners were. I immediately regretted running the first heat. Jacob told me to just breath and let the people around me inspire me. I tried and for the first seven miles I felt okay. I did just over 7 miles in 60 mins & then it happened. I past Jake, asked what lap I was on and he gave me a puppy dog face & said nothing. Next lap I came around and asked again. He said that the computer was frozen. They had missed a few of everyone's laps. He didn't know.

good thing this is blurry. it doesn't look like I am having much fun.

Instantly I regretted AGAIN not going with the second heat. If I had more time... sure! I could slow down, get in a few more miles, whatever!! but I was running with Olympians basically. I was barely going to finish the 20K in 2 hours anyways and now I had to run extra!!! I just knew I was going to get kicked off the course. Cool. Talk about a major hit to my ego.

So finally I hear the announcer say 5 more laps for me. I do the five. I am coming in and I cross the finish line and the announcer says my name again and that I have two laps left. UMMM hell to the no. I was done. No thanks. I know I did 45 laps, probably closer to 50. Math is not my strong suit but I know how to count, especially to 5.

What lesson did I learn, you ask? This race proved I put too much weight on numbers. I think I was miserable on that track because my Garmin didn’t work and I lost count of the lap I was on, faster than you can say the word lap. Then when the race officials broke whatever they broke, I was ready to scream! I guess I just wanted to know and have the satisfaction of knowing that I ran a 20K. Likewise, I wanted to know the official time it took me, but so what! It happens. 

Mistakes happen and what matters the most is that I wore 10 bibs this year. I crossed 10 finish lines and I worked really hard on myself in the process.

Running continues to challenge me and change me. I wake up every day with the ability to run. That’s pretty awesome.

On Sunday I got to run along-side some really, really great runners and even though I felt like an amateur : ) I was brave to stick it out and not let being one of the last three people on the track get to me.

I didn't get a medal but I got a big smile and a huge hug from my sweet coach of a husband….oh and this...

 

went in NO snow, came out to almost 6 inches.

Please tell me!!! Has anyone else ever ran a race on a track? Do you train on a track? What do you like/hate about it?!?!

photo dump & some pinterest

Well I have about 286036405 random things to tell you today so lets get started with a photo dump 

from my phone.

So Saint Nick came. He brought me some of my favorite things. I will be under six blankets all weekend making these treats disappear. After my post yesterday I can't even believe how many people haven't heard of Saint Nick's day!!!!
So glad I could share a new holiday with everyone : )

Last Saturday, after consuming about 63604925 calories, I finished off my night with two glasses of a new wine.
Funky Llama. It was delish! I need to find it right now. This experience proved that you should actually pick your wine based on name. 

This is by far the coolest picture I have ever taken on my phone. Jake's brother was balancing on a stump while Christmas tree hunting so I took a picture. Come to find out the stump is completely camouflaged and it looks like he is floating! I want to submit this to some kind of contest.

Look at this beautiful table.
Just look at it.
This was one of  the food tables after our Turkey Trot last week.
This race obviously set my standards high.
Frosting and running. Perfection.

Jacob and I painted pottery the other night. Seriously I can't think of a better date night activity.
Plus the place we go serves wine and beer. I would really like to open one of these ASAP ...so if anyone is game my email is under {CONTACT} : )

our hot plate masterpieces  

Ok so now that we got that pointless photo dump out of the way, here are some of my favorite things on Pinterest lately & if you aren't following me you should : )

DIY Beer Cap Ornaments
I want to make these as present toppers!

DIY thumb print art
I don't know what I would do this on and why but I thought this was really cute.
Maybe on a card?

hottttt chocolate poured over peppermint ice-cream! GENIUS. 

FLARE JEANS
I think I might bring my flare jeans back.
It has been awhile.

S'more Mini DippersI am thinking of making these for my co-workers for the holidays.


Stay WARM and have a great weekend, friends!

Saint Nick's Day

I just can't pass up a good link-up these days.
I promise I will get original with my posts again...starting tomorrow : )

I wasn't actually even planning on doing this post but something happened last night and it fit so I am linking up with two really great bloggers, Amy and Holly.

-----
Last night my mom called. She called specifically to ask me if I would be coming over tonight to put out my shoes. I responded...

"OF COURSE?! Thanks for reminding me. You are the best mom ever." I don't actually think I said the last part but I should have because she is the bomb. dot. com. 

Now I know what you are thinking &
YES. Next month I will be 26 years old.
YES. I am married.
YES. I own my own house & my own car.

But you are sadly mistaken if you think for a second that I will not be making sure my running shoes are put to good use this evening by holding all the presents and candy St. Nick can fill in them :)

My heart will hurt badly one day when we have babies and my mom Saint Nick considers no longer filling my shoes. I hope I have babies that share.

Anyways I didn't even realize that St. Nick's day was considered a tradition until last year when Jacob and I were talking about it and he said they never celebrated St. Nick's day at their house.

WHAT?!

Well I also realized that I hadn't really admitted to Jacob till last year that I still put my shoes out at my parent's house. Well go figure... Jacob wasn't surprised.

Anyways I am glad I was honest with my sweet husband because he made sure that St. Nick started stopping at our house too.

I woke up last year and found that he had put my UGGs out for me. What a guy!!

Emma got in on the action too.

What holiday traditions do you have??? 

Do you celebrate Saint Nick's Day???

The Sunshine Award

Last week I was nominated for two of the blogger awards bouncing around right now!

Today I am going to start with the Sunshine Award that Tammy Jo over at You Wouldn't Call It A Drinking Problem nominated me for.

You should definitely stop over and check her out if you haven't already! Her blog name is just the best and she is incredibly sweet.

Basically how this thing works is you pick 11 bloggers, nominate them and let them know by commenting on their page. They answer the 11 questions they are given and provide 11 random facts. Then do the same for the next 11 bloggers.

SO let's get started shall we :)

Tammy asked us the following questions:

1. Why did you start blogging?

I think the support and encouragement I felt by reading other blogs really is what inspired me. I wanted to do the same for others. Running is obviously my sport but I think it is pretty awesome that (at least for the most part) the blog world can be a place for women to support each other and encourage one another in many aspects of life. ALSO I don't think I really realized it when I started but now I am so excited that I will have a place to look back at and great memories documented.

2. Favorite Holiday?

Thanksgiving for sure.

3. Favorite holiday tradition?

Hmmm this one is hard. I guess sometimes you don't even realize your traditions but I love the breakfast my dad makes on Christmas morning & then laying around all day drinking mimosas -I don't think that counts as a tradition but it has been the last 5 years or so :)

4. What is one thing you could do over and over?

Watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Yep.

5. Dream job?

Honestly a marine biologist. I love dolphins, marine life, and the ocean.

6. What is your Christmas tree "theme" this year?

Every year growing up and still to this day my aunt buys me a Christopher Radko ornament. They are very expensive and really beautiful. They take up most of the tree now but Jacob and I have a few that we have acquired together that are special too. So no theme really.

7. Favorite drink?

easy. red wine. usually a cab.

8. Ice cream or cake?

Ice cream all the way! I lovvvvvvvve peppermint ice cream. Jake thinks it is very weird.

9. Did you participate in black Friday? Did you score any deals?

Sort of. Usually we go out earlier and longer but we hit up target @ about 10 pm. We got a few small things. No killer deals : (

10. Favorite store?

Gosh this is so hard... I guess I am going to say Target. It robs me blind but it usually has a Starbucks and everything I could ever want and more.

11.  If you could spend an unlimited amount of money and not have to pay it back, where would you go?

I would go to Europe in a heart beat. I would love to go to Paris and Italy again. I am pretty sure I would spend a year living in Italy and take weekend trips to other countries in Europe. I would shop, eat and drink everything in sight.

11 Facts.

1. My first car was a yellow Volkswagen beetle.
2. One of the hardest and yet my most favorite accomplishment is hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon with my dad.
3. I don't think I have actually every had a favorite color. It changes all the time. Currently I think it is orange.
4. I am a shorty. 5'2 all day, every day.
5. I failed my driving test the first time.
6. Emma is 3 years old.
7. Jacob is only 2 days older than me. It is kind of fun to have a birthday the same week. You wouldn't think so, but it is.
8. Sushi is my favorite food.
9. BUT breakfast is my favorite meal.
10. I know that doesn't make sense :)
11. The hiccups are my least favorite thing in the world.

Whew! Now enough about me, check these girls out!!

Brandi
Steph
Ally
Emily 
Amanda 
Kylie 
Renee
Annie 
Jacqueline
Aubrey 
Mackenzie

Sorry ladies, if you have already been nominated! But here are my questions for you : )

1. What is one thing you want to accomplish in 2014?
2. If you have kids or want to have kids, did you or would you find out the sex?
3. What is your favorite thing about your blog?
4. What is your favorite pizza topping?
5. Least favorite workout?
6. If you could have an exotic animal as a pet what would it be?
7. What is the one thing you hoard?
8. How many hair colors have you tried?
9. Last meal on earth...GO!
10. What current TV show is your favorite?
11. What is your favorite quote?

In the spirit of Cyber Monday...

I cannot tell you how excited I am to share this adorable online shop with you.

2 VAGABONDS Imports 

I am absolutely obsessed with everything they sell. Not to mention totally jealous of all the places they have traveled in order to score the fabulous pieces on their site.

Lisa and Erin started their import company in 2009. They both have a huge passion for traveling. They combined traveling with an eye for fashion forward merchandise & brought to life their online shop.

Every item is so unique & their prices are amazing. Mostly though, I just love knowing I am purchasing something one-of-a-kind, possibly from half way across the world!

As part of Emily and Kylie's Favorite Things link up, I wanted to share 5 of my favorite items from

2 VAGABONDS Imports!

But don't just take my word for it! Be sure to stop over there & check out their site for yourself. You won't be disappointed and you may find the perfect gift for someone on your Christmas list this year.

1. Multistrand Turquoise Necklace from Bali

This is the first item I ever bought from them. I love everything about it. I usually just wear it with a white t-shirt and jeans. My favorite is the wood clasp in the back. It is so beautiful and really unique!

2. Triple Wrap Turquoise Beaded Bracelet from Thailand 

I feel like you are going to quickly catch on to my love of turquoise. Well, you caught me. I love it & this bracelet is definitely on my wish list. Wrap bracelets are great, especially layered. I would throw this on with my gold watch.

3. Pink Flamingo Pillow from Thailand

How adorable is this handmade pillow??? We have a gray leather couch and I think the pink would be a great accent. I just had to throw this into the mix because I wanted to make sure you checked out their home goods too.

4. Green and Turquoise Turkish Earrings

I think it would be fair to say I love all of the earrings on this site but these are so unique. I love the bright colors and totally want them to pair with a sundress or a maxi skirt in the summer.

5. Wax Cord Crystal and Pearl Necklace from Thailand

I think this necklace is just beautiful. I bet it could dress up anything or be a really beautiful gift for someone over the holidays. I am thinking paired with a silk top and a blazer, or with your LBD, this would be perfect!

On a side note, I am lucky enough to know Erin personally : ) She is my husband's cousin. When I found out that traveling and shopping was her job I was instantly jealous. I love hearing how people make their own dreams come true and build their own business. I hope to share more about their online shop and feature them on my side bar in the near future!

Let me know if you have any favorites from their site! Where are you shopping on Cyber Monday???