619 miles

How to set a running goal & stay motivated

Hello there blog readers! I'm going to start this post off with a few disclaimers.

1. I don't necessarily consider myself a "runner" but I have been running a lot lately.
2. I've pretty much never reached any of my running goals in the past, but this one is different.
3. I had the idea for this post as I was running in the heat with a pretty good headwind pushing me back and even though I wanted to stop I kept running.

I've set numerous running goals in the past and yet never reached them, so what qualifies me to write this post?!?! I would say that I have a lot of experience setting goals and I've run a bunch, so I'm just going to share my experiences with you. I say this one is different because I've set a pretty big goal (for me anyway) and I've already ran more miles in 16 days than I have in months!

My goal is to run 100 miles in two months. It's actually not "my" goal. One of my friends that is deployed with me casually mentioned that she wanted to run 100 miles while were on our deployment. I thought, why not, I'm gonna do that too. Then I took it to the next level and recruited even more people to join in, including my husband and brother! 

Here are my steps to setting running goals and staying motived to reach them.

1. Make the goal a challenge, but still achievable. 

What I mean by that is don't make it something super easy, like running a minute every day, but don't make it something crazy hard like running a marathon in a weeks time. I've run off and on for a while now and when my friend said 100 miles it seemed like something that was pretty hard, but I thought maybe, just maybe I could reach that goal. So strive for something like that. It sounds pretty hard, but there's something in you that says you can probably pull it off with some hard work.

2. Do it with friends

I posted the challenge on a group fitness board on Facebook and invited anyone else to join in. Even though I am deployed and thousands and thousands of miles away, it is super fun to have loved ones from home running "with" me. I used the Nike+ app to create a challenge and I invited anyone else that also had the app to join in. Now we can see each other's progress and cheer each other on. There may also be a little bit of friendly competition going to see who is ahead.

Even better than having virtual running buddies is to have one in person. Several times when I've been running with my friend here I have only kept going, or heck.. I've only started, because she was there! It's more fun to go with someone... even if you're slower than they are! We've both helped get each other started and keep each other moving. 

3. Get Crafty

I am a visual person and I love graphic design so I had to make a visual tracker for the 100 mile goal. I was inspired by Elise's daily goal tracker and came up with a simple visual of 100 circles, one to represent each mile.

Download 100 miles 

After all, the best way to tackle 100 miles is just one mile at a time! It's a lot of fun to see the progress and to color in each circle as I complete another mile. You don't have to get crazy on the computer to do this. Just make tick marks on a piece of paper or write the number of miles each day. Just have something tangible that you can see (without having to log onto your phone) everyday to help inspire and motivate you. I have mine posted on my locker in my room so I can see it every day.

4. Share your progress and your struggles

I think I've posted almost every run to Facebook via my Nike+ app. People may be annoyed by it, but so far it's only brought positive comments and words of encouragement and motivation. There are plenty of times when I've ran and felt so slow at first or super sluggish (don't eat three+ cookies after dinner!) so I've shared that too. Running is HARD. It's definitely no cake walk...errr cake run?!?

5. GO!

Just get started. No time like the present, right?!? Well, I will admit that being deployed is probably making this goal a tad easier to achieve. Being gone sucks because I don't have my  family, friends, dog or house, but because I don't have these things I can spend my free time running and working out. Depending on your goal you pick the best time for you to start, and if a freak snowstorm dumps 14" of snow on you, well then extend the time table for the goal a little. Just make sure you start. Don't talk yourself out of it for sill reasons. Getting started is the hardest part. Once you get into a rhythm it's much easier to maintain.... plus some friendly competition never hurt :) 

So let's recap.

First, pick something that's challenging but that you think you could pull off with some hard work. Announce it to the world and get your friends to join in either virtually or in person. Monitor your progress visually and share that progress (and the struggles too) with others. Finally, get those feet a movin'! 

Do you want to join in? Download the goal tracker and join us! If you're on the Nike+ running app let me know and I'll see if I can add you to our challenge.

workout challenge - month uno

WHOHOOO! One month complete of my workout challenge and I am feeling good. I think I have slowed down a bit with the running, but compensated by walking. Next month's goal is to get faster.

workout challenge - week tres

This week I did a lot of walking with Reese. I took her along with to do some fieldwork on Monday and I've been regularly taking her walking after my runs. She isn't much on running. Slows me down a little. No way I'm gonna make it to a 7.5 minute mile if I have her holding me up. So... I run and then I grab Reese for the walk.

Totals for week 3:

• walked 5.1 miles
• ran 5.47 miles
• 250 pushups
• 250 situps
• 250 crunches
• 250 squats
• 1.5 hrs of yoga
• soccer

Recently I've been saying that I wanted to start back up with yoga, but there isn't a place nearby and I haven't been much into it since my dear friend and yoga instructor moved out of town years ago. Then this Friday she sent me a message on Facebook saying she was subbing at her old studio. I was so excited, not only to see my friend, but it was perfect timing. I don't know if I'll keep going to the studio, but I will definitely be working in more yoga into my workouts.

workout challenge - week dos

Last week I told you about the workout challenge I have begun. I am keeping up ok. Last week I did miss a day of the pushups, situps and squats. I'm already 1/2 through week 3 and.... well.... let's just say it's harder to motivate myself when I am actually at home. Here I am surrounded by a gazillion things I need/want to do. I'm pressing on though and the weather here is cooler, so that is making it easier to hit the pavement.

Just before I went out of town on my work trip I took Reese to the vet and he said that she needs to loose some weight. She has bad hips and carrying extra weight is not good, so I am trying to incorporate her into my fitness routine as well. I think she's excited about it. Twice this week she grabbed her leash and drug it out the door.

Here are my totals for week dos:

• ran 8 miles
• went stand up paddleboarding for an hour and half (super fun and a lot of work)
• played indoor soccer (intense game, tied 4-4, got knocked over and ended up with a couple bruises)
• 200 pushups
• 200 situps
• 150 squats

It is fun to incorporate different activities and it certainly keeps me from getting bored. This is going to be a challenge when winter hits. I am still keeping track in my planner and it is helping with the motivation. The Nike+ app is still working well for me. I like how when I run outside I can see the route on a map and it shows where my pace got slower and where I was running faster.

I've decided to keep my miles at 2 max for now because I have set a personal goal of scoring a 100% on my physical fitness test that is due by the middle of November. Today I looked up what I will need to get this score, and I have some work to do. Especially in the running department. Here is what I need to get a 100%:

• run 1.5 miles in 10:51
• do 46 pushups in a minute
• do 45 crunches in a minute

I have never ran a mile that fast. That is a 7.5 minute mile!!! I was pretty shocked when I figured that out. I am not going to let that deter me. I'm sticking to the goal of 100%. Today I ran a little under a 9.5 minute mile so I definitely have some work to do. Wish me luck!

workout challenge - week uno

Hola amigos! Estoy en Puerto Rico. Hace mucho calor, pero tambien mucho lluvia. Ok... enough of my choppy not-so-good Spanish. I am in Puerto Rico for work (terrible I know) and I started a workout challenge while I was here. Not the most opportune time to start such a thing, but what the heck I agreed to it anyway. My man and I decided that we needed to motivate each other a little more to work out, so we came up with this very simple workout challenge:

5 times a week we will:

1. run a minimum of 2 miles
2. do 50 pushups
3. do 50 situps

I told you it was simple. I did add 50 squats to the routine for myself, beccaue I do not workout my legs enough and running without strength training has wrecked my knee in the past. Being away from home and my normal stuff has made it more of a challenge, but I was ready to start something since I have not worked out in over a year. Here are my totals for week one:

• ran 6 miles
• biked approx 18 miles
• 200 pushups
• 200 situps
• 150 squats

 
I did miss one day of the pushups and situps. I'll have to add an extra day to this week. Things that are helping with staying motivated are:

1. having a partner. Being accountable to someone else is definitely a motivator. 
2. cute workout clothes. I'm in love with my lululemon workout gear. THE most comfy sports bra, ridiculously cute (and comfy) running shorts, and a couple tanks. By no means is their stuff cheap, but it fits and feels great. Sales are awesome!
3. the Nike+ app. It is tracking my runs, however I don't think it is accurate when I run on the treadmill. I'm usually not a treadmill runner, but the beach killed my knee and it's been RAINING alot, so treadmill it is. It's better than the couch! I like that you do challenges within the app against other users for fun as well as set up personal goals. I also really llike the visuals when you log into the website, it's simple and it keeps track of your best times, fastest runs, longest runs...etc. You can also share your runs from within the app to twitter and facebook.
4. seeing the stats at the end of the week. I did how many pushups?!?! It feels REALLY good to see those numbers added up on paper.

So, what kind of workout routine do you have? Need some motivation? Join in our workout challenge if you want. I'll be posting  my stats each week and you can post yours too. If you want to challenge me on Nike+ my username is Jennash1. Join in the fun... the hardest part is just getting started!

I am a fan

{Michelle Armas via Oh Joy!}

I can't believe that it is only the second week of school and I already feel bogged down and behind! I'm working a bunch still, so that does not help matters. September should be a little easier as I venture off to warmer (though hurricane prone) climates to catch up on sun, sleep, and homework.

Lack of time is also having an impact on my blog reading, however these recent posts definately caught my eye. 

I am a fan of

• this swoon worthy quilt block by Eileen Josephine
• the way Lisa Occhipinti re-purposes books. This has been floating around the blogs for a while, but if you check it out on SF Girl by Bay, there is a fun free pdf tutorial download.
• Michelle Armas' art, featured on Oh Joy!
• scrapbook pages that look like art, by Kelly Purkey (and these too).
• this rug. I'd like that color scheme for a living room I think.

Life is a bunch of craziness right now and I'm not the most patient gal in the world, so I'm trying each day to remember this.

What are you a fan of these days? Anything around the web catching your eye?

 

no TV tuesday - final week

(tv pillow by etsy seller: mymimi)

Yes, I know... It's not Tuesday, it's Thursday. I've been super busy the past week and just realized today that I missed the tuesday post. I spent this past Tuesday driving back from my awesome b-day weekend. It included 2 UK wins- GO CATS!!!, some cold, but fun camping, a little shopping and even some dancing. It was an all around fun Bday :)

Tuesday's drive back, on the other hand.... not so good. I got a flat tire about 2 hours into the 8 hour drive. YIKES! Thank God for these new electronically advanced cars. The Jetta has a tire sensor thingie that told me something was up with one of my tires. I happened to be near an exit with a gas station, pulled off and parked near the air pump. I hopped out walked around the car looking at the tires, and yep... the rear passenger side tire was hissing out air so fast I could hear it!!!

Long story short, I got the tire off with some help (lug nuts are hard to remove!) and got the tire plugged. I Finished up the drive and made it to work right on time. No time for tv that day. 

no TV tuesday - wk4

Today is going to be all about painting. I'm trying to get rid of a headache I woke up with and then I'm going to finish putting the primer on my dresser. I started on the main body yesterday and today I hope to finish the drawers. Maybe I'll have the thing finished by the weekend?!?!

Instead of watching TV today I will be:

• painting painting painting
• working for a bit
• volunteering to read at a local elementary school 
• enjoying the warmer temps with Reese

Part of the fun of these weekly posts has been finding cool photos of TVs to include. This photo is actually a ceramic coaster! I can't remember how I stumbled upon  Just Noey's etsy shop, but he's got some really fun ceramics and illustrations.

Happy Tuesday!

no TV tuesday - wk3

source: etsy

I made it through another Tuesday without clicking on the 'ol tele. I almost turned it on when I finally slowed down to eat some lunch, but I quickly caught myself and decided on a little silence instead.

I'm undecided on whether or not I am really accomplishing more without the television, but it feels nonetheless. Plus I think it is better to crank up some good music instead of having the tv on for background noise.

I remember when I was growing up I would spend a lot of time at my best friend, Emily's house and the TV time was limited. I think we were only allowed to watch an hour or something a day. We did a lot of dress up, and playing outside instead. I don't have a lot of memories watching a lot of television growing up. I remember a lot of imaginative play... dress up was a favorite, and all of us kids LOVED, I mean LOVED putting on shows. We would make up shows for all kinds of things. Sometimes we even incorporated commercials, all acted out with props, homemade costumes and sound tracks on our tape players. I remember also taking Emily's dad's tape deck and recording "interviews" with the people in the house... I used to have that tape, oh my it was hysterical listening to it after many years.

There was no imaginative play today.

Instead I:

• spent hours looking for hotels and making phone calls for a work trip
• caught up on some emails and blogs
• did laundry, and actually put it away!
• packed for trip
• played with Reese when the rain finally stopped
• picked out a super cool frame for one of my new prints
• I didn't forget to eat today like last Tuesday!
• caught up with Andrea a bit
• tried to help Kerry find some inexpensive table lamps

That's the gist of my day. Nothing too exciting, but NO tv watching :)

What kind of fun things did you do as a kid instead of watching TV? Was it just my family that loved putting on shows?

no TV tuesday - wk2

I almost turned on the television today.. then I remembered it was Tuesday. In an effort to be more productive I'm trying a little experiment. For the month of March I am not watching TV on Tuesdays (as previously mentioned here). It is almost 2pm and so far today I have:

• had a quick morning wake-up phone call
• ate breakfast
• returned a phone call
• called my Memaw
• balanced my checkbook
• paid bills
• put $ in savings
• gave away some $
• worked on my master's project
• ate a snack
• played with Reese
• checked email
• caught up on some blog reading
• replied to emails 
• wrote this blog post

And now that I am writing this I realize I haven't had lunch. No wonder my stomach is growling. Time for food and to tackle the rest of the to-do list. I hope you are having a productive day, and if not, then this should make you smile. Enjoy!

photos are from pinterest (1. 2.)