2013 Dream Board

As part of my reflection of 2012 and planning for 2013, I came across a great site for making a dream board. It's an Oprah sponsored site.  The philosophy is that what you put out there in the universe, the universe makes it happen--if you put negativity out there, you get negativity back, but if you put your positive hopes and dreams out there, they will come back to you too. I love this idea, so I had to give it a try.  It's really easy to use and helps you really see what your priorities are.

My board represents all the things that are important to me.  In 2013, I would like to grow as a Disney travel agent and a Beach Body Coach.  I would also like to eat better and do some more runDisney races.  My financial goals are to save some money and work toward buying a bigger house.  Two things that are very important to me are raising money for the LLS and my most important goal of all is to spend more time with my family.

Have you ever done a dream board?  What did you put on it?

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

New Years Resolutions

As 2012 comes to a close, my thoughts turn to 2013.  I have spent the morning thinking about alot of stuff...what will make my life better in 2013?  The usuals come up of course--I would like to lose some more weight, save more money, eat better ect.  These things are all good, but to accomplish it I need a real plan.

My running and Turbo videos are good cardio, but to lose weight and to get into better shape overall, I need to strength train.  I know, I know, I talk about strength training alot.  But honestly  it is my biggest weakness. I simply do not enjoy it like I do running.  It feels like a chore--but that does not give me a pass to not do it. So, this new year I will complete the ChaLean Extreme program!  My gym time is very limited so this is the best option for me to get my strength training in.  I love Chalene--she is so encouraging, supportive and her music rocks!

I found this on Pintrest and I think its genius!

My other plan of action is to drink more water!  My plan is to drink at least 100 oz. of water every day.  I am going to drink a glass of water before every meal and keep my water bottle with me at all times.  That is the one thing I learned from the Beach Body reset I did a few weeks ago.  I could not believe how much better I felt when I was drinking a lot of water.

Contact me at amysmith7@comcast.net for details! 

If you are interested in joining me, I am holding a new year, new you challenge group.  Basically, we will all drink Shakeology, do the workout plan of your choice, and eat healthy.  Myself and the other challenge participants will support you all the way and hold you accountable.  These groups help me so much--I love knowing that someone will ask me if I did my workout and if I eat well that day.  Knowing someone else will check on me really helps me to succeed!  Email me for more details!

Happy New Year!!!

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

2012--Year in Review

2012 was the year I become a half marathoner!  I started running in 2011, but in 2012 I meet my goal--my goal of becoming a half marathoner by completing the runDisney Princess Half Marathon.  I am not just a half marathoner--a 7 time half marathoner! I became a Disney Princess in February 2012 and never looked back.  My half marathons for 2012 were:

The runDisney Princess Half Marathon
The Diva Half Marathon in Myrtle Beach
The San Diego Rock and Roll Half Marathon
The Disneyland Half Marathon
The Philly Rock and Roll Half Marathon
Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco
The runDisney Wine and Dine Half Marathon

Wow, what a year!  The way things are shaping for 2013, it will be even better!

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

The Dreadmill...

I am a total cold wimp--if its below 40 degrees, I am not going out!  I think that is the Southern Californian coming out in me but I HATE cold.  I hate being cold, I hate the feel of the cold air stinging my lungs, I hate all the bundling up, I hate when my nose runs uncontrollably.  Cold and I just do not get alone!  Since I live in Pennsylvania, I can not escape it.  From November to March it gets cold here.  Since running outside in weather under 40 degrees is just not acceptable to me, I spend a lot of time on the dreadmill.

I am already starting to grow tired of the dreadmill.  Its just so boring!  I watch the clock.  One minute feels like an hour....am I done yet?  I guess I have been doing a lot of complaining about the treadmill lately because a friend tweeted me this article from "Runner's World."  The article points out some of the good things about the treadmill.  You can do hills repeats without hunting for the perfect hill, or having run down it over and over.  You don't have worry about your splits because the belts holds a constant pace. Some I will add myself are that you don't have to worry about getting hit by a car, getting kidnapped, attacked by an animal, slipping on the ice--and you don't have to go out in the freezing cold everyday!  I hate to be negative, so I am really trying to keep the good things about the treadmill in my mind when every I feel dread about hoping on.  I try to tell myself how fortunate I am to be able and healthy enough to run.

With all the good Disney races (Tink and Princess) scheduled for when its cold in good old PA, I guess I better get used to the treadmill. Do you use a treadmill?  Do you love it or hate it?

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

My First Real Trail Run

My Nike San Francisco top! 

My Team in Training Team has no official runs until mid January, but Coach Mike has gathered a group of what he calls "Turtle Team".  Our group is composed of a bunch of runners who want to keep up our training runs in the winter.  We are welcoming to slow runners (the turtle part, lol) and welcome anyone to come out with us and run.  

This past Sunday we meet at Pinchot State Park to run around of the lake.  Now, I tell you all the time that I run on "the trail".  I run here for team runs, I run/walk/bike here with my kids, sometimes alone.  My "trail" is actually a rail trail.  It is made of crushed gravel--very flat, wide and easy to run on.  Yesterday's trail run was a real trail run--with branches, exposed pointy rocks, leaf covered, very steep hills ect.  As clumsy as I am, it was very challenging!

Central PA Turtle Team

After a rainy week, it was very muddy on the trail.  There was lots of ups and down.  I twisted my ankle three times, but did not fall once--I call that a win!  Even though this course was very challenging, I loved it! Coach said that due to the difficulty of the course, we could consider our mileage double of what we actually ran. We stayed by the lake the whole time.  I can run forever if I have a good view--especially of water.  The lake is eight miles around.  I can't wait to run the whole way around it.  When I do run around the whole thing, I would be sure to have a buddy--its to dangerous to run those trails alone!

Have you ever run on a real trail?  What did you think of it?

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

Water, Water, Water!

I started the Beach Body Ultimate Reset two weeks ago.  Boy is it tough!  I can deal with the the supplements.  They really are not that bad.  The alkalinize is hard to swallow, but its just once a day.  The food is actually really good!  I have tried some many new foods that I never would have if it were not for the Reset--like quinoa.

One thing the Reset has taught me--I need more water!  In the Reset, you drink about a gallon of water per day.  At first, it was a chore.  After just a few days my body really got used to the water and I craved it.  The Reset is designed to teach you healthy habits.  This one about the water is one I am sure I will keep.

We all have heard the statistics that our bodies are like half water.  We also here the statistics that around 90% of American's are chronically dehydrated.  I used to think that there is no way I was one of them.  I though, I drink plenty of water.  I guess I was wrong.  I can really feel a difference!

Are you drinking enough water?

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

A Yoga Newbie

I like to try new thing with my workout--new running routes, new classes, new instructors.   It keeps things from getting boring.  Today, I tried out a new class--Yoga!  Yoga is certainly not a new thing.  My gym has offered the class for years, but it was new to me.

I got to the class about five minutes before it was scheduled to start  The room was very dark, but a few ladies welcomed me to the class.  I noticed that everyone brought a mat.  I did not think to bring one, but the instructor let me borrow an extra.  The class was very full and felt packed at first.  Once we got started, it felt fine.

The instructor told the class that she does a more fluid type of Yoga, meaning that you move more and hold the poses for just one breath.  At first, I could not keep up!  Once I figured out the basic poses, I got the hang of it.  I was so surprised at how challenging the class was.  I was expecting some tribal music and lots of being still.  We moved so much more than I expected.  It really increased my heart rate and got me sweating.   Half way through the class, my legs were shaking  It was really tough, but I got through it. After the one hour class, I ran for a half hour on treadmill.  When I got home, I was bet!  Yoga can really take a lot of you!  I think this may be my new Wednesday morning routine.  I really enjoyed.

Do you Yoga?

Namaste

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

First Run Back

I have not run for over three weeks!  This flu really got me good.  I had never been sick like this until these past three weeks.  My doctor called it viral bronchitis and said there is a really nasty strain of it going around now.  Then she told me it could last up to four weeks.  I thought, no way--I'm tough--it will have me down a few days tops.  Boy was I wrong!  This lower respiratory infection really kicked my butt!

Breathing has always been my biggest weakness in running.  When I would need to stop, it was not because I was tired, it was because I was out of breath.  With this infection, I could barely walk up the stairs without being out of breath there was no way I could run.  I even missed the Turkey Trot.  I have been terrified that I would lose everything I have worked hard to build in the past two years.  This is by far the biggest running break I have had since I started running.  I have come to far to lose it all now.

This morning was my first run since the runDisney Wine and Dine on November 9th.  I ran on the treadmill at the gym.  I did 3/1 intervals.  It was hard, but I did it!  I ran for 30 minutes and got 2.3 miles.  This was just over a thirteen minute mile.  That's certainly not my best, but its not as bad as I thought it would be.  This was a great place to pick up my training after being sick.  I am really looking forward to the Tinkerbell Half in seven weeks and the Princess Half in eleven weeks.  Time to start running some long runs!

A dream is a wish...

--Amy