Tag Archives: Monthly Goals

Jun1

Love the Run!

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Happy Friday and Happy June!! This short week flew on by! Sorry for the lack of posting yesterday but I had some other things to take care of and just didn’t have time.  I was thinking about my goals for the month of May.  May in reality was rather goal-less.  I tried to live in the moment more, connect with friends, read and relax, run for fun and start to build my strength back for yoga.  What I didn’t expect was to find motivation to take control of my frustrations and work to change those situations.  Today that has me feeling pretty awesome.  I anticipate that June will be similar to May.  This month I move out of my apartment in the Back Bay and to the suburbs with Michael which I am so excited about! That means I’m trying to get in as many fro-yo dates and stoop nights with my neighbors as possible, packing, and getting in as many runs around the Esplanade as I can before moving day.  After the move I will be getting settled and adjusting to a new commute, new running routes and most importantly a new routine with Michael.  At the end of the month is vacation!  I plan to enjoy life and all the changes this month brings! I’ll continue with running and yoga, focusing on doing what feels good and what makes me happy.  Speaking of making me happy…I’ve been loving running this week!

I’m three for three on all my runs this week! I plan to run on Saturday or Sunday as well which means I’ll get 4 runs in this week and it’ll be the most days I’ve run in one week since training for Boston.  For the last month or so my runs have been SLOW (slow for me that is) and it’s been frustrating.  Hitting around a 9:15 min/mile is not something I am used to.  Even on my longest training runs I rarely went above a 9min/mile.  I tried to embrace it and just continued to run for the enjoyment of running.  I liked being outside and moving my body and sweating after work.  I liked knowing I was still putting miles on my shoes.  I tried to tell myself that my body was just tired and it was part of the process of healing and recovering after both Chicago and Boston marathons.  You know what? I really think it was.

This week I have been MOTIVATED and EXCITED to get out and run! I look forward to it every day.  Tuesday night I laced up my shoes and headed out for an easy 4 miles.  I had no expectations…just run.  In fact I thought I might be feel crappy and have to deal with annoying itchy legs because I hadn’t run in a week.   Much to my amazement I felt incredible and as I ran over the Mass Ave. bridge I knew I was going to have a good run.  I felt strong, my breathing was calm, my mind was relaxed and I was enjoying the cool air surrounding me.  After a mile my breathing picked up and it felt good to be breathing hard.  I kept pushing myself and kept trying to go faster and faster.

Tuesday’s Splits

I was really happy to see negative splits.  That might have been a first since the marathon.  I just felt so good and the run left me feeling so motivated!

When I set out for Wednesday’s run I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.  I recently added in lunges and squats post run to help build some strength.  At first my legs felt tight and sore and I told myself it was ok if it was a slow and easy run.  And then I remembered Tuesday and how good I felt with those 8 minute miles.  I wanted those again.  I pushed through the tired legs, found my groove and just went into cruise control.  I soaked up the sun and the warm air and the view of the sailboats on the water.  I could have stopped at mile 3 but I pushed through and went for 4 and was so happy I did.

Wednesday’s Splits

Check out mile 2…an 8:13! That’s motivation in a mile if you ask me.  To have an average 8:37 min/mile run made me feel so good! I felt strong and proud of my body.  To be honest, I hadn’t felt that way since the marathon.  That run reminded me why I love running.  I love running because I feel strong and powerful and totally in control.  I’m in charge of my run and the outcome of the run.  I reveled in the feeling of that run, the way my muscles felt and my heart pounding in my body and feeling the sweat dripping down my forehead and down my back.  I was reminded of my mantra for the Boston Marathon, “You are Strong, You are Beautiful”.

Boston Marathon Mantra

Last night’s run was just as good.  I was in the groove again and once again felt strong and beautiful.  It felt like I was running out all of the emotions that had been holding me back lately.   Frustration, anger, anxiousness, fear all were left on the pavement.  Once again I was left feeling like I could do anything! That is why I love to run.

Why do you love to run? How have your runs been lately? What do you have on deck for June?

Apr2

Workout Recap and April Goals!

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Hey All!  Happy April! I’m pretty excited for the new month.  I love April because the weather really starts to warm up, the last of the winter like days come through, the trees start to get leaves and you can really start thinking about summer.  I love it even more this year since I’ll be running the Boston Marathon!  Let’s start the week and the new month by looking at last weeks workouts and my first week on taper and then I’ll get to April goals!

Last week was the first week of tapering.  I was very happy to be resting and so was my body.  If I could describe the week in one word it would be lazy.  I skipped all my 5am wake ups in order to get an extra hour of rest and was in bed before 10:15pm every night.  I also skipped yoga on Thursday to give my legs a little extra rest.  Saturday was a very easy 12 mile run.   I ran with my girlfriends and we chatted the whole time and really slowed our pace.  My tired legs are starting to feel much better.

Workouts Week of 3/26

Tonight I have an easy 4 mile run on tap and then tomorrow night I have a massage that I am very much looking forward to!

April’s goals are really the culmination of months of hard work and training.  I’m also looking forward to shifting gears a little bit towards the end of the month and enjoying some down time.  So here’s a look at this months goals…

Run the Boston Marathon!  

I am so excited about this!  Many of you know that since November I have been fundraising for Team in Training and I have been training since January for this marathon.  I’m really excited to wear my Team in Training singlet and run 26.2 miles for a great cause.  I’m excited to head to the expo, meet some other bloggers and runners, go to some Team in Training events and spend time with my family.  It will truly be an amazing weekend!

Can't Wait to Cross This Finish Line!

Take my NASM Certified Personal Trainers Exam!

Yep, the time has finally come.  I’m still doing some final studying but by the end of the month I will be a certified personal trainer!  I’m really nervous about the exam since I’ve invested so much time into studying so send some positive exam vibes this way please!

Start a New Book.

I haven’t had a chance to read in ages since I’ve been busy running and studying.  I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to relax and read.  It’s something I’ve always loved and really need to get back into.  Anyone have any good reads I should check out?

Love to Read!

Rest.

I am really looking forward to the opportunity to rest.  I want some time to not be stuck to a training plan, to skip a run when it’s raining and not care and to have a weekend where I can just go to yoga or take a walk and call it a day.  I’ve been on training plans since this time last year and I’m ready for a little break.  My body needs the downtime to rest and recover completely and I want to be sure I start yoga teacher training feeling healthy and strong!

Sometimes You Just Need Rest!

Have fun and relax!

This month has a lot of exciting things to celebrate and I want to be sure to relax and enjoy them all!  Running the Boston Marathon is something I’ve always wanted to do and I want to enjoy every minute.  I also think it’s important to celebrate the small victories like taking my personal trainer’s exam.

Toast the Little Victories!

Are you excited for the Boston Marathon?  Are you tapering for a spring marathon too?  What are your goals for April?  Do you give your body the opportunity to rest and relax after marathons or when you feel you need it?

Mar19

Mid-Month Update and Workout Recap!

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Happy Monday! I hope you all are having a good Monday.  Why does it always seem that Monday’s come too quick?? I had a great weekend.  It was very relaxing as Michael and I aren’t the type to head out for the traditional St. Patrick’s Day Festivities.  Saturday I want to Team in Training and had an awesome 12 mile run.  I held about a 8:55 min/mile pace.  I love running 12 miles at this point in training because it feels like such a short distance, I feel fast and strong.  After the run we had a team BBQ to celebrate raising over $750,000 for Team in Training.  We have just under $250,000 to go before we hit our goal of 1 million dollars on Marathon Day!  It was fun to socialize and hang out post run with everyone from the team and to celebrate the holiday.  If you have been following my training and would like to donate please head on over to my fundraising page.

Last week’s workouts were solid but I fought heavy, tired legs for the majority of the week.  Thursday’s workout called for a speed workout with 3x1600m with 800m rest.  Since my legs still didn’t feel so great I decided to skip this workout in choice of 30 minutes on the elliptical followed by lots of stretching and foam rolling.  It was exactly what my body needed.  I had some good yoga sessions as well.  I am really looking forward to practicing more once the marathon is over.  I’ve lost much of my upper body strength and can’t wait to get it back!

Workouts Week of 3/12/12

Smart training does pay off and can result in great long runs when you listen to what your body needs!

Over the weekend I realized that we are half way through March! I never did a mid-month update like I normally do so I thought I’d do it today.  It’s been a good month so far!

Get Enough Sleep. 

Definitely a big ‘ole check next to this one.  I have been getting more sleep during the week, averaging 7 to 8 hours a night and have been catching up with my sleep on Sundays by sleeping in and relaxing.  I’ve also been taking naps on Saturday’s after my long runs.  It’s helping my recovery tremendously.  It’s crazy how much better my running, studying and everything else is when I get plenty of sleep!

Naps Post Run Are Awesome!

Run!

Check! I have been running a ton this month and have been feeling great.  I’ve had some awesome speed workouts despite the fact that I skipped last weeks.  As for fueling I’ve been doing well with that too.  I’ve stuck to my Shot Bloks on long runs every 2 miles and have been taking Gatorade and water at alternating water stops.  I have managed to stay hydrated but never dehydrated or over-hydrated.  I’ve also been hydrating well post run which is helping me avoid the afternoon headaches I normally experience hours after my long runs.  With a month to go until race day I can tell my hard work is paying off.

Running!

Study. 

I’m doing well with this but still struggle with life interrupting my studying.  I’m not behind at all but would love to be further along in my studying.  I’m getting pretty nervous about the exam so I hope to study hard the next two weeks and build more confidence.

NASM Certified Personal Training

Eat Well. 

So my goal was to get my sweet tooth under control.  I still indulge on the weekends with sweets but they are always homemade.  We try to use ingredients like applesauce instead of oil to make them a little bit healthier.  During the week I don’t eat any sweets at night and have cut them out of my lunch as well.  Michael and I have been cooking a lot more so we are not even eating out as much.  We eat out about once a week now which is a big improvement for us!  I feel better about what I am eating for sure!

Favorite Meal of the Month!

Have Fun and Enjoy Life. 

I’ve been feeling so much better about this one! My schedule is much more manageable lately.  Keeping my weeks cleared out to focus on running and studying is huge and gives me so much more time to get things done.  Michael and I have also had some quiet weekends so I’m able to relax more and enjoy the time we spend together.  I hope things stay at this manageable pace for a while!

I’m happy to report that all of my goals are going well, that my running is going well and that I’m feeling positive about life and all I have going on! So far March is a good month!

Did you do a weekend long run? How is your spring marathon training going? How is March going for you?  Are you accomplishing all of your goals?  How was your weekend?

Jan19

A Mid-Month Update!

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Good Morning! I was just looking at the calendar and can’t believe it is already January 19th! This month is really flying by.  I felt today would be a good day to update you all on my goals.

So what were my goals?

Fundraise.

One of my goals was to hit my fundraising minimum of $4000 for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and The Boston Marathon.   I hosted a fundraising event on January 7th and raised a ton of money for the cause.  Additionally I had a sale with Sparkly Soul Headbands which was quite successful.  Lastly, I am still running my Prizes for a Cause fundraiser here!  By making a minimum $5 donation you can enter to win gift cards from Holabird Sports, Go Sport ID and a 4 week training plan customized just  for you!  The prizes are perfect for keeping you on track for your new years resolutions!  I have just under $1000 to go before the 31st!

Start Training For Boston Marathon.

Done! I am on week 3 of my training plan and things are going well! I’ve been doing easy runs on Tuesdays, speed work on Thursdays and my distance run on Saturday mornings.  I’ve been practicing yoga for my cross-train days and am taking one or two days a week off depending on how I feel.

Boston Marathon Finish Line

Study for my NASM Personal Trainer’s Certification.

Honestly, I’m having trouble finding the motivation to do this, but slowly I am starting.  I hope to be back in a good routine for this by the end of the month.  I’ve been trying to avoid getting up at 5am to study but it kind of works the best!

Yoga. 

Done!  I’ve still been practicing about 3 days a week.  I am using it as my cross-training and strength for the marathon.  I will say, this is quite the challenge! Yoga builds strength throughout my whole body so sometimes I can be pretty sore.  Running challenges my body in a different way and I can continually feel my body getting stronger and more powerful!

Yoga!

Relax.

Oh yes! I have made a priority to do this and have been loving it! Reading, watching movies, cooking and getting a good 8 hours of sleep have all been happening quite regularly in my life.  I feel much more balanced than I did in December.

Speaking of relaxing, I think it is important to set time aside for this.  It’s kind of been my mantra lately.  Sometimes I think we all get caught up in our to-do lists or goals and dreams and we don’t give ourselves the opportunity to relax or rest. Rest and relaxation are just as important to living a healthy life as eating well, exercising and setting goals. If you don’t make this a priority in your life than you should start.  Set aside one planned night a week to come home and do nothing.  Watch movies, read, cook a nice meal.  Do something to rejuvenate yourself and get some good rest.  I promise you’ll feel better and happier if you do!

Rest and Relaxation

And a few side notes to wrap this up…

Please click on over and enter Prizes for a Cause!  Only a couple of people have entered so your chance to win is pretty high! There are different prize packs.

Prize pack 1 has a $50 gift card to Holabird Sports, a $25 Gift Card to Go Sport ID, a customized 4 week training plan designed for you and Sparkly Soul Headbands!

Prize pack 2 has a $25 Gift Card to Go Sport ID, the book Perfectly Fit Intuition by Jana Hollingsworth, and Sparkly Soul Headbands!

Prize pack 3 is a $25 Gift Card to Go Sport ID and Sparkly Soul Headbands.

To enter please visit my fundraising page and make a minimum $5 donation:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ma/boston12/wolsonus9n

Leave a comment on the post Prizes for a Cause post telling me you donated and what name you donated under!

Here’s How the Entries Work:

$5.00 = 1 entry

$10.00 = 3 entries

$15.00 = 5 entries

$20.00 = 7 entries

$25.00 = 10 entries

Over $25.00 you get an additional entry for every $1 you donate!  So if you donate $27.oo you get 12 entries!

You can get additional entries after the minimum $5 donation by:

Copying and Tweeting “@LiveRunLoveYoga is raffling off gift cards, training plans, and more prizes for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! http://www.liverunloveyoga.com”  Be sure to leave a separate comment telling me you tweeted with the link!

Follow @LiveRunLoveYoga on Twitter and leave a separate comment to tell me you did so!

“Like” LiveRunLoveYoga on Facebook and leave a separate comment to tell me you did so!

If you give up your morning coffee and make a donation you will be doing a little good for a good cause since all proceeds go directly to my fundraising efforts for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!

And lastly, I’m working on my response to the controversial New York Times Article, “How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body” by William Broad so be sure to check back tomorrow for that!

How are your January Goals coming?  Are you sticking to your New Year’s Resolution? Do you set time aside to relax? Do you find rest and relaxation make your feel healthier and happier?

Dec1

December! A Video Blog and Monthly Goals!

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Happy Thursday!  Can you believe it is December already?!  I really can’t, it seems like this past year has flown by.  Since it’s December 1st I wanted to share with you all some facts about myself and my December goals.  Have you figured out, that I love kicking the month off like this?!

It’s so nice to meet you! Let me tell you about myself…

I created a video blog for you all so that I can introduce myself and share some things about myself via video this month!  It’s my very first video blog and I’m so excited for you all to see it!

I hope you all liked the video blog!

December Goals!

Study.  

Most of you know that I am studying for my Personal Training Certification through NASM.  I really want to sit for the exam in February but do have until April to take it.  My goal this month is to make it through half of the textbook.  I have about 5 more chapters to go so this is a hefty goal but I am making it a priority.  I’ve found studying for an hour or so before my day starts is best for me…hello 5AM!

NASM Certified Personal Training

Start Planning A Fundraising Event!

I’m running the Boston Marathon in April with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  As part of Team in Training we have to raise a minimum of $4000.  I need to plan a fundraising event for this.  I’d like for this to be towards the end of January so I need to start now and collect donations for my raffle.  I plan to gather donations from businesses here in Boston and some online companies if possible.  I’ll be creating a raffle where you can buy tickets for a set price and enter for prizes of your choice.  More details to come on this.

If you are interested in donating to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and are willing to support my efforts to run the marathon for this great cause please click over to my fundraising page!  You can find more information about why I am running and make a donation right there!  Thanks to those of you who have already donated!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ma/boston12/wolsonus9n

Yoga!  

This was a goal last month but is still a goal again this month.  I am loving my yoga practice lately! It really makes me excited to be getting my certification in 2012!   I want to keep practicing 3 to 4 times per week.  I’ll begin training for the Boston Marathon on January 1st and expect my yoga to decrease a bit to accommodate more running.  I also want to keep posting more about yoga here, I wrote a couple of yoga posts last month and learned a lot while doing it and loved your positive feedback!

Yoga

Keep My Balance.

I’ve recently taken on quite a bit in my life.  Every last bit of it is very exciting and exactly what I want to be doing and where I want my life to be heading but it is also a lot to fit in with a 10 hour work day.  In order to say on top of my blogging, studying, fundraising, marathon training and yoga practice managing my time is key. I need to understand that at times I will not be able to accomplish everything and will need to create a priority list and stick to it.  I tend to think I am super woman and can do everything so this is a big one!

Balance

Enjoy the Holidays!!

I love the holidays! They are festive and fun and filled with friends and family.  Even though I have lots going on that needs my attention I do want to take the time to relax, enjoy the holiday season, cook up some delicious holiday meals and sweets, decorate and socialize.  I’m really looking forward to having vacation the week between Christmas and New Year’s.  I love spending Christmas with my family and am excited to spend New Years in Montreal with Michael!  We have some holiday parties to attend throughout December and I can’t wait!

Happy Holidays!

What are your goals for December?  How do you manage things when you have a lot going on?  Are you excited for the holidays?  Did you like the video blog? Do you want to see more videos here on LiveRunLoveYoga.com?