Goal Update!

Since we're now starting the third month of the year 2012, it's time for us to update all of you on how we are doing with our 2012 goals and resolutions!

We originally posted our resolutions here and we posted a short update about them here.

So I (Ashley) will start with updating you with my goals and resolutions.

Goals:

1.  Finish painting my house:  We are well on our way to doing this... We start next Monday but have been working hard on picking our colors... our walls currently look like this.. OY!

We're thinking about using color number 2 or 3 for our accent color.  Sample #1 is completely out of the running.

Goal #2- Establish a work out routine that I look forward to following. 

March 1st was my start date for figuring out something that will work for me.  At this point I still haven't discovered anything I look forward to doing but have convinced myself I HAVE to do this.  Even if it works for me, I know it's OK to change it up, and I plan to if I get bored!

Goal #3 Organize my life:  Progress has been made with this mostly organizing storage and closets.  Once the house painting project is complete, the organization will be complete, and I will post before and after pictures.  I can't wait!!

Resolution:  Get back in touch with old friends.

Still working on this resolution.  I have made great strides with a few people and still hope to plan a mini reunion in the summer!

Amy's turn!

1. Actually complete either my workout room or my office.  March is the big month for this one!  I have a big list of things to get at Ikea, a budget set, and a color scheme all ready to rock.  I'm thinking next weekend would be an excellent time for a shopping spree (hint, hint, Ashley!).

2. Start a retirement savings account.  Still on hold.  Waiting until the office is finished to focus my money this way.

3. Run a sub-2:00 half marathon.  On my way!  Registered for the race- check!  Training plan created- check!  Started training this week and have definitely been committed, seeing as I ran in this:

Didn't fall!  Gotta celebate the little victories. :)

4. Run a race in every season.  Ran my winter race earlier in the month.  Now, I've got my sights set on my spring race on May 20th.  Also considering the Shamrock Shuffle...hmm...

5. Go meatless one day per week.  So far, so good!  Actually, I'm doing two meatless days a week now because of Lent, and I felt like counting Friday as my meatless day too would be cheating.  I'm a little crazy.  :)

Resolution: Spend more time appreciating what I have than worrying about what I don't.  Again, there are good days and bad.  No arguing, though, my life rocks.

See ya later, February!  You sure were fun!

How was YOUR February?  Did anything exciting happen?

Make em' Care

In the world of photography, the options are endless: you can photograph anything, you can glorify something that is typically not fun to look at, and you can also use a photo to add effect to a given situation.  When something happens around the world, people are drawn to the event through the photos taken of the people and the events, whether good or bad.  There is no right or wrong when it comes to a picture because images look different to everyone-- what one person may want hung on the wall may be only good enough to throw in the trash to others--, but one thing never fails, a photo is the ONE thing that can really make people care.  I think of all the ways I'd want my photos to be displayed some day, and I also think that the "bigger," the better when it comes to a photo I love.  So out of the photos I've taken or have had taken of me, I'll share some of the ones that have made me care.

This photo taken from above the trees, and it seems there is no end.  It makes me care, care in the respect of this photo- rise above- and set your sights on the horizon...don't settle for what is in front of you, because there's so much in the distance, and sort through the layers.  Just as this photo has layers and each does something else for the world, each goal can have a layer that will do something positive for yourself or those around you.

                                      Family- Because they give you so much to care about!

 Care for those who care for us.  It's so easy to forget unless you are reminded, so remind yourself to care for those who care. 

Photo Challenge:

A photo of my goal

My result:

My goal was to begin on a track to train myself to become a runner and accomplish a 5K with Amy at some point in the future.  I know it is going to take me awhile to get to the point where she is, and I have done most of my planning on my own... but hopefully in the future this picture can be retaken, and I can be holding a medal of my own!

Amy here...before I add my challenge I must say YAYYYYYY!  It's on the blog, so it's official!  5K, Summer 2012?

OK, on to the challenge:

How about a photo of a day you thought would be bad, but turned out great?

Doing My Own Thing

To train for my first half marathon, I searched for training plans until I found that I liked.  I ended up using this one from Pink Runner, and I liked it a lot.

This time around, I had a much more difficult time finding a plan that worked for me.

I started with Smart Coach from Runner's World.  I've heard of lots of people being successful with these plans, and I did like what I saw.  However, my struggle came when you plug in your weekly mileage.  Right now, it's low, but I would like to gradually move it higher.  Smart Coach gave me plans that either consisted of an 8 mile tops long run (I want to get up to 12) for shorter weekly miles and sometimes 5 runs a week for the higher mileage plans (something I don't think I can commit to).  I really liked that speed work and tempo runs were worked in, though.

5 days a week may work if I was here...but not in good ol' Illinois, during the school year!

After more searching, I found a pretty promising one on About.com: Running/Jogging.  In particular, I liked this one catered toward "Advanced Beginners."  It had the mileage I wanted, but lacked the speed work I am hoping for in order to meet my time goal.

More searching ensued, and I finally decided to throw in the towel.  It was time for me to make my own plan.  So, I looked at all three plans I mentioned and made a 12-week training plan for myself.  It looks a little something like this:

Week	Monday	Tuesday	Weds.	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Total Miles
1	3 mi Easy	XT	4 mi Speed	XT	XT	5 mi Long	Rest	12
2	3 mi Easy	XT	4 mi Tempo	XT	XT	5 mi Long	Rest	12
3	3.5 mi Easy	XT	4 mi Tempo	XT	XT	6 mi Long	Rest	13.5
4	XT	4 mi Easy	XT	3 mi Easy	XT	7 mi Long	Rest	14
5	4 mi Easy	XT	4 mi Speed	XT	XT	8 mi Long	Rest	16
6	3 mi Easy	XT	4 mi Tempo	3 mi Easy	XT	9 mi Long	Rest	19
7	2 mi Easy	XT	4 mi Tempo	XT	3 mi Easy	7 mi Long	Rest	16
8	XT	3 mi Easy	4 mi Easy	3 mi Easy	XT	10 mi Long	Rest	20
9	4.5 mi Easy	XT	4 mi Speed	3.5 mi Easy	XT	8 mi Long	Rest	20
10	5 mi Easy	XT	5 mi Speed	3 mi Easy	XT	12 mi Long	Rest	25
11	XT	4 mi Easy	XT	5 mi Tempo	2 mi Easy	7 mi Long	Rest	18
12	XT	2 mi Easy	XT	3 mi Speed	XT	Rest	13.1 Race	18.1

As I planned, my essentials were:

• Start with low mileage, and gradually build up to about where I was last time. 
• No more than 4 running days per week.
• Speed work and tempo runs built in.
• 12-mile longest run.
• Sunday rest days.

(PS: Please excuse the green boxes; I'm highlighting my progress as I go :)).

If this plan works, I will be ecstatic.  I feel like I am taking a bit of a gamble, because I have never flown solo like this before, and I have zero experience when it comes to creating training plans of any kind.  Heck, I've only been running for two years in the first place. 

Why do I have Central Park on the brain today?

Training started yesterday, and my shin definitely gave me some trouble.  This is unsettling, but I'm trying some things to make it work.  I'm kind of intimidated by tomorrow's speedwork (using Smart Coach's suggestion of 2x1600 at an 8:47 pace with 800 jogs), as I have never really done it before (short of sprinting during the chorus of a song).  Wish me luck!

Have you ever made your own training plan?  Any suggestions for me?

Check out my guest post at Pink Giggles for more half marathon talk!  :)

Random Sister Facts

This weekend, we went on a lovely sister date to see The Vow.  Of course, we forgot to take pictures.  Afterward, we went back to Ashley and Matt's house and chatted about a bunch of random things we did as kids.  So, I figured this would be a good time to post some random stuff you might not know about us!

1. When we were little, people thought we were twins.  Not sure why though.

2. We love country music.  We get it from our dad.

3. This picture shows a RARE occasion when Ashley has let me play with her hair.  Generally, these situations involve her squirming away and taking out whatever I did to her hair only minutes later.  This may or may not have something to do with the time I tried to pluck her eyebrows and got some skin...oops.

4. We are on a never-ending quest to find a set of clown salt-and-pepper shakers at an antique store that make us laugh every time.  How's that for random?

5. We find it rather hilarious to pose like we had to in our first-day-of-school pictures as kids.  We do this often.  And it does not get old...at least to us.

6. Ashley has some mad skills at rapping like M.I.A., and it makes Amy laugh every time she hears the song.

7. We will take just about any opportunity to take a rockstar picture at a special event.

Bridal showers included.

8. We like to hide random, rather ugly objects among each other's stuff in order to get rid of them.  A certain snowman sweatshirt comes to mind.  Our mom is generally the mastermind behind this plan.

9. We rarely fight.  This is rather shocking if you knew my sister's temper.  :)

10. We like to sing...obnoxiously.  I'm sure Matt greatly appreciates this.

Your turn!  Tell us something random about you!





Snow Day Favorites

Well...it's a snow day!

I'm pretty surprised my school district called it.  In fact, I got up a little earlier than usual so I could squeeze in my work out and still have time to drive a little slower than usual.  I was in the shower when I got the call.  So, I've been up for quite awhile. And I am officially bored.

So, now that I've caught up on my blogs, I figured I'd give myself something to do and play along with Tina's little survey from today.

Favorite herb or spice to cook with: Cinnamon.  It goes on everything.
Favorite item in my makeup bag: Mascara.  I pretty much don't leave home without it.
Favorite item in my closet: My brown boots.  If only they went with my favorite grey sweater!
Best workout song on my iPod: "T.H.E." by Will.I.Am
Favorite aisle at the grocery store: Health aisle, because that's where I get my favorite PB, or the bread aisle.
Movie I've watched the most: Probably Finding Nemo or Transformers.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Cinnamon...on top of apple pie of course.
Favorite sandwich: I'm kind of obsessed with egg sandwiches lately...pretty bummed that I'm out of bread today!

Anyone else off work today?

Eyes Back on the Half

Well, I finally did it.  I signed up for my next half marathon!

As you might remember, one of my goals for the year is to run a race in every season.  This race will cover Spring for me, as race day is May 20th.

Yay, Spring!  No long sleeves and tights this time around!

My first half marathon was an amazing experience, but, this time around, I want to do several things differently:

• Incorporate more strength/cross training into my weeks.  I have been doing a lot less running lately, and I have really been enjoying the variety in my XT workouts and the more toned muscles I'm seeing.  I definitely don't want to lost that, and I think it will definitely help my time.
• Don't become a crazy germa-phobe the week before the race.  I will try, but this will be tough.  I was SO stressed last time!
• Run with buddies more often.  I really flew solo in training last time, which was good for my first.  I'm worried I will burn out without a buddy this time...maybe a running club?
• Race without an iPod.  Eeek!  What a scary thought!  However, there will be live music on the course, so it could definitely be doable.

My brother in law does rock at race playlists though...

• Finish under 2:00.  Another of my goals for the year.  I will be especially excited if this happens, because I plan to...
• Make my own training plan.  Last time, I used this training plan from Pink Runner.  This time, I want to include some tempo runs and speedwork while gradually increasing my mileage.  I'm having trouble finding a plan that fits everything I want, so I tried to make one of my own.  More about that on Tuesday!

I admit I was dragging my feet a little on signing up for my next half (in fact, I waited so long that my first choice Spring race filled up).  Now that I took the leap, I'm really looking forward getting back into running longer distances.  I looked at my foam roller this morning and smiled...is that weird?  :)

Any big races coming up?
Has anyone made their own training plan before?  Any suggestions?

Black and White

Have you ever felt silly for liking something that is really simple?  There's nothing special about it;  it doesn't DO anything, but still you just really enjoy it?  I feel that way about a lot of things, but for this post I'm going to focus on the simple colors black and white.  Some of my favorite photos are black and white; it seems to make something much more simple in this colorful world.  They are not "busy," nor over-stimulating, and, even when mixed-up, still only make gray.  That's what makes me feel silly for liking something so simple.  I love to use the black and white tones on my camera, however, I am not a fan of the fact that some image settings on my camera (like Kids & Pets!) can't be changed to black and white before I take pictures, but it's just as easy to change them myself -- another project I enjoy.   Who would have thought photography could turn someone into such a perfectionist!!  So in this world where everything is judged by looks and color, enjoy the originality, simplicity, cut and dry ways of black and white!

Photo Challenge Results!

My challenge:  A photo primarily showing my favorite color

Raindrops on the window... My favorite color is blue (yes even after all of that B&W talk!)

Next week's challenge:

 A picture that shows one of your goals for yourself.

What simple things do you love?