This Month.

This month has started off on a bad work out and running foot. Somehow work has once again overtaken my life. Maybe it is because I realized how much (...err how little I billed) last year (...staffing sure was a hard industry to sell in last year) and want to do so so so much better or maybe it is because we were still getting situated in our new office space maybe it is because it has been cold and rainy. Excuses aside, I slacked. I didn't make running and working out in my top 5 priorities and I was content sitting at home watching Season 1 of Dexter with my friend who is a boy. So I want to do better. 2010 is the year of getting serious about this running thing and putting in the time and effort that training for a race deserves. So I will do better.

This month I have set myself some goals. And they are:
1. I want to run 48.94 miles total this month. That will make it my highest miles month in the history of Barbie running. Wahoo. How did I get such a random number you ask? Well, last month I ran 44.49 miles and if I follow the 10% rule that means I have to do 48.94. It makes sense in my mind.
2. I want to PR at the Charles Harris 10k in a few weeks. My last 10k time was 1:21:21 - I want to run this one in 1:10 or less. If you're in Atlanta and available on 2.27.10 - run it. *I just realized that is my 3 year anniversary - what a way to start the morning* ... this run benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma society - a cause that is so close to my heart. So if you're in town I invite you to run with me!!
3. Spin class once per week and swimming once per week. Pilates on Sunday no matter how tired I am. Still working on incorporating cross training into my weekly routine.

Honestly, I think people that get out there everyday and just run no matter what is going on in their life have total dedication and are amazing. People who find that hour plus per day to make it happen are an inspiration to people like me. ...If only one day I am one of those people. Patience young grasshopper. That is all. And I have to start making dinner. I hope everyone has an awesome February of logging the miles and having fun!

Fun Litle Running Online Store.

When I stumble across greatness I like to share. The other day I was online searching for a 26.2 sticker for my car to match the 13.1 I already have. It had to be black and have the weird white writing. Call me matchy matchy, but I am kind of a perfectionist. In my quest I stumbled across this web site running store boutique place called "One More Mile Apparel" and I thought it was awesome, so I wanted to share with you.

If you're looking for witty race day shirts, great bumper stickers for your car, keychains, mouse pads whatever for sure check them out. I got a mouse pad that says "Running is cheaper than therapy" for my new office because it always seems like a good run works out 98% of my personal kinks and attitude issues. I also got a sticker that says "Some girls chase boys I pass them" because I thought it would make fellow running people laugh. This place is just unique with their merchandise and I will for sure be grabbing stuff for friends from there.

The best part - I ordered everything at midnight Sunday and when I got home everything was in my mailbox. It is like they drove all night to get it to me. Then I realized it came from Comer, GA ... where ever that is, it's in the same state as me ... but still they processed the order insanely fast which you cannot say about everyone. My merchandise came packaged in tissue paper and tied cutely in funky colored ribbon and I even got a handwritten note thanking me for my order. Now.... that is customer service. And with great prices and $3 shipping on everything anytime no matter how much you order - why the heck not?!

I would definitely check this place out, bookmark it, hold onto it. You never know when you may have to buy a running friend something for the holidays, birthday, or just because .... or when you want a fun sticker for your car!

You can click the link above or go here: www.onemoremile.net to check them out.

January Recap.

One of my resolutions that I made was to everyday right down what I was thankful for and then I wanted to do a "monthly recap" of the biggest things I am thankful for from the month that just passed. So, let me begin.

1. The fact that I ran a marathon. I am so thankful for the fact that I have been given the ability to walk, run, skip, everything. ...It is something that people take for granted every day and it was something I realized after I ran, walked, and skipped 26.2 miles.
2. I am wickedly thankful for my family and office mates/people I work with. My Mom, Dad, Branch Manager, and her fiancee trekked to Orlando with me to watch me run a marathon in 20 degree weather. It really makes you realize that you are loved and there are people who want to support something you really love doing. I also had so many messages of congrats/I am proud of you/you have motivated me to do one messages from people at my company. My co-workers also PUSH me to get out the door at run for a hour during work hours. If I don't it is because I am lazy!
3. My boyfriend. As much as I complain about him, he does support my running goals and ambitions. He doesn't complain about late dinners anymore and he 100% understands when I want to run an 8am race or hit the gym after work. I think this would be so much harder without him.

Onto another topic. Back in December I decided to set some twenty.ten running and working out goals. So, how did I do? ...Ehh okay, not the best, but it could have been a lot worse. But I am not going to beat myself up over it... this was only month one. I didn't run the 60 miles I had hoped to (I ran 44.49) but that was the highest miles ever for me - so that is an accomplishment. I have started to work in cross training - not as much as I want to - but I have started to. Spin class, rocks. Do it. Love it. Embrace it. (I go on Thursdays at LA Fitness in Buckhead ... join me!) ...I have not done hill training, I slept through my first 10k of the year -- but I needed the sleep more than the miles TRUST ME -- but I have tried to work on pace. ...Runners World just has put me at a slower than I would like pace. I will just have to have a little more dedication next month. And well... now that my office is fully moved into our new space, I will be able to get out for some mid-day runs!

I am not going to look at January as a failure because I have not stuck to my resolutions, but a milestone because I ran my first ever marathon. :) :) :) ....February will be better! I can feel it!