January Totals

Total Miles = 28.1
Weight Training = 4 hours

This was better than I had anticipated. I was setting a goal of 30 hours for the month. I think I have semi picked a marathon. I am going to do the flying pig as a relay. I was looking for a Marathon at the beginning of June but I haven't found the right full marathon just yet, but I'll keep looking. Any suggestions??

LiveSTRONG Tribute

So I hate posting this but I have decided to make a post every time a loved one, friend or family member dies from cancer. So this one it for Rod Christ. You will be missed and are loved.

Restaurant week

I love a good meal as much as the next person. My Mom and Dad took my boyfriend and I to dinner tonight at one of the best restaurants in Columbus, Barcelona. It is restaurant week this week here in Columbus where a local magazine is sponsoring this event where each restaurant has a set three course meal that you can choose from the menu for a a set price. I love lamb, and I had a salad, meatball paella, and then a banana fosters like dessert. All I could think of is how many calories I was eating. I kept thinking back to the Biggest Loser recently where they highlighted how much calories is in just one course. Most of the dishes contained over 2500 calories and how this is contributing to the obesity rat in the U.S. I had three courses tonight!! Granted I didn't eat all of it but I am going out tomorrow night and Saturday as well. I better make it to the gym and do an extra long workout.

Anyone else over indulge recently?

Trey Lives STRONG

So today I have some mixed emotions. It is the one year anniversary since my cousin pictured left died of cancer. I can remember that week so vividly because it was right around the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and my roommates and I were set to leave for Vegas. It was going to be a great trip with front row seats to LOVE and staying in an awesome hotel. Plus a get away from the cold. Then I got the call that he had passed. His funeral was filled with tears and many questions of "why?" I can remember the sun flowers that were there (his favorite flower), his aunt's eulogies and how many people came out to honor his life. He will forever be missed.

I can't believe that it has been a year already. His death really made me want to be an activist in stopping cancer. This past year I did relay for life and it was such a great event. The school that I worked at did it as a staff. The kids helped to raise money and came to the event. I posed the question to my class last year "how many of you either have a family member or a close friend that has or had cancer?"

I only got one student who didn't raise their hand. That is insane. We have to place a higher emphasis on curing this deadly disease. When the event read all the names that someone had made a donation in honor of was astounding. There were too many people on that list. So in Honor of Trey I am wearing LiveSTRONG tomorrow.

I'm listing a poem that gave me comfort at this time last year. I will forever remember Trey as a card playing, smiling boy who loved to be in the water.

I can shed tears that you are gone, or I can smile because you have lived.

I can close my eyes and pray that you will come back, or I an open my eyes and see all you left.

My heart can be empty because I can't see you, or I can be full of love that you shared with me.

I can remember you only that you are gone, or I can cherish your memory and let it live one.

I can cry and close my eyes, be empty and turn my back...

or I can do what you would want and smile, open my eyes, love and go on.

Circuit training

So traditionally I wouldn't think that a circuit training would be my ideal work out. I have always liked doing cardio for a good chunk of time and then do some lifting after I have finished with my cardio. I would mainly do lifting on machines and then sprinkle in a few free weights here and there. My good friend (my new personal trainer as well as a great athletic trainer) put me through a circuit work out where all the exercises have dual functions. For example one exercise in the circuit has side lunges with triceps free weight pushdowns at the same time. They are all challenging but I have come to love the Bosu and exercise ball. Each time it gets a little easier but it is still very challenging. I highly recommend combining exercises to kick your workout routine.

Snow Day :-)

So today marks the first snow day of the school year. It comes at a great time because now I get a three day weekend and I can catch up on sleep, books, and get a run in that I thought I wasn't going to be able to do. I love snow days. You can relax, watch the snow fall, go out and play in it and just plain enjoy the day. Today's pace is such a fast one that it gives me a chance to slow everything down and take it all in. Like today I plan to make my way out into the snow and go to my gym to get a work out in, come home make some bread (which I never have time to do), possibly finish my book and then do something special for dinner. I will slow down and enjoy the day.

One snow day when I was little my next door neighbor, my best friend, walked to the golf course which was right up the corner from my house and we went sledding down this steep drop off hill. It was so much fun. You went over the edge where the drop off was, felt that funny sensation in your stomach as you plummeted down the hill and laughed hysterically time and time again. It had even snowed so much that day that we were able to tunnel in the side of this hill. It is one day that can't be beaten. What is your favorite memory of snow and snow days?

New Year's Resolution??

So 2010 is off and running and I find myself trying to make resolutions or to plan out some goals to strive for. 2009 was not an easy one for myself or my family. Cancer played a large unfortunate role in this past year. 5 years ago was when I became more familiar with LiveSTRONG via the yellow wrist band. At the time a family member had just been diagnosed with cancer so I felt a connection with the foundation and was hoping to contribute in some way. Thus LiveSTRONG still holds a special place in my heart and something I strive to do every day.

I have been stating that 2010 has to be better because it contains my name in it. It will be my year. With that being said I keep batting around all these thoughts on what should be my New Year's resolution? I have asked many people "did you make any New Year's resolution?" Some of my favorites from my colleagues, friends and families were; to cook 10 new recipes, become more technological savvy, compete in a iron man.

So here's some of my goals for the upcoming year:

1. Get a full time teaching position

2. Run a full marathon

3. Blog about my training, personal triumphs, and LiveSTRONG moments

4. To de-clutter and be more organized (some how this keeps popping up on each New

Year's Resolution)

So many people don't feel that Resolutions are just made to be broken. Personally I feel it is always good to have goals and something to work towards. So I leave you with these questions Do you have any New Year's Resolutions? and How many New Year's Resolution have you broken (no shame in that)?