All the feels....

Saturday morning I got this text.....

It immediately put a smile on my face because my mission in life is to make everyone love running as much as I do ;)

Then as we continued to chat my friend told me she had plans to run a race every month like I did last year...and this made me smile even bigger :)

Then she said this....me? an inspiration? Really? Couldn't be...I'm just a normal person who spent her life savings on race entries last year ;)

And then this...she tells me that I am the reason she is doing this...I am the reason she decided to take a chance and push herself to do things she never thought possible...and I can't even begin to tell you how incredible that feels.

 

Cue all the tears....

I'm not sure this friend of mine knew exactly how much I needed to hear that, but I did. Sometimes in life you forget that you could be inspiring someone by setting a goal and doing whatever it takes to accomplish it. Last year was physically (and sometimes emotionally) tough...but knowing that I inspired even just one person made it all worth it. So to my friend....a RUNNER....thank you for sharing this with me...and just remember YOU are an inspiration and I can't wait to cheer you on every step of the way :)

So....apparently I forgot I have a blog :)

Oops....it has been over 2 weeks since I have posted...and I would like to say I feel bad...but honestly I really haven't had the time to feel guilty ;)

The only reason I have time to post today is because I can't sleep. I have already been up for over an hour and any hope of falling back asleep is gone. I figured that I should use this time to update you all on the happenings of life....

Christmas Day was hands down my favorite day so far...This handsome guy asked me to marry him and I of course said yes :) It was the perfect day...after getting engaged we got to spend the rest of the day with family celebrating!

New Year's Eve was  a blast as always. These ladies always make things extra fun...Having a selfie stick was an added bonus :)

I'm not sure what was going on here...but I think this is great material for our save the dates, don't you?

The weekend after Christmas we got right to work on hunting down a wedding venue...apparently you have to book a year and a half out for most places? That seemed insane...but come to find out we are the insane ones trying to plan a wedding in less than 7 months. Good news is we found a venue and things are coming together. We may just pull this wedding off in time ;-)

My New Year's Resolution wasn't decided until Jan. 2nd (gasp!) I know, I know...I just couldn't figure it out this year for some reason. I had a million ideas in my head and none seemed just right. However, after lunch with some of my favorite ladies I decided to keep a journal. Instead of writing a long passage occasionally I decided to record my thoughts every day. Just a sentence or two highlighting the best parts of my day. I figured with getting married this year it might be a fun keepsake to look back on :)

It's been going really well so far, I usually write 1-2 sentences each day (sometimes more) and I add pictures or mementos as I see fit. I am definitely excited about choosing this for my resolution.

I've also decided to add another "mini-resolution" to 2015....Yes, I can do that...I can do whatever I want :) I've decided that I want to aim to read at least 2 books a month. This is a lofty goal because I don't think I have read more than 2 books in the last 6 months...but it's something I feel very strongly about. I LOVE to read...but I "never have time" which is a lame excuse. The real problem is I get in bed at night and spend an hour on my phone looking at social media and then by the time I finally grab my book it's late and I am too tired to read, so I don't. I want to kick my social media addiction and I have started trying to put my phone away by 8:00 each night. This means when I get in bed at 8:15 (don't judge me) I have a full 45 minutes (or less) to devote to reading.
I've already finished 1 book and I am half way through my second. It's amazing and I am loving it!

Running? What about running you ask...well....I haven't been running nearly as much as I was in 2014. So far in 2015 I have only logged about 20 miles. This is due to a couple of factors

1) It has been ridiculously cold outside and while I consider myself a "tough it out" runner I just couldn't bring myself to get out and run in the negative temps and the -20 windchill
2) I prefer to run in the mornings before work- see #1
3) I have been focusing a lot on lifting and cross-training. I have severely neglected my upper body and it hit me that I am going to be wearing a wedding dress in 6 months, so I better get to work on my arms :)

So many excuses? Yes...but don't worry I haven't completely thrown my running goals out the window. I am signed up for the Heartland 39.3 in April/May and I still have hopes of a 1:45 half (or maybe 3 of them) and I will be back at running next week when my training plan starts.

What happened to Hanson's you ask? Well...to be honest with you the holidays and my lack of motivation happened. Hanson's method wants you to run every.single.day with the exception of one rest day, and I honestly couldn't force myself to do it...plus, who wants to have to wash their hair everyday? I don't....

I am still looking at a few different training plans and I haven't decided which one I want to go with...but hey, I have until Monday to decide :)

That's all the excitement I have for today...I need to get moving. Today we are meeting with a caterer and tasting their food (SO EXCITING) and then I have an appointment to try on dresses (according to knot.com's check list I should have bought my dress ages ago...but hey...I like to live on the wild side) so wish me luck!! 

Adios 2014!

In the 2014 I...

1) Ran 1,120 miles (my goal was 1,000)

2) Ran a race (sometimes two) every month

3) Completed 6 half-marathons

4) Ran a full-marathon

5) Did things I never thought I would do

My goal last year was to run one race a month every month in 2014. Last year when I decided to do this I had NO idea how far this goal/resolution would take me. I accomplished things this year that I never thought I would. I pushed my body to the limits...and  best of all I didn't die ;)

I have to say that this New Year's Resolution was one of my favorites by far. I laughed, I cried, I celebrated, I ached, I pained, I bragged, I whined, I felt confident, I felt beat down...but best of all...I did it! I succeeded in completing my 2014 New Year's Resolution...and it definitely feels good :) 

 Tonight I will ring in the New Year with some great friends and my fiance (yep...you read that right!) and tomorrow, if I am feeling up to it (i.e. if I don't let the booze get the best of me) I will be posting about 2015's New Year's Resolution. I am going back and forth between a few things...so I have what, 8 1/2 hours left to decide? Hopefully, while I am thinking very clearly tonight I will make a decision :) 

Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful night! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Giga-What? {GIVEAWAY}

Do you like at home work out videos? No? Yea...me either.

That doesn't mean I don't have piles of videos that I have watched once, hated, and never looked at again. I have a short attention span...and doing the same workout day after day is BO-RING!

The only video I have stuck with for any amount of time was Jillian Michael's 30-day shred...and that's because I was scared of disappointing her ;) However, even with that fear I have never made it anywhere near the 30 days...because, like I said....boring!

I've always wanted to find a video that I liked (and could stick with) because let's face it...they are so darn convenient. I have a hard time working out solo (and figuring out what weights to pick up and put back down at the gym) and I like to workout on my time, and the class schedules at a gym NEVER fit with my schedule. 

About 2 months back as a SweatPink Ambassador I was offered a chance to try out Gigabody online workout videos. To say I was skeptical was an understatement...but like I said I have been searching far and wide for at home videos that I enjoyed and would stick with so I figured I could give this a try...and who doesn't like a review from a skeptic ;)

What I immediately liked about Gigabody was that it was online and wouldn't require me to store or haul around a workout "video" and that I could access it anywhere. Sometimes I like to work out in my classroom after school (after all the kids have left of course, lol!), at my house, or in the gym at my apartment complex. Gigabody gave me the ability to use my iPad, computer at school, or Apple TV at home to get in a quick "at home" workout. 

The other thing that I liked about Gigabody, is the variety of videos that it offers. There are 88 + workouts to choose from. You can do yoga, cardio, upper body, lower body, HIIT, etc. Basically, it's almost impossible to get bored with these workouts because there are so many to choose from!

I've been using Gigabody for the last 2 months...at first just for low impact and yoga workouts while recovering from my marathon and now I am using it more for weight training for my half-marathon training....and I have to say I haven't gotten bored yet...and I don't think I will. 

While, I haven't done the same video twice I have found a collection that I love...it's quick 20 minute workouts that targets different parts of your body. "Take 20" with Aimee Nicotera is definitely a favorite of mine...and what I like best is that I don't have to buy each of her workout videos individually, they are all available on Gigabody.com for me to pick and choose from depending on my mood that day :)

Gigabody gave me 2 free months in return for writing this review...and I have to say that when my 2 months is up I will most likely keep my membership. It's only $8.99 a month with unlimited access to ALL of their videos and training plans. The other part that I like is that you can cancel at any time...no contract and no "30-60" notice before they stop billing you.

Now for the best part...Gigabody has given me a free month to giveaway! I'm trying something new this time around and I am doing my giveaway via Instagram. I've never done an Instagram giveaway...so fingers crossed it works and doesn't turn out to be a complete failure :)

 Giveaway starts NOW and the winner will be announced via Instagram Monday December 22nd...Good luck!

.

I "Mustache" you a question...

One of my "intentions" for December was to post at least once a week. I guess I forgot how exhausting the 3 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas can really be when you're a teacher. I had planned on a "Weekend Update" post...but I just can't muster up the energy to do it.

Luckily, a few weeks ago I was tagged by Kelli over at Redhead on the Run to complete a fun little survey! I had every intention of completing it within a few days of being tagged...unfortunately life got in the way (the 3 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas strikes again) and I had to put it on the back-burner. I've been filling it out a little at a time...so with the little energy I have left today I decided I would complete it :)

1. Four names that people call me, other than my real name:

a. Ms. Walter- I teach 3rd grade and I hear my name more times in a day than I can count :)

b. Aunt Heavy- It's not the most endearing name....but it's what my sweet little niece has come up with, so I will smile and embrace it...plus when we were kids her dad used to call me Heffer...so I suppose it was only natural :)

c. Mrs. Walters- for some reason people just can't seem to remember that it's Walter not Walters and that I am Ms. not Mrs. I even got mail all through college addressed to Heather Walters AND Heather Walter. I'm still not sure that the university didn't think that I was 2 different people!

d. Goose- My best friend from college (and her family) call me this. The nickname all came about from a very non-traditional way of meeting your best friend :)

2. Four jobs I have had:

a. Sonic car hop

b. Tanning Salon attendant (is that what you would call them?)

c. Summer Camp Counselor/Teacher 

d. Teacher (5th grade and 3rd grade)

3. Four movies I've watched more than once:

a. Dirty Dancing

b. Along Came Polly

c. Star Wars

d. Fight Club

4. Four Books I recommend

a. House Rules by Jodi Picoult

b. Look Again (Lisa Scottoline-or any book by her really!)

c. Still Alice by Lisa Genova

d. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

**This list was REALLY hard to narrow down, I LOVE to read and I have SO many books that I would recommend!

5. Four places I have lived

a. Gardner

b. Baldwin

c. Pittsburg

d. Overland Park

6. Four places I have been

a. Montana

b. Cancun

c. Florida

d. Minnesota

7. Four places I would rather be right now

a. Anywhere sunny and warm

b. With my niece Finley

c. Cuddled up in bed

d. Running

8. Four things I don't eat

a. Onions

b. spicy food

c. black olives

d. paint chips? I couldn't think of anything else...I love, love, love food and I will eat just about anything :)

9. Four of my favorites foods

a. Pasta

b. Chinese/Sushi

c. Peanut Butter

d. Chicken

10. Four TV shows I watch

a. Parenthood

b. Walking Dead

c. How to Get Away with Murder

d. Nashville

11. Four things I'm looking forward to next year

a. Summer vacation ;)

b. Running the Heartland 39.3 for the 2nd year and (hopefully) improving my time.

c. My 2015 New Year's Resolution!

d. Running another marathon (maybe?)

12. Four things I am always saying

a. I feel like...

b. Your voice needs to be at a 0- this is our noise level system at school...and my spirited bunch needs reminding 20-40 thousand times a day ;)

c. I'm never drinking again ;)

d. I'm hungry

Now it's my turn to tag 4 (notice a theme) lucky people!

 The Chi-Athlete

Just Life: Take Two 

Dailey Runs 

Rusted Wings and Lovely Things 

Weekend Update

Anybody else feel like their weekend was WAY too short?

 I spent Friday night recovering from a week of babysitting...and all I have to say is...being a parent is hard work! Hats off to all you moms and dads out there...and especially to those of you who still find time to run and workout! I had good intentions of getting out for a run or fitting in some sort of workout all week, but all I managed was one run on Thursday morning. 

On top of being exhausted, the weather didn't cooperate and it was pretty cold...the only time I had free to run was in the morning before the girls got up, and I couldn't even begin to think about getting up at 5AM and running in the below zero temps! 

Thursday warmed up a bit and I was able to get out for a quick 3 mile run. This was the first run in my half-marathon training schedule (more about that in another post) and it's absolutely the ONLY reason I forced myself to run. If I have it written down or scheduled there is no way I am going to miss it :)

One of my favorite parts of babysitting this week was Ellie the elf :) 

Friday was a scheduled rest day (I know...day 2 and already a rest day? Score!) So I slept in, got my nails done after work, and settled in for a night of TV and relaxation! 

Saturday morning actually called for 3 easy  miles, but since I was running a 5k on Sunday I ended up switching Saturday and Sunday's runs around. 

One thing I am really going to work on with this new (to me) training plan (Hanson's) is following the suggested paces as closely as possible. I have a tendency to go out and run as fast as I can, because, well...I like to go fast :) However, this is a pretty "running" intensive plan (6 days a week) and I am going to work on making my "easy" runs as easy as possible. I was aiming for a 9 min mile pace and I think it's safe to say...I nailed it ;) 

Sunday's 5k was my last race of 2014 and it wrapped up my 2014 New Year's resolution to run 12 races in 12 months. I have to admit I was NOT looking forward to this race...After a night out with friends and a bottle and a half of wine (hey...it had been a LONG week) I wanted nothing more than to stay in bed Sunday morning. However, this was my last race of 2014...I was one race away from completing my New Year's Resolution...how ridiculous would it be to give up now?

 I ended up waking up extra early on Sunday (it's a curse) got up had breakfast, re-hydrated, and watched some TV until it was time to leave for the race. The good part about this race was that it was just down the street so it took me no time at all to get there. Bad news? The parking situation was a little crazy. I ended up parking across the street in the Taco Bell parking lot and jogging to the starting line...instant warm up :)

I hadn't really planned on "racing" this race since I hadn't run very much in the last 3 weeks (and all that wine) but my competitive side kicked in when the race started. I was REALLY happy with my splits...I usually tend to start out too fast and then struggle through the last mile. And.....

I ended up getting 2nd place in my age group!!! I mean, seriously...is there any better way to cap off this year's resolution? Placing in my age group (at a decent sized event) was definitely a great way to end 2014!

We spent the rest of the day Sunday watching TV and being as lazy as possible. I ended up going to bed at like 8:30...

I will need lots of sleep to survive the next 2 weeks!! 

Wish me luck :) 

Have you linked up with Tara over at Running N' Reading for her "Weekend Update"?

December's Intentions

 I came across a random blog post a few weeks back about New Year's Resolutions vs Daily Intentions. (I've searched everywhere trying to find the blog post again, and I can't find it anywhere!!) I have been thinking about it just about everyday since I read it. In it the writer talked about people failing to keep their New Year's Resolutions, and she talked about how it was better to make daily intentions every day instead. She spoke about the guilt or stress people feel with resolutions and how daily intentions are smaller goals that are in turn easier to keep...and leave you feeling less guilty if you don't end up fulfilling them :)

As an avid New Year's Resolution maker and keeper I struggled a bit to understand where she was coming from.

I have always made resolutions that I know I can do and that I WANT to do. They aren't your typical lose weight, eat healthy, be nicer, etc. Because we all know I would fail within the first month (or week)

Over the last few weeks this blog post kept popping into my head and I wondered how I could made "Daily Intentions" a part of my life...how could I make it work for me? While I love New Year's Resolutions (and I am already scheming for 2015!!) I also love smaller goals/intentions along the way. So I thought...why not make "Monthly Intentions" and work on little things each month (along with my New Year's Resolution, of course!) This will allow me to reflect back on the month prior and make changes...and work on being the best me I can be! Maybe I can make one of my intentions to be less cliche or cheesy :)

Here we are two days into December and I have broken my first intention...I wanted to post my intentions here on the first day of the month, every month. Well...that clearly didn't happen.

In my defense I did I start this post yesterday, but I wasn't able to finish. This week I am babysitting for a family at my school  and I am getting a first hand glimpse at what single-mom life feels like, and let me tell you, it ain't easy :)

Yesterday the girls met me in my classroom right after school and we headed home from there. We got home, did homework, ate dinner, and then headed out for Taekwondo (did you know that this was one word? I had no clue...if Google says it...it must be true) and then Target for new dresses for their band concert Thursday night. We didn't get home until close to 8:30...then it was PJ's, brushing teeth, and reading a bed time story. By the time the lights were out and the girls were settled in for bed it was 9:00 and I was beat. I wanted (SO BADLY) to fire up my computer and finish up my blog post but my droopy eyes wouldn't let me...

PLUS, I had to figure out a cute and fun way to set up Ellie the Elf :)

Okay, enough with the whining and the excuses...without further ado...here are my December intentions!

Read a book

Yes, this seems silly...a book? Yes, I mean one singular book...pathetic, yes? My reality? Yes :) I try so hard to read before bed...but my eyes won't stay open. I also have to admit, that I spend about 20 minutes on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin before I even think about picking up my book. So this month I am going to social media less (is that a term?) and read more! I want to finish one complete book!!

Less Social Media-ing

I am going to piggy back off of my previous intention. I will be putting my phone and all social media away by 8:00 each night. I would like to put my phone away I earlier...but baby steps okay?

Get my running mojo back

 

Confession...I haven't ran or worked out since Thanksgiving day...and quite honestly I haven't really wanted to. I am 100% aware that once I get started again I will remember how much I once loved it...but right now I am perfectly content sleeping in and not having to shower twice a day :)

To help aid in this I am going to start my half-marathon training for the Heartland 39.3, I am going to try out the Hanson's half-marathon method and it is 18 weeks long, which puts me starting this Thursday. I am hoping that having a set schedule will keep me motivated and accountable! 

Post on my blog at least once a week

I think I have pretty much posted at least once a week for quite awhile now (except this week...it's been one week and one day...GASP!) but, with things getting busier and busier with the holidays, I am having a harder time finding the time (or energy) to put together a post...honestly, it's more work than people realize...especially for a perfectionist like me :) My intention will be to post something at least once a week...maybe more if you're lucky ;)  

Alright...for this first month I am going to keep is simple and stick with just these 4 intentions. The goal is to succeed and not overwhelm myself with things I can't possibly do. Maybe as the months go by I will become a little more ambitious...

What are your December intentions?

Do you make New Year's Resolutions?