New Blog Series

About seven weeks ago, Kevin and I "officially" started training for a marathon. The race is in October and we have nine weeks of training left to go. We had been running before we started this training, but not as often and definitely not as far. Since it feels like my life currently revolves around running, I thought I'd start a little running series on my blog. 

I'm definitely not a pro, but I've been running for several years now, and wanted to share everything I've learned so far. I'll share my story of how I got started running, how it's been going, and where I'm at now (you'll learn that I was definitely NOT a runner when I started). I'll follow up with posts about technology & apps, shoes/apparel, fuel/hydration, races, and everything in between.

I know not everyone is a runner, and not all of this will be focused on just running. A lot of it could be applied to many different types of exercise. I'll share playlists and songs that motivate me, what workout clothes I like best, other types of exercise I do besides running, and more. So if you're not a runner, you might still find some of the information interesting and useful.

I'll plan to do these running posts on Wednesdays, so look for the first post coming your way next week. And if you have any questions, ideas, thoughts, comments, etc. that might be helpful for this series, send them my way!

After my furthest run to date (25k = 15.5 miles).

I Think I'm Starting to LIKE Running!

Today I'm linking up with Katie at Katie Did What for her new Healthy Habits link up.  Make sure you link up your posts and go check out and encourage everyone else who is linking up today!

Today I wanted to share something that I wasn't sure would ever happen...I think I'm actually starting to like and enjoy running!  I come home from work and I WANT to go for a run.  I don't feel like it is something that I have to do or something that I should, it's a want now.  I'm almost craving it!  I love being able to get outside in the warm sunshine finally...you know, after the seven months of winter we had here in Michigan.  We have a great park with a paved path through it very close to our house, so I've started running there and I'm loving it.

I'm using the C25K app on my phone when I run and it's been great, I really like it.  I listen to Justin Timberlake radio on my iheart radio app while I'm running and that station has good songs for running.

 I love going for walks with my husband and our dog, but there's something about running and working up a sweat that I'm just really liking lately!  I hope this feeling stays for a while :)

Do you like running?  Do you hate it?  What do you do to stay motivated?

5 on Friday

I missed this fun link up last week, so I'm happy to be back sharing 5 randoms this Friday!

ONE.  I got these pants (in black) from Old Navy the other day and I LOVE them.  They are super comfy and flattering.  I wore them to work yesterday and got lots of compliments.  I'm thinking about going back and getting a couple more in different colors!

TWO.  Tonight I'm going to a jewelry party my mom is having and I'm looking forward to purchasing some cute new jewelry pieces!  Tomorrow we are going to a birthday party for my friend's little boy and Sunday we have no set plans except for watching football. All day.  I'm pretty excited about this weekend!

THREE.  I'm going grocery shopping this weekend and stocking up on some healthier foods.  Starting Monday I'm trying Steph's plan for healthy living.  I haven't blogged much about this, but I haven't been happy with my body for a while now, and I'm making a change!  I debating a full post dedicated to this topic, but haven't decided yet.

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FOUR.  Along with eating healthier, I also bought a Groupon for 30 exercise classes at a local gym for only $29!  I plan to start going a couple times a week starting next week.  Hopefully after a few months, I'll be where I want to be and can continue to maintain a healthier lifestyle!

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FIVE.  I won my first giveaway this week from Kait's blog CommuniKait!  I won a pillow from Dog City & Co and I decided on this one.  I can't wait to get it!

find it here

Happy Friday!  What are you up to this weekend?

Get Healthy, Not Skinny: Workouts

This is post #2 for the Get Healthy, Not Skinny link up I'm participating in.  My first post explained my story and my goals for this link up.  Today, I'm talking about my current and future workout plans.

My fiance and I had been really good about going for walks (with the dog) once and sometimes twice a day for about 2-3 weeks, and then winter hit.  I live in Michigan, and our winters can be pretty unpredictable sometimes.  We had two days of rain and 50 degree weather, and now it has been snowing for several days, and is supposed to continue for another day or two.


Kevin and Admiral playing in the snow this weekend.

Admiral loves playing in the snow :)

The cold weather and snow makes it hard for us to go out and walk, so my cardio hasn't been what I want it to be.  I don't have a gym membership (don't really want to pay the big $$ for one right now) and we don't have any cardio equipment at home.  So right now, my cardio is pretty much non-existent.

I have been doing the workouts I find on toneitup.com every once in a while.  They are super easy and don't require any gym equipment, except maybe a couple light weights.  My goal is to do at least one of these workouts every day.  They aren't time consuming and only take maybe 20 minutes to complete.  I'd love to do one before work and one after work, especially on days we don't go for walks.

Once the snow starts going away, I want to get back to walking at least once a day.  My ultimate goal is that my walks turn in to runs.  Even though I hate running, I love how I feel after a run.  I hope that by putting these goals in writing, I'll hold myself more accountable.  Head over to Cherish's blog to read about other bloggers who want to get get healthy.

I'll leave you with some more pictures of Admiral playing in the snow this weekend.