This Week’s Favorites #5

WEARING // sweater | black jeans | boots

Give me all the sweaters right now with our daytime highs in the single digits and overnight lows below zero. I bought this sweater at the Lululemon sale after Christmas, and I love how chunky and warm it is. The sweater in the photo above has pearl beads on it, which gives it a fun pop of flair to it. I also have this sweater that is super cozy and on super sale in the navy color and $20 for these other three colors.

READING // Meghan: A Hollywood Princess

I just started reading the biography on Rachel Meghan Markle–Meghan: A Hollywood Pricess. I’m fascinated with biographies and autobiographies and learning about someone’s life. I’m not sure what it is, but I think I feel like I am reading someone’s diary and really getting to know them–rather than taking the press’ “opinion” of them.

LISTENING // Lauren Fleshman on C Tolle Run

I will often listen to podcasts while cleaning up the kitchen after dinner. Friday night I listed to Carrie Tollefson interview Lauren Fleshman on the C Tolle Run podcast. I’ve listened to Lauren Fleshman on a couple other podcasts, and I’ve always been awed by how thoughtful and forward-thinking Lauren is. Carrie and Lauren talked about everything from Picky Bars to Lauren’s Wilder Retreats to Oiselle, as well as Lauren life as a wife and mom and what running is like for her these days. (Spoiler alert: Lauren talks about how her easy pace is 9:30/10:00 sometimes now.)

USING // Countermatch Recovery Sleeping Cream

With these bitter cold temperatures come really dry skin. My hands are constantly dry, and my face usually is, but at least I’ve got that under control with the help of the Countermatch Sleeping Cream. I started using it about a month ago, and I love it! It is not too thick, absorbs easily into my skin, and I wake up with really soft, smooth skin in the morning. I also use Beautycounter’s No. 1 Brightening Facial Oil that helps immensely with my dry skin in the winter.

EATING // Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

I loved Shalane Flanagan and Elyse Kopecky’s first cookbook Run Fast Eat Slow, and I love their second cookbook just as much: Run Fast Cook Fast Eat Slow. I made the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe in my slow cooker a couple weeks ago, and I’m still thinking about it. It was so good–the perfect blend of flavors and fall-apart meat that isn’t dry or overcooked. Craig and I put it on corn tortillas with purple cabbage, avocado, cilantro, and cheese. They are already on my meal plan for this week!

RUNNING ROUTE // Campbell Creek Trail

While Cullen was at preschool this week, I got out on the Campbell Creek Trail for an easy 6 mile run. It was a cold day (10*F), but running during the daylight didn’t feel as cold as it usually does. I loved being able to run on the trail because I won’t go on them when it is dark, so the sunshine and beautiful scenery made for a really pleasant run.

The temperature dipped down to a real feel of -15*F on Saturday morning, but either I’m becoming acclimated, or it wasn’t that cold because I didn’t think it was terrible. Okay, it was still really cold, but I’ve been worse before.

I just completed the Lululemon Strava challenge, and I’m crossing my fingers that there are better prizes this year.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and your week ahead is a good one. I spent the weekend working, and I have some fun things planned for the week: a trail run, The Bachelor on Monday night (my one guilty pleasure), training groups starting back up, and warmer temperatures for running outdoors.

This Week’s Favorites #5

WEARING // sweater | black jeans | boots

Give me all the sweaters right now with our daytime highs in the single digits and overnight lows below zero. I bought this sweater at the Lululemon sale after Christmas, and I love how chunky and warm it is. The sweater in the photo above has pearl beads on it, which gives it a fun pop of flair to it. I also have this sweater that is super cozy and on super sale in the navy color and $20 for these other three colors.

READING // Meghan: A Hollywood Princess

I just started reading the biography on Rachel Meghan Markle–Meghan: A Hollywood Pricess. I’m fascinated with biographies and autobiographies and learning about someone’s life. I’m not sure what it is, but I think I feel like I am reading someone’s diary and really getting to know them–rather than taking the press’ “opinion” of them.

LISTENING // Lauren Fleshman on C Tolle Run

I will often listen to podcasts while cleaning up the kitchen after dinner. Friday night I listed to Carrie Tollefson interview Lauren Fleshman on the C Tolle Run podcast. I’ve listened to Lauren Fleshman on a couple other podcasts, and I’ve always been awed by how thoughtful and forward-thinking Lauren is. Carrie and Lauren talked about everything from Picky Bars to Lauren’s Wilder Retreats to Oiselle, as well as Lauren life as a wife and mom and what running is like for her these days. (Spoiler alert: Lauren talks about how her easy pace is 9:30/10:00 sometimes now.)

USING // Countermatch Recovery Sleeping Cream

With these bitter cold temperatures come really dry skin. My hands are constantly dry, and my face usually is, but at least I’ve got that under control with the help of the Countermatch Sleeping Cream. I started using it about a month ago, and I love it! It is not too thick, absorbs easily into my skin, and I wake up with really soft, smooth skin in the morning. I also use Beautycounter’s No. 1 Brightening Facial Oil that helps immensely with my dry skin in the winter.

EATING // Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

I loved Shalane Flanagan and Elyse Kopecky’s first cookbook Run Fast Eat Slow, and I love their second cookbook just as much: Run Fast Cook Fast Eat Slow. I made the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe in my slow cooker a couple weeks ago, and I’m still thinking about it. It was so good–the perfect blend of flavors and fall-apart meat that isn’t dry or overcooked. Craig and I put it on corn tortillas with purple cabbage, avocado, cilantro, and cheese. They are already on my meal plan for this week!

RUNNING ROUTE // Campbell Creek Trail

While Cullen was at preschool this week, I got out on the Campbell Creek Trail for an easy 6 mile run. It was a cold day (10*F), but running during the daylight didn’t feel as cold as it usually does. I loved being able to run on the trail because I won’t go on them when it is dark, so the sunshine and beautiful scenery made for a really pleasant run.

The temperature dipped down to a real feel of -15*F on Saturday morning, but either I’m becoming acclimated, or it wasn’t that cold because I didn’t think it was terrible. Okay, it was still really cold, but I’ve been worse before.

I just completed the Lululemon Strava challenge, and I’m crossing my fingers that there are better prizes this year.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and your week ahead is a good one. I spent the weekend working, and I have some fun things planned for the week: a trail run, The Bachelor on Monday night (my one guilty pleasure), training groups starting back up, and warmer temperatures for running outdoors.

This Week’s Favorites #5

WEARING // sweater | black jeans | boots

Give me all the sweaters right now with our daytime highs in the single digits and overnight lows below zero. I bought this sweater at the Lululemon sale after Christmas, and I love how chunky and warm it is. The sweater in the photo above has pearl beads on it, which gives it a fun pop of flair to it. I also have this sweater that is super cozy and on super sale in the navy color and $20 for these other three colors.

READING // Meghan: A Hollywood Princess

I just started reading the biography on Rachel Meghan Markle–Meghan: A Hollywood Pricess. I’m fascinated with biographies and autobiographies and learning about someone’s life. I’m not sure what it is, but I think I feel like I am reading someone’s diary and really getting to know them–rather than taking the press’ “opinion” of them.

LISTENING // Lauren Fleshman on C Tolle Run

I will often listen to podcasts while cleaning up the kitchen after dinner. Friday night I listed to Carrie Tollefson interview Lauren Fleshman on the C Tolle Run podcast. I’ve listened to Lauren Fleshman on a couple other podcasts, and I’ve always been awed by how thoughtful and forward-thinking Lauren is. Carrie and Lauren talked about everything from Picky Bars to Lauren’s Wilder Retreats to Oiselle, as well as Lauren life as a wife and mom and what running is like for her these days. (Spoiler alert: Lauren talks about how her easy pace is 9:30/10:00 sometimes now.)

USING // Countermatch Recovery Sleeping Cream

With these bitter cold temperatures come really dry skin. My hands are constantly dry, and my face usually is, but at least I’ve got that under control with the help of the Countermatch Sleeping Cream. I started using it about a month ago, and I love it! It is not too thick, absorbs easily into my skin, and I wake up with really soft, smooth skin in the morning. I also use Beautycounter’s No. 1 Brightening Facial Oil that helps immensely with my dry skin in the winter.

EATING // Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

I loved Shalane Flanagan and Elyse Kopecky’s first cookbook Run Fast Eat Slow, and I love their second cookbook just as much: Run Fast Cook Fast Eat Slow. I made the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe in my slow cooker a couple weeks ago, and I’m still thinking about it. It was so good–the perfect blend of flavors and fall-apart meat that isn’t dry or overcooked. Craig and I put it on corn tortillas with purple cabbage, avocado, cilantro, and cheese. They are already on my meal plan for this week!

RUNNING ROUTE // Campbell Creek Trail

While Cullen was at preschool this week, I got out on the Campbell Creek Trail for an easy 6 mile run. It was a cold day (10*F), but running during the daylight didn’t feel as cold as it usually does. I loved being able to run on the trail because I won’t go on them when it is dark, so the sunshine and beautiful scenery made for a really pleasant run.

The temperature dipped down to a real feel of -15*F on Saturday morning, but either I’m becoming acclimated, or it wasn’t that cold because I didn’t think it was terrible. Okay, it was still really cold, but I’ve been worse before.

I just completed the Lululemon Strava challenge, and I’m crossing my fingers that there are better prizes this year.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and your week ahead is a good one. I spent the weekend working, and I have some fun things planned for the week: a trail run, The Bachelor on Monday night (my one guilty pleasure), training groups starting back up, and warmer temperatures for running outdoors.

This Week’s Favorites #5

WEARING // sweater | black jeans | boots

Give me all the sweaters right now with our daytime highs in the single digits and overnight lows below zero. I bought this sweater at the Lululemon sale after Christmas, and I love how chunky and warm it is. The sweater in the photo above has pearl beads on it, which gives it a fun pop of flair to it. I also have this sweater that is super cozy and on super sale in the navy color and $20 for these other three colors.

READING // Meghan: A Hollywood Princess

I just started reading the biography on Rachel Meghan Markle–Meghan: A Hollywood Pricess. I’m fascinated with biographies and autobiographies and learning about someone’s life. I’m not sure what it is, but I think I feel like I am reading someone’s diary and really getting to know them–rather than taking the press’ “opinion” of them.

LISTENING // Lauren Fleshman on C Tolle Run

I will often listen to podcasts while cleaning up the kitchen after dinner. Friday night I listed to Carrie Tollefson interview Lauren Fleshman on the C Tolle Run podcast. I’ve listened to Lauren Fleshman on a couple other podcasts, and I’ve always been awed by how thoughtful and forward-thinking Lauren is. Carrie and Lauren talked about everything from Picky Bars to Lauren’s Wilder Retreats to Oiselle, as well as Lauren life as a wife and mom and what running is like for her these days. (Spoiler alert: Lauren talks about how her easy pace is 9:30/10:00 sometimes now.)

USING // Countermatch Recovery Sleeping Cream

With these bitter cold temperatures come really dry skin. My hands are constantly dry, and my face usually is, but at least I’ve got that under control with the help of the Countermatch Sleeping Cream. I started using it about a month ago, and I love it! It is not too thick, absorbs easily into my skin, and I wake up with really soft, smooth skin in the morning. I also use Beautycounter’s No. 1 Brightening Facial Oil that helps immensely with my dry skin in the winter.

EATING // Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

I loved Shalane Flanagan and Elyse Kopecky’s first cookbook Run Fast Eat Slow, and I love their second cookbook just as much: Run Fast Cook Fast Eat Slow. I made the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe in my slow cooker a couple weeks ago, and I’m still thinking about it. It was so good–the perfect blend of flavors and fall-apart meat that isn’t dry or overcooked. Craig and I put it on corn tortillas with purple cabbage, avocado, cilantro, and cheese. They are already on my meal plan for this week!

RUNNING ROUTE // Campbell Creek Trail

While Cullen was at preschool this week, I got out on the Campbell Creek Trail for an easy 6 mile run. It was a cold day (10*F), but running during the daylight didn’t feel as cold as it usually does. I loved being able to run on the trail because I won’t go on them when it is dark, so the sunshine and beautiful scenery made for a really pleasant run.

The temperature dipped down to a real feel of -15*F on Saturday morning, but either I’m becoming acclimated, or it wasn’t that cold because I didn’t think it was terrible. Okay, it was still really cold, but I’ve been worse before.

I just completed the Lululemon Strava challenge, and I’m crossing my fingers that there are better prizes this year.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and your week ahead is a good one. I spent the weekend working, and I have some fun things planned for the week: a trail run, The Bachelor on Monday night (my one guilty pleasure), training groups starting back up, and warmer temperatures for running outdoors.

This Week’s Favorites #5

WEARING // sweater | black jeans | boots

Give me all the sweaters right now with our daytime highs in the single digits and overnight lows below zero. I bought this sweater at the Lululemon sale after Christmas, and I love how chunky and warm it is. The sweater in the photo above has pearl beads on it, which gives it a fun pop of flair to it. I also have this sweater that is super cozy and on super sale in the navy color and $20 for these other three colors.

READING // Meghan: A Hollywood Princess

I just started reading the biography on Rachel Meghan Markle–Meghan: A Hollywood Pricess. I’m fascinated with biographies and autobiographies and learning about someone’s life. I’m not sure what it is, but I think I feel like I am reading someone’s diary and really getting to know them–rather than taking the press’ “opinion” of them.

LISTENING // Lauren Fleshman on C Tolle Run

I will often listen to podcasts while cleaning up the kitchen after dinner. Friday night I listed to Carrie Tollefson interview Lauren Fleshman on the C Tolle Run podcast. I’ve listened to Lauren Fleshman on a couple other podcasts, and I’ve always been awed by how thoughtful and forward-thinking Lauren is. Carrie and Lauren talked about everything from Picky Bars to Lauren’s Wilder Retreats to Oiselle, as well as Lauren life as a wife and mom and what running is like for her these days. (Spoiler alert: Lauren talks about how her easy pace is 9:30/10:00 sometimes now.)

USING // Countermatch Recovery Sleeping Cream

With these bitter cold temperatures come really dry skin. My hands are constantly dry, and my face usually is, but at least I’ve got that under control with the help of the Countermatch Sleeping Cream. I started using it about a month ago, and I love it! It is not too thick, absorbs easily into my skin, and I wake up with really soft, smooth skin in the morning. I also use Beautycounter’s No. 1 Brightening Facial Oil that helps immensely with my dry skin in the winter.

EATING // Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

I loved Shalane Flanagan and Elyse Kopecky’s first cookbook Run Fast Eat Slow, and I love their second cookbook just as much: Run Fast Cook Fast Eat Slow. I made the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe in my slow cooker a couple weeks ago, and I’m still thinking about it. It was so good–the perfect blend of flavors and fall-apart meat that isn’t dry or overcooked. Craig and I put it on corn tortillas with purple cabbage, avocado, cilantro, and cheese. They are already on my meal plan for this week!

RUNNING ROUTE // Campbell Creek Trail

While Cullen was at preschool this week, I got out on the Campbell Creek Trail for an easy 6 mile run. It was a cold day (10*F), but running during the daylight didn’t feel as cold as it usually does. I loved being able to run on the trail because I won’t go on them when it is dark, so the sunshine and beautiful scenery made for a really pleasant run.

The temperature dipped down to a real feel of -15*F on Saturday morning, but either I’m becoming acclimated, or it wasn’t that cold because I didn’t think it was terrible. Okay, it was still really cold, but I’ve been worse before.

I just completed the Lululemon Strava challenge, and I’m crossing my fingers that there are better prizes this year.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and your week ahead is a good one. I spent the weekend working, and I have some fun things planned for the week: a trail run, The Bachelor on Monday night (my one guilty pleasure), training groups starting back up, and warmer temperatures for running outdoors.

New Year, New Goals?

Let’s catch up on a few things. . . .

First off, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and the start of your new year has been a good one! I definitely enjoyed the holiday season, but I’m also not sad that the craziness has died down a bit.

On New Year’s Eve, Craig and I ran the Northern Lights Resolution Run. I ran easy with Craig, so I didn’t hurt my hamstring more. Plus, racing in the winter here in Alaska really isn’t a thing in my mind since it is too hard to run your best when the temperatures are so low and the roads are always covered in snow and/or ice.

It was slow-going at this year’s NYE race. The temperature was perfect (upper 30s), but that also meant the snow was sand-like and very difficult to run through. It was still pretty fun, but it did remind me that I do prefer to race a race!

To make new year’s resolutions or not to make new year’s resolutions. . . some people need a little extra motivation to accomplish a goal(s) for themselves and the start of a new year seems like a fitting time to do so. While others have no desire to. Maybe because it almost seems trendy not to set any new year’s resolutions?? I’m sure people feel like they will fail (or have failed in the past), so they figure what’s the point. Or maybe people are trying to be different and go against the flow.

Either way, I personally love the start of a new year for a fresh start at changing bad habits or working to create better new habits. But I also love the start of a new week and a new day to do the same.

I am constantly (all year long) setting new goals for myself whether it is with running, working to be a better wife and mother, make more homemade snacks, tidying up the house before bed, or improving my coaching technique–to name a few things I’ve worked on before.

Sometimes these goals fall at the start of a new year because I get excited to set new goals for myself since others are doing the same. Sometimes these goals fall during the month of April or August as I reevaluate my life and the things I want to accomplish.

The one thing I want to work on this year (or even for the next few months if that’s all it ends up being) is working to help Cullen learn to write his letters and say the sound(s) for each letter. I’ve been trying to spend 10-15 minutes a day working with him on holding the pencil correctly, having him connect the dots I drew to make each of the letters, and also saying the sound for each letter. So far he’s really enjoying it, and I want to keep these sessions short so he continues to like them.

The running log I use to track all of my mileage.

I don’t have any new running-specific goals–other than to get my right leg just as strong as my left leg, which was a goal that I started working on last month. I have been diligent about going to to the gym at least twice a week to work on single-leg exercises. I have also been going to yoga once a week, where we do balance poses that will help me gain more strength in my right leg.

As always, my other running goals include trying to get as fast as possible and set a new PR at every distance. (I don’t think that’s too much to ask for–ha!) But honestly, even just the pursuit of trying to get faster is fun, so I’ll keep at it for a while!

So whether you have a new year’s resolution or not, you know what’s best for you, and I wish you the best for a successful and happy 2019!

New Year, New Goals?

Let’s catch up on a few things. . . .

First off, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and the start of your new year has been a good one! I definitely enjoyed the holiday season, but I’m also not sad that the craziness has died down a bit.

On New Year’s Eve, Craig and I ran the Northern Lights Resolution Run. I ran easy with Craig, so I didn’t hurt my hamstring more. Plus, racing in the winter here in Alaska really isn’t a thing in my mind since it is too hard to run your best when the temperatures are so low and the roads are always covered in snow and/or ice.

It was slow-going at this year’s NYE race. The temperature was perfect (upper 30s), but that also meant the snow was sand-like and very difficult to run through. It was still pretty fun, but it did remind me that I do prefer to race a race!

To make new year’s resolutions or not to make new year’s resolutions. . . some people need a little extra motivation to accomplish a goal(s) for themselves and the start of a new year seems like a fitting time to do so. While others have no desire to. Maybe because it almost seems trendy not to set any new year’s resolutions?? I’m sure people feel like they will fail (or have failed in the past), so they figure what’s the point. Or maybe people are trying to be different and go against the flow.

Either way, I personally love the start of a new year for a fresh start at changing bad habits or working to create better new habits. But I also love the start of a new week and a new day to do the same.

I am constantly (all year long) setting new goals for myself whether it is with running, working to be a better wife and mother, make more homemade snacks, tidying up the house before bed, or improving my coaching technique–to name a few things I’ve worked on before.

Sometimes these goals fall at the start of a new year because I get excited to set new goals for myself since others are doing the same. Sometimes these goals fall during the month of April or August as I reevaluate my life and the things I want to accomplish.

The one thing I want to work on this year (or even for the next few months if that’s all it ends up being) is working to help Cullen learn to write his letters and say the sound(s) for each letter. I’ve been trying to spend 10-15 minutes a day working with him on holding the pencil correctly, having him connect the dots I drew to make each of the letters, and also saying the sound for each letter. So far he’s really enjoying it, and I want to keep these sessions short so he continues to like them.

The running log I use to track all of my mileage.

I don’t have any new running-specific goals–other than to get my right leg just as strong as my left leg, which was a goal that I started working on last month. I have been diligent about going to to the gym at least twice a week to work on single-leg exercises. I have also been going to yoga once a week, where we do balance poses that will help me gain more strength in my right leg.

As always, my other running goals include trying to get as fast as possible and set a new PR at every distance. (I don’t think that’s too much to ask for–ha!) But honestly, even just the pursuit of trying to get faster is fun, so I’ll keep at it for a while!

So whether you have a new year’s resolution or not, you know what’s best for you, and I wish you the best for a successful and happy 2019!

New Year, New Goals?

Let’s catch up on a few things. . . .

First off, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and the start of your new year has been a good one! I definitely enjoyed the holiday season, but I’m also not sad that the craziness has died down a bit.

On New Year’s Eve, Craig and I ran the Northern Lights Resolution Run. I ran easy with Craig, so I didn’t hurt my hamstring more. Plus, racing in the winter here in Alaska really isn’t a thing in my mind since it is too hard to run your best when the temperatures are so low and the roads are always covered in snow and/or ice.

It was slow-going at this year’s NYE race. The temperature was perfect (upper 30s), but that also meant the snow was sand-like and very difficult to run through. It was still pretty fun, but it did remind me that I do prefer to race a race!

To make new year’s resolutions or not to make new year’s resolutions. . . some people need a little extra motivation to accomplish a goal(s) for themselves and the start of a new year seems like a fitting time to do so. While others have no desire to. Maybe because it almost seems trendy not to set any new year’s resolutions?? I’m sure people feel like they will fail (or have failed in the past), so they figure what’s the point. Or maybe people are trying to be different and go against the flow.

Either way, I personally love the start of a new year for a fresh start at changing bad habits or working to create better new habits. But I also love the start of a new week and a new day to do the same.

I am constantly (all year long) setting new goals for myself whether it is with running, working to be a better wife and mother, make more homemade snacks, tidying up the house before bed, or improving my coaching technique–to name a few things I’ve worked on before.

Sometimes these goals fall at the start of a new year because I get excited to set new goals for myself since others are doing the same. Sometimes these goals fall during the month of April or August as I reevaluate my life and the things I want to accomplish.

The one thing I want to work on this year (or even for the next few months if that’s all it ends up being) is working to help Cullen learn to write his letters and say the sound(s) for each letter. I’ve been trying to spend 10-15 minutes a day working with him on holding the pencil correctly, having him connect the dots I drew to make each of the letters, and also saying the sound for each letter. So far he’s really enjoying it, and I want to keep these sessions short so he continues to like them.

The running log I use to track all of my mileage.

I don’t have any new running-specific goals–other than to get my right leg just as strong as my left leg, which was a goal that I started working on last month. I have been diligent about going to to the gym at least twice a week to work on single-leg exercises. I have also been going to yoga once a week, where we do balance poses that will help me gain more strength in my right leg.

As always, my other running goals include trying to get as fast as possible and set a new PR at every distance. (I don’t think that’s too much to ask for–ha!) But honestly, even just the pursuit of trying to get faster is fun, so I’ll keep at it for a while!

So whether you have a new year’s resolution or not, you know what’s best for you, and I wish you the best for a successful and happy 2019!

New Year, New Goals?

Let’s catch up on a few things. . . .

First off, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and the start of your new year has been a good one! I definitely enjoyed the holiday season, but I’m also not sad that the craziness has died down a bit.

On New Year’s Eve, Craig and I ran the Northern Lights Resolution Run. I ran easy with Craig, so I didn’t hurt my hamstring more. Plus, racing in the winter here in Alaska really isn’t a thing in my mind since it is too hard to run your best when the temperatures are so low and the roads are always covered in snow and/or ice.

It was slow-going at this year’s NYE race. The temperature was perfect (upper 30s), but that also meant the snow was sand-like and very difficult to run through. It was still pretty fun, but it did remind me that I do prefer to race a race!

To make new year’s resolutions or not to make new year’s resolutions. . . some people need a little extra motivation to accomplish a goal(s) for themselves and the start of a new year seems like a fitting time to do so. While others have no desire to. Maybe because it almost seems trendy not to set any new year’s resolutions?? I’m sure people feel like they will fail (or have failed in the past), so they figure what’s the point. Or maybe people are trying to be different and go against the flow.

Either way, I personally love the start of a new year for a fresh start at changing bad habits or working to create better new habits. But I also love the start of a new week and a new day to do the same.

I am constantly (all year long) setting new goals for myself whether it is with running, working to be a better wife and mother, make more homemade snacks, tidying up the house before bed, or improving my coaching technique–to name a few things I’ve worked on before.

Sometimes these goals fall at the start of a new year because I get excited to set new goals for myself since others are doing the same. Sometimes these goals fall during the month of April or August as I reevaluate my life and the things I want to accomplish.

The one thing I want to work on this year (or even for the next few months if that’s all it ends up being) is working to help Cullen learn to write his letters and say the sound(s) for each letter. I’ve been trying to spend 10-15 minutes a day working with him on holding the pencil correctly, having him connect the dots I drew to make each of the letters, and also saying the sound for each letter. So far he’s really enjoying it, and I want to keep these sessions short so he continues to like them.

The running log I use to track all of my mileage.

I don’t have any new running-specific goals–other than to get my right leg just as strong as my left leg, which was a goal that I started working on last month. I have been diligent about going to to the gym at least twice a week to work on single-leg exercises. I have also been going to yoga once a week, where we do balance poses that will help me gain more strength in my right leg.

As always, my other running goals include trying to get as fast as possible and set a new PR at every distance. (I don’t think that’s too much to ask for–ha!) But honestly, even just the pursuit of trying to get faster is fun, so I’ll keep at it for a while!

So whether you have a new year’s resolution or not, you know what’s best for you, and I wish you the best for a successful and happy 2019!

New Year, New Goals?

Let’s catch up on a few things. . . .

First off, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and the start of your new year has been a good one! I definitely enjoyed the holiday season, but I’m also not sad that the craziness has died down a bit.

On New Year’s Eve, Craig and I ran the Northern Lights Resolution Run. I ran easy with Craig, so I didn’t hurt my hamstring more. Plus, racing in the winter here in Alaska really isn’t a thing in my mind since it is too hard to run your best when the temperatures are so low and the roads are always covered in snow and/or ice.

It was slow-going at this year’s NYE race. The temperature was perfect (upper 30s), but that also meant the snow was sand-like and very difficult to run through. It was still pretty fun, but it did remind me that I do prefer to race a race!

To make new year’s resolutions or not to make new year’s resolutions. . . some people need a little extra motivation to accomplish a goal(s) for themselves and the start of a new year seems like a fitting time to do so. While others have no desire to. Maybe because it almost seems trendy not to set any new year’s resolutions?? I’m sure people feel like they will fail (or have failed in the past), so they figure what’s the point. Or maybe people are trying to be different and go against the flow.

Either way, I personally love the start of a new year for a fresh start at changing bad habits or working to create better new habits. But I also love the start of a new week and a new day to do the same.

I am constantly (all year long) setting new goals for myself whether it is with running, working to be a better wife and mother, make more homemade snacks, tidying up the house before bed, or improving my coaching technique–to name a few things I’ve worked on before.

Sometimes these goals fall at the start of a new year because I get excited to set new goals for myself since others are doing the same. Sometimes these goals fall during the month of April or August as I reevaluate my life and the things I want to accomplish.

The one thing I want to work on this year (or even for the next few months if that’s all it ends up being) is working to help Cullen learn to write his letters and say the sound(s) for each letter. I’ve been trying to spend 10-15 minutes a day working with him on holding the pencil correctly, having him connect the dots I drew to make each of the letters, and also saying the sound for each letter. So far he’s really enjoying it, and I want to keep these sessions short so he continues to like them.

The running log I use to track all of my mileage.

I don’t have any new running-specific goals–other than to get my right leg just as strong as my left leg, which was a goal that I started working on last month. I have been diligent about going to to the gym at least twice a week to work on single-leg exercises. I have also been going to yoga once a week, where we do balance poses that will help me gain more strength in my right leg.

As always, my other running goals include trying to get as fast as possible and set a new PR at every distance. (I don’t think that’s too much to ask for–ha!) But honestly, even just the pursuit of trying to get faster is fun, so I’ll keep at it for a while!

So whether you have a new year’s resolution or not, you know what’s best for you, and I wish you the best for a successful and happy 2019!