31 before 31...

                    Source: fitandhungry.com via jennifer on Pinterest

I want to tell you more about the 31 before 31 Challenge that I completed on Friday.

In case you're new, or if you missed it, I set out on June 1st to work out ever day for 31 days before my 31st birthday.  I went to Boot Camp on Tues and Thurs mornings, and ran a minimum of 2 miles every other day.  {This was inspired by Jodi Kendall's 30 day Bikram Yoga Challenge.}

The following is a list of things I learned about myself.  I am not an expert, and I'm sure it's different for everybody.  I'd encourage you to experiment with different motivators and find what works for you.


What I learned {or re-learned} from working out 31 days straight:

1. I am capable of much more than I give myself credit for most of the time.


2. It was so much easier having decided how and when I was working out.  The decision was already made, so I couldn't talk myself out of it.  I'm going to implement this tactic going forward.


3. Getting up early and getting my exercise in first thing is so worth it.   I get really grouchy when I know I have to come home and do it.  This only happened once or twice, and then I caught on.


4. Having someone holding you accountable really does help.  There were mornings that I thought about sleeping in, but knowing that I'd have to fess up to you guys got me up and going.


5. No matter how bad a workout sucks {and by sucks I mean, hurts, isn't what I had planned, and generally makes me feel like I'm gonna cry} I never regret doing it.  Not once. 


6.  Rest days are important. I definitely feel stronger, but I also felt tired!  My body was so ready for a rest, and rest I did!  {I took the last three days off.}


7. I'm all about short term goals.  Having something to work toward keeps me motivated.


I'll be up and running again bright and early tomorrow morning!  My plan for July is to start incorporating weights into my routine.  2 days weights, 2 days boot camp, and 2 days running with one rest day.  I'm stoked to see what adding the weights will do, and I'm so excited to have a rest day!

All in all I'm really glad I did this challenge.  I'm headed into my 31st year with a solid habit of working out every morning, and that is really what I wanted to establish.  :)  Yay, exercise!


Do you work out?  What's your favorite activity?  Morning or evening?

***Update-  Just calculated that I ran 47 miles throughout the challenge.  That's pretty rad.  ;)

Knockout!

                                            Source: ffffound.com via jennifer on Pinterest

A while back, I was given another chance to review CSN Stores. After stumbling through their GIGANTIC stock, I finally decided on some boxing gloves and pads.  Seems a little random, no?  I think it was inspired by the new trainers on the Biggest Loser, and their focus on boxing.

Anyway, yesterday we finally gave them a go!  Let me tell you, it was so much fun!  It's pretty amazing how great punching something feels, and holy cow, it's a great workout!  I had sweat dripping off of me I'm sure I looked as elegant as the girl in the poster above.  :)

I started by running a mile on the treadmill, then we boxed for about 15 minutes, and then I ran another mile.  It was nice to break up the running a bit, and add something new! 

This was one of the only workouts Jon and I have ever made it through together without getting in an argument.  Probably because it was perfectly acceptable for me to punch him.  {on the pads, of course.}

I'm definitley feeling sore today, but in a good way!  You know?

31 day challenge:  13 down, 18 to go!

{I can tell I've been exerting a lot more energy than usual.  I pretty much passed out on the couch Friday night {no alcohol involved}.  Jon finally got me to go to bed, poor guy.  I slept like a log.}

Have you ever boxed, or tried any activities out of your usual routine?  Tell me about it!

Another successful experience with CSN Stores.  Seriously guys, they're the real deal. 

31 before 31...

                       Source: lysswunsch.tumblr.com via jennifer on Pinterest

Yesterday afternoon, I was conversing with this lovely lady about the completion of her 30 day Bikram Yoga Challenge.  {Doesn't that rock!?}

That got me thinking...Maybe I should do a thirty day challenge.  I mean, I've been struggling a bit to get back on the running horse ever since my 1/2 marathon.  Maybe I could challenge myself to run for 30 days?

Then, it occured to me that it was June 1st.  That means my birthday is 31 days from yesterday.  And, it's my 31st birthday.  And yesterday was National Running Day.

Ummm, yeah.  How could I not do this?

So, I went home and ran on the treadmill.  {We were having quite the thunderstorm, otherwise I'd have been outside.}

I have been going to Boot Camp on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and will continue to do so.  {went this morning!  holla!} I'm going to count those workouts in the challenge.  So, every non-boot camp day between now and my birthday, I'll be running.  Thus making 31 workouts before I turn 31.

Think I can do it?  Think I will do it?

I'm telling you guys here, so that you can hold me accountable.  Also, I joined Dailymile.com.  Unfortunately none of my Facebook or Twitter friends are on there.  :(  Anyone want to join and motivate each other?  I won't harp on you to run everyday.  I don't expect anyone else to be this crazy.  ;)

Have you ever done a 30 day challenge?  Were you successful?

p.s. wouldn't you love to have her abs?

7 Things I learned from Running a Half Marathon...

        Source: ourtimetochange.tumblr.com via jennifer on Pinterest

1. A positive attitude makes all the difference in the world.   I tend toward pessimism, but staying positive is a magical thing.  It certainly makes things more fun! 

2. I really can do anything I set my mind to. {cliche, I know}  If you had told me 5 years ago that I'd run a half marathon, I would have laughed in your face!  I hated running!  2 years ago, I would have said, maybe.  In January, I was saying...I think I'll try.  Two weeks ago, I thought, I can't do this.  But then, I just decided to do it.  Nike style. 

3. It may not be easy, but it's worth it.  {whatever it is} Really, what in life worth having is easy to get?  The best things take work.  I think God designed it that way on purpose so we won't take things for granted.

4. Things are easier than I think they'll be.  In complete contrast to #3, things just aren't that complicated.  I have a tendency to make things waaay more difficult than they need to be.  I need to stop taking myself so seriously.

5. I'm just as deserving as the next gal.  Why not me?  I've spent alot of my life feeling like "I'm not the kind of person that gets that." Pshhhh, why not!?

6. Sometimes you just have to keep running.  It might be all you can do to keep forward motion, but you just have to dig deep and find it.

7.  Loosening my kung fu grip on life is a good thing.  I should do that more.  Not everything needs to be within my control.  As a matter of fact, very few things are.  The only thing firmly within my grasp is how I react.  {see #1}  God will take care of the rest.  He always has.

I feel like I learned so much through the process of training and running my race on Saturday.  I really wanted to make a record of the lessons I learned.  I'm already finding ways to apply them to other areas of my life.  I promise, I won't keep rambling about it, but I need to cement them somewhere so I don't ever forget them.

Thank you all so much for your support!  I am so grateful for my blog friends.  It blows my mind how modern technology has allowed for friendships to blossom across the globe.  You guys are awesome, and I'm so glad to know you.  

p.s. The above image was one of many mantras that helped me get through the race.  That, and this one. 

Take THAT bucket list!

Hi guys!  How are you!?  I missed you.

So, It has been a whole week since I've talked to you, and boy has it been a crazy one!  Sorry about not checking in Friday like I'd planned...we had some travel difficulties, missed connecting flights and didn't get home until Friday afternoon, instead of Thursday night. 

Anyway...what I really want to tell you about today is this:

I ran a half marathon on Saturday!!!

13.1 miles....I know! 

You might be thinking..."wait...did I know this was happening?  Has she mentioned this before?"

Nope.  I kept it pretty under wraps.  You see, I was scared of failure.  I was scared of announcing to the world that I was doing this and then not being able to do it, and feeling like a schmuck.

But, I did it, and I want to shout it from the rooftops! 

Honestly, guys, I'm so proud of myself.  I know you're not supposed to say that, but I just did.  I am so proud!  You see, I'm not a natural athlete, let alone runner.  I have to really work at even wanting to train.  This is not something I ever thought I would accomplish....but I did, and it feels so good! 

And you want to know the best part?  I maintained a positive attitude.  {which I believe is 90% of it.} You see, two weeks ago, I had a complete meltdown.  I sat on my couch and cried like a deranged child.  My poor husband had to talk me down from the ledge.  I was ready to throw in the towel, but, that day, I decided to take the pressure off myself, and I ran 12 miles.  I decided during those 12 miles in the cold and drizzle, that the only expectation was that I finish it.

I knew on Friday night that it was going to be good.  I could feel it in my bones.  I wasn't going to freak out that I had been traveling for 4 days, or that it was going to be 38 degrees at the start {after all, I had ran 12 in that cold}.  I wasn't going to worry about the other runners.  This wasn't about them anyway.  I was doing this for me, and I was going to enjoy every second.  And, that's exactly what I did. 

I had to fight back tears a few times.  The good kind of tears.  It was so incredible.....I want to do it again. 

I really want to encourage you guys to do something you've always wanted to do but thought you couldn't.  I promise you, if I can do this, anything is possible. 


What's the most physically challenging thing you've ever done?

I'm back!

Sorry I've been MIA for the last week!  For some reason, I could just not get myself organized.  I am determined to be more on the ball this week, in more ways than one. 

I am spending today getting ready for the week and enjoying some quiet time at home.  We just got back from the store, where I loaded up on healthy eats.  I'm determined to get back on track with my eating. Jon's getting ready to watch the Chiefs game, and I'm going to catch up on some blogs and prepare something new and exciting that this lady and I have up our sleeves! 

I leave you with a pic from yesterday.  Jon and I ran the Jared Coones Memorial Pumpkin Run.  My mom, stepdad and sisters all participated too.  It was freezing!  35 degrees at the start.  brrrrrrrrrrrr.  I finished in 34 min, 36 sec.  No world record, but I'm happy with that.  Especially considering I haven't ran for weeks, and I didn't walk at all!  Jon came in at 27 min, 15 sec.  He hurt his knee though.  I'm hoping it heals itself and doesn't give him many problems.  

love my life...

As I type this I can hear the neighborhood kids putting on a show for their parents.  They even have chairs set up for the audience.  As far as I can tell it's some sort of talent show.  The kids are doing tricks on the jungle gym and the parents applauding.  So cute!  One little girl even has on a top hat!  We watched them out out kitchen window for a bit, taking in how awesome our new neighborhood is.  We love it here, and can't wait to grow a family here.

I just signed us up for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure here in Kansas City on August 9th, so it looks like I'll be doing 5k #2!  Hopefully I can get in some runs before then!  We'll be doing it with friends, so it should be fun.  

And now, I share with you a somewhat embarrassing photo of myself finishing the Lenexa Freedom Run.  I'm not sure why I'm subjecting you all to this, but hey, look at me totally kicking that old guys butt!  ha ha!  I was just so happy to be crossing that finish line!

I'm loving my life this week.  My husband, my home, and all the exciting things that are on the horizon.  Hope you all are having a great week too! 

~j

Happy 4th of July!

This morning I ran my first 5k! 

 

I've been running for a while, but have never ran a race til this morning.  I did the Lenexa Freedom Run with my step-dad, sister and some family friends.  It was lots of fun!  

As they played the star spangled banner before the race began, I stood there with my hand over my heart and looked around at Old Town Lenexa and all the great americans lined up to start the run.  I got a little choked up thinking about how great our nation is and how proud I am to be an american.  

This afternoon we went to a barbeque at my mom's and this evening we're going to go watch some fireworks.  I always really look forward to the fireworks, my favorite part of the 4th!

I hope you all are having happy and safe Independence Days!  

Happy Birthday America!  

{Me and Lydia before the race}