It's the begining of July meaning the year is half over and more importantly, time to do my second check in with my New Years Resolutions.



NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS 2014-June update

1. Examine food and drink scripts-still on the to do list

This one I'm still working on. We all have food ideas in our head (burgers and fries, pizza and beer, pizza and wings, etc). I'm currently coming up with a list of these and want to spend time examining how I relate to them and what I can do to fix/change/improve them. I would like to post about this every 2 weeks and see how far I can get!

2. Switch to a (mostly) gluten free diet- working on

I plan on writing a real post about this but me and gluten are not friends. Ever since I have gotten my appendix out, it has been better but l still can't have much gluten at once. However some things-croissants, cheddar cheese soup-will give me a stomach ache but I suffer through.

Bread, sweets and tortillas seem to be triggers for me. I plan on exploring how I feel on these products especially because most of the symptoms lessen when I have organic bread products.

3. Continue to work out 6 days a week- B-

I have definitely fallen off the wagon on this one especially with weights. Most of it has to do with limiting what I can lift and carry since I got my appendix out. I am going to focus hard on adding weight training and resistance training this quarter. I think it will help immensely with my running.

I usually do 3 days of running, 2 days with weights, 1 exclusive day of yoga and 10-15 min of stretching everyday.

4. Blog 5 times a week- DONE

I would love to blog once a day but I feel like I will run of out stuff to talk about! However, I think 5 days is a good starting point and hopefully I can get into a habit of certain posts (grocery matchups, my healthy eating journey, shopping trips, work out schedule).

5. Start our Disney blog/ be more involved in social media-DONE!

I used to be really involved on the DIS boards and I loved it. I decided I missed that part of my life so I'm going to take a big leap and start posting more, meeting more bloggers and going to disney meet ups. I think it'll be good for me! However the Disney blog has slowed-I want to figure out a more consistent schedule.



RUNNING RESOLUTIONS-yes it needs to be separate!

1. Carb load naturally-DONE

Switching away from gluten means I need to carb load more natural form of carbs-sweet potato, rice, potatoes, fruit, sugar, etc.

I have been doing this for my training runs and it feels great! I can even have some gluten free pasta too.

A secondary goal-I want to track my carb intake next time I need to stock up before a training run. I need to approaching 200-300 grams of carbs and I don't think I'm getting close to that yet.

2. Finish my first marathon- DONE!

Even though it was not the result I wanted, I am a marathoner. I cannot wait to run Dopey as well as redeem my full performance at the 2015 LA Marathon.

I figure they have to get easier just as halves have gotten easier. I guess only time will tell!

3. Switch to a 5:1 interval for dumbo (modified to a 2:30/30)-DONE

Ever since I switched to a 30 sec walking interval, my times have improved so much! Working my way up to a 2:30 was great in the spring but increase in temperature and humidity, it has been difficult.

When the weather doesn't cooperate-which will be often over the summer-I switch to 2:00 or 2:15 and always feel much better!

I would like to play around with intervals more and maybe I can test out different ones soon to see if I can improve my time!

4. Run a sub 2:30 half (assuming it'll be at LA rock n roll) and a sub 1:10 10k

I love Disney races and will NEVER PR at one because I take too many pictures (which is not a bad thing, I pay good money to take these pictures and dress up). However I love the LA Rock n Roll as it is very flat and on a route I am very familiar with and have walked many times on my own (ie-from the Coliseum after a football game back to my apartment in graduation school) and feel good on the course. Also, it's halloween themed so costumes are definitely always encouraged! I think the LA rock n roll are my best bet for a 2:30 sub half.

I have run a sub 1:10 10 K-Twice! 1:07:09 and 1:02:49.

I'm still hoping to score a strong time at the Christmas run in December but it may be challenging as I will have done a simulated Dopey the weekend before but I will still be trying anyway!

5. Roll and stretch every day-some weeks are better than others

When I was injured late last year, not stretching was my downfall. I have now switched to a method of rolling and stretching in the morning after my workout and also before I go to bed. I would to insert a good 5 minutes of yoga (sun salutations, downward dogs,etc) as another way to stretch my body as when I feel looser, I feel much better.

6. Completely adapt chi running techniques-going back to review all concepts

I promise there is a post coming on this and I have adapted many of them. I want to continue to learn and adapt chi techniques.

I have learned to stop using my calves as much while running but my shins still hurt from time to time. (I have adapted the technique of willing pain away-works wonders).

I plan on re-reading the workout sections of the books as a way to work on them. I think by the end of the year, I will be a complete chi running convert.





So overall, I am slowly working towards my goals! The running goals are going better than the others but it's all still progress. I still can't believe I've run a marathon since my last check in!

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS 2014

Wow-can you believe it's April already? I plan on spending a few days reviewing where I am. No better time than now! 

I want to take a look at the New Years Resolutions I set up in Jan and where I am with them now. I plan on doing this once a quarter and you can track the progress at a link at the top. Let's get to it!

1. Examine food and drink scripts-STILL WORKING ON. 

We all have food ideas in our head (burgers and fries, pizza and beer, pizza and wings, etc). I'm currently coming up with a list of these and want to spend time examining how I relate to them and what I can do to fix/change/improve them. My new goal is to start posting on these by the end of the month and see how far I can get. 

2. Switch to a (mostly) gluten free diet-STILL WORKING ON. 

I plan on writing a real post about this but me and gluten are not friends right now. I've noticed over the last month or so, when I have gluten I feel the effects immediately-stomach cramps, tired, gas, bloating, brain fog. So I have decided to give it up and find other alternatives. Bread, sweets and tortillas seem to be triggers for me. I plan on exploring how I feel on these products especially because most of the symptoms lessen when I have organic bread products.--Still planning on. I want to focus an entire series on the blog about where I have come with this and my solutions. 

3. Continue to work out 6 days a week-STILL DOING. 

I have working out 6 days a week for awhile but want to solidify it. I need to make sure I'm stretching and rolling every day as it's the only way my race schedule will stay intact. I usually do 3 days of running, 2 days with weights, 1 exclusive day of yoga and 10-15 min of stretching everyday. 
I feel that this is going pretty well-I am starting to slack on the stretching every day and I feel the difference. I need to get back into it! 

4. Blog 5 times a week-DOING WELL. 

I would love to blog once a day but I feel like I will run of out stuff to talk about! However, I think 5 days is a good starting point and hopefully I can get into a habit of certain posts (grocery matchups, my healthy eating journey, shopping trips, work out schedule). I feel like this is good-I have been posting 5-6 days a week with usually one weekend day I take off. I have a good system going and want to continue with it. 

5. Start our Disney blog/ be more involved in social media- STILL WORKING ON

I used to be really involved on the DIS boards and I loved it. I decided I missed that part of my life so I'm going to take a big leap and start posting more, meeting more bloggers and going to disney meet ups. I think it'll be good for me!  I have been trying to post on teamrundisney and the disney addicts group at least 1-2 times per day and I have really enjoyed it. We have also started launching our disney blog as well! 

RUNNING RESOLUTIONS-yes it needs to be separate! 

1. Carb load naturally-DOING WELL
Switching away from gluten means I need to carb load more natural form of carbs-sweet potato, rice, potatoes, etc. It will be a journey but I flirted with it during my 20 miler and tinkerbell half marathon and never felt better. Hopefully I can get a routine down. I will be able to test this with my 26 mile training run on 2/9 and also with the princess half marathon. I feel like I have done this well. I think my races have been going well because of this and I would like to keep it up! 

2. Finish my first marathon- DONE! 
Never would have thought four years ago, I would be here. I'm very excited to run the LA marathon! I'm very nervous and freak out often but I know my training has prepared me for it. I have a feeling I will be wanting to do more in the future. <---so true! and Im done and have come to peace with my performance but look out marathon, NEXT YEAR YOU ARE MINE! 

3. Switch to a 5:1 interval for dumbo (modified to a 2:30/30)
I worked on this over the weekend and it seems like it will work out well. With Chi Running becoming such a big part of my running, I feel so much less effort while running and I know increasing my intervals will help me finish races faster. I have decided to do one run a week at a 5:1 and all of the rest at 2 min:40 sec since I feel like that will be a good interval for me to use for the LA marathon and princess. After that, I plan on taking a break from running and not doing many long runs as a way to really focus on this 5:1 interval. I am hoping to be able to introduce it at Dumbo and use it as well at rock n roll half in october and wine and dine in november. According to Jeff Galloway, I should be able to run an 8-9 minute mile which isn't going to happen but I should be able to get close to a 9-10 minute mile as right now my chi running with a 2 min:40 sec is getting me around 11 minutes miles. 
This has been great. After doing some research, Galloway suggests to do a shorter walking interval instead of expanding the running. Currently I am working on getting comfortable with a 2:20 to 30 and loving it. I think I will stick here for a few more weeks and then bump it up to 2:30 to 30 and work from there. that is my goal for Dumbo and I think I will do well at it. 

4. Run a sub 2:30 half (assuming it'll be at LA rock n roll) and a sub 1:10 10k- HALF DONE
I love disney races and will NEVER PR at one because I take too many damn pictures (which is not a bad thing, I pay good money to take these pictures and dress up). However I love the LA Rock n Roll as it is very flat and on a route I am very familiar with and have walked many times on my own (ie-from the Coliseum after a football game back to my apartment in graduation school) and feel good on the course. Also, it's halloween themed so costumes are definitely always encouraged! I think the LA rock n roll are my best bet for a 2:30 sub half. I also would love to run a sub 1:10 10 K which my best bet will probably be the christmas run in December. I may try and fit in a cheap 10k before then but we will have see! 

sub 1:10 10k-YES-DONE! sub 2:30 half-I am still hoping for it at the LA rock n roll. 

5. Roll and stretch every day-OKAY
When I was injured a few months ago, not stretching was my downfall. I have now switched to a method of rolling and stretching in the morning after my workout and also before I go to bed. I would to insert a good 5 minutes of yoga (sun salutations, downward dogs,etc) as another way to stretch my body as when I feel looser, I feel much better. I even try and sit on the floor in random positions while I am watching tv and relaxing as a way to stretch in different ways. definitely still sitting in weird positions but i can tell my body is starting to feel tight again. I need to get back into this and plan on starting tonight-a bit of yoga, rolling an stretching while watching tv. 

6. Completely adapt chi running techniques
I promise there is a post coming on this (probably this week or next!) and I have adapted many of them. I want to continue to learn and adapt chi techniques. The ones I am struggling with are using my calves too much and rotating my knees. I plan on re-reading the workout sections of the books as a way to work on them. I think by the end of the year, I will be a complete chi running convert.
I am still working on this. I am going to start re-reading the chi running book here soon and starting a whole blog series on it at the same time. i want to focus on all of the techniques of it and make sure I am doing them correctly. I also want to work on the hill portion of it-I did some of it for the Agoura Hills 10k but feel like there is more I can learn. 


Overall, I would give myself a B- for my goals for the first quarter. I definitely reached some and definitely did not with others. I need to work on being more consistent going forward especially with the stretching. 


How are your New Years Resolutions coming along? 

So I have decided-kinda late actually- to do 14 races in 2014. (No-I don't plan on going for 15 in 2015 but never say never!). I was making a list of races and realized I was running a lot this year!! Why not just add 1 more and link up with other blogs? 

With all my rundisney races this year (7 in total-am I crazy?) I don't need that many more races!

Below are the races I have completed and the ones I am planning to do.

COMPLETED:

1. Tinkerbell half
   
2. Enchanted 10k
   
3. Princess half
   
4. La marathon
   
5. Agoura hills old 10k
   

PLANNING:

1. Disneyland 10k
   
2. Disneyland half
   
3. Rock n roll LA
   
4. Wine and dine
   
5. Avengers half
   
6. Turkey trot 5k
   
7. Turkey trot 10k
   
8. Christmas run
   

I just need to find one more race to do! I'm thinking maybe a cheap and local half in July/August t try and get a PR a few weeks after dumbo. Or maybe after the great race of last weekend, a local 10K to get a flat PR :) or I may do the girls on the run 5k. I have time to figure it out!

However, I need to balance it with work and football games and I can't forget disney trips (both DL and WDW) in the fall so we will have to see!

Is anyone else participating in 14 races in 2014?

I can't believe I haven't written this and were almost a month into the new year! Well better a bit late than never, right?



NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS

1. Examine food and drink scripts

This one I'm still working on. We all have food ideas in our head (burgers and fries, pizza and beer, pizza and wings, etc). I'm currently coming up with a list of these and want to spend time examining how I relate to them and what I can do to fix/change/improve them. I would like to post about this every 2 weeks and see how far I can get!

2. Switch to a (mostly) gluten free diet

I plan on writing a real post about this but me and gluten are not friends right now. I've noticed over the last month or so, when I have gluten I feel the effects immediately-stomach cramps, tired, gas, bloating, brain fog. So I have decided to give it up and find other alternatives. Bread, sweets and tortillas seem to be triggers for me. I plan on exploring how I feel on these products especially because most of the symptoms lessen when I have organic bread products.

3. Continue to work out 6 days a week

I have working out 6 days a week for awhile but want to solidify it. I need to make sure I'm stretching and rolling every day as it's the only way my race schedule will stay intact.

I usually do 3 days of running, 2 days with weights, 1 exclusive day of yoga and 10-15 min of stretching everyday.

4. Blog 5 times a week

I would love to blog once a day but I feel like I will run of out stuff to talk about! However, I think 5 days is a good starting point and hopefully I can get into a habit of certain posts (grocery matchups, my healthy eating journey, shopping trips, work out schedule).

5. Start our Disney blog/ be more involved in social media

I used to be really involved on the DIS boards and I loved it. I decided I missed that part of my life so I'm going to take a big leap and start posting more, meeting more bloggers and going to disney meet ups. I think it'll be good for me!

RUNNING RESOLUTIONS-yes it needs to be separate!

1. Carb load naturally

Switching away from gluten means I need to carb load more natural form of carbs-sweet potato, rice, potatoes, etc. It will be a journey but I flirted with it during my 20 miler and tinkerbell half marathon and never felt better. Hopefully I can get a routine down. I will be able to test this with my 26 mile training run on 2/9 and also with the princess half marathon

2. Finish my first marathon

Never would have thought four years ago, I would be here. I'm very excited to run the LA marathon! I'm very nervous and freak out often but I know my training has prepared me for it. I have a feeling I will be wanting to do more in the future.

3. Switch to a 5:1 interval for dumbo
I worked on this over the weekend and it seems like it will work out well. With Chi Running becoming such a big part of my running, I feel so much less effort while running and I know increasing my intervals will help me finish races faster. I have decided to do one run a week at a 5:1 and all of the rest at 2 min:40 sec since I feel like that will be a good interval for me to use for the LA marathon and princess. After that, I plan on taking a break from running and not doing many long runs as a way to really focus on this 5:1 interval. I am hoping to be able to introduce it at Dumbo and use it as well at rock n roll half in october and wine and dine in november. 

According to Jeff Galloway, I should be able to run an 8-9 minute mile which isn't going to happen but I should be able to get close to a 9-10 minute mile as right now my chi running with a 2 min:40 sec is getting me around 11 minutes miles. 

4. Run a sub 2:30 half (assuming it'll be at LA rock n roll) and a sub 1:10 10k
I love disney races and will NEVER PR at one because I take too many damn pictures (which is not a bad thing, I pay good money to take these pictures and dress up). However I love the LA Rock n Roll as it is very flat and on a route I am very familiar with and have walked many times on my own (ie-from the Coliseum after a football game back to my apartment in graduation school) and feel good on the course. Also, it's halloween themed so costumes are definitely always encouraged! I think the LA rock n roll are my best bet for a 2:30 sub half. 

I also would love to run a sub 1:10 10 K which my best bet will probably be the christmas run in December. I may try and fit in a cheap 10k before then but we will have see! 

5. Roll and stretch every day
When I was injured a few months ago, not stretching was my downfall. I have now switched to a method of rolling and stretching in the morning after my workout and also before I go to bed. I would to insert a good 5 minutes of yoga (sun salutations, downward dogs,etc) as another way to stretch my body as when I feel looser, I feel much better. 

I even try and sit on the floor in random positions while I am watching tv and relaxing as a way to stretch in different ways

6. Completely adapt chi running techniques
I promise there is a post coming on this (probably this week or next!) and I have adapted many of them. I want to continue to learn and adapt chi techniques. The ones I am struggling with are using my calves too much and rotating my knees. I plan on re-reading the workout sections of the books as a way to work on them. I think by the end of the year, I will be a complete chi running convert. 


So that's it for me for now! 

What are your new years resolutions? How are they coming along? 

Yes-I should have posted this yesterday but I've been running around nonstop since I've been back in LA on Monday. I'm finally at a place where I can relax for the evening since I return to work tomorrow!



So I'm going to do a mini-year in review as a way to appreciate what I have gone through this year!



RUNNING

This is the year I really stepped up my running and now I feel lost without it!

According to my iPod and the nike plus website I have run 513 miles for a total of 121 runs with an average of 4.2 miles. There are a few treadmill runs that didn't get counted so I'm going to guess I ran at least 125 times and 525 miles. Not too bad! I'm very interested to see what I will be my mileage for this year with my first marathon and training for my second right after.



The rest of the review will be in photos because that's way more fun!

Overall-I have been very blessed and it's been an amazing year! I have traveled more than ever (4 WDW trips, 3 Texas trips, 2 Vegas trips, 1 Grand Canyon, 1 Philly, 1 NYC,1 Nashville, and too many Disneyland/Anaheim trips to count) and also ran more than ever (3 halfs, 2 10ks!)

I am looking forward to this year. I have a good feeling about this year. Here use what I have planned so far!

JAN- Tinkerbell half marathon

FEB- glass slipper challenge and WDW

MARCH- LA MARATHON and the Great Race

APRIL-

MAY- hopefully WDW for a conference

JUNE-

JULY-

AUG- my 28th bday and dumbo!

SEPT-

OCT-LA rock n roll

NOV-wine and dine and 2nd coast to coast

DEC-home for Christmas and final prep for dopey and Christmas run

I guess I will have to see what's in store for me this year. I can't wait!