JANUARY Challenge.

Hey all! The holiday season is ending and I thought I would let you know what is on tap for January!

Challenge Accepted: Perform a headstand by the end of January - January 31.

Challenge Presented by: Anna Gardner

Requirements: YOGA, Abs, arms, legs - FOCUSING on the strength training.

Now most of you have been following me on my RUNNING challenges. You know I can complete those, you have seen it a couple times now. But this is a new area for me. I am going to continue to run my booty off - but now, I am challenging myself to add in one more element - STRENGTH! I will be blogging like normal (hopefully more photos). I will update on my progress and where I am needing more more (and where I am succeeding)! Let me know if there is anything specific anyone wants me to blog about!

I have found that running has given me a new LIFE but I am missing something great. I have been convinced if I were to add in STRENGTH, it would do me WONDERS!

Anna is going to help me with the Yogi side - She, already, is a YOGA guru- and can preform headstands. She is going to get me on track to completing this challenge by the end of the month. 

Here she is BELOW. This is from our AMAZING Portland trip a few weeks ago.

FOLLOW US! I am pumped. Getting ready inspiration: New leggings (bright purple), homemade inspirational board, re-visit my goals and go for a hike!

50 DONE

Challenge on 11/5 - Run 50 miles by Christmas Day. Challenge Completed: 12/20 (5 days early). 

Now, what most of you don't know, I was only counting the WHOLE MILES. No rounding up - just what the whole number said. Some days I would run 2.5 miles, but I was only logging the 2. So, FOR THE TOTAL miles ran, it was 54.63 miles during the challenge time!

My legs were sore and tired after Anna and I thought to finish the last 5 miles (actually did six!) on an INCREDIBLY rainy Saturday. But even when I suggested we run indoors, she said GET YOUR RAIN GEAR ON - adventure awaits. The rain didn't let up AT ALL but we had moments of encouragement when other runners gave us "the Nod" as they jogged past. 

See, Washington is wet and cold during this time of year, and we realized that it is just water and it is nothing that a hot shower and tea can't fix in the afternoon. The satisfaction of knowing that I almost completed a 10K was worth all the rain, cold, pain and emotional struggle to keep going. I have learned this Fall/Winter that I can't stop now - even when the weather doesn't permit it. I just have to work around it. 

Here is our one pic - since we were unable to use our phones in the rain (for fear of them drowning). As you can kind of see, we are soaked to the bone. Literally, I had to ask Anna's kind husband for a garbage bag to just remove my first layer of clothing - I could wring them out they were so saturated. I shivered the whole drive home, but goodness, I was smiling. 

CHALLENGE COMPLETE!

OH and if you all are wondering, Anna and I have come up with a NEW challenge for January. A little different, but it is going to be a new change from the normal! Running still incorporated  I will have a blog up this week with the details. Follow along! 

Thanks for all your support!

35 - 45 MILES. YEAH

Holy CRUD! Hah - 45 miles???? What is this nonsense?? Five more to go and I am about to accomplish that in one rainy morning. Sorry for the lack of blogging - lets just say a couple weeks or CRAZY insued. But I am back. I am off for a good break and going to try and write here more often. 

Near miles 30ish, I have been taking these out in 4 mile increments. I mean, why not get this over with? It is rainy, cold and just dogone miserable outside. Anna has been taking on this challenge as well and we are almost complete. With our almost-matching outfits, reflective gear and all the courage in the WORLD, we are hitting the streets. What is it with this DARK? By the time we are done with work and commuting, it is dark. I have to say, I feel like my eyesight has become SUPER POWER CHARGED in the dark. 

SELFIE - It is funny how the older you get, the less you remember to take pictures. Maybe that is just me but I told Anna "this run, I need some sort of photos so the friends and followers know I am actually doing this."

Who says running needs to look boring!? COLORFUL shoes make us happy. Fleece lined pants for the cold evenings (BEST PURCHASE EVER). 

Five more to go! Blog up later this weekend!

28 through 34. On. My. WAY.

Going... going.... almost THERE.

34 miles ran. 34 more lessons learned. It keeps getting easier - I keep getting stronger. Anna and I thought, lets run 4.5 miles Friday... and yeah, we nailed it. 

I never thought I would be a runner, excited for new shoes, STOKED to get off work to run around in the freezing cold.... to be ready for the next challenge, eating right, thinking right, new outlook. Running has opened up a new part of life. 26 has never been better! It is so funny, but I am feeling younger, feeling like I am living more than I ever have before. It is addictive, gets my heart racing and keeping me going.

16 miles to go. PIECE OF CAKE. Here we go.