Nothing like a brand new pair of sneakers to start off a new year!

'Tis the Season!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!

I will be taking a little break until the New Year.

Enjoy the special things about the holidays - friends and family, warmth, holiday cheer, snowflakes, time, hot chocolate and coffee, crisp winter air, delicious food, and joy in as many moments as you can.

You want something. Go get it. Period.

A little Sunday evening inspiration.

Inspiration!

I have found an amazing site with quotes and photos that is setting off all kinds of inspiration. I will be adding these to the blog along the way!

Here's today's!

from Indexed.

What I learned from John Stanton - Part 1

Just get yourself outside.

John told a really interesting story - an angle that I hadn't thought of before.

On those days/nights when you are just not in the mood to go for a run - just put your running clothes on and walk around the house for a bit.

It's hard not to go for a run once you have all of your gear on.

Interesting. I have to try this.

I backed up this theory on Wednesday night. Dark. COLD. wind. pelting rain that felt like hail. yeah....let's go for a run! But it was hill night, and I have missed the last 2 weeks.

I had 2 moments where I almost bailed.

Moment #1: Walking out of the house - thought: "really, I'm not doing this am I??" (while shivering with my giant winter coat on over my running clothes).

Moment #2: Exiting the car at the Running Room - brain begins to think of all kinds of things I could do instead of going for a run.

But we went. and once we were warmed up, it was a GREAT run!!! No weather ever seems too awful once you are warmed up.

Just get out of the house and GO!

Be nice to your world.

I have been thinking a lot lately about the environment. In our house, we recycle what we can, but as a society we are still so WASTEFUL.

So, I am starting with a few things:

1. I changed my Running Room magazine settings so that I receive the online version via e-mail, instead of the printed version in the mail. (you should too - save a tree!) Here's the link to change your settings (Go Green Today!)

2. Went online and stopped the catalogue mailouts that I was getting from various companies (the ones that are nice to look at, but that I never order anything from).

Some other SIMPLE things that you can do this holiday season:

1. Recycle gift bags, tissue paper, ribbon and other pretty wrapping items (I NEVER buy new things for wrapping, everything gets recycled at least once)

2. Clean out your closets - donate clothes, shoes, toys and kitchen items that you never use to those less fortunate. We have so much more than so many others.

3. Send an e-mail Christmas card instead of paper cards. This was a hard one for me - as I love sending and receiving "real" mail. I still sent a few paper cards this year, but have downgraded, and an e-card is on the list - stay tuned!

4. Give gifts because they are meaningful and special, not because you feel you should. Organize a dinner out or potluck with friends instead of giving gifts. Last year my friends and I had a dessert potluck - yum, yum.

Do you have any other suggestions for being nice to the environment this holiday season?

Don't set yourself up for failure!

After a 2-week break from running due to the cold/flu that I had, I marched myself out the door on Sunday morning for a 14 k run. It was cold, windy and snowy at times, not to mention narrow roads and crazy drivers.

Our group runs in pace groups, with a pace leader setting the pace, so all one has to do is pick a pace and run...no other work involved. Just like a pace bunny in a race, only we have it every week! We are SO lucky to have such great volunteers for our 1/2 marathon clinic.

I decided to give myself a bit of a break and ease back into it by moving down a pace-group for a week. What a great decision! I was able to finish my run comfortably.

Sometimes it's hard to run more slowly, because it doesn't feel like we are improving, but it felt RIGHT for that day - and I am happy I listened to my own advice!

Last night we went to see the founder of the Running Room John Stanton speak at our local store - more to come on that in my next post!

In the meantime, I'll leave you with the following video.
Countdown to running a half-marathon: beginners advice from John Stanton

booooo

YouTube removed my Rob Thomas video, here's a link - watch it - you will feel festive!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th0RWWZcSjs

Merry New York Christmas

Christmas is in the air! (and we have the snowfall to back it up!)

Some of you might know that I heart Rob Thomas/Matchbox 20. Rob recently performed at the 2009 lighting of the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center.

I happen to love this Christmas song by Rob - A New York Christmas - it's so catchy and I always go around singing it after I have heard it (like now). Plus it's oh.so.appropriate for my blog!

Enjoy!

Photo of the Week

Many of you have probably seen this already, but I thought I would share....

What's a marriage of 2 runners without some cool shots with sneakers? I had an inspiration photo much like this, and our photographer Mike Mahoney did a fantastic job!

These aren't my running sneakers, obviously, but the effect works for the photo! I was thinking about orchestrating a photo simulating a race with our groomsmen (who all also run) but it seemed like a bit much, plus it was COLD out!

On another note, I think I am finally starting to beat this cold/flu! YEAH!

This is me.

Well, it's not literally me, but this is how I feel.

I have fallen into cahoots with the common cold, and I am none too happy 'bout that.

I have not been running this week, which makes me feel sad.

Anyone have a good soup recipe they want to share?

More posts coming soon, when I'm feeling better.