Inspiration!

What a beautiful and important message to focus on your own personal strengths and abilities.

Friday

I haven't been sure what to write for the past few days. I try to keep my blog really positive, but the truth is, I have been struggling with my running, and have been feeling somewhat frustrated lately.

I realize that this is compeletely my own doing. I trained for, and ran the half marathon in February, and since then, my runs have been irregular at best. Where did that time go? No wonder I'm not feeling good about my runs when 4 months have gone by.

I have lot's of great "excuses" - school was really busy (yes it was), work was really busy (it always is), we went on our honeymoon etc.

So now I am trying to get back into regular training, despite my life. I am registered for the Tely 10, and want to have a good run.

I ran:

last Sunday (a very difficult run for me with lot's of hills)

Wednesday morning (tempo run - mornings are always hard, but I feel great for the rest of the day)

Thursday night - 4 hills - "ugh"

Let's hope it's going to feel easier again soon.

I have to end my post and start off my weekend with something positive, so here's a "Wordle" that I created with running inspiration!

Image created on http://www.wordle.net

On my mind right now....

This movie came up in conversation last night, and I think it's only appropriate to post about it! This will be on my summer movie list.

Trailer for "New York, I Love You"

I also love the song playing in the background of this trailer.
The song is called 1901 by Phoenix.

My Inspiration Wall!

Remember when I was talking about creating an inspiration wall like this?

Instead of ordering these from Ikea, I did my own thing. I went to the local hardware store and got 2 very similar-looking small curtain rods and matching clips. The result is pretty much the same thing! I'm extremely happy with the result, and it means there are no thumbtacks from a bulletin board lying around.

What's on my wall?

Top row (L-R):

1. A little love note from my husband from WAY back in 2005

2. One of my favourite photos: me at the Berlin wall in 2004

3. A reminder: It begins with ME!

4. A wonderful quote: Happiness is a way of travel, not a destination.

5. My training schedule for my upcoming goal race: the Tely 10 (mile)

6. An image of displays of vintage cameras - inspiration for our home

7. A photo of me as a little girl, with my first dog, Jade (a Welsh Corgi)

8. A postcard from the fabulous Two if By Sea cafe

9. A flyer for cake decorating classes. One of my best friends is amazing at cake decorating after just level 1! I want in on this action.

10. Paint chip ideas for our living room/entry way (painting scheduled for sometime this summer)

Bottom Row (L-R):

1. Magazine cutouts of my ULTIMATE goal race: The New York City marathon

2. A list of movies (mostly documentary/foreign/non hollywood blockbuster) that my friend Jill shared with me and that I am slowly making my way through

3. A postcard of a painting that I really liked from Musee d'Orsay (basically, my art heaven) in Paris. It's called Le Lit (the bed) by Toulouse-Lautrec.

4. An image from Tuscany (*sigh*) with the quote "Is it, in short, ever well to be elsewhere when one might be in Italy? - Edith Wharton

5. American money - waiting for my next adventure (don't rob me, it's only a few 1's)

6. Inspiration for a Christmas craft that I've been meaning to do for the past few years - will have to start early this year!

oh and tucked in behind is my current/ongoing "to-do" list!

Where do you keep your inspiration?

Attitude is Everything..

I loved this article from the May 2010 edition of Runner's World.

If you view your run as an opportunity, your attitude will get an adjustment

Image Source: Runner's World

I'm currently struggling with motivation for my runs. I haven't been out this week, but this article put things in a new perspective for me. Well worth the read!

This week I'm thinking about....

1. Creative ways to make our front entrance less cluttered with shoes. I'm loving this idea, found on The Queen of Re

2. My friend Geoff shaving his head in the "Shave for the Brave" for Young Adult Cancer Canada. This is to honour his wife and one of my BF's, Janice, who successfully kicked cancer's ass this year. Click on the link to donate! They have raised over $500 in just 2 days....AMAZING!! We are all behind you 100%.

3. Showing my Canadian pride with my brand new Vancouver 2010 Olympic jacket!

4. Ballooning in Tuscany. I'm REALLY trying to make this happen.

5. Adding a vintage camera to our home decor. This one from Etsy seller Slothart

6. The AMAZING photography "stories" on Pictory. A picture says a thousand words. That's what I love about photography!

A little R & R

The past week was a little crazy, with several "midterm" related things happening. Thursday evening felt like a huge weight was taken off my shoulders, and I have had a great weekend, with lot's of fun and laughs and didn't even THINK about schoolwork. Everyone needs a little break.

I can't even get over how amazing it would be to have somewhere like THIS to go. Clearly not in this climate, but a girl can dream, can't she?

I would be satisfied with my own little corner that I can curl up in. I've been wanting to get a chaise for a while now, and this one is delightful.

Went for a run this morning with "the boys" (read: pushed myself). It was a BEAUTIFUL day for a run...almost spring-like. but now it's snowing again, so no chance of that!

...and stay tuned. Today I bought some supplies for my inspiration "board" for our home office. I will post pictures of my completed project soon.

Hold on to Your Dreams

How cute is this painting by Etsy seller creativethursday?

I would love to fill my home office with inspirational art and images. I'm working on having a bulletin board or some kind of space where I can put up all of the pictures that inspire me. I'm especially loving this idea.

Any ideas where I can get some like this? They look like they might be Ikea-ish.

A little bit of Inspiration

I found some great inspirational posters on allposters.com

Here is my favourite. The image links to the site!

My ultimate goal for the upcoming half-marathon is to finish smiling.
What's your ultimate goal for your next race?

Marathon Inspiration

Happy New Year!!!!!

I don't think there is a more inspiring marathon story out there. period.

How can you not be awed and amazed by this? I tear up every time I watch this story.

Watch, and be inspired to champion your own cause, whatever it may be.

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!

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!

Empire State of Mind

Last month my friend Jill was talking about this song, but things have been really hectic.
Today was the first time I actually sat down and listened to the full song and watched the video. Alicia Keys is awesome, as always.

Inspiration!

Inspiration

I have always been a big fan of the inspirational billboards at values.com

This is my all-time favourite billboard!!!

I always like to have ideas, sometimes BIG ideas, to work towards. Sometimes these ideas change and grow as I change and grow, but I love feeling INSPIRED. I am often inspired by simple things, like images, and even by other people's inspiration. I am happiest when creative juices are flowing.

If he can do it, I can do it!!!!!!!!!!!

Which billboard inspires you?