My 101 in 1001

I hope everyone had a safe and happy new year!  I'm not quite back in a routine yet because I still have 3 weeks until my two classes start again (YES!).  I am trying to get back into my regular workout routine and cross some things off my to-do list that I have done an amazing job of putting off.  Another thing I can start to tackle is my 101 in 1001 list!  I was inspired to do this by Design Darling so please go to her blog for more information.

1. Write list of 101 things to do in 1001 days (January 2013)
2. Keep track of 101 things
3. Inspire someone to write a list of her own (Julia, January 2013) 
4. Write my graduate school personal statement  
5. Send my graduate school applications by May 2013
6. Write thank you to all who help me in my quest towards grad school  
7. Get into PA school
8. Discover my medical passion
9. Find a mentor  
10. Buy a quality stethoscope 
11. Invest in an i-pad
12. Host a blog giveaway
13. Make a RWW Facebook page
14. Update my workout page regularly
15. Write a post everyday for a week straight
16. Move blog to Wordpress 
17. Run a 10K
18. Run a marathon
19. A half-marathon PR
20. A 5K PR
21. Take a hot yoga class
22. Join a gym
23. Take vitamins regularly
24.  Bring homemade salad to school at least once a week for a month
25. Find a primary care physician and gynecologist that I love
26. Get blood drawn for the first time
27. Join a kickball team in Philly
28. Go on a blind date
29. Give a guy my number
30. Move into my first apartment
31. Buy a new mattress
32. Frame my composites
33. Develop and frame graduation pictures
34. Frame my diploma
35. Paint a picture
36. Spend a night in AC
37. Go an a Scavenger Hunt (ala high school) 
38. Throw someone a surprise party
39. Visit U of R
40. Take a trip to visit friends in Boston
41. Take my first trip to the west coast ( LA!)
42. Go apple picking
43. Have an intense game night
44. Spend a day at the Franklin Institute
45. Go for a run along Kelly Drive
46. Eat at a Steven Starr restaurant
47. Read 10 "classic novels"
48. See 5 "classic movies"
49. Go to a Phillies home opener
50. Buy a Clarisonic
51. Go to a Dermatologist
52. "Unplug" for a day
53. Send 20 handwritten letters
54. Volunteer with Girls on the Run
55. Make homemade pasta
56. Make homemade hummus
57. Invest in a classic handbag
58. See Coldplay in concert
59. See Taylor Swift in concert
60. Organize friend's and family's addresses and birthdays
61. Send family and friends birthday cards
62. Pay off credit card
63. Buy my own personalized stationary
64. Get a piece of clothing monogrammed
65. Take my mom-mom out to lunch
66. Learn how to needlepoint
67. Buy my first pair of TB Revas
68. Tailgate an Eagles game
69. Try acupuncture
70. Invest in a few cookbooks
71. Buy something at a flea market
72. Try 5 new foods
73. Find out my blood type
74. See 5 Audrey Hepburn films
75. Take a spinning class
76. Buy a new car
77. Read the whole A Song of Ice and Fire series
78. Start paying off student loans
79. Keep a one sentence journal 
80. Make 10 things off Pinterest
81. Start swimming again
82. Make a piece of jewelry
83. Donate to the University of Rochester
84. Try skiing again
85. Find a long-term skincare routine
86. Buy an interview suit
87. Get my oil changed at the correct time 
88. Write a cover letter
89. Make a blogging friend
90. Write a guest post on a blog
91. Finish Dexter
92. Determine my favorite beer
93. Make a new commuting car CD each month for the next 6 months
94. Take up a new hobby
95. Go ziplining
96. Bring a date to a wedding
97. See all films nominated for an Oscar in the Best Film category for one year.
98. Establish a budget that works for me
99. Put money into my savings account each month
100. Start a blog series
101. Complete my 101 goals!

On to 2013

Tomorrow night I will be ringing in the new year at Xfinity Live in South Philadelphia with some of my best friends.  I'm a little sad to see 2012 go though.  2012 included one of the my best semesters of college, graduation, one of my best friends returning from France, making new friends, moving back home (good and bad), new jobs, etc.  But I'm excited for 2013 because I have no idea what's in store.  I know I will be purchasing a new car, beginning a new job, taking new classes, applying to graduate school, looking for an apartment, but who knows how any of this will turn out.  All I can do is hope for the best.

Now the obvious next point of this post would be... New Years Resolutions!  Like a lot of people, I'm not really into this in the traditional sense.  Last year I went the inspiration board route:

 I liked making this as it reminded me of my sorority crafting days- I swear my crafts then were better than this though- and it was a constant visual reminder.  I also accomplished a fair share of my goals because it was broken up into categories (health, personal, academic/professional- and focused.  But I think I want to do something even more specific this year.  I love to-do lists.  I seriously make them everyday.  So this year, I am thinking of going the list route and making it more of a long term thing ala design darling's 101 in 1001. I love that her list is visual ( I need that), with specific to-do's, and that there is no pressure to finish them in a year.  I will be working on mine in the next couple of days so more on my version of the 101 in 1001 to come!

Have a safe and happy new years! 

January Fitness Video Star

When I think of the holiday season, I obviously think about family get-togethers, presents, Christmas cookies, holiday movies, New Years Eve, resolutions, etc.  Towards the end of the holiday season I know we all think about those January new gym goers.  Some people hate them, (regular gym goers), some people like to encourage them (good for you!), and some people are or were them.  While the gym is obviously a great place to get in shape, they can often be intimidating for newbies (or girls, when "macho men" take up all the room in the weights area), crowded these next couple of months, or just inconvenient.  That's why I love fitness videos so much!  You have the luxury of working out in your own home, at your own pace, on your own time.  I think in the past fitness videos had a bad rep.  Maybe because of this guy...

 Thank goodness things are different now!  The Beachbody brand is the maker of popular fitness videos such at p90X, Insanity, Turbofire and more.  If you are looking for challenging, effective workouts with insanely motivating instructors, this site is for you!  I can personally attest to how AWESOME of a video Insanity is and this is coming from someone who is very picky about her workouts.  Also, I. heart. Shaun. T.  

I'd like to highlight a few programs that I'm thinking about trying, but I recommend checking out the website for the full list: 

Insanity Asylum Volume 2- http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/insanity-the-asylum-volume-2-elite-training-workout.do
- Like I said, the original Insanity killed me, so I can't even imagine what this video is like!  Shaun T has so much energy and really encourages you to take breaks whenever you need them, which I greatly appreciated :)

Detox Cleanse- http://www.beachbody.com/product/detox-cleanse/ultimate-reset.do
- I've never done a cleanse before, but if I was going to, I would want to follow a well thought-out program such as this.

Les Mills Pump Deluxe- http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/les-mills-pump-cross-training-workout-deluxe-package.do
-I've taken Les Mills Body Pump classes at a gym before and they made lifting so fun!  I'm thinking this workout series would be similar so I am definitely intrigued.

Brazil Butt Lift Master Series- http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/brazil-butt-lift-master-series-advanced-workout.do
-I love that this series utilizes some of my favorite workout equipment (stability ball, foam roller, and yoga mat) and that you can buy different levels of kits.

Which Beachbody videos are sparking your interest?  I'm really feeling Insanity Asylum Volume 2 and have always wanted to try Turbofire!  

Are you more of a gym-goer or into videos?

November, where'd you go?

I know it's not December yet, but it will be in 4 days.  Although I'm already feeling the Christmas spirit, I still feel like Halloween is coming, the leaves are in the process of changing and the Eagles still have a chance to turn their season around.  Alas, none of those things are true (especially concerning the Eagles).  It really hit me that it's almost December a) on my slippery, snowy commute this morning b) when my professor announced that next Thursday is our last class- cue finals. 

December is going to be a busy month for me with finals, a new job and the holidays and I was looking for some way to stay motivated with my health and fitness.  Last weekend while I was reading blogs, the answer appeared: #elf4health (have you been seeing that all over twitter this week?)  This is a 6-week holiday health challenge.  Check out creators' The Lean Green Bean and Nutrionella's blogs for a more thorough description of Elf for Health.  I really like that you get a partner to support you and keep you in check, the fact that it involves mental as well as physical health and that the whole blogging/online community is involved. 

I've already completed Meatless Monday- I knew I was going to be out all day so I prepped this delicious quinoa mac and cheese the night before. 

Today's challenge was to write a handwritten note or letter for someone.  I finished mine tonight and will be sending tomorrow.  I wonder who it's for?? 

Tomorrow is try a new workout Wednesday- still deciding if I want to run like I usually do and then try something I've pinned recently or if I'm going to count today's new yoga workout.  Such big life decisions!

If you are interested in the next round I suggest you sign up for a fun, easy way to get into the healthy spirit this holiday season.  Good luck to my awesome elf buddy Becca, you da best!

Philly Half-marathon recap!

It's 3 days later and my I think my legs have finally recovered from the Philly half.  I have never felt knee pain as badly as the Monday after but it was seriously all worth it.  Last January I made an inspiration board (ok, I made goals like everyone else in the world on new years) and my main fitness-related goal was run a half-marathon.  It seemed like a long way off but this past Sunday my goal was accomplished! 

My dad and I were both running our first half marathons, so we woke up early ready to go.  We drove to my aunt's house, who happens to be a great runner and a former Philly Marathon completer, to get a ride down to the start of the race in Fairmount.  It was a dark, chilly morning but my adrenaline kept me warmer and excited.  The atmosphere before the race even started was amazing.  Unlike myself, my dad likes to talk to strangers so we met a few encouraging veteran marathoners including some runners were originally signed up for the NYC marathon.  About 2,000 NYC marathon runners came to Philly, which I thought was really awesome!

After waiting in our corral for about 15 minutes to start, we were off!  Both a Paul Ryan and a Kim Kardashian sign at the starting line really pumped me up!  The beginning of the race my dad and I stayed together but as the crowd broke up a bit we split up.  I usually get bored by mile 4 when running but the energy from the crowd, my awesome playlist, and the beautiful scenery made the race go by so quickly.  Before I knew it we were at mile 8!  The course was very flat the whole way up until mile 9 (forget exactly where) around University City.  I though this was a very rude part of the race to throw in multiple hills but I only walked twice through the water stations and was not about the walk now. 

Overall, my body felt really great up until around mile 11 when my ankles and quads were really starting to burn.  I was so close though so it really wasn't a problem.  The last mile I got a surge of energy, don't know if this is good or bad, and really booked it to the finish line.  What a GREAT feeling to finish a half-marathon!! I know it will probably never feel the same since this was my first, but my dad and I both agreed the experience was amazing.  I ended up finishing in 2:13.  My only goal was to finish so I am definitely pleased!  Next time around (and there WILL be a next time) I hope to make a goal time and work on pacing myself a little more.  My dad finished just a little after me, he's pretty awesome! 

After the race my two best friends were waiting at the finish line for me (they're the best) and we found my aunt and dad.  We finished the morning off with chocolate chip pancakes and coffee at my aunt's house.  I later spent the rest of the day on my couch watching tv and fell asleep before 10pm.  Philly half-marathon was a success!  I now can't wait to sign up for another one, time to start investigating.

Pictures of the day:

 Happy Thanksgiving :)

Mizunos for the win

I finally purchased a long overdue pair of sneakers.  After almost a year of switching between my asics and my brooks I am now the proud owner of the Mizuno Wave Inspire 8.  I have heard great things about Mizuno Wave Riders and read about the Wave Inspires in this month's Runner's World so I decided to give them a try.  I tested them out for a short run Wednesday and this morning and I am definitely a fan!

Thoughts:
-I really don't light shoes that are very heavy but need more support than the new light-weight running shoes provide.  The Wave Inspires are very light and flexible.  They were marked as shoes for stability though so they definitely provide enough support.
-They are narrow, which works for my feet but may not for everyone.
-The heel is higher than any other shoe I've worn and but cushioned.  They feel different but a good different.
-I've run about 7 miles in them and they felt great the whole time.

Let's hope I'm raving about these babies after 13.3 miles as much as I am today.  Philly half-marathon countdown- 2 days, ahhhh!!!!

Weather forecast

Annndddd the weather for Sunday's race looks rather questionable.  I've seen between 46-49 degrees and so far a 30% chance of rain.  I'm really hoping this whole rain thing doesn't happen because this girl hates getting wet.  I didn't retire from the sport of swimming just to pick up running in the rain.  Even so, I am deciding on what to wear and have to plan for wet weather.  Here's what I'm thinking so far:

1) Capris- Even if it gets a little warmer, I think I'm beginning to like running in spandex rather than shorts.  Never thought I'd make the switch but I'm really not a fan of shorts rubbing between my legs for over 2 hours.  I'm really digging my new Old Navy Active capris, check them out.
2) Sneakers- I know this is a big no-no before a race but I really need new shoes.  My Brooks were great but are old and making my ankles hurt- shoe shopping is happening tomorrow.
3) Cushioned socks
4) Spi Belt- Obsessed.  Will hold gels, TONS OF TISSUES, chapstick, etc.
5) Headband- Regular Goodie one I always wear, don't think it will be cold enough for a cold-weather headband.
6) Top- short-sleeves or long??? THAT IS THE QUESTION!  I'm leaning towards short-sleeves with a throwaway sweatshirt on top but it's keeping me up at night! (not really but I am unsure). 
7) Trash bag for rain? Seriously, what do I wear for rain besides this?

I probably won't make the final call on the outfit until right before but what do you think?  My dad is absolutely no help seeing as he likes to run in long underwear and sweatpants from 1985 and thinks this is an appropriate outfit for me as well.  Updates on my new shoes and running playlist later this week!