Motivational Monday

It is Shamrock Marathon {Half Marathon for me} week! Shamrock Virginia Beach is one of my favorite races. They do such a fantastic job and give out some sweet swag. How can you not love a race that's:

• Flat
• Fast
• Gives a medal for every race
• Gives a shirt for every race
• Does a challenge and gives a medal for completing it
• Gives a hat for finishing the half and full marathon
• Gives a finisher's gift for the half and full marathon
• Awesome tent party post-race on the beach
• Free beer
• Great expo

In 2012 I PRed this race and the 8k. Maybe that has something to do with why I love this race so much. LOL! I had high hopes about PRing this race in 2015. This race is practically designed for PR's because of how flat it is.

But for some reason in January I stopped training for three weeks. I ran twice in three weeks skipping my long runs. I lost focus. I lost motivation. Sure, I could blame it on the cold and snow. It would be easier than admitting I didn't do what I needed to do to meet my goals.

Sadly, I know it all comes down to me. But, I found this quote by Arthur Ashe and thought how appropriate for this week. While I can't go back and change what I didn't do, I can go forward this week and do all I can to prepare myself. I can do a last training run, I can eat lots of protein and make sure I'm hydrated, I can get in enough sleep each night.

That is where we all are. Maybe we have been great about our goals and following through on what we planned. But, I'll bet there's something you said you would do and haven't. Well, today...now is the time to get back to it. It's not too late. It may not be perfect or how we thought it would be, but if you do something today it will do better than if you hadn't.

That's where I am. I can concentrate on all the things I can control this week and hope for the best. What can you do this week?
Follow @NeverTrade2013

Monday!

Yup, it's Monday.  So much to cover and share!

Weekend was eh.  Hubby and I headed out to Carlisle, PA to a beer MeetUp at Cafe Bruges, which is a place specializing in Belgium beers.  Yum!  Food was good - we shared a cheese plate, ordered a veggie burger with fries and no dessert.  :-)  Had 5 beers.  All with 8% or more alcohol content.  They were tasty!  Love Belgium beer!

Saturday, I thought I had things under control.  We headed over to the mall for our free pretzels courtesy of Auntie Anne's.  The line was LONG, but quick.  Got our two free (plain) pretzels and had a nice lunch at the mall.  And since we ate out on Friday, we decided to do left over pizza and fries for dinner.  We'll, it all went down hill at dinner.  We made up some yummy dip and ate a TON of tortilla chips.  Then two slices of pizza with the fries and two beers.  Oh, it was more than I anticipated. 

Sunday, I tried out one of my two new exercise routines.  I picked up a Walk Away the Pounds 3-mile workout and Wii's My Fitness Coach.  I decided to try the DVD.  It was a workout!  I was surprised really.  I just couldn't see how walking would make me feel like I did something.  It did.  :-)  I was definitely sweating by the end and I enjoyed it.  And I ate healthy!  Had a late brunch, then we had veggie chili for dinner with tortilla chips.  Yum!  Dessert was a mix of fresh blueberries and dried blueberries.  It took me over 40 minutes to each a cup and I was FULL!  Amazing. 

So, not the best weekend, but I tend to use all my flex points on Friday and Saturday, then just go from there the rest of the week.  We shall see come Friday if it was ok.

Today, I did get in a 3 mile outside run.  It wasn't too bad, except for dodging the trash/recycle cans on the sidewalks and some of the not so melted snow and ice.  But, having not run in a month, I was thrilled with 3 miles!  Gotta get back in form for the Shamrock 5k on March 14th!

And, it wouldn't be Monday without education!  Here's today's examiner.com article for your enjoyment.

Visit the State Museum to see the Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery

Check it out to learn about how PA was the first colony to set legislation to end slavery!