MLchanges – Page 4

Lent

Being raised Catholic Lent (the 40 days leading up to Easter) was a big deal and time to “give up things” and repent. As my religious affiliations have shifted over the years so has my perspective on Lent.

I try to reframe Lent as 40 days to “reset” or create a new habit. I’ve given up sweets – more in a effort to detox from them in general as opposed to just withhold. However more so over the last few years I’ve done plank challenges, I’ve tried to not hit the snooze button (not very successful), etc.

This year for Lent I am going to that the 40 days to “declutter” my life. So my goal is each day from now until Easter is to organize, clean, trash 1 “thing” (I use the word thing loosely – could be from closet, my wallet, my email, my FB friends, by piles of folders on my desk) a day.

Hello iPhone 6

After almost 3 years I said goodbye to my trusty iPhone 4s (and unlimited data) and got an iPhone 6 this morning. I also had to say goodbye to iOS 6.whatever that I was running (I really dislike the font change which kept my from choosing to update).

Commence learning curve!

Abstain

I’m hit or miss with what Lent rules I follow since I’m Catholic raised Methodist these days.

I do always like giving up things, usually one traditional and one nontraditional thing.

This year I’m giving up

Candy – which I have found myself eating more than I should, maybe because I try to avoid sweets anyway, but succumb to candy.
Using my phone to check/post on social media while I’m in bed. I have stayed up later than I’ve wanted countless times or have run late to work because of screwing around on my phone before I “get up.” Cutting back on phone usage has been on my mind anyway, so this is a good start.

Officially dedicated a full drawer in my dresser to my running accessories!

oh I have 2 other running clothes drawers: one for shirts/sports bras and the other for pants/short, but this new one is just accessories which were kept throughout my apt

12 Posts of ’12 on 12-12-12

I thought today would be the perfect day to reflect on 2012. I know a lot of people are OVER 2012, but it was a life changing year for me. Now don’t get me wrong I always enjoy a new year and a blank slate, but 2012 will always be a very special year for me. It was so hard to pick just 12 posts – but as a scanned through my archives, these evoked the most emotions or memories for me.

A new job, life relocation, 2 marathons, meeting my idol/future husband, lots of self discovery and sowing some wild oats.

Of course these posts also make me look back jealous of the 175lb me COMPLAINING as I sit ~8lbs heavier today. The airplane guy never planned out, but he was a good distraction while I was in the midst of some ex-bf drama. California was a magical trip and fell at such a pivotal time in my life. I also finally got to start living a “normal” twentysomething city life after years in the rural country (eastern Connecticut, Texas, Alabama) these past 7 years.

I love life these days. Thankfully this year I’ve been able to have a good balance of not having work take over my life. However I’m still working finding a balance when it comes to fitness and a social life.

Now & Then.

Tomorrow marks 6 months since the LA marathon.

Today is 40 days until Marine Corps Marathon.

I am not ready and not motivated – everything is so different this time around.

iphone app recs

I’m still alive. barely. I’m hoping to finally find a balance between work, commuting and life in the next few weeks.

I figured since I was already in the middle of a TON of changes, I might as well add one more to the list. I got an iphone. It was an ORDEAL let me tell you.

I’m not in love with it yet, but I also haven’t has much time to get to to know it. I’d really appreciate some great health, wellness, fitness apps or just some handy apps.

Is there an app for tumblr that reads posts outloud to me so I can catch up???

1st day

Hello from Virginia!

Sorry I’ve been MIA – I had Auburn stuff to wrap up, LOTS of packing, and then driving to Virginia.

Today was my first day at George Mason and it was awesome!

I am staying with a friend until I get the keys to my place (hopefully Wednesday) and then the movers should deliver my stuff late this week/early next week.

I miss you guys and wish I had time to write a Marathon wrap up, but hopefully soon!

In transit

I’m writing this while waiting to fly back down to Alabama. I spent the weekend in the DC area getting acclimated to my soon to be office and campus. I also apartment hunted like whoa.

It was an exhausting long weekend, but very productive. I decided on a condo with an awesome girl in Alexandria, VA near Old Town and the Huntington Metro.

I also squeezed in my training runs, but had to cut back on some mileage. I ran 4 instead of 5 miles on Friday and then 10 instead of 12 miles yesterday. I wish I could have squeezed in full mileage, but this weekend was just SO busy and exhausting.

I have three 5 milers this week and then my 20 MILES this weekend!

It’s amazing how when I started this blog weight loss was how I measured my success. These days I measure it by my strength and how hard I can push my body.

I was thinking about this change while I was in spin class being “sweaty fabulous” to quote the instructor. I was pushing my body as hard as I was not to burn extra calories, but because I could. I liked looking in the mirror from time to time and catching my bicep or calf flex as it worked haaaard.