Bye 2014!

December 29, 2014December 30, 2014 | The Bee Life

As I look back at the goals I set for 2014, (as seen in: Happy New Year. Happy New You!) – I accomplished a lot – and even some that weren’t on the list. And then, there were a few that I still need to work towards.

See for yourself…

My 2014 Goals:
1) Run a half marathon – Completed!
2) Read at least one book a month – I read 6.5 books
3) Become an AE – Still working on this one (it was an ambitious goal)
4) Get back into my workout routine – strengthening and cardio – Failed horribly
5) Save more money! – Half fail
6) Take more trips with Bentley – Success! Jackson Hole + NYC
7) Write more on my blog/journal –Success!
8) Don’t hold grudges/ be less stubborn – I hope this was a bit of a success
9) Continue to eat healthier – Success, but could always be better!

2014, you went by way too fast. You also brought on new adventures, one which all of you are aware of – our new house! It was the year I said good-bye to Derek Jeter. The year that I got a new car… My first full year of being a full-time employed advertising account person… the year I was just so damn busy (but it sure was fun!).

I am still thinking of my 2015 goals…more to come on those in my official kick-off to 2015!

Did you have 2014 goals? How successful were you?

78.6 race miles + a few hundred in training

May 20, 2014July 28, 2014 | The Bee Life

Yesterday I finished my 6th half-marathon, which helps me cross off one of my NYE resolutions for 2014! (And I will be running my 7th half-marathon and potentially my last this October!) Before, during and after every half-marathon, I always ask myself… “Why am I doing this?” and every time I have a different answer. Sometimes it’s because I like challenging myself, physical and mentally and other times I am trying to beat my own goal.

If you’re not a runner, or if you’re not a long distance runner, the sounds of running 13.1 miles for essentially 2-hours sounds crazy ridiculous. But when you tack on 12-weeks of training that includes long weekend runs (10 or 11 miles) you might think that is even more crazy. Well yes, it is. Unfortunately this race, I struggled both in training and on my actual race (because I didn’t train enough). I am still trying to find the balance between work, life and my workout life, it has been a roller coaster this year, but I am confident and determined!

This year, the Cleveland Rite Aid 10k, Half and Full Marathon had a new route around the city – which was really great, moderate hills and a change of scenery. However the last 3 miles down the shoreway to the finish were tough! To add another twist on running 13.1 miles I decided a few days in advance that I would try and live tweet during my run, and I did! #emrunscle2014

I crossed the finish line at 2:14:05
Bentley finished at 2:02:39 – and he didn’t stop! I couldn’t be more proud of him!

Here are a few in case you missed them:

After every race, it is hard not to feel extremely accomplished and this race was no different! Especially when you check the time and see it’s 10:30am to realize you’ve already run 13.1 miles and finished a free beer, wouldn’t you feel accomplished? Or just me? 🙂

If you are planning to run a half marathon here is the training routine I use, it allows for a mix of running and strength training, which is VERY important. These routines also allow for a variety of levels including beginning, intermediate and advanced, even a walking program!

I hope to document my training for my upcoming race in October, although that won’t be until end of July… and I hope to be able to train better to end my half-marathon career with a bang and lucky #7. Of course I plan to have updates before then! Much fun is looming in my future, our friends are getting married this weekend, we will be traveling to NYC for an upcoming weekend – just to name a few!

Happy Running!
xo – eb

Happy New Year. Happy New You!

January 7, 2014July 18, 2014 | The Bee Life

A belated Happy 2014 to all!

Call me cliche, but I really feel like this is going to be a good year. Not that 2013 was bad, but there were some moments (as there will always be!)

I started to write a few goals down for the New Year, which I haven’t done before. Which is ironic because, I have always been a firm believer that if you write something down and see it every day, it will eventually happen.

Here are a few of my 2014 Goals;

1) Run a half marathon
2) Read at least one book a month
3) Become an AE
4) Get back into my workout routine – strengthening and cardio
5) Save more money!
6) Take more trips with Bentley
7) Write more on my blog/journal
8) Don’t hold grudges/ be less stubborn
9) Continue to eat healthier

I hope that writing down my 2014 goals will help me strive and achieve self-improvement for a happier life! Writing my goals down has allowed me to reflect on some things that I may or may not want to admit to myself! ie: #8 The good thing about goals is that they can be small and simple or they can be big and require more work. I love taking on a challenge, especially when it’s myself, I can be my own biggest critic sometimes.

For more reflection and self-guidance, Bentley and I are reading a book together, called; “Where Will You Be Five Years from Today?” by Dan Zadra. It’s an interactive work book that allows you to fill out your top values in life, dreams, goals, which ultimately helps for you to assess your life and allow you to be your most productive self over the next 5 years. Reaching and meeting those goals and dreams that you long to accomplish.

In five years I’ll be 29! Eeek!!

The book provides some amazing examples of what people have accomplished in five years, for example;

Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel in under five years.
After loosing their jobs, Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus created and went public with their business model, Home Depot. Three years later their annual sales reached $1 Billion.

It’s a pretty interesting and thought provoking book, it’s helped me put my life and goals in prospective, although we haven’t finished the book I have been impressed with the first 6 pages!

So here is too a happier you and happier new year! Make this year, a year for you and a year for your future.

Cheers!

xo-eb

Fun ending to 2013 and beginning of 2014!