We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and me for another Fit Five Friday link-up!  This week’s topic is “5 fitness goals for 2024.”  Feel free to write about this or any fitness topic you’d like.

⭐ Run consistently – I am not going to set a mileage goal.  I only want to be able to run.  I have a few races that I am already signed up for and others that I plan to sign up for too.

⭐ Take care of myself – I need to make myself a priority.  I cannot take care of others or do the things I have to do if I am not doing well or feeling well.  There have been too many instances in which I have prioritize work instead of going for a run, going to bed early, resting, etc.  

⭐ Drink more water – I hate having to always go to the bathroom but drinking water is important.  Coffee and beer counts too, right?

⭐ Get enough sleep – I get cranky if I don’t get enough sleep.  Luckily my mom and my sister understand that and “let” me go to bed at a decent time in the evening.  Sometimes I take a nap on the weekends too.

⭐ Focus on recovery – I am bad with this.  I have the necessary tools (massage gun, foam roller, stick) but don’t take advantage of them.  I recently began training for the New York City Half Marathon and my legs were sore for days – it hurt to walk.  I began using The Stick and wasn’t too sore after my run.

The topic for next week: Runfessions with Marcia.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and me for another Fit Five Friday link-up!  This week’s topic is “5 favorite fitness moments of 2023.”  Feel free to write about this or any fitness topic you’d like.

The 2023 wasn’t the best one for me for running.  However, I did start walking (I just need to start again) and that is something that I haven’t done before.

Here are my 5 favorite fitness moments of 2023:

⭐ Running the NYC Half Marathon – I know I have mentioned this race a few times, but I think this might be the last time I will mention it.  

⭐ Spectating the Chicago Marathon – It was a great and fun day!  It is one of my favorite days in Chicago.  This year I was inspired by all of the runners and entered the lottery to run it next year.  Unfortunately, I was not selected.  That is OK.  It just wasn’t meant to be.  But it does mean that I will be there again as a spectator.

⭐ Negative splits on a run – It is a good feeling when that happens.

⭐ A “fast” average pace – I have days in which I finish my run faster than I expected.  I ran by feel or a good and comfortable pace but sometimes my legs want to go faster.

⭐ Good health report – I try to take good care of myself but sometimes I slip.  I think we all do.  Sometimes my cholesterol is a little hight but then my A1C is at a decent level.  Overall, I am pleased when I get the results from the bloodwork.

The topic for next week: 5 fitness goals for 2024.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and me for another Fit Five Friday link-up!  This week’s topic is “5 favorite fitness stocking stuffers.”  Feel free to write about this or any fitness topic you’d like.

More holiday gift ideas!  Here is my holiday gift guide.  It has a variety of gifts that I have purchased for me or my students.  

Here are 5 additional items to use for stocking stuffers:

🎄 Gift cards – You can never go wrong with gift cards.  I know many people think they’re impersonal but I actually love them.  There is a gift card for pretty much every store.

🎄 Socks – One can never have enough socks.  I go through stages and have own pairs from Smartwool and Balega.  Currently, all of the ones I use now are Brooks Ghost Lite No Show Socks.

🎄 Pens – I love pens.  Everyone needs pens.  I have so many at home and school.  I told myself NO MORE PENS.  A few that I love are the BIC Cristal Xtra Bold Ballpoint Pens, Bold Point; Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pens | Medium Point; Pilot Precise P-700 Gel Ink Rolling Ball Stick Pens, Fine Point; and the TUL Retractable Gel Pens, Needle Point, 0.5 mm.  I know these aren’t fitness related, but I still need pens to write down ideas and thoughts for my blog.

🎄 Kitsch Spiral Hair Ties for Women – They’re gentle on the hair and they prevent tangling and hair damage.

🎄SABRE Pepper Spray – Sad that women “have” to carry this while out on a run.  That is another conversation.

The topic for next week: 5 favorite fitness moments of 2023.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and me for another Fit Five Friday link-up!  This week’s topic is “5 goals for the last 1/4 of the year.”  Feel free to write about this or any fitness topic you’d like.

How is it that we have less than 3 months left of this year?  This year didn’t go how I hoped it would (running-wise) but I cannot complain too much about it.  That is life.

Here are 5 goals for the remaining 3 months of the year:

✅ Be consistent with running.  I sound like a broken record.  After a few weeks off, I started running again, early in the morning when it is dark, and I like it.  After spectating the marathon on Sunday, I was inspired to run another marathon.  I plan to enter the lottery next year for the Chicago Marathon.  

✅ Stop working so much.  I have put in so many hours at work since August and noticed it was beginning to affect me.  I wasn’t taking care of myself.  I know I will never be caught up and that is OK.  Things are a bit smoother at work than they were a few weeks ago – my days are not so chaotic anymore.

✅ Continue to read.  I have one book that I am trying to finish reading and hopefully can do it this month.  I have a few more waiting for me at the library.  Thanks, Wendy for all of your reviews!

✅ Listen to Des and Kara’s podcast.  I am probably late to the party here but I recently began listening to it.  I am enjoying it a lot!  I know they were in town recording an episode and I am bummed I missed it.

✅ Run a 5k.  I’ve run a variety of distances this year and only need that one.  Will it count if I do an “official” one on my own?

The topic for next week: 5 challenges to your fitness through holidays.  We hope you’ll link up with us!