Monday, February 1, 2016

Time For Training, Races And A Giveaway!

A couple weeks back I talked about my Word Of The Year and why I chose it. For those of you who missed that post I chose CONQUER. I have been reflecting on my chosen word and using it as a focal point for my runs, workouts and moments through the day when I need that extra push. Those moments when I just want to escape and not follow through. Yes, I do have those moments. It is not everyday that my runs are amazing, that my workouts make me feel strong, or that I feel like I have this parenting thing down. Each one of these things takes commitment, devotion, patience, acceptance and discipline.

With choosing a Word Of The Year I wanted to have it on a something as reminder to me to always push forward, to take control of my life, to overcome my fears and doubts, and to remember that this is my life and I am ultimately in control of it. I started to look at the Endorphin Warrior Bracelets and when I saw that they had my word of the year I knew I had to have that bracelet!


The bracelet itself is beautiful in person, pictures do not do it justice. I chose a black band with the word Conquer. The band is soft and it snaps shut for a nice fit. I like that they have sizes XS to LG. I have a little wrist and I wanted to be sure it fit snugly. I really dig the sleek look of the silver plate. This is jewellery you can wear on your runs, workouts or as everyday jewellery. I plan to wear this bracelet for training and on my race days. Motivation comes in all forms and having my Word of the year on my wrist is a reminder of what I plan to accomplish in the year ahead.

Speaking of training, I have a few races on the books for 2016 and am anxious to add more. This is what it looks like so far: 

Unplugged Half Marathon on Saturday, April 9th  

Vermont City Marathon/ Doing a HALF as a two person relay on Sunday, May 29th 

Worcester Running Festival Half Marathon on Sunday, June 19th

Having races already on my calendar helps to keep me accountable. Last year I did the Unplugged Half Marathon and used it as a training run for the Vermont City Marathon Half that I did. This year I plan to be ready for the Unplugged! This will be Half Marathon #7 for me and this race is an easy, pretty run along Lake Champlain.

January I was happy to get in 126 miles for the month. Last year I only hit 82 miles in January so I am excited that I was able to get in the miles I did. Truth be told, I wanted to hit 130 but I am happy with 126. The goal this year is to hit 1,500 miles, and I will make sure I get there!

Strength training has been going great. I have been doing a Ultimate Sandbag Training twice a week. I really enjoy the workouts and like how it challenges me. On the other days I work with my hand weights or do a video workout. I try to switch it up and be sure I am targeting different parts of my body. Creating a strong core is a focus of mine. A stronger core means a stronger runner. In order to be a stronger runner I have to put in the work and believe that I can be better. I must focus on the fact that there is always work to do, form to perfect, a pace to strive towards and a PR to beat.


Now, let's start the week off with another giveaway! In the beginning of this post I told you about my new Endorphin Warrior Bracelet. The awesome team over at Endorphin will give one of my readers a bracelet of their own where you can choose from one of their five words. Click on the Rafflecopter Giveaway to enter! 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!! If you don't win you can use a special code of: CrystalR15 for 15% off at checkout until February 29th, 2016. Please feel free to share! Have a fabulous week!



Disclaimer: I was provided with an Endorphin Warrior Bracelet for review. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are proudly my own.

18 comments:

  1. Such a beautiful message. I really love the idea of wearing mantra words in jewelry.

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    1. Thank you Julie! Wearing mantra's is sometimes a nice, extra little push!

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  2. Such a beautiful message. I really love the idea of wearing mantra words in jewelry.

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  3. I love wearing such powerful words on my arm where I can see them all day! I'd love to win this!

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    1. It really does help to remind us what it is we want to accomplish and why. Good luck!

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  4. Very cool! I'm not sure which word I'd get, there are so many great options!

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    1. These are great bracelets! I love how they look and what they stand for.

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  5. I've never tried a workout with an Ultimate Sandbag, but I'd love to! I've done milk jugs with sand and water but not a sandbag. Seems like a great workout.

    I LOVE bracelets, and of the Endorphin Warrior bracelets, I think I'd get "Courage," "Strength," or "Focus." Thanks for hosting!

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    1. I just recently got into Sandbag workouts in November. I really like the versatility and how it challenges me.
      Courage, Strength or Focus are all fabulous, strong words!!! Great choices! Good luck!

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  6. I too find having races to train for helps push me out the door to get my workouts in. Without them, its hard to stay focused on my weekly training.

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    1. Exactly! If there is a goal in mind it helps to put the focus on it and get out the door!

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  7. You know me- I love inspirational and motivational things! I'd love to win this!!!

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    1. I sure do! We all need a little inspirational motivation! Good luck friend!

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  8. PERSEVERE! That's the one I'd LOVE! It seems that would help my focus as I fight to get back to my racing self after some time off of serious training. These are super cute bracelets! Thanks for offing this fun giveaway! Enjoy your day!!

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    1. Great word choice Diane! I really believe in the power of a word to help us keep our focus.

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  9. I love this idea! I think I'd choose something like "focus" because I need to do that in all workouts.

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    1. Yes!! We all need to "focus" and be present in our workouts. It is so important to remember why we are doing what we are doing!!!!

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