I’m finally ready to talk about it.
The 15k race that I look forward to all year long- and spent months training for- didn’t go the way I wanted. No PR. No fancy top 10% finisher hat. Just a headache and a participation medal.
While it’s easy to get stuck in the disappointment (and I was for a few days), I’ve come to terms with it all. If you’re a runner who misses a set goal, maybe my thought process will help you!
I don’t know if it was the spark of the ‘new year, new me’ attitude still sticking around, but February proved to be a big month of non-fiction/self-improvement reads for me! I read 5 non-fiction books this month, which is far outside of my norm, and only two fiction books.
The list includes:
-Absolute Power by David Baldacci
-How She Did It by Molly Huddle and Sara Slattery
-Do Hard Things by Steve Magness
-Everyday Sisu by Katja Pantzar
-The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama
-Range by David Epstein
-All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham
Now, for the reviews!
After months of having the BalanceFrom 3-in-1 20″ 24″ 30″ Foam Plyometric Box in my mental shopping cart and obsessively reading reviews, I finally added it to my real shopping cart on Amazon and hit purchase.
I bought the plyo box with the goal of doing plyometrics to improve my speed as a runner. (A very brief Google search told me it would.) I was also looking for something that would shake up my usual workout routine, which largely included running or lifting dumbbells haphazardly. I was particularly drawn to the BalanceFrom jumping box as it’s made of a foam material. As a beginner to this, I find the wooden plyo boxes to be a bit intimidating! All I can picture is my shin sliding down the side…
I consider myself to be someone that cares about the environment. I recycle. I bring my own reusable bags to the grocery store. You get the idea. But I had a moment recently that really made me stop and think about my convictions. I was ordering a pair of new running shoes online and when I got to the shipping section, I was presented with a choice. Did I want to go with express shipping and have my shoes arrive…
As I try to get more serious about my running, I realized I need to get more serious about my recovery too. While this means taking rest days (something I don’t struggle with), I think for me it also means increasing my daily protein intake (something I do struggle with). So, I’ve decided to start the journey of finding a plant-based protein powder I actually enjoy.
As a fan of Cassey Ho, both her YouTube workouts and her Popflex brand, I decided to try out the Blogilates Sculpt and Debloat Protein Powder with Probiotics sold exclusively at Target.
I kicked off my 2023 reading with a bang, reading 7 books in January! I was clearly on a non-fiction/self-improvement kind of a kick given all the excitement surrounding the new year.
Here’s the full list:
– Making Space, Clutter Free by Tracy McCubbin
– Make Space for Happiness by Tracy McCubbin
– Find Your People by Jennie Allen
– Kismet by Amina Akhtar
– When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
– Night of the Mannequins by Stephen Graham Jones
– Bravey by Alexi Pappas
Let’s get into the reviews!
I’m a bit ashamed to say it because I know how important all the skincare and anti-aging experts say it is… but I haven’t been using a daily face sunscreen. Yes, I will absolutely wear sunscreen when I’m going to the beach or pool, but I’ve been skipping out on the daily wear.
But for 2023 and beyond, I want to change that.
To get started on this mission, I consulted my personal skincare guide, my mom, (Thanks Mom!) and started trying out daily face sunscreens.
I’ve been looking forward to putting this post together, because I always take it one book (or sometimes two or three books) at a time. But diving into the numbers and reflecting on my favorites really helps put my year of reading into perspective. In 2022, I read 68 books! This is more than in 2020 (65 books), but less than 2021 (72 books). I don’t actively count during the year, so it’s interesting to see that I’m ending up…
I feel like I’ve released a big breath of air. The holidays are behind us and it’s time to turn over a fresh leaf with 2023. I’m definitely the person who likes the start of a new year and imagining all the possibilities it can hold.
I hope the new year inspires me to pick up my reading again. I fell a bit off the tracks in December, only finishing 4 books:
– Unmasked by Paul Holes
– Gutter Child by Jael Richardson
– Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
– Glute Lab by Bret Contreras and Glen Cordoza
I know reading isn’t a competition or about the numbers, but I feel like my brain gets stagnant when I’m not reading enough. I love having a near constant input of new ideas and stories.
So, let’s get into the December reviews!
Happy winter!
Unfortunately, It seems like the new season is really going to make its arrival known over the coming days with what the news keeps calling a ‘bomb cyclone’ storm. So please stay safe and stay warm!
I’ll admit I’ve been in a bit of a rut lately when it comes to posting. I don’t know if it’s a lack of ideas, the busyness surrounding this time of year, or what. But either way, I hope I come out of it soon.
Today, I wanted to return with a classic post I haven’t done in a while- a listing of my recent obsessions.