These Are Just A Few Of My Favorite Things....

This about the time of year I think of all the things I want to accomplish in 2015.  The things I want to fearlessly try and the things I want to challenge myself on to be better than 2014. And right now I am loving this song and it shall be my anthem for all things 2015.  I have long had a love affair with One Republic and I know the lead singer wants to marry me and write songs about us.  But, I digress. This video is amazing as well.  Enjoy.
One Republic-I Lived


Lance Armstrong once said (paraphrasing), "Endurance athletes are usually running from something." I think it's a bit of both.  I know for myself and others that I share miles either in the pool, bike or run and on my yoga mat that we are striving to be better and we are chasing the best version of ourselves. I often tell people I feel most proud of my body in a Yoga class.  Even after Half Iroman and Marathon and numerous races in-between, I honor my body on that mat.  Yoga is about me and learning to let go of the ego.  My yoga practice changes depending on training.  In the few months that I don't really train for anything I focus on harder poses and the pushing myself in my class.  In my training phases, such as now, I look for a more restorative Vinyasa or Baptiste class. My intention before class is to thank my body for my long run the day before and provide a sense of balance and peace to my day. It was this time last year I received my first Hot Yoga Mat (and I could say goodbye to my old mat!)  It's amazing that this piece of material has taught me so much.  

Most everyone knows I am training for the LA Marathon.  It will be good to get back to the city I lived in for a few years.  My old stomping grounds of sorts.  I am excited to complete my 2nd Marathon.  It's only part of what I have planned for 2015.  The rest will be revealed shortly.  I have been blowing up Instagram and FB with my road to LA.  I think it is important to relish in your personal achievements and goals.  So, with new training plans and goals.....comes new gear!!
I have been an Asics athlete since 2013.  I felt I needed a shake up from my Brooks days.  And just like then, I felt a change was needed possibly in my running shoe.  I saw these great pink shoes on the elite crossing the NYCM (my first marathon!) on TV and I instantly felt like I needed to be Kenyan and this was the way to do it!!!  We all feel Kenyan in our own right, right?  Then this shoe started popping up more in my research and all around on my Instagram followers and a runner in my own community that I respect said she loved them.  Done.  I have switched to the Adidas Energy Boost 2.0...in hot pink of course.

First run out with them was a 10 Miler.  I know, new shoe on a long run?!  I thought I would try it and packed my Asics as well, just in case.  I flew on that run (for me) and it was nice to have a lighter shoe.  I do feel that I am cheating on Asics (And my crush Pro-Triathlete Andy Potts), but like with any new relationship, let's just see where this goes.  I still have my Asics as a backup  (like any single girl, always have options)...But when I get to LA, I hope to tell Andy Potts personally since he already knows I will be there.

The other new gear that I am loving now is my Nike compression socks.  Now, I was a sworn compression sleeve girl.  Mainly because I could wear my own socks and the one pair of compression socks made my feet hot.  But, I spotted these on Instagram and bought out the remaining pairs at my supply house I use.  Plus, the they have hot pink in them and tell you what foot they go on! Ha! I heart them.  So do my calves and achilles.

Lastly, my new favorite running/yoga leggings.  I have some Instagram friends that have these and raved about them.  I caved.  They are bright and well, pretty much amazing.  So soft and well fitted. Plus, they let me add even more color in my daily and running wardrobe, like I wasn't already a hot pink neon sign walking around everywhere.

Lastly, I came across this picture of me and my teammates finishing our first sprint triathlon.  I am on a female committee to put on the first All Women Triathlon in my hometown and when sharing my first triathlon story, I found this gem. Life changing.

Okay, lastly for real. I love Ipsy product bag every month-it's like a party in a box and they have the coolest cards.

These are just a few of my favorite things and maybe they will become your favorite things.  Because lets face it, new gear always revitalizes your motivation to go out and crush it.