I had a good chat with my dental hygienist yesterday. She wants to start running, and I want to help her learn! During our conversation, it came up that while everyone says, "Running is cheap -you just need a pair of shoes!" that's a lot of hooey.
So, I thought I'd tell you about some of my favorite running gear!
Timex watch. I rarely take it off. Sure it's a little clunky, but I love it. It serves as my alarm clock most days (it has the option for 3 different ones, and you can set them by individual days) my interval tracker, lap timer, and general badge of cool. Arguments for the fancy Garmin watches can definitely be made, but I'm attached to this. It's super-easy to use and change on the go.
Amphipod belt. It's adjustable, and easy. I love the wide band. I wear it pretty high up since my waist is high. It has a pouch that is perfect for my phone, and I can comfortably carry 3 water bottles.
Road ID. This is just for safety. I have a medicine allergy, and you never know what might happen. I don't always run with my phone or ID, so this is a good back up.
SmartWool PhD socks. All other socks are inferior. They are perfect in all weather. Do yourself a favor and buy some.
So, resolution runners - get shopping!
Sarah
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Taking a play from the Regan playbook.
Regan always does this, and I always enjoy reading them! So, I thought I'd join in the fun today! Thanks, R! Anybody else, join on in!
If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section at www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!FMM: Getting To Know You
1) What is one of your favorite ways to spend a Saturday? I love my Saturdays! If I'm in town, it's usually running, brunch, and thrifting with Alisha, then spending the afternoon/evening with my husband. If we're out of town, we're probably with dear friends, so that's awesome too.
2) List your top three favorite TV shows. Law & Order SVU, NCIS, Raising Hope
3) Would you rather be in pictures or take them? Meh, I could go either way.
4) Why do you blog? I started in 2010 when I started to run. I wanted to chronicle the whole process. Also, it helped me to stay accountable and to show up. I like the blog community as well.
5) Share five websites that you visit regularly…
6) If you could have lunch with one person from your Twitter list who would it be? Andy Borowitz. Because he is HILARIOUS.
7) List a few of your favorite snacks. Apples or celery with peanut butter, almonds, chips and salsa, and anything mint chocolate/chocolate.
8 ) Do you have a pet? If so, what kind? Yup! 2 kitties - Eloise (Wheezy) and Lucy. They are a lot of fun.
9) Which three material possessions would you struggle to live without? My violin, guitar, and oh, I'll say it, iPhone.
10) What’s your favorite drink? Probably coffee. Though a gin winkie is pretty delicious.
11) Do you enjoy cooking? More and more. I have a few things I'm good at, but I'm no good at experiments.
12) Do you have children? No
13) What are your favorite hobbies? Running, of course, stained glass, sewing, crafting, thrifting, collecting vintage dishware (fo reals), sailing, skiing, knitting, reading. Wow! I have a lot of hobbies!
14) Would you consider yourself to be shy or outgoing? Definitely outgoing.
15) If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you change? I can get a little worked up and sometimes a bit self-deprecating, but I've gotten a lot of that figured out. But every so often, it creeps in. But that'd be about it.
16) Who is your favorite actor/actress? Sandra Bullock. Actor? Matt Damon. or Christopher Plummer.
17) What’s the coolest thing you’ve done this week? I bought some AWESOME copper canisters at Miss Ashley's thrift shop. Turns out, they're pretty rare and going for $120 on ebay! But I got them for $5. That's cool, right? It is also cool that I DOMINATED at spin class yesterday.
18) Do you live near your family or far from them? I live 4 miles from my parents, 5 from my cousins, and only a state or two away from my family. My inlaws, on the other hand, live waaay far away - Utah, Colorado, SC (hey Judy!)
19) List three of your talents. Violin, improvisation, and teaching/motivating.
20) What is your greatest attribute? I can encourage anyone. It is one of my favorite things.
Now it’s your turn to share your answers. Don’t forget to link up in the comments at www.alltheweigh.com! Happy Monday!
Sarah
Sarah
Twitter Road Race!
Yo! Tweeps out there - January 21st is the first #TwitterRoadRace. Details here. You in?
I love virtual races. They make me feel connected to people all over the country. I'm a big fan of the ones put on by The Boring Runner, and have sweated and frozen my thorns off a couple of times. I like "real" races, but there is something freeing about trying for a "race PR" even when it's virtual.
If I'm feeling froggy, maybe I'll host one in the Spring.
January 21st - you in? I'll be tweeting from @smannwillcox. Rock.
Sarah
I love virtual races. They make me feel connected to people all over the country. I'm a big fan of the ones put on by The Boring Runner, and have sweated and frozen my thorns off a couple of times. I like "real" races, but there is something freeing about trying for a "race PR" even when it's virtual.
If I'm feeling froggy, maybe I'll host one in the Spring.
January 21st - you in? I'll be tweeting from @smannwillcox. Rock.
Sarah
Sunday, January 8, 2012
I feel great!
I, Sarah Mann Willcox, Lover of all things sweet, have made it through one full week with no sugar.
Or alcohol. Or "white" stuff. (bread, potatoes, rice).
Can I get a "boo ya!"?
It has been a lot easier than I thought it would be. It's like a game. Not going to do this forever, but it feels good to know that I can have some pretty serious will power when I need to.
Also, I've lost 2 pounds. So, there's that.
As for the half-marathon training, it is going swimmingly! Probably could have made it to the gym a couple of more times last week, but our 6-miler on Saturday was bangin. We smoked it and felt great. I remember the days when just 2 miles would send me home exhausted for a day on the couch. Not so anymore! We went thrifting and picked up some awesome stuff from Miss Ashley's store in Durham. Love.
Today, spin class. Next weekend, Shrimp & Grits 5k in Charleston.
2012 is off to a fabulous start!
Sarah
Or alcohol. Or "white" stuff. (bread, potatoes, rice).
Can I get a "boo ya!"?
It has been a lot easier than I thought it would be. It's like a game. Not going to do this forever, but it feels good to know that I can have some pretty serious will power when I need to.
Also, I've lost 2 pounds. So, there's that.
As for the half-marathon training, it is going swimmingly! Probably could have made it to the gym a couple of more times last week, but our 6-miler on Saturday was bangin. We smoked it and felt great. I remember the days when just 2 miles would send me home exhausted for a day on the couch. Not so anymore! We went thrifting and picked up some awesome stuff from Miss Ashley's store in Durham. Love.
Today, spin class. Next weekend, Shrimp & Grits 5k in Charleston.
2012 is off to a fabulous start!
Sarah
Thursday, January 5, 2012
2012 Strategic Plan
Or, when a grantwriter tries to make resolutions.
In my job, I spend a lot of time looking at the impact of activities, so everything we do has to be written in a way that it can be measured and proven at various times. So the idea of a vague, generic "resolution" makes my skin crawl. What does "I resolve to exercise more!" even mean?
So, I introduce my strategic plan for 2012 - complete with benchmarks and measurable goals and objectives.
Eating goals:
So. There you have it. I have a lot of things lined up for 2012!
Dear readers, what are your measurable goals and objectives for the year?
Sarah
In my job, I spend a lot of time looking at the impact of activities, so everything we do has to be written in a way that it can be measured and proven at various times. So the idea of a vague, generic "resolution" makes my skin crawl. What does "I resolve to exercise more!" even mean?
So, I introduce my strategic plan for 2012 - complete with benchmarks and measurable goals and objectives.
Eating goals:
- 2-week sugar/"white stuff" detox. I'm 5 days in and feel great. This is not sustainable for me, but I've done it before and it does help to kick sugar cravings. It's modified South Beach phase 1.
- Keep on keepin on. I've developed good habits. Stick with them.
- Learn to cook one new food per month. Report back.
- Run 1 race/month.
- Run a 33 minute 5k. You'll see that this is a bit higher than my earlier 30 minute 5k - gotta start somewhere! My race PR is 36 minutes.
- PR a half-marathon. First attempt in March!
- Do 20 "real" pushups. In a row. Without wanting to die.
- Try 3 new classes at the gym.
- Ride bikes/walk with my husband more! Ok, this is vague. But with tax season coming up, his time is pretty limited, so I don't want to get frustrated by putting an unrealistic goal here. We'll go for 1/month average but hope for more!
- Visit my grandmother once/month. She's 92. I only saw her a few times in 2011. She lives 5 miles away. I can do better.
- Visit my godmother before May. She's 87 and is convinced she'll die when she's 88. Which is in May. So. Just in case. Gotta get that one in there. Cause she's adorable.
- Save $2000 to my Roth IRA. I put a lot in my 401k, so I don't stress about my Roth, but saving for retirement is important! That's $167/month. Roughly 2 trips to Target.
- Reduce "screen time." If there is "nothing on," turn it off. No need to watch that John Stamos episode of SVU. Again.
- Learn to cable knit. Make, well, something.
- Learn bluegrass fiddle! First lesson last night... a big difference from my Irish and classical background! I want to be able to improvise with a group. LONG way to go.
So. There you have it. I have a lot of things lined up for 2012!
Dear readers, what are your measurable goals and objectives for the year?
Sarah
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Bloggy exchange!
Ok I am SO lame. I got my bloggy exchange gift from the most-fabulous Jennica over at SeRUNity a while ago, and it took me FOREVER to write about it.And you know what? It is FABULOUS.
Ready for this? It was a gold, sparkly, ADJUSTABLE running headband. And it is AWESOME! (obv. Utah girls know what's up!)
Please forgive these crummy pictures- it was an early run! Alisha immediately complimented my supreme bling. Thanks to Jill for organizing again this year. It is fun to have new running friends across the country!
Happy 2012 all! Goals to come. Just gotta think them through!
Sarah
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