2011 - Looking Back

January: First Half Marathon in Disney

February: Single for the first time in a long time

March: St. Patty's Day in Savannah

April: Delta Gamma Senior Formal with my blind date, Kevin

April: Senior Bar Crawl with Delta Gamma

May: Graduation from UGA's Terry College of Business

June: I moved to Paris, France for the summer

July: Visited London

August: I officially moved out of Athens, GA after 4 years, and left with a bang!

September: Moved to Atlanta

October: Dressed as an Etch-A-Sketch for Halloween

October: Visited Charleston and my best friend

November: Ran my first Full Marathon in Savannah

December: Visited Nashville for New Years 2012

Looking Ahead to 2012

I've at least started my new year planning right: I have my "words to live by"

Is this helping me reach my goals?

It can be applied to everything, and it isn't something difficult to carry out. Decisions I make throughout the day, when I feel that little guilt (such as eating a pint of ice cream or bailing on hanging out with friends) I can ask this. It's just a small reminder to help keep me moving in the right direction. You may see that this idea is repeated throughout some of my future posts.

But besides following a few simple words, what are my solid, measurable goals?

First - I want to run at least 3 half marathons. I ran a full and two half marathons this year, so I feel that this is very doable. With that, I want so badly to break 2 hours on my next one.  I have run a 2:05, and a 2:03 this past October. 2:00 is just laughing at me, taunting me and urging me to break it. I know I can. My next race is March 14, The Georgia Publix Marathon. If it's a fast course and I train properly, I'm solid. Here are some other options for this year:

March 14: Georgia Publix 1/2 Marathon (Atlanta, GA)
April 28: Rock 'N Roll (Nashville)
July 22: Rock 'N Roll (Chicago, IL)
September 22: Rock 'N Roll (Denver, CO)
October 13: Rock 'N Roll (New York, NY)
November 22: Atlanta Half Marathon (Atlanta, GA)
December 8: Kiawah Island Golf Resort Marathon (Kiawah Island, SC)

I'll also be running the Peachtree Road Race (only a 10k) July 4th in Atlanta. The start line is next to my apartment! Easy walking distance, and I haven't run it since 2010. 

Second, I am trying a sugar-free diet for January. Join me by signing up HERE

I may not follow this perfectly, but no artificial or sugar added to food is what I am going to be doing. That means no chewing gum, Diet soda and only black tea/coffee (but that is what I already do, luckily). I'm also still allowing beer and my signature vodka-waters with a real lime.

Third, I think it seems like a good detox year, not just with food, but also with my closet! It needs an overhaul because right now it is out of control! There are so many pieces I no longer wear. I just need to dump them.

 

Those are my first steps for 2012, but I am sure more ideas are to come!

Whew! Take a second to breathe

Life is a whirl wind: constantly. I think I need to accept this at some point and realize controlling my day every day is impossible. I'm not very good at that though. I love schedules, order, timing, management (wonder why I chose my major/current job position?)

Well, this year has flown by unlike any other. It has been a packed 365 days. Am I ready for a new 2012? Ehhh, yeah!

This past holiday weekend was no change from the others. My mom had a Christmas party two weeks before, then we attended 2 other "adult" parties on the 24th and yesterday, the 26th. Luckily wine was involved at both. Thanks to my new found love of cooking, I received some awesome gadgets from Santa - a wok, crock pot and a George Foreman grill! Score!

But this past week, of course, involved me baking for HOURS upon hours, making the holiday goodies that would soon be making my jeans a little more snug. But they turned out great!

My list included:

- Peppermint Christmas Tree Meringues
- Red Velvet Cupcakes with Hershey Kisses with melted White Chocolate and Peppermint on top
- White chocolate dipped pretzel rods, rolled in peppermint pieces
- Attempted cake ball bites. Not my favorite, too much cream cheese. I'll try again soon.

We also had the AMAZING cake that Trudy makes for every party I have ever seen her at. She hosted us on Christmas Eve, complete with Chocolate Vodka, Beans, Pork Loin, Briskette, Jell-O wreathes and insanely sweet potatoes. I didn't make it to the desserts thanks to all of the amazing main courses.

Finally, I also hand-made my dad's Christmas present. Marinades! I looked up a few different recipes online, 2 for steaks and one for chicken, mixed all the ingredients into the water containers from Crate & Barrel (these glass jars were ALL over Paris this summer instead of pitchers) and put the ingredient list on a tag for him. This may be one of my new go-to gifts for people, especially men who like grilling. 

I'm headed to Nashville for New Years, and can't wait to explore the city! Another weekend of excess eating - Heck YES!! Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and Holiday.