Not about running, but kinda related!

So... This post isn't about running, but it's about a product that, in the end, will give me more time to run. At the height of training for a race, it can seem like you have time for nothing but running and eating and sleeping and showering. It can be hard to keep up with looking like you got dressed with the lights on, let alone looking put together and polished. The little things, like manicures and pedicure can fall by the wayside. So, a few weeks ago, I received something called a VoxBox with a bunch of product to try for free from Influenster. 

(http://www.influenster.com)

As you can see, it contained a bunch of fun products, but the one I really enjoyed the most was Kiss Everlasting French Nails. I was super skeptical of them, as I had tried press on nails in the past and they were pretty awful, but I figured since they were free, there was no risk. Shockingly, I was BLOWN AWAY! The nails were super easy to put on, came in a bunch of different sizes and looked great. All week, I loved seeing people's reactions when I told them I was wearing press on nails. It was usually disbelief that they were actually from the drugstore and not a salon.

I'll be honest, it took a little filing for me not to look trashy, but it took me no more than 15 minutes total to complete this fabulous look. As promised, they last about a week, but it's usually a good idea to keep that little tube of glue they provide you with around I case you "pop a nail." 

For just under $7, I'd say these Kiss Everlasting French Nails are a steal!

I liked them so much, I actually bought a pair from Walgreens in a sparkly french design!

All in all, I think Kiss makes a great product that provides you with a fabulous look in no time at all with minimal effort!

Setting Goals. (And Actually Achieving Them)

People set goals and achieve them daily. For some this task is more difficult than others. However, through hard work and dedication, you can achieve any realistic goal. Recently, I set a goal for myself, and through diligence and perseverance, I actually achieved my goal (with surprising results)!

The first part of achieving your goals, is to set them. For instance, earlier this year I decided that I wanted to become a runner. However, I did not just lace up my shoes and set out on the jogging path. In order to set myself up for success, I made my goal a bit more detailed and specific.  I gave myself the concrete objective of being able to complete a 5K race in 3 months’ time.

Having my specific goal in mind, I set out to obtain the tools that were necessary to complete the task. First, I found a training program, Couch to 5K at coolrunning.com, which promises to prepare the novice runner for a 5K in 9 weeks’ time, without any prior running experience.  Next, I found a 5K race in my area that was scheduled to occur after I finished the training program via active.com. I chose and registered for the Salvation Army Christmas in July 5K, which was set for the third week in July. 

An important point here is that I did two things which were huge factors in my success. First, I registered for the race, even though it was months away. This step was a big motivator for me, as it set a firm date for the completion of my task and due to the fact that I had already paid for the race, made it harder for me to give up when things got tough! Second, I gave myself more than enough time to complete the training program before my chosen race. I knew that starting out on this new endeavor wasn’t going to be easy, and that I may hit a few (literal and figurative) bumps in the road, and therefore gave myself more than enough time to adjust to and complete my training program adequately before the date of the race.

I began the Couch to 5K training program the second week of May 2013, and after 11 weeks, including some repeated weeks because I didn’t have the confidence to move on to the next weeks longer runs and time off due to the unpredictable summer weather, I completed my first 5K on July 21, 2013. Surprisingly, I came in first in the Female 25-29 age range! (Hilariously enough, I was the only runner in the age range, but I’m not letting that come between me and my medal!)

(mildly exhausted here)

Lastly, and most importantly, I could not have completed this goal without the support of my friends and family. I told them about my goal at the beginning of this process, and although some were skeptical, they stood by my side and encouraged me to go on when I didn’t think I could go any further. Even if you don’t have people literally by your side to support you, there are many online running communities and blogs which are extremely helpful to the novice runner and experienced runner alike.  A simple internet search for “running tips” or “running blogs” will direct you to many great places.

(looking thrilled with my Mother, Renée and my best friend, Meryl after the race)

So, there you go, I set my goal and achieved it. I have a medal and a prize and a few awful/silly race photos to prove it!  However, this story doesn’t stop at my first 5K, because I am still working on my overall goal of “being a runner.” It’s hard, and some days I want to quit, but I remember the feeling of satisfaction after my first race and I think that it’s worth it! I’ve set my sights on running faster and running longer races, and with the same effort and spirit that I put into training for my first 5K, I think I’ll be successful!