Goals Update

Posted on July 22, 2012 by Dina

I am slowly inching towards the goals I set at the beginning of this year plus adding a few new ones along the way.

Read 100 books.

My reading challenge is coming along. I am so happy that my new job gives me some down time to read while at work.

Turn the Polk County Young Democrats into a thriving and active club.

The clubs first fundraiser is happening next weekend and I am hoping for a decent turnout. It is a bowling fundraiser called A Strike For Democracy and if we get the turnout I am hoping for, we should have enough funds to start a website.

Learn more about photography and photo editing.

I am reading lots of books on photography and following many photography blogs. I need to practice more but am starting to feel more comfortable with the camera.

Increasing my weight training.

I just finished a four-week weight training cycle with a friend from work who goes to the same gym. It is really great working out with someone who is very comfortable with weight training. My knowledge and comfort level with the machines and free-weights have gone up exponentially. Sticking to a plan and lifting heavier than I had been is giving me noticeable strength gains and more muscle definition.

A sub-30 minute 5K.

Have you been reading here awhile? This goal has haunted me all summer. I am so close but have yet to reach it. I know I need to push myself more when I’m racing but it really is hard. I’m afraid of not being able to finish or of getting a cramp if I run faster. I have a tendency to play it safe and stay comfortable. I know this will not work if I want to get faster. This goal is a work in progress and I may be struggling with it for the rest of 2012.

Get the house organized.

I have not talked about this but about a month ago when Florida was getting pounded by some torrential downpours, we noticed that cracks in our stucco was letting water into the house. It is mainly on one side, of course it is the side with our two offices and the master bathroom, and we had to move all of the furniture out of those two rooms and have the house inspected. One month later, I have all kinds of office furniture strewn about my great room and J and I are relegated to laptops on the dinning room table. The work on the house should be starting in the next few weeks and we have vowed after that to tackle the offices. There is nothing like living in an obstacle course of furniture to light a fire under your ass. I will say the cats love this new arrangement because there are new sleeping spaces and countless places to hide.

Get a new wardrobe.

I have never been good a dressing myself. Shopping stresses me out and I have no idea what looks good together. I want to make more of an effort, so I started to follow some everyday style blogs and put together a Pinterest board of realistic clothes. Obviously, money is a limiting factor but I really need to learn how to put together simple, classic, and relatively inexpensive outfits together. Any suggestions for great blogs or stores would be greatly appreciated.

How are your 2012 goals coming?

Race Nerves

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Dina

Tomorrow is race two of the four in the Lakeland Runner’s Club Watermelon Series. This series is cost-effective, local, and the perfect time to try to run a sub-30 minute 5K. I am generally comfortable running races now but this one is making my stomach flip-flop.

This is my training from 6/11 to today.

I was much to sick last week to exercise at all and it took until Wednesday for me to feel well enough to run. It makes me nervous to have taken so much time off right before a race where I want to PR.

Getting back into the gym on Wednesday felt really great. I get so antsy when I have to be sedentary especially when I felt so terrible and completely unlike myself.

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I hope I am able to reach my goal in tomorrow race but all I can do is try my best.

Do you get nervous before a race?

What I Want To Be When I Grow Up

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Dina

Do you ever feel introspective? Start questioning where you are and where you want to be?

I spent a lot of my unemployed time doing just that. What do I want to be when I grow-up? (Please stay with me in a metaphorical sense, I know at 30 I am quite grown.)

I think I eventually want to be a Mom but not for another few years. I want to go back to school but that can’t happen until J is done with law school and working full-time again (fingers crossed.) I used to think I wanted to be a musician, which is what I went to college for.

A few times a month, I attend meetings that leave me so inspired, I am ready to declare myself. Last night was one such meeting.

I am a member of the Polk County Democratic Election Committee and at the monthly meeting, Democratic candidates from a County Commission seat to the US House were in attendance. Listening to their stories and what their catalyst was to pursue public office, is really powerful. I want that.

I want to serve my local community and be able to create real change. Even from the sidelines, I am working to organize young people in my county. The Polk County Young Democrats is such a great platform for service and a place where I can really make a difference. (Plus it’s fun to geek out about politics with other young people.)

My long-term plan is to go back to school, work on as many campaigns as I can, and get the Polk County Young Democrats to a place of real power. Then I might be ready.

My name is Dina and I approve this message.

Race Number One To A Sub-30 Minute 5K

Posted on June 9, 2012 by Dina

Last Saturday, I braved the rain and fog for my first attempt at running a sub-30 5K. This is the first of four in the Lakeland Runner’s Club Watermelon Series.

The race is one loop around Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland.

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It is a popular running and biking route surrounded by beautiful homes and the Florida Southern Campus.

The race start was a little stressful. There was not a packet pick-up other than race day, so I had to wait in line to get my bib and another line to get a timing chip. This left me with zero time to use the bathroom or warm-up before the gun went off. Lesson learned here, I will need to get to the other three races much earlier.

Even with the lack of warm-up and the full bladder, the first mile felt comfortable. I even held back a little to maintain a 9:30-9:40 pace.

Heading into mile two, I felt that I was on pace to make my goal. I walked through the first water stop. I am so uncoordinated that drinking and moving, don’t really work for me.

(I am just ahead of the guy with the awesome mustache.)

Somewhere in the middle of mile two I got a cramp. Anytime I get a cramp, which only happens during a race, it is always in my diaphragm. Normally a little walking helps but I have never been able to get rid of this kind of cramp. I am also a big baby who at the first feeling of difficulty breathing, I start to panic. This led to a minute or two of walking and hoping that this cramp would go away.

No such luck. At the 27 minute mark, I needed to walk again. At this point I knew that the walking was going to cost me my goal.

I finally pulled myself together and ran as fast as I could for the last few minutes of the race.

Sadly, it was just over 30 minutes.

(Not sure if you can tell, but I wanted to die by this point.)

Clock Time: 31:39

Chip Time: 31:21

The good news is that it is a PR by 3 minutes and 28 seconds. That tells me that the hard work is paying off. That training with speed work and tempo runs weekly is helping me get faster. I know in one of the next three races I can drop my time by 1.35. I will just have to keep pushing (and pray for no cramps.)

All photos unless otherwise indicated are from the Lakeland Runners Club website.

Ambitious Is My Middle Name

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Dina

I may be trying to make up for a little of the sloth like behavior from when I was unemployed. I wrote about my plan to run a sub-30 5K in the next few months. I neglected to mention another goal.

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I want to be toned and stronger. I struggle to balance strength training with running and my fitness is worse off because of it. Joining a gym for the first time in years, is a great opportunity to do something about it.

I know so little about strength training that I wanted to go with a set program to make sure I was hitting all the right muscle groups.

Jamie Eason’s LiveFit seemed like the perfect fit. It is free and contains an amazing amount of information from nutrition to motivation. The videos and detailed exercise descriptions have really helped me to feel confident that this is a program that I can do.

There are only two parts of the program I am ignoring, which I understand will modify my results, the eating plan and the lack of cardio for the first month. With my 5K plan, losing the cardio for any extended amount of time is impossible. I am putting my two plans together by strength training in the gym in the morning before work and running after work. The two a day schedule may be ambitious but having the significantly reduced commute has given me so much extra time. I want to spend this time going after my goals.

So here’s to being faster and stronger in the coming months.

I Need A Plan

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Dina

The past few weeks without having a race to train for is making me nuts.

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I have been getting to the gym, which is great, but I hate feeling so aimless.

I decided to look back on a few of my 2012 goals. One that has been haunting me is to run a sub-30 5K. My last 5K was a disaster. I did just about everything wrong from starting out too fast to attempting to run at a pace that was much too fast. What I want now is redemption. I have the time to focus only on 5K’s and I want that sub-30.

The June issue of Runner’s World has an article called Time For A Fast 5-K. The article focuses on three goals a sub-30, sub-25, and a sub-20 5K. It contains a five-week training plan and lots of information on speed work. The article could not have come at a better time.

The Lakeland Runner’s Club hosts a series of races called the Watermelon Series. It is four races June 2, June 23, July 21, and August 18. If you register ahead of time, you can do all four races for $40. It’s a great deal and will give me four shots to reach my goal.

Do you have a goal that’s haunting you?

2012: The Year I Start Kicking Ass And Taking Names

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Dina

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Resolutions can be daunting. Are you setting yourself up to fail by making them? Do they last past the second week in January? When you make them, do you ever have any intention of really trying to complete them?

As someone who in a past life used to smoke, I remember year after year of quitting smoking being my resolution which barely lasted a day or two into the new year. It made me feel like a failure.

This year, I want to focus on long-term goals that I can actually attain. There is nothing worse than making goals that are so far out of reach, that you set yourself up for failure.

Here is my list of attainable goals that hopefully will keep me motivated throughout 2012.

Running Goals

Run 1000 miles in 2012

My mileage increased steadily over the year for a total of 551 miles. I am running more days and longer long runs than at the same time last year, 1000 miles is definitely doable.

Four Half Marathons in 2012

The Gasparilla Distance Classic is the only one the schedule now. I would like to find one in each season and would love to try one outside of Florida.

A sub-30 minute 5K

With the increase in my training and the length of my long runs, I am confident I can do this.

Keep having fun
Join a running club

I need to do this even if it just to find some better places for long runs. I tend to run in the same places all the time and as the mileage increases, so does the boredom.

Personal Goals

Learn more about photography and photo editing

I am following lots of photography blogs for inspiration and tips but would like to take a class.

Read 100 books

You can follow my progress on GoodReads.

Try new things

Not letting fear of the unknown hold me back, has opened me up to experiences that I would not have had before. Going to Yoga classes and trying Dance Trance are two great examples.

Spend more time with J

J is at the halfway point with law school and it can be very difficult to find time together. This needs to be a priority.

Get the house organized
Turn the Polk County Young Democrats into a thriving and active club

Last year I became the President of this group and it’s success is so important to me.

Blog Goals

Blog Redesign

I have some ideas in mind but definitely want to switch over to a premium theme instead of the freebie I am currently using.

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What are your goals or resolutions for 2012? Do you have any suggestions for Half Marathons I should run this year?

Half Marathon Training Week 11 In Review

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Dina

You can follow my previous weeks training and current DVD rotation on my Workouts page.

Sunday: 30 Minutes Elliptical. 15 minutes Upper Body.

Monday: 10.05 Miles! (This is my personal distance record and I am still thrilled about this run.)

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday: 2.41 Miles

Thursday: 30 Day Shred Level 1

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 4.26 Miles

Thoughts: I feel really great mentally about getting over the double digit run hump. Lately, my strength training has gone out the window and I am starting to notice a difference in my level of strength. I need be more consistent but am having a hard time spending 40 to 60 minutes on a full body routine. Starting the 30 Day Shred again seemed like a good idea because it is short and I always see results.

My training plan calls for a 5K to access time goals. Ultimately, my goal is to finish the Half but I love to run 5K’s and this one is almost too good to be true.

The 2011 Margarita Run – 5K Urban Run & 1 Mile Walk.

Why is this race so perfect?

It’s near my house. (I normally drive upwards of an hour to race in Orlando.)

The race starts at 5:00 PM (It is late and close enough that J can actually attend and still get his studying done.)

It is for a really great cause.

Plus there is the promise of Margarita’s.

Do you have any upcoming fun races? Is it just me, or are small local races super fun?

The winner of the Eeyore Track Pants from OldGlory is Khourt from Life As A Convert. Send me an email to DinaRuns@Gmail.com with your address and size. Thanks to all who entered, I really enjoyed reading about your favorite fall foods.

Half Marathon Training Week Nine In Review

Posted on October 7, 2011 by Dina

You can follow my previous weeks training and current DVD rotation on my Workouts page.

Sunday: Yoga 60 Minutes

Monday: Elliptical 30 Minutes

Tuesday: 3.22 Miles

Wednesday: Yin Yoga 90 Minutes

Thursday: 2.34 Miles

Friday: Rest

Saturday: Rest (I had to work the entire day for Year End.)

Thoughts:I did not do the speed training scheduled for Saturday. I thought I could do it before I went into the office but slept too late. My strength training has dropped off a cliff in the last few weeks, I need to schedule it in and actually do it. This was a very low mileage week, I want to go back to adding a fourth day of running. I felt fine doing that as long as it was at an easy pace.

Goals for the coming weeks:

1. Stick to the plan.

2. Make time for strength training.

3. Keep going to Yoga.

I had some fun playing with my new camera this week. Some of the pictures I took.

Balloon is going to get you.

I control this balloon with my glowy eyes.

Through a window. It seemed like a good idea.

My neighbors think I am strange because I am taking pictures of the street.

How do you handle having an off week?

30 Before 30 An Update And A Call To Action

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Dina

My 30th birthday has come and gone. It was mostly pretty wonderful. I received many cool gifts and my friends were super sweet and made me feel extra special.

My 30 Before 30 List. Let’s look at what I did accomplish.

4. Run a 15K.

I ran the Miracle Miles 15K and it was amazing. (I need to remember to do something cool the next time I cross a finish line, not just playing with my Garmin.)

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12. Do one thing that makes me uncomfortable (like introducing myself to people) and get comfortable with it.

I attended my first Orlando Lady Bloggers Dinner and had the best time. It did make me nervous but I am so glad I went.

17. Learn how to use WordPress.

Working on this one. I have a book on my HP Touchpad and am wading through it. Would like to revisit this at a later time.

18. Learn basic photography.

I just got my new camera and am loaded up with photography books. This is a work in project but I will get there.

25. Get prints of my wedding photos and put them up in the house.

I have not purchased the prints yet but have narrowed it down and know which ones I want.

26. One day of complete positivity.

A entire day is hard for this glass half emptier but I am working on it.

13. Take an exercise class no matter how silly I think I might look.

I have started to take at least one Yoga class a week. Not sure what took me so long.

22. Reach out to an old friend.

I have recently reconnected with an old friend (and Social Media maven), Becca. She is starting to do stand-up and has the funniest twitter, you should follow her at BohoPoetGirl.

9. Paint the house. 3. Get my office decorated and organized.

I need to do these two desperately. We built this house in 2007 and it is not decorated at all. I have thought of featuring some projects on here to get some feedback because decorating does not come easy to me and my budget is minimal.

Source: quitwaiting-startnow.tumblr.com via Dina on Pinterest

I did not accomplish as many things on this list as I wanted to but the story does not end there. Having goals is important and that is one of the main things that attracted me to running. I am at a point in my life where my career is stagnant and I am in a holding pattern to move onto the next phase (as I wait for J to finish Law School). Having mileage and race goals really helps. On my first go around with this list, people commented that they would be interested in their own lists. Now is your chance to join me to reach your own goals or at least have fun trying.

I would like to start each week with at least one goal, it can be short or long-term, fun or serious and everyone can post about trying to obtain it. Would you join me?

What is your goal for this week? Mine is to focus on a plan to get the house in order.

Source: google.com via Dina on Pinterest

Dina Runs

Category Archives: Goals

Goals Update

Race Nerves

What I Want To Be When I Grow Up

Race Number One To A Sub-30 Minute 5K

Ambitious Is My Middle Name

I Need A Plan

2012: The Year I Start Kicking Ass And Taking Names

Half Marathon Training Week 11 In Review

Half Marathon Training Week Nine In Review

30 Before 30 An Update And A Call To Action