Changed my Mind. My 2012 Resolution.

As I said in my previous post, I'm not really the resolution type. This week, however, I decided to change that. Right after I posted my bucket list, I reached a new threshold in my workout - by switching around my routine and doing cardio before strength training, I was able to run 10 minutes non-stop. I know that's nothing crazy, but for someone who never runs, it was a big moment for me. The next day, a coworker sent out an email trying to get a team of us together to run the Minneapolis half marathon in June in honor of another coworker's 4-year old son recently diagnosed with leukemia. I believe things happen for a reason, and I figured if this opportunity was going to present itself so conveniently, then I should do it. So now my resolution for 2012 is to run a half marathon and knock that off my bucket list. :)

Sometimes I need a purpose that's bigger than myself in order to push myself to do something. When I can do something that will not only be a major personal accomplishment (not to mention get me in good shape) but will also contribute toward a great cause, that will keep me motivated. And this time around, I'm definitely driven. I've run harder, longer and further this week than ever before in my life. Today alone I ran the distance of a 5k, which gives me hope that I may actually stand a chance at this! I bought new running shoes today as well, which definitely helps. I went to the Running Room in Apple Valley, where they analyze your feet to determine what kind of shoe you need. I ended up getting the Brooks Glycerin 9 in grey/aqua, and after testing them out today, I'm super happy with them. It's like night and day with my old shoes I bought from TJ Maxx 4ish years ago...

If you're at all interested in following my progress (I guarantee honesty, entertainment and hopefully inspiration), I'll be blogging about it on my company blog. I'll be posting my first training-related post on Monday and then probably every Friday after that. If you're on Pinterest, you can also check out my running board for ideas, motivation, and cool products I come across.

Has anyone else committed to running a half/full marathon this year? If not, what are your resolutions?

<3 Mrs. G

Bucket List for 2012 & Beyond (Mostly Beyond)

Hello everyone,

Hope you all had a lovely New Years! We didn't do much - just hung out with a couple friends and sipped champagne. But it was nice. :) We did have Christmas with Mr. G's family earlier in the day on NYE and had a great time. Nashville was wonderful, too. We have a guest bed now as well as some other awesome things. For example: between both of our families, we've doubled our everyday dishes and china this Christmas! Funny what you get excited about after you're married...

I don't really have any resolutions this year, but I thought I would go ahead and post my (ever-growing) bucket list in honor of the new year, even though these are not specific to 2012. I'll probably think of a hundred more things after I post this, but here is what I have so far:

• Visit every continent (except Antarctica)
• See the Northern lights
• Go on a missions trip (perhaps later this year?...)
• Have children
• Adopt a child
• Buy a house
• Buy a car
• Start a business
• Write a book
• Go scuba diving
• Take a cake decorating class
• Make homemade lobster bisque (boil the lobster and all)
• Buy something designer full-price
• Invent a recipe
• Learn how to sew (well, re-learn)
• Have a garden
• Own a boat
• Stay at a bed and breakfast
• Become trilingual
• Go to the Olympics (as a viewer, not an athlete...)
• Run a marathon
• Participate in a flash mob
• Be able to fit in my wedding dress forever :)

I know I say this every year, but 2011 really will be tough to beat... New home, new job, first full year of marriage... It was a good year to us. :) May this year bring you joy, peace and many blessings. Cheers to 2012!

I took Mr. G to a Minnesota Wild game as a Christmas gift :)

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man."
-- Benjamin Franklin

<3 Mrs. G

In the Heat of Summer...

Hello all,

I hope you all have been having a much cooler week than me... We've been having record high temperatures and humidity all week, but especially today - we were at a dew point of 82 in the Twin Cities (highest ever) with a heat index of 119. 119?!?! This is Minnesota, not the Middle East!! Also, we definitely played volleyball tonight, I definitely sweated buckets, and I definitely walked into the lake afterwards with my clothes on. As for our team's record, it isn't so spotless anymore... I guess Team Adequate was the right name after all. We were playing pretty well tonight until we faced Team Fit 'n' Tan, who put us right back in our place. I blame it on the heat...

In other, much more exciting news, Mr. G's brother got engaged! Yay!! I've been in wedding withdrawal for almost a year, so I'm pumped. They're great together, too, which makes me happy for them. I'm always glad to see a girl find her own Mr. G. ;) My cousin got married this summer as well, but unfortunately I was unable to make it to the wedding. Regardless, family weddings are a joyous occasion, and I'm very much looking forward to another one.

I've also been putting together a bucket list... At first I thought they were kinda pointless, but then I remembered how much I love making lists - this is the ultimate list! I'll post it once I have more stuff on it, but in the meantime, feel free to comment with your bucket list essentials. Mine is a little sparse still. And no, skydiving is not on there, nor will it ever be. That doesn't mean I'll never do it, but I don't like the pressure.

One last thing: I got a Tumblr! Yet another thing I thought was pointless at first, but I'm kind-of obsessed with it now. It's a great creative outlet that can take as much or as little time as you want to spend on it. It's also cool because you can literally post whatever you want - photos, video, audio, quotes, blogs... The options are endless. If you want to follow me (and you should!), I'll give you a hint - it has the same name as my blog. But to make it more convenient for you, here is the link. Check it out! Anyone else have a Tumblr and love it? I'll follow you. :)

<3 Mrs. G