It may be a little early, but I'm going to say it...SPRING IS HERE!

While the weather seems to be toying with us a bit this week, I think it's officially safe to say that Spring has arrived. If you're like me, you have been longing for this moment since about October when the slightest bit of frost appeared on my car in the morning. And now it's finally here.

So I'm going all out! I've washed my car (twice!), packed away my gloves and sweaters, and dusted off the old running shoes. For me, Spring means being able to take half of my workout outside and enjoy the beautiful day. I love the smells of Spring: the fragrance of flowers and trees budding, the sweet scent of dew in the early morning, and even the calming aroma just before a thunderstorm or gentle rain shower. Most of all, I love that it gets me out of the apartment for a short while.

So here are some great ways to kick off your new workout schedule and put a little Spring in your step!

• If it's been awhile since you've taken to the open road. You may want to review some of the unspoken rules of running. This may be especially helpful if you have moved since your last running experience and are exploring new territory. I found this great article that covers the basics. Take a look to make sure you don't get on anyone's bad side. 

          Running Etiquette: The 10 unspoken rules of running

• I don't know about you, but I'm in desperate need of a new pair of running shoes. As much as I've grown attached to my good old Asics, they are just plain worn out! I'm not certain if I want to get a new pair of the same shoe I've been using, or try a new shoe all together. If you are thinking about upgrading or have never found a shoe that works for you, make sure you take your time. Choosing the right running shoe is very important and can make or break your run...literally. I used to work at a shoe store that specialized in finding the right shoe for your foot type and running style. There are several around, so make sure you search for a full-service running store (or shoe store with knowledgeable salespeople). If you're in the Kansas City area, check out Tradehome Shoes in the Independence Center Mall. If you are somewhere else, check this website to see if there is a Tradehome near you: http://www.tradehome.com/locations. Here are some tips to a successful (and stress free) shopping experience:
• Make sure you tell the sales associate exactly what you are looking for and how you will be using your shoes. Be careful not to get too hooked on one specific style or brand that you saw in an advertisement or heard about from a friend. Ads are supposed to make it look appealing, but it might not be the best choice for you. And while friendly recommendations are great, chances are what works great for your friend won't be the right shoe for you.
• If you don't know what foot type you are, that's okay. The salesperson can measure you and analyze your gait to find out what type of shoe you will need. In fact, even if you think you know your foot type and size, let them measure you anyway. Over time, your arches can fall and your feet can get bigger and smaller, so it's best to double check. Besides, this is their job! If you let a sale associate do their job, they are much more likely to find you what you need. It is not only annoying for the salesperson for you to cut them off every five seconds, but you don't allow yourself the opportunity to relax and enjoy the experience if you are trying to take control of everything. If you are at the proper store, everyone should know how to measure your feet and analyze your gait. But if by chance you get a newbie in training, ask for the manager. A manager or assistant manager must be in the store at all times, and they can take over and assist you in finding what you are looking for.

• Don't be afraid to give them a price limit, they will actually appreciate as much information as you can give them. Most shoe stores will have something just right for you if you are fully open with them about what it is you want. And if they don't have exactly what you are looking for, a good store can either order it in for you or tell you where you can find it.
• Be open to trying everything on. Finding a good running shoe is about comfort and performance, and while nobody wants to wear a shoe they don't like to look at, appearance is not the most important factor. Give everything a chance, even if you think it is hideous. You might just find the perfect shoe that you would've otherwise overlooked. And don't be surprised if it looks better on your foot than in the box!
• If you are a person who likes to browse a little before you go out shopping, Runner's World has just released it's Spring 2011 Running Shoe Guide. Get some great ideas and reviews from other runners, but remember don't get stuck on one particular shoe.

• If you haven't been sticking to your New Year's resolution of eating better, now's the time to start! Finding the best ways to fuel your body pre-workout and replenish your system after will help you get the most out of your run. Check out these tips to healthy eating for runners: The Healthy Runner's Diet. If this is not your cup of tea, I also have previously posted some great articles and links on healthy eating. Just as with running shoes, not every eating plan works for every person. Find the one that fits your lifestyle and your schedule.

• If you're really getting into this running thing you may want to check out these other articles from Runner's World. Learn the keys to Recover Better and Run Stronger. If you constantly deal with tight muscles, find out how you can benefit from Simple Yoga for Runners.

I am looking forward to kicking off this Spring with a bang, and I hope you are too. It's important to be prepared to accomplish whatever goals you have set for yourself this year. Take the right steps, and you will be running like a pro before I can say SUMMER!

5 Questions for a Better You

So I was checking out the latest headlines, most of which have to do with Super Bowl XLV in some way. (Shout out to the Packers and #87 former K-Stater Jordy Nelson: First touchdown of the game and game leader for receiving yards playing behind 3 other awesome receivers. WAY TO GO!) Anyway, I stumbled across an article that normally I wouldn't have clicked on. And who knows why, but I was intrigued.

5 questions that tell you if it’s meant to be

So after reading the article, I was pretty convinced that these questions, while they may or may not help your romantic life, are good questions to ask yourself. It seems they could be used to evaluate your accomplishments, set new goals, and overall give you some much needed motivation. And who couldn't use a little of that? I know I could, so here goes:

Question #1: “If your company gave one-year paid sabbaticals, what would you do for that year?”

I've always dreamed of traveling to foreign countries, if for nothing else, just to broaden my horizons a bit. I'm definitely a bit sheltered in my impression of the world we live in, simply because I have not experienced it. There is also a feeling of simplicity that comes with traveling to a foreign land. Sometimes I think that too often Americans can get sucked into this "have it all" mentality and forget about the simple pleasures of life. I'm guilty of this, but I can see that taking a long adventure could instill a better appreciation of the little things. A while back, I watched the movie Eat, Pray, Love with Julia Roberts. If you haven't had the chance to see it and like an inspirational "love your life" movie, I would definitely recommend renting it. I think it would do us all some good to get away from our busy schedules and just live in the moment. Sometimes we just need a little time for self discovery; some rest and relaxation that allows us to "find ourselves."

Question #2: “Will you share an embarrassing moment with a significant other?”

I would love to think that I would be willing to do this for a close friend or relative, but the truth is I'm not sure if I could. I think that right now I lack the self confidence to put myself out there for someone else. That's not to say that I can't eventually do it. Someday I hope to be secure enough with myself to be vulnerable with someone special to me. I think I just added a new goal to my 2011 list! :)

Question #3: “If your house were on fire, what’s the one thing you’d make sure to save?”

If I was lucky enough to be able to save anything, (I live in an apartment and chances are I would be at work if the building catches on fire) I would choose my birth certificate and my laptop. Now I know that's technically two things, but my files are right next to my laptop so I doubt it would take much to grab them simultaneously. Obviously I would want to save my birth certificate so that I can protect my identity. In the world we live in today, it's easier to take advantage of those people who have fallen upon hard times. I think it's important to protect yourself and always be able to prove who you are and where you came from. As for my laptop, that might seem like a petty choice. I would choose my laptop because that is where the majority of my memories are stored. Some people might choose to save special family pictures or heirlooms, but I have those things saved on my computer. They are all in one place, and if I lose the physical copy of a picture in a fire, I know that I will still have the digital copy to print a new one. Most people have digitized much of their lives now; doesn't it make sense to store important things all in one place? In fact, I may look into creating a digital copy of all my important documents like my birth certificate. Compacting it all in one place can be beneficial, even if only to save everything when  you can only grab one thing from the fire.

Question #4: “What’s the biggest misperception people have about you?”

I think people can sometimes perceive my practical demeanor as a lack of feelings and emotions. The truth is, I'm a very emotional person who has a big heart. The problem is that big heart has gotten me into a lot of trouble in the recent past, and because of that I have become a more practical person. This is not to say that I don't have dreams. I have the same dreams that I always did, but I approach life more practically now rather than whimsically. I've learned that it does no good to get emotional over every little thing. In reality, it does no good to get emotional over anything big or small. I think it is good for people to be able to "take everything with a grain of salt." There are going to be good things that happen in your life, but there will also be bad things. At the end of the day, it's not what you went through that matters, but how you handled it.

Question #5: “What’s the one life experience you want a do-over on?”

Wow, there are so many! Actually, I would choose nothing. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. I believe that we succeed at some things and we fail at others, but there is a purpose in it all. If I fail once at something I really want, I can keep trying (there is nothing wrong with persistence and dedication) but I will only succeed when the time is right. If I apply for a job with a touring act that lasts a year, I might or I might not get it. If I don't, that means I'm supposed to do something else that year. There is some other feat I am to accomplish. I believe that even if you get a do-over and you fix what went wrong the first time, somehow the outcome will be the same.

That's all the questions. Wow, I've gained some insight into myself just answering them. I've learned a lot about myself that I already knew, but had maybe forgotten. It feels good to reinforce who I am and what I believe in. I challenge you to answer these five questions and see how your answers influence your own life!

2011: The Year of the Rabbit

So, I'm not obsessed with astrology and horoscopes by any means, but I do think that it can be beneficial to read them. I get my daily horoscope emailed to me every morning, and I think that it is always full of great motivational and cautionary sayings. In fact, I think that no matter your sign or birth year, these words of wisdom can be good words to live by. Think of these things as guidelines or inspiration to get you through the rough days, weeks, or even years. I used to be very skeptical about this kind of stuff, now I think it's great! So if you are looking for some words of encouragement or some help in this new year, even if you are just a little curious like I was, go ahead and take a look. Just try not to get too crazy with it! :)

2011 Chinese Horoscope: See what the Year of the Rabbit has in store for your sign

Is February Your Month for a Fresh Start?

So, we all have goals for this year right? Whether they focus on your career, finances, love life, or your health, the simple fact is we all struggle at some point. So why not get yourself off to a good start? Wouldn't it be nice to refresh yourself? Give this a try:

Healthy Food Diet: 7 Day Clean Eating Challenge

The benefits of participating in this challenge go far beyond your diet. A good clean diet can refresh and re-energize your entire body and mind. It can allow you to clear your head so you can focus on the more important things in life. How are you going to accomplish anything if you are always worrying about something else?

I'm reminded of my 16-year old niece. She works so hard to be an amazing gymnast and outstanding student. She has great organizational skills and seems to do pretty well at keeping her priorities in order. I'm sure you're thinking: "She seems to have it all in order! Why would she need any help with goals?"

Well, as great as she is at organizing her life, most of the time she forgets to schedule some down time to just relax and enjoy life. Sometimes I wonder if she keeps herself so entirely busy that she is missing out on being a teenager.

The truth is, we all do the same thing at some point in our lives. We tend to get too focused on our goals and our aspirations, that we forget how we are going to actually get there. We get sidetracked by our busy lives and don't take the time to enjoy life and everything in it. And sometimes we just get so caught up in doing things for everyone else that we forget about ourselves entirely. Isn't it time for a little self-appreciation?

You can gain a lot by taking some time to just DO NOTHING. You heard me right, I said "NOTHING." Sit back with your favorite soothing music or just in silence if you want and just do nothing. If you let your body and your mind take a breather, you will function much more efficiently and effectively.

Give it a shot! See what a little R&R can do for you!