What is motivating me.... part 1

I've been leading up to a few things adding to my motivation lately. There are 3 things helping me stay focused, giving me extra reasons to stay on track, besides finishing 70.3.

Reason #1...

Is after my 70.3

It will include a little of this....

And a little of this...

Did you guess yet?

VACATION!!!

We are heading out on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas!

Off to the western caribbean for a week of relaxation after all my 70.3 hard work. We even splurged a little to book a balcony room overlooking the central park section of the ship. With our credit from the last cruise, we figured treating it like a free upgrade was a good use for it.

Central Park on the ship

I want to be in the best shape ever for this vacation. I want to look better than ever to have fabulous pictures and feel comfortable the whole time. 

Each time I want to eat a little extra, or give up on a workout, I remind myself of the cruise and walk away from temptation.

Do vacations help motivate you to stay on track?

Are you excited to see what else is motivating me?

What else motivates you?

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10 Things...

For the month of April, I've committed to 30 days of posting!

Join me, and go HERE for more info.

Day 13

10 Things I couldn't live without

Write a list of the 10 things you need (love) the most.

1. Relaxing vacation days on a sunny beach.

2. Fun days with my man

3. Race days. Running & Triathlon. Which typically includes family & friends.

4. Red Wine. Preferably a Pinot Noir.

5. My favorite running gear....

a. Asics GT-2160

b. Running Skirts

c. CEP compression socks

d. Honey Stinger waffles & chews

e. Nuun

f. KT tape

g. my garmin (currently a 410)

6. My bike. A pretty little Specialized Dolce Elite

7. Travels to new & exciting places!

8. Trips to Boston Beer Works & Fenway Park

9. A great training schedule. Typically a mix I blend of online plans.

10. A wall full of Bling!

What do you love/need?

Winner of the Raw Threads giveaway is Billie Jean!

email me at sgrigely at hotmail dot com to claim your prize!

>>>READ MORE

Your Questions answered! part 1

A while back, I was tagged in the Q & A game, and begged you guys to ask me questions!

Stephanie!

Amanda @ Running in the right direction asked....

Favorite time of year?

Definitely summer! I love all things that go along with summer. Beach trips, vacation, corn on the cob, more outdoor exercise, triathlons, sun tans, grilling, and sunshine!

Beach trip + Vacation = even better!

How do you fuel for a run? Before, during, after?

short runs, I may have half a luna bar or some almonds, but usually nothing. For long runs, I typically have a piece of organic whole wheat toast with organic peanut butter & banana, and some water. During my longs I use Honey Stinger pomegranate chews & waffles. After my long runs we always hit Panera to refuel with a breakfast sandwich & sometimes I'll make myself a protein smoothie at home.

What's one of your favorite blogs? Why?

My favorite has to be Beth @ Shut Up and Run, because literally I am laughing out loud every time I read her posts. She takes the common stuff of training, and the silly things that happen to her & always turns them into a hilarious story to tell! Adam @ The Boring Runner comes a close second for hilarious blog reading.

Erin @ See Mom Run Far asked...

What is your dream race?

GREAT question! I hadn't really thought about this one before, my "dream race" initially was the Disney Marathon, the reason I started running, but that dream is becoming a reality. My next dream would be Florida 70.3, which actually goes through parts of Disney too! I'm a ways off from a 70.3, but a girl can dream, right?

Which would you rather have, super endurance or super speed?

I think I would have to say super endurance. It would be awesome to run a ton of miles, or be able to complete iron distance triathlons without a problem.

What foods are your biggest temptations?

Definitely sweets. Ice cream, peanut butter cups, chocolate, YUM! I don't allow myself to keep things like that in the house, because I know I would cave. Instead if I am really dying for a bowl of ice cream, 

we head to the shop down the street.

source

Tricia @ Endurance isn't only Physical asked...

Whats your favorite AND least favorite thing about blogging?

My favorite part has to be the support, and encouragement from all of my followers who push me to become a better runner/athlete then I ever though possible. I love to hear how I've inspired others, and learn about new products & gear. My least favorite is time time consumption. It takes time to write posts, read other blogs, work on giveaways, etc. Sometimes I wonder how other bloggers do it all!

Suzy @ Running on My Time asked...

What do you love about running? What do you not like?

I love how I feel when I'm finished, strong and accomplished. I love that its found me new friends and great experiences, and many more to come. I don't like the time it takes to finish a long run (zaps almost half my sunday), or waking up early to do it, but I'm a bad night time runner.

What is your favorite place to exercise?

Running through the streets of Longmeadow or Forest Park. 

What is your favorite Race?

My favorite race I've done has to be the Rock N Roll Mardi Gras (Race Report HERE), but the triathlon I completed today came pretty close! If I had some friends doing the race with me, it definitely would have won!

Me & Shelley @ Rock N Roll Mardi Gras!

That's all for now! Look for part 2 soon!

>>>READ MORE

Vacation!!

As you read this, I've piled all my luggage onto the airplane, and am heading to lovely San Juan, Puerto Rico! Unfortunately, the weather is looking like this...

I am praying that the showers are few & scattered, and we have mostly sunshine. There is a tropical storm potential on Sunday/Monday in Puerto Rico, but hopefully we will be sailing right out of it.

Sunday we are heading out on a Royal Caribbean Cruise to St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Curacao, & Aruba for 7 nights & 8 days of relaxation, and fun times. 

After the cruise docks back in Puerto Rico, we stay over 1 more night before heading home! I am really looking forward to this time for Kevin & I to relax, reconnect, and get some good workouts in. I'm excited to see what workout classes they'll have available, and plan on doing some running on the track on top of the ship and on the treadmills if I have to. I also plan on tackling the Runner's World Run Less, Run Faster book to get ready for Marathon training, which starts September 26.

While I'm gone, I'll try my best to keep you entertained! There will be guest posts from some of my favorite bloggers, and I have an awesome gummy vitamin giveaway going on until I get back HERE.

Have you ever cruised before? What's your favorite part?

What do you look forward to the most on vacation?

>>>READ MORE

Amazing Blogger Award!

Wahoooo!

Kristin @ Running to Somewhere awarded me with a fabulous award!

so here's the info...

[FAVORITE CARTOON CHARACTER]

Tinkerbell

almost got a tattoo of this in college! haha

In fact, I now have a burning desire to run the Tinkerbell Half Marathon. Not this year, but sometime in the future.

[FAVORITE THING TO PHOTOGRAPH]

Me & Kevin on our many adventures!

climbing temples in Mexico

[Favorite Thing to Cook]

Sweet Potato Fries!!

Cinnamon-Sugar Sweet Potato Fries

I LOVE sweet potato fries. Did you catch my recipe from Joy Bauer & enter my giveaway? Check it out HERE.

[Favorite Way to Exercise]

Running!

Especially races with friends! Closely followed by cycling and triathlon.

[Favorite Movie]

&

[Favorite Article of Clothing]

Urbane Scrub Bottoms

Seriously I LIVE in these things. Tons of colors, super comfy. Its like wearing pajamas to work every day. And makes getting dressed much easier. One of the perks of working at a hospital.

[Favorite Flower]

Stargazer Lily

[Favorite Breakfast]

I wish I had a photo of last saturday's breakfast. My organic eggs, red poatoes, and turkey bacon. None prepared by me (no dishes!)

[Favorite Book]

[Favorite Place to Be]

The Beach!

This is a picture from my vacation to Mexico last year (recap and Pics HERE). Relaxing on a beach is my most favorite thing in the world. I am counting the days (25 to be exact), until my amazing vacation to Puerto Rico & the Southern Caribbean.

[Favorite Sporting Event] 

RED SOX! (of course!)

Now my turn to nominate!

Karen @ Just Me & My Running Shoes

Kayla @ Running: My Anti-Drug

Kari @ Running Ricig

Shannon @ Philadelphia Phitness Pharmacy

>>>READ MORE