Category Archives: Motivation

2013 Running Goal

I’m not a hard-core runner, but I do run and I enjoy it.  I thought it’d be cool to give myself a mileage goal to achieve by the end of the year. So here goes, my 2013 running goal is:

500mi goal image 2

That breaks down to about 10 miles a week, give or take. I’m pretty sure to some this is an easy feat, but to others it’s not. This is a milestone, and I plan to reach it by the end of the 2013. Who’s coming with me?!

Who’s in?!  I’ll post updates here and there on where I’m at with mileage, and just about my running progress in general.

To keep track and stay on-point, I’ve downloaded a couple apps on my phone. I received recommendations from friends and other folks online but I couldn’t decide which one to go with, so I’m starting with two and we’ll see how they work out.  Both apps are free and available for both Android and iPhones. In addition both apps can be used to track and map mileage, set, track and achieve fitness goals and to connect with  friends via the applications with sharing capabilities to social network sites like Facebook and Twitter. So, the apps I got are

Both are very similar and so far there are things I like and dislike about each of them. In my Running Goal Updates you’ll also hear I’m liking/disliking the apps.

Need motivation? A while back I had a blog post with a bunch of running quotes. You can find them HERE.
And my favorite running quote is:

RunningCheaperthanthearapy, Quote, image

Amp Your Workout with FIT Radio


While searching for a running app I came across FIT Radio.  Omg – do it. Just download it now.

The free App is available on Android and iPhone and is described on their website as, DJ engineered music of all genres designed to amp your workout!  That’s exactly what it is and does.


High quality mixes are available from DJs from the around the world, organized by  genre, DJ or type of workout.  You have the option to customize your account by choosing a particular mix to be a favorite, and it saves to your  Favorites for easy access.

Because of the variety of genres, you can choose a mix suitable  for your Warm Up/Cool Down,  Cardio, Runs or hard hitting gym time.

This app takes the guess work out of creating workout playlists. They are already created, and by real DJs for that matter.

I find that the app is simple to use and fun to play around with.  Best part to me is, that it’s multi-functional.  Obviously you can use it for more than just working out. ie, cleaning the house, getting ready for a night out, or  entertaining.  So far, I’m loving FIT Radio. Try it out for yourself.

Learn more about FIT Radio on their website at www.fitradio.com or find them on Facebook or Twitter.

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p.s. My favorite station is Back in the Day! 80′s -90′s Classics. Peep it.  Also, DJ CO1 has some great party mixes.

If you listen to FIT Radio and have a favorite station or DJ or let me know what it is.

Update on the RW Run Streak

I’ve been running. Not exactly doing 1 mile each day every day, but some days I’ll do a 2-3 miles to make up for the day before or the next day. :)

I’ve learned that the hardest part of running is getting started and the second hardest part is that first mile and a half

The only runs I regret are the ones I don’t do.

I’m really enjoying the RW Run Streak.  I’ve found that I’m making extra time to incorporate exercise in my life on a daily basis.  Sometimes twice a day!

Here are some motivational running quotes/images I found. If  you come across others, please send them my way so I can upload them.

Happy Running!

RW Summer Running Streak 2012

With longer days and higher temps, it’s easy to feel drained and it becomes tough to get motivated to workout. Not wanting to fall into a summer slump I was pretty excited to read about the Runner’s World Summer Running Streak.

Pretty much, it’s a 38 day running streak. 1 mile per day, every day from Memorial Day to July 4th.  I’m a few days behind, but I’m still doing it.   They way I see it is, running 1 mile is just the starting point. Maybe it’ll turn into a daily habit even after the 4th, maybe I’ll challenge myself further and do more than 1 mile a day.  It can be the warm up or the cool down to my usual gym workout. We’ll see what comes of it.  I will periodically post updates about the running streak here, and I’ll tweet about it using the #RWRunStreak hagtag. My Twitter handle is @MichelleMP

As Runner’s World said, “We’re bringing back the #RWRunStreak to help us—and you—bridge the gap and maintain spring fitness.”  So from today until July 4th I will run at least 1 mile per day. I haven’t been running as much as I would like, so the Running Streak came at a great time.

Earlier today, I wrote about the streak on Facebook and a few friends have agreed to do it too. So cool! Take a look at the interactions below:

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Michelle Peralta shared a link.
9 hours ago

Run at least 1 mile per day everyday until July 4th. I’m a few days behind, but why not. Who else? It’s just 1 mile a day..walking counts. :D
RW Summer Running Streak 2012 – Runner’s World
Run at least one mile daily from Memorial Day to July 4th to join the Runner’s World Summer Running Streak.
Like ·  · Share
Maggie Garcia and Nellie Rios like this.
Maggie  I’m….in……:)
7 hours ago · Unlike ·  1
Wendy I’m in.
6 hours ago · Unlike ·  1
Nellie I’m in!
4 hours ago via mobile · Unlike ·  1
Dolores  Me! Me!
2 hours ago via mobile · Unlike ·  1
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Awesome.
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Must be Loco

I was easily convinced by a gym buddy to sign up for a mud run called The Toro Loco Challenge.  At first I said no, and when asked again 30 seconds later I said yes. lol.

This will be my first mud run, my first physical challenge, my first competitive type thingy…just got a whole bunch of firsts going on.  So here’s the jist.

This event has two courses

The Raging Bull for Advance Challengers, and The Leisurely Longhorn for Families and Dogs.  Guess which one I’m signed up?!  Oh yes,  The Raging Bull, and I’m not an advanced challenger. I have no idea what I’ve gotten myself into.  I’m getting just a tad bit nervous

I must say two things before I go on.

  • Push Yourself. No one will do it for you.
  • Your mind will take you there.
It’s taken me a while to adopt these philosophies, but I love them, and I believe them to be true. They motivate and inspire me.  Just wanted to share with you….now back to the Toro Loco Challenge!

This event is being held in Eloy, AZ just about an hour south of Phoenix, pretty much in the middle of nowhere. As listed on their website, some of the proceeds go to the Humane Society and quite a few other charities on site that help animals in one way or another including Greyhound Rescue, Ruff Life Rescue, Arms of Angels, and others.
Here’s the course

Alrighty folks. This is in just a few days. I can’t wait to recap it for you.  

Create a Vision Board

A Vision Board is a collage of images, words and ideas that represent what we want. It’s been said that when we visualize what we want it gets the process going to actualizing those thoughts/ideas/goals.

I’ve been wanting to make a Vision Board for quite some time but never got around to it. Finally I sent an email over to a few friends and invited them over for a Vision Boarding party.  The gathering was  a success. It’s always fun to be around friends, but to do something together that involves goal-setting creates a different dynamic and it was awesome!

Have a Vision Board party of your own. Decide on a date and about 7-10 days out, send a short invite to a few friends. Ask them each to bring a stack of old magazines, a pair of scissors and drink/snack to share.

I provided poster boards and glue sticks. ($6 total)  Food and drink is always good, so I asked everyone to bring a snack or drink to share. I prepared a fun salad bar with various toppings and dressing.   Fun was had by all!

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Do Two More

Two more minutes reading, two more sheets to fold, two more reps at the gym, two more minutes on the phone with an old  friend, two more minutes on yourself.

Apply this wherever you see fit. I started at the gym.  Just two more squats, two more minutes running, two more push-ups. It kind of revs you up a bit, because you really want to finish strong and make it worth it. You eventually see and feel results; physically and mentally. Where do you think can you apply Two More?

 

One Love

Everyday I’m learning the importance of opening up our heart and mind. If you are closed to the world, the world will be closed to you.   I think this can be applied to many, if not all areas of our life.

I like this song. It has that feel-good feeling.  When I listen to it, it makes me feel like negative energy is being pulled away.

Nike Said it Best

Just Do It. 

I thought about that on my run today (which was great by the way). I really did not want to get out of my bed at 6am on a Sunday and go run.

So, what did I do? I just tied up my shoes and went. Getting started was  little rough I’ll admit but once I got into it, it wasn’t that bad and when we finished I felt great.

The best antidote for not wanting to go get your workout in – is pretty much, just get your ass out there and do it.  Set all your thoughts aside because they will just get in the way producing excuses or ailments.  Granted if your really sick or recovering from an injury don’t put yourself in a bad position. But only you know if you should. And if you can, why not – just do it. One of our biggest setbacks for not wanting to workout is ourselves. Our thoughts, fears insecurities, our mood, etc. all which we can change.

So in the words of Nike,

Inspiration

To me, inspiration is being moved into action. It’s the process of being mentally stimulated to do, create or be.  I see inspiration like a flame. It needs to be ignited, sometimes it flickers, sometimes big, sometimes small,  eventually that flame will go out. That’s not to say it’s gone forever. In some instances the flame will go out just as quick as it was ignited, while other times the flame will last hours, even days. What ignites this flame? In other words, where do we find inspiration. The world around us is what inspires. People, things, music, nature, the list goes on.

What inspires us changes, just as we do. When inspiration hits, take advantage of it! I think we have to be open in our mind and heart to the world around us, because you never know what or who will inspire you.

All of our experiences have made us who we are. They have contributed to our attitude, personality, and perceptions. These same experiences have assisted us in creating barriers. These barriers exist around our heart and they exist  around our mind. When we allow these barriers to act as a dam, it’s challenging to become inspired.

Let’s become inspired! It begins with you. Make the decision to be more open-minded and live with a softer heart. This may come easy to you, or it may be tough. Its okay.