Resolution Run 5K! Think my best of 2013. #running #Fitfluential #sweatpink #girlsgonesporty

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May only happiness find you in 2014! #HappyNewYear

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Had fun at Operation Jack Satellite 5K this AM #bling #running

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#quotes

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Testing the Waters (Flashback Post from 2011)

I used to have a photo blog and I am going to start incoporating those posts here. I would like to close that blog down and have everything in one location. Here is one such post from 2011. Enjoy!

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[London Bridge, Lake Havasu City, AZ, 2011] I am sure you would fully expect a picture of the bridge based on the above location but I did choose this photo for a very important reason. I was recently reminded of the importance of "testing the waters". The little guy to the left tipped his toe in several times to see if he was absolutely certain he wanted to go in. He looked around a bit, saw what the other guys were doing, but still stuck that toe in one more time to be sure. Recently I did the same thing.

I used to be friends, good friends, with someone who ultimately let me down in what to me was a very deep and hurtful manner. I didn't speak to this person for several years and it wasn't until a gesture of kindness when my mom passed did I let this person back in. Yet, I did so very carefully. I have since learned that things hadn't changed much at all with this person and I decided that I didn't need that "darkness" in my life. So without much fanfare I just ended communication. I am still grateful that I gave it a shot though. I would have always felt some guilt if I hadn't tried. But now I can move forward as I have been since all those years ago without a heavy heart, guilt or trepidation that I did or didn't do the right thing. I guess my point is that sometimes you need to give things all your gusto right from the beginning, but with other situations you may need to just stick a toe in and see what it may be like before you totally commit to it. Either way, my feathered friend made me feel at ease that I did the right thing for me, at this moment, and that is all I can really ask for in life.

Meaningful Beauty Review #MeaningfulBeauty

Product Website - http://www.meaningfulbeauty.com/products/products,default,pg.html

Note: I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.

Meaningful Beauty - Crème de Sérum

Description per the product website: "This crème de la crème treatment takes a triple approach to combating the signs of aging with three powerful anti-aging ingredients: superantioxidant melon complex, anti-aging peptides and hyaluronic acid. Combining the power of a serum with the rich, moisturizing effects of a crème, this super-boost is designed to help protect, increase hydration and prevent the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles."

Cost Per Bottle via Website: $39.95

Likes: Pleasant texture and smell. 

Dislikes: As with many beauty products it is hard to tell whether the product is working or if your regular regime, (diet, excercise, water intake) is causing your skin to appear clean and tone improvement. Unlike with my last review of a similar product I did not see any tangible results but I have only used the product for about a month.

Bottom Line: The jury is out. I cannot say either way whether this product is effective. 

Morning!

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Love this gift from my mom - in-law #nerdgirl

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My mom, me and big brother Dave. #throwbackthursday

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How is he comfortable? #dogsofInstagram

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I must have been a good girl. Santa brought me new @mizunorunning shoes. #mezamashii #goodgirl #thanksSanta

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A Year of Finding Strength

2013.

What a year it was for me. Filled with many trials, and also many triumphs too. The best part of writing a year in review post is that it allows us all a moment just to sit back and enjoy all those moments again.

Looking back here were some of my goals and my notes on where I landed as far as completing them.

1. To attempt one new fitness activity per month (a new class, a new distance, etc) - I was hit or miss on this one. I did try a few new things such as Strikefit and kickboxing. Strikefit was my favorite though and has me eager to do it again here in Vegas since my first try was in Cali. The cool part was my instructor was family!
2. To PR at the 5K distance. It has been a long time since I have done that. Too long. Nope, so this one rolls over to 2014.
3. To do another obstacle course run. By the looks of it right now probably more than one will occur in 2013. Did two - both solo. Pretty proud of that!
4. To do more half marathons in 2013 then I completed in 2012 (which was three). Nope, only did one. I just wasn't feeling the distance runs so I am going to set a goal of two for 2014. 
5. To pick a full marathon in 2014 to train for. Frankly this scares the living...well you know...out of me. I need to do it though. I am a "give me a challenge" type of girl. Still not there yet.
6. Kick up my weight training. Need to visit my personal trainer more often. Yes and no on this one. But I think I need to focus more on the ST again. Not consistent enough.
7. Skydiving. Enough said. Nope. I have decided to pass on this one for a bit longer.
8. Pick a Triathlon - I did just that and finished it! Yay! May try again in 2014 to see if I can do better - this time with a wet suit. 
9. To become more involved in the running community. This was my favorite accomplishment. I volunteered for a few races this year; became part of a fantastic running group, The Running Troops, whose motto is "To Inspire. To Challenge. To Serve"; and I have supported some of our Troopers at local races. It definitely makes you feel good to give back to the sport. I highly recommend volunteering at a race at least once each year.

So aside from the above roll-over goals from 2013 what does this girl have in mind for 2014?

I just want to get better, to keep working hard but to always keep that feeling I have for doing what I am doing. I don't ever want to lose that. Volunteering has really helped ground me. Made me remember the person that I always wanted to be and still helped me focus on the physical goals I set. No, I didn't achieve them all but I did do some great things with my 2013.

I also got to see one of my friends complete to date 12 of 13 half marathons in 2013, the final one to happen next weekend. Such an huge accomplishment and I am wicked proud of her. 

Here are a few things I want to add for next year: (side note: some of these may be put on hold should we ever be gifted the blessing of a wee one on the way this year)

• Complete the Spartan Race in April (happens the day before my 40th birthday) 
• Get in to one additional fitness activity - looking into boxing or something along those lines.
• Continue using some of the training from the triathlon because I did feel improvement in my my lungs and legs.
• Do at least one race in California - any excuse to go back to that state is okay with me. 
• Increase my reach in social media, especially FB (how about a like for Run with K?)

Other than that I just want to keep up what I am doing, to eat better (struggled a bit here and there with that one) and to always love what I am doing and to remember why I am doing it. 

What are your goals????

Getting caught up on my reading... @runnersworld

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Get ready 2014! #Fitfluential

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L8gOXmcsow&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Breakfast in my new Nutri-Bullet. Spinach, raspberry, blueberry, OJ, and almonds. #yum

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'Tis the season to #sweatpink!

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Gift from my coworker and friend Chaz. #friends #neighbor #awesome

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HAPPY Birthday To My Pup Castle! #dogsofInstagram #puppylove #birthday

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Oh the weather outside is frightful but my sweater was so delightful....#winning #starbucksgiftcard

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Tis the season....

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Erin's Race for Brillance

Recently my friend's daughter Erin completed a race to benefit two elementary schools in her area. I contacted her mom, one of my best friends, to ask her daughter if she would like to sum up her race in a few words. 

Here was her race report:

"My favorite part was being able to raise money for my school. It felt amazing to cross the finish. The race supported East Penn Elementary school and Franklin Elementary school. The race was a total of 60 minutes long. I am 9 years old. I am in fourth grade."

-Erin H. of Parryville, PA 

Often as runners we forget the people we touch and inspire and I hope that in some way that Erin's view on what her race meant to her makes you smile as it did for me.

I would like to thank her mom for allowing me to post this and her permission to include a photo. 

10 Minute Solution Rapid Results Pilates, Lara Hudson

I did the buns, thighs and abs from this set....short, simple, but effective.

10 Minute Solution Sculpting (Pilates) - Arm Workout

Tonight's arm workout.....need to get back into the swing but didn't have the time to hit the gym. Have this DVD at home but found a few online too.

He is just too cute. #ilovemydog #dogsofInstagram

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Project #BareSelfie: Baring It All for @LancomeUSA and @SheSpeaksUp

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Lancome and SheSpeaks. Product was provided to me for review purposes. The review provided below was honest and without bias. 

It is tough for any woman to post photos of themselves without a stitch of makeup but SheSpeaks and Lancome challenged me to do just that in this product review of Lancome's DreamTone. I was provided a 1.3 fl. oz. bottle for Fair Skin Tones, which retails for $98. A bit pricey for many but my current regime is also on the higher end and retails in the same price range. I stopped using that product a few weeks before receiving DreamTone in order to give it a full and honest review. My previous regime was not color correcting but I made sure to just use a basic moisturizer for those few weeks while I waited for this product to arrive. 

In the interim, I checked out Lancome's website on the product and went through the information they provided on what the product's main goals were and what Project #BareSelfie was all about. I liked that they were so confident about their product that they encouraged women to post photos of what their skin looked like after 8 weeks of using DreamTone using the hashtag #bareselfie. 

Here are the bare facts provided by Lancome on what DreamTone is and what results they have seen so far:

About Lancôme DreamTone: DreamTone is the next generation in dark spot correction. This customized skin tone correcting serum is so powerful, 72% of women dare to bare their skin.* The new DreamTone is 3 barely-tinted serums formulated to visibly correct dark spots, color imperfections and give you a more even-looking skin tone. It comes in 3 serums customized for your skin tone: 1- Fair, 2 – Medium, 3 – Dark.

Their results:

IMMEDIATELY: 

• 74% saw glowing skin*

7 DAYS: 

• 70% noticed a more even skin tone*

4 WEEKS:

• 69% saw the appearance of dark spots reduced*

8 WEEKS: 

• 78% saw color imperfections reduced*

How to Use: For best results, apply the product twice per day, in the morning and evening under your moisturizer. 

Purchase Information: Lancôme DreamTone retails for $98 for a 1.3 fl oz. bottle and is available for purchase at Lancôme.com and department stores nationwide.

*All results based on global self-assessments of women of multiple ethnicities in an 8-week study. 72% reflects 8 weeks of use.

Bring on MY RESULTS!

Here is my #bareselfie from Day 1 and from today. 

 

As you can see in the above photo I did in fact see results. Prior to seeing this side-by-side photo I would have said that I did not see any real significant changes but looking at it now my skin is definitely smoother, and even has a bit of a glow. I did have some blemishes during use but I attribute them to changes in my hormone levels and at times when I normally saw those appear so I cannot out any of that happening on the product at all.


I did like the way that the product was packaged and also the smell and texture of the product going on was light and pleasant. One problem I have had with many other products is the need to use a lot of fragances in an effort to win the user over but in this case that was not an issue.

I give this product 4 out of 5 stars, with the only main drawback being price. Yet, if getting a little clarity in your skin is an issue for you I would recommend giving this product a try.