It is the end of another year and time for new year resolutions.  I am looking forward to 2012.  Here is a list of some of my eco-friendly new year resolutions for the upcoming year:
- 100% donations and/or giveaways of outgrown clothes and toys
- Learn how to make jewelry using recycled materials
- Learn more about recycled metal art (I came across a website  happyscraps.net that highlights metal art made from recycled metal and look forward to seeing their gallery of work at a local spring festival in 2012).
- Expand gardening goals to produce 20% of more of my meals from my own garden (very ambitious given the size of my garden)
- set up a rain barrel (finally, I have been wanting to do this for years!!)
- learn how to quilt so that I can recycle some worn clothes (that have sentimental value)
- participate in a family park replanting event (with my family)

Here are some of my other new year resolutions:
- complete second half marathon (with a new Personal Record)
- complete my first triathlon 

Looking forward to another year!

I completed my first half marathon race last month and have already signed up for my next race.  I didn't think I would be able to run 13.1 miles but after completing the race, I feel great and am ready for more.  I am already training for my next race.  For those of you who think you can't, you really can.  I started training in April and it took about six months.

Today I picked up my race package for the Duke Medicine Ramblin' Rose Women's Half Marathon 2011.  The pink tech shirt that comes with the race registration fee is very cute and fitted.  If you have not picked up your registration yet, be sure to bring your own bag since the race administrators are trying to be eco-friendly (they will not be providing any bags).  It is a bit difficult to carry your stuff without any bags.  There are boothes from a few local and popular sports stores such as Bay Six and Omega Sports.  They are offering some good deals on apparel and accessories.  However, most of the boothes do not provide any bags, so bring your own or be prepared to buy a shopping bag from them.

I am all psyched for the sunday half marathon.  It will be my first half marathon race.  I just started training in late April so it's been about six months.  I feel confident that I will do well (need to get myself mentally prepared by staying positive).  I plan to get to the race about 45 minutes early so that I can find plenty of parking.  This race benefits the Duke Cancer Institute. 

I never envisioned myself as a runner until I started running this past spring.  I decided as a goal this year that I would run a half marathon in the fall.  Now the race is less than five weeks away and I have been running at least three times a week.  I started out slow (barely finishing a mile) and gradually building up endurance and picking up some speed.  However, I will still classify myself as a novice runner since I have only ran four 5k races to date.  Today, I surprised myself by running in the rain.  I've always been the "lay on the couch and read a book kinda person."  Somehow, the sudden dip in temperature and cool rainy day enticed me to go for a run.  It has been the best run I've had so far.  Instead of feeling like I'm dying of thirst, I actually enjoyed the run.  I am looking forward to the fall weather and lacing up my shoes.  

Running has given me more energy to do other things as well such as waking up energized and able to pack my kids' lunch instead of having them eat school lunch.

I have come across a great website that promotes public action in support of federal funding for safe bike paths to schools.  We live in a community where a number of middle school students bike to and from middle school.  I didn't grow up with that privilege and hope that our proactive efforts will help ensure that all future generation of children have a bike to school option.

Please visit www.saferoutespartnership.org/home.

I completed my third 5K race in 2011.  It's been a real eye opening experience.  I have never considered myself a runner and haven't really ran until this year and have found that running is one of the best exercise experience (second to biking).  I am now training for a half marathon in late fall and hoping to run a personal best time as well.  Running is a great stress reliever.  Instead of impulse purchases and emotional eating, just going for a run provides a nice break from daily stressors.

As a parent, I am always encouraging my kids to associate themselves with the kind of friends that have the best set of core values and children who make good choices.  As my priorities in life have evolved over the years and my interest in eco-friendly living has increased, I've sought the same (looking for and making friends with "like minded" eco-friendly people).  Studies have shown that your environment or community of people that you associate yourself with has a greater influence in your decision making than anything else.  So, if you are struggling to make more eco-friendly choices, join a group or attend a local eco-friendly event.  If one can be "guilty by association," one can also be "successful by relation."

Now that I have been actively training for a halt marathon, I have begun to meet other runners through local running groups and running store sponsored clinics.  It is great to share the same challenges and struggles with each other and know that we can all lean on each other for words of encouragement.

Biking to work saves money on gas and enables you to get a workout without spending extra time in the gym.  However, it maybe a bit intimidating to bike to work.  National Bike to Work week starts today.  Biking to work is not an "all or nothing" decision.  You can do any of the following:
- Bike to the nearest train station or bus stop and park your bike there (instead of driving your car to the train or bus stop).
- Bike to work during certain work days of the week (e.g. Fridays may work best for you given that many offices have a casual Friday dress code).
- If a colleague lives closer to the office than you do, consider driving to your colleague's house and parking there (obtain his/her permission first), then you can ride your bikes to work together (aka buddy system).
-If your company has a large office campus, consider biking from one office location to another for your meetings instead of driving around within the campus.

Remember that safety always comes first!  If traffic is not conducive for biking to work, do not get frustrated.  Instead of biking to work, consider riding your bike to your local grocery store for grocery purchases and for local errands.

I am training for a half marathon scheduled in October.  It's a huge commitment between working full time, being a mother and wife.  It's completely worth it.  I find that I need races to keep me motivated and to help me train, so the first thing I did was sign up for a race (in this case, the Ramblin Rose Durham Women's Half Marathon Event).  Now that I have a goal and deadline, I am much more motivated to train and to run. 

In addition to helping me sleep better at night (yes, running a few miles can be the best sleep aid), it has also gotten my complexion a lot clearer (must be all of the sweat leaving my system and cleansing my face from inside out).

I also find myself less likely to park near store entrances because I don't mind the extra walk anymore.

I have not joined a running group because my hectic scheduled is quite unpredictable.

The following are some truths that I discovered regarding running:
- You really need to run about 10-15 minutes to let your body warm up before you run at a faster pace.
- Stretching after each run is important, before each run is optional.
- If you alternate your sneakers (between two pairs), they last longer.
- Quality socks makes a difference.
- Running is the cheapest and most effective exercise there is!
- Cross training with other sports makes you a better athlete.
- Reading about other runners either online or in magazines is a great motivating tool.
- Running can be and should be a family event (if your spouse or partner is a better runner, have him/her push a jogging stroller with a kid in it and you will be able to level the running field).
- Drink plenty of water.
- If you feel guilty having a rest day, then, do some cross training (biking, swimming, etc.) so your body still gets some exercise.
- Running can be viral (you don't realize it, but once you run, you inspire others to take up the sport).
- It has alot to do with getting into a rhythm (still working on this, but having a certain rhythm to my strides help me as a runner).

The Bicycle Commuter Act of 2009 enables employers to offer bike vouchers to their employees up to $240 per year.  These pre-tax bike vouchers can be used like cash for bike related maintenance and bike related purchases.  This is a great incentive that employers offer to their employees to encourage commuting via bike. 

Find out from your employer today to see whether this benefit is offered.  For more information, please visit the following website, www.bikeleague.org