2014 Went Like This…

As I sit here thinking about the last year and so thankful for everything. 2014 has been a really really good year and when I set my goals for this past year I tried to be realistic. You can read that post here. 

Main goal: Live in the present. Be present. Laugh and Be Happy. Room for improvement 😉

Running: I ran a Personal Best/Records in 5 k, 10 k and Half Marathon over the course of the year. On top of that I reached my 1000 km on November 29th! I wrote down all my runs in my old fashion running book and am finally able to say that I am proud of my running!

Running Log Book

Total kilometers run in 2014: 1023 km

Family: It took me all year to not stress about doing “stuff” with and for my girls like crafts and music. I’m not talented in those areas and put way too much stress on trying to do it. I just have to keep things simple and share with them what I’m comfortable with. It was a hard year with Sai being away a lot but we got through it and hoping 2015 will be better.

Blog: I managed to write 4-5 posts a week; blog for TOTS Family here and followed a lot of new bloggers (and tried to comment).

Personal: I didn’t read more  or get better sleep. I did reach my ultimate weight by the spring somehow – completely unplanned at that point. Between family, people at work or people I haven’t seen in months I had many comments about my weight! At first it was nice and then it just got awkward for me…was I really THAT big before? You can only hear so many times “Wow, You’ve lost a lot of weight” or “Skinny mini” so many times before it’s starts to bother you.

Anna weight loss 2014

Sai and I managed to get out for a number of date nights or lunch dates when he was home – bonus! And I ran/worked out a lot 4-6 days a week!

All in all – not a bad year!

I also did monthly goals which kinda happened last-minute and completely unplanned but I went with it. A few of my top posts from each month:

January: My first race of the year was the MEC 5k in Halifax. A wet, wet run!

Me, excited to run in the rain!

February: I managed to get out cross-country skiing and snowshoeing for work! Love my job! Oh, and took Lilly skating for the first time!

Daddy's girls :)

March: I was able to  take Lilly skiing! I tried: Speed skating and Sledge Hockey and I ran my first SUB 30 Minute 5k 🙂

march 3 ski lilly

April: I ran my first ever Virtual 5k run (Keep Calm and Run On) on my treadmill and participated in Around The World Running Bloggers Relay Challenge. I also ran a new 5k PB during my lunch break and then later in the month got some new kicks! 

New PB Anna

May: This was a BIG month and I was working hard towards a sub 60 minute 10k. I managed it during a training run but then had a new 10k PB of 57:19 at the Bluenose Marathon I was so nervous for that race I actually got really emotional beforehand! Lilly also ran her first 2k run!

May 2014 PR

June: Is a special month for us as Lilly get’s to celebrate her birthday! She turned 4 this year! We also had a lot of soccer this summer 🙂  I ran the EPIC Canadian 10k and it kicked my butt!

PR The Sherwoods

July: This was the start of HOT summer days when running outside after 9 am or before 8 pm just wasn’t a good idea! I played in a soccer tournament and had a tone of fun at the Gunn Baldursson and turned 34 and felt like I was “Rungry” all the time. This could have been because I was starting my training for my half marathon.

PR Soccer Gunn Pool Hair Cut

August: August was supposed to be a month to focus on training but I ended up registering for a 10k pretty last-minute. I ran the “A Shore Thing” with my running buddy Krystol and a good friend who lives away. It was a lot of fun!

Oh, I almost forgot….July 29th my car died and we had to get a new one. This was an interesting few days – so glad that is behind us and I now have a safe car for my little family. We ended the summer with a family vacation in PEI… Cow’s Ice Cream, swimming at the hotel pool and just being together 🙂

PR Summer vacation

September: This was another exciting month! I ran my first double race at Maritime Race Weekend – the Tartan Twosome 5k and 10k. The plan wasn’t to go for a Personal Best in either race but somehow I managed to pull it off. It was such a fun event and well-organized/promoted! Then I got a little worried about not tapering and wrote Hal Higdon – he wrote me back!

PS – I’ve already signed up for the Maritime Race Weekend – Tartan Twosome 2015 – 5k and Half Marathon.

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October: This was the big month I was working towards all year-long! My Half Marathon month! My long runs had become routine in our family and I always had my gear ready to go. Our girls would help me stretch after I returned. I ran the Valley Harvest Half Marathon in 2:05:10, a 28 minute PB and ran the BLT Fun run

How Much Gear Does One Need For A Long Run?

November: My husband and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary and managed a trail run togetherI even managed to hit my 1000 kilometer goal for the year!

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Goal reached!

1000 Kilometers PR

December: This will be known as the month of the family flu and injury 😦 No pictures necessary!

I was aiming to run 111 km this month to have 1111 km for the year. However a soccer injury to my hamstring changed those plans and I only ran 23 km!!! Win some, lose some…at least I wasn’t training for a race and had the holidays to spend with my family!

More importantly, we celebrated Hilary’s 2nd birthday and Sai’s birthday too! We had a great Christmas together 🙂

PR Hilary's Birthday 2

 That’s it…that’s been my year!

medals monday

Lots of bling for 2014!

 If you are still reading……..Thanks!

How was YOUR year? 

What was your favourite moment/event of 2014?

Keeping any 2014 goals for 2015?

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas from Piper’s Run

Yeah, it’s Christmas! 

Hope you all have a lovely day!

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Merry Christmas from Piper's Run Family

 

Cheers from our family to your’s!

Little One Piper, Mama Piper, Big Sister Piper and Papa Piper 🙂

Piper’s Run 2nd Blogiversary!!!

It’s been 2 years since I started this blog, what a journey it has been. My first “hello” post here. This will be my 400th post! There are over 300 of you that subscribe to my blog or at some point did {thanks for not deleting your subscription}. Lots of Facebook peeps, Twitter followers and a few Bloglovin’ friends. Thanks! It’s been a fun two years and I’ve really enjoyed this community…I’ve sure learned a lot!

I thought it would be fitting to do a little “Who’s Piper’s Run” and Amy over at Fitness Meets Frosting had this survey up a while back, so I thought it would be a good start for you to get to know me {again}.

Survey:

Your Hair: Med-long, straight jet-black with a little salt in there 🙂

Tired Mama & Hilary at 3 months old.

Tired Mama & Hilary at 3 months old.

Your Mother: Amazing, strong, funny, hardworking, role model, confident, intelligent, knowledgeable, family focused, selfless, trustworthy, grandmother….simply the best!

My Mom and Dad, xo

My Mom and Dad, xo

Your Father: Ski-bum, teacher, drop-anything-to-help-you, selfless, lover of puns, remote-hogger, learner, determined, born for winter, get’s excited like a kid when the snow falls, hardworking, role model, inspirational, grandfather….irreplaceable.

Three generations skiing ~ March 21st 2013

Three generations skiing ~ March 21st 2013

Your Favourite Thing: My girls; Lillian Mae (3.5 years old) and Hilary Elise (1 year).

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Brrrr, it’s cold outside!
Lillian 3.5 years and Hilary 1 years old!

Your Dream Last Night: No dreams.

Your favourite drink: Hummm…well maybe Silk Chocolate Milk or this punch I make {Lime sherbert, Seven-Up and Pineapple Juice – yum….and feel free to add a little Malibu rum in there…just sayin’}

Your Dream/Goal:

Dream: To hike Mount Kilimanjaro with my family.

Goal: To simply be happy in life (even have a tattoo to prove it).

The Room You Are In: Kitchen

Your Fear – Spiders and not being a family of four.

Where do you want to be in six years: In our forever home with my husband, 7 and 9-year-old girls…oh my! Happy, health and still running.

Where were you last night? Home with the girls, worked out {Ripped in 30 level 1} – felt great}

What are you not: Always Confident.

Muffins: Banana chocolate chip or Pumpking Vegan Muffins…not wait….chocolate vegan mint cup cakes. Cup cakes count, right?

One of your wish list items: 

Materialistic: Foam roller and new running gloves. Mine have a hole in both index fingers for picking your nose…I mean using your phone 😉

General: My family of four to be together all the time.

Where you grew up: Halifax, Nova Scotia, CANADA!

The last thing you did: Pulled all the bags (diaper bag, Lilly’s bag and my purse) together.

What are you wearing: Dark Brown corduroy pants, cream long-sleeved sweater and my black Blundstones. Easy and comfortable for a full day of sitting in meetings and driving.

Your Pets: Maclean, 11. Our retired sled dog.

2008: First day together :)

2008: First day together 🙂

Your Computer: Lap top & Desk top.

Missing Someone: 

Non-living: My grandparents. If I could only know what you think of my little family.

Living: My husband (been away for almost two weeks now).

sai s

Your Car: 2001 Honda Civic … Murphy, you’re getting up there, hang in buddy.

Something you are not wearing: A necklace.

Favourite Store: Well, if you look at my debt/credit card statements it would say “Superstore” (Canadian grocery store) but really it’s not. I don’t think I have a favourite store.

Your Summer: Joyful, fun, swimming.

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Like Someone: Yeah, I kinda like my husband…….kidding, I love ya!

Your favourite Colour: Colbolt blue and purple.

When was the last time you laughed: Belly laughed yesterday at lunch with a co-worker/friend. It was GREAT!

Last time you cried: Monday night out of frustration with the girls during bath time. We were all tired and it ended in tears 😦

What is one thing on your to-do list? Packing up for a day trip to Halifax….family birthday celebrations for little Hilary.

What “one thing” are you excited about? The BIG snow storm coming this weekend … 20 -30 cm! Saawweeet! (I added this question).

Favourite workout: Soccer, Running and then any intense DVD workout. (I added this question too).

Anna soccer  10 years ago

Now it’s your turn…tell me about yourself:

1. Answer a few of the above questions

OR

2. Re-post it on your blog and share the link in the comments.

Happy Friday!

A to Z about Piper’s Run

Piper’s Run, A to Zee – Get to know me.

I thought this would be a great time to post this A to Z survey that I saw recently on a blog I follow,  It’s Progression Not Perfection. So, a little about me, Piper’s Run…a.k.a. Anna, Mom, Wife, Runner/Workout etc….

A is for age: 31 (until July) and I’m okay with that number.

B is for breakfast today: 
Coconut Yogurt, Blueberries and Love Grown Granola (sweet cranberry coconut pecan)


C is for currently craving: 
Grapefruit
D is for dinner tonight: 
Home made Quesadilla’s (salsa, black beans, whole wheat wrap, cheese and chicken)


E is for favorite type of exercise:
Soccer, Running, Jillian Michael’s DVD workouts (in that order) and more recently my Plank Challenge – well that might not be my favourite – but it’s fun trying to beat my last time.

F is for an irrational fear: Of Spiders – oh man I can’t stand to see a spider. Now, I won’t kill them (anymore) but I really really don’t like them. When I was a kid, I had nightmares from the “Arachnophobia” movie preview on TV …didn’t even watch the movie but the previews got me.


G is for gross food: 
Raw onions. Cooked, I’m okay with …. like french onion soup, chili or mushrooms and onions. But I can’t do them raw – yuck.

H is for hometown:
Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada)

I is for something important: Daily Physical Activity is important to me. I try to be active every day; whether that’s a walk with our dog, playing outside with our daughter, running or another high intensity activity. Being active daily is important to me.

J is for current favorite jam: Big fan of Raspberry Jam WITH the seeds. Yum yum! OR Jam – as in music – right now, anything that get’s me moving or dancing with our little one.

K is for kids: 1 daughterLilly, who will be 2 this summer.

L is for current location: Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia; or in my kitchen typing away at our computer.

M is for the most recent way you spent money: Groceries: milk, banana’s, and treats for my April foodie penpal!

N is for something you need: New runners – mine are hurting. I can’t even comment on how many kilometers are on them – its way beyond embarrassing.

O is for occupation: I am a Regional Physical Activity Coordinator with the Province of Nova Scotia. I work with community groups, organizations, clubs and schools etc to increase physical activity at the community level; early years to seniors.

P is for pet peeve: When a smoker doesn’t respect non-smokers. ie: smoking outside office windows, blowing smoke in your face, or you use a public washroom after a smoker has just use it – and they just had a smoke, YUCK!

Q is for a quote:”A day in the mountains is worth a mountain of books” John Muir. I actually have a quote book where I write down quotes I like or would like to share with others. But “a day in the mountains..” is one of my top favourite quotes.

R is for random fact about you: I’m peppered in freckles 🙂 When I was a child, a friends mom said to me “Your parents put you in front of a screen door and threw mud at you – that’s why you have freckles”. We both laughed at the time …. and I still can now at that comment. She passed away in a car accident a number of years ago and I truly appreciated her in my life and everything she did for me as a child. I am proud to have those muddy freckles.

S is for favorite healthy snack: Coconut Yogurt and Blueberries


T is for favorite treat:
Cold Junior Mints (I usually keep a box in my fridge and eat a few here and there – they last for days this way).

U is for something that makes you unique: I have a retired sled dog named Maclean – she used to pull sleds for Outward Bound in Ontario. I guess that is unique ?!?!?

V is for favorite vegetable: Asparagus and Sweet Potatoes

W is for today’s workout: 

  • Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred, Level 1.
  • Plank Challenge:  1.5 minutes.
NOTE: I haven’t done Level 1 of the 30 Day Shred in 8 months – it was a nice change; found the cardio not so challenging but focused on proper form. Plank Challenge -first time at 1.5 minutes: oh man my arms are wobbly as I finish writing this post.


X is for X-rays you’ve had:
There are so many….hummm. Wrist, Knee, Ankle and Back.  All were soccer related injuries!

Y is for yesterday’s highlight: Spending Easter Sunday with most of my family.

Z is for your time zone: Atlantic Time Zone (East Coast Canada – woot woot)!

Now, it’s your time to share in the comments below:

P – for Pet peeve?

S – Favourite Healthy Snack ?

W – today’s workout ?