22 MILES & 8 Reasons Why you should TRAIN with a group

Less than 21 days until I will run my first marathon. Today I did 22 miles, the most I have ever run. Four more miles would have been doable, from both a physical and mental standpoint. That gives me an extra boost of confidence for race day! Running with a group has undeniably helped me get to this point. My long runs would not have been as successful if I was on my own.

My focus for 2015 was CHALLENGE. What better way to challenge myself than run a marathon right (read more here)? On January 1st, with encouragement from my sweet friend Stephanie, we both signed up for Fleet Feet Nashville's marathon training group. I used to HATE running with other people because I'm kind of competitive, so I was a little nervous at first! It was the BEST thing I could have done for myself!

Snowed In and Roasted Sweet Potato, Farro, Kale Salad with Warm Cinnamon-Honey Dressing

If you are making a trip to the grocery store, you should pick up some ingredients to make this rockin' Roasted Sweet Potato Farro Kale Salad with Warm Cinnamon Honey Dressing. This recipe is great for the following situations:

Showing off at a dinner party
Bringing the best salad to a potluck
Providing the only healthy item at a potluck (Are potlucks generally unhealthy or is that just a Southern thing?)
Tricking people into eating something healthy thats actually VERY delicious
Meatless Monday!!!
A warm meal for a snowy day

Running a MARATHON

Here's something I never thought I would do but have always secretly wanted to try. It kind of feels like jumping off a diving board to say this. That might not be a big deal to you, but I HATE swimming and when I was little only a box of Lucky Charms cereal could coax me into the deep end and off of the diving board. My first big CHALLENGE of 2015.

I am running a marathon.

2015 - CHALLENGE: Intention, Connection, and Accountability

In 2014, I played it pretty safe and was armed with a heap of excuses for just about everything. I had flashes of bravery and determination, took a few risks, went out on a limb a couple of times.

Those risks felt good. I learned SO MUCH, even from the small ones. They gave me the courage to take more risks and to challenge myself a little bit more.

That being said, my focus for 2015 is CHALLENGE.