THURSDAY RUNAVATION

Today’s Runavation

“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”

-Mahatma Gandhi

THURSDAY RUNAVATION

Today’s Runavation

“If you don’t make mistakes, you’re not really trying.”

-Unknown

THURSDAY RUNAVATION

Today’s Runavation

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

-Wayne Gretzky

THURSDAY RUNAVATION

Today’s Runavation

“You want me to do something…tell me I can’t do it.”

-Maya Angelou

THURSDAY RUNAVATION

Today’s Runavation

“Strive for progress, not perfection.”

-Unknown

Resolutions vs. Goals: Start Your New Year Right

By Toni Carey (@toni_carey)

Christmas is over and like checking it off my “to-do” list, I’ve moved on to thinking about the New Year and all the goodness that I hope 2012 will bring.  Needless to say, I’ve started developing my list of New Year’s resolutions that often go ignored somewhere after Jan. 15. But, I’m not the only one. People around the world will start their new year by listing all their “resolutions” for the next 12 months only to stick with them a few weeks before getting frustrated or just plain forgetting about them.

This year, I’m taking a new approach by setting goals rather than listing resolutions. The difference? Resolutions tend to be vague and lack a defined goal or target date. (I want to eat healthier vs. I will eat at least one vegetable during each meal for the next six weeks). Goals have both. Here’s a few ways to be successful in 2012.

Set A Concrete Goal That Can Be Measured

Again, it’s not enough to promise yourself that you’re going to eat healthier. Get specific by defining exactly what healthy means and how you’re going to get there. So, if your goal is to eat healthier, some goals may include:

• Drink 8 – 8oz. glasses of water each day
• Eat breakfast each morning that contains one fruit , one protein and one carb
• Limit daily caloric intake to 1600 calories

Develop a Plan

As much as I hate planning (call me a free spirit), it’s essential in goal setting. I wouldn’t dare go through life without a financial plan, so why would I go through life without a plan for my health? It’s all about identifying the necessary actions and steps you need to take to meet your goal(s). Here’s a few things to consider when developing a plan.

• Evaluate your current position and what needs to change
• For each goal, there should be an action plan to help you achieve your goal
• Do a weekly or bi-weekly check in to make sure you’re on track. The key is to break down goals into manageable pieces.
• Establish milestones and evaluate your progress at each
• Don’t beat yourself up if you fall off track. Just be sure to recover as quickly as possible.

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The Reluctant Runner: (Volume 1) Lesson #1- Get off the Couch and Into Your New Life

By Franchesca Lane-Warren

I am currently in a love/hate relationship. We argue, we fight, I even cheat a little bit on my significant other but today I am going to “lay it all on the table” and hope we can get over this dysfunctional relationship I have with running. Nine months ago, I decided to lace up my old running shoes and hit the pavement (walking at first) so that I could be in better health. At first it was easy..I would go out and walk for about 30 minutes and I would feel accomplished. However when I decided to start a relationship with running it all changed.

You see I wanted to run..heck I needed to run. I was 225lbs and I felt trapped in my own body. I could not fit any of my clothes, I got winded quickly and I was sure that I would continue to gain unless I took drastic steps—fast. I decided I would run but I just could not MAKE myself get out of my house that first time running.

I got dressed, pulled my hair back but my feet were paralyzed from actually leaving my house and running. At first, I thought about all the reasons I could NOT run (it was too hard on my knees, I was too out of shape, black women don’t run). After realizing how stupid I sounded I made my way to the door to open it. Another terrifying thought came to my mind, “what if people laughed at me running?” Wow. That was a thought that nearly made me crawl back in bed and try again the next day.

I sat down and collected my thoughts. Without thinking any further, I bolted out the door to my first Black Girls Run! Atlanta neighborhood run. As I pulled up, I noticed that there were all types of women (big, small, short, skinny) stretching and getting ready to run. As I approached the group, I was welcomed by smiles so my nerves got better. I was going to run—reluctantly. Read more

THURSDAY RUNAVATION

THURSDAY RUNAVATION

Today’s Runavation

-Oprah Winfrey

Sounds of the Pavement: BGR! Debuts Running Mix by DeeJay007

We met Jeff Widgeon, aka: DeeJay007, randomly this summer in Philly. Little did we know that a few months later we’d be collaborating on our second running mix with the music maverick. So you want to know more about the man behind the mix? We sat down with him to talk music, influences and why he wanted to work with us.

BGR: How long have you been DJ’ing? How’d you get started?

DeeJay007: I have been DJ’ing for about 15 years. I have always been a very huge music fan. I liked it a lot when the “mix shows” would come on the

radio because there would be no breaks in between the songs.  My love for music and being fascinated with the movie JUICE kinda got me interested in being a DJ.

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