Merry Christmas and A Happy Stomach Bug!

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone is having a great holiday season so far! My youngest ended up getting the stomach bug. We spent Christmas Eve with plenty of ginger ale, Pedialyte, and back rubs for the most part. Good thing Santa didn't come down with it, the boys were thrilled with their presents.

The hubby got me a pair of new running sneakers - I was stoked. I know you're only supposed to run a few hundred miles in your shoes, but I just can't give up my Nike Pre's. I haven't found a shoe that compared to them weight wise, but for stability reasons and my distance that is going to be increasing soon, my husband bought me Brooks. I'm excited to hit the pavement with them.

It's Already December?

I know they say, time goes by faster than you think - but boy I feel it now! It's already December and soon enough Christmas and New Years will be knocking on my door. I always like to keep ideas on the back burner for Christmas gifts for my family. For my two boys, it's fairly simple and easy to shop for. They are huge sports fans just like their dad. Anything New York Giants will do (we love Victor Cruz in our house).

But for my husband - I feel like he has everything under the sun! It's always hard to try and find something he doesn't have that he could possibly want. I've been on a hunt for the perfect gift to put under the tree this year but have been coming up short. (Sorry honey, if you're reading this!) I love a great mutually beneficial gift that we can share and experience together. A few years ago, I got him a couples massage certificate for after the stressful holidays - it was great! I'm a true believer in those type of gifts. You get to bond together and you also get to reap the benefits too :)

I guess I will continue my hunt for the perfect gift - but I better get a move on!

Keep Things Fresh!

Eating healthy is a huge part of my life. It is a main component of my day-to-day and I strongly believe it corresponds with your daily energy levels. Working an 8 hour day along with morning exercises and recreational soccer and volleyball leagues, it's sometimes hard to find that last burst of energy to function.

As for my diet, it consists of a lot of salads, egg whites, grilled chicken, fruits, veggies with the occasional red meat and potatoes. I tend to throw pasta in the mix as well, maybe a little more than needed (I can't help it.) Take it from me, this can get boring at times and it is imperative to switch up your routine to keep you persistent.

One thing I will add is that I do allow myself a "cheat day." This could range from a Monday night football game with pizza and wings to a "Taco Thursday" with my husband and two boys. Of course, they are all for these types of days because they get their mom for an eating buddy that day. This also helps myself remain in line with my diet, keeping things fresh and motivating myself to eat healthy during the week for that one rewarding day-o-goodies that I look forward to.

I will leave you with this fine advice below that I believe everyone should follow

Speak soon!
Q.

Traditions

McAdams tradition: Go on a nice, long hike the first day of fall.

September 22nd brings joyful sounds of my boys and I walking through the trails in our backyard. My husband and I started this tradition when we were dating and continued it with our two boys. It's one of my favorite days of the year... besides when they go back to school but that's a post for another day...

My two boys absolutely love the outdoors - especially when it comes to hiking. It's a great way to keep them out of the house and playing video games all day, and it's also a great way to tire them out. During summer vacation, it is almost impossible to have them sit down for dinner at the house. Can't say I'm complaining one bit - it's definitely a plus when my husband and I are extremely active. Having kids has not slowed us down a bit, and it makes us still feel young as "late twenty-somethings." 

We are truly blessed.

Q.

Best Time of Year

I'll admit it - every time my alarm clock goes off at 6AM, I want to scream. HOW can it be that time already? I feel like I just went to bed. It can't be.

But it is.

Fall is an amazing time to go trail running and also happens to be my favorite season. The temperature is a lot lower than it has been in the previous months and the leaves are changing colors which makes for a beautiful landscape. The way the sun is just coming over the horizon is re-engerizing when you just start out that morning.

It's a new day! A new chance to conquer this run. A new sense of motivation that creeps in me to do better for my body, mind and soul. The sound of the leaves underneath my feet, the smell of the mildewy grass surrounding the area, there's nothing like it!

Another great thing that I adore about trail running is it unlocks hidden hiking trails that I take mental notes about for a later time. Yes, I do love running and the feeling it gives you, but it's also nice to switch things up and go for a long hike. It gives you a work out more than you'd ever imagine, and I'm usually more sore after those hikes than expected. It's strenuous on your body and makes you realize you had muscles in places you never thought possible!

One last thing - I believe there's nothing better to finish off a great morning work out than with egg whites and spinach. I absolutely believe you need to replenish your body after all the hard work you put it through. Nutrition is vital when exercising. Just like after any long road trip - you need to refill the gas tank!

On a final note, my problem with outdoor running: always forgetting you have to run back.
Q.

The State of Being Happy

hap·pi·ness: noun \ˈha-pē-nəs\

        : the state of being happy

                www.merriam-webster.com

Happiness.
What is happiness? According to Merriam-Webster, happiness means the state of being happy. But have we ever really sat down and thought about what truly brings us to that state or feeling.

Everyone has been through their fair share of ups and downs in their lifetime - I know I have. It's seems cliche to say that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. However, I feel like there is so much truth behind that statement. In my eyes, you have to go through the trials and tribulations in life to find out what really makes you happy, which leads me to my next point...

Positivity.
Having a positive outlook on life can change your entire perspective on anything. Looking at the glass half full, rather than half empty is a motto I love to live by. Why take the negatives out of every situation? It will only bring you down. When you focus on the problems rather than the solutions, you stay stuck. Life is too short to worry about things that haven't worked out in your favor. 

Staying positive brings positive results. 

"A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor." - English Proverb
Q.

Finding That Motivation...

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Believe you can and you're halfway there?" I believe Theodore Roosevelt was on to something with this. 

Let's face it, we've all had those days before the gym when you just are so tired and lack any type of motivation to go there. My theory is, getting there is 80% of the battle. Once you're there, more often than not, you rise to the occasion and absolutely crush your workout. I've found that a lot of days where I thought I was "too tired" to do my workout, I ended up doing more than what I had planned for..

A big motivating factor for myself is knowing how I will feel after I complete that last rep, sprinting that last interval, climbing that last hill. There is nothing more rewarding than setting the bar and surpassing it. 

I signed up for my half marathon last January with a little bit of panic tapping me on my shoulder. I mean, I had always been an athlete, played collegiate sports, and had a knack for running. But 13.1 miles? That seemed to be excessive.

After a few months of training, the day of the race came. Nerves had officially settled in at the starting line. Putting my headphones in, I had finally calmed down telling myself this was going to be an exhilarating experience and besides, I had spent all spring training for this! 

One goal: to finish, without walking.

Fast forward to post 13.1, and I felt on top of the world.  I actually ran 13.1 miles at a constant pace and did not stop to walk once! That was huge! I didn't quite get my time I had hoped for, but I reminded myself that it was my first race ever and I had achieved my one goal I set for myself.

Key takeaway for future motivation: set achievable goals and you will feel amazing when you surpass them. 

What motivates you?
Q.

Well Hello There!

Bonjour Bloggersphere!

Quinn McAdams here. Here is a little tid about myself:

First off, I am a HUGE sports fanatic. I love playing soccer, volleyball, going for a run and find myself constantly on the lookout for new activities. I actually just ran my first half marathon this past spring and fell in love with the whole long-distance aspect. To me, running is such a high that creates this feeling of freedom and relaxation - There's nothing like it!

The inner tomboy in me surfaces ever-so-often - not only when it comes to sports, but also when it comes to hiking or going camping for the weekend. I love the outdoors and "roughin' it." I also grew up going fishing with my dad and brother and still find it extremely peaceful (but more times than not frustrating).

Eating healthy is extremely important and I believe it is a key player in your energy levels. This goes for your workouts as well as your day-to-day routines. However, in the words of the TV show Parks and Rec, I believe you should "Treat Yo Self" once in a while!

I guess that’s all I have right now – can’t wait to post more in the future!

Tata for now!

Q.