2016 Reading Challenge: January

As I have mentioned before, I'm challenging myself to read 125 books this year, with 12 of those being from this reading challenge.

I didn't really know where to start on this list, but the first book jumped out at me during a trip to Target. Lindsey Stirling had just released an autobiography, and there it was on the end cap, 30% off and begging me to read it. So the first pick was "a book published this year".

Pause. I know some of you are saying, wait who's that? Here is your answer:

I owe my discovery of her to my husband, who first started listening to her music on YouTube around 3 years ago. We both quickly fell in love with her music and I've probably watched all her videos at least 20 times.

We even saw her in concert back in 2013:

Okay, I'm getting off topic, back to the book. I knew a little bit about how she got her break, but I figured it would be interesting. So I put The Only Pirate at the Party in my basket and it came home with me. 

I'm the kind of reader who has to read a new book immediately. However, I also have a rule where I only read one book at a time. So, I came home, finished what I was reading (a Pretty Little Liars novel, no judgment), and cracked it open. 

I was greeted with this surprise:

The publisher had scattered a bunch of limited edition autographed (it's in real pen, not printed, I checked) copies to distributors! 

I flew through reading this book. I'm a fast reader, but the tone this was written in made it so I didn't want to stop. I've read a lot of autobiographies and a lot of them are written in a way that screams "oh I'm so cool look at all the great things I've done." But, Lindsey's is different. She's open about the struggles she faced in her life getting started as a musician. She's also very open about her battle with anorexia, something most celebrities don't talk about.

The other thing about her book is that its like having a conversation with your cool, goofy, slightly disgusting(there's a very colorful description about meeting fans while having the stomach flu) best friend. 

One thing the media nerd in me has always found interesting is her climb to fame through YouTube. Until a few years ago, that just wasn't something that happened. People had to get discovered the traditional way, which she tried. She even made it to the semi-finals of America's Got Talent before being shut down by the judges. In the book she talks about how she kind of blazed her own trail in every part of her success. Dubstep violin music was a new thing. YouTubers who listened to their fans was a new thing. 

Overall, it was a fantastic read, and I highly reccomend it if you are interested in violins, music, humor, pirates, or just like reading books about YouTube sensations.

Rating: 5 Stars

#CovergirlVoxBox

It's been a long time since Influenster has chosen me for a Vox Box, but I finally got picked last month!

The best part? I got chosen to test out some new products from Covergirl, the Plumpify Mascara by BlastPRO and Colorlicious Oh Sugar vitamin infused balm.

 

The Mascara:

I've said before on here that mascara is my favorite type of makeup. I'm not ashamed to admit that I have great eyelashes, and a good mascara only makes them better. This was my first time using a non-waterproof mascara, but to be honest I didn't even notice that it wasn't. It stayed on really well (even when I forgot to take my makeup off before going running). It doesn't get clumpy and gross like some mascaras do, and it dries quickly so I didn't have those funny marks below my eyebrows from wet mascara. I give it 5 stars.

The before and after

The Lip Balm:

Recently I've been liking lipstick more and more. It used to seem like an old lady thing to wear, but after Covergirl released their limited edition Star Wars collection, I jumped right in to the lipstick world and haven't looked back. I bring up lipstick because that's what this is more like. It says lip balm, but it's pretty heavily tinted and wears very well. I would call it more of a "hydrating lipstick" than a balm. I have the "Sprinkle" color and it looks great with my pale complexion!

A big thanks to Influenster for letting me try out these products, I can't wait to test more!

Blog Refresh

If you've been around a while, you may notice that the blog got a facelift (and a new URL) today!

I've been playing around with changing my blog for the last few weeks. While I do want to blog about running and fitness, I also want it to be about other thing, more of an all encompassing blog for my life.

Running isn't my only hobby (*gasp*). I love reading, and I have a goal of reading 125 books in 2016. I want to be able to highlight the ones that stand out.

I also want to incorporate the 2016 Book Challenge into my blog.

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I also enjoy movies, something that I don't always have time to explore, but something that I make time for around Oscar time. Stay tuned as I watch and review all the Best Picture nominees (announced this morning!)

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I also want to document places I travel this year (although those trips may be mainly running related, that won't be the only thing I'll be doing there. I hope to at least visit a few tourist spots)

The final thing that I wanted to incorporate a bit of professional blogging. That is, about the advertising campaigns and marketing efforts I see around me.

All of these things together have led me to change the name of the blog from "See Leah Run" (which I never really liked to begin with) to "Leah Elizabeth", to more encompass all the aspects of my life.

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for my first Oscar viewing!

Monday Motivation

Training in winter is both the best and the worst.

It's the best because it's not 95* with 100% humidity.

It's the worst because of pretty much everything else. It gets dark at 5 p.m. The precipitation is cold (Summer rain is amazing to run in. Winter rain, not so much. Snow is bearable.) Figuring out the appropriate layering combination is a skill that takes weeks to figure out, and by the time you finally get the hang of it, it starts to get warm again.

I decided I needed an extra motivation push to get through what is sure to be a cold run tonight, considering it's noon and only 33* outside.

This week's motivation is:

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Yeah it's cold and gross and going home and curling up with a book sounds a lot better than running at night in the freezing cold. But I have an ultra in 33 days to conquer. I've got this.

Edit later: Of course there's also the treadmill when you have unexpected things come up and won't be able to get your run in until late. One way or another some miles are calling my name tonight!

2016 Goals

2016 will mark my 4th year of running, and I have some big goals this year!

1. Run as many Race 13.1 races as possible. I bought myself a season pass and my friend Morgan and I have a pact to fit in as many as possible! (We've already signed up for Wilmington).
2. Run in at least one new state. Considering I've only ever run in Virginia and North Carolina, that shouldn't be hard. (South Carolina, Maryland, and Tennessee are on my radar).
3. Finish an ultramarathon. I'm signed up for Holiday Lake 50K on February 13, so here goes nothing!
4. Run at least 1000 miles. I signed up for the 2016 Gold Challenge to keep myself accountable. I've knocked out 10.5 miles and have some more on tap on my treadmill tonight. 
5. Be more selective about races. My husband will appreciate this goal since it will mean I spend less this year ;) But really I'm aiming to be more strategic about the races I sign up for to get the most bang for my buck. This is one of the main reasons I purchased a race pass for Race 13.1 this year.

Other fitness related goals:

1. Do some kind of fitness activity every day. So far I'm 3/3 (I'm not counting today yet since it's not over). Running, walking the dog, strength training, and even stretching count! Because I'm sure I'll need a few days of foam rolling after my 50K.
2. Be better at meal planning. I'm so bad at planning out what I'm eating for the week and it usually ends in me eating one of the Easy Mac containers I have stashed in my desk. I've learned that spending an hour portioning out things and making all the lunches for the week is so worth it! I just need to actually commit to doing it. 

 On top of these, I'm also hoping to blog more (I know I say this all the time, but I'm going to try!)

Stay tuned for more 2016 adventures :)