Why not?

Its that time of year when I get the emails from the Chicago Marathon, trying to convince me to run again this year. I did it the first time in '08, one of those random challenges I decided to take on, I trained completely by myself, and ran it completely by myself. Even though my brother-in-law and Uncle were running it too. Result: I finished the marathon with an ITB injury I sustained around mile 16 or 17, but I was determined to finish it no matter what. I went a long time without seeing my family cheering me on and when I finally saw them at 23, I broke down and started bawling because of the pain. My little sister jumped in and ran the last 3 miles with me.. well if you could call it running at that point. But I finished:

Then came my second Marathon in '09, I don't want to toot my own horn, but I apparently inspired my family members to get in to it and as a result my Dad and older sister decided to run it. I hit a lot of road blocks with this one too, I hurt my back, as well as my knee over the summer during the critical training phase. It was about 5-6 weeks out and I wasn't going to run. I was devestated, I was so excited to be able to run with my Dad and my sister. So I told myself I was fine and did it any ways. The result: I once again finished and once again had an injury. But more than anything I learned a really important lesson: I could do it if I really set my mind to it, especially with the amazing support of my family.

So I'm sure some of you are thinking that I'm crazy to be considering doing it again after having multiple injuries and no decision has been made. But I am determined to complete the marathon without an injury and to get that time that I truly deserve! So if anyone out there wants to register.. Here is the link:http://www.chicagomarathon.com/cms400min/chicago_marathon/

Tunes

Every runner I know, with the exception of my Dad, listens to some tunes while running. I have found this can have a HUGE impact on your run. Music is awesome because there are songs for your every mood: Angry/Frustrated: Evanessence and Green Day, Happy/Upbeat: Black Eyed Peas and just about everything on Kiss Fm and B96, Mellow: Country works well for this, and Michael Buble fits into all categories! :) He's a personal favorite! But whatever your mood is, it is important to recognize the mood you are in and choose music accordingly to have the best workout possible! Otherwise you will become bored during your run and not have a very good run.
Another music trick is your Power Song. The Power Song, is the one song that for one reason or another really gets you going. It has been proven that if you use a poser song, you run faster during the duration of that song. It is recommended that you use the song when you are having a hard time pushing yourself farther during your run.
My Power Song: Nysnc: Here We Go.. No idea why but it always works!
Try it! What's your power song?

DON'T BE AFRAID... of Color!

So many times people are afraid to use color in their houses, living spaces, offices etc. My philosophy is the more color the better! Color is awesome because it affects so many things, it can affect one's mood positively or negatively, it can make a space seem larger or smaller, and the obvious thing is that it can brighten up a room or make it dull.

Most people like to go with Neutral colors in their living room, family room areas, which is fine as long as you have some accent colors. If you are too afraid to take the plunge and do an entire room one significant color, other than beige or white, then do an accent wall. This is a great way to bring color into the room and it will become the focal point in the room, so best NOT to do it on an ugly wall that you don't want people to notice! There are the warm colors and the cool colors, that psychologically affect people in different ways.

But really why not try some color? If you are having a hard time deciding on the color, awesome companies like Benjamin Moore and Loews and Home Depot give out samples of the color. Paint a swatch on the wall and see which color you like the best for the effect you are going for!

In my house, the family room, living room and dining room are all neutrals with accent colors, and features. The bedrooms however are a different story.

This is the one wall in my bedroom, and yes you are seeing that correctly it is BRIGHT YELLOW! Being in this room you can't help but be in a good mood!

Another aspect of my room are the dressers that are painted a bright green. These dressers are not very good and I'm pretty sure my mom got them out of someone's garbage...but they work well for us and they have been painted numerous times! A can of paint or even spray paint can make all the difference in a space. Painting the dressers was an easy and cheap fix to them being ugly, and changing the knobs is a great way to change the style of a piece.

Moral of this blog: BE BOLD, BE DARING!

Rollercoaster of Design

As I am sure, you are all aware, the economy SUCKS! It is especially hard on those people in the design world, specifically Architects, Interior Designers and Construction workers. According to statistics in 2009, architects were hit the worst with job losses, etc. As an Interior Designer, in training I guess since I am still working on the 2 yrs of experience before I am take my liscensing exam, it has been especially hard to find a job. I was lucky enough to land a contractor position back in July, but it is far from ideal and I don't get to show off or even really use my talents. So I decided to take matters into my own hands and make it work!

In order to do this I have done a few things:

1. I have officially ordered a subscription to Architectural Digest! Gotta love the Professional discount!

2. I started this blog as a way to, well I don't know get myself out there more?

3. I have been searching like crazy for a job that works for me and will actually let me design, or do more than just being a CAD monkey!

To all my designers out there, stay tough! There is something out there, it is just a matter of when we will get to it! We can do it!

Don't be afraid to shoot for the moon!

Running Rules

As many of you runners know, there is are certain rules required to survive those runs. In Mark Remy's article: A Few Rules to Run By, which can be found in Runner's World Magazine, he so eloquently and humorously, I might add, tells us the rules.
Check it out! For any runner, these rules are right on!http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-267--13385-0,00.html

Running Design

Running Design? I know it is probably a strange name, but I see it in two ways.
First: To me design is so much more than just a quick fix or a quick selection of paint colors to complete a room. It is a constantly changing, ever-developing idea or concept that evolves from a broad thought to a finished design. It is a running concept that starts out slow and then picks up pace but might hit some road blocks, and despite all the trials and errors, you are satisfied with the end result!
Second: To me running is such a great way to experience design. Think of all of the houses, buildings, cars, signs, etc. that a person runs past, each and every one of these items was selectively chosen and designed into what it is today. For me, running increases my passsion for design! Try it sometime! Run and be aware of your surroundings, taking in the beauty of each thing that has been created!

Hello to the Blogging world!

Hello to my fellow bloggers and readers,
I've been meaning to start a blog for a long time, and my sister jokingly asked me "What would you write about?". So I've decided to write about two of my passions in life: Running and Interior Design, hence: Running Design. Stay tuned for some great interior design and architectural tips and running strategies... Bear with me as I figure out the blogging world!