It’s a new year and that means it’s the time of year when lots of us are setting goals. I was able to accomplish several goals in 2015, so I thought I’d get really crazy this year with my goal-setting this year. Just to see if I can make it happen.

What’s crazier than trying to train for a marathon in a year?

Is that even possible? How can you get started? Read on to see!

By the way, the Laugh and Learn linky is back! Be sure to read our favorite features from the last party and get a dose of more homeschooling, parenting, and homemaking inspiration below!

Note: I am not a fitness expert. Please consult a medical professional before beginning any diet or exercise regimen.

Can You Train for a Marathon in a Year?

I realize that the idea of training for a marathon in a year sounds pretty extreme. But it’s actually fairly doable. You just start with a 5K, then work your way up to a 10K and a half-marathon. In general, if you can do a half-marathon and not die – then a marathon isn’t out of the question. 🙂

Here’s why I think I can do it in 2016.

• I’m not brand new to running. Before I got pregnant with Piglet, I had become an avid runner with the group Black Girls Run. I even completed a half-marathon back in 2012. (In fact, I was two days pregnant, but I didn’t know it at the time.)
• I really, really miss the feeling of being that active. At my peak with the run group, I was running three times a week. I lost weight, got stronger, and generally felt awesome.
• Completing a marathon by age 35 has been on my bucket list for some time. I’ll be 33 this summer, so time’s a ticking.
• I LOVE challenges! Nothing motivates me more than setting a ridiculous goal and meeting it.

So I’m starting a brand new series here on the blog: Couch to Marathon! That way, you can see how I do this year! I’ll be sharing running inspiration, my monthly playlists, and even some suggestions for running along with your kids!

Tigger and I are currently training for our first 5K together, so I should have plenty of do’s and don’ts to share in a few weeks. 😉 Completing the 5K is on my list of goals for January 2016.

Resources to Help You Train for a Marathon in a Year:

If you want detailed training plans and advice, check out these awesome running resources!

• Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide: Advice, Plans, and Programs for Half and Full Marathons
• Your First Marathon: A Beginners Guide To Marathon Training, Marathon Preparation and Completing Your First Marathon
• Runner’s World Big Book of Marathon and Half-Marathon Training: Winning Strategies, Inpiring Stories, and the Ultimate Training Tools

Have you ever run a marathon? How was it? Please share your experiences in the comments!

Onward to the linky!

We are back on schedule! We hope each and every one of you enjoyed your time with your family. I know we sure did. This week we have some fun features from the last linkup!

Welcome to our 64th week of Laugh and Learn – Home & Family Linkup!
Laugh and Learn Linkup will be open by 6 am every Tuesday morning.
New: We have decided to expand our linkup to home and family categories! You are still welcome to share homeschooling or parenting posts with us. That will always be part of the #LaughLearnLinkup!

Each and every week, all of the hosts will pick one favorite post to be featured on the next week’s linkup. All of your links will be shared on four blogs.

We are also sharing the top four posts on Pinterest: #LaughLearnLinkup {Featured Favorites}. It’s added exposure for your awesome content!
Reminder: Please share this linkup! You can help us build a great family, home, parenting, and homeschool group.

Your Fabulous Hosts 😉

Tina


Tina lives abroad in Latin America with her husband and four children. Currently in Mexico, Tina is active in homeschool, travel, and her Bible ministry. She blogs about all of their adventures, and more at Los Gringos Locos.
Find Tina at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Google +
Linkedin
Instagram

Selena


Selena is a writer and a homeschooling mom to four kids, including three with ADHD/SPD. Selena and her husband, Jay, are committed to teaching their children at home and loving every minute of it! You can read about the family’s homeschooling experiences at Look! We’re Learning, written by Selena!
Find Selena at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Google +
Instagram

Sarah


Sarah lives in Kentucky, USA, where she and her husband homeschool three children. Sarah writes for and about, families with special needs. She hopes to provide support and encouragement to all special needs parents in the homeschool community. Visit Sarah at Dedicated Homeschooler.
Find Sarah at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
Twitter

Haley


Haley hopes to encourage stay at home moms. She wants to help them learn how to make an extra income, to stretch a budget, to make crafts, and other useful information. Haley always has updates on the kids, and their funny antics. Visit Haley at Haley’s Vintage Finds & Deals.
Find Haley at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram
Twitter
Google+
YouTube
Stumble Upon

 

Grab a Button / Badge:

If you were featured this week, we would love for you to use this badge below. We really appreciate all your hard work, and sharing with us each and every week!

<a href="http://haleysvintage.com/category/laugh-and-learn-linkup/" title=“Laugh and Learn Linkup”><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="I was featured at Laugh and Learn Linkup: Join us every Tuesday to share your favorite home or family posts!" data-src="http://haleysvintage.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/12305728_10207076049651639_1566957594_n.jpg" decoding="async" class="lazyload" /><noscript><img src="http://haleysvintage.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/12305728_10207076049651639_1566957594_n.jpg" alt="I was featured at Laugh and Learn Linkup: Join us every Tuesday to share your favorite home or family posts!" data-eio="l" /></noscript></a>

We would also love if you could use this badge on any post you shared with us. Or a text link would also be greatly appreciated. More shares and links helps us build a better and bigger linkup for all us to benefit from.

<a href="http://haleysvintage.com/category/laugh-and-learn-linkup/" title=“Laugh and Learn Linkup”><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Laugh and Learn Linkup: Join us every Tuesday to share your favorite home or family posts!" data-src="http://haleysvintage.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/12319800_10207076061571937_1517008743_n.jpg" decoding="async" class="lazyload" /><noscript><img src="http://haleysvintage.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/12319800_10207076061571937_1517008743_n.jpg" alt="Laugh and Learn Linkup: Join us every Tuesday to share your favorite home or family posts!" data-eio="l" /></noscript></a>

Tina’s pick for this week…

Note from Tina:
Homeschooling linkups can be hard to find. I wanted to share this new one with our fellow homeschoolers who are looking to mingle or network. Enjoy!

Selena’s pick for this week…

Sarah’s pick for this week…

Note from Sarah:
I seem to get a little more organized each year. Perhaps by the time my youngest graduates I’ll have it all figured out.. In the meantime, here are some excellent tips from brightideaspress that really work.

Haley’s pick for this week…

Note from Haley:
I am NOT a morning person, and neither are my two youngest. I hoping they get better as they get older, but until then these tips will help.

Thanks to everyone who submitted a post. Please check out the post above by clicking on the image. If you enjoyed these picks as much as we did, please share them also!

Have you joined our Pinterest Board yet?

Follow Tina Ernspiker’s board #LaughLearnLinkup {Featured Favorites} on Pinterest.

Now give us your best posts!