If you are new to running it is recommended that you use the 10 Percent Rule as a guideline when training.  The rule advises not to increase your activity more than 10 percent per week.  This allows for improvement as you push yourself.   When beginning a race keep these suggestions in mind, these tips are from THE NEW RUNNER’S GUIDE TO FINISHING ENDURANCE EVENTS:

I enjoy the convenience of my social network.  It almost seems like business suicide if one decides not to have some sort of social network presence.  After all some of the big name businesses are utilizing social media to generate millions in revenue.  I agree it works.  I’ve seen how successful being active on these sites can help connect you to people you may have never been able to locate.  As with any marketing strategy you will have the experts and the novice users.  There will be stories of how through a simple connection one was able to close the deal of year.  The adverse is also true.  You will read about those that spent countless hours updating, sharing links, blogging and the like with little or no results.  The key, of course is to use your social network as it was intended.  Successful social media gurus will tell you don’t spam, don’t use your connections to just sell yourself, and to use social media etiquette.  There’s many more on the list of guidelines those are just a few I particularly don’t like from my connections, friends, and/or followers.

January traditionally is a time for starting over and making resolutions.  The adage, out with the old and in with the new comes to mind when one year ends and another begins.  While the start of a new year brings new opportunities and possibilities it doesn’t negate the previous years.  We aren’t literally starting over but given a chance to start the next chapter of our life on the right course.  The New Year feels a lot like a blank page.  A page that can be written anyway we want.  This year, 2012, SAGE invites women to be more adventurous, expand their literary horizon, encourage sisterhood and support the community.  Throughout 2012 gals of SAGE will try new things, discuss books, lend a hand in our community, make business connections, and strengthen our family bonds.  SAGE is taking Girls Night Out to a new level.  This year is about living life to its fullest.  Don yourself in your sweats, put on your comfy shoes, no make-up required and join other SAGE members once a month for some much needed fulfilling female bonding.  

One of the most important aspects of planning an event is getting the word out to attendees.  For private events such as weddings, birthday parties or other special events celebrations, the host will need to send out invitations. Invitations can be emailed, texted, mailed, hand delivered, or verbalized through word of mouth.  If you are having an event at a restaurant you may have to ability to use their website to send an electronic invitation.  There are a number of programs to send an electronic invitation.  The advantages of this method is the recipient is able to access the invitation immediately, it’s no fee or low fee depending on the service, no need to mail , you can manage your RSVP online at any time, and it saves paper which is good for the environment.  Most programs will also offer the host, party planning guides, design, and tips.  The event or party planner can manage the details of their party online.  In some circumstances sending an electronic invitation will not be appropriate.  In these cases the traditional method of mailing a paper invitation to attendees will be necessary. Pre-printed invitations can be purchased at discount stores.  Pre-printed invitations include fill in the blank details about the party.  Once the invitations have been penned then they can either be hand delivered or mailed.  Pre-printed invitations are an inexpensive alternative to custom printed invitations.  More creative hosts can opt to create their invitations.  There are dozens of software that can be purchased or templates that can be downloaded to create custom invitations that can be printed at home.  If a more formal invitation is needed one may opt to have a professional company create and print the invitations.   The invitation should mirror the party.  If you are having a casual party the invitation should be casual in theme and nature.  No matter which method you choose, be sure to allow plenty of time for delivery and response.