My husband, my youngest daughter and I all ran in our local high school's 5K run fundraiser this weekend. My husband and I were "just going to run for fun" but as the start approached I let on that I wanted to work at my PR (my personal record for this stage in my life... in college my fastest 5K/3.1 miles was 19:35. I haven't gotten anywhere close to that, but as I heal and get back into shape again, I get faster) which was 22:55. He pulled me along-even though he definitely could have taken off, left me and sprinted to his PR-and I finished in 21:53. I am sure the course was about .04 miles short, but I was happy with the work I put in. It was a good day! My post for the day:
Fun 5k, good finish time, 2nd place in my age group. Love running w husband & daughter & missed our other daughter. Raked some leaves, now watching my team's 2 games, one football and one basketball. Thankful for it all. #30daysofthankful
Showing posts with label Running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Running. Show all posts
Monday, November 18, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
What I'm Reading Wednesday
What am I reading today? The same things I was reading last week at this time! :) I haven't sat down to read much so far this week. I have been pretty busy! I have been:
I did do some reading yesterday, I almost forgot! I kept a kindergarten age little girl for a neighbor and we headed to the bookstore to pick a few books, read and enjoy. I read to her and loved it. :) We read:
- emptying and cleaning out our laundry room, cupboards and all for starters.
- I also emptied and cleaned our closet-my husband and I share a closet. It isn't huge, I could stand in it and touch the front and back at the same time, and the length is not much bigger. However, we are just fine with it. It has a few drawers for husband's folded clothes and a few cubbies for things like luggage and sleeping bags. I got rid of a trash bag of clothes/bags I don't use and husband got rid of a bag of clothes, as well; things we just don't wear because of the style or fit.
- Also, we worked on our "junk drawer" in the kitchen, the catch all for miscellaneous stuff-we didn't get rid of the drawer altogether, but it is much emptier. :)
- I emptied out our front coat/shoe closet, too! We needed to sort out and put away summer shoes, get out boots (I certainly hope we don't need snow boots soon, but it was time to get them out...) I vacuumed the carpet in it since shoe dirt falls there, and organized the shoes as I put them back into the closet.
I did do some reading yesterday, I almost forgot! I kept a kindergarten age little girl for a neighbor and we headed to the bookstore to pick a few books, read and enjoy. I read to her and loved it. :) We read:
- The Day The Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt. It was the first time I had read it and it was a cute book-would be great to introduce children to, or refresh minds about, writing letters.
- Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson was a good book to read with someone. I don't foresee it being a good read-aloud classroom book, but it was very cute, also, showing changes in seasons and trees through the seasons. It was also the first time I had read this and I found it sweet and simple.
- Last I read A Turkey For Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting. We have it here at home and I didn't care for the selection of Halloween stories/Fall stories, so we jumped ahead to this cute story about Mr. and Mrs. Moose wanting a turkey for Thanksgiving. Also a heart-warming story. What I really wanted to read was Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White, but they didn't have it. Sadly, I don't have it either, I lent it to a fellow teacher while I was subbing and they kept forgetting it. I never got it back. I will have to re-order it so I have it for my collection.
It has been a fun, busy week! :) I hope yours has been too, Reader!
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Social Media Monday
My Facebook post from Sunday after our long-awaited half marathon:
We all three had a great race at the Nationwide Children's Half Marathon! Husband and I PR'd (he did awesome-1:33:59 and I PR'd by two minutes - 1:45:05!) and Oldest Daughter completed her first in 1:48!! So proud! And tired!
It was a long day, but we all accomplished it and I was extremely pleased that my injury didn't show itself until over halfway. Saturday night I told my husband that I was still shooting for my 1:45 goal. He looked at me like I was crazy due to this injury issue. I told him I had to think like I could make my goal in order to get there.
We went down to the race, in increased security due to Boston, and waited for over 30 minutes in the very cold, and dark with 19, 000 others. I realized with about 15 minutes that I needed one more bathroom stop, but the lines were still long and there wasn't really time. So we started and then there were porta-potties at mile 2. I ran in to use them! And I still made my goal time! :))
I look forward to a run that is pain free-well, injury free, a half marathon probably won't be pain free, hm? :) But I was so proud of my husband and daughter and so happy to be able to do it with them. Now, onto recovering so I can get there again! :)
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Saturday, September 14
Running is a passion of mine. Anyone who reads this blog or knows me in person knows this. I have been running all summer, as usual and have signed up for the local half marathon in October. Unfortunately, the injury that slowed me down in last November's half is rearing its ugly head, again. I went to doctor appointments to try and get it solved, and thought I had for a while. I haven't, however, solved it and am feeling it even during short distances. My husband suggested that I hang up the shoes for a while, not do the half marathon, but that's a hard decision for me. I am trying the ice-Advil-rest-shorter distance-and foam rolling so I can hope to heal it, but so far I've seen no improvement at all. Fingers crossed, please, Reader. Running the my way to burn calories, relieve stress, praise the Lord-yes, I have have contemporary Christian music on my running playlist so I can worship and pray as I run-and observe nature. I can go walking and bike riding, as well, but the calorie burning is less and the time frame is more... I am hoping for the best... Please send good vibes, Reader. How are you?
Monday, October 17, 2011
1/2 marathon 2011
My second half marathon was yesterday. It was chilly and the wind picked up as we waited for the start. I was standing in corral C with 17,000 total other people. My 1/2 marathon last year was 1:54:34. This year I set my goal a little higher, my time a little faster. I wanted 1:50. I took off too fast. I was surrounded by people and filled with the desire to pass them all. What I didn't remember was that my time mattered more to me than beating these people I didn't know. :) My first splits were all faster than goal and I was riding high! Until... right calf cramped at mile ten. I had to stop and stretch while my brain yelled at me, "See, this is why we pace ourselves!" I only stretched briefly, two different times. My neighbor came up and cheered me on as he passed me on his way to a full marathon. I saw my family three different times-all at spots where I really needed the lift. So, helpful to have people rooting you on! One of my students was there cheering on her mother, and cheered for me, too. :) When I hit the cramp/mile ten I didn't think I was going to make it. I felt my time goal slipping away. I looked down at my arm where I had written an inspiring quote I had gotten from a fellow runner: "I don't quit when I'm tired, I quit when I'm done". I pushed on, and cruised into the last mile on target, but just. I worked the last hill, every step aching, and then downhill to the finish. I stopped my watch as I crossed the finish. I looked down and tears sprang to my eyes as I read 1:50:23. :)) I am still pretty happy, even if my body is not... ;)
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
On My Heart
Saw this post on Stephanie Howell's blog and this post on Ali Edward's blog. Both REAL, about real things in life. I appreciate that.
Today, on my heart:
1. Every time I hear sirens while my girls are away from me, I pray that it isn't for them. I know it's silly, but I worry when I think of them. I can get so caught up in the worry. I am a make-yourself-sick-worrier. I know God calls me not to, He calls me to give it to Him... and sometimes I do... and sometimes I take it back and worry some more.
2. I am feeling behind and almost overwhelmed with this job. I tell people I'm treading water, not drowning but not yet swimming. Many teacher friends say that is the whole first year... scary. I want to be a smooth, confident teacher, and I'm still learning all the ropes. What if I'm failing these kids? I hope not and I'm working hard at teaching them the material and letting them know I care... but... is it enough?
3. I took three days off of running. Too close to the half marathon to do that. I had been so sore, so worn out, worn down, that I needed the break. I still have a month to go. Did ten miles last week and felt like... well, poo. My legs were heavy, my breathing was labored... I worried that I couldn't get over 10. We'll try 11 this week. Cool mornings like we have today will help.
4. I feel bad when I complain like number three. There are people with much worse situations...
5. I'm so proud of my girls right now. My oldest is taking all AP/Honors courses right now and working really hard. She's doing such a good job, even though it requires a lot of time and effort. My youngest is a hard working, smart girl, too, with good grades. We saw another family at her back to school night a couple weeks ago and they said "Your daughter has such a heart for the Lord! We are so glad she's friends with our daughter!" YAY! :) What a nice feeling. Any kind of faith you believe, it's nice to know, that when she's not with us, she displays good character, morals and positive behavior!! :)) Always good for the heart to hear. :)
6. I'm tired. I'm worn out, and my house is a mess. And I'm only at school half day. No, most days I'm not blogging in the morning hours. :) I take my youngest to school, grab a coffee and go home to grade, plan and organize. I should be ahead, and cleaning house, cooking, etc. Hoping to get to that point.
I hope your heart is full of happiness, today, and the cleaning fairy has visited your house. :) Show your heart today, either on your blog or to a friend. Don't forget to let those people who are important to you know in an outward, positive way, today! :)
Today, on my heart:
1. Every time I hear sirens while my girls are away from me, I pray that it isn't for them. I know it's silly, but I worry when I think of them. I can get so caught up in the worry. I am a make-yourself-sick-worrier. I know God calls me not to, He calls me to give it to Him... and sometimes I do... and sometimes I take it back and worry some more.
2. I am feeling behind and almost overwhelmed with this job. I tell people I'm treading water, not drowning but not yet swimming. Many teacher friends say that is the whole first year... scary. I want to be a smooth, confident teacher, and I'm still learning all the ropes. What if I'm failing these kids? I hope not and I'm working hard at teaching them the material and letting them know I care... but... is it enough?
3. I took three days off of running. Too close to the half marathon to do that. I had been so sore, so worn out, worn down, that I needed the break. I still have a month to go. Did ten miles last week and felt like... well, poo. My legs were heavy, my breathing was labored... I worried that I couldn't get over 10. We'll try 11 this week. Cool mornings like we have today will help.
4. I feel bad when I complain like number three. There are people with much worse situations...
5. I'm so proud of my girls right now. My oldest is taking all AP/Honors courses right now and working really hard. She's doing such a good job, even though it requires a lot of time and effort. My youngest is a hard working, smart girl, too, with good grades. We saw another family at her back to school night a couple weeks ago and they said "Your daughter has such a heart for the Lord! We are so glad she's friends with our daughter!" YAY! :) What a nice feeling. Any kind of faith you believe, it's nice to know, that when she's not with us, she displays good character, morals and positive behavior!! :)) Always good for the heart to hear. :)
6. I'm tired. I'm worn out, and my house is a mess. And I'm only at school half day. No, most days I'm not blogging in the morning hours. :) I take my youngest to school, grab a coffee and go home to grade, plan and organize. I should be ahead, and cleaning house, cooking, etc. Hoping to get to that point.
I hope your heart is full of happiness, today, and the cleaning fairy has visited your house. :) Show your heart today, either on your blog or to a friend. Don't forget to let those people who are important to you know in an outward, positive way, today! :)
Friday, February 04, 2011
February 4 2011
Friday! :) I say this as if it has been a long week, although we had two snow/ice days in the midst of it. I had a great week. I just like weekends. For some reason I feel as if I get more accomplished... although I don't always. :)
What's on your list for the pending weekend? We have a track meet, a basketball game and church/church life group to attend this weekend, and are planning on working on our bedroom. We want to paint it and move furniture around.
I need to do the regulars, also, like: document for school/work, laundry, house clean, etc. But it always feels so good to get those things done. I still need to update my resume, also.
I'm hoping to get a run in tomorrow before the snow moves back in, too. There was actually sunshine today. Blessed sunshine. I got three miles in, and even with the wind stinging my face, the sun felt so good it made me smile! :) So much better than the treadmill. My husband noted this week that I'm a different person-or same person, different outlook-when I run. I feel it, too. Here's to more pleasant runs and feeling like myself! :)
I've been taking pictures for this photo scavenger hunt, and I have almost all the photos done so far... Just a few more to go! I will post when I get them finished.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
What's on your list for the pending weekend? We have a track meet, a basketball game and church/church life group to attend this weekend, and are planning on working on our bedroom. We want to paint it and move furniture around.
I need to do the regulars, also, like: document for school/work, laundry, house clean, etc. But it always feels so good to get those things done. I still need to update my resume, also.
I'm hoping to get a run in tomorrow before the snow moves back in, too. There was actually sunshine today. Blessed sunshine. I got three miles in, and even with the wind stinging my face, the sun felt so good it made me smile! :) So much better than the treadmill. My husband noted this week that I'm a different person-or same person, different outlook-when I run. I feel it, too. Here's to more pleasant runs and feeling like myself! :)
I've been taking pictures for this photo scavenger hunt, and I have almost all the photos done so far... Just a few more to go! I will post when I get them finished.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
February 1
They used to say it took two to three weeks to start a new habit, or to replace a bad habit with a good one. I just read this week that they've changed that to 28 days. I found that interesting. No wonder good eating and exercise habits are so difficult to get ingrained. I decided, since February is 28 days long, it would be a good time to start some new, good habits. Some of my goals have fallen but I'm determined to pick them up again. Maybe after February they'll be full-fledged habits? :)
We had gotten some snowy weather here, as well as ice, a couple weeks ago. That was enough to break my daily running habit. The news here, yesterday, was predicting bad weather again today, with ice, so I made myself brave the cold wind (although there was a peek of sunshine yesterday! :)) and I got 3.3 miles in. My legs aren't sore today and I felt great the rest of the afternoon. I'm going to brave the dreadmill... I mean treadmill today. Hoping to stay on it for three miles. It always seems like so much longer to get the distance done, though. We're hoping to rearrange the bedroom (where the treadmill sits) so it faces something other than the wall. Maybe that will help?
I have written sporadically in my journal the last couple weeks. Not daily as I'd hoped, but I haven't quit yet. :) Also, I have had one cup of Starbucks since we talked last. I'm ok with that. :) It was a nice treat with the family on a chilly day last week.
I finished the Girl in the Green Raincoat and have started The Pumpkin Muffin Murder by Livia J Washburn. That was my word/one of my goals: to read more, and I finished two books in January! :) I've been in the mood for mysteries, but the three I've read or started this year have been very different from each other. The last one had more suspense. I'm going to see which of Laura Lippman's books our library has and try to read some more of her mysteries. I've also been reading the Book of Jeremiah from my Bible for our life group. It's a hard book, with all the prophesying but I'm sticking with it. We need to read 17 chapters of it by Sunday. This is one of the verses I liked thus far Jeremiah 9:23-24: 23 This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, 24 but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD.
I also finished making the scrapscription "Let's Party!" album for our 16 year old daughter and am hoping to put the pictures/stories in today.
We have a "snow" day today-it's actually due to ice-so I'm hoping to tackle a lot from my "to do" list today! :) The dryer is going and I'm almost done with my blog post! :) I'm hoping to post each day in February. I've never been able to post daily for a month before, like Molly and her sister. :)
What are some things you'd like to try doing daily for the 28 days of February?
We had gotten some snowy weather here, as well as ice, a couple weeks ago. That was enough to break my daily running habit. The news here, yesterday, was predicting bad weather again today, with ice, so I made myself brave the cold wind (although there was a peek of sunshine yesterday! :)) and I got 3.3 miles in. My legs aren't sore today and I felt great the rest of the afternoon. I'm going to brave the dreadmill... I mean treadmill today. Hoping to stay on it for three miles. It always seems like so much longer to get the distance done, though. We're hoping to rearrange the bedroom (where the treadmill sits) so it faces something other than the wall. Maybe that will help?
I have written sporadically in my journal the last couple weeks. Not daily as I'd hoped, but I haven't quit yet. :) Also, I have had one cup of Starbucks since we talked last. I'm ok with that. :) It was a nice treat with the family on a chilly day last week.
I finished the Girl in the Green Raincoat and have started The Pumpkin Muffin Murder by Livia J Washburn. That was my word/one of my goals: to read more, and I finished two books in January! :) I've been in the mood for mysteries, but the three I've read or started this year have been very different from each other. The last one had more suspense. I'm going to see which of Laura Lippman's books our library has and try to read some more of her mysteries. I've also been reading the Book of Jeremiah from my Bible for our life group. It's a hard book, with all the prophesying but I'm sticking with it. We need to read 17 chapters of it by Sunday. This is one of the verses I liked thus far Jeremiah 9:23-24: 23 This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, 24 but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD.
I also finished making the scrapscription "Let's Party!" album for our 16 year old daughter and am hoping to put the pictures/stories in today.
We have a "snow" day today-it's actually due to ice-so I'm hoping to tackle a lot from my "to do" list today! :) The dryer is going and I'm almost done with my blog post! :) I'm hoping to post each day in February. I've never been able to post daily for a month before, like Molly and her sister. :)
What are some things you'd like to try doing daily for the 28 days of February?
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Happy New Year!
I have been thinking of several things to post. Now to sit down and post a few! :)
I hope your 2011 has started off well! Mine started off with a nice family get together at my brother in law's with his wife, their four kids, his in laws and my in laws. :) It was full of fun, games and good food. There was the toast at midnight, too. I decided on our short drive home that we should start a new tradition as a family of four. We should go on a walk when we got home... start the new year with fresh air, togetherness... family and fitness. :) As we walked, I realized that, although it was an unusually balmy 60 degrees this year... it very likely could be below freezing for our next walk. Hmmm, a good "new tradition" idea? ;)
I have started (yet again) a journal. I have written in it two days in a row. :) Hoping to keep that up. This will help me keep track of my thoughts, and hopes for 2011, which reminds me of my "resolutions, goals, plans, or procedures" that I'd like to start in 2011. I always thought of them as resolutions, but have read this blog post, this one and this post, too, and thought I liked these better. :)
A few plans I have for myself/procedures I'd like to start are as follows:
1. I had been thinking about my goals since around Thanksgiving (leading up to my one little word) and thought I'd like to work on my weight/fitness this year. I thought one habit I needed to break was Starbucks coffee-in fact, a grande, nonfat, vanilla latte with half the normal pumps of vanilla in it... EVERY DAY. So, not only was I drinking 200 calories per day but spending quite a bit as well (their prices went up around Thanksgiving, too.) So, I broke the habit. I quit cold turkey on Dec 4. I had one on our way to visit my family (New Year's Day, early...) and one on the way back. I didn't sleep well either night thanks to all the caffeine! :) I make coffee each day at home, and drink probably about 8 ounces.
2. I also looked at my garmin calendar which tracks each of the days/times/distances I run. I looked at 2010 and saw (after my run on New Year's eve...) that I had ran 596 miles in 2010. So, I set a goal to run 1000 miles in 2011. I will run the half marathon this spring and a full in the fall, hopefully (after stress fractures, we know nothing is set in stone!) I planned out my goal-52 weeks, about 20 miles per week. I have run 3.25 miles on the two days since I wrote out this plan.
3. I have been keeping track of my calories on www.thedailyplate.com and keeping the total low enough to (hopefully, eventually) lose some of the chubbiness my legs have acquired-the pants that don't fit can attest. I just want to be fit again and fit into the clothes I like. These three plans will help with that! :)
4. I'd like to take more photos-not an abundance at special family activities, but some of each day, of our daily lives. I am sad to think that our oldest is almost midway through her sophomore year and will be headed to college in a few short years-she turns 16 this month!! Even our youngest will be out on her own in 6 years or so.
5. I mentioned that I was contemplating my one little word being "Read" and I'm sticking with that, thus far. Since I posted, I have read my Bible, and read a book (got the new Laura Childs scrapbooking mystery, even though I like her tea books far better, these are good reads, too) and I'm halfway through that.
I think that's all for now. Don't want the post to be too disjointed! :) I hope you all are well on this 4th day of January, 2011.
I hope your 2011 has started off well! Mine started off with a nice family get together at my brother in law's with his wife, their four kids, his in laws and my in laws. :) It was full of fun, games and good food. There was the toast at midnight, too. I decided on our short drive home that we should start a new tradition as a family of four. We should go on a walk when we got home... start the new year with fresh air, togetherness... family and fitness. :) As we walked, I realized that, although it was an unusually balmy 60 degrees this year... it very likely could be below freezing for our next walk. Hmmm, a good "new tradition" idea? ;)
I have started (yet again) a journal. I have written in it two days in a row. :) Hoping to keep that up. This will help me keep track of my thoughts, and hopes for 2011, which reminds me of my "resolutions, goals, plans, or procedures" that I'd like to start in 2011. I always thought of them as resolutions, but have read this blog post, this one and this post, too, and thought I liked these better. :)
A few plans I have for myself/procedures I'd like to start are as follows:
1. I had been thinking about my goals since around Thanksgiving (leading up to my one little word) and thought I'd like to work on my weight/fitness this year. I thought one habit I needed to break was Starbucks coffee-in fact, a grande, nonfat, vanilla latte with half the normal pumps of vanilla in it... EVERY DAY. So, not only was I drinking 200 calories per day but spending quite a bit as well (their prices went up around Thanksgiving, too.) So, I broke the habit. I quit cold turkey on Dec 4. I had one on our way to visit my family (New Year's Day, early...) and one on the way back. I didn't sleep well either night thanks to all the caffeine! :) I make coffee each day at home, and drink probably about 8 ounces.
2. I also looked at my garmin calendar which tracks each of the days/times/distances I run. I looked at 2010 and saw (after my run on New Year's eve...) that I had ran 596 miles in 2010. So, I set a goal to run 1000 miles in 2011. I will run the half marathon this spring and a full in the fall, hopefully (after stress fractures, we know nothing is set in stone!) I planned out my goal-52 weeks, about 20 miles per week. I have run 3.25 miles on the two days since I wrote out this plan.
3. I have been keeping track of my calories on www.thedailyplate.com and keeping the total low enough to (hopefully, eventually) lose some of the chubbiness my legs have acquired-the pants that don't fit can attest. I just want to be fit again and fit into the clothes I like. These three plans will help with that! :)
4. I'd like to take more photos-not an abundance at special family activities, but some of each day, of our daily lives. I am sad to think that our oldest is almost midway through her sophomore year and will be headed to college in a few short years-she turns 16 this month!! Even our youngest will be out on her own in 6 years or so.
5. I mentioned that I was contemplating my one little word being "Read" and I'm sticking with that, thus far. Since I posted, I have read my Bible, and read a book (got the new Laura Childs scrapbooking mystery, even though I like her tea books far better, these are good reads, too) and I'm halfway through that.
I think that's all for now. Don't want the post to be too disjointed! :) I hope you all are well on this 4th day of January, 2011.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Half Marathon
My half marathon is complete!! Here's the rundown. :)
The day before the half marathon was our daughter's district meet for cross country, so I ran a bit around the course to cheer her on in a few different spots, although I tried not to run too much, to save energy for my race. Bad mom? :) That night same daughter had homecoming. Last year I picked her up from the dance and heard all about her evening in the car on the way home. I had hoped to do the same this year, but the dance didn't end until 11... and I was leaving home at 5:40am for my race the next day. I had gone to sleep earlier the night before and napped on Saturday. I thought I'd be ok, so I ended up picking her up. :) I heard about how fun the dance was, how she had a great time and it was so worth it! :) I went to bed shortly after we got home and could not sleep. I tried and tried, I tossed and turned, and groaned in frustration. The last time I checked the clock it was almost 12:45am. I fell asleep only to wake up again at 5 with the alarm. I ate two bites of far-too-ripe-banana and two pretzels. I took a few sips of water and got ready. I put on Garmin Girl so she could pace me, my ipod touch preloaded with songs to energize me should I need it, my compression sleeves (think compression socks like hospitals give people-they have saved me from shin splints!!) I also wore a running skirt-I don't love to run long in it, but I've had some serious ab/stomach issues lately (wasn't sure if it was muscle related or what) and last time I ran in the skirt, I had no ab issues... so it was on the list for race day. I got ready and headed across the street to my neighbors. He was driving down and running the full marathon. We are members of the same running group and met up at a hotel with them. They rent a meeting room so we can all hang out together, use the hotel's nice, clean bathrooms (normally, it's 40-something degrees and port-a-pots in the cold and dark are not ideal!) so it was a great way to prepare for the race.
The two times I've done the full marathon I have been so mental-thinking about the race, concentrating so much that I miss the "atmosphere" people talk about. This year, I enjoyed, I soaked it all in. :) There are so many bands along the race route-87 along the full marathon course! They were playing our local college's fight song, pep-you-up music like "I will survive!" I only listened to my ipod for about three songs. :) There were so many spectators rooting on "runners" if they didn't know a name. There were 15,000 people lined up at the start for the half and full marathon. 15,000. It was amazing. We were packed in like sardines, I couldn't have bent over to stretch we were so closely packed. It took me almost 10 minutes to get to the starting line after the gun went off! :)
The weather was perfect-cool but not freezing. I felt great, and on pace through mile 7, but at 8 I started to worry a bit about my ab issues. I plugged onward. I was frustrated through 8 and 9, but at 10, I thought "I only have a 5K left!" and ran with a smile. Seriously, one of my race photos shows me crossing the ten mile mark smiling! :) The course has all the runners running together until just before the half. Then the half marathoners head to the left and the full marathoners head to the right for a loop out it the other direction. In the two marathons, I heard the cheering as the half finishers completed their race and thought, woa, I still have 13 to go! This year I thought YEAH! :) My goal time was 2 hours or less and I ran in 1:54. I walked four steps just as I entered the last mile and headed up a hill and some man said, "Don't walk now, you're almost done! Come on!" He was smiling and waving at me. I began to run again and got the same teary emotional feeling I've gotten when I ran the full marathons. The MANY people who line the finish cheering with excitement for you. It's pretty cool.
I had a moment of ache at the start, a wonder if this would be as meaningful as the full, or would it be a letdown? It was wonderful. It was 13 instead of 26 miles, but it was wonderful. My body was exhausted, I had worked hard and run farther than most will ever attempt. It wasn't a "marathon" but I was happy! :)
We went out to dinner with my husband's family and sat for about an hour. When it was time to go my knees screamed! I woke a few times in the night with knees that felt like they'd been smashed by a sledgehammer! The next day my dress shoes up and down the stairs at work were very painful, but today I woke up fine. :) No knee pain. :) I felt so good I (crazily) went out for a run. I went about a mile and a half.
I am still smiling that I did it and feel so good right now-so different than after my full marathons! :) Just the joy of running; it makes me smile now. :) I have no idea if I will shoot for another full. I know that the half was a good distance for now. :)
The day before the half marathon was our daughter's district meet for cross country, so I ran a bit around the course to cheer her on in a few different spots, although I tried not to run too much, to save energy for my race. Bad mom? :) That night same daughter had homecoming. Last year I picked her up from the dance and heard all about her evening in the car on the way home. I had hoped to do the same this year, but the dance didn't end until 11... and I was leaving home at 5:40am for my race the next day. I had gone to sleep earlier the night before and napped on Saturday. I thought I'd be ok, so I ended up picking her up. :) I heard about how fun the dance was, how she had a great time and it was so worth it! :) I went to bed shortly after we got home and could not sleep. I tried and tried, I tossed and turned, and groaned in frustration. The last time I checked the clock it was almost 12:45am. I fell asleep only to wake up again at 5 with the alarm. I ate two bites of far-too-ripe-banana and two pretzels. I took a few sips of water and got ready. I put on Garmin Girl so she could pace me, my ipod touch preloaded with songs to energize me should I need it, my compression sleeves (think compression socks like hospitals give people-they have saved me from shin splints!!) I also wore a running skirt-I don't love to run long in it, but I've had some serious ab/stomach issues lately (wasn't sure if it was muscle related or what) and last time I ran in the skirt, I had no ab issues... so it was on the list for race day. I got ready and headed across the street to my neighbors. He was driving down and running the full marathon. We are members of the same running group and met up at a hotel with them. They rent a meeting room so we can all hang out together, use the hotel's nice, clean bathrooms (normally, it's 40-something degrees and port-a-pots in the cold and dark are not ideal!) so it was a great way to prepare for the race.
The two times I've done the full marathon I have been so mental-thinking about the race, concentrating so much that I miss the "atmosphere" people talk about. This year, I enjoyed, I soaked it all in. :) There are so many bands along the race route-87 along the full marathon course! They were playing our local college's fight song, pep-you-up music like "I will survive!" I only listened to my ipod for about three songs. :) There were so many spectators rooting on "runners" if they didn't know a name. There were 15,000 people lined up at the start for the half and full marathon. 15,000. It was amazing. We were packed in like sardines, I couldn't have bent over to stretch we were so closely packed. It took me almost 10 minutes to get to the starting line after the gun went off! :)
The weather was perfect-cool but not freezing. I felt great, and on pace through mile 7, but at 8 I started to worry a bit about my ab issues. I plugged onward. I was frustrated through 8 and 9, but at 10, I thought "I only have a 5K left!" and ran with a smile. Seriously, one of my race photos shows me crossing the ten mile mark smiling! :) The course has all the runners running together until just before the half. Then the half marathoners head to the left and the full marathoners head to the right for a loop out it the other direction. In the two marathons, I heard the cheering as the half finishers completed their race and thought, woa, I still have 13 to go! This year I thought YEAH! :) My goal time was 2 hours or less and I ran in 1:54. I walked four steps just as I entered the last mile and headed up a hill and some man said, "Don't walk now, you're almost done! Come on!" He was smiling and waving at me. I began to run again and got the same teary emotional feeling I've gotten when I ran the full marathons. The MANY people who line the finish cheering with excitement for you. It's pretty cool.
I had a moment of ache at the start, a wonder if this would be as meaningful as the full, or would it be a letdown? It was wonderful. It was 13 instead of 26 miles, but it was wonderful. My body was exhausted, I had worked hard and run farther than most will ever attempt. It wasn't a "marathon" but I was happy! :)
We went out to dinner with my husband's family and sat for about an hour. When it was time to go my knees screamed! I woke a few times in the night with knees that felt like they'd been smashed by a sledgehammer! The next day my dress shoes up and down the stairs at work were very painful, but today I woke up fine. :) No knee pain. :) I felt so good I (crazily) went out for a run. I went about a mile and a half.
I am still smiling that I did it and feel so good right now-so different than after my full marathons! :) Just the joy of running; it makes me smile now. :) I have no idea if I will shoot for another full. I know that the half was a good distance for now. :)
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Today
My posts have been so few. I apologize. I have been reading your posts, trying to comment. I've been off working, being a mom, getting my runs in (supposed to get 12-13 done today) and getting ready for our youngest daughter's birthday. She will be 12 this week. Parents always tell you how time flies, but you don't realize it until you have your own children and see them growing up before your eyes.
Our daughter wanted her room redone for her birthday so we began the emptying of furniture, tearing down wallpaper and cute flower borders yesterday. Then we spackled it, and began painting. The first coat looks good. Looking forward to getting that tackled today. Tonight is her party with my husband's family. We're doing tacos for dinner-one of her favorites. :) so, housecleaning will need to be finished today, too.
The job is going well. Spending a lot of time assessing to gather data. The data lets us know where the students are so we know which ones to focus on. I'm hoping to be able to work with those who really need help, and really make a difference. The school I'm back to really feels like home. The staff feel like family. I'm blessed to be a part of them. It's also good to see the kids I got to know last year.
Our oldest is enjoying high school, although she has a lot of tests, which she doesn't appreciate. :) She broke 22 minutes yesterday for her cross country time-that was her most recent goal, so she was pretty excited.
Our youngest is having fun in middle school. She is also happy playing soccer.
Hope you are well. I will try to post more often again! :)
Our daughter wanted her room redone for her birthday so we began the emptying of furniture, tearing down wallpaper and cute flower borders yesterday. Then we spackled it, and began painting. The first coat looks good. Looking forward to getting that tackled today. Tonight is her party with my husband's family. We're doing tacos for dinner-one of her favorites. :) so, housecleaning will need to be finished today, too.
The job is going well. Spending a lot of time assessing to gather data. The data lets us know where the students are so we know which ones to focus on. I'm hoping to be able to work with those who really need help, and really make a difference. The school I'm back to really feels like home. The staff feel like family. I'm blessed to be a part of them. It's also good to see the kids I got to know last year.
Our oldest is enjoying high school, although she has a lot of tests, which she doesn't appreciate. :) She broke 22 minutes yesterday for her cross country time-that was her most recent goal, so she was pretty excited.
Our youngest is having fun in middle school. She is also happy playing soccer.
Hope you are well. I will try to post more often again! :)
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
New Day
Hello! :) I have been meaning to post... just haven't gotten around to it. I've been:
*taking the girls school shopping
*grocery shopping
*using said groceries to make 7 chicken dishes to freeze for later in the schoolyear
*getting more groceries
*using said groceries to make 7 loaves of quick breads to freeze (like zucchini bread)
*seeing my oldest off to cross country running camp-she comes home tomorrow. She hasn't had cell coverage so we are very anxious to see/talk to her!
*enjoying time with our younger daughter, like taking her out for Mexican food, since our oldest doesn't enjoy it all that much and our youngest LOVES it.
*filling out school paperwork. We find out the schedule for our newly-minted-middle=schooler today and the schedule for our oldest after she returns home tomorrow.
*putting school dates on the calendar, like days off, early release, vacations, etc.
*planning all I can for my NEW JOB! :) Yep, I finally got a job. It's not a classroom teacher, but it's teaching kids and I'm very excited! I have to tell you my story: when I interviewed for a specific position (regular readers recall my interviewing and hoping?) the principal told me of another position that would be available. It felt like a "consolation prize" so to speak. I set it aside not to think about for a while. Then I called him in August. He told me about it and I was pretty excited... but unsure. I called my husband to talk over my thoughts. He had heard me talk of this when I was interviewing. Earlier in the day I called him, he had been talking with a coworker about his teacher wife and how she'd needed to something different than subbing before she got her job. This made my husband think, hm, if I heard about this job again, I should take it. So, he got back from lunch, talked to me and said he thought it was a sign-that I should apply for this. I put my name in, was interviewed and now have a job as an "alternative instructor". I will be blessed with the opportunity to work with kids who need intervention in areas they struggle with. Small groups and one-on-one, whatever the teacher would like. At this point, no specific age group, just K-5 and I'm really excited! :)) I meet with the principal and other alternative instructors on Friday and I'm looking forward to jumping in!
I'm still training for the half marathon-finished an eight miler on Saturday. Felt good, was in the time range I'd hoped. Nine miles on the schedule for this week!
I've been listening to some podcasts on digital scrapping and I'm pretty excited about doing that more, as well.
Hope your week is going smoothly! Halfway through! :)
*taking the girls school shopping
*grocery shopping
*using said groceries to make 7 chicken dishes to freeze for later in the schoolyear
*getting more groceries
*using said groceries to make 7 loaves of quick breads to freeze (like zucchini bread)
*seeing my oldest off to cross country running camp-she comes home tomorrow. She hasn't had cell coverage so we are very anxious to see/talk to her!
*enjoying time with our younger daughter, like taking her out for Mexican food, since our oldest doesn't enjoy it all that much and our youngest LOVES it.
*filling out school paperwork. We find out the schedule for our newly-minted-middle=schooler today and the schedule for our oldest after she returns home tomorrow.
*putting school dates on the calendar, like days off, early release, vacations, etc.
*planning all I can for my NEW JOB! :) Yep, I finally got a job. It's not a classroom teacher, but it's teaching kids and I'm very excited! I have to tell you my story: when I interviewed for a specific position (regular readers recall my interviewing and hoping?) the principal told me of another position that would be available. It felt like a "consolation prize" so to speak. I set it aside not to think about for a while. Then I called him in August. He told me about it and I was pretty excited... but unsure. I called my husband to talk over my thoughts. He had heard me talk of this when I was interviewing. Earlier in the day I called him, he had been talking with a coworker about his teacher wife and how she'd needed to something different than subbing before she got her job. This made my husband think, hm, if I heard about this job again, I should take it. So, he got back from lunch, talked to me and said he thought it was a sign-that I should apply for this. I put my name in, was interviewed and now have a job as an "alternative instructor". I will be blessed with the opportunity to work with kids who need intervention in areas they struggle with. Small groups and one-on-one, whatever the teacher would like. At this point, no specific age group, just K-5 and I'm really excited! :)) I meet with the principal and other alternative instructors on Friday and I'm looking forward to jumping in!
I'm still training for the half marathon-finished an eight miler on Saturday. Felt good, was in the time range I'd hoped. Nine miles on the schedule for this week!
I've been listening to some podcasts on digital scrapping and I'm pretty excited about doing that more, as well.
Hope your week is going smoothly! Halfway through! :)
Monday, August 02, 2010
Fun
Happy Monday! :) Hope this email finds you well.
Some fun things we've done over the last week:
*went to the zoo with family today
*my youngest built a fort out of our large stack of firewood, some tarps, she even sewed some flags and curtains for it, and it's the perfect reading spot. :)
*had some of my husband's family over for smoked pork and zucchini bake with zucchini from our garden!
*dreamt of renovations we'd like to have done to our home (wow, the list can get pretty long! ;))
*learned/played a new card game
*learned to digitally scrapbook (I've done a layout and have thought/planned several more!)
*I finished my Run Like a Mother book and it was great! (answers to previous questions about running posts: I think about different things... depends on the day. Often, I pray and think of all the things I'd like God to help me with and all the things I'm thankful for. I listen to music and when I'm tired I try to match my footsteps with the rhythm of the music. I look at the nature around me-I run on a path sometimes that is full of bunnies, birds chirping, elderly couples, and more! :) I also think about my plans for the half marathon, how I'm going to make it there, and how much I can eat that day due to burnt calories! :))
*Lately I've been reading posts about digital scrapbooking which has been a fun learning experience!
*We got to keep my niece for half a day last week and it was FUN! She's four and is such a cutie! :) Took her brothers to the zoo with us today and they were just as fun! :)
*Had two fires in our fire pit-one night I sat and enjoyed a chat with one of our dear neighbors beside a fire, which made a delightful evening.
I looked at the calendar this weekend and couldn't believe it's already August! I wondered where is our summer going! (I'm wondering, too, Thimbleanna!! :)) My girls start school three weeks and two days. I look ahead at our busy schedules and I wonder how I will finish my "summer to do list"!
I have often wondered, lately, where my path is leading, as you probably read in recent posts. Today I ran into a student I had last winter/spring. She wasn't happy to have me for a substitute, as, understandably, she had loved her teacher. She gave me stubbornness and obvious dislike at the beginning of my stay. She was sad to say goodbye to me at the end of the year. I really saw a change in her. Today, when I ran into her, she shouted my name, and ran up and hugged me, smiling to see me! It was then I remembered why I work so hard at teaching, even if it's subbing or long-term subbing. :) My heart smiled again. :) If God's plan is for me to be a substitute, then that's what I will be. :) I will touch lives... if only temporarily. :) I've said it before and I will say it again, I do not know where God's road map has me going-although I'd love to glance at it sometimes!-and I don't know where I'm headed, but I know He has a plan and He has me in His hands. :))
I hope you have a wonderful week and are smiling in your heart!! :))
Some fun things we've done over the last week:
*went to the zoo with family today
*my youngest built a fort out of our large stack of firewood, some tarps, she even sewed some flags and curtains for it, and it's the perfect reading spot. :)
*had some of my husband's family over for smoked pork and zucchini bake with zucchini from our garden!
*dreamt of renovations we'd like to have done to our home (wow, the list can get pretty long! ;))
*learned/played a new card game
*learned to digitally scrapbook (I've done a layout and have thought/planned several more!)
*I finished my Run Like a Mother book and it was great! (answers to previous questions about running posts: I think about different things... depends on the day. Often, I pray and think of all the things I'd like God to help me with and all the things I'm thankful for. I listen to music and when I'm tired I try to match my footsteps with the rhythm of the music. I look at the nature around me-I run on a path sometimes that is full of bunnies, birds chirping, elderly couples, and more! :) I also think about my plans for the half marathon, how I'm going to make it there, and how much I can eat that day due to burnt calories! :))
*Lately I've been reading posts about digital scrapbooking which has been a fun learning experience!
*We got to keep my niece for half a day last week and it was FUN! She's four and is such a cutie! :) Took her brothers to the zoo with us today and they were just as fun! :)
*Had two fires in our fire pit-one night I sat and enjoyed a chat with one of our dear neighbors beside a fire, which made a delightful evening.
I looked at the calendar this weekend and couldn't believe it's already August! I wondered where is our summer going! (I'm wondering, too, Thimbleanna!! :)) My girls start school three weeks and two days. I look ahead at our busy schedules and I wonder how I will finish my "summer to do list"!
I have often wondered, lately, where my path is leading, as you probably read in recent posts. Today I ran into a student I had last winter/spring. She wasn't happy to have me for a substitute, as, understandably, she had loved her teacher. She gave me stubbornness and obvious dislike at the beginning of my stay. She was sad to say goodbye to me at the end of the year. I really saw a change in her. Today, when I ran into her, she shouted my name, and ran up and hugged me, smiling to see me! It was then I remembered why I work so hard at teaching, even if it's subbing or long-term subbing. :) My heart smiled again. :) If God's plan is for me to be a substitute, then that's what I will be. :) I will touch lives... if only temporarily. :) I've said it before and I will say it again, I do not know where God's road map has me going-although I'd love to glance at it sometimes!-and I don't know where I'm headed, but I know He has a plan and He has me in His hands. :))
I hope you have a wonderful week and are smiling in your heart!! :))
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wondering
Hello, Readers. It's been a little while, again. Much going on, but at the same time, little...
My vegetable garden has not been fairing too well-too much sun and too many critters eating them-insects and mammals.
Our oldest daughter was set to get her driving temps last week. We went, she took the computarized test, she passed and onto the paperwork. We took everything in, but her birth certificate didn't specifically list her gender so it was unacceptable. We went back early this week with the only other copy we had and it didn't have the state's health department seal, so we have to go through a process to get a new copy mailed to us and take it back... She was sad. She was so looking forward to driving.
Our dog, the weimaraner, has become very skinny-losing a lot of weight. We took him to a vet who did blood tests, and the tests came back good-especially for a 10 year old big dog. Still, we wondered why the lack of interest in food and great loss of weight-he'd lost 14 pounds! We took him back on Tuesday and they sedated him to check his teeth, did some scans and swabs. We should know more tomorrow or Monday as to the results of those. It was rather strange around here without him on Tuesday. He came home groggy and stumbling around-very clingy after his visit. I dropped him off at 7am and he wasn't seen to until 2 or so-so he was hungry since he hadn't eaten since 7pm the night before, stuck in a kennel which he doesn't like and away from his family. He was a sad dog. He sure was happy to see us when we arrived to get him, though.
My husband hasn't been running much since my last post. He had fallen off a jet ski and bruised a rib, so that's taken a bit of the wind out of the sails. I'm still working on training for the half marathon, either way. Just will work out better for me, I think. I did 7 miles last weekend, again.
I have attempted digital scrapbooking since I posted last. I have a lot of work to do before I will be happy with a layout. Strange, how I was feeling good about paper and hands-on and now I feel new and uncertain. I am unsure of what to write and what to document first.
That isn't the only are of my life where I am uncertain. Still no word on a job for the fall and the pool is nearly dry of opportunities. Hopefully we'll see it pick up next week. I have heard jobs are scarce, it's not just me, but it's hard not to let it eat away at your self confidence. Someone important in my life says I need to find a new passion, something other than teaching since it's not looking good. I am wondering about this. Wouldn't it be hard just to pick up a new passion and set aside the old? I have heard from so many that I'm great at what I do-teaching, but that's in a substitute setting. Maybe it's just people being nice, saying what I want to hear... the little voice whispers these things to me. It's hard not to let it eat away at the faith that says God has a plan, He will guide me... where am I going? I feel nowhere... I'm trying to have hope. So many people have advice and opinions-just get a long term and that foot-in-the-door will get you there (I've had 4-5 long-term jobs, now...), just get into another district and that will help (done that, although my husband thinks not enough... but then what-how do I choose where to go? long-terms or daily jobs... one doesn't know.) It's difficult. The waiting and the worrying that I'm not good enough, that I'm stuck. Also, the not knowing what to do-get in a district where they know and like me well? Keep moving around so many know me and I will have opportunities? Just the politics and knowing the right people? Sigh...
I have felt tired, run down, lazy lately. It's affected my running and who I am, I think. I am beginning to wonder if it's this lack of confidence from the job... or the really hot weather? Am I just wilted? :) I have read several blogs, lately that have been balm to my soul-pictures and smiles in the words, too. :) This isn't the type of post I like to write-after all the title of the blog is positively mom-but sometimes it's just good to write about the things that are weighing on you. Although when I hit "publish post" I am filled with the sense of "you don't have it so bad! why are you posting that! many people have it much worse!"
Take care, blog readers. Things will perk up soon! :)
My vegetable garden has not been fairing too well-too much sun and too many critters eating them-insects and mammals.
Our oldest daughter was set to get her driving temps last week. We went, she took the computarized test, she passed and onto the paperwork. We took everything in, but her birth certificate didn't specifically list her gender so it was unacceptable. We went back early this week with the only other copy we had and it didn't have the state's health department seal, so we have to go through a process to get a new copy mailed to us and take it back... She was sad. She was so looking forward to driving.
Our dog, the weimaraner, has become very skinny-losing a lot of weight. We took him to a vet who did blood tests, and the tests came back good-especially for a 10 year old big dog. Still, we wondered why the lack of interest in food and great loss of weight-he'd lost 14 pounds! We took him back on Tuesday and they sedated him to check his teeth, did some scans and swabs. We should know more tomorrow or Monday as to the results of those. It was rather strange around here without him on Tuesday. He came home groggy and stumbling around-very clingy after his visit. I dropped him off at 7am and he wasn't seen to until 2 or so-so he was hungry since he hadn't eaten since 7pm the night before, stuck in a kennel which he doesn't like and away from his family. He was a sad dog. He sure was happy to see us when we arrived to get him, though.
My husband hasn't been running much since my last post. He had fallen off a jet ski and bruised a rib, so that's taken a bit of the wind out of the sails. I'm still working on training for the half marathon, either way. Just will work out better for me, I think. I did 7 miles last weekend, again.
I have attempted digital scrapbooking since I posted last. I have a lot of work to do before I will be happy with a layout. Strange, how I was feeling good about paper and hands-on and now I feel new and uncertain. I am unsure of what to write and what to document first.
That isn't the only are of my life where I am uncertain. Still no word on a job for the fall and the pool is nearly dry of opportunities. Hopefully we'll see it pick up next week. I have heard jobs are scarce, it's not just me, but it's hard not to let it eat away at your self confidence. Someone important in my life says I need to find a new passion, something other than teaching since it's not looking good. I am wondering about this. Wouldn't it be hard just to pick up a new passion and set aside the old? I have heard from so many that I'm great at what I do-teaching, but that's in a substitute setting. Maybe it's just people being nice, saying what I want to hear... the little voice whispers these things to me. It's hard not to let it eat away at the faith that says God has a plan, He will guide me... where am I going? I feel nowhere... I'm trying to have hope. So many people have advice and opinions-just get a long term and that foot-in-the-door will get you there (I've had 4-5 long-term jobs, now...), just get into another district and that will help (done that, although my husband thinks not enough... but then what-how do I choose where to go? long-terms or daily jobs... one doesn't know.) It's difficult. The waiting and the worrying that I'm not good enough, that I'm stuck. Also, the not knowing what to do-get in a district where they know and like me well? Keep moving around so many know me and I will have opportunities? Just the politics and knowing the right people? Sigh...
I have felt tired, run down, lazy lately. It's affected my running and who I am, I think. I am beginning to wonder if it's this lack of confidence from the job... or the really hot weather? Am I just wilted? :) I have read several blogs, lately that have been balm to my soul-pictures and smiles in the words, too. :) This isn't the type of post I like to write-after all the title of the blog is positively mom-but sometimes it's just good to write about the things that are weighing on you. Although when I hit "publish post" I am filled with the sense of "you don't have it so bad! why are you posting that! many people have it much worse!"
Take care, blog readers. Things will perk up soon! :)
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Half
The running is still going about 4-5 days a week. Today was so nice. Some tired muscles, but no shin pain, so that was great! My "time" (I wear my garmin way too much and check her far too frequently on my runs...) was quicker than normal. I asked my husband over the weekend if he'd like to do the half-marathon. I would love to do it with him instead of the full alone. My body has felt too...injured this time around and I'm still so worried about injuring myself again. I enjoy the arduous training, the drained feeling from being worn out at the end of a double-digit milage run, but I worry. I'm a worrier naturally, so this area of my life is no different. My husband and I started this journey together, and he took the injury detour that year of my first marathon. He hasn't tackled it since. The marathon distance can be daunting. But we used to enjoy our runs together (at least that's how I remember five years ago. ;)) We'll see. I've been working on running for a few months, building up, but he's been working on getting started again-he's up to three miles without walking, so I'm pretty proud of him, hopeful and excited to have a partner in this journey.
I have been reading up on digital scrapping, but haven't tried anything yet. I'm a planner and I'm a bit intimidated as to where to start. So many albums to do, so many pictures and stories, but where to begin??
My girls seem to be growing up at the speed of light. Our oldest takes the written test for her temps on Friday. Then she will be able to start driving with us here and there. Our youngest has a writing camp this week with 6-8 graders. Strange to see her as a growing/preteen/middle schooler! :)
Hope all is going well for you this week! :)
I have been reading up on digital scrapping, but haven't tried anything yet. I'm a planner and I'm a bit intimidated as to where to start. So many albums to do, so many pictures and stories, but where to begin??
My girls seem to be growing up at the speed of light. Our oldest takes the written test for her temps on Friday. Then she will be able to start driving with us here and there. Our youngest has a writing camp this week with 6-8 graders. Strange to see her as a growing/preteen/middle schooler! :)
Hope all is going well for you this week! :)
Friday, July 16, 2010
Ages
It has been ages since I sat and typed up a post. I have thought many times over the last few weeks: I have to blog that! But, alas, I haven't gotten to it. We spent a little over a week out of town, driving the very long drive to Disney in Orlando. Then we spent 5 days there and headed back. It was a wonderful family vacation for the four of us. Although, I've felt lazy since we got home. No one to clean up after us and make our beds! :) We got a complimentary upgrade to a very fancy room. It was delightful, and I enjoyed being spoiled! :)
Running... I've been running. It's been an interesting process. I feel soreness, pain, fatigue... then I wonder what to push through (thus preparing me for a marathon!) and when to let my body/legs/immune system rest? Last year I pushed right into a broken leg, and I know I won't be winning any marathons, and sometimes I push myself so hard that I don't feel like myself (ie with patience) towards my family. I'm reading Run Like a Mother and it's very good. It's inspiring and I am enjoying it. I'm planning on reading Born to Run, as well, in the near future. I do enjoy reading about running. It makes me excited to lace up and get out there. I have had such sore shins, then when that seemed to finally lessen, my achilles hurt for a few days, as well as my calf muscle. Today I felt defeated when I ran only 7 of my suggested 10, but my stomach attacked around then and I stopped at home instead of continuing on for three more. It felt like the right decision at the time, but after I was kicking myself. I am training for the full marathon, but am wondering if the half is better for me, to get back to fun... I think I wonder this each time I begin marathon training and life gets in the way of me following the schedule exactly. But this year, I am wondering if my legs (and mind?) would enjoy doing a half or two before I get back to a full... I keep mulling it over-a mental game, a process... Keep running to get fit, for sure, but the rest will come. Oh, I did try a few portions of runs (half miles on four different occasions) barefoot and enjoyed it immensely! I stretched before and after and didn't seem to be in too much pain... no more than I had started the run with, anyway, with shoes on. That Barefoot Angie Bee has me really intrigued and inspired. :)
I've been researching digital scrapbooking. I'm often at my computer, and I love the ease of working with photos. I love the process of paper and creativity that scrapbooking brings, too, so I'm researching, learning, leaning towards a hybrid, possibly. I will keep you posted on how that works out.
It's been nice to be away from the worries of "a job or no job" for the fall. There haven't been any new openings posted. They usually open more up again, on Aug 1. We'll see... Until then, no worries... Which is easier said than done. I must keep praying. I have no idea what God has in store for me at this point.
I have so enjoyed reading blogs that I frequent. I try to comment, often, so the writers know I enjoy their musings, like http://mollybawnchronicles.blogspot.com/, Isabelle, Momo, Juls, Kelly, Ali, Cathy and Thimbleanna, to name a few. I will try to post more, as well! :)
Hope your summer is going great! :)
Running... I've been running. It's been an interesting process. I feel soreness, pain, fatigue... then I wonder what to push through (thus preparing me for a marathon!) and when to let my body/legs/immune system rest? Last year I pushed right into a broken leg, and I know I won't be winning any marathons, and sometimes I push myself so hard that I don't feel like myself (ie with patience) towards my family. I'm reading Run Like a Mother and it's very good. It's inspiring and I am enjoying it. I'm planning on reading Born to Run, as well, in the near future. I do enjoy reading about running. It makes me excited to lace up and get out there. I have had such sore shins, then when that seemed to finally lessen, my achilles hurt for a few days, as well as my calf muscle. Today I felt defeated when I ran only 7 of my suggested 10, but my stomach attacked around then and I stopped at home instead of continuing on for three more. It felt like the right decision at the time, but after I was kicking myself. I am training for the full marathon, but am wondering if the half is better for me, to get back to fun... I think I wonder this each time I begin marathon training and life gets in the way of me following the schedule exactly. But this year, I am wondering if my legs (and mind?) would enjoy doing a half or two before I get back to a full... I keep mulling it over-a mental game, a process... Keep running to get fit, for sure, but the rest will come. Oh, I did try a few portions of runs (half miles on four different occasions) barefoot and enjoyed it immensely! I stretched before and after and didn't seem to be in too much pain... no more than I had started the run with, anyway, with shoes on. That Barefoot Angie Bee has me really intrigued and inspired. :)
I've been researching digital scrapbooking. I'm often at my computer, and I love the ease of working with photos. I love the process of paper and creativity that scrapbooking brings, too, so I'm researching, learning, leaning towards a hybrid, possibly. I will keep you posted on how that works out.
It's been nice to be away from the worries of "a job or no job" for the fall. There haven't been any new openings posted. They usually open more up again, on Aug 1. We'll see... Until then, no worries... Which is easier said than done. I must keep praying. I have no idea what God has in store for me at this point.
I have so enjoyed reading blogs that I frequent. I try to comment, often, so the writers know I enjoy their musings, like http://mollybawnchronicles.blogspot.com/, Isabelle, Momo, Juls, Kelly, Ali, Cathy and Thimbleanna, to name a few. I will try to post more, as well! :)
Hope your summer is going great! :)
Friday, June 18, 2010
Beautiful Women
Hello! :)
Yesterday I tried on bathing suits. Nothing in the sizes I've worn before fit me. Nothing in the next size up. I felt chubby. I've never been in such dislike with clothing or so down on myself. I moaned and groaned, complaining about my size-which is still smaller than most women, but part of that is because I'm short. ;) My daughters and husband were with me-all shopping. I was so frustrated and continued that down-trodden feeling until I read this... http://milemarkers.runnersworld.com/2010/05/dressing-room-glass.html
At first, I read Kristin Armstrong's most recent article. I always love the honest and genuine way she writes about life and running. So, I read a few posts back and saw this one. I realized that I was showing my girls how to think about their bodies. I'm still a pretty small lady-just a winter of eating poorly, not exercising and recovering from the stress fracture have made me more plump than before, not the stick-skinny runner I've always been. And running is taking a while to fix these things-longer than it used to, because I'm getting older. I guess that is what mid-thirties begins to do to you? But my husband said I just looked "womanly" with "beautiful curves"... Not fat. Last time we visited my family, my grandmother said I was getting the family butt... then the clothes not fitting, and I was fit to be tied with the whole situation. But, then I realized that even if there's chubby in my total poundage, that's nothing to complain about! It's life and, wow, I'm ok with ME. :)
Now I need to find a way to insert that into some conversations with my daughters who will always need to know how beautiful they are... Being a beautiful woman isn't determined by our weight or what bathing suits we fit into or how we change as we get older. It's what kind of person we are and how much light we shine to others. :)
Yesterday I tried on bathing suits. Nothing in the sizes I've worn before fit me. Nothing in the next size up. I felt chubby. I've never been in such dislike with clothing or so down on myself. I moaned and groaned, complaining about my size-which is still smaller than most women, but part of that is because I'm short. ;) My daughters and husband were with me-all shopping. I was so frustrated and continued that down-trodden feeling until I read this... http://milemarkers.runnersworld.com/2010/05/dressing-room-glass.html
At first, I read Kristin Armstrong's most recent article. I always love the honest and genuine way she writes about life and running. So, I read a few posts back and saw this one. I realized that I was showing my girls how to think about their bodies. I'm still a pretty small lady-just a winter of eating poorly, not exercising and recovering from the stress fracture have made me more plump than before, not the stick-skinny runner I've always been. And running is taking a while to fix these things-longer than it used to, because I'm getting older. I guess that is what mid-thirties begins to do to you? But my husband said I just looked "womanly" with "beautiful curves"... Not fat. Last time we visited my family, my grandmother said I was getting the family butt... then the clothes not fitting, and I was fit to be tied with the whole situation. But, then I realized that even if there's chubby in my total poundage, that's nothing to complain about! It's life and, wow, I'm ok with ME. :)
Now I need to find a way to insert that into some conversations with my daughters who will always need to know how beautiful they are... Being a beautiful woman isn't determined by our weight or what bathing suits we fit into or how we change as we get older. It's what kind of person we are and how much light we shine to others. :)
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Shoes or not shoes?
Been reading articles like this one: http://runlikeamotherbook.com/ where it mentions this blog: http://barefoot-angieb.blogspot.com/ Or reading this one http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-511--13381-0,00.html and some about these: http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/
Also listening to my yoga teacher, when I was attending more regularly, about my feet being my center, they weren't made for shoes.
Granted, I love the feel of brand new running shoes. They make me say "AAHHH" when I wear them, but I am intrigued. I'm contemplating bike path runs without shoes. Hmm, still in the thinking stages, but to get rid of shin splints... might be worth a try. Although, I have learned from a friend's experience, a little at a time... adjust by breaking those vibrams in, right Juls? :)
Just thinking about it.
School's out, now. I have checked out, finished the schoolyear and already wonder what the students are doing. I can see my girls being silly, enjoying summer. :)) I have interviewed twice for the same position at the school where I did my longterm. Should know by Monday if I have it or not. Fingers crossed. We'll see where my God Positioning System has me next! :)
Also listening to my yoga teacher, when I was attending more regularly, about my feet being my center, they weren't made for shoes.
Granted, I love the feel of brand new running shoes. They make me say "AAHHH" when I wear them, but I am intrigued. I'm contemplating bike path runs without shoes. Hmm, still in the thinking stages, but to get rid of shin splints... might be worth a try. Although, I have learned from a friend's experience, a little at a time... adjust by breaking those vibrams in, right Juls? :)
Just thinking about it.
School's out, now. I have checked out, finished the schoolyear and already wonder what the students are doing. I can see my girls being silly, enjoying summer. :)) I have interviewed twice for the same position at the school where I did my longterm. Should know by Monday if I have it or not. Fingers crossed. We'll see where my God Positioning System has me next! :)
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Saturday
Last weekend was spent traveling to a soccer tournament for our youngest daughter. We traveled two hours to the tournament, watched her play two games in the rain, traveled back to teach Sunday School on Saturday night, then got up to do it again the next day. They ended up in the championship game, getting second. They played well and were worn out. We had to wait on the championship game for rain delays, and the game directly before us going into two overtimes and a shootout. It was a loooong game! Then we didn't get home until late. This week our younger daughter also had a game against a tough team. She got to play midfield instead of defense, which is normally her favorite position, but she really enjoyed it and is hoping to play again today in her game.
My oldest has had a few track meets since I posted last, trying all different races: the two mile, the one mile, the 800 and the 400. She got a PR (personal record) in the mile at 6:19. She was pleased and so were we! :) Faster than I could run! :)
We had another fire out back last night. It was a very windy evening, but the temps were right. We had a cold front and storms move through overnight and it will be chilly and dreary today. After lunch I'm going to go get 6 miles in, I hope, if the wind doesn't blow me away (or into exhaustion! :))
I haven't gotten caught up on grading yet. I'm not sure I will! :) But, I will try. Had to input grades for progress/interim reports on Thursday night and was up late doing so. Not sure if I've mentioned that I'm in this classroom until the end of the year, now. No prospects for full time employment in the fall, though.
We have tried some more of Jamie Oliver's recipes. All very good and none very time consuming. The girls picked out recipes from it to try next week. Now I have to shop for the food, though! :)
One last thing for today. Do you, regular readers, recall my goal not to buy scrapbook items for a year? I pledged to use what I had at home and nothing more. I haven't sat down and scrapbooked, due to the mounds of laundry and papers to grade, even though I'd really like to... but I subscribe to this blog http://sbdreamer.blogspot.com/ and saw this wonderful paper. I'm about to cave. I love it all! But... am trying to resist.. for now... :) So, I'm posting about it. Send good vibes. I don't need to spend $ on supplies I'm not even using. There will be other cool stuff out there, when I get back to buying supplies again! :) (Right? ;))
Ok, that's all for now. I must go, eat lunch, do laundry, grade papers, etc... And Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms!! Hugs to you!
My oldest has had a few track meets since I posted last, trying all different races: the two mile, the one mile, the 800 and the 400. She got a PR (personal record) in the mile at 6:19. She was pleased and so were we! :) Faster than I could run! :)
We had another fire out back last night. It was a very windy evening, but the temps were right. We had a cold front and storms move through overnight and it will be chilly and dreary today. After lunch I'm going to go get 6 miles in, I hope, if the wind doesn't blow me away (or into exhaustion! :))
I haven't gotten caught up on grading yet. I'm not sure I will! :) But, I will try. Had to input grades for progress/interim reports on Thursday night and was up late doing so. Not sure if I've mentioned that I'm in this classroom until the end of the year, now. No prospects for full time employment in the fall, though.
We have tried some more of Jamie Oliver's recipes. All very good and none very time consuming. The girls picked out recipes from it to try next week. Now I have to shop for the food, though! :)
One last thing for today. Do you, regular readers, recall my goal not to buy scrapbook items for a year? I pledged to use what I had at home and nothing more. I haven't sat down and scrapbooked, due to the mounds of laundry and papers to grade, even though I'd really like to... but I subscribe to this blog http://sbdreamer.blogspot.com/ and saw this wonderful paper. I'm about to cave. I love it all! But... am trying to resist.. for now... :) So, I'm posting about it. Send good vibes. I don't need to spend $ on supplies I'm not even using. There will be other cool stuff out there, when I get back to buying supplies again! :) (Right? ;))
Ok, that's all for now. I must go, eat lunch, do laundry, grade papers, etc... And Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms!! Hugs to you!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
oops
I was doing so well, and then I missed a day. OOps. Yesterday had no blog post (or picture of the day for that matter...) But I will continue onward. :)
Last night, after a busy day teaching and handing the grade cards out to go home... (fingers crossed that Monday and Tuesday have little or no parents complaint? ;)) We all went out to dinner at a nearby Italian place. It's a small, neighborhood restaurant (as I type that I thought, ugh, that is one of the few words I always misspell and I'm a good speller! but it is stuck in my brain incorrectly and I misspell it every time: restaraunt... anywho...) The food was delicious and my husband decided we should have a carafe of red house wine to go with our meal. Wow, that tired me out-red wine always makes me sleepy! We came home and watched Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, which is a wonderful show!! It has a great message. From the moment I saw it, I was hooked. We watched that and went to bed. I didn't even think about my daily blog post until this morning, because I never stepped into my office!
I didn't get a single run in all week: After school/work, the husband and I headed out to dinners while the girls were away, and then I enjoyed heading right home to see them on Thurs and Fri. I also had to run to the store, Wed. to grab groceries and I was making them, and their aunt, dinner.
Which reminds me, I saw a glimpse of a good idea on Cathy Zielske's blog, and thought about trying to recreate it. We had lean beef tacos, Spanish rice and fat free refried beans on Wed. and had many leftovers, so I had also bought a pork loin at the store on Wed. I put it in the crock pot on Thurs. to cook all day in green salsa-that's it- and shredded it when I got home to eat with the leftovers-tortillas, rice, etc. They were so good-and SUPER easy! (Wow, that was a long way to say, I tried a new recipe and we liked it... ;))
Back to the running, I'm planning on the hilly workout I did a few weeks ago that is about 6.5 today. I will have to do it after we head to our older daughter's track meet.
That is all for today, I think! I hope your weekend has started off wonderfully-ours has started with sunshine and no wind! :)
Last night, after a busy day teaching and handing the grade cards out to go home... (fingers crossed that Monday and Tuesday have little or no parents complaint? ;)) We all went out to dinner at a nearby Italian place. It's a small, neighborhood restaurant (as I type that I thought, ugh, that is one of the few words I always misspell and I'm a good speller! but it is stuck in my brain incorrectly and I misspell it every time: restaraunt... anywho...) The food was delicious and my husband decided we should have a carafe of red house wine to go with our meal. Wow, that tired me out-red wine always makes me sleepy! We came home and watched Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, which is a wonderful show!! It has a great message. From the moment I saw it, I was hooked. We watched that and went to bed. I didn't even think about my daily blog post until this morning, because I never stepped into my office!
I didn't get a single run in all week: After school/work, the husband and I headed out to dinners while the girls were away, and then I enjoyed heading right home to see them on Thurs and Fri. I also had to run to the store, Wed. to grab groceries and I was making them, and their aunt, dinner.
Which reminds me, I saw a glimpse of a good idea on Cathy Zielske's blog, and thought about trying to recreate it. We had lean beef tacos, Spanish rice and fat free refried beans on Wed. and had many leftovers, so I had also bought a pork loin at the store on Wed. I put it in the crock pot on Thurs. to cook all day in green salsa-that's it- and shredded it when I got home to eat with the leftovers-tortillas, rice, etc. They were so good-and SUPER easy! (Wow, that was a long way to say, I tried a new recipe and we liked it... ;))
Back to the running, I'm planning on the hilly workout I did a few weeks ago that is about 6.5 today. I will have to do it after we head to our older daughter's track meet.
That is all for today, I think! I hope your weekend has started off wonderfully-ours has started with sunshine and no wind! :)
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