Now, don't panic...

2 posts in a day! Don't worry, I am ok.  I promised I wouldn't blog about running today, but I am.  I can't help it!

Ok, so it is like a state law or something here in Wisky that school can't start until sept. 1st.  AWESOME. I've spent 16 hours already at school this week, preparing.  I took some pictures, but didn't up load them. (See: LAZY)  Anyways, I was thinking about how I'm no longer than baby in school...ok, ok, I am the youngest employee, despite being one of 5 new teachers and since we didn't hire anyone new, I'm still a newbie.  BUT I know what I am headed into a little better than last year.  So, on my 4 mile run today, I thought about those new teachers out there. My advice for them is simple: be uncomfortable.  I did not do this enough at the beginning of the year.  I had these WONDERFUL coworkers who invited me places, lunch. dinner, drinks, to the lake, to the farmers market, to Kenosha.  I went sometimes, not always, because I was afraid to make new friends.  I was afraid to meet new people in a new town.  I was comfortable coming home to my boyfriend and watching Dexter.  DON'T decline eating with the 3rd grade teachers in the break room, don't tell the 2nd grade teacher you are too busy for dinner.  Don't deny the middle school teachers a cup of coffee.  And let those experienced teachers buy you lunch, you'll be able to pay them back later in the year.

And someday?  You'll take that new teacher out to lunch and see how grateful they are to have someone to talk to.

As rough as year one is, my amazing new friends and coworkers made the ride so worthwhile. I'm looking forward to another year.  And now I belong to an amazing gym, so after school I have something else to look forward to, as well.

Workout: run 1.5 miles to gym, run 2 miles on track, do 10 minutes of abs/planks/medicine ball work, run home.  AWESOMELY sweaty.

Thinking like a dog

It's been awhile since I have ventured down the sidewalks with just my thoughts.  I am unsure if I will have a running partner for the Columbus marathon, so I need to get used to training alone.  However, I HATE training alone because there are creeps EVERYWHERE.

Anyways, when I run, I run naked.  That is, without music. I run only with my thoughts.  I try, try, TRY to think about one particular thing, like planning a lesson or setting up my classroom or picking out music for my kids.  But, I am like a dog.  Everything I pass, I think about.  I always am grateful I did not trip over an uneven sidewalk.  I think about flipping off the guy in the truck who just honked and yelled out the window.  I think about the bee that JUST missed my shin.  I think about the houses I pass and the shady street I accidentally turned down.  Today, I thought about buying a fish.  I tried to think of a name for this fish, but couldn't.

I only ran for 35 minutes and later today, I will be doing HardCORE with Emily to get in my strength training. I may even stay after to lift some weights.  We will see how many times the instructor makes us do push ups, planks and the dreaded rope.

Do you think of random thoughts as you run?  Or do you just focus on breathing/technique/form?

5K Fundraiser for My School!

I never told you about my race, the one I planned!  I can't take all the credit, my partner in crime, Mrs. 4K teacher (she teaches 4 year olds kindergarten! Too cute!) helped A LOT.  She and I trained for the half marathon together while planning a fundraiser for our school.  It was called "Striding Into Summer".

You think running a race requires a lot of time?  Try PLANNING one.  It was fun, but a lot of work! Shout out to my fellow co-worker/new teacher/across the hall partner, Mr. Art Teacher for designing the logo.

We had 5 prizes that people could enter to win.  We had about 100 people participate, which is AWESOME for the tiny town we teach in and for a first race!  To read about/view it, click here!

New clothes would end wars

I believe if every person had new clothes to wear every day then there would be no more anger/hatred/war.  Think about it.  How HAPPY do you feel when you put on new clothes?  I love it.  It is an amazing feeling!  Something fresh and new from the closet.  If you ask my boyfriend, he would tell you I have too many clothes in my cloest, but hey, I'm not making HIM pay.

So a few days ago I was getting my eyebrows done...yes, I'll admit it to you guys.  On my way out of the salon, I walked into the main area of the store.  I passed a display of workout clothes.  I LOVE Nike stuff, but it IS pricey. So, I thought I'd take a look.  I found shorts that look EXACTLY like tempo shorts, but there weren't.  I used C9 from Target a lot, so I thought I'd try these out.  I know they won't be AS comfortable as the tempo short but they were only $9.60. That's right.  $9.60!!! I am tempted to go back and buy 100 more pairs! Did I mention PA doesn't have sales tax?! AMAZING.  I'm going to run in them when I'm at the beach, so I'll have a full report when I come home!

Do you ever wear anything that is not "brand name" when you run?  I am a clothes horse and shop at LOFT, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Gap, Express, The Limited, American Eagle...I could go on for days.  I love Target, too.  I am a clothes snob.  I am a brand snob, even when running, but these new shorts are AMAZING.  What brands do you run in?  What brands do you play in?

Portrait of a Winner! errr...Runner!

The closest I EVER have come to winning a race was in 8th grade.  I was at a Cross Country Invitational at Sliperry Rock University.  I came in 22nd out of 400 runners.  I consistantly was a point winner for my team (if you place top 7, you get a certain amount of points...the smallest number wins, like golf).  I usually finished between 4th-7th.  Then, I became a band nerd and didn't run until college.  Here are some pictures from the Whiskey Rebellion 2011.  I placed 9th in my age division-embarrassing!  But, I PRed

This is my game face.

Action shot!

My oldest sister (who placed 3rd in her age division!), my niece AKA her baby and me after the race.

Lazy Day

Yesterday and today, I didn't run. I am really slacking, since I am on vacay. Maybe I'll run tonight, I REALLY want to get a hill run in and being in Pennsylvania makes that very easy!  Last night, Amy (older sister, but not OLDEST sister ) and I went to dinner with our grandparents then out for a drink or two (or in my case three) with her friend.  Thus, the reason I did not wake up to run.  How many of you change your night life habits when running?  I only change mine when I am training and right now, I am not. 

LSD in the Morning

Now, don't get all excited here.  LSD=Long Slow Distance.  And by long distance, I mean the longest distance I've run since my half in May=4 miles.  I have been lame this summer and focused on my swimming technique and spinning rather than logging in long distances.  I also changed shoe brands.  I now run in Saucony Omni 9's instead of Asic 2140's which they no longer make.  I had to break those in and the end of the year madness for a first year teacher is insane.  But, I ran 4 miles in 38:59...I will steal that second to make it under 39.  I did it by MYSELF (E-be proud!) without stopping.  It was nice to just run.

I ran on a trail, which I normally don't do.  I don't feel safe on trails, but my mom was walking with a neighbor friend, so I knew I was within 3 miles of them...which, in the long run, wouldn't save me.  It's the thought that counts.

Peter's Trail