Category: Running

Weekly Run Down: Cold weather and a good week of running

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Hello there!  It is cold here and I am not ready for it.  Well despite the weather, I made it outside for 5 runs.  I am excited because I will be running/training with DWRunning this month.  Plus, I have a half marathon next month so I had to stop being lazy and run.  🙂

I received a new pair of Oiselle tights.  They’re reflective and I love them!  For sure car drivers can see me.

Most of my runs usually end with a “0” at the end.  On Tuesday morning just when I was almost done with my run, I was about to turn into my street when I saw a van also turn and park on the street.  Coincidence?  I don’t know and I didn’t wait to find out.  I kept running to the next street (one block east) and then another block to head home.    During the day it wouldn’t have bothered me but it was still dark and it did freak me out a little.

Check out Mateo’s tie.  Doesn’t he look handsome?

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I saw Deborah’s new shoes on Instagram and knew I had to get them too.  Aren’t they gorgeous?

Saturday morning was sunny but also cold and windy.  My goal was to run 1 hour.  The plan was to run for 30 minutes and then turn around to head back home.  Then I decided to run 2 miles, run to the next major street and then head back home.  I wasn’t looking at pace nor distance but figured it would be around 5 miles or so.  I got home and saved my run without looking at how far or how long I had run.  Ha, I ran 4.97 miles.  Did it bother me?  Not really.  It used to before but not anymore.

Sunday morning wasn’t too cold.  It was in the high 30s and it felt good being out there.  I ran 3 miles since I had to be back home in time to shower, get ready, and meet some friends for breakfast at 9am.

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Overall, it was a good week for me.  I am pleased with my 5 days of running.  I did take one Peloton class on Thursday.  It was fun biking through France!

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Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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Weekly Run Down: Crazy weather and end of the quarter

Hello there!  How is it that it is already November?  Two more months till the end of 2019.  November is my birthday month so that with Thanksgiving Day (and break) makes it my favorite month.   🙂

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This week I did not run at all.  I meant to but just couldn’t and didn’t want to get out there.  I did take one Peloton class but was so bored with the music that I just zoned out of it.  

We got snow on Wednesday and Thursday.  Ugh!  I hate it.  Plus, it is so early in the year for snow.

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On Wednesday we had our Monster Math Family Night.  For sure I thought families would not show up because of the weather.  It had stopped snowing but it was cold and windy.  We had so many families show up.  It was a fun night!

On Thursday my kids were EXCITED.  We had a fun day!  We did some work but we also colored, watched a movie, and did a fun math activity.

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The picture on the right is my car after school on Thursday.  The one on the right is from Friday morning. 🙁

Friday was the end of the 1st Quarter.  Yep, 10 weeks working with my 2nd graders.  That means 30 more to go.  Sigh.  10 weeks felt like a lifetime.  I really shouldn’t complain since I “only” have 16 students, but it’s been very challenging due to the different levels and some behavior issues.  

So that night I went out with friends for dinner and drinks.  We ordered a pitcher of cucumber margarita.  It was so good.  I drank it like I hadn’t drank any water at all.  Yeah, I paid the price of it later since I woke up with a slight headache on Saturday morning.  

Who else watched the NYC Marathon?  I am a huge Desi fan and was rooting for her to win.  She had a lead but ended up in 6th place.  

I had no desire to ever run the NYC Marathon but now watching the race got me motivated.  I entered the early drawing for 2020.  I am also going to enter the MCM lottery and hopefully get selected for one of the marathons.

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Have you run the NYC Marathon?  What are your marathons plans for 2020?

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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Weekly Run Down: Recovery week and 2 runs

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Whew!  I can honestly say that this week went by fast!  As usual, it was busy at work but still very productive.  Parent/teacher conferences are on November 12th.  Our school is doing student led conferences and I need to get some of my students ready for it.  The main difference from traditional conferences is that in student led conferences, the students do most of the talking.  I know I complain that my students talk a lot but yeah no so much for conferences.  I have 16 students and will be doing individual/traditional conferences for 9 of them.

I am not sure what is going on but I was very tired l after school.  I took a few naps.  Did the race affect me that much?

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I will have my race recap on Tuesday.  The Detroit Free Press TCF Half Marathon was so much fun.  The best part was running in Canada.  If you want to run it next year, the date is October 18, 2020.  Save the date!

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Monday morning I saw a gorgeous sunrise!  

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My mother spends the weekend with me and my sister.  It gives her a change of scenery plus it gives my sister a break (the one she lives with).  Her caregiver drops her off on Thursday afternoon and then I take her home on Sunday evening.  

On Thursday, after my nap, I was craving pozole.  I called a local restaurant to make sure they were selling it.  They did so my mother and I went there.  It was yummy!

Saturday morning I woke up very cold.  I did not want to run.  I am NOT ready for this “cold” weather.  Well, I finally went out for 2 miles.  I overdressed.  I was warm and sweating and it was OK.  🙂

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My babies finally cuddled!  Mateo is a trouble maker and likes to pick on Lola.  He chases her, bites her,  and jumps on her ready to play.  She does not like it at all.   There were both on the sofa napping and then somehow Mateo moved closer to Lola and went back to sleep.

Today’s run was GORGEOUS!!!  It was warmer than yesterday.  I ran 3 miles and in shorts.  Fall is my favorite season!  On December 14 I will be running the Kiawah Island Half Marathon.  I have my ticket but still need to find a place to stay.  I leave Friday morning and will come back on Saturday after the race.  I might go in on Thursday or stay an extra night so I can explore a bit.  Have you been there?

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I don’t really hate Halloween but I do hate how chaotic it is at school.  Students are allowed to come to school in costumes, so you can imagine the excitement.  Because of said excitement, students are not in the mood to work so it is hard to do any teaching.  Plus, we have a parade around 1 and then a Halloween party.  I believe the party is optional but really can I say “No”?  I don’t wear a “real” costume but just a small witch hat and a pumpkin skirt.

I didn’t run a lot this week due to recovering from my half marathon.  I was more sore than I thought I was going to be.  I felt like I had run a marathon.  Well, that’s what I get for not training properly.  🙂

Have you eaten pozole?  Did you like it?  Are you a Halloween fan?

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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Weekly Run Down: Race week and almost 400 miles

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Brooks Shoes-17Did you see these new shoes?  They’re a beauty!  I definitely do not need them.  🙂  Right?  I have a similar pair, Ghost 11, that I bought last year.  I love those!  I use Garmin Connect to track the mileage on my shoes.  Right now I have 5 shoes that I am tracking.  A few weeks ago I decided to just run in the Ghost 11 till I get to 400 miles.  Then the next shoes I will run in are the Launch 5 and the Levitate 1.  I know it is a crazy system.  I also have 3 new pairs in boxes.  Yikes!  Update: My Ghost 11 now have 289.40 miles after today’s race.  🙂

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I am so excited to run the Detroit Free Press/TCF Bank Half Marathon.  But I will say that I am not ready for it.  I think this is the first time I haven’t felt ready for a race.  Well, I think many of us have those feelings, but in my case I really am not ready.  If you’ve been reading my blog, the training hasn’t been there.  I had (have) plantar fasciitis and at one point took 3 weeks off to recover.  But my goal is to have fun and finish it!  Oh and maybe finish in less than 3:18:01 which is my worst finish time from when I ran the Walt Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon.

I ran only 2 days (one was race day).  The rest of the days I slept in.  I don’t know what is going on but I have been feeling very tired.  I wake up just in time to get ready and leave for work. 

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The photo below is from Monday, the day after the Chicago Marathon.  It was cold and windy the day of the marathon.  On Monday I ran 4 miles and enjoyed the sunshine and beautiful fall colors.

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I received my two Koala Clips on Thursday.  Love using these on my runs!

Saturday morning I finished getting my stuff ready.  Then I had breakfast and left for the airport.  My flight left at 11:15 and I arrived in Detroit at 1:00.  Once there I took an Uber to the hotel to check in and left for the expo.  The expo was fun!  There were so many vendors and I was actually impressed with it.  Normally I don’t buy anything anymore but this time I bought 3 pairs of Balega socks (it was buy 3 pairs and get one free) and an R3 foot roller.

In the evening I had dinner and watched TV.  One of the workers from the hotel offered to take me downtown so I could see the start line.  It turns out it it close to TCF Center where the expo was held.

When I got back I got my stuff ready for the race and went to sleep.

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The race was fun!  But my foot did bother me and I ended up walking a lot.  I enjoyed this race and would definitely do it again.  Oh, and I finished in 2:45:41.  

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Have you run a race where you did not train well for it or were not prepared?  How did it go?

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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Weekly Run Down: Chicago Marathon weekend and a Model PLC School

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No, I did not run the Chicago Marathon and definitely did not feel like I was missing out.  The last time I ran this race was 3 years ago.  It was in the mid 50s.  I ran the first half faster than the second half.  However, I did manage to get a PR and bettered my time by 40 minutes from 10 years ago (my first marathon).

I did however felt left out when I saw everyone’s post from the expo.  I usually go every year and love it.  From the pictures I saw that Joan Samuelson, Paula Radcliffe, and Deena Kastor were there.  I’ve only met Deena and have seen Joan on the running path.

I ran 3 days this week for a total of 11.65 miles. I missed my run on Wednesday and Saturday.  I was out late at a concert on Friday and slept in.  The rest of the day was just busy and then we went to a family dinner.  No time to run.

Wednesday evening I went to a Board Meeting because my school was recognized as a Model PLC School.  Earlier in the day during our after school meeting, the Superintendent and various Directors showed up to congratulate us.  Everything we do we do it for the kids.  It feels great to be recognized and I know we will continue to do great things.

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Early this morning I went to spectate the Chicago Marathon.  It is so much fun to spectate!  One of my best friends was running her first marathon.  The tracking app was acting funky and I missed her a few times.  In the end I did see her and ran with her for about 5 miles.

It was cold Sunday morning.  The sun came out a few times and it did warm up but then it got cold again.  I wore shorts with a singlet, a long sleeve underneath, and a light jacket on top.  I also wore pants and took them off a bit before I started to run.

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Another busy and hectic week.  Next week is my half marathon.  Am I ready?  No.  My goal is to have fun and enjoy it.

Have you spectated a marathon before? Have you run the Chicago Marathon?

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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