November: A Month in Review

30 days past November.... I can't believe we are already looking at this month's numbers.

SWIM - 5200M..................12,450M in October
BIKE - 28.46 miles..............73.05 miles in October
RUN - 35.95 miles................22.94 miles in October

When I look back on this month and forward to December, I don't really have any goals set. I wouldn't mind taking on another Challenge if anyone has any ideas, or maybe I will come up with something on my own. In less than a week I am participating in the Jingle Bell 5K with a friend, just for fun. No PR will be broken.

Happy Sunday, y'all!

Being Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Here's the "Top 5" things I am thankful for:

• Being financial aware and stable - living in my own home with food on the table, clothes on my back, and heat in the winter.
• Being able to spend holiday's with my parents, sisters, and brother-in-law.
• My health and happiness, as well as my family's and friend's
• My career, which is so much more than a job and very rewarding on a daily basis
• Being surrounded by such good people everyday... family, friends, co-workers, students, and you all

This morning we decided against doing the annual Turkey Trot this year. It doesn't start until 9am and we wanted to be able to help out around the house before our 30+ guests arrive before noon! So, Steph, Dad, and I went out for a nice 3 mile run earlier! Now, I must shower and help Mom while Steph and Dad are off getting us Starbucks!

Have a great Thanksgiving, y'all!

The next big thing...

Just signed up for this Half Marathon... again!



....MAY 9th, 2009!







....looks like I got Sister Steph, and my parental units to join as well. Sister Susan will be doing the 5K with a friend.

Now I am off to bed. I need to hit the pool at 530am with a friend prior to heading home to the Biz for a 5 day weekend! Peace out, homies!

Weekend Recap

Friday morning I hit the gym before work, well-rested and rearing to go. I had 5 miles planned and dangit that's what I did. They were brutal, my legs felt like lead, but I kicked through them and felt good for getting it done on a Friday morning at 5am.

There was a lot of fun and alcohol consumed both Friday and Saturday night. It's been a while since I have gone out both nights out of a weekend, and drank a lot of liquor. Ouch! Too much drinking Friday night, thus I did not get in my scheduled brick workout Saturday morning. Last night we went out to a local comedy club and got to see The Midnight Swinger perform.... freakin' hilarious! He is from Las Vegas and if you ever get a chance to see him, do it! I had a few drinks, but nothing that kept me from enjoying the beautiful 35 degree weather on a 3 mile run this morning.

Today I got a few more Christmas gifts crossed off the list, as well as lights and other stuff for decorating around the house. I was going to put up my tree this afternoon, but I lost the motivation!

Tomorrow and Tuesday we have long days due to two evenings full of parent-teacher conferences, but Wednesday is our comp day and I look forward to heading to the Bis then!

Have a great week y'all! I am going to try and catch up with your blogs this evening!

Thanks Trek

First of all, some of you have inquired more information about my Wordless Wednesday post. Yes, I am a HUGE Tarheel's fan, beyond belief. Some of you have asked my connection to the 'heels, but the truth is I am just a huge fan and have been for as long as I can remember. Thanks to my love of basketball and my Dad. Michael Jordan was a Tarheel, and he was a rockstar when I was a kid! And.... Tyler Hansbrough is awesome.... need I explain further?

The week has gone by extremely fast and I can't believe tomorrow is Friday already! It's been one crazy busy week at work and I couldn't be more excited for a weekend of ... well, anything but work. Blech.


About a month ago I received an email from Trek. Supposedly they had extra t-shirts from the Breast Cancer Awareness Ride and was wondering if I wanted one. Well, of course I did and I let them know right away!


I forgot about the t-shirt until yesterday when I found a big envelop from Trek in my mailbox. Unfortunately it wasn't a t-shirt and instead, they sent me a hat. One of thosebeanies with the brim. Now I am not much of a hat person and I really struggle with trying to pull it off ... see?!




But I thank Trek, once again, for the wonderful gift! I can't wait to do the ride again next year!

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I didn't make it for my 5am long(er) run this morning. I went to bed last night with very tight muscles (due to lack of stretching - scold me now), and a sore achilles on my right leg. On top of that, my youngest sister decided to text me pictures. waking me well after 11 last night. So, today I rest, because my workday left me extremely worn out and mentally drained. Tomorrow morning I will try again. A few of us plan to head for apps and taps after school tomorrow, so that will be enough to motivate me out of bed in the morning!

I want to shout out to Laurel and N.D. running the Philadelphia Marathon this weekend! Good luck!

Wordless Wednesday

Shattered PR?

I forgot to mention this in my race post yesterday, but I couldn't help but wonder if the race course was actually 3.1 miles. I mean, it's easy to doubt the distance when I was able to shatter my PR by 2 minutes. But, they did call it a 5K, so I am going to agree with the time, move on, and be extremely happy with my PR! You'd do the same, wouldn't you?

This afternoon I hit up the gym for a nice run. It was too dark by the time I left work to do it outside. The goal was to do a little speed work. I didn't really have a concrete plan in mind, I wasn't going to do 400's or 800's, but just go with the flow and see what the body could handle. When I would increase the the speed, I would drop the incline; when I would slow down, I would up the incline to about 2%. When all was said and done, I was pleased.

Tomorrow morning the plan is to get wet. It's been a week since I was last in the pool and I am dying to get back in!

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Today's Workout: Run 3.56 miles, 37:30, 10:32/mile average
Today's Song: O.A.R. - Shattered (new song!)

5K Turkey Trot, #1 of 2

Like I said in my previous post, my sister talked me into coming to the cities this weeking, bribing me with a 5K race..... the 5K Turkey Trot in Chaska, MN. I jumped on the opportunity. Plus, I was looking forward to spending a relaxing weekend with her and my brother-in-law.

Saturday morning we headed to the Chaska High School, the location of the race, and registered. The school was packed. Supposedly a basketball tournament was going on as well. Once we were registered, and our bibs and timing chips were attached, we waited patiently in the cold 30 degree weather at the starting line. It wasn't too bad but the wind wasn't pretty. We both went into this race hoping to just have a good run, enjoy our time, and possibly run the entire course, something I had never been able to do in a race before!

Shortly after 9 the race started. Our first short stretch of the route was downhill and before we knew it we were heading uphill soon after. We all know that what goes down, must go up, or vice versa, right? Throughout the race there was some mild hills, but nothing too terribly difficult. I will admit, I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to run the entire time with the hills.

We did a pretty good job pacing ourselves. Our goal was to keep up with the lady-in-the-pink-hat a few feet in front of us. Once we saw that 2 miler marker we picked up the pace a little bit. At this point I was starting to feel nauseous, and this has never happened to me in a race before. In the last tenth of a mile we did a full out sprint across the finish line. Talk about finishing strong. I stopped to get my chip cut out of my shoe and thought I was going to puke, but it went away pretty fast. It turns out that the lady-in-the-pink-hat was using us as a pacer as well. Glad we could return the favor.
The results?

Well, we haven't seen any official results yet, but according to my watch and what I believed to have seen when crossing the finish mat, I broke my 35:30 PR by 2 minutes flat. Both of us finished in approximately 33:30! It felt great! I am going to cash this in as my "freshly shaved" time for the Shave Your 5K Challenge! Thanks for putting this challenge together, Half-Fast!

After the race we grabbed some fruit and water. We got a nice little goody bag too.

Steph and I after the race

The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing, shopping, and relaxing! Thanks Steph and Blaine!

We have another Turkey Trot (one I have done for the past 3 years) in less than two weeks, on Thanksgiving Day in Bismarck. I hope that race will go just as well, if not better!

********UPDATE**********

Here's the official race results! We finished in 33:33, a 10:47min/mile average! Yeah!

We'll be Trottin'

I think I might have made my "near-migraine" the other night sound worse than it really was. The problem wasn't so much the awful pain, but the lack of sleep that night due to the caffiene in the drugs. However, I appreciate all the warm thoughts.

It's been a craaaazzzzy last couple of days at school, and this afternoon a co-worker of mine reminded me that it was a full moon. Fo reals?! I swear, between probable snow storms and full moons, things just get too weird around here.

On to better things.

Tomorrow I flee work as soon as I can and head for the Twin Cities. My sister tried to get me to come down there last weekend, but I had tons of paperwork and painting that just needed to get done. This week she emailed me and bribed me with a 5K Turkey Trot, saying I couldn't possibly turn her down two weekends in a row.... She was right.

We are, at least I am, going to be running for fun. But if I am able to Shave my 5K, I will take it and cross that off my to-do list for 2008! The weather looks like it is going to be chilly; 29 degrees (feels like 15) with wind out of the NNW at 23mph. ouch.

So wish us luck.

Have a great weekend, y'all! Good luck to those racing... especially my 'rents running in yet another half marathon, the San Antonio Rock and Roll Half Marathon. They will be celebrating 30 years of married life... and probably 22 years of surviving the drama 3 daughters can create!

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Today's Workout: Run 3.18 miles, 36:05, 11:20/mile average

Today's Song: Britney Spears - Womanizer (She's Baaackk!!!)

Fighting the pain

Last night, while I was getting ready for the next day, I felt the signs of a migraine. I knew that ibuprofen wouldn't make a difference so I pulled out the all-mighty Excedrin Migraine. I rarely resort to this, and try to stay away from any other form of pain releivers if I can, but I knew that if I didn't take something, I would wake with the same pain, if not worse.

This was at 8pm.

I started to notice the pain reducing about an hour later while trying to fall asleep in bed. But, I tossed, and turned, and tossed, and turned. I almost wanted to cry myself to sleep. I just couldn't fall asleep. The last time I looked at my clock was 11:30 and I know for a fact that I continued to toss and turn for a good hour after that.

Could the 65mg of caffiene really have affected me that much?

I was so angry. You don't want to see me with only 5.5 hours of sleep. I am not a bear, but I am not up to par either.

And when I woke this morning, the pain was only 75% gone. And when I got to work, my first 2 hours of the day was complete chaos, dealing with one particular student. I thank my other students for going about their business, working independently, in a time of crisis.

I am off to do some painting. Not on the walls... but on canvas. I can't wait to get back into this hobby.

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Yesterday's Workout: 1600M Swim
Today's Workout: Run 1.55 miles, 18:00, 11:36/mile;
Bike 15.8 miles, 44:00, 21.54mph

Today's Song: Fall Out Boy - I Don't Care

More house pictures

Note: I posted this Monday morning, but forgot I wanted to wish my parents a happy anniversary instead. Some of you may have already seen these, but I am going to post them again, anyway.



Here are some updated photos of the house. Some I may have posted before, but I thought I would show all. Now that all the painting is pretty much finished, I can concentrate on other things, like finding a dining room table, putting pictures on the walls, and other fun things.

Upstairs living room/dining room/ kitchen....

Master bedroom....

2nd bedroom....a work in progress.

3rd bedroom (Art/Office)...another work in progress.

2nd bathroom...

Basement living room with fresh coat of paint and new furniture....

Master Bathroom with a fresh coat of paint......

We Salute You

Please take a moment to be thankful for those who have faught, and pray for those who continue to fight, and for those who have lost their lives while protecting this great country of ours. I know I am thankful for one specific veteran, and I, support him 100%.

Veteran’s Day Tribute
When America had an urgent need,

These brave ones raised a hand;

No hesitation held them back;

They were proud to take a stand.
They left their friends and family;

They gave up normal life;

To serve their country and their God,

They plowed into the strife.
They fought for freedom and for peace

On strange and foreign shores;

Some lost new friends;

some lost their lives

In long and brutal wars.
Other veterans answered a call

To support the ones who fought;

Their country had requirements for

The essential skills they brought.
We salute each and every one of them,

The noble and the brave,

The ones still with us here today,

And those who rest in a grave.
So here’s to our country’s heroes;

They’re a cut above the rest;

Let’s give the honor that is due

To our country’s very best.
By Joanna Fuchs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZZf619DIpo

Happy 30th Anniversary

Happy 30th Anniversary to the best parents in the world!

I hope you both have a wonderful day! Good luck on your Half Marathon in San Antonio this coming weekend! We all hope you enjoy your anniversary gift in Texas!

Preparing to Trot

All week I had been planning on doing a run outdoors this weekend. I knew that it wasn't going to be as warm as the two runs I had earlier this week (in the 50's), but I wanted to run outdoors, to get ready for the turkey trot in a few weeks.

Note: I am thankful for the small dusting of snow we received this week. In comparison to the western portion of the state, this is nothing. Ironically, we, those who are in the eastern portion of the state are still under a flood watch. weird.

Last year the temp was 15 degrees, and I completed the 5k in 37:10 (average 11:59/mile). Today, when I went out, it was 25 degrees; with the windchill it was 15 degrees. Pretty similar, however I was able to run 2.95 miles in 34:39 (average 11:44/mile). I figure that if I keep running outdoors in these cooler temps, I will be ready for whatever kind of weather we will have on Turkey Day. last year was terribly cold, windy, and icy, however a few years ago we had family playing cards out on the patio after Thanksgiving dinner. Who knows what it will be like.

Yesterday I spent most of the day painting my living room and hallway in the basement. It's amazing how long things take when you do them on your own. I plan on unpacking some more boxes today, and maybe start putting some pictures up on the way. Check back later for those.

Happy Sunday!

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Today's Workout: 2.95 mile run, 34:39, 11:44/mile average
Temperature - 25 degrees, felt like 15 with 15mph wind out of the NNW
- dusting of snow on ground with few ice patches here and there
- took two 1-minute walk breaks to get rid of the side stitch, adjusting to the cold air
Today's Song: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Gone Gone Gone

It's just beginning

For those of you who read my post from yesterday.... remember how I said kids are like walking barometers? Well, today they were even worse then yesterday. It's was freakin' out of control today!

It has been raining and windy here in Fargo ND all day. The wind is getting worse. Before leaving work today I was emailed pictures of southwestern part of ND and they have received inches and inches of snow.

Just 2.5 hours west of here, in Bismarck (aka The Bizz), they have already been hit with snow as well... don't believe me? Just check it out here, at Ms. Math's Snapshots.

Hopefully tomorrow I won't be posting pictures of all the snow. I don't think it is supposed to get much below freezing. But, let's not hold our breath. I think the 2008-2009 winter season is just beginning.

The Sound of Silence

You know your a teacher when...

.....you know a major storm is coming without watching a weather report... -or-

...you can tell it’s a full moon without ever looking outside.
These two go hand in hand. Some people may think this is crazy, but when you have more than 5 students together at one time and things are quite different among them all, you know the weather is changing. Barometer dropping, storm coming, full moon, you name it.

.....you believe that unspeakable evil will befall you if anyone says,“Boy, the kids sure are mellow today.”

Need I say more?

Today was a good day at work. They were so good and quiet. Makes me wonder. We are looking at a "winter storm" possibly coming through within the next 24 hours... switching from upper 50's and rain yesterday and today, to freezing temps and 40mph winds.

A part of me really thinks that their behavior is a precursor of the weather to come.

I will keep you posted.

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Today's Workout: 1 mile walk with puppy
Today's Song: Simon and Garfunkel - Sound of Silence

4 on the 4th

We were given permission to leave work as soon as the kiddos were off and on the bus. That means, I was able to leave work today shortly before 3pm! Even though I had enough to keep me busy well into the evening, I had a burning itch to get in a decent run prior to the sun going down.

When I left work the weather was in the mid-50's and overcasting. It actually looked like it was going to rain within the half hour. Despite the forcast of rain, I hurried home, let the pup out, changed, put her back in her kennel (if she was potty trained I would have just let her roam), and headed out.

The plan, or hope, was to do 4 miles (4 on the 4th). I didn't wear my garmin and I didn't take time to map a route prior to heading out, so I just played the time game, stretching my 3 mile loop, and hoping that I went far enough. When I got back to the corner of my block, I was ready to be done but looked at my watch and new from experience and my pace, that I definitely didn't do 4 miles. It took everything in my to turn that corner, go down a few more blocks and make another small loop.

When I got home I let the pup out, and took her for a quick 1 mile walk, finishing just before the rain started to fall.

The results of the run? 4 miles exactly. I was able to do another successful run with NO walk breaks and finished in just under 12 minute miles!

I wore my favorite fall running outfit ... my bright pink/fuchsia, long-sleeved, wick-away Fargo Half Marathon shirt and Champion running capris from Target. It's just so comfortable! Unfortunately the temperatures are going to start dropping again in the next few days with snow and 40mph winds in the forcast. Time to bundle up...or get back into the gym...

What's your favorite fall running outfit?

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Today's Workout: 4 mile run, 47:00, 11:45/mile average
Today's Song: John Mayer - "Free Fallin'"
(love this song!)

Get ur vote (freak) on!

The plan was to vote early in hopes of avoiding the long lines tomorrow. However, today the lines were long, and it took about 20 minutes to get through at 3:45 this afternoon. I sat there filling out my ballot, making sure all bubbles were filled in completely... like a school kid taking the ND State Assessment. I wanted to make sure every vote counted! Supposedly they were averaging 500 voters per hour today. Crazy!

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I took a picture of the pup last night and sent it to a friend. She made up a quick flier and posted on the fridges at school. It sounds like a few people are interested and should be able to have a new home for Molly tomorrow. I am growing more and more attatched, but I just can't deal with the fact that she is not potty trained 100%. (If you are unfamiliar with my story related to the puppy I am dog-sitting read the post below.) Here's a pic of the pup....

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As much as I enjoyed the extra hour of sleep this weekend, and the visible sunrise on my way to work this morning, I did not like the fact that daylight was disappearing all too fast this afternoon. I rushed home from voting and took the pup on a near 2 mile walk. The temperature was well in the 60's. There is a nice man-made lake in my area and it was beautiful with the sun setting in the west.A picture like this makes me thankful for these beautiful fall days! Too bad we couldn't have a month of this weather. Winter will be here before I know it... or am ready for it.

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Today's workout: 2 mile walk
Today's song: Missy Elliot - Get Ur Freak On

Where has the week gone?

******Warning: Long Post******

The past week has been quite busy. In addition to the transition of moving, I have taken on another challenge, dog-sitting. It is supposed to be a few months, but with the difficulty of sitting a 1 year old pup that isn't potty trained very well, the owner (who is working out of town for a few months) has left me the option to take her to the humane society. I don't think I can do that, so I am in the process of trying to find her a good home with kids that will keep her busy as I am barely home except for a few hours in the evening.

However, here's what my week look like for workouts.... it's definitely not up to par, but I kept myself busy:
Monday - Rest
I cleaned out my apartment. That was enough work itself.
Tuesday - 2.92 mile run outside
I met with my apartment rental company and did the final walk through. I handed in my keys and was happy to be done with renting!
Wednesday - 2 mile walk with the dog
I also got a flu shot. I usually don't get a flu shot but I have already been sick, bad, once this year, I might as well give it a shot.
Thursday - 2 mile walk with the dog
Friday - 2 mile walk with the dog
Saturday - shopped and painted - that's gotta count for something!
Today - 3.05 mile run in approximately 36 minutes. It was a lovely day, about 60 degrees and no wind. The run was very slow but no walk breaks were necessary, again! Afterwards, I took the dog for a 1 mile walk before heading out to run some errands.

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Family Time:
This weekend my parents, as well as my sister and brother-in-law were in town again. Friday night we headed up to Grand Forks for the Sioux's first home hockey game - against the Wisconsin Badgers. The game was awesome and the Sioux finished off with a win, 3-2.

Saturday morning we were back in Fargo as I was expecting furniture to arrive that morning. After my couch and love seat arrived, we ran a few errands and did some shopping for a shower curtain and other bathroom stuff to go in the master bath. I picked up more paint, some for the bathroom, and then some for the basement. The master bathroom is finished and I will wait to paint to basement living room and hallway next weekend.

It was so nice to have family helping me with all this work. It sure makes it go by faster and it has been pretty fun to share this transition with them. Once I get the rest of the painting finished, I will post more pics.

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Awards:
Over a week ago I was given two blogger awards from Ms. Math.

The first:

Now the rules! Link back to the person who gave it to you and then award 10 other blogs!

Steph and Blaine
Wes
Chad
Jess
D10
Kelsalynn
Steve
Beachrunner411
Javamom
Sherry

The second:

Now the rules! List six things you value, six things you don't value, and then award six more people! Here goes!

Things I Value:

1. My family
2. My health and happiness (they go hand in hand)
3. My job/career
4. my own home
5. Friends (including all my wonderful readers!)
6. Sleeping - I have to agree with Steph on this one. Definitely love my sleep!

Things I Don't Value:

1. both MN and ND campaign ads. It's bad enough having to listen to all those ads, but when you live in Fargo, you get both MN and ND. Double wammie.
2. whiners
3. difficult parents - work related.
4. Negative attitudes. I am agree with Ms. Math here. It's one thing to be negative about things once and a while, but I don't see how some people can go around looking at everything as if the "glass is half empty".
5. cooking dinner for 1.
6. The war - I agree with Steph. again.

People I award:

1. Lisa
2. Runner Susan
3. Frayed Laces
4. See Bride Run
5. M*J*C
6. Viv
   

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October in Review:
I can't believe October has come and gone. I did my best to bring about more Breast Cancer Awareness and hope all has found some of the information beneficial. Now it is time to look back at the digits and look ahead to November.

Let's compare those numbers:

• SWIM - 12,450M..................8100M in September
• BIKE - 73.05 miles..............48.62 miles in September
• RUN - 22.94 miles................25.99 miles in September

I don't have much to comment on this. It's been a busy month, plain and simple. With that in mind, I think the month was pretty decent. Deep down inside, I wish I could have broke 30 miles of running, but once again that didn't happen. Maybe in November.

I hope y'all had a wonderful weekend! I look forward to spending the rest of the evening catching up on all your blogs and watching some football! Yay!