Three Things Thursday

1. Spreading the word and sharing the giveaway:

For those of you interested in joining in on the virtual race fun, check out these couple of races: 1. Runner's Bugs Virtual Race - You have the option of doing the 5K, 10K, or 10 miler. It's a non-race, and just for fun. You have until October 8th to run it, and then until October 15th to post about it. 2. Running Diva Mom's Virtual 10K - It's free and there's cool prizes. You can run it anytime between October 1st and 15th.


Carly over at Tri-ing My Hardest is hosting a giveaway. Check it out HERE!

2. How come I struggle with saying "NO"?
I think I might have signed myself up for another committee at work. Gasp. As if being the building rep for our department and on our RtI committee isn't enough in addition to managing my caseload and paperwork! This new committee and I are working on figuring out how to reach those kids that stuggle with behavior through positive behavior supports, mentoring, and such. I think much good will come of this.



3. Half Marathon/Marathon Training:
Do you make up your own training plans or do you follow one? What kind of training plan do you follow, or do you create your own to fit your needs based on other training plans?

When I trained for my first half marathon, I used the Jeff Galloway plan and found it to suit me the best. It didn't require running more than 3 days a week and the long runs were only every other week. I have looked at Runner's World training plans as well as Hal Hidgon's, but know that I would have to alter them a bit so they work for me. I am not really looking for speed, even though I would like to do better this time around.

Also, how do some of you train during the winter months? Especially those that are like me, and will have to do most of my long runs for this race in May during the cold winter months... on a treadmill! It's one thing to train for a half marathon on a treadmill during the winter months, but I can't imagine doing the training for a marathon during those months. How do y'all do it?!

(Semi) Wordless Wednesday

Here is one of my top ten reasons why I LOVE living in the Midwest - witnessing Summer turn into Autumn!

"Autum is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." ~Albert Camus

Swim?

This morning the alarm went off at 430AM and all I wanted to do was roll over and go back to sleep. I had reset my alarm for 530AM without thinking, but quickly realized that I had planned to meet a friend at the pool and going back to bed just wasn't an option. Plus, I haven't been in the pool since August and it was well-overdue.

So I got up, grabbed my bags and was in the pool by ten after five. I did my workout, showered, and realized as I was driving to work this morning why I don't like swimming in the morning: 1. I have to get there right when lap swim opens to get a lane - 5am, and 2. I am done with my workout well before 6am and to work before 7am!

Lap swim in the evening isn't that great of an option either. It doesn't open until 8 or so and leaves me wide awake when I try to get to sleep at my usual time (before 10pm).

Oh well. I got up and got it done and it gives me my evening to complete a few odds and ends: oil change, mow lawn (hopefully the last time before winter), and finish baking for our dessert cook-of tomorrow at work.

Here's the swim workout: 2000 Yds Total
500 Yd w/u
500 Yd swim with paddles and pull bouy
6x50 Yd swim with fins (25 sprint/25 dolphin kick on back)
500 Yd swim with paddles and fins
200 Yd c/d

Tomorrow's workout?! BODYPUMP!!


By the way, I want to thank this dude for trying to persuade me to do the Fargo MARATHON ... why you gotta be like that?!

Mark your calendars!

Fargo Marathon!!

May 19-21st, 2011

Mark Your Calendars!

Rock Fast,

Rock Friendly,

RUN FARGO!

A little background information: The Youth Run kicks off the weekend that Thursday evening. The 5K is on Friday night, and the 10K, Half Marathon, 2- and 4- person relays, and Marathon are Saturday morning!

Did you know that they are going to have live music at every mile?

Did you know that Dean Karnazes will be speaking, not once, but twice, at the Pasta Feed?!

Did you know that registration last year exceeded the goal of 20,000 participants?

Did you know that it is known as one the of Fastest and Friendliest races around?

Did you know that this is a USATF Certified Course that allows you to QUALIFY for BOSTON!?

Okay, enough of that! I just absolutely love this event and want to tell everyone about it! I did the Fargo Half Marathon (my first and only) in 2008, the 5K in 2009, and then the 5K/10K Go Far Challenge this past spring!

A little over a week ago I got the flyer in the mail, with a magnet for my fridge, advertising for this weekend of festivities. You can only imagine how excited I was! I had posted that I have ideas for this race and I would share it at a later date. Well, today's that later date.

I am hoping to do the Fargo Half Marathon once again!

I have almost 8 months to train for this race which is MORE than PLENTY! I plan to train smart and take my time building those long runs. I haven't done much more than 4-5 miles at a time, for my long runs, for the past few months. So, I definitely have a lot of work to do and look forward to training once again!

Also, if all goes well, I would love to do the 5K the night before, in addition to the half marathon, and recieve my 3 medals as part of the GO FAR CHALLENGE once again! That would be sweet!

I have family and some friends already thinking about this race and what they would like to do train for. Who knows, I might be throwing a little post-race party for those that participated (and their significant others)!!

Any of you thinking of participating in the Fargo Marathon weekend events?

Happy Golden Birthday!

Just wanted to shout out a HAPPY GOLDEN BIRTHDAY to my BABY SISTER, Susan!

I can't believe you are 24 ALREADY!

I hope you have a wonderful day and I look forward to spending the weekend with you!!

Three Things Thursday

1. In the Baking Mood - The cold and wet weather has put me in a baking mood. Nothing extravagent, but for participating in our cook-off next week at work to raise money for United way. I was doing a little experimenting last night. I took a simple pie recipe, that doesn't require any baking to begin with, and altered it to make individual miniature cupcake size servings. In doing so, I had to use the oven a bit to make the crust, but I think all and all it turned out. We will be trying it tonight at my friends birthday dinner - I will let you know how it turned out! (Definitely not healthy, but a nice treat!)


2. How about them Twins?! For the second year in a row, the MN Twins have clinched the American League Central Division Title! How sweet is that?! My sister and brother-in-law were able to get tickets to the 2nd game (and 3rd home game if there is one) of the post-season since they are season ticket holders. I am super jealous!


3. Workouts - I am on a roll again with another great week of workouts. Last weekend while back in the Bis I was able to get in a 3 miler.

Quick side story: The funny thing about that run? My Y card fell from the shelf on the treadmill that holds magazines, bounced on the belt, and just hit the tip of my foot perfectly while I was running. Why so perfect? Because it ended up flying straight into the machine. They said they would try to get it out and mail it to me, but after one of the employees at the Y here in town heard my story this morning, she just printed me a new one for free (instead of paying the 5 bucks). Seriously, does these kind of things only happen to me?!

Asside from that, I enjoyed a Sunday of REST (the way it should be, right?!), and have had some good workouts during the week. A couple short runs, a couple short bikes, some wonderful strength training and stretching, and a good BODYPUMP session with a newbie last night (she is swearing at me right now, I just know it). Tomorrow I am hoping to do another long run before heading off to work so I can enjoy my weekend. I will be attending a friend's wedding, the last wedding of 2010!

Wordless Wednesday - North Dakota Sunrise in September

Tuesday Tidbits

Bullet style:

• I went out west for the weekend and enjoyed time with the BF, my parents and sister, friends, and some of his family as well. It was jam-packed but enjoyable.
• On my way back to the Bis area last weekend, the temperature dropped to 34 degrees at 5pm and it was sleeting. While we were eating dinner, we witnessed huge snowflakes falling from the night sky. Sure felt like December 17th, not September 17th. Thankfully it didn't stick around!
• Las Vegas and the cabin in the woods idea for my 30th birthday have been dropped from the list of ideas. They're both just too much!
• I am in a groove with my running (knock on wood) and just got THE announcement in the mail for the Fargo Marathon. I will go further into depth on this topic in a different post, but just wanted to inform you all that my mind is rolling with this and what may lie ahead!
• Work, working out, and grad school are all consuming my time. That and busy weekends. But, I am enjoying it all! I just haven't had much desire or time to put towards blogging. Sorry, y'all!
• Even though I am struggling to keep up with this blog, and yours, I have started another blog to keep track of nutrition and workouts. I need something to be more accountable and that's where I am going to start. I started working with TriMarni this summer and I will be honest, I fell off the bandwagon a bit. I need to get back on track and make some more healthy lifestyle changes. Feel free to check it out: Finding The Proper Balance - It's not very exciting, but it's there for me, not you. :)

Happy Tuesday, y'all!

Birthday Ideas

As many of you already know, I will be turning the big 3-0 this year! December 9th to be exact, so mark it on your calendars!

I am not usually one who likes to make a big deal of my own birthday - usually dinner or drinks out with friends is enough for me. But, this year is different. I mean, it's my 30th birthday for cryin-out-loud and believe it or not, I am excited as one can be for turning a year older!

So, with that... there lies a bit of a challenge.

I really want to do something fun and out of the ordinary for my birthday. My sister, friend, and BF are willing to help plan something, it's just deciding what to do. Some of the ideas put out there consist of:

• A weekend trip to Las Vegas - for those that could make it, but tickets seem kind of pricy right now.


• A weekend get-away in a cabin somewhere in MN.


• Rent a party bus here in town and bar hop - not really my thing though


• Birthday theme party at my house - but what?!

Did you do anything out of the ordinary for your 30th birthday? If so, what? Do you have any wonderful ideas to share?!?! I know some of you out there are very creative and I am looking for all the help I can get!!!

Three Things Thursday

1. Fall is just around the corner! This mornings temperature when I was heading to the gym was 34 degrees (5am). Yikes! The days are already getting shorter. But, I am looking forward to the many things that fall brings: caramel apple fragrance, chocolate chip pumpkin bread, homemade apple pies, pumpkin spice lattes, the colored foliage falling from my maple trees, and wearing jeans and sweatshirts. Ch-ch-changes.


2. Working the workouts! For some reason this week, I have been able to get in some really good workouts. I have been getting pretty good sleep and am feeling rested each day. Monday I ran a warm-up mile on the treadmill before heading to BODYPUMP class, Tuesday I biked 18 miles, yesterday I ran 5.52 miles - my longest pain-free run on a LONG time, and this morning I biked 23 miles before work! Throw in some extra stretching, strenthening and core work and I am a happy camper.


3. I look forward to my weekly treats! Do you have a local Herbal Life provider? We have about four or five distributors in the FM area. Each week, after a big morning workout, J and I enjoy one of the "Memberships" from Fusion Revolution before heading off to work. It's actually a meal replacement high in protien and very low in sugars, carbs, and calories - approximately 230 calories. What does the Membership consist of? Well, it starts with a shot of Aloe to cleanse the digestive system. Then, you drink a tea - hot or cold - flavor of your choice. I love the refreshing taste of the cold lemon tea. Then, you choose a smoothie of your choice - vanilla, chocolate, or fruit based. I usually get the Chocolate Caramel Cappuccino! It is so yummy. I find that this fills me up and gets me through most of the morning!

Wednesday Words

It's so nice to be back and work and surrounded by children. And my 6 and 7 year-olds are quite a change from the 10-12 year-olds last year! Each and every day I tell myself that I should write down what some of my kids say, do, or ask. I really need to start doing so, because most of the time it makes me smile.



Here are a handful of quotes about children that I think are great:

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today."
~Stacia Tauscher


"You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance."
~ Franklin P. Jones


"A child can ask questions that a wise man cannot answer."
~ Author unkown


"While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about."
~Angela Schwindt

Looking for my next challenge...

.... or race.


I haven't been doing any "training", persay, since the sprint triathlon on August 15th. Swimming has taken a back seat with no laps accomplished thus far in the month of September. Yesterday, I realized that I only ran once last week - bringing this months miles up to a whopping 7.6.

Yes, for reals.


On the flip side, it's been nice to take time to get back into a routine with work, sleep, and just getting my rear to the gym on a regular basis. I have gotten in a handful of two-fers and more strength training than prior to school starting. I have been able to get to BODYPUMP class at least once a week, a yoga class, and some pilates.

I think the routine of working during the day has helped, immensely.

However, I am a person that feels like I can stay on top of my game if I have something to reach for; an event or race, or a challenge for that matter. I have been racking my brain the past couple of days, trying to figure out what it is I want to do. When October rolls around, I would love to be training for something or another and change things up a bit!

Here's some of the things coming up that I am thinking about:

• 9/18/10 - West Fargo 5K - this would be a last minute decision, and just for fun, if I am around this weekend.
• 10/9/10 - Fargo Mini Marathon 5K - This weekend I have company, but might be able to squeeze this run in while everyone is still fast asleep. :)
• 10/10/10 - Running Diva Mom's 10K Virtual Race
• 11/25/10 - 5K Turkey Trot - I haven't done this one in a few years because the race starts midmorning and my mom hosts Thanksgiving dinner - so I feel bad not helping out that morning...
• 12/4/10 - Jingle Bell 5K (Arthritis Foundation) - J and I have done this for the past couple of years. And even though it's dang cold out, we keep coming back for more. This year we are thinking about wearing costumes related to the holidays - so if you have any wonderful ideas, please share!

Also, I have seen a blogger or two mention the possibility of a challenge that they are putting together that I might be interested in participating in. And, I am thinking about either putting a virtual race in order for my 30th birthday...

What do you have coming up? Are you doing an personal challenges? Anybody willing to give me any ideas of how to change it up a bit and challenge myself?!

Fit 4 Life

... formally known as Drive 2 Fitness at our school. It's a wonderful program that our two gym teachers put together for our students. Last year, our school received a National Award for encouraging and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Our gym teachers are trying to encourage more teachers to participate this year, as we all know that kids need positive roll models and if any kids need positive roll models, it would be our school clientele.

The goal is to earn points each day for certain behaviors. A person can earn 2 points per healthy behavior; earning a maximum of 10 points per day. Point sheets are handed in the 1st of every month and the students with the top scores each month have their picture posted in the hallway. A student can work towards the year-end party, needing a certain number of points. Grades 1-3 attend a hotel water park in town for half a day and Grades 4-5 head to Grand Forks for the day to play at the water park.

Here is the five healthy behaviors:

1. 1 hour of exercise - this follows the NFL's Play 60 initiative to encourage kids to play at least 60 minutes a day.




2. 5+ fruits/veggies - our school lunches are slowly improving - so many fruits and veggies are offered with lunch every day. However, I still think they have a long way to go.. Some lunches are filled with way too many carbs.


3. eat breakfast AND try school snack - It's so important to encourage kids to eat breakfast every morning. Many of us adults skip breakfast due to the rush of the morning and getting kids ready for school - what are we promoting?! I know I didn't start eating a healthy breakfast regularly until I was out of college!

Due to a high poverty level at our school (40%+ - numbers are based on students who are on free and reduced lunches/breakfasts), we have qualified for a grant from the state of North Dakota that allows us to provide 1 morning snack to all of our students. The snacks consist of fruits and veggies, starting with something simple and hopefully moving into more exotic snacks that kids are not usually exposed to. Some of the snacks the kids have received so far consist of apples, plums, nectarines, kiwi, oranges, etc. So far, things are going really well and the kids are enjoying it.


4. Less than 1 hour of screen time - So many kids (and adults - including ME!) spend too much time in front of the tv screen and/or computer screen each day. This includes playing video games. Stats show that two thirds of toddlers and infants watch approximately 2 hours of tv every day, kids under 6 watch 2 hours of tv every day - which includes tv and video games, and kids and teens between the ages of 8 and 18 spend 4 hours a day watching tv and 2 hours a day on the computer (outside of homework) and playing video games! Wow!


Did you know that television in moderation can be a good thing? We all know that there are education videos out there. However, there are also some negatives: increases obesity, negative behaviors (ie. violence, bullying, etc.) and sense of anxiety (from watching scary and inappropriate tv/movies), and it reinforces gender-role and racial stereotypes.



5. No sugary drinks - When I asked to clarify the specifics of this, I was happy to hear that this includes Gatorade and Powerade, as well as soda. So many kids drink so much of those juices and they have so much sugar in them.


It's so fun to see these kids get excited about such a program! I look forward to playing along and hoping to share my excitement for a healthy lifestyle with my students and my co-workers!

What kind of things are you doing to promote a healthy lifetsyle at work or with your kids?

Labor Day Weekend, and then some...

As we completed our first week of school, we were given permission to leave and enjoy our long weekend as soon as the kids were out of our room. I took full advantage of that and hightailed it out of there shortly after 3. I was heading home to the Bis to meet up with the BF and do a long weekend of camping with a couple friends and their little one.

It was an interesting weekend to say the least. We had the BF's parents camper which made camping in the cooler temps (50's and 60's) a bit easier. Saturday we had some trouble with the boat and our friend had an accident early that afternoon that ended up not being as bad as we first feared. Phew. Sunday afternoon the BF and I drove almost an hour to my Grandpa's house for a BBQ. He was having family and friends over to thank them for everything that everyone has done for him in the past 6 months, since my Grandma passed away. It was so nice to be able to go and chat with everyone, even if we were only there for a couple hours. Then we headed back to the campsite for what turned out to be a nicer night then we thought it was going to be. However, rain rolled in around 5am Monday morning and made packing up and loading up a bit interesting.

I rolled back into Fargo around 8 pm last night, threw in some laundry, worked on a grocery list, and my to-do list for the week. Why is it that it's never-ending?! I have quite a bit of things I would like to get done this week before the weekend comes around again. My sister and brother-in-law are coming to town and I hope to get the spare bedroom cleaned up a bit and usable for them. In addition, the 2nd week of school is starting and I am not sure I am ready. Sigh.

I don't know how much blogging I will be doing this week either. I have to figure out how to get most of my grad school work done during the week, since I figure most of my weekends are going to be busy with traveling and house guests.

I hope to catch up with you all very soon!

8 down, 4 to go...wow

Well August was an unstructured month, that's for sure. And without structure, my workouts weren't the greatest, or as frequent as I would have liked. But, live and learn, right?!

Month in Review: August 2010
Swim - 6,200 Yds ...... 4,700 Yds in July
Bike - 95.05 miles ...... 98.23 miles in July
Run - 26.30 miles ...... 24.90 miles in July


Total Number of :
Swims - 4
Bikes - 7
Runs - 9 (including runs off the bike)
BodyPump Class - 1 (no wonder why I was so sore for days afterwards)
Pilates Class - 1
REST days - 16 (YIKES!)


Highlights of the month:

• Doing a triathlon with my sister! I just wish it would have gone better!
• Enjoying the last bit of summer.
• Spending time with family and the BF.
• Going back to work. Yeah, I am only a week in, so I can still say I am happy to be back. Check back next month to see how I feel about it. :)

Lows of the month:

• Struggling through my last triathlon of 2010. So challenging, mentally and physically.
• The high number of rest days. Some occured because I was just too lazy. You know how you get in the routine of not doing something for a couple days and then it's twice as hard to get back into workout mode? Yeah, that's what happened... multiple times.

Goals for September:

• Not get sick. It seems like I have dealt with some sort of allergies/cold the first couple weeks of school and I don't like it one bit. My throat has felt pretty dry the past couple of days and my glands are swollen. Seriously?!
• Plan better. This includes my meals, workouts, and everything else. If I can plan a bit better, I will have used my time more wisely. I think this will also keep me on my "A" game for workouts.
• Enjoy the fall weather while we have it. When October comes, anything is possible in regards to 'weather'.
• I was hoping to think of some sort of challenge for the month, but can't. However, I hope to get to Bodypump and Pilates class weekly. I hope to run 40+ miles this month, bike over 100 miles, and swim close to 10,000 Yds. We'll see!

Year To Date Stats:

Swim - 59,100 Yds

Bike - 759.85 miles

Run - 256.40 miles