What happens when I have too much time on my hands...

Yesterday afternoon I went to the gym to get in a good cardio workout before heading to Pilates class at 530. I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do; run, bike, run and bike, or run/bike/run. I left the house and figured I would play it by ear, seeing how hard I could push myself and what I was in the mood for...

Well, I think I got to the gym a little too early and had plenty of time to kill before pilates class started. I started on the treadmill with the idea of doing a couple miles, doing a short bike, and then another couple miles on the treadmill.

Here's how it turned out:


Run - 2.25 miles (26:00)
Bike - 10 miles (30:00)
Run - 2.57 miles (30:00)

Afterwards I ventured to Pilates class and remembered that class was going to be outside today. Even though there were a few that weren't very excited about it being outside, I was stoked!

It was great to get outside, roll our mats out, and get a little Vitamin D while strengthing and lengthening our body! The traffic wasn't distracting, the birds were chirping, there was a slight cool breeze, and we got to watch the rain clouds rolling in.

Could it be any better than this?

Making progress

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! I got to hear a great local band Friday, spent a lot of time resting and relaxing (with a little cleaning) on Saturday, and a lot of baking and such on Sunday! I have a Special Ed staff/paraprofessional christmas party that I am hosting this Thursday and trying to get ready for it!



On the workout front, I have been kicking my ass this month! My swimming is lacking a bit, since I am trying to get 100 miles of biking and 45 miles of running accomplished. I will easily make my biking goal - 100 miles - and am more than halfway there. No worries with that!


I still have about 24 miles to go to make my goal of 45 miles for this months challenge. I am trying to figure out the best way to go about this. Since I have just started experiencing pain free runs, I don't want to push myself into injury again. I have thought of a couple different ways to achieve this distance: 1) do more shorter runs throughout the week, or 2) do a few runs but at longer distances throughout the week.

I think I am going to stick with the shorter runs, but listen to my body. For example, yesterday I got on the treadmill with 3 miles in mind, but ended up doing almost 5 miles again. I threw the towel over the distance and just enjoyed the run. I probably could have gone longer, but wanted to spend a good amount of time stretching and doing some yoga.

I think a lot of my knee issues in the past has stemmed from weak glutes/hamstrings. I also think it might have come from tight hip flexors. I have been doing my AM/PM yoga once and sometimes twice a day for the past week and it has helped immensely. I love yoga!

Do you do yoga? If so, how often and for how long?

It's not about where you come from

After a couple frustrating runs this week that left my knee feeling tight and uncomfortable, it was only expected that I would feel frustrated. This seems to be an on-going thing, but I wonder if my attempt at speed work is bringing it on.

Anyway, I spent the last few days getting back on track with my Tri Power exercises as well as the exercises I got from my PT this past winter. And this morning I was able to pump out 3.5 miles on the treadmill (really slow, but I'll take it), pain free and then 10 miles on the bike. Ahhh.

I am off for a weekend at home. We are having a 60th anniversary celebration for my Grandparents, 50th Ordination party for my Great Uncle, and then our annual family golf tournament on Sunday. Busy weekend, but it should be fun. Now, if I could only feel prepared for the time I will spend at the piano tomorrow during the anniversary open house. *gasp*

I will leave you with a story about a ND girl, Dagny Knutson. I read it in an old Sports Illustrated this morning while on the bike. Check it out, it's a pretty good story.....



Dagny Knutson, a rising high school senior, is making a - 06.22.09 - SI Vault

Shared via AddThis

What's going on?

Teacher Appreciation Week...
The week started off with $60 in cold hard cash from our PTA as a thanks for all we do. Seriously, we are so lucky to have such a wonderful PTA, and it's not just about the money! They have been very involved and supportive in our school and district. On top of the money from the PTA, our district administrators, support staff, and district educator's association, have been providing treats in the lounge each day... meat and cheese tray, root beer floats, muffins and rolls, pies, etc.


Triathlon to Come...
Less than two weeks ago, I came across a triathlon I wanted to do. It's part of the Prairie Rose State Games that takes place here in ND every year, rotating between four locations. This year it takes place in Grand Forks, only an hour drive from here and the cost is only $15!! For my first outdoor triathlon, I just couldn't pass it up. The knee is feeling stronger than ever, I have started an 11 week training plan, implementing Tri Power, and I am super pumped!


Fargo Marathon...
This weekend marks the 5th annual Fargo Marathon. As much as I was looking forward to doing the Half Marathon again, I am okay with down-sizing to the 5K run. This race is going to be for fun! I plan to take my camera with me, taking pictures along the way, and finishing with extra time to watch the rest of my family finish. My sister Susan will be walking across the finish line with other friends, my sister Steph will be finishing her very first Half Marathon, and my parents will be completing their umpteenth Half Marathon. It's a family affair. If anyone is looking for a flat course with a great crowd to work towards their BQ, this would be the one!


Co-ed softball just around the corner...
I had originally planned to can co-ed softball this summer but I just couldn't. I told our "manager" that I would be willing to be a sub, and he asked that I play the first couple weeks to get me on the roster. Then, a shirt was ordered for me, and I really wanted to play. We have more girls this year, so I opted to rotate in, playing maybe one game each week rather than both games and I am completely fine with this! We start next Tuesday, playing at 9 and 10 pm! This will be late nights for the last few weeks of school, but I can't handle it!


Sand Volleyball ?!?...
When I was living in GF, a handful of us played co-ed sand volleyball at a local bar for years. It was sad to see that come to an end and I really missed not playing last summer. So, a friend of mine set up a Co-ed team for this summer and I am going to be playin' baby! This will start in a couple weeks, the same night as softball but just a few hours earlier. Hopefully there will be just enough time for a cold beer or two between the two sports! Just another reason to look forward to summer!



Monday's Workout:
Bike 12.5 miles, 38:00, 19.73mph

Tuesday's Workout:
Run 2. 75 miles, 31:06, 11:18/mi avg.

The learning never ends

I spent the past three days in Rochester, MN, taking part in a training on RtI (Response to Intervention). This isn't the first time I have had training in the area, but it was a nice refresher, and it was great to be able to attend this with a specific team from our school: two classroom teachers, principal, school psychologist, special education coordinator, and then there was me. We really need to start implementing this in our school and I think it will help a lot. We have a lot of work to do, but I feel that it will be a positive change for everyone, especially the students.

With all the wonderful learning... I came back to work today and was bombarded with questions and concerns at work; dealing with paperwork procedures as well as students. Can't I be gone for 3 days without things falling apart?

I finished off the day with my first IEP meeting of the year. It went well. The student sat in on the meeting. I usually don't like the little ones sitting in, but by the time they are in 4th grade, I think it is okay and good for them to learn a little more about their strengths, as well as weaknesses, and why they are receiving extra support in specific areas. She's a sweatheart though, and has made good gains.

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This morning I worked out for the FIRST time in a week. For reals. For really reals.

I was afraid I was going to be too tired from my travels, but when the alarm went off this morning I didn't have to think twice about getting up. My cold that I got last week was mostly a head cold that consisted of severe head and sinus pain, along with stuffiness. The past few days it took a turn south and became mostly a nasty, flemmy cough, with a blowing-my-brains-out congestion. Blech. So, this morning I didn't want to run because I was afraid of activating a coughing attack. Instead I sat on the upright bike (boring) for 40 minutes and just peddled away. I guess it was better than nothing.

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Now I am going to go and finish making some cookies to take to school tomorrow. My kiddos were so good while I was gone and worked so hard for me today. They deserve it!

As for the rest of the evening, I will be attempting to catch up on some of your blogs! BTW, thanks for all the comments on my last post in regards to 2009 training schedules. I am glad to see I am not the ONLY one who is already thinking about '09!

Today's Song: Crazy Frog
(in sidebar)

OCN: 15.13 miles, 40:00

I did my part!

We all know that the extra $600 us tax-payers are receiving is given to us in hopes that it will boost the economy. That being the money should be spent, not saved, not used to pay off credit cards, etc.

Well, I have had that dollar amount in the back of my mind for a couple months now, knowing exactly how I wanted to SPEND it.

And that is exactly what I did today. I did my part to boost our economy and SPENT it ... before I actually received it, but it's all the same, right?!

What did I spend it ALL on, might you ask?

Well ... here it is!


I paid off the rest of my bike I had on lay-away ....

....and purchased the following:

...clipless pedals, Shimano cycling shoes (which will work for both my bike and spin bike), helmet, bike shorts, under armour cycling socks, gloves, a little pack to fit under my seat (that contains an extra tire, CO2 container, adapter to fill tires, and a tool to put a new tube on my tire), 1 water bottle holder (for now), water bottle, and a Polar monitor. ... as I got a discount on every accessory.

I am in LOVE.

I just need to find a good name for her. Him? Her? He? She?

Now I just spent a good 5 minutes trying to get my shoes into the clipless petals. Struggled a bit, finally got one in, but then couldn't get the damn thing out! I had a small panic attack and quickly was thankful I wasn't out on the road. I will have to practice a bit more before heading out.

I can't wait to joing a riding group that gathers Thursday nights and Sunday mornings at Scheels! They always go the speed and distance that the newest riders are most comfortable with!

Trek Pilot... 1.2

Imagine this... but RED.

I am contemplating......