They love me, part II, and random eats

Happy, happy Wednesday!  I can't believe it's already the middle of the week.  We have eight more school days until Christmas break, so I'm very thankful that it feels like it's going quickly.

Because let's be honest...we need the break just as much as the kids do.  But I'm lucky, a lot of my kids love me and work really hard for me in the gym.

Still...

So our ARCTIC ASSAULT came through Chicago yesterday.  This was what the temps were like before that.

I think the high tomorrow is going to be one...single...digit.

I hit up the gym yesterday morning for some cardio madness.

25 minutes on the stair master ----

20 minutes on the rowing machine ----

And a little five minute walk on the 'mill, all without the boot ----

So I was telling you yesterday about how much my middle school girls love me.  They really are the sweetest.  I don't have many challenges with them, other than the random "Mean Girl" episode every once in a while.  But I really look forward to seeing every single one of them every day.

Despite "making" them exercise, they do really nice things for me.  They make me cute crafty things

They stash surprise treats in my (one of my) snack drawer

And they loooooooooove to play.  This one makes me the happiest!

(This game was actually meant for third graders, but they wanted to play it.)

This is what happens when one of your Teacher friends sees your girls having so much fun in P.E. --- they wanna play and produce awkward pictures, too!

In other news...food.

My lunch must have smelled good yesterday...?

I celebrated National Hot Cocoa Day (DID YOU?!!!)!  Day 13 of my Hot Chocolate streak, boom.  From my Instagram!

Afternoon snack was DELICIOUS

Harry and I were OYO ("On Your Own") for the evening (he had an ugly Christmas sweater work party to attend), so I threw something simple into a bowl.  TJ's has yet to fail me with the yummy things.

I'm off for another solo-spin-o!  Have a fantastic Hump Day!
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What's your favorite find from Trader Joe's?


Tell me about someone you enjoy seeing every day.


Any Teachers out there?!  Holla if you hear me!

They love me, and my letter to Santa

Three highlights from my Monday:

1.  Spinning for an hour.  I cannot tell you how good that felt.  With all of the questions, all of the concerns, all of the worry over my foot, I've been terribly inconsistent in what is usually the thing that I'm the most consistent (exercise, in general).  So this...this felt like a first step in the right direction.

I know -- for many of us, we don't think this is a big deal.  But I feel like my battery has finally been recharged, and I'm ready to go another 15+ years without a long break like this.

(But really, I hope I never have to take a break like this ever again.)

2.  My middle school girls love me, no matter what I ask them to do.  No matter what, I tell you.  And clearly, I love them.  But that's because I felt really badly for asking them to do all of this for our warm-ups.:)

3.  That hot chocolate streak is going strong, and it just started to hold up its pinky finger!

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Dear Santa,

You know that my left foot has been hurt for quite some time.  I've been so good, and you know it's true.  I've worn Das Boot everywhere I've gone, even to the movie theater and other places where I wouldn't have to walk too far.  I've also worn my night splint most nights.  I went to all of my Physical Therapy sessions, and did all of my homework.



Against the betterment of my healthy bones, muscles, and well-exercised systems, I gave everything a break from hard work just so this one part would feel better.

And it has.  For the most part.

I've been really super nice to people, too.  In my mind, anyone who had it tough this year may have been a little grouchy, but they totally deserve a high-five if they could still find joy in others.

Joy = Hanging out with my little fam.

Joy = that time our Fearless Leader and my Solemate got married.<3 #606Crew4Ever

I did pout, I'll admit that.  But only for a little while.  This year hasn't been my best, and I couldn't have done much to change that.  My beautiful, happy, incandescent spirit has faded ever-so slightly.  But I'm really ready to turn this frown upside-down.

I don't want much this year for Christmas.  I just want one thing, actually.

I would love to be absolutely, completely healthy to run again.  Without pain.  I want to feel the wind against my face, and whip through my hair, as I trot one foot in front of the other.  I long for the sound of my feet hitting the ground, some shallow tap with a *whoosh" that follows.  Bring on the mixed feelings...discomfort, joy, pride, pain, and above all, happiness.

I know that you'll deliver, Fat Man.  Because I made this cup of hot chocolate just for you.

And then I enjoyed it for you.  I promise, there was hot chocolate under that mountain of whipped cream.  But for serious, I'm going to make you your favorite cookies!  You know which ones..;)

Smile,
Tiffany
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Thanks for the link-up, ladies! (Team Marcia, Patty, and Erika)!

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Tell me one thing that's on your list for Santa!




What's your favorite kind of cookies?
(Maybe I'll make you some!  Cookie exchaaaaaange!)





Topper for your hot chocolate?  Marshmallows or whipped cream?  BOTH?

When I plan ahead

Happy new week!

Quick reality check:  Christmas is LESS THAN TWO weeks away.

*gasp*

Our Saturday funsies were cut short by thiiiiiiiiiis.  All of thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis.

Harry didn't feel awesome, either, so that did it.  We were supposed to go to a Christmas party, hosted by my Solemate and our Fearless Leader from the 606 running crew.  Duh, we were sad pandas about not being able to go.  We made up for it with some chicken fried rice and a Tarantino movie ("Django Unchained" -- watch it).

Sunday was also easy-breezy.  We head out into the white stuff to grab some lunch (smart) before heading to the grocery store.  Subway, ftw.

I didn't want a whole bag of chips, and since my new goal for 2017 is to be less wasteful, I opted to beg Harry to share with me.  He did.  This much.:)

Off we went!  I've said it before and I'll say it again:  I'm very thankful that I'm within walking distance to a grocery store.  It isn't our favorite spot to get food from, but it'll do in a pinch.  I didn't wear Das Boot for this trip, and rightfully so.  I needed to walk without it for the day (my "weaning workout"), plus I had no idea how the Boot would react with the snow and ice.  I reckon it wouldn't have been a comfortable walk.

I found this stuff...and I need it in my life.

We grabbed everything we needed for the week, including stuff for Harry to make chili.  Since there was about five inches of snow on top of my car, I decided to go ahead and clean it off.

Harry got a great shot of that.

Harry got to work as soon as he walked through the door.  I swear, his passion is chili-making.<3

Meanwhile, I took this opportunity to get cozy and enjoy my daily challenge (hot chocolate streak).

This weather is PERFECT for GoT watching!  Harry and I plowed through every episode earlier this year, but I felt like re-watching it.

And now I have the theme song stuck in my head.

This is my favorite place in the house when it's snowing.  Harry jokes about how much Chicagoans (and others -- Suz) loathe snow.  I love it and can never get enough of it.

Plus, my booty stays really warm (I'm sitting on the furnace cover...in my PJs...that's right!  I got home and got right back into them.  What?!:)

Dinner was served.

And I basically passed out after that feast.  Yummmmm.
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In other news, I am READY for this week!  Having everything done by Sunday evening A-L-W-A-Y-S makes me feel so great and enthused about the week to come.

Laundry done?  Yup.

Groceries in the fridge and pantry?  Yes...but you already knew that.

Meals planned out for the week?  Basically (enough to not bother me).

Bag packed for the gym?  YES!

Workouts set and ready to go?!  WELL, YEAH!
^^^ It's mostly spinning and cardio, but I've updated my calendar with the workouts that need to happen.

Something that I have learned to be 100% (seriously, 10 out of 10 times) true is that when I plan ahead, I am a total rockstar with my week.  Everything from my lesson plans to my workouts, I am ready and without any excuse.  The very fact that I'm prepared is actually exciting to me -- sometimes adulting is fun.

It obviously can't all be done on Sunday, but I do most of it + relaxing during that day.  I even have a little list that I go by that includes updating my calendar with workouts, finalizing a weekly summary for my administration so they know what I'm working on that week with the students, and packing my bag (I will never leave my brush or hair dryer at home again...NEVER EVER, I TELL YOU!).

One way or the other, when I have a bag packed and a plan for the week, I'm sooooo ready to rock.  It's no wonder why I've had an early bedtime for so very long; I really love to get up early and finalize my day, which makes me really stoked.  It's sort of like goal-setting for each day, and if you reach your goals, you can rest your head on the pillow that evening without a doubt in your mind that tomorrow you can do the same thing.  That sounds like a fun daily game, right?

Go rock it out today, friends!

ALSO?!  In case you DID NOT KNOW, Miss Marvelous herself had a beautiful baby girl this past week!  Congrats, lovey, and as always, thank you for being the best hostess with the mostest!

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How do you plan for your week?  (Or do you even?!:)

Do you lift weights?  How many days per week?

Do you like chili?  Are you a winter or spring chili fan?
-----All the way winter chili fan------


What's your favorite TV show to re-watch?
------Scrubs, 30 Rock, House, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, PLLs------

Five Races I Want to Run in 2017

HI!  Happy Friday!  It's been such a weird week, and I'm soooooo looking forward to a fun weekend!  And some rest.  Yes.  Rest. <3 <3 <3

Something I'm trying out lately to stay motivated while injured is thinking about races that I'd like to run next year.

Yeah, I know...it's kind of hard to consider goal races with exactly 0 miles under your belt.  I know this is reaaaaaaaaally putting the cart before the horse, seeing as how I still don't know how long I a.) have to wear the boot, and b.) have to wait until I can run again.

BUT

It's motivating and super funsies to think about dominating (or just running, period) a race course that I've been looking forward to.

Witness, friends...me trying to think of (ONLY) five races I'd love to go after for next year!

5.  The Wisconsin Half Marathon

I ran this half marathon in 2014 and had a wonderful time!  It's within driving distance, the crowd and race support was awesome, and while the course could've been a little less rocky/off-roady, I'd definitely love to run the half again.  Plus...cheese.

You can read my race recap from 2014 HERE.

4.  Bolder Boulder

Because, why not travel for a 10K?  I practically did that all this past year.  This looks like SUCH a fun event, I'd DRIVE there!

3.  The Philadelphia Marathon or Half Marathon (I can't decide yet!)

This was another race (the half marathon) that I have run before, back in 2011, before The Chi-Athlete existed.  And I had NO business being out on the race course.  I had a TER-RI-BLE sinus infection, and clearly far too stubborn.  I started off fine, but around mile four, I started pulling over for rest stops and...erm...getting sick...at every mile until the finish line.  That's my PW, and who knows if I could make the HM my PB?!:)

2.  The TCS New York City Marathon 

I mean, this one is on my list every single year (except years when I really don't want to run a marathon, bwhahahaa).  Sometimes you just have to cross everything and hope you get picked through the lottery.

1.  The St. George Marathon

Just look at that elevation profile...

I have read some pretty fantastic race reviews from this marathon, and despite that horrendous hill around mile 7, it seems like a really gorgeous downhill ride.  The views are stunning, and the post-race activities look like so much fun!  This one's definitely at the top of my list -- fingers and toes crossed!

Thanks to Running On Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 link-up!<3

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What are some races on your list for 2017?


How far was your last long run?


What was your BEST race this year?

It was time to grow up.

HI, GUYS!  I'm so excited to *SEE* you today!  Tell me how your week has been, please...but first, some random ramblings of me Thinking Out Loud...

1.  HOT CHOCOLATE STREAK from Tuesday afternoon.  If I don't post about it, then it didn't happen.

2.  Also?  After years of having to mooch off Harry's Aunt to go to Costco, Harry and I figured it was time to grow up and get our own account.  Buying a brand new car recently didn't make me feel nearly as much of an adult as getting a membership at Costco.  What's up with that?

3.  I grabbed some yummy stuff for the week.  I totally cheated on my Amy's burritos, and it was worth it.  These are yummmm-o.

And this quinoa + brown rice mix has been my fave for a while.  I found a box of it at the Costco for way less than I usually pay at the grocery store.

3.  (It deserved its own number.)  AND MY FAVORITE THING FROM COSTCO!
(Until we buy the two packs of huge Nutella jars.)

4.  In other news, if I tell you that I'm going to get your a present (in this case, a growler of beer from our friend's brewery), I always make sure I get it to you safely.  

5.  HOT CHOCOLATE STREAK PHOTO from yesterday!  

6.  Clearly, no matter how much I adult, it's still a struggle.



7.  Something that made my day yesterday was getting out my cold running gear.  Going to the track with the gang is still pretty important to me.  Walking around the track several times, fighting the urge to trot next to them (or even for a few meters) is part of my process.

8.  And it's a darn good thing I got out some of that gear and threw on two layers, too!  The wind was FIERCE!

 8.  Look at me go!

At a blazing 2.3 mph.:)  Oh, I did 3/4 of a mile last nigh --- NO DAS BOOT!

9.  We went out for a brew, then came home, and this is where I stood.  For ten minutes.

10.  I know that Suz will NOT be happy about this, but I cannot get enough of the white stuff!  

Happy Friday Eve, y'all!

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Do you enjoy cold (THIS COLD) weather?


Tell me one song on your running mix, iPod/Phone/etc. that gets you REALLY pumped while working out or running.


PLANS THIS WEEKEND?