Weekly Recap ---> Double Digits.

This past week was pretty danged awesome.  It was the end of the quarter for our school, and thus, was a fun week for all (I like to close things out with major funsies for all of my classes so they know I really love them).

As far as training goes:  IT WAS ON LIKE DONKEY KONG.  I feel like I'm getting my spirit back, and it's overwhelming and awesome and everything positive that I have been missing in my life for a while.

Monday morning brought on some SPIN.  Spinning or cycling is very important for me to do after a solid running week (I run Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday - Sunday); I keep it light for the most part to work out the yuckies in my legs.

Snapchat posts happen often, since it's usually such an easy ride and I get a little bit bored.:)

Last week of my health class for the 8th graders = closing out our social wellness unit with watching "Mean Girls".  I have a pretty awesome outline of questions that they have to follow and answer to get cred.  I know -- toughest teacher of all time.



Tuesday (Halloween) morning included a 5K run with Windy.  You'd think that all of the running that she does would slow her down.  And you'd be dead wrong.  Girlfriend isn't fazed.  ALSO?  She's getting faster and is completely enabling me wanting to get fast feet.

We rushed home and got her in her Halloween costume!  I didn't even care that I was running a tad bit late to get to work; getting this picture was worth it.

Chicago gets extra dreary and gray during this time of year.  Yes, the leaves are pretty, vibrant colors, but the skies will remain overcast for what feels like forever.  This weather calls for a lot of tomato soup, and a lot of comfort food.

And yeah -- it was Halloween...and my students like to feed me...

Windy had a vet appointment (no worries -- she just had a booster shot!), and I decided that it was best if I took her for a long walkies around the nearby park to get some new smells. 

Wednesday AM was another 5K run for us.

And some chill time in my gym.  A nutrition specialist from the University of Chicago comes by every Wednesday to teach our students about their diet and how to improve it.  I usually use this time to clean things and plan more, but opted to chill and listen to the lesson.:)

Right back to the mac.

Thursday, I did something ridiculous...something I haven't done in a quite some time...

I swam.  I hit the pool with gusto I didn't know I had.  I haven't swam in ummmmmmm months.  The good news is that I still know how to.  1500 yards -----> done.

I don't know about y'all, but SWIMMING MAKES ME HUNGRY.  ALL DAY HUNGRY.  RAVENOUSLY HUNGRY ALL DAY.  That one scoop of peanut butter was like one of ten.



But I saw this and wasn't very hungry anymore.  #gag

 3.2 with Windy.  There's no slowing her down!

Until you get some new cookies from TJ's...

Our first run in the daylight happened on Saturday afternoon.  I had been at work all day, and while I would generally just come home and relax and enjoy the rest of my Saturday, I came home and threw a harness (that was Kayla's, my first Husky) on Windy and we took off for another run.  She pulled me the entire time!

Windy WooWoo closed out her running week with 13 miles.

Sunday (happy Daylight Savings, parents!) morning brought my longest run in over a year and a half.  Double-digits, y'all.<3

Of course, this was the highlight of the day!  #GORUNNINGBAE!  "F#@$ YES!"

A hot bubble bath and a book for the remainder of the morning was the way to go.

It was finally time for chili to happen in this house!  Harry made some beef chili with red and green peppers, kidney beans, tomato sauce and all of his spices.  I LOVE days like this!

And I totally would've taken a picture, but there isn't a camera on the planet that would make it look "tasty".  Just take my word for it:  It was delish.

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Monday - 45 minute spin

Tuesday - 3.1 miles with Windy

Wednesday - 3.14 miles with Windy

Thursday - 1500 yards in the pool

Friday - 3.2 miles with Windy

Saturday - 3.6 miles with Windy

Sunday - 10.03 long run miles

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Did you watch the NYCM?!  All of the feels, right?

How did your week go, friend?

Current book you're reading?

Egg nog, dairy or not:  YAY OR NAY?

Life Things + One Rant (HI, AGAIN!)

Good gosh, I miss you guys.  Like, often.  I might snap a dumb picture of my food and think "My blog friends would love to see this...right?  I mean...right...yes...maybe...when I get a minute, I'll show them...", and then bam -- life happens, and I deprive you of said picture.

Ummm, on a related note: Windy likes pumpkins.

While I do catch up with you guys every once in a while, I have yet to readily blog about things as of late.  Everyone has a life, with life things, with life happening, and life blahs.  I know I'm not special (well, I kind of am...just like you!).  I have no real excuse for being away, and that's okay.  We'll just pick up from where we ended...

Work = awesome.  I'm a rockstar at work.  This has been my year of "no"; that sounds terrible, but let me explain.  I have taken on too much work in the past -- too many titles, too many projects, too many side projects, too many help offerings, too many events, too much "yes".  I've worked myself into a corner for the past few years, and I finally had enough to say "No, thank you" to some things.

I get the misnomer:  The P.E. Teacher doesn't have to do as much as classroom Teachers.  I don't have to do the SAME things, but that doesn't mean that I don't work as much!  I teach ENHANCED Physical Education; that means that I do not roll out a ball and expect students to entertain themselves, nor do I push students to participate in elimination (DODGEBALL...It has NEVER BEEN PLAYED IN MY GYM on MY WATCH) games.  I integrate math, science, and literacy into every lesson for grades Kindergarten through 8th Grade.  I most likely teach things you never learned or encountered in your "gym" (PLEASE call it "PHYSICAL EDUCATION"!) class.  I work my butt off to ensure that my students walk out of the doors of our school with the knowledge they need to make amazing life choices pertaining to their health.  I take my career and my job titles very seriously.

Also?  I like to cheer up my Kindergarten students with Snapchat filters when they're feeling blue.

/rant

That word "no" has been pretty powerful.  I mean, I'm not a brat about it.  I'm solution-oriented, so if I have to decline participation in something, I'll still attempt to help find someone else to fill the spot.  It's pretty cool when you realize that it's okay to say that word to your Administration/Boss/Leader, and they understand.

As my husband says, "Happy Wife = Happy Life".  We don't even see each other nearly as often as we used to, what with an additional title that requires my attention on Saturdays (I'm an athletic coordinator for two networks in my school district) and things that occupy our weekday evenings.  We're good, though!

Windy is EXTRA great!  She's running with me (about 11 miles per week for her), and she just had her first vet appointment (under our care).  Her new vet and their staff totally rock.  And Windy is negative for all of the yucky things.  She's a very healthy girl!

(She heard a kitty meow from the other room when I was taking this picture, hence the head tilt.)

Running and cycling are happening, but (of course, there's a "but") I have some things going on.  There's nothing wrong with my foot, but there's nothing great about my foot.  The top of my foot and ankle keep getting stiff, and even if Eric the Acupuncturist works on it and loosens it up, it gets stiff again within a day or so.  I'm still trying to figure out an action plan; I know it involves some Yoga and swimming!

Harry and I were talking earlier yesterday afternoon, and I've come to the realization that I do not put fitness where it should be.  I CANNOT EXPLAIN TO YOU how this happened.  It was happening before I got injured.  My priorities have gone rogue, and I wish to do a million things at once.  Wish = it never happens.  I make a plan, and fail in followthrough.  I've always preached that the more prepared I am, the less failure occurs.  And that's MAJORLY true for me.  I am a machine when I feel like everything is in its rightful spot.  

With that, I cannot explain how my plans fall through.  Last week, after spinning in the morning, leaving my gym bag with a fresh set of workout clothes for some afternoon lifting in my gym locker, with the full intention of going back to the gym to get that afternoon workout done, I waltzed into the gym, got my bag out of my locker, and left.  Without even guilt-tripping myself.  Without reminding myself of why.  I knew that I still needed to lift, but everything in me said "Nope -- get your bag and leave."  Just a bummer.

I'm wondering if this is a phase.  Have I trained and trained and now I'm just not motivated?  I make excuse after excuse, and KNOW that I'm making those excuses when I shouldn't.  I have been better than this before.  So what's so different now?

These are the ramblings of a crazy Tiffany.  I just can't.  I'll figure it out, and I'm serious, add some insight if you have any!  PLEASE.  I'm befuddled by my lack of...well...wanting to take care of myself.  It's the strangest, and I dislike it.  One thing I know to do is change what I dislike: A change I've made is taking a break from Facebook (I'm still on Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat).  There's too much going on at the moment, and I feel like I get sucked in so easily.  I'll probably go back once I feel like I have more control over things.:)

I'm gonna end this weird blog post with two things that I currently love, k?

Go get these from TJ's.  Now.  If you don't have a TJ's nearby, send me your addy and I'll send you some. <3

I'm the last person on the planet to use Audible.com.  I got a free credit (you can, too, if YOU are actually the last person to use it:P), and totes bought the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone audio book.  The cooler weather kicked in today and really got me in the mood to listen to it!  And with a 45-60 minute commute to work, and another 45-60 minute commute home from work, listening to books is a much better option for me.

Y'all have a great week, and I'm off to read all of your bloggies to see how your life is going!<3

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WELL?!  How are YOU doing?  Big plans going on lately?

Do you use Audible.com?  What are some of your favorite audio books?

What's a misnomer about your job?  I'm REALLY sure that we all misunderstand until we're in each others shoes!

Finally, Some Structure

Last week's training was the start of something awesome:  structured work.  I'm working on my mileage, but I'm not stressing it.  I'm letting this process happen at the easiest pace ever -- I (really) don't want to get injured again.:)

Monday was 45 minutes on Quistis (road bike) on the trainer.  I will be returning to my favorite spin class this morning, but I love having the trainer as a backup option (i.e. if I don't have my bag packed and ready to go the morning of a 5:45am spin class).

Tuesday was a rainy run around the 'hood.  Tuesdays have always been my *short and easy* run, an intro to the rest of the week for running.

Four miles for Wednesday.  The sun is practically up by the time I step out for a run at this point.

Thursdays are usually rest days, so of course, I was cranky all day.  Students even asked if I had run that morning... (?!)

Friday morning = my first swim in ...I don't know.  *shrug*

I wasn't interested in staying in the water for much longer than 45 minutes, and I was basically right on the money.  I'll get back to loving swimming at some point -- I just know it.

And speaking of which, swimming makes me SO HUNGRY.  Like RAVENOUS hungry!  This was the first time in my entire life when I've devoured two pouches of oatmeal, so I figured it was worth taking a picture...?

I was totally going to run on Saturday, but I had a ton of planning (and a twinge of anxiety) to deal with.  I was running a track and field meet all by myself (!!!!!!), so I wanted to be extra prepared.  I'm not proud of myself for skipping training for what's basically stressing out over something, but at least I'll feel more confident at the next meet.

Long run Sunday!  I basically Snapchat'd a few times while running, and thanked anyone watching along when I was all done.  This run felt great, and though it was a little warm out (it was 65*F, but that sun was definitely doing its thing!), I kept an easy effort.

Harry treated me to some Honey Butter Fried Chicken, one of our favorite spots.  If you live in Chicago, you HAVE TO GO.  Also, you have to invite me.  Have to.

A little snack after a two and a half hour nap...

Harry had gone out for the afternoon, so I treated myself to some sushi.  I could only finish two rolls (which is pretty normal, right?), so I have some leftovers for today, yay!

The real hero here is Sunday, haha.
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Monday - 45 minutes cycling
Tuesday - 3.02 miles
Wednesday - 4.1 miles
Thursday - REST
Friday - 1500 yards swam
Saturday - REST
Sunday - 7 miles

TOTAL mileage ran - 14.12 miles
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Have an awesome Monday, y'all!  Keep it marvelous!

Sushi for one, and Rio 2016: What I'll Be Watching

Harry has classes Monday evenings, so they're sort of my *ME* time for the moment.  So basically, I can order something yummy, watch whatever, dance around in my underpants, whatever!  On the agenda for last night:  eating some sush and watching my girl in a documentary that just came out on Netflix, "Destination:  Team USA".

Warning:  You'll need tissues.

(Side note about my sushi:  I saved the ginger for you, Suz.)

Of course, I thought about how good it's going to feel when I get back to running after watching such passion and heart-filled performance.  I am really getting excited about seeing the Pod-Doc tomorrow!

All I can think about is doing this  ---------------->

When all I can really do right now is this --------------------->

(That stride, though)

I've read article after article, blog post after blog post (thank goodness for all y'all running bloggies; I'm not thankful you got injured and have words of wisdom, but you get me;), about staying positive and have patience in the process.  Just like training, just like studying, just like anything that's worth it, there's a process.  I feel like I crave this more, I am more grateful for it, and I feel like I deserve it, this gift that is running, more than ever.

But let's be honest.

I am human, just like you.  So some days, it's more like this -------------------->

:)
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Remember how you used to just watch at random times, often not knowing when your favorite event was coming on (or Bob Costas would announce it in the 90s) (I'm talking way back before cable receivers, as well)?  Well Google has made it ridiculously easy to search for your fave sport, country, etc.

Hurdles, 400m, 800m, and Relays are  my faves of Track & Field, and ohhhhhhh boy, the Marathon.<3  The first time I watched the women's marathon was in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.  

I was not even remotely interested in running a marathon at that point in my life.  I was barely a runner at all.  I think that I had run a 5k, but that's it.  I would say that marathon runners were bananas; that 26.2 miles was too far to drive, let alone RUN.  

And then, I randomly watched the women's marathon.  I was bawling like a baby.  I watched the whole thing from start to finish, and was a mess of emotions.  I was so moved by Dita-Tomescu's Gold medal winning performance, and the battle between second and third place. 

I ran my first marathon the following year.

So yeah, I'll be watching that event every summer Olympic Games.;)

 

Because I can never get enough of Michael Phelps (though I'm sure this will be his final Games), I'm watching Swimming events, as well.  The relays are always SO EXCITING!

I will also be catching:  Gymnastics, Volleyball, Triathlon, Soccer and Weightlifting.  I'm lucky that I have the time to catch it all, for sure.  But the DVR will probably be a helpful tool.

Thanks to the glorious ladies for the link-up!
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What's your workout for today, friend?


Fave Olympics event, either Summer or Winter?


Do you have a favorite running or sports-related documentary?  TELL, please!:)