Beets and Gifts -- Weekly Wrap!

Random:  I am not entirely certain as to how Pandora stations are created; I'm assuming it's done by developers and program searches.  Regardless, huge shoutout to whomever created the Jock Jams station.

Anyyyyywayyyyy

Remember in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" when Harry took the liquid luck and everything seemed to fall into place for him?  Yeah.  That was my Saturday.

P.S.  Yup.  I'm a huge Harry Potter nerd.  Need more proof?

I favor the books, in case you were wondering.

Windy and I went out for an early morning run, and not one single picture I took came out clear.  *le shrug*

It was 50*F -----> shorts weather, in January (!).   Four easy miles for us to start the day.

Breakfast was PERFECT.  Delicious carbs, delicious protein, delicious fat.

I had managed to run, eat a fantastic breaky (slowly, not in the car, at home, at the kitchen island, for once), and get out the door with enough time to get the car washed (!!!!!!) and grab coffee (!!!!!!!!!!!!!) before heading to work.  I am a P.E. Teacher during the week, and a district Sports Conference Commissioner on Saturdays.  It sounds so official, huh?  Really, I just have to make sure games are running on time, and that everything goes smoothly.  I often have to keep score sheets or boards.

It's a pretty good gig.  It does take up most of my Saturdays, as you can see.

I broke away from commissioning (lol) to grab some lunch at the best salad bar in a market (Mariano's!) ever.

The gang on Jillian Michaels' podcast had been discussing the terrific benefits of beets.  I had never tried them before, so I threw a few onto my salad.

And I wasn't mad about them, either.  I think the texture was manageably different for me, but they were definitely tasty.

Here's some nifty information I found!

I went back over to the school for a bit, then came home to Windy, Sophs and Harry, chillin' like a few villains.  I didn't get to see Sophs for my birthday last week, so she (and Windy) waited until this day to give me my present.  AND BOY HOWDY, am I happy about it!  I thanked them (and Harry), and wasted no time scheduling my appointment.

I hung out in bed for a while, finishing a couple of papers for school (not work; grad school).  Windy decided that she needed to be a part of this process.

The best thing ever happened while I was working -- Harry and Sophia took off to Piece Pizza to pick up the most delicious New Haven style 'za in the city.

After dominating several slices of the good stuff, Sophia and I had something very awesome to celebrate:

That was probably one of the best days in quite some time for me.  Everything seemed to line up perfectly, which really gave me feelings of happiness and healing.  I really appreciate days like this!

Also?  The whole gang got together to celebrate Fearless Leader Greg's birthday on Sunday.  It's been quite some time since we've all been together in the same spot!  We also welcomed our newest and youngest member of the group, Charlotte (middle, in the carseat;).

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Monday - REST
Tuesday - 4.1 miles
Wednesday - Harry and I bailed on our evening run -- it happens
Thursday - 4.15 miles
Friday - 3.38 miles
Saturday - 4 miles
Sunday - 10.37 long run miles (I dropped Windy off back at the house after 7.05 miles)

Windy miles = 22.7 miles
Tiffany miles = 26.02 miles

I’m linking up with Holly and Wendy for their weekly wrap link

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Are you a Pandora listener?  Favorite station for running/training?  For chillin'?


Tell me about something new that you tried recently!  Did you like it?


Have you ever had a traditional Thai massage?  Tell me about it!

I won't give up. -- #TOLT

Hiiiiiiiiiii!  I figured seven random things might be a nice change of pace around here, ya' know? 

Because this blog isn't random enough.

1.  I'm always amazed at what my students can do.  They are MACHINES!  We have regular fitness testing (you may remember it, depending on what state you're from!), where our students are asked to do as many push-ups, curl-ups, PACER test laps, and sit and reach as far as they can.  By testing four out the five fitness components (muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance, and flexibility), we can better ensure their physical literacy learning.:)

(I love my job.)

2.  Day three of enjoying the mac and tomato soup for lunch this week.  I won't give up.  Ever.

P.S. I wonder if I'm just randomly obsessed with Apple products...?  Those are two different keyboards to two different Apple computers in the background.  

3.  A little snack and some good reading later during my prep at work.  Three Cuties = a full serving.  I cut back a little.

4.  Teaching Badminton to my sixth graders has been my most favorite unit so far this year.  We set up the volleyball net yesterday so they could play "Ultimate Badminton"; when it was time to tear down and get ready to leave, they threw an absolute hissy fit because they didn't want to stop playing.

(Have I mentioned that I love my job?)

They wanted to play "Boys Vs. Girls", which I am usually fundamentally against.  Buuuuuuut, I want them to be happy, so... ¯\_(😄)_/¯

5.  Um.  Windy sleeping while hugging her back legs is probably my most favorite thing of all time.

6.  I absolutely adore that I can mention one small *need* for chocolate to my husband, and HE IS ON IT.  LIKE IT IS HIS PURPOSE IN LIFE, *ON IT*.

7.  I started using essential oils (Young Living) almost a year ago.  I do not use them every day, and I'm pretty sure that this is the first time I've mentioned it on the blog.  I'm a casual oiler.:)  ANYWAY, I absolutely love this diffuser.  It turns pretty colors and it will last about 24 hours if you fill it up all the way.

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This randomness is brought to you by our lovely Amanda!

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IT IS THURSDAY -- what's your workout for today?


Do you have any weekend plans coming up?  A race?  Travel?  Nothing at all (for once)?


RANDOM (because, why not?) -- What was the last movie you saw in the theater?

I Spy on Windy and a Race Picture

Windy and I were LIT (not like...how we know it now) during our run yesterday morning.  My vest, headband, and Windy's harness and hands-free leash are extremely reflective!  I wonder if you actually *could* see me coming from a mile away.

Snow had started falling probably an hour before we head out.  We lap around the nearby park, and coming back around, I saw only our tracks.  Guess no one else was interested in going this way.

Aw.<3

A little over four miles done, and I was hitting the TriggerPoint roller.  My calves and hammies have been extra tight for a while.  I've actually never tried working on myofascial release right after a run.  I'll let you know how this goes after a bit.

Then it was off to work, where my fourth graders are working on their jump rope skillz.  We were also working on checking our perceived rate of exertion, so I think they realized just how hard they were working.

Kinders were much more low-key with some Yoga.:)

Harry and I got the Furbo just before Christmas.  It has been PRETTY interesting, spying on our pup throughout the day.  I can talk and listen to her, and can also send her treats.  I think she's a fan, too (about the treat part, mostly).

LUNCH = mac n' cheese and tomato basil soup.  The snow had stopped, but the temps were dropping pretty quickly.  It was like 54*F the other day -- it was 30*F at this point.

I taught my first and second graders, then worked with my sixth graders on Badminton.  They looooooove it!

I head home right after school, got a ton done around the house, and started on dinner.  I found these at Costco and ohhhhhmyyyygoshhhhh.  We're the biggest fans!  They're uncooked tortillas -- you just throw them on the griddle or pan, flip when they get bubbly, and blammo.  They're SO fresh, non-gmo, organic, and just downright delicious.

Ummm, hung out with Windy for just a minute while dinner was in the oven...

Harry got home, and dinner was ready shortly after -- green enchiladas (I made five enchiladas, keeping in mind that Harry would have three, and I'd get two -- I changed my mind at some point and we went splities on the fifth ench) with Spanish rice.  PERF for a Tuesday.

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Just a couple of FYIs:

If you ran the F^3 5K or Half Marathon last Saturday, they have FREE RACE PICTURES UP!  I came out with some decent shots, which really never happens.:)

And a pretty good photo of us at the after-party (left to right:  Jeff, Harry, Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!, James, and Michael).  We're a pretty good-looking squad!

Also, ICYMI!!!!!!!!  Our Suz had Yoshi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alex and I are so excited to introduce you to our daughter Emilia Clare Lemmer. She was born at 7:04 Am on 1/23/18 (her due date) at 6 lb 14 oz and 20 in. . . Emmie's birth was in typical Suz fashion -> getting it done with a few cards thrown in there, but overall it went very smoothly and i will have her birth story up soon! I am sitting in our hospital room right now listening to her breathe (still workiing through some boogers) and just in amazement of what the past year has brought us. . . Thank you to each and EVERY one of you who has been a part of our journey through life via the blog, social media, and in real life. Thank you for the love and support, the encouragement, curiosity, and real talk. We, I, couldn't have done it without you and the reminder to keep our eyes on the various goal posts. . . To our families, there just are never the right words. But I will try to find some of them by the time you arrive! . . For now, though, I'm going to go sit on an ice pack (glorious) and order food (ps the chocolate chip cookies here are SO GOOD). Xoxo #lemmerzoo #emiliaclare #babygirl #firstfamilyphoto #gratefulfor

A post shared by Susie @ Suzlyfe (@the_suzlyfe) on Jan 23, 2018 at 11:56pm PST

Have a FANTASTIC Wednesday, friends!  I'm going to be stalking your bloggies, as well as Suz's insta for more pictures of Emilia, formerly Yoshi!
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Do you have an intention set for today?
-I try to set one every day, and really seem to stick to it.  If you haven't done this, give it a try...it really makes a difference in your day.

How about a workout/training session?
-Yoga this morning, and running with the /R/iver /R/unners this evening!

Do you take good race pictures?
Nope.  Not usually.

Three Birthday Highlights + Goals for This Age

Hey, good morning and happy Monday!

Let me say this real quick (as though reading required a finite amount of time):  I do not usually make my birthday a big deal.  However, I've had a change of heart over it; nothing major, just pointing it out before the actual day happens is a huge leap for me.  I'm not even sure where this stems from, other than just not wanting a ton/an ounce of attention (?). 

At any rate, I'm talking about it now, lol.  Here are a few things that stuck out during what ended up being a pretty low-key birthday --

1.  Windy and I went for a 3.8 mile recovery run.  My legs felt fine, after having ran the half the day before.  It was warm -- ugh, 43*F.  Windy ran with her tongue dangling out of her mouth nearly the whole time.

After hitting my first 25-mile week in what *HAD TO BE* months last week, a 20-mile week (with only three runs) felt pretty good.  I'll bump it back up this week.

All of the snow and ice melting = Windy gets pretty dirty.  She cleans herself after we get done with our runs and walkies, but I seriously need to give her a bath this week.

While we were running, Harry ordered me some birthday breakfast! 

I had to get a ton of work done for school, and laundry.  I actually adult'd on my birthday ---- is this what "old" is?

2.  Harry and I took off to dinner around 5:30pm, and my Mom text me, right at the moment I was born.  Awwwww!

3.  Dinner at Kuma's.  Harry knows how to treat/feed/celebrate me.  We started off with fried pickles. 

And their mac n' cheese of the month -- THIS PLATE HAD TO HAVE WEIGHED FIVE POUNDS.  It had their house Mac & Cheese blend with Angus sirloin Philly steak, Caramelized onion, Sautéed mushrooms, Smoked Provolone, Giardiniera.

I ate maybe five bites and I was full.

We came home and I had more homework to finish *sad trombone*.  We had a rare brew to celebrate my day, and I mosey'd off to bed.  It was a solid day, and all I really needed.  All of the messages, calls, texts, and Facebook posts made my day!
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Let's talk about goals for this age.  Harry asked me about this while we were at dinner last night, and I figured that was *blogworthy*.  I wrote about my goals for 2018 (HERE); to me, even though my birthday is so close to the new year, I like to make goals for my age.  I only really have two for this year:

This year, I NEED TO GET MY SPEED BACK.

As I said in my 2018 post, THIS WILL TAKE A TON OF WORK.  A ton of GRADUAL work.  I know that by the middle of the year, I will have a solid base, upon which I can rock that speed. 

I also need to get my strength back!  As a former bodybuilder and heavy (not necessarily *POWER*, but close enough), I haven't rightly learned how to build strength as a runner.  I'm practically starting from scratch.  It'll be interesting.  It'll be tough.  Like me.  (lol)

So yeah, that's pretty much it.  I want to focus on getting back to where I was, pre-injury, and for the love of Pete, stay there.  I'll have to restrain myself at times; I won't get anywhere if I'm not being smart and get myself injured/sidelined again.

Thanks for reading!  I hope that you have a WONDERFUL day!:)
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Do you make new goals for your age?

Tell me about the last delicious thing you ate!

RANDOM:  What color are your running shoes?

NYD5K, and five things I want to do in 2---0---1---8!

We all love a fresh start, and that's what a new year feels like.  

For no real reason at all, mind you.  Our "new year" could begin any day.  There's something so satisfying about committing to a new attitude about life and things we want to accomplish when it's on *page one of 365.*

With that said, I started off my 2018 with some solid work in -3*F for the New Year's Day 5K.

This was my third time to run this 5K.  You can't beat the price, and it starts at 11:00am.  This gives us a chance to bust out some New Year's Day miles, and then head over to Rev.

This is from my first time running it -- it was pretty much the same weather conditions this year.  Only about 100 people showed up.  It's saying a lot when my ~28:00 5K makes me 8th female overall.

While running in the cold is always favorable to running in the heat for me (and soooooo many others), at some point, it's very uncomfortable to run.  -something*F is pretty uncomfy.  I was pretty happy to see the finish line.

We didn't waste any time getting to the car after finishing the race.  Harry and I got back to the car, and then were off to scoop up our friend, Jennifer.  Jenn's a fellow Texan, but we met up here via running.  Running brings us all togetherrrrr!<3  Here's a shot of us from 2016 NYD5K.

As per mine and Harry's NYD tradition, we were off to Revolution brewpub for good food, good beer, and good convo.

My usual Breakfastman Burger with home fries.  Heaven.

Needless to say, the rest of the day was pretty chill.  Talk about starting off the new year on the right foot.

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Let's talk about some very generic goals for the year real quick.  I have five overall things that I want to accomplish this year, now that I'm finally healthy and heading into the new year.  We'll get into more specific stuff later.  I know...you just can't wait for that.:)

1.  STAY UNINJURED.  I really mean it.  And the following things that I list will help facilitate how, but for real, this is my biggest priority this year.  And every year thereafter, for crying out loud.  

P.S. I don't even know where this boot is now.  And I'm going to keep it that way.

2.  Create and stick to specific training cycle plans.  As it stands, I'm in a microcycle that exists solely for getting me back to a state of volume.  What I have failed to do in the past is recognize and respect the rules of training, with direct relation to training cycles (periodization).  When building up to, and recovering from races, it's key to vary your training intensity.  Different distances call for different training routines.  There really aren't THAT many differences, but what is important is to respect your body and allow for volume,  intensity, and recovery in timely manners.  

I will not be running a marathon this year, but I have several half marathons all set.  I am looking forward to finding a marathon next year!  You can check out my current racing calendar here!  

3.  Eat like I mean it.  I enjoy food soooooooo very much.  Just like my training, I need to eat in cycles that makes sense to my body.  It needs fuel, not a LOT of pizza.:P  Stricter eating won't happen for a bit, but I'm definitely going to be mindful of adding veggies to my regular diet.

This deliciousness was from Shalane's new cookbook, Run Fast, Eat Slow.  I'm going to do a review of the book sooner or later.:)

Alllllsoooooo, she RT'd me the other day, and it made my life.

4.  PR.  PR, PR, PR.  It's going to take A LOT of work to PR 8K, 10K, and a half this year.  I'm down for the challenge.  To be honest, a 5K PR scares me too much to try for it; I had marathon training mileage going on the last time I PR'd my 5K (22:54).  I would like to try for that next year.

(This picture isn't even from a race where I PR'd -- it's probably the only decent race picture [where I don't look like I'm about to sneeze, or 11 seconds from death] I have of myself.)

5.  OMG RIDE MY BIKE.  I have a VERY nice bike!  It's SO PRETTY!  Lola deserves to be ridden!  Whether it's outside or on the trainer, I'm hopping on my beautiful investment a lot more this year.  She and I already shook on it.

SO YEAH.  That's all I've got for right now!  I'm still on winter break, and we go back to school on Monday.  I've enjoyed the downtime, and am started to get the house and my life together today.  Or I'll just keep watching "Jersey Shore" on Hulu and do all of that tomorrow.  We'll seeeeeeeee.

Accurate: 

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How did you start off your 2018?

What's one generic goal you have for this year?