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.

Weekly Recap & Pairings

Heyyyyyyyyy!  How are youuuuu?  I hope your (last) week went very well -- it seems like several of us blogging--runners are in a rut with running, blogging, or both.  *Group hug* because for real, we're all in this together.  I'm hoping to read some great news from y'all today, and if not, I'll read as a *listener* (sometimes that's all we need -- someone to just listen).

Last week went pretty well for me.  I'm not sure if that 10K got the stick out of my butt, but I had a solid training week.  Windy had a wonderful week, too, in smashing her weekly mileage PR!

Monday started off with a solo spin with heavy climbs.

And it was finally cold enough for me to open up my hot chocolate drawer at school!  Work husband and I enjoyed a cup during our prep -----> perfect.

RANDOM but AWESOME pairing:

Tuesday morning brought on a rainy, cold run with Windy.  3.17 soppy miles, and Windy didn't even mind getting all wet.

Another awesome pairing:

Wednesday was another Windy run.

Thursdays are my rest day, and thus, are all about the giggles.

Friday was finally here, which left Windy and I with another 5K.

It was also our Halloween fun fair at my school!  Specials Teachers (me on the left, work husband in the middle [he's 6.5], and our Art Teacher on the right) stick together on things like this:  We were Rock, Paper, Scissors this year.  For some reason, I thought that scissors should look angry and raw!

Windy and I got up early to rock out a four-miler.  It was so crisp and beautiful out, and I believe I spied a few snowflakes.

Harry cheered me on from home. <3

My second job = a sports administrator for my school district, so I get to go to all of the fun things on the weekends, such as our City Championships for Cross-Country.

Most of these days include a lunch I can eat right out of the box, and Starbucks doesn't disappoint.

We had Sophs this weekend (though we didn't go ANYWHERE -- Harry was feeling crummy, I felt pretty cold, and I think Sophs just felt like being lazy), but we kept with tradition =

Hot chocolate + "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown".  I felt like expressing my true feelings for Lucy by way of Snapchat.

Sunday morning was to bring my longest run in quite a while, and finish out my biggest weekly mileage week in over a year.  I figured that this called for a totally new playlist.

So much Olafur Arnalds.  He's my music bae.<3

It was cold and sunny outside, and the new running tunes did their job!  Feeling motivated and strong after I finished, I celebrated (after taking a looooong, hot shower) by taking two naps over the course of four hours.

What do you think we should pair with this?  A tasty stout?  Steamed milk?  Double up with hot cocoa?

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Weekly Workout Recap!
Monday - 45 minutes spin, with jumps, hills, sprints, and jogging out of the saddle.
Tuesday - 3.17 miles with Windy
Wednesday - 3.1 miles with Windy
Thursday - REST
Friday - 3.1 miles with Windy
Saturday - 4.1 miles with Windy
Sunday - 7.53 miles

TOTAL:  21.01 miles
WINDY MILES:  13.48

Really the only thing that was missing was a Yoga sesh, to which I will definitely make time for this week.:)
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What were your miles like this week?  


Is it cool or cold where you live?


Let's get real and talk about food:  FAVORITE kind of cookie?!

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!