Day One of 365

Yesterday I started my "new year".  I have a lot of work to do in the next 364 days, but I'm off to a good start.:)  Muncher Cruncher started her Seven-Day Gratitude Challenge -- it was a wonderful way to kick things off.

Morning workout:  3.25 easy miles with Windy.  My hip felt fine, my foot felt fine.  I'm starting to think that these issues are due to inactivity (any amount of sitting).

Ummmmm the Autumn colors here in Chicago are on 10.  It was *crunch, crunch, crunch* nearly the whole way.

Meals:  One of these bad boys for breakfast, plus a small banana.  BROTEIN!<3

Lunch was an Amy's burrito with brown rice -- it didn't look pretty, so I didn't snap it.:P

Afternoon snack -- yum.  Also?  I'm positive that Honeycrisp is the official apple of Autumn.

I had the ABSOLUTE BEST IDEA FOR DINNER LAST NIGHT.  I text Harry with my exclamation...and I wasn't going to be denied.

(Spoiler alert:  He didn't fight me.)

I ended up wanting some tomato soup with mine.  We added bacon and tomatoes to our grilled cheese -- does anyone else do something like this?

In other news, I'm registering for my first race in a while.  I won't be seeking a PR, obvs, but it'll be fun!:)  Any locals running this?!  Let's meet up!

Day one of 365 was a pretty good day!  Off to start day two.  Have a wonderful day and a fantastic weekend!

Called Out, and I'm *THAT* Human

Okay, I'm sorry.  

Explanation, post-reflection, post-realizing that I needed reflection, post-being called out (I mean this in the nicest way possible!) for needing to update here:  The last half of my school year was too stressful for me.  I focused really hard on being the best, most involved P.E. and Health Teacher I could be.  AND I WAS.  I'm still working on my Masters (I'm graduating in December!), and my fitness motivation has been BLURRRRGH for a long while (like, just before being diagnosed with a plantar fascial tear about two years ago).

All of these things lead me to believe that I had nothing to say on here.  To be honest, I most likely didn't.  What it boils down to is too much processing without a ton of output or closure.  When I have a ton of thoughts going through my brain, it's hard to put a pin in anything, let alone explain or analyze a plan of attack.

*LLLLLLLLLE SHRUG*

So here I am, refreshed over a break, focused on work, training, and life in equal parts (lololol let's see how long that lasts!), and kinda itching to say something on the bloggarooney here.

Some new things (!!!!):

Windy started taking swimming lessons over the summer.  She hasn't been running with me much this summer (she's like me -- loathes running in the heat and humidity [though I would take hear early in the morning, often just after dawn]), and this has been a great way for her to move.  She wasn't very fond of the idea of swimming at first, but I think she's starting to really enjoy it.

She's really good at it and her instructors say that she has really good form.  I have a lot to learn from her.:)

 I've gone back to Garmin -- the 935, to be exact.  I don't know why I left in the first place. 

That is totally a drop of sweat under my nose.

I'm teaching at a new school this year!  While I'm pretty stoked about the whole thing, I will definitely miss my colleagues, my administration, and most especially, my students.  There are quite a bit of changes that I'm going to face, and change is pretty tough.  Fingers crossed for me, please!

As excited as I am for the new spot, I'm even more excited to buy new stuff for my equipment closet.  Sophs is always happy to assist with purchasing of new, fun items.  Pool noodles are A MUST.

I started riding on Zwift -- if you ride on your trainer at home or run on a treadmill (I guess with bluetooth capability), then this is a fun way to connect with other riders and runners, and to get a great course workout.

I've been pretty good about going to Bootcamp Conditioning or a Body Pump class once twice a week for the past month or so.  Baby steps.

I'm now *that* human, and made an Instagram for their dog.  Here's Windy's Insta!

I just thought I'd catch you up a bit.  I'm off to get updates on all of you now (that sounds way more awkward than it should).  Have an awesome Monday!

Any CPS Teachers, students or parents out there?  Good luck with your new school year! <3

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.