Oh, hi. It's been a busy week! I've been spending a lot of time at school working with my students on a newspaper for the Door Village Festival taking place later this summer. Reason #147 my kids are rockstars: They're willing to come in on their summer vacation to do something they're not getting graded on or paid for. My kids = rockstars. I've also been busy teaching Jazzercise classes, lunching and dinnering with friends, planning for Dan's birthday, and trying to knock things off the Bucket List.
I made a meal in the crock pot today that Dan and I will have for dinner tonight (the four month anniversary of our first date!). I'm unsure about it, but we'll see. Regardless, it's my meal for the week, so I can cross that off the bucket list. I also managed to clean out my closet today (I didn't purge as much as I wanted, but a lot still fits, so it's hard to justify!). I spent some time with Jenna today while the kids were gone with her mom. So nice to catch up with her and talk about baby #3 on the way! I've done some of the other small stuff on the list, but need to knock off some of those big ticket items soon. Maybe next week I'll be motivated to move furniture, hang picture frames and sconces, and start looking in to trips and races!
I got in a four mile run yesterday, and did some speed work. With 90+ degrees on tap through at least July 4, I'm just not sure when I can get a long run in. It's hot, people! At least I can count the LaPorte County 4th of July parade as a strenuous work out for the week! ;)
Summer Part I
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
While on vacation, Dan and I were able to get two runs in. They were not fast. They were not long. But they felt really, really great! Perhaps it was the cooler temperatures. Perhaps it was the lack of humidity. Perhaps it was having a running buddy since I'd forgotten my headphones at home.
But perhaps it was the fact that everything is more fun on vacation, exercise included. We also got in our sweet tandem bike ride and some awesome Dune climbing and hiking, which was nice.
Upon our return home, we ran roughly 4.5 miles around Long Beach on Sunday morning. Even that felt okay... but I think I was still pretending to be on vacation. See? Still fun!
On Monday, it was back into the real world. I answered a bunch of emails I had been blowing off, went in to work to spend some time on the Door Village Festival Newspaper that my students are putting together, ran errands, and taught Jazzercise. The rest of the week brings more of the same, as the paper needs to be done next week.
The ONLY way I've been able to convince myself to run this week is if I run two miles at a time. I figure I really have no excuse for why I can't go outside for 20 minutes or less and run around. I haven't even been leaving the subdivision. I think it's time to get signed up for a race ASAP so I don't totally lose my mileage. I remember during my training when I would leave work and head out immediately for a 5-7 mile run. And now... two seems like plenty!
On the bright side, I'm getting to work on my speed a bit. I started off at a pretty quick pace this morning and about two minutes in, I decided to see how fast I could run a mile. I was using my GPS, so when it dinged at 8:10, I was pleasantly surprised to see I'd gone that fast. I finished both miles in 16:47, which is pretty darn fast for me. Since I'm feeling fast for maybe the first time ever, I'm going to try to keep increasing speed and worry about the distance later. Baby steps!
But perhaps it was the fact that everything is more fun on vacation, exercise included. We also got in our sweet tandem bike ride and some awesome Dune climbing and hiking, which was nice.
Upon our return home, we ran roughly 4.5 miles around Long Beach on Sunday morning. Even that felt okay... but I think I was still pretending to be on vacation. See? Still fun!
On Monday, it was back into the real world. I answered a bunch of emails I had been blowing off, went in to work to spend some time on the Door Village Festival Newspaper that my students are putting together, ran errands, and taught Jazzercise. The rest of the week brings more of the same, as the paper needs to be done next week.
The ONLY way I've been able to convince myself to run this week is if I run two miles at a time. I figure I really have no excuse for why I can't go outside for 20 minutes or less and run around. I haven't even been leaving the subdivision. I think it's time to get signed up for a race ASAP so I don't totally lose my mileage. I remember during my training when I would leave work and head out immediately for a 5-7 mile run. And now... two seems like plenty!
On the bright side, I'm getting to work on my speed a bit. I started off at a pretty quick pace this morning and about two minutes in, I decided to see how fast I could run a mile. I was using my GPS, so when it dinged at 8:10, I was pleasantly surprised to see I'd gone that fast. I finished both miles in 16:47, which is pretty darn fast for me. Since I'm feeling fast for maybe the first time ever, I'm going to try to keep increasing speed and worry about the distance later. Baby steps!
Monday, June 25, 2012
I've been delaying writing the vacation post because that would mean that vacation is, in fact, over, and I'd have to acknowledge it. Sigh. We've been back in the real world since Saturday night, but I'm still choosing to live in vacation memory bliss.
Dan and I left early Wednesday for our trip up North. Our first stop was Traverse City, Michigan and it was absolutely fantastic. We checked into the hotel and then went to an amazing little Italian restaurant close by for an awesome late lunch. Afterward, we walked around downtown, stopped in some of the local shops, went on a very long walk to a nonexistent winery, and finally landed back at the hotel late that evening.
Thursday led us on our winery tour of Mission Point Peninsula. We started the morning with a run down to the beach... followed by rain at the Mission Point Lighthouse. By the time we were done with the first winery, the rain had subsided.
Going to all of the different wineries was AWESOME! I'd never gone on multiple winery tours in one day, so it was an exciting experience for me. We stopped at eight wineries (eeee!) and, shockingly, were able to find wine at each winery that we enjoyed (okay... maybe this is not so shocking).
That night, we drove over to the Sleeping Bear Dunes. It was so fun to climb the Dunes (and run down them, of course!). We also went on a scenic driving tour of the coast which was totally incredible. Dan even found us a little lake to watch the sunset over. Totally beautiful, and totally awesome.
We woke up early on Friday and headed north to Mackinac Island. The Island is just like I remember it from when I was a kid... the main street is like jumping back in time, and I love, love, love it. We had a quick lunch and then rented a tandem bike. This perhaps gave us the most comical interaction with anyone on the trip. The man renting us the bike told us he couldn't give us a tandem unless we'd wallpapered a bathroom together or painted together. When we told him we hadn't done either of those things, he said we had to come up with something comparable, so we told him that we once had to change two flat tires at the same time. He asked how we'd gotten said flat tires and Dan had to tell him he'd jumped a curb. Naturally, his response was, "And you want ME to give you a bike?" Eventually, they relented.
The bike ride around Mackinac was my favoHelrite part of the whole trip, I think. It was a perfect day... 72 sunny degrees and a light breeze. We had so much fun riding, stopping, taking pictures, reading signs, driving up to the Grand Hotel, and laughing together a LOT. When we returned the bike a couple of hours later, the man at the rental shop joked that he'd had the Coast Guard out looking for us because they were worried. :)
Upon returning the bike, we picked up a few souvenirs (FUDGE!) and went back to Mackinaw City. We checked into our hotel, got ready, and headed back to the Island for our fancy dinner. (I totally recommend getting the Mack and Back pass -- it'll let you go back and forth as many times as you want in the same day!) We ate at a restaurant called Yankee Rebel and it was awesome! We'd thought about eating at the Grand, but men were required to wear a sport coat. Yikes. On the way back to the island that night, we got to see this:
The next morning was another quick run, breakfast, a trip over the bridge to the UP, and then back home. Such a wonderful vacation!
I love vacations so much and for so many reasons. One, I love going somewhere new (or old) and trying new things and seeing new places. There's just something so exciting about being somewhere different. Two, I love that vacations mean little stress. Dan and I left for vacation with a vague idea about what we wanted to do, but no real plan in place. I love that! I live my life on a schedule, always, so it was nice to be able to wake up at 8 a.m. and say, "What should we do today?" And THEN figure it out. Three, everything is fun! Waking up in a hotel? Fun! Not making the bed? Fun! Not cooking meals? Fun! Doing something? Fun! Doing nothing? Fun! You see the pattern here.
Anyway, home sweet home is where we are now. With my batteries mildly recharged, I'm excited to tackle some of my to-do list this week and really enjoy some more of summer. :)
Dan and I left early Wednesday for our trip up North. Our first stop was Traverse City, Michigan and it was absolutely fantastic. We checked into the hotel and then went to an amazing little Italian restaurant close by for an awesome late lunch. Afterward, we walked around downtown, stopped in some of the local shops, went on a very long walk to a nonexistent winery, and finally landed back at the hotel late that evening.
Thursday led us on our winery tour of Mission Point Peninsula. We started the morning with a run down to the beach... followed by rain at the Mission Point Lighthouse. By the time we were done with the first winery, the rain had subsided.
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| Lighthouse! |
That night, we drove over to the Sleeping Bear Dunes. It was so fun to climb the Dunes (and run down them, of course!). We also went on a scenic driving tour of the coast which was totally incredible. Dan even found us a little lake to watch the sunset over. Totally beautiful, and totally awesome.
We woke up early on Friday and headed north to Mackinac Island. The Island is just like I remember it from when I was a kid... the main street is like jumping back in time, and I love, love, love it. We had a quick lunch and then rented a tandem bike. This perhaps gave us the most comical interaction with anyone on the trip. The man renting us the bike told us he couldn't give us a tandem unless we'd wallpapered a bathroom together or painted together. When we told him we hadn't done either of those things, he said we had to come up with something comparable, so we told him that we once had to change two flat tires at the same time. He asked how we'd gotten said flat tires and Dan had to tell him he'd jumped a curb. Naturally, his response was, "And you want ME to give you a bike?" Eventually, they relented.
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| LOVE the tandem bike! |
Upon returning the bike, we picked up a few souvenirs (FUDGE!) and went back to Mackinaw City. We checked into our hotel, got ready, and headed back to the Island for our fancy dinner. (I totally recommend getting the Mack and Back pass -- it'll let you go back and forth as many times as you want in the same day!) We ate at a restaurant called Yankee Rebel and it was awesome! We'd thought about eating at the Grand, but men were required to wear a sport coat. Yikes. On the way back to the island that night, we got to see this:
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| Hello, gorgeous sunset. |
I love vacations so much and for so many reasons. One, I love going somewhere new (or old) and trying new things and seeing new places. There's just something so exciting about being somewhere different. Two, I love that vacations mean little stress. Dan and I left for vacation with a vague idea about what we wanted to do, but no real plan in place. I love that! I live my life on a schedule, always, so it was nice to be able to wake up at 8 a.m. and say, "What should we do today?" And THEN figure it out. Three, everything is fun! Waking up in a hotel? Fun! Not making the bed? Fun! Not cooking meals? Fun! Doing something? Fun! Doing nothing? Fun! You see the pattern here.
Anyway, home sweet home is where we are now. With my batteries mildly recharged, I'm excited to tackle some of my to-do list this week and really enjoy some more of summer. :)
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
My dear friend and college roommate Meredith has a theory. She calls it "happy fat." Happy fat comes when you find yourself in a new relationship. You're happy... blissfully happy! You're eating out more. You're splitting appetizers. You're eating more desserts. You're drinking more wine. You're happy! You gain some fat. You're happy fat!
A few years ago, I was wearing a Body Bug for a six month stint. A Body Bug is a little sensor you wear on your arm. It monitors your daily activities -- how many steps you take, your exercise, your calories burned, and even your sleep. It's an awesome tool to see just how much you're burning... and I had definitely been victim to believing that I was burning a bajillion calories a workout and therefore could eat whatever I wanted. (I wasn't burning a bajillion calories. Whoops.) What I did learn, though, is I burn a TON more calories during the school year than the summer. There's something to be said about being on your feet and running around all day chasing down lost copies, more caffeine, or something across the hall in the newspaper office.
I bring this all up because now that it's summer, and I'm blissfully happy, I'm left with a little more happy fat than I'm comfortable with. My marathon training schedule has calmed down (in that, I don't have one anymore) so while I'm still working out the same number of days each week, the length and intensity have decreased. I'm no longer at school running around like a crazy person, slamming down my lunch at 10:11 a.m. and forgetting that I'm hungry the rest of the day. I'm home. And there's food readily accessible. And I'm sitting more. And I'm happy.
Silly happy fat.
Dan and I leave for vacation tomorrow. Four blissful days in Traverse City and Mackinac Island -- two places I haven't been since I was a kid. I'm thrilled to be hitting the road and getting some time away. I'm not so thrilled at the prospect of throwing on a bathing suit.
I know how to lose weight and tone up the right way. And yet, yesterday, I spent approximately 18 minutes online looking for quick tips to drop a couple of pounds. I'm an aerobics instructor! I know this kind of stuff doesn't work! But I'm also a woman, so curiosity got the best of me.
As women, there is some unspoken pressure to always want to drop a couple more pounds. It's insane, really, but for me, that desire is always there. Just two pounds or three pounds or ten pounds or whatever the number is in our heads and THEN we'll be happy with our weight, yes? Probably not.
I've mostly learned to quiet that little voice in my head. I'm healthy and happy, even if there's a little bit of happy fat. I've decided that it's worth having a little happy fat if it means that I get to be this happy.
And as for the bathing suit? I'm packing two. :)
A few years ago, I was wearing a Body Bug for a six month stint. A Body Bug is a little sensor you wear on your arm. It monitors your daily activities -- how many steps you take, your exercise, your calories burned, and even your sleep. It's an awesome tool to see just how much you're burning... and I had definitely been victim to believing that I was burning a bajillion calories a workout and therefore could eat whatever I wanted. (I wasn't burning a bajillion calories. Whoops.) What I did learn, though, is I burn a TON more calories during the school year than the summer. There's something to be said about being on your feet and running around all day chasing down lost copies, more caffeine, or something across the hall in the newspaper office.
I bring this all up because now that it's summer, and I'm blissfully happy, I'm left with a little more happy fat than I'm comfortable with. My marathon training schedule has calmed down (in that, I don't have one anymore) so while I'm still working out the same number of days each week, the length and intensity have decreased. I'm no longer at school running around like a crazy person, slamming down my lunch at 10:11 a.m. and forgetting that I'm hungry the rest of the day. I'm home. And there's food readily accessible. And I'm sitting more. And I'm happy.
Silly happy fat.
Dan and I leave for vacation tomorrow. Four blissful days in Traverse City and Mackinac Island -- two places I haven't been since I was a kid. I'm thrilled to be hitting the road and getting some time away. I'm not so thrilled at the prospect of throwing on a bathing suit.
I know how to lose weight and tone up the right way. And yet, yesterday, I spent approximately 18 minutes online looking for quick tips to drop a couple of pounds. I'm an aerobics instructor! I know this kind of stuff doesn't work! But I'm also a woman, so curiosity got the best of me.
As women, there is some unspoken pressure to always want to drop a couple more pounds. It's insane, really, but for me, that desire is always there. Just two pounds or three pounds or ten pounds or whatever the number is in our heads and THEN we'll be happy with our weight, yes? Probably not.
I've mostly learned to quiet that little voice in my head. I'm healthy and happy, even if there's a little bit of happy fat. I've decided that it's worth having a little happy fat if it means that I get to be this happy.
And as for the bathing suit? I'm packing two. :)
Monday, June 18, 2012
If there was any doubt, today's heat makes it abundantly clear that summer is here. It's HOT, people. And it's also really humid.
I despise humidity. It's probably the weather I most hate (well, okay, maybe a close second to freezing cold snow temps). But, I don't hate humidity because of what it does to my hair (although, that's an unfortunate side effect). I hate the humidity because of how it makes my body feel.
For whatever reason (and truthfully, I don't know what it is), humidity makes my arthritis rear its ugly head. My joints ache. My head throbs. And my poor body seems unable to acclimate to the humidity, making things semi-miserable. I feel worn down and punky, for lack of better word.
The worst part of it, though, is that humidity also seems to bring out the grumps in me. I blame this on my tight shoulders and neck cutting off happiness to my brain. Things just hurt. And it's hard to not let them.
So, I do what everyone else with this disease does -- I take my medication, try to get extra rest, and enjoy all those days that don't make my body tense up. I run the AC when needed, and ask anyone near me to push on my shoulders until the stress knots relax. And I laugh a lot... because, why not? Oh, and moments like this tend to help too:
Also, happy belated Father's Day, all! Dan and I spent the morning at breakfast and movie watching with poppa Saoud and then headed up to St. Joe to have dinner and some boat time with the Putt family. It was a perfect Father's Day, as I think we both got pretty great dads.
I despise humidity. It's probably the weather I most hate (well, okay, maybe a close second to freezing cold snow temps). But, I don't hate humidity because of what it does to my hair (although, that's an unfortunate side effect). I hate the humidity because of how it makes my body feel.
For whatever reason (and truthfully, I don't know what it is), humidity makes my arthritis rear its ugly head. My joints ache. My head throbs. And my poor body seems unable to acclimate to the humidity, making things semi-miserable. I feel worn down and punky, for lack of better word.
The worst part of it, though, is that humidity also seems to bring out the grumps in me. I blame this on my tight shoulders and neck cutting off happiness to my brain. Things just hurt. And it's hard to not let them.
So, I do what everyone else with this disease does -- I take my medication, try to get extra rest, and enjoy all those days that don't make my body tense up. I run the AC when needed, and ask anyone near me to push on my shoulders until the stress knots relax. And I laugh a lot... because, why not? Oh, and moments like this tend to help too:
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| Hello, lovely Lake Michigan. |
Friday, June 15, 2012
One of my biggest battles in life is one that wages for me daily: productivity vs. relaxation. It never fails... I WANT to relax, but then when I sit down to take it easy, I feel guilty for not doing productive things. I'll start to watch something on t.v., and then I'll think, "Well, I'll at least throw a load of laundry in." I mean, that way I'm doing something, right?
I'm not one who is able to just sit idly. Maybe this is why I suck at beaches and pools... I'm just doing nothing. I should be doing something... anything.
Now that I'm tackling the summer bucket list, I'm finding that more and more, I'm trying to knock off the productive stuff first. If I can clean the spare room, I have something to show for it. But it's a double edged sword, you see, because I feel guilty if there's a day that I don't knock something off the list. Now THAT is stupid. I recognize this... I really do... but letting go of I-just-want-to-sit-around guilt is tough.
I think part of that comes from teacher guilt (boy, this post is riddled with guilt). I've been asked no less than ten times, "So, are you getting a job this summer?" Ummm, no, for so many reasons.
1. I work my @$$ off the other ten months of the year.
2. It's hard to get a job you only work at for two months.
3. I already have two other jobs (Jazzercise and freelance writing).
4. Frankly, I don't want to.
But it's THERE. The teacher guilt. The whole, "Oh, you're so lucky you get two months off." I AM lucky I get two months off. But I hate having to justify why I want some time off. Hence, guilt.
I'm trying to let go of the guilt, and I'm hoping a few days out of town where I can't do anything "productive" will help. I'm looking forward to enjoying the company, Michigan, and some much needed relaxation.:)
I'm not one who is able to just sit idly. Maybe this is why I suck at beaches and pools... I'm just doing nothing. I should be doing something... anything.
Now that I'm tackling the summer bucket list, I'm finding that more and more, I'm trying to knock off the productive stuff first. If I can clean the spare room, I have something to show for it. But it's a double edged sword, you see, because I feel guilty if there's a day that I don't knock something off the list. Now THAT is stupid. I recognize this... I really do... but letting go of I-just-want-to-sit-around guilt is tough.
I think part of that comes from teacher guilt (boy, this post is riddled with guilt). I've been asked no less than ten times, "So, are you getting a job this summer?" Ummm, no, for so many reasons.
1. I work my @$$ off the other ten months of the year.
2. It's hard to get a job you only work at for two months.
3. I already have two other jobs (Jazzercise and freelance writing).
4. Frankly, I don't want to.
But it's THERE. The teacher guilt. The whole, "Oh, you're so lucky you get two months off." I AM lucky I get two months off. But I hate having to justify why I want some time off. Hence, guilt.
I'm trying to let go of the guilt, and I'm hoping a few days out of town where I can't do anything "productive" will help. I'm looking forward to enjoying the company, Michigan, and some much needed relaxation.:)
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
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| 13.1 Princess! |
Today I went to Metro Run and Walk to get new shoes. The girl helping me was a 2011 SMC English Writing grad (thank you, SMC ring, for the tip off!), so we ended up chatting about Saint Mary's English professors as I also explained my shoe issues. She said she thinks I might actually be gripping down with my toes which could be why only my middle toes are affected. She put me in some sweet new Mizuno shoes and tied them a different way to give me more room in the toe box, just in case I AM pulling my toes up when I run.
After a little more chatting about senior comps and finding the peanut butter GU, I paid for my new purchases and headed out. I teach Jazzercise tomorrow, but am hoping to get in a few miles in the morning to see how they feel. I think I'll rotate shoes for a bit to get used to them.
A week from today, Dan and I take off for our summer vacation getaway! Traverse City and Mackinac, here we come! :D
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| Love. |
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
So, since this is the summer of the bucket list, and I've technically been on summer vacation for 1.5 weeks now, I figured it was time to update you on the progress! Here we go.
The oddest part of the summer bucket list is that most of the stuff I tend to be doing right now is stuff for the house. I guess I figured I would immediately veer toward the fun stuff (like, eating a giant blizzard, or, spend a day doing nothing), but my productivity seems to be getting the best of me. I guess this is a blessing in disguise, though, as come mid-July, I'll be happy that the only thing I have to do that week is go to the farmer's market and play mini golf.
So, what HAVE I done, you ask? I'll show you.
The oddest part of the summer bucket list is that most of the stuff I tend to be doing right now is stuff for the house. I guess I figured I would immediately veer toward the fun stuff (like, eating a giant blizzard, or, spend a day doing nothing), but my productivity seems to be getting the best of me. I guess this is a blessing in disguise, though, as come mid-July, I'll be happy that the only thing I have to do that week is go to the farmer's market and play mini golf.
So, what HAVE I done, you ask? I'll show you.
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| Home cooked meal number one: Parmesan chicken, whole grain rice pilaf, and red peppers with hummus (because we were at Dan's and he didn't own a can opener yet). |
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| Hello, super organized Gladware/Tupperware cabinet! |
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| Wine tasting AND dinner at Tabor Hill?! Don't mind if I do! |
Now, to be fair, I've done other stuff too. Today, I organized all my finances for 2012 into a giant binder. I didn't really think that was picture worthy. I've also written my Maid of Honor speech for Shannon's wedding (you can't see it yet!) and organized the cabinet under my bathroom sink (again, maybe not so picture worthy).
I have lots of plans in place to accomplish the other 60ish items in the list in the near future. But for tonight, I'm thinking I'll dig in to my first summer read and enjoy the open windows. :)
Sunday, June 10, 2012
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| Asparagus makes runners strong and healthy! |
About two months ago, Dan and I started looking for fun summer activities we could do together. We talked about going to a variety of festivals because, well, festivals are awesome! So, when looking around for information on Silver Lake (where we'll be heading later this summer), Dan found the National Asparagus Festival. Whhhhha? And when he mentioned there was a 5K involved, we decided we were definitely, positively in.
Fast forward to yesterday morning. The alarm went off at 4:30 a.m. I thought to myself... WHY are we doing this? Because we are crazy people, that's why. At 5:15, as I was grumbling in the car, Dan said, "Do you not want to go? We can skip it." Umm, where was that option the night before?! But, we were up, and on our way, so off we went to Hart, Michigan. About halfway there, I realized I'd forgotten my headphones. I HATE running without music!
Upon our arrival at 7:45, we were some of the first people there. We got our bibs and t-shirts and walked around the registration area. We put our shoes on, tied the knots twice, and decided that we wouldn't be running together. Mostly, this was my decision, as I'm a slower runner than Dan, and I didn't want to hold him back. So, when the gun went off (oh, wait, there wasn't a gun, everyone just started running), we split up and planned to meet at our designated area.
The race course was beautiful. It started and ended along the lake front and in between went more inland to some nasty hills. It was a small race... the one water stop was literally two people filling up Dixie cups from an Igloo cooler... but it was fun. I didn't have music or my watch, so I just focused on running my best race.
I was surprised at how good I felt despite not having music. I crossed the finish line with the clock reading 27:48, a PR for me, but also, inaccurate, considering the start time and the "gun time" were the same time, and we DEFINITELY didn't cross the start line right away. I'm subtracting 7-10 seconds based on that fact alone! Dan finished in 24:22, a PR for him, AND he took third place in his age category, earning him a sweet bronze medal! I took fourth in my age group, earning nothing, but I didn't care. (And, by the way, if I'd been in the 30-34 age group, I would have taken second, meaning next year, those women better watch out!) While we waited for the awards ceremony, we filled up bags of asparagus, ate really awesome cherry muffins and fruit, and decided it was worth it to get up at 4:30 after all.
After the ceremony, we drove to the festival, walked through the vendors, and ate deep fried asparagus, because, that's what you do! It was a wonderful day, and really nice to do a short race. I'm looking forward to finding some more 5 and 10K's this summer to reinvigorate my love of running. :)
Friday, June 8, 2012
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| Isn't this how most people feel? |
Let's discuss the great outdoors. We all know people who LOVE the great outdoors. They're into camping, boating, kayaking, wake boarding, surfing, biking, yard work, hiking, animals, bugs, skiing, snowboarding, stuff that's housed in the garage, and all other things related to outdoorsy stuff.
I realize I will take some criticism for this post (much like my "Dogs aren't really my thing" post), but here it is anyway. I'm not very outdoorsy. I enjoy going for walks. I enjoy hiking, when the opportunity arises. Running, is in fact, one of the only activities I prefer to do outdoors.
I was your normal child. We were outdoors a LOT as kids. In Pittsburgh, all of the kids were always outside, playing in the cul-de-sac, and on the giant rocks in the middle of the island of land between all of our houses. I remember being practically dragged in for dinner in the evenings, only to go right back out afterward to play with my parents and brother in the backyard. But now, something has shifted. Being outdoors is just not entirely enjoyable to me.
For one, I don't like to get sweaty for no reason. If I'm working out? SURE! If I'm sitting still? Not so much. Why am I sweating for no apparent reason?! I could be sitting somewhere cool.
For two, I don't like laying out. I don't find it relaxing. I get bored. I get grumpy. I'm not really concerned if I'm tan or pale. It just doesn't matter to me.
For three and four, I don't like yard work and I don't like bugs. There are people who find yard work totally relaxing. I get it. I appreciate these people. I'm not one of them. Planting flowers, pulling weeds, even mowing the grass doesn't relax me. Assuming the yard looks semi-decent, I'm okay with it. (This, by the way, is a vast improvement over last year when I wanted my grass to die so I didn't have to take care of it).
And then, there are bugs. I despise bugs. Case in point, this morning, I was doing a lot of weeding. Why was I doing a lot of weeding? Because I'd neglected it for about 6 weeks and I have 25 women coming to my house on Sunday for a bridal shower. So, anyway, back to the weeding. First, in the planter nearest my house, every time I pulled out a few weeds, approximately 8 million ants would come pouring out of the ground, run around on my gloves and feet, and look all sorts of confused. Whatever, they're ants. But THEN, as I weeded around my mailbox, a bee FLEW INTO MY EAR. Ick. This also caused a minor awkward dance around the street as I tried to free the bee and get over the ick factor.
So, no, I may never experience the true joy of sleeping in a sleeping bag on the floor of a tent, and no, I may never really fully enjoy extra time in the wilderness. I may just be an indoor girl. But, I'm okay with that.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Okay, so, I don't really want to write this blog. But, I want to be honest about the running process and this is definitely an unflattering side of it.
Since the second half marathon, I've been having toenail issues. Three of my toenails developed really terrible blisters underneath them. Then they filled with blood. Then they dried up and raised... one of them quite significantly. I waited until school was out to deal with them, mostly because it's difficult to take time off at the end of the school year. So, yesterday was the day.
I went to the podiatrist, and within a second, the nurse told me I had toenail fungus caused by a trauma to the nail bed. Ick. Before she sanded down my three nails (literally with a drill), she went over the options: 1. A topical that I would have to put on twice daily for a year with only a 15% success rate after the year was up, 2. An oral medication taken for 90 days, 3. Permanent toenail removal, 4. Doing nothing and hoping it didn't spread. Those didn't really seem like options to me, but what do I know.
Then the doctor came in, and this is when I learned new stuff.
First, she told me that the reason I probably have trauma on these specific toes (the middle toes, and the fourth toe on one foot) is because my calves/hamstrings are tight and I pull my toes up as I run. This is probably totally true of me (ask Janet! I have super tight legs!).
She also told me that when those under the toenail blisters develop, you've got about 8 hours to pop them and get the gunk out before problems start. On the contrary, I'd always been told NOT to mess with blisters... that they would typically just fix themselves. Not. So.
THEN she told me what I wish to impart on every female -- toenail polish, unless clear or opal/opaque is BAD for the toes! Fungus, when it grows, likes dark places... so by constantly having polish on our toes, we're setting ourselves up for a host of problems. Who knew!?
So, yes, it's gross. And 8% of me feels like I did something wrong. And the other 92% of me is not thrilled about taking a pill for 90 days, using topical cream, and waiting for results. But, there's not so much I can do now.
You've been warned, people.
Since the second half marathon, I've been having toenail issues. Three of my toenails developed really terrible blisters underneath them. Then they filled with blood. Then they dried up and raised... one of them quite significantly. I waited until school was out to deal with them, mostly because it's difficult to take time off at the end of the school year. So, yesterday was the day.
I went to the podiatrist, and within a second, the nurse told me I had toenail fungus caused by a trauma to the nail bed. Ick. Before she sanded down my three nails (literally with a drill), she went over the options: 1. A topical that I would have to put on twice daily for a year with only a 15% success rate after the year was up, 2. An oral medication taken for 90 days, 3. Permanent toenail removal, 4. Doing nothing and hoping it didn't spread. Those didn't really seem like options to me, but what do I know.
Then the doctor came in, and this is when I learned new stuff.
First, she told me that the reason I probably have trauma on these specific toes (the middle toes, and the fourth toe on one foot) is because my calves/hamstrings are tight and I pull my toes up as I run. This is probably totally true of me (ask Janet! I have super tight legs!).
She also told me that when those under the toenail blisters develop, you've got about 8 hours to pop them and get the gunk out before problems start. On the contrary, I'd always been told NOT to mess with blisters... that they would typically just fix themselves. Not. So.
THEN she told me what I wish to impart on every female -- toenail polish, unless clear or opal/opaque is BAD for the toes! Fungus, when it grows, likes dark places... so by constantly having polish on our toes, we're setting ourselves up for a host of problems. Who knew!?
So, yes, it's gross. And 8% of me feels like I did something wrong. And the other 92% of me is not thrilled about taking a pill for 90 days, using topical cream, and waiting for results. But, there's not so much I can do now.
You've been warned, people.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
I know many of you are anxiously awaiting the heat so you can get out to the beach/lay by a pool/sweat more than you've ever sweat before, but to me, yesterday and today are perfect summer days. I love waking up to a little chill in the air through open bedroom windows, sipping coffee on the deck in my pajamas, and opening up the whole house to let the winter ick air out of it. I love when the sun is out and the birds are chirping and the temperature only warms to mid-70s. I love that I can wear jeans and a tank top and be comfortable in the sun, shade, indoors, outdoors, and anywhere in between. These are perfect summer days.
This morning, I ran 8 miles. It was the most I've run since the Indy mini, but I felt like I needed to do it to challenge myself. Even though I don't have any big races on the calendar, I also don't want to lose my mileage. Plus, since my college roommate and best friend, Teresa, has started her marathon training, I have to keep reminding myself that if she will be running 26 miles IN A ROW, I should be able to go out and put in 8 (especially since I'll be running the last 6 miles of the Chicago Marathon with her!).
Running is so odd, and as I've often pointed out in posts, a giant metaphor for life. One minute, I can be cruising along, feeling unstoppable. The next minute, it's a struggle to put one foot in front of the other to make it up a hill or past a particularly treacherous part of the road (read: when there's a dead animal I don't want to make eye contact with). I don't know if running ever really gets "easy" because I feel like once it does, runners strive to run faster, put in more miles, or take on a new challenge, making it difficult yet again. That's the nature of the beast, I suppose... once you achieve a goal, you have to come up with a new one to pursue.
What I do know is with a schedule that has become much clearer, and days like today, this summer is off to a wonderful, perfect start.
This morning, I ran 8 miles. It was the most I've run since the Indy mini, but I felt like I needed to do it to challenge myself. Even though I don't have any big races on the calendar, I also don't want to lose my mileage. Plus, since my college roommate and best friend, Teresa, has started her marathon training, I have to keep reminding myself that if she will be running 26 miles IN A ROW, I should be able to go out and put in 8 (especially since I'll be running the last 6 miles of the Chicago Marathon with her!).
Running is so odd, and as I've often pointed out in posts, a giant metaphor for life. One minute, I can be cruising along, feeling unstoppable. The next minute, it's a struggle to put one foot in front of the other to make it up a hill or past a particularly treacherous part of the road (read: when there's a dead animal I don't want to make eye contact with). I don't know if running ever really gets "easy" because I feel like once it does, runners strive to run faster, put in more miles, or take on a new challenge, making it difficult yet again. That's the nature of the beast, I suppose... once you achieve a goal, you have to come up with a new one to pursue.
What I do know is with a schedule that has become much clearer, and days like today, this summer is off to a wonderful, perfect start.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Yesterday was the class of 2012 graduation at LaPorte High School. It is so incredibly awesome to watch kids graduate each year, knowing they're on to the next step in their lives. And, yes, I managed to get teary-eyed at least three times during the ceremony. I may be a sap, but these kids have a lot to be proud of!
My favorite part of yesterday, though, was being able to talk to the grads after commencement and at graduation parties. It's nice to see them relax and have fun and be excited about what's coming next in their lives.
Dan pointed out to me yesterday how many students I talked to and how I seem to really care about my students. I was thinking about this today on my run. I think I'm a teacher because I seem to have an insane amount of love to give others and truly and genuinely care about them. I've always been this way. I just tend to find other people fascinating and really want to see the best for each of them. And I hope I've been able to pass some of those lessons that don't revolve around English on to my students too... take care of one another, do the things that make you happy, live and love every moment, and pursue goals (even if you're not sure you can achieve them).
For me, I feel like summer is off to a great start. I'm checking things off the bucket list, got to see my childhood best friend get married, and have already been able to spend time with family and friends. So ready for more of what summer has to offer!
My favorite part of yesterday, though, was being able to talk to the grads after commencement and at graduation parties. It's nice to see them relax and have fun and be excited about what's coming next in their lives.
Dan pointed out to me yesterday how many students I talked to and how I seem to really care about my students. I was thinking about this today on my run. I think I'm a teacher because I seem to have an insane amount of love to give others and truly and genuinely care about them. I've always been this way. I just tend to find other people fascinating and really want to see the best for each of them. And I hope I've been able to pass some of those lessons that don't revolve around English on to my students too... take care of one another, do the things that make you happy, live and love every moment, and pursue goals (even if you're not sure you can achieve them).
For me, I feel like summer is off to a great start. I'm checking things off the bucket list, got to see my childhood best friend get married, and have already been able to spend time with family and friends. So ready for more of what summer has to offer!
Friday, June 1, 2012
It's the first day of summer vacation! I don't know where this school year went... but I'm glad we're here.
Tomorrow is Sunburst in South Bend. I've run the 5K the past two years, but will be missing this year's due to a wedding in Wisconsin. Luckily, the weather looks WAY better than last year (90 degrees and a black flagged marathon). Good luck, friends who are running! Make sure to run a little faster through the tunnel for me!
So, back to summer. (!!!!!) I started working on the summer bucket list today. This afternoon, I started #47 -- Write my Maid of Honor speech for Shannon's wedding. It's hard trying to write a short speech when you've known someone for 15 years (and known her fiancee for 12!). I still plan to rock it, though. :)
I'm hoping to get in a run tomorrow morning before Dan and I leave for Madison, but we'll see. Starting Monday, I plan to get really on track with my runs (at least 15 miles a week). Bring on the best summer yet!
Tomorrow is Sunburst in South Bend. I've run the 5K the past two years, but will be missing this year's due to a wedding in Wisconsin. Luckily, the weather looks WAY better than last year (90 degrees and a black flagged marathon). Good luck, friends who are running! Make sure to run a little faster through the tunnel for me!
So, back to summer. (!!!!!) I started working on the summer bucket list today. This afternoon, I started #47 -- Write my Maid of Honor speech for Shannon's wedding. It's hard trying to write a short speech when you've known someone for 15 years (and known her fiancee for 12!). I still plan to rock it, though. :)
I'm hoping to get in a run tomorrow morning before Dan and I leave for Madison, but we'll see. Starting Monday, I plan to get really on track with my runs (at least 15 miles a week). Bring on the best summer yet!
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