Category: Tuesday Topics

1. 1,000 posts and Happy Halloween!

I am doing NaBloPoMo this month. 30 blog posts in 30 days. Come join me. #nablopomo2022

Welcome to my first post of NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month), 30 posts in 30 days!  It is my first year participating and while I am excited about it, I am also a little nervous.  It should be an interesting experience too!

November is my birthday month and this year it is the big 5-0.  Yep, I turn 50 this year.  So many thoughts about it but I will leave that for another day.

Anyway, this post is my 1,000th post!  I’ve been blogging since January 2011.  I had no idea what I was doing when I started my blog.  I began using WordPress and then went back and forth with Blogger before finally deciding on WordPress.  Oh, and I’ve changed my domain name a few times too.  See, no idea.  OK, maybe a little since I am still blogging. 😆😆

The best part about blogging has been the bloggers I’ve met and the support and encouragement they’ve given me.  I’ve had a few rough years with running and being a teacher and they’ve all been there for me.

I am pleased to let you know that I survived Halloween.  My kids were excited and they actually did well.  We did our usual reading and writing.  The rest of the day we did some fun Halloween sheets (math, word search, etc), watched movies, and played hot potato.

I was going to dress up as a cat but then remembered I had a witch’s hat.  A simple and easy costume.

I made treats bags for my students.  Too much?  Did I over do it?

I am also linking up with Tuesday Topics!  Make sure to join the linkup! 

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Tuesday Topics: October 2022 Review

This week’s Tuesday Topic is a FREE topic.  Feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

I cannot believe October is almost over and we have 2 months left this year.  And what a year it has been so far!

So let me tell you about how this month is going.

Mileage:  I am currently at 28.85 miles.  It isn’t my lowest.  It is February with 1.49 miles.  This past weekend was gorgeous with weather in the 70s.  Very unusual for October.  But this week it will get cooler with Fall weather.

Current Book:  I began reading “Landslide” then put it down to catch up on a few TV shows.  Then I requested from the library in audio version “A Place for Women” so I could listen to it on my way to work and home.  I couldn’t focus.  There were some parts I did listen and enjoyed but then got lost when I wasn’t paying attention.  I decided to request the book instead and am waiting for it.  How do people listen to audiobooks all of the time?

Current Shoes:  Still running in the Brooks Ghost.  So far I’ve run in them 230 miles.

2022 Running Goal:  My goal this year was to run 1,200 miles.  To date I’ve run 464 miles.  I am OK with not making this goal.  At least I am out there running whenever I can and want.  It will be interesting to see how many miles I end up doing this year.  I will keep you posted!

Injuries: I am still dealing with plantar fasciitis and hip pain.  My chiropractor said the hip pain could be from a tight hip.  He told me to stretch more.  I am trying.  It hurts to even do that.  My runs have been either 20 or 30 minutes but maybe I should stop running for a few days to get better.  And how could I still be dealing with injuries if I am barely running?

Blog: I had a folder on my computer desktop with ALL of my blog pictures.  I was organizing the desktop (I do not like it when it is cluttered) and I must have deleted it by mistake.  I searched for it but it was gone.  Then I remembered that I may not have all of my photos in a folder but they’re still on the blog.

I am not blogging much these days but am interested in 30-day blogging challenge in November.  Next month is National Blog Posting Month.  Can I do it?  I think that if I sit down and plan then I could come up with blog posts for each day in November.  Read more about it HEREClick here for best practices and here for writing prompts put together by our very own San who blogs at The in between is mineWhat makes me think that I can do this is when she says “Also, remember that not every blog post has to be a deep, long, elaborate piece of writing. Sometimes sharing a picture or some random thoughts is all it takes to engage your readers!”  Sounds manageable?

School:  As usual it is hectic and nerve wrecking.  As much as I tell myself that I need to focus on myself and not work so much, it just isn’t happening.  I am doing too much and there aren’t enough hours in the day to do it all.  It is very frustrating when there is a lot of work to be done to help our students in reading, writing, and math.  Surely it shouldn’t have to fall on all of us to help them with this.  What about the parents?

Health:  I have my days when I sleep OK and other when I do not sleep OK.  I don’t wear my Fitbit anymore and instead wear my Garmin.  The data shows that I sleep usually around 6-8 hours each night.  I don’t feel as tired as I used to but sometimes do take a nap on the weekends.  

Thanks for listening!  This is more like a coffee date than a monthly review.  😀 😀

Topic for next week – Tips for Finding a Running Group.  Feel free to write about this or any running related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

Tuesday Topics

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Tuesday Topics: Favorite recovery tools

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  Favorite recovery tools.  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

Runners have a basket or baskets full of recovery tools.  We need them.  These tools help us feel better and recover faster.  Below are the ones I have on hand.

➡️ Massage Gun Deep Tissue Percussion Muscle MassagerI’ve had mine for three years now.  I’ve used it on my mom and my coworkers.  Lola even likes it!  It is easy to use, quiet, cordless, and rechargeable.

➡️ R3 foot roller-This hurts but helps with plantar fasciitis.

➡️ Ryson Foot Roller Massage Ball for Relief Plantar FasciitisAnother tool for plantar fasciitis.

➡️ HoMedics® Therapist Select Foot & Calf Massager-This was gifted to my mom by two of my sisters.  I use it more than than she does.  I love it!

What I really want are Compression Recovery Boots.  But I think that with what I already have should be enough.

Topic for next week – Free Topic.  Feel free to write about any running related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

Tuesday Topics

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Tuesday Topics: 2022 Chicago Marathon Weekend

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  Tips for Dealing with Running Burnout.  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

I am deviating from today’s topic to write about this past weekend.  Sunday was the Chicago Marathon.  No, I didn’t run was I was spectating in Pilsen.  I had a blast and almost got me motivated to run it again.

The weekend began with a fun event with Alison Désir on Friday.  She was in town promoting her book “Running While Black“.  There was a fun run and a panel discussion with two other runners.  As much as I enjoyed listening to them, I was a little disappointed that Alison did not talk about her or her book.

There were treats for everyone – water, coffee, and snacks.  I tried Nemi cactus sticks and found them to be really good.

I did not run but did try on again a pair of the Brooks Hyperion Tempo.  And just for trying them on I was entered into a raffle to win a $300 head to toe Brooks outfit or one of Alison’s books.  Bummer but I didn’t win.

Every person that attended got a bag.

Sunday was Marathon Day!  I did a quick run in the morning, showered, and got ready.  Pilsen is my favorite place to spectate.  When I got there the wheelchair participants had already begun to pass by.  I knew the runners would be next.

First came the elite men.  I am always in awe of their form.

Then came the elite women and other elite runners followed by everyone else.  I was rooting for Emily Sisson and was pleased she set a record for an American woman.  I really wanted her to win 1st place.

Some fun entertainment.

I saw many friends but missed a few of them as well.  I thought the tracking app did a good job of letting spectators know the location of the runners.

I saw Erica past mile 19 and Renée at the mile marker.

I love this photo of Emily along with the other women that have set a record for an American woman.

Overall it was a fun day and I was tired by the time I got home.  I know, I know, not as tired as the runners.

Topic for next week – Favorite Recovery Tools. Feel free to write about this or any running related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

Tuesday Topics

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Tuesday Topics: Life Updates

This week’s Tuesday Topic is a FREE topic.  Feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

These past few weeks went by too fast.  It was busy with work and family activities.  My oldest sister was in town for my mother’s birthday and she stayed with me so that was fun.  No, I am not being sarcastic.  I hadn’t see her in about a year and it is always nice to see her.  I know my mom was happy too.

Let me update you a bit with some life updates.

🔷 I have not been running.  My last run was on Sunday morning.  Prior to that my last run was on 9/18.  Getting up to run doesn’t sound too exciting right now.  I know I need to snap out of this funk and get moving.  I also know a race goal will get me excited.  However, Winter will be here soon and, well, you know how I feel about Winter running.

🔷 Last week was very hectic.  I had a meeting on Monday, Open House on Tuesday, and half day on Wednesday (but with meetings until 4pm).  For Open House only 3 parents showed up for my sessions and then 3 more at 7:30.  I was done with my sessions but was there to talk and answer questions.  Was I disappointed with the numbers?  Yep.  The meeting on Wednesday put me in a bad mood.  As a dual language teacher I feel like we are always doing more work than GE teachers.  I am already overwhelmed with the new things that are being implemented for Reading (one would be teaching foundational skills in English and in Spanish) but now I need to do bridging in Math.  What exactly is it?  “The Bridge is the instructional moment in teaching dual language when teachers bring the two languages together, guiding students to engage in contrastive analysis of the two languages and transfer the academic content they have learned in one language to the other language.”  

🔷 These hot flashes are a pain in the you know what.  It is weird how I can go months without them and then boom they show up.  This year I’ve experienced them within the last 2 months.  

🔷 My doctor prescribed a sleeping pill.  She thought the reason I was tired was because I wasn’t sleeping enough.  I go to bed between 9-930pm.  Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.  Most nights I’ve been able to go back to sleep but sometimes I stay away for about an hour before sleeping again.

🔷 I reactivated my Fitbit account.  The main reason is to track my sleep.  I don’t care too much about the number of steps I take during the day.  Well, I am curious.  Yesterday I walked over 8,000 steps, but I don’t think I will wear my watch everyday.  

🔷 My classroom is almost done.  I just need to finish my English classroom library (Spanish is done but it took me about 5 months to finish it) and organize my supply closet.  I am getting evaluated/observed this year and the main things are done.  No one will see the closet and the bins already have books in them. 😀

🔷 I haven’t been reading like I would like to.  Right now I am reading “Landslide”.  However, my favorite Chicago and NY shows are back on TV.  Thanks to a great offer from Peacock I can watch the shows after they’re shown on TV.  I am a T-Mobile customer and got a free 1-year subscription to Paramount+ Premium and can watch many CBS shows there.  Anyone remember “Bull”?  My sister and I were fans but then I stopped watching it.  I also like “NCIS” and stopped watching it about 2 years ago.  

Any recommendations to track sleep?  Honestly, I really do not want to wear the Fitbit watch.

Topic for next week – Today is World Animal Day.  What animals have you seen out on your run?  Feel free to write about this or any running related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

Tuesday Topics

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