Mar
2018

Random Thoughts Thursday 12

categories: Random Thoughts Thursday

Random Thoughts Thursday

• I get a lot of callous on my right foot.  For as long as I can remember, it is always in the same area.  It gets very hard and sometimes painful.  I’ve been using a callous/corn shaver from Walmart and so far have had no problem with it.  It is easy and quickly removes the hardened skin.

• Last weekend was the NYC Half Marathon and I regret not signing up for it.  I remember last year I said I was going to sign up for this year.  Then when it was time to enter the lottery, I didn’t.  For sure next year!  I feel like I am missing out.

• I submitted my name in the lottery for the Marine Corps Marathon.  I haven’t run a marathon this year (next month) and am already thinking of another one.  If I don’t get picked, my backup is The Hartford Marathon.  I didn’t know that there were 11,000 guaranteed entries available (Wednesday morning) on a first come, first serve basis.  Bummer.  If I would have known, I would have signed up.  

MCM-1

• One more week till Spring Break!  I am very excited.  🙂

Spring Break-1.jpg

• Parent/teacher conferences were on Tuesday.  I have 24 students and 22 parents showed up.  Not bad.  It was a long and exhausting day.  However, one parent got on my nerves.  I don’t think I’ve ever met him and he didn’t show up at the last conference in November.  He had the nerve to let me know of his disagreement with how I handled a situation with his son back in December/January.  He also make a comment about how I don’t check every day his reading log.  I was very annoyed.  But I remained calm.  I cannot remember what I said but I just wanted him to leave the room.


Mar
2018

Illinois Marathon Training Recap, Week 16

categories: Brooks Running, Illinois Marathon, Marathon Training, Running, Weekly Recap

Illinois Marathon-2

Week #16, March 12-18

M Rest
T 3.77
W 2.51
TH 5.83
F Rest
S Ran 3.78
S Ran 13.00

I spent all day Tuesday in a meeting.  It was a long day and the last thing I wanted to do after school was run.  We also got more snow.  Not a lot but seriously crazy weather.  Oh but at least it isn’t as bad as on the east coast.

Illinois Marathon-151

I currently have 4 pairs of shoes in rotation.  They’re all Brooks Launch 4, except the green shoes on the lower right, those are the Launch 5.

On Wednesday it was warm enough to wear shorts.  Spring is so close!

Thursday’s run was fun but also hard!  I had to do 15 minute warm up, 5×5 minute @10:02 pace with 400m recovery, and 10 minute cool down.  I was nervous but knew I could do it.  The first three 5 minute reps felt comfortable.  The last two felt hard because of the wind.  I tried to keep going but just couldn’t take it anymore.  When I saw my splits I realized that I was also running too fast.

I wanted to do these without stopping but with the last two I did stop for a few seconds to catch my breath.  I feel like I cheated.  🙂  Overall, I am very pleased with my negative splits!!

I thought Saturday’s run was 45 minutes but instead it was supposed to be 40 minutes.  Oh well.  It was in the high 30s and I felt great out there.  I didn’t realize how tired I was and ended up taking a nap from 3-4pm.  Lola was very tired too from running around all day.

Illinois Marathon-157

I have mixed feelings about today’s long run (13 miles-4 warm up, 6 @10:45 pace, 3 cool down).  I understand the benefits of tempo runs but I still dislike them.  I always have a hard time holding the pace.  Today’s run felt hard.

Hanging out with Lola before making myself go out for my run.  It was a beautiful and warm afternoon.  

Illinois Marathon-158

I took one Huma Gel (affiliate link) before my run.  They’re my new favorite gels.  The originals are tasty but I also love the plus which have a natural electrolyte.  I took 3 extra ones and ended up taking one at mile 4 and then another one at mile 8.

I was smiling at the end of my run because I was done with it.  But deep down I was sore and tired.  And full of doubt.  As you can see, I did hit my target pace but tempo runs are supposed to be run without stopping and I didn’t do that here.  There were a few times that the pace felt comfortable, which was surprising, but there were times in which I was barely hanging on and had to stop.  A few times I wanted to quit too.  The reason I didn’t is because it was a very nice day for a run.  I’ve been complaining about how cold it has been and today it was just perfect.  So of course I couldn’t stop!

Total mileage for the week: 28.89
Total mileage for this training cycle: 329.93
Total mileage for the year: 251.11

Here’s how training has gone so far:
• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 4
• Week 5
• Week 6
• Week 7
• Week 8
• Week 9
• Week 10
• Week 11
• Week 12
• Week 13
• Week 14
• Week 15

How was YOUR week?  

Link back to the host and let’s support other bloggers linking up as they train for a marathon, half marathon, or any other event.

 


Mar
2018

Random Thoughts Thursday 11

categories: Random Thoughts Thursday

Random Thoughts Thursday

Happy Thursday!  It is one of my favorite days of the week because that means Friday and the weekend aren’t too far behind.  It has been warming up and Spring is around the corner!

• March Madness!  I don’t really follow any of the basketball teams but I do like to be included in this whole madness.  I have two brackets with two different teams being the winner.  Crossing my fingers I win one of them.

• These crazy drivers are ridiculous!  Why are we in a rush to get from one place to the next?  Being in a hurry and in a car can be a recipe for disaster.  I leave my house around 6:30 am and arrive at school by 7.  I take my time and drive the speed limit.  Some drivers zigzag to get through faster not really taking in consideration how dangerous that can be.  

• What is the purpose of Daylight Savings Time?  Monday was tough for me and my students.  We were all very tired.  Towards the end of the day, I had them put their head down for a few minutes to relax.  Then I couldn’t wait to get home but I stayed late to work on lesson plans.  Back to DST, I’ve noticed that it is still dark at 6am where before it was a little bit light.  I am not liking it.  However, I do like that it is still bright at 6:00 pm.

• I am a sucker for Target and Costco.  I can never go there and just purchase what’s on my list.  I went to Costco on Tuesday for maple syrup and avocados.  Then I tried chips and mini tacos and before I knew it, my cart was full of food.

Costo Cart-1.jpg

• Got my second pair of Tieks.  Originally I had a brownish color (Chestnut) and exchanged them for Leopard Print.  Aren’t they gorgeous?

What are some of your random thoughts today?


Mar
2018

Illinois Marathon Training Recap, Week 15

categories: Brooks Running, Illinois Marathon, Marathon Training, Running, Weekly Recap

Illinois Marathon-2

Week #15, March 5-11

M Rest
T 3.36
W 5.21
TH 3.35
F Rest
S Ran 3.00
S Ran 12.01

Tuesday’s run was fantastic!  I received a new pair of the Brooks Launch 5 and ran 40 minutes in them.  I know I’ve raved about the Launch 4 but these new ones are so beautiful and makes me want to keep on running.  

Brooks Launch 5 Shamrock Shoes-1

On Wednesday I had to do 20 minutes warm up, 20 minutes @11:58, and 20 minutes cool down.  Not very exciting but did it anyway.  It was cold/chilly and windy.  I didn’t do my run exactly like I was supposed to.

Illinois Marathon-144

By Thursday I was tired.  I didn’t want to run.  I got home and stayed in bed for a little bit.  I think I just needed a quick break because a few minutes later I got up to run 40 minutes.  Cold and windy again.  I did see a gorgeous sunset!

Illinois Marathon-145

Saturday morning I got a massage.  The last time I got one was about 5 months ago.  It felt so great!  I could literally feel the tingling from my toes to my fingertips.  I made another appointment for the 24th and cannot wait.

Illinois Marathon-146

After my massage I ran 3 miles.  I was supposed to run 35 minutes.  At 35 minutes my watch was showing about 2.97 miles or something like that.  I knew it would drive me crazy if I stopped at that number so I kept running and finished 3 miles at 35:16.  🙂

Congrats to my coaches, Mary and Rochelle!  Mary placed 2nd in the RnR DC 5k and Rochelle placed 1st in the marathon.

Illinois Marathon-147Illinois Marathon-148

Sunday’s run was 12 miles.  I procrastinated as long as I could and finally went out running around 3:30pm.  The plan was to run them at an easy pace (11:58-13:06).  Usually when I do easy runs I am TIRED and am grateful that it is “just” 30, 40, or 45 minutes.  I was nervous about 12 miles.  But I can say that I felt GREAT during my run.  The sun made it warm and there was a little wind which helped cool me down a bit.  Only 2 miles were done over 12:00 and that made me very happy!

Total mileage for the week: 26.93
Total mileage for this training cycle: 301.04
Total mileage for the year: 222.22

Here’s how training has gone so far:
• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 4
• Week 5
• Week 6
• Week 7
• Week 8
• Week 9
• Week 10
• Week 11
• Week 12
• Week 13
• Week 14

How was YOUR week?  

Link back to the host and let’s support other bloggers linking up as they train for a marathon, half marathon, or any other event.

 


Mar
2018

Random Thoughts Thursday 10

categories: Random Thoughts Thursday

Random Thoughts Thursday

How is it that it is Thursday again?  Today is a short week for me.  There was no school on Monday due to Casimir Pulaski.  Honestly, I don’t know why we have that day off.  But, for now I will not complain and enjoy that day off for as long as we have it off.  

• How To Get Away With Murder.  Anyone watch it?  Did you see it last Thursday (S4 E13 Lahey v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania)?  Wow!  Annalise (Viola Davis) was phenomenal!  I’ve watched that episode twice and will probably see it again.

• Spring Break is 3 weeks away.  I am not planning to go away and am OK with it.  I actually like staying home.  Work is always crazy so this week gives me a chance to relax and take it easy.  I am hoping to meet up with friends for lunch or dinner since during the week it is hard for me to do so.

• My first race is on the 25th and I am excited about it.  I will be running the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle on the 25th.  This is one of my favorite races.  I have my shoes ready for this race.  Aren’t they adorable?

Brooks Launch 5 Shamrock Shoes-1

• Have you heard about the $5 Savings Challenge?  What you do is save every $5 bill that comes into your possession.  Then after 6 months, 1 year, etc., you count it and use it for whatever you want.  I rarely carry cash but still plan to save my $5 bills.  I have a Brooks shoe box with an opening on the top.  I did tape the side so I wouldn’t be easily tempted to count it or use the cash.  🙂  Yesterday I added my first $5 bill.

• I got $10 from Achievement.  It is a FREE app that you sync with other apps such as Strava, Garmin Connect, FitBit and earn points for your activities.  When you reach 10,000 points, you get $10.  Very easy!  I’ve been a member since January 4, 2017 and have already earned $30.  You have nothing to lose as it doesn’t require doing anything extra than what you’re probably already doing.  

What are some of your random thoughts today?