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!

Here are some random thoughts that have been on my mind lately.  I am doing OK.  Hanging in there and taking it day by day.  

💬  Hey there!  How is it that we are going on two years when everything changed?  I remember two years ago I was worried about all the hills in Atlanta.  I was running a half marathon and was not ready.  

💬  I love today’s date: 2-22-22!!  I had some fun activities for 2-2-22 (it was a remote learning day for us) and will be doing something similar today with my students.  

💬  Lately I’ve been in a weird mood.  I was doing really good with my Peloton and then suddenly felt unmotivated.  I was taking a bike class everyday since January 1 and then took a few days off.  I am not running (more on that later) so at least I am staying active on the bike.  My goal is to complete 300 Peloton rides.  As of yesterday I am at 252 rides.  I’ve had so much fun with Camila’s classes.  I’ve gotten a few PRs and a couple of badges.

💬  I’ve been struggling with a student in my class.  Due to his behavior I’ve had to call for assistance and my students and I have had to go to another room.  It has left me emotionally drained and exhausted.  I feel bad for him and for my students.

💬  My last run was on January 18.  I am over the cold weather and the snow (yesterday was a great day for running but I didn’t have time to run in the morning).  I see others running outside and I simply cannot do it.  I know, I know-it sounds like a bunch of excuses.  I know that having the proper gear makes a different and I have it all, but still no.  Some days I miss running and other days I do not.  

💬  I signed up for the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle!  It was $40 and it is one of my favorite races.  I am a little nervous but my goals are just to finish and have fun.  That is all I can do since running my last race almost two years ago.

💬  Do I still want to run a 50k this year?  Absolutely.  Not sure which one yet.  I am bummed I could not keep up with my training and run the original race I was planning to run on March 26.  Oh well, things happen for a reason.

💬  I bought some new shoes.  Have you seen the latest Brooks Ghost 14 shoes?  So cute!  But that’s it.  No more shoes this year.  😀  Someone take away my credit card.

Topic for next week – Five words to describe yourself.  Feel free to write about this or any running related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

This week’s Tuesday Topic is: Your six favorites of 2021.  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!

What a year 2021 was!  It was full of ups and downs.  I managed to find joy in various things and here are some of my six favorite things of 2021.

⭐ Favorite Day.  It was the first day of school for the 2021-2022 school year – August 25th.

I’ve written about how the 2020-2021 school year was awful.  I was beyond happy when I found out that teachers and students were going back to the classroom.  Remote learning is a lot of work and it isn’t fun for teacher or students.  I made welcome bags for my students and was happy to see my classroom with students.  

⭐ Favorite Group Run.  I hope one day I can run with this group!  Thanks to Kim for putting this collage together.  We may not all be running together but at the same time we are.  Right, girls? 

⭐ Favorite Cat Photo. So many to pick from since I take many pictures of them.

Love my fur babies!  A coworker has 2 male kittens and it is tempting to bring them home.  However, I have no room in this apartment and I think Lola will run away if I bring two more kittens.  She already has to put up with Mateo.

⭐ Favorite Run.  August 28th when I completed my one year run streak.  

⭐ Favorite Purchase.  The Happy Planner.  Years ago my coworker told me about it but I never looked into.  Last year I saw another teacher post about it on Instagram and immediately went to Michaels to buy one.  Then I bought another one.  Then another one.  I have about 5 different ones but only use one.  I know I went overboard.  I have different tabs to organize my papers and I like how I have everything that I need for school and my students in one planner.  Saves me time as I don’t need to look in different places for one piece of paper.  

⭐ Favorite Thing I Found while Decluttering.  Two Winter coats!  I cannot remember the last time I wore these coats.  I have a few black jackets but like adding a bit of color once in a while.  It was hard to get a good picture but the blue coat is gorgeous.  I thought about donating them but I like them and will try to wear them more often.  They do bring me joy!

This was another fun topic.  It was great going through my photos to remember the good and not so good moments of 2021.  

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

This week’s Tuesday Topic is: What’s on your Winter bucket list?  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 do wish I could tell you that I have signed up for a few races.  I have not.  I am still waiting for the weather to improve so I can resume running.  We are supposed to get more snow tomorrow.  🙄  One of my goals this year is to do 300 Peloton rides.  As of yesterday I am at 193 leaving me with 107 to go.  I thought about changing it to 400 but who knows how it will be once I start running again.  I know I won’t take a class everyday.  

These are not exactly bucket list items but they’re a few things I want to get done or continue this Winter.  

❄️  Continue to use the Peloton bike.  I know I’ve mentioned before that Camila is my favorite instructor.  I do prefer her Spanish classes than the English classes.  She has 85 classes and I’ve taken 35 leaving me with 50 more to go.  I cannot keep up with her!  Even if I take one of her classes per day I won’t be done till maybe May.  And then I also need to take into consideration her newer classes.  Why did I wait so long?

❄️  Look for another 50k.  I would like to do one in the Chicago area.  

❄️  Train and run the Fargo Half Marathon.  OK, so this one isn’t technically in the Winter but training needs to start soon (the race is May 21).  I am not signing up yet because I don’t know what the situation will be like in May.  I thought airfare would be more expensive but it isn’t.  I checked on Sunday and it was $318 roundtrip.  But add in hotel, a rental car, and race registration and I am looking at least $500.  I guess I shouldn’t complain since I haven’t paid for any races, lodging, etc., in 2 years.  My last race was in Atlanta in 2020.

❄️ The last item is this 🏠.  I know you are all tired of hearing me talk about it so I won’t.  

Topic for next week – Your six favorites of 2021.  Feel free to write about this or any running related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

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!

My word for 2021 was Joy.  As much as we were all looking forward to 2020, it did not turn out to be like we expected.  Now that it is 2022, will it be better?  Who knows but like everyone else, I am tired.  Simply tired of Covid and all of its variants (how many can there be?) and the effects on everyone.  I thought 2021 was a bit better but not all great either.  Still, I looked for joy in it.  While it wasn’t easy I did find it.

My health.  Luckily I did not encounter any health issues.  I am grateful that I managed to stay away from the doctor or hospital (I did go for my annual physical exam and mammogram).

My students.  It was a ROUGH year and I hated it.  I started off the year teaching in a semi-empty classroom to having 22 students in my room.  I did get frustrated many times but also had many fun moments.  No matter what, they’re still kids.  

My running.  The beginning of 2021 was nonstop with snow and I hated it.  However, I managed to still run everyday for my run streak.  Running is what got me started in the morning.  I love the solitude and being able to “forget” what was happening in the world.

Spending more time with my mom.  Growing up we weren’t close.  I never had that mother/daughter relationship that most people have.  However, it has been different ever since her stroke.  She is no longer independent and relies on her daughters to help her in many aspects.  We spent HOURS listening to music while enjoying the warm days of Summer, we also watched TV, and cooked a lot.  She now tells me that since I know how to cook, that I can get married.  🤣 🤣

My friends. Unfortunately, I did not spend too much time with them.  However, I was still happy to get a message here and there knowing they were doing well.

My coworkers.  I don’t know what I would do without them.  They are always there for me.  The 2nd grade team works very well together and we tackled many difficult tasks last year.  2021 was rough for many teachers but my coworkers sure made it a bit better.  We talked and laughed a lot and made the best of it.

My cats.  My fur babies!!  They are the best.  Too bad Lola and Mateo still do not get along.  They’re both very different.  Lola is more serious and loves following me around.  Mateo is the trouble maker but still makes me laugh.

My iMac.  It was the best thing I purchased for remote learning in 2020.  I hate the small screen on my work computer.  Last year I used it mostly to catch up on work.  Now I have it in my classroom and hope I don’t get in trouble.  No where does it say we cannot take our own devices but administrators like to make their own rules.

My Brooks shoes.  I spent HOURS running in my Brooks shoes.  I was done with my  run streak in August so I ran everyday in them for almost 8 months.

My Oiselle long roga shorts.  I love running in shorts and wear long rogas on all of my runs.  I also ran many miles in these beautiful shorts.  Another great pair are the Oiselle pocket joggers.  They’re great for also storing my small water bottles.  I’ve lost count but I think I have almost 30 pairs of the long rogas.

My MAC patent polish lip pencil in Ruby.  These were discontinued in 2020 and I bought a whole bunch of them hoping to wear them in 2021.  Unfortunately I didn’t because I rarely went anywhere and when I did I had a mask.  My lip pencils are still in two boxes (yes I bought that many) and hopefully soon I can wear them.

Cooking with my mom.  I’ve learned so much from her.  We spent hours together and cooked many meals together.  I do regret not doing this sooner but am glad I am doing this now.

My new car.  I still miss my old car but I do love my new one.  Now, if I only I can get it to stay clean.  One of these days I will take it to get detailed.  There is absolutely no reason why it isn’t clean inside.  The best thing about my car is the remote starter.  Though I did confess that I didn’t find out about it till months later.  Haha, better late than never.

My running playlist.  I love running with music.  My playlist consists of Spanish and English music.  Definitely a great combo!  I use Amazon Music for my playlist and like adding new songs to it.

Making apple martinis.  My favorite drink.  I honestly do not know why I did not make them more last year.  I did have a lot of wine.  

My pens and highlighters.  Ha, I have way too many pens but I use them a lot every day.  It depends on my mood but sometimes I use black ink, then switch to purple, red, or blue.  Oh, I also have those with glitter and those with a fruity scent.  

Working with my coach.  He is truly the best.  Very patient with me.  He has always been there for me when I have great and bad runs.  He was also very supportive during my run streak.  

My blogger friends.  They’re truly the best group of running friends.  Even though I haven’t met everyone (yet), I am so lucky they’re my friends. THANK YOU!

My family.  I am grateful for the great times we had together.  We ate.  We laughed.  We talked.  We celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations.  Hopefully we can continue to do that this year.

Topic for next week – What’s on your Winter bucket list?  Feel free to write about this or any running related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

This week’s Tuesday Topic is: What’s your plan to achieve your 2022 goals?  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!

In December I wrote about my 2022 goals.  Let me tell you how I plan to achieve these goals.

✅ Stay injury free.  Being injured is no fun.  The two worst ones I’ve had were a calf strain and plantar fasciitis.  But I can say that the latter one was more painful.  The first time I experienced this (that I can remember) was during the Missoula Half Marathon in 2019.  I was miserable towards the end because my feet were hurting.  It wasn’t until a month later that I got an official diagnosis.  Anyway, my plan is to do more cross training, use my massage gun, and my mom’s foot and calf massager.  Any other suggestions?

✅ Buy a house.  Besides looking, I need to expand my search area.  Right now I am looking at a specific area and nothing.  Well, there have been a few but either someone else makes an offer before me or they make an offer way more than I am willing to spend.  It is ridiculous how expensive it is.  Something else I am doing is looking for a house with an unfinished or semi-finished basement.  At least with that option I can customize it and hopefully more available to buy.

✅ Travel.  I have a new passport.  I am ready to go.  I guess I don’t really need to travel internationally.  🙂 My sister is planning to visit from Mexico in May.  Then the plan is for me to go for 2-3 weeks there in the Summer.  I don’t want to go during Spring Break for just one week.  To me it isn’t worth it.  I want to go for a longer period of time.  But before I can travel I need to make sure my siblings can stay with my cats.  A tentative trip I am also planning is to Fargo for the Fargo Half Marathon.  I still need to run in 8 states for my 50+1 state goal.

✅ Continue to be patient at work and at home.   Pick my battles, step away, and not keep quiet.  I think I am doing OK with it.  I remind myself that sometimes it isn’t worth getting all frustrated and annoyed.  I don’t have access to my work email on my phone and that has helped.  I also think about things that make me happy like coffee, my family, my cats, etc.  Watching TV has also helped me relax.

✅ PR in my 50k.  Just run and follow the plan?  I may have to switch my race because I’ve missed a lot of runs due to the weather.  Yesterday was my first time running in 2 weeks.  It ran 2 miles and it felt hard!  By picking a race later in the year will give me more time to train and hopefully get a PR.

✅ Run 1,200 miles.  In order to do this I need to run an average of 100 miles each month.  I am not starting off the year correctly because for this month I have 7 miles.  Hopefully once it clears up then I can bump up the mileage.  Plus I know training for a 50k will add lots of miles there too.

✅ Complete 300 Peloton rides.  I started off the year with 136 Peloton rides.  Yep, I was slacking.  Now I’ve done 157 rides and need 143 to meet my goal.  With 11 months left in the year, I will need an average of 14 rides a month, 3-4 per week.  It is hard to fit in a bike class while running 6 days a week but thinking of doing a 20 minute ride in the evening on the days I do a hard run.  I will need to talk to my coach and see what he thinks.  

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