Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Topics!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  Seriously, the days are going by so fast and June will be here soon.

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What was the worst thing that happened to you at a race?  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!

So many races and over time many of them sort of blend in together.  Thank goodness for my race reviews so I can go back and remember a few things about them.  For the most part each race has gone well.  Some were either too hilly, rainy, cold, etc.  These are things out of my control and not much I can do about it.

One of the whe worst thing that has happened to me was at the Omaha Half Marathon.  What happened you asked?  I fell.  That was the first time I’ve fallen during a race/run.  I remember feeling great and enjoying the race.  At this point we were running in the park.  It was shaded but for like a split second the sun appeared and blinded me.  I did not see the girl in front of me.  I must have bumped into her, and then tripped and fell.  It felt like I was in a slow motion movie.  I remember every single move I made before landing on the floor.  I was shocked and laid there for a few seconds.  The runners that saw me asked if I was OK.  I got up to scan the damage.  No bleeding on my knees but they were scraped a little.  There was blood on my left hand and a small scrape on my right hand.  I was OK and was glad that it was not worse. 

Now that I think about it, runners around me were concerned about ME but I don’t remember apologizing or being concerned about the girl that I bumped into.  I am assuming she also fell.  Or maybe she didn’t?  I don’t even remember.  

Years later I can laugh about it.  Now it is funny but at that time when it happened it wasn’t.  I was embarrassed.  Oh well.

I know weather is out of my control but is another factor into what makes a great or bad race experience.  I will always remember the RnR Nashville.  I did this race in 2013.  Not only was the course hilly but it rained the entire time.  It was raining while waiting in the hotel lobby for the shuttle bus and didn’t want to run anymore.  I was miserable throughout the race and just wanted to finish.  When I was done and went back to the hotel to shower, I had chafed in so many places and was in so much pain.  Surprisingly I did better than I expected and finished in 2:30:14.  I checked my race recap and I posted that I finished in 2:29:39.  Hmm, regardless still a great time.  🙂

Another race I vividly remember is the Walt Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon that I did in 2014.  The race started late because of the weather (there was a storm).  It was a night race anyway so now it started even later.  I was cold during this race.  It was dark and I just couldn’t make myself enjoy the race.  I finished with my worst half marathon time of 3:18:01.  Ha, and I hope it stays that way.  And that was my last Disney race for that year.  I ran 8 that year.  Just writing that makes me cringe thinking of how much money I spent.  

Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Topics!  Apologies for posting so late.  I have been behind on reading blog posts and needed extra time to catch up.  I like to read as many blog posts as I can and respond to every comment.

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  BRAG!  Tell us about your running PRs!  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!

This year was supposed to be THE year for me.  My goal was to PR in various race distances along with other non running goals.

The year did not start off too good.  I got a cold and was not feeling well.  Then I fell.  Due to said fall I was afraid to run outside.  Instead I ran on the treadmill.  I didn’t do any races either.  Actually the only race I did was the Publix Atlanta Half Marathon at the beginning of March.  Yep, this was right before everyone’s world changed because of Covid-19.

All of my PRs are OLD.  I mean years old.  Old enough that I am embarrassed to even write about them here.  But I will.  

Anyway, let’s reminisce a little.  The last time I PRed was in May 2017 for a 5 miler race.  It was an “easy” PR because it was my first race of that distance.  

This year I was looking forward to the Shamrock Shuffle 8k and the 4 on the 4th of July races.  They’re two of my favorite races.  My PRs are 48:38 (8k in 2014) and 39:39 (4 miles in 2014).  

My 5k PR is 29:48 from 2011 and my 10k PR is 1:04 from 2010.  That is a sign that I need to do better next year, right?

For years I’ve been wanting to get a sub 2 half marathon.  I am not even close.  My PR is 2:17 from 2013 at the ING Hartford Half Marathon.  I came close in 2015 when I ran the Covered Bridges Half Marathon.  My finish time was 2:19:51.  I was pleased with how I did because the course was hilly and I walked a few times.

The last marathon I ran in 2016 is my marathon PR (5:12:59).  I remember I was aiming for a sub 5 finish time and was doing really good till about mile 11.  My left hip was hurting and I really wanted to quit.  I didn’t.  I told myself I was almost halfway done.  Then I had 10 miles to go.  Then single digits.  Then a few more miles.  Now wasn’t the time to quit.  I was pleased with how I did and was happy to have bettered my time by 40 minutes from my first Chicago Marathon in 2006.  

I entered the lottery for both the NYC Marathon and the MCM but was not picked for any of them.  Could be a sign to instead focus on the other distances.  

The plan now is to run and train for next year.  Next year is when I will get some new and shiny PRs!!

Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Topics!  We are now in the last week of April.  Supposedly it is Spring but it does not feel like it.  Well, you know the saying “April showers bring May flowers”.  🙂

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!

Where did March go?  Hard to believe that April will be over soon and then May will be here.  Hard to believe that I’ve been home now for over a month.  Over a month of not seeing my students or going into work.  Each day this feels like a dream (or a nightmare) and I want to wake up and do my normal things.

I wasn’t sure what to write about for today’s post.  I have good and not so good weeks of running.  Each week is different.  I am not training for anything (no one is) and some days I run just because or to get out of the house.  I rarely see anyone while out on my run and if I do see someone, I make sure to keep my distance from them.

I made a list of a few thoughts from these past few weeks.  They’re in no specific order but just thoughts I had while out running, watching TV, writing lesson plans, etc.  I am NOT judging anyone nor intend to make anyone feel bad about any of their choices/decisions.

♦ Always save money.  Whether it is $1 or $2 each week or month, save it.  Jobs are never guaranteed and you want to make sure you have some money saved up until things are better.

♦ I am an introvert but now am not liking it anymore.  When things are back to being normal, I will make sure to do more things with family and friends.

♦ No matter what people are going to be extra nice or just plain mean.  We don’t know what other people are going through and it is best to just shut up and not say anything.

♦ Parent communication with my kids is SO important.  Well, I know it is but now more than ever.  I have 18 students and use Remind to communicate with them.  There are two parents that I either have to call or send regular text messages because for some reason I cannot add them to the app.  You bet next year I will make sure to add everyone the first day of school.

♦ Politics is ugly.  Now it is even UGLIER.  It is mind blowing how politicians are so selfish and greedy. 

♦ I need to get my students set up in Google Classroom and other technology platforms early in the year.  I wanted too long and had a tough time setting things up for them and their parents.  Many are still not doing all of the work (or any at all) but I don’t stress out about it anymore.  We’re all doing the best we can in this situation.

♦ Have fun.  No matter what always have fun.  

♦ Life is short.  Make the best of it.

♦ Running is more fun when there is no pressure.  As much as I want to run more like some of my other friends, I don’t.  There is no reason to.  

♦ Never judge.  Everyone reacts differently.

♦ Be patient.  Sometimes it is hard to do but there isn’t another option.

♦ When driving, why speed?  I am confused as to why drivers feel they need to speed.  I mean, why are they in a rush?  There’s been a few times in which I am behind a car that slows down because the driver plans to make a right turn.  I slow down too but the driver behind me is impatient and passes both of us on the left side and then moves over to the right lane.  Seriously?

What are some of your thoughts?  

Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Topics!  Today we’re doing an interview of a running buddy.  I picked my friend, Claudia, whom I’ve known for a few years.  I met her through a mutual friend.  She enjoys running like I do and runs in Brooks shoes just like me.  🙂

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  Interview one of your running buddies.  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!

Claudia ran her first marathon (Chicago Marathon in 2016) and has run it every year since then.   She asked me yesterday morning if I thought the race would still happen this year.  I said “No”.  I hope I’m wrong.  I know it is scheduled to take place on October 11 but we’ll see what happens.

What made you decide to start running?
I started running for fun.  I think I was in my late 20’s and had just moved to Chicago.  It seemed like the thing to do at that time. 

What was your first race? 
My very 1st race was the Shamrock Shuffle 8k in 2003 or 2004.  I can’t remember the year but I remember my cousins worked for a nonprofit that was sponsoring a team.  We all decided to jump in and do it.  I think 3 of us ran it and a few of the others did the walk.  

What was your best or worst race?
My worst race was definitely the Chi-Town Half Marathon in April 2016.  I registered with a girlfriend and thought the weather would be good in April and it would be a good race.  Wrong.  It snowed overnight, and when we woke up there was ice everywhere and a dusting of snow.  When we got to the course, they hadn’t cleaned the snow or salted and did I mention it was COLD!  I think with the wind chill it was about 18 degrees!  We should have just left, but we didn’t.  So off we went, through an ice filled path.  I saw people wipe out on the concrete in front of me.  It was terrible!  Once the sun came out, it warmed up and the snow and ice started to melt which then became puddles and mud. Somewhere around mile 11-12 I developed the worst toe cramp!  It ran from the tip of my toe to the back of my knee!  I had never experienced that type of pain.  Needless to say, I was so glad when it was over.  I didn’t even want the free beer or slice of pizza.  I was over it!  I was so glad to head home to thaw out.

What’s on your Summer bucket list?
Well, due to Corvid-19 everything is on hold.  I typically don’t register for many races in the summer because it is so hot and humid in Chicago.  But since 2016 I have been marathon training in the summer.  So depending on what happens, with Corvid-19, maybe I’ll register for something.  Until then, I will just focus on cross training and running shorter distances.

If you could go on a run with any celebrity, who would you go with?
I would probably say Steve Howie (Kev Ball) from Shameless.  I believe he ran the LA Marathon a few years ago or former President Barack Obama.  I would be chasing them the entire way, but I’m sure both would be fun! Lol 

If you could run anywhere in the world, where would you run?
I really wanted to run the London Marathon this year, but it is nearly impossible to get into.  Besides London, I would like to run in Australia and Mexico City.  I would make a run cation out of my running adventure.

How do you stay motivated to run?
Running has become a lifestyle to me, except in the winter.  I am not a winter warrior! I’m not the most consistent runner if I’m not training for anything.  Thankfully, I have a running group that I run with. Their daily posts remind and motivate me to hit the pavement.  I also really enjoy running on the lakefront path along Lake Michigan so that helps to lace up and get some miles in.  Besides that running has become a great stress reliever, that I recognize when I need to get out.  All these benefits continue to motivate me to run. 

I haven’t seen Claudia in months.  Honestly, I cannot remember the last time I saw her.  I miss her.  🙁