Tuesday Topics: My bucket list races

Hey there!  It is Tuesday again and almost the end of August.  The days and weeks are definitely going by too fast.  September is around the corner and that will leave us with 4 months left for 2019.  🙂

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!

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To date I’ve run over 150 races ranging from 5ks and ultra marathons.  I’ve also done two relay races (Ragnar Relay Chicago and Illinois Marathon Relay).  Right now I am focusing on completing my goal of running a half marathon in each state.  I have 10 more to go.  However, there are a few races I would love to run one day.

Boston Marathon
It seems like almost every runner would love to do this race.  However, the qualifying times still make it difficult for me.  Remember, I am a “slow” turtle.  Right now I need a 3:55 to qualify but most likely need a 3:50 to maybe guarantee a spot.  A big maybe.

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Source: https://www.baa.org/

Marine Corps Marathon
I’ve run this race before but now I would like to run it “officially”.  Enough said, you get my point.  Once I am done with my goal, this is the marathon I plan to run.

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Source: www.marinemarathon.com

Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-Miler
I love running in DC and enjoy 10 mile races.  These two make the perfect race.  I know so many people that have run this race and have enjoyed it.  I want to be a part of it too.  Next year’s race will be on April 5th with the lottery opening up in early December.  A lottery for a 10 miler race?  Yep, it is that popular.

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Source: http://www.cherryblossom.org

Little Rock Marathon
I ran the half marathon in 2013 but when I saw the medal for the marathon, I knew I had to go back one day and run the marathon.  That thing is as big as your face! 

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Yes, only 4 races on my list.  Have you run any of those races?  What’s on your bucket list?
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Weekly Run Down: 22 miles and goodbye summer break

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I am sure you are tired hearing about the end of my summer break.  This will be my last post about it.  🙂  Honestly, I cannot believe I start work tomorrow.  Now the countdown will be for winter break.  The first day of winter break is December 23rd.  🙂 

Winter Break Image.jpgI had a good week of running.  I ran 4 days for a total of 22 miles.  I had meetings Monday and Tuesday so I was able to run on Monday morning.  It wasn’t too hot and it was cloudy.  Thursday was again 4 miles and that run felt good too.

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Saturday morning was 10 miles.  I was hoping to be out and running by 5:30 am but didn’t start till about an hour later.  It was sunny but windy too.  Heading north was fine but then on the way back was tough for me.  I almost stopped running with less than 2 miles to go but didn’t.  Glad I kept going since the last mile was my fastest. 

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Sunday was another 4 miles.  Nice and easy without worrying about pace.  Mile splits were 11:49, 11:49, 11:52, and 11:55.  All positive splits!!!  🙂  So far this month I’ve run 55.59 miles.  I won’t make it to 100 but at least I will run more than I did in July (58.72 miles).

How was your week?  Are you kids back in school yet?

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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Random Thoughts Thursday 86

Random Thoughts Thursday

• Law or no law, it still amazes me how many drivers I see that use their phone while driving.  It is weird how much we depend on our phones and everything we do has to be done right there and then.  Remember when we had to get home in order to find out if someone had called or simply to make a phone call?

Text Me GIF by Music Choice - Find & Share on GIPHY

• I’ve had the same TV in my living room since 2001 or 2002.  I’ve moved several times and I’ve brought that TV with me.  Lately it doesn’t always turn on or off.  Time to get a new one.  However, there are so many out there that it is overwhelming!  All I want is a TV to watch CBS and to use it for Netflix and Amazon Prime.  These two are the ones I like.

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• I am a sucker for pens.  I have so many in my classroom and tell myself to stop buying them.  I really don’t need more.  I found an “old” pen in my mom’s room and remember liking it.  I then found a set on Amazon and ordered it.  Love, love, and love them.  They write so smooth and they make me happy.

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• Saw these car magnets at Michaels and regret not buying them.  Now I need to go back and get them.

• Tamales today, tomorrow, and forever.  Sigh.  I will never get tired of them.  Definitely not the healthiest thing to eat but always so delicious.  

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Tuesday Topics: My pre-race routines

Hey there!  How is everyone doing?  How is it that summer break is almost over.  While I am sad about it, I am also excited for a new school year.  

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What’s your pre-race routine?  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!

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I am lucky that my stomach can handle pretty much anything.  One of the things I have to be careful about is eating too much spicy food.  What happens is that the next morning I tend to spend an extra few minutes in the bathroom.  I LOVE spicy food but try not to eat too much of it.

Where it is before a run or a race, I always have coffee.  As a matter of fact, even if I am not running, I always have coffee first thing in the morning.  I love the taste and the smell.  If I am running less than 6 miles then I don’t eat anything.  For longer runs I eat an Orgain Organic Protein Bar (chocolate cookie dough is my favorite).  I drink my coffee and eat my protein bar while getting ready.  If I am staying at a hotel, I find out if the hotel is offering a free breakfast and I usually get a bagel.

I try to have my clothes and gear ready the night before so that I can quickly get dressed.  Oh yeah and so that I don’t forget anything.

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Depending on the distance, I may drink UCAN on the way to a run or race.  I’ve tried Cranberry Raspberry, Chocolate, Orange, and Cocoa Delite.  My favorite one is Chocolate.  Sometimes I make a gel with UCAN.   

I’ve run over 100 races and still get nervous before a race.  When will I learn?  Being nervous makes me go a lot to the bathroom.  I have counted and have sometimes used the port-a-potties 3-4 times before a race.  Yikes!

Do you have your gear and clothes ready before a race?  Have you forgotten something and realized it right before a race?Tuesday Topics

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Weekly Run Down: Room set up and it is here

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I spent 2 days setting up my classroom and was exhausted!  My classroom is ready.  I just need a few more things to finish up like labeling their lockers, mailbox, job responsibilities, etc., but I will be ready on August 26th.  We have two Institute days and they students’ first day is on the 28th.

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My Peloton bike was delivered on Tuesday afternoon.  Isn’t it beautiful?  Even Lola is checking it out.  I thought the bike would have toe cages like the ones at the gym and I would be able to use my running shoes.  Wrong!  After going back and forth with a few people that also own a bike, they convinced me to get cycling shoes.  Thanks Amazon for the fast delivery!  It took me some time to figure out how to clip in and out.  🙂  

This week I ran 3 days for a total of 11 miles.  Tuesday was a planned rest day but then woke up very tired on Wednesday and Thursday so I decided to rest those days too.  I made a mistake and thought my mother had a doctor appointment on Friday.  Nope, her appointment was on Thursday.  I was angry because I couldn’t believe I made that mistake.  Ugh, the next available time slot isn’t till September 16th.  

The plan on Saturday was to run 8.5 miles.  I had a great run last week and really thought I could have another great one yesterday.  It was humid and I wasn’t feeling it.  I did enjoy running along the lakefront and seeing many friends.

This morning I did my first Peloton ride.  It was 20 minutes Glaciers & Rocks Scenic Ride.  It was fun and I was very sweaty at the end.  I need to buy a small fan to have nearby.

Hot Summer GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

So that was my week.  I didn’t do much running but I am OK with it.  This week should be less hectic so I am hoping to run more days.

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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