How is everyone doing? I have been home since yesterday planning for 8 days of instruction for my students. Definitely a lot more work than I anticipated but it needs to be done. We were supposed to have an Institute Day yesterday and Parent/Teacher Conferences today. That changed and conferences were changed to take place via Google Hangout. Instructions and letters with the information were sent home on Friday. Now, schools are closed as of today so no Institute Day nor conferences.
Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Topics. This week we’re talking about what you think about when running. Anyone have any interesting stories? Let’s discuss!
This week’s Tuesday Topic: What do you think about when you’re running? 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!
Lately I haven’t done too much running. It’s been two weeks since my half marathon in Atlanta and I’ve done one run. That is it. I haven’t been motivated. Now that I am not training for a specific race (my three races have been cancelled), I want to run just for fun.
Social media sucks. I understand it is a difficult time for many people. I get it. I had to unfollow a few people from Twitter because of stupid comments. Some people are just plain selfish.
Anyway, back to the topic. Sometimes I listen to music while running. I have a playlist that I like so music isn’t really a problem. Other times I have too much going on and want to think things through.
Below are some things I think about in no specific order or importance.
√ My pace. Lately I’ve been running slower than usual and I wonder why but at the same time know the reason. Just running is not going to make me faster. I need to do other things besides running.
√ My students. Many times they do annoy me but they make me smile and laugh a whole lot more. They’re kids. They’re innocent.
√ A house. I have mentioned a few times that I am looking for a house to buy. In my head I have the perfect one. Now I need to find it. I have been looking for a few years and don’t understand why I haven’t found it.
√ My mom. Luckily she is doing better after her stroke. Her doctor has mentioned that her glucose and cholesterol levels are under control. What she struggles with is high blood pressure. We cannot get that under control.
√ My cats. They’re my babies. I love them. They’re so cute! Right? 🙂
√ My job. I don’t love it but don’t hate it either. I like it. Lately I’ve been struggling because I want to do so much for my students but then get frustrated because I don’t have enough time. There’s been days that I stay at work till 5 or 6 pm a few nights a week. It is frustrating because no matter how many hours I put in, I will never finish everything I want to do.
√ My family. A few of us like to get together to eat, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company. It’s been a few week since we’ve gotten together and who knows when the next time will be.
I love the innocence of kids too. But I do admire you for working with them. I have enough with my two, I can’t imagine a whole class of them! 3 of my races have also been cancelled now. I love racing so I have to dig deep now as races keep me motivated. What do I think of when I run? Sometimes mundane things like what I have on my to-do list but other times I think of my family, whether I’m doing enough for my dad since we lost my mum, my kids and my career too… gosh, I guess I think of most aspects of my life, good and bad. Running always brings me clarity.
We think about similar things! Schools are closed for 2 weeks so kids are with their parents. I wonder they’re they’re handling it? 🙂
Its finally happened for us re: schools. Last night it was announced that schools close from Monday! Still no positive cases of corona but I guess Gov is being proactive.
Do you know how long schools will be closed? Chicago schools will be closed till April 20th. Not sure about my district but I am assuming the same.
We haven’t been given a date. But in 3 weeks schools were supposed to close anyway and then there is a 4 week holiday. So I think everyone is hoping to start in time for second term. So 7 weeks from now (including the 4 week holiday period we were to have). Without any coronavirus cases recorded yet it seems extreme but I guess the hope is that this will prevent it from coming.
Is anything closed? Here people were not listening and the Mayor closed the lakefront.
I hear you on getting together with family. I’ve no idea when I’ll see my mom again, but I totally believe that I will.
I hope with some rest & time at home (even though you’re still working), you’ll find your running mojo again.
Thanks again Judy. I am getting out there to just run and not focusing on pace. So far so good. I need to figure out which race I want to train for and find a plan. I am sure that will get me even more excited to run.
Ha ha, an easier topic to write about would be “what I don’t think about when running”. When I’m on the treadmill I watch TV, so that sums up my thought process there, but when I’m outside, anything goes. I’ll work through any problems that I’m dealing with, dream all of my dreams, and then just go into my happy runner place and before I know it the run is done.
Oh I do the same. I also enjoy watching TV/Netflix while running on the treadmill. It makes the run go by faster.
Sorry for all the extra stress and turmoil you’ve had to face with this situation! I agree, social media has really been a wasteland with all the current fear and frustration people are feeling. My thoughts go in so many circles when I run, I often forget how long I’ve been out there. That’s the main reason I try to leave the Garmin at home as much as possible…for me it’s too much of a distraction.
Thanks, Kim. Taking a semi break from social media is helping. I check Facebook here and there but try not to spend too much time there. Kudos to you for running Garmin free. Yeah, I cannot do that. 😉
I work with kids too–and 90% of them are awesome. Some are just terrible and I blame the parents and social media. Thankfully, my time with them is relatively short. I can’t imagine being stuck with a problem child or 2 or more in a classroom with other children for 9 months. It’s a tough job!
It is! I have my good and bad days but what keeps me motivated is that they’re only kids and innocent. I know one day some will find me and let me know how much they enjoyed my class. 🙂
Today is my first day working at home and I hate it. I like to be around other people.
Eventually this will be over so I’m not complaining just not happy!!
At least I can run and that’s about the only thing I can do and walk!!
Hope you get your running mojo back…
I am an introvert so I like it! I mean I do miss my kids and coworkers but still I like being at home.
I’m an extroverted introvert. Prefer small groups but don’t necessarily want to be home alone.
After a while it does get boring! 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
Agreed.
Sure does.
Househunting can really occupy the mind! Would it be easier if you had an agent helping you? As your days are fully packed with your job and your fitness routine, perhaps this would provide some relief.
Running for fun is great! I am doing the same right now, with all the cancelled races. There’s no need to run if you don’t feel motivated. Often, a nice walk is just as relaxing. As long as you get a bit of movement, all is fine.
I do have an agent and he’s been wonderful showing me the different houses I am interested in. However, many times when I go see them I am disappointed because they look different online. At the moment I don’t have a race to train for but I am just running for fun. I mean, isn’t that the point of running?
I also un-followed someone on Instagram after I saw a rude comment that they left after being told about a cancelled race.
Ugh, I know people are disappointed about the cancelled races but it isn’t the end of the world. Life goes on.
I try not to think about all of those things when I run!
The opposite! 🙂
That’s great news that your mom is better! Good luck with the house hunting 🙂
Thank you!