Fit Five Friday – Page 17

06
Jan
2022

Fit Five Friday and January 2022 Ultimate Coffee Date

categories: Fit Five Friday, Ultimate Coffee Date

Happy New Year! I am so happy that it’s Friday! Today is my last day of Winter Break and will go back to work on Monday. I’m starting off the weekend with a little catch-up over the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah. So grab a mug of your favorite beverage and let’s chat for a bit!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that as much as I enjoyed my break, in a way I am looking forward to going back to work on Monday. I miss my students and my routine. I like being at home but I need a different environment. I will miss having access to the bathroom and going whenever I want to. I have been cutting down on coffee and have noticed a difference in the number of times I use the bathroom. However, I am not looking forward to having to wear my mask all day again. Also, I am not looking forward to the stupid expectations and political issues that really have nothing to do with education. It seems like administrators want to have their cake and eat it too. It doesn’t work that way.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I have not run at all this week. And I am OK with it. It is too cold outside. On Monday I joined the gym to have access to the treadmill but I couldn’t stand being there. I had to wear a mask while running and it was awful. I was in tears in the dressing room when I was getting ready to go home. Not sure how one week of not running will affect my training but I am OK with it. No pressure.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that since I haven’t been running, I’ve been spending more time on my Peloton. I’ve taken one class each day since January 1st. Now that is a record for me! My new favorite instructor is Camila Ramón. I love her energy and attitude. I also love that some of her classes are in Spanish. She is so fun and reminds me of Cody.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that my plan on New Year’s Eve was to go to bed early. I got home around 6 and watched TV. I couldn’t stop. I was hooked on Castle (finally watched all 8 seasons) and watched it till 11pm. And then I went to sleep. I guess I could have stayed up for another hour but I didn’t. I was already tired. 😀 Did you stay up past midnight?

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that besides patience with myself and others, I am also looking at being more positive. Too much? These past two years were awful for many reasons and I am simply tired of it. I want this year to be a bit different. How different? Not sure but hopefully being more positive will help.

Thanks for linking up with us again this week! We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts, and we are ready to link up every Friday to share YOUR weekly fitness favorites! Join hosts My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday! Please add your link below. I am also linking up with Running with Perseverance and Confessions of a Mother Runner for the Ultimate Coffee Date.

31
Dec
2021

Fit Five Friday and December 2021 Runfessions

categories: Fit Five Friday, Runfessions

It’s the last Friday of the month which means Marcia has opened the Runfessional! It’s also time for another edition of Fit Five Friday hosted by Darlene, Renée, Jenn, Michelle, and me! Let’s get started, shall we?!

I runfess…
That I didn’t realize that today was the last day of the year when I was calculating my mileage for the year. I thought the last day was tomorrow and was counting on those 9 miles. On Monday I was adding my mileage and realized that I needed an additional 4 miles. I did an extra mile on Tuesday and ran 3 on Wednesday (on my rest day) to make up for it.

I runfess…
I had am so tired of hearing how teachers need to be patient, show up for work with a smile everyday, etc., for the students. It has been hard for them. Yes, it has. But it has been for us too. For everyone. We are all struggling. We are doing the best we can. We are also humans with real feelings and not everyday will be a happy and good day. Oh, and students in Illinois will receive 5 mental health days per year starting in 2022. While I think they should get it, what about others that also work in the schools?

I runfess…
I belong to a Tieks Facebook group. You all know I love my Tieks. The members there mostly sell new or slightly used shoes. I’ve sold a few pairs myself. Sometimes Tieks has limited edition shoes and they sell out right away. If someone does not want or like the shoes, they can simply return them back to Tieks. They even pay for return shipping! However, some people in the group sell the limited edition shoes instead of returning them. They also mark up the price to include shipping and handling and fees. Tieks does not charge any of that. I bite my tongue and don’t say anything. No one is allowed to shame anyone. I don’t understand why they can’t just send them back. And don’t even get me started on people that buy the limited edition shoes and sell them for a much higher price to make a profit on eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, etc.

I runfess…
I don’t expect gifts from anyone but I am surprised I didn’t get more from my students. This year I received gifts from 5 students. Yes, it was more than last year. 😀 I spend about 25-30 hours a week with the students and yet I get nothing from parents. Seriously? On Tuesday I received a Christmas card and a Starbucks gift card from a friend I haven’t seen in about 2 years. In her card she thanked me for being a teacher. Maybe the parents are not Christmas “people”? See next point.

I runfess…
That I am not a Christmas “person”. I don’t really like it. I don’t celebrate it nor believe in the birth of Jesus. I know Christmas is mostly about family spending time together and giving gifts. I only buy gifts for my students (this year I gave them color pencils) and occasionally partake in a Secret Santa Gift Exchange. I get together with my family on a regular basis. Why should I wait for a holiday to get together with them? Ugh, and then many businesses are closed. I do my laundry on Saturday and went to 3 laundromats and they were all closed. I was not happy about it. Luckily my neighbor downstairs said I could use their washing machine.

Rant over. Thanks for listening.

Thanks for linking up with us again this week! We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts, and we are ready to link up every Friday to share YOUR weekly fitness favorites! Join hosts My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday! Please add your link below. I am also linking up with Marcia for Runfessions.

24
Dec
2021

Fit Five Friday: 5 reasons I dislike running outside

categories: Fit Five Friday

You know I don’t mind running outside. Well, I have no choice and I make the best of it. However, there are times when I dislike running outside.

🌝 The uneven ground. I run on the sidewalk and on the streets. There has been a few times in which I’ve almost tripped. I have fallen a few times as well. It is worse when it is dark.

🌝 The drivers. I am sure that if most of them took the driving test again, they would fail. I wear a headlamp and a vest but still drivers act like they do not see me. Also, whenever I am outside and it is dark, I get extra nervous when I see white vans (I blame it on watching too much TV).

🌝 The weather conditions. Too cold. Too hot. Too windy. Chicago is famous for the different types of weather in one day. I’ve run in all of the different weather conditions and many time they suck. But I do it anyway. During the Winter I also need to wear extra layers which leads to more laundry.

🌝 The harassment. Ugh! I hate it. I’ve been stared at and yelled at. Cars have driven by honking at me. I don’t know where it is because the driver knows me or because the driver is encouraging me. Whatever the reason, I do not like it at all.

🌝 The dogs. I don’t hate dogs. I dislike it when they come out of no where and start barking at me. I’ve run on the sidewalk and dogs can see/hear me and start barking. Once a dog ran up to me barking and it scared the shit out of me. I stopped running and for sure thought he/she was going to bite me. Nope, the dog hanged around for a bit and then ran off. Another time I was out by the airport and I saw two dogs on the opposite side of the street. They both crossed the street to come near me. Again I stopped and then they ran off. A few even bark when they’re with their owner. I am sure my heart rate goes up when this happens!

Thanks for linking up with us again this week! We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts, and we are ready to link up every Friday to share YOUR weekly fitness favorites! Join hosts My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday! Please add your link below.

17
Dec
2021

Fit Five Friday: 5 things I am looking forward to during Winter Break

categories: Fit Five Friday

I will be on Winter Break next Wednesday. Some districts start today. I am not complaining since some go back to work on January 3rd and I go back on the 10th. I am happy with the extra 2 days we get for our break.

This week our students have taken a 4 MAP tests (state required). We’ve also done some fun activities which they seem to love. Two students are already on vacation so now I am left with 20 students.

Even though my break is 2 1/2 weeks, I am very excited about it. Let me tell you what I am looking forward to during that time.

☃️ Not be out running in the dark. I won’t have to be at work anymore at 8:30am. I know I will wake up early anyway, but I will not be out running that early. Sometimes I don’t mind running in the dark but I could use a break from it.

☃️ Not drive to school or anywhere else. I plan to leave my house just for running, some doctor appointments for my mother, and to get groceries. The rest of the time I will be at home on my couch or bed.

☃️ Watch TV. Right now I am obsessed with “Castle”. Did anyone else watched it? I remember when it was on TV but didn’t watch it from the beginning. Now I am on season 5 (out of 7) and am enjoying it a lot.

☃️ Read. I know I enjoy watching TV but I also like to read. Right now I have 3 books that Wendy wrote about in her blog. I also have the movie “A Star is Born” that I want to see.

☃️ Teach a Winter Break Boot Camp to my students. Is it weird that I am excited about it? This session is one week for two hours each day. It will be online and will consist of one hour of Reading and one hour of Math. I can choose to do it anytime between 8:30am-3:00pm. I will be doing it in the morning to have the rest of the day off to watch TV and read. 😀

Thanks for linking up with us again this week! We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts, and we are ready to link up every Friday to share YOUR weekly fitness favorites! Join hosts My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday! Please add your link below.

03
Dec
2021

Fit Five Friday and December Ultimate Coffee Date

categories: Fit Five Friday, Ultimate Coffee Date

I am so happy that it’s Friday! I’m starting off the weekend with a little catch-up over the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah. So grab a mug of your favorite beverage and let’s chat for a bit!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I did not buy much during Black Friday. I did spend a couple hundred dollars on beauty products and some bras. What more could I possibly need? Wait, I do want the “Run Fast. Eat Slow” cookbook. Anyone has the cookbook? Thoughts?

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I lost my blogging mojo. I am mentally exhausted after work and have had no desire to blog. I was not motivated either. It is slowly coming back and I am happy to be posting today. Kudos to all of you that post several times a week!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that while I appreciate the free stuff that companies give for someone’s birthday, I am annoyed that they do not give you enough time to redeem the offers. I remember when Starbucks gave you about a month and now it is one day. Portillo’s is about 5 days and while I had a chance to redeem it the Sunday after my birthday, the wait time was too long so I went home. The last day to redeem it was last Friday and I didn’t go. Oh well.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that one day I was at Costco looking for a multivitamin. I’ve been using Ritual for years but wanted to try something different and cheaper. I came across Kirkland Signature Daily Multi. However, it was the Mature Multi for Adults 50+. While I am not there yet, I bought it anyway. Never too early, right?

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I look forward to my glass of wine a few times a week. 🤫 Wine relaxes me after a long day at work. But I need to cut back. Training is getting intense and I need to make sure I am up and awake early each morning.