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!

Yay January is over!  It has been a mild Winter but yesterday and today we got some very cold weather.  I guess I shouldn’t really complain.  Well, maybe just a little.

In late December, I began training for the NYC Half Marathon.  I am following one of Hal Higdon’s plans and so far have had some good workouts.

Let me tell you about how January went for me:

Mileage:  I finished the month with 59.66 running miles and 13.59 walking miles.  I am impressed with the walking miles because I am not much of a walker.  I missed a few days of running but am not too worried about it.  My goal for the half marathon is to finish and have fun. 

Current Book:  I read two books and now am reading “The Plot”.

Current Shoes: Running in the Brooks Ghost.  These are perfect because they’re NYC-themed!

2023 Running Goal:  My goal this year is to run 800 miles.  It is about 67 miles per month.  I ran less this month but know I can make it up in the upcoming months.  As long as I stay healthy and injury free, I am confident I will reach my goal.

Injuries: A few months ago I was dealing with hip pain and plantar fasciitis.  The hip pain isn’t too much nor is the plantar fasciitis.  I’ve been stretching more and have been using these inserts all of the time.

Blog: I want to be consistent and blog 3 days a week (Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday).  I was doing OK posting on Sunday but missed it this Sunday because I am always falling behind on reading and commenting.  I need to figure out a system to balance it out.  Any ideas?  

School:  I have my good days and my bad days like everyone else.  My students sometimes amaze me.  We are working on adding 3-digit numbers and almost everyone in the classroom understands the strategy I am teaching them.  Thanks to Common Core, I cannot teach them the way we learned it (algorithm).  They need to break it down into hundreds, tens, and ones.  I understand why but it takes so long.

Health:  I have no complaints about my health.  I still have my days when I sleep OK and others when I do not sleep OK.  I was taking a sleeping pill prescribed by my doctor but that didn’t really help.  Instead, if needed, I take melatonin.  

Overall, January was a good month.  Let’s see how February goes.

Topic for next week – Things you saw on your last run.  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!

I cannot believe October is almost over and we have 2 months left this year.  And what a year it has been so far!

So let me tell you about how this month is going.

Mileage:  I am currently at 28.85 miles.  It isn’t my lowest.  It is February with 1.49 miles.  This past weekend was gorgeous with weather in the 70s.  Very unusual for October.  But this week it will get cooler with Fall weather.

Current Book:  I began reading “Landslide” then put it down to catch up on a few TV shows.  Then I requested from the library in audio version “A Place for Women” so I could listen to it on my way to work and home.  I couldn’t focus.  There were some parts I did listen and enjoyed but then got lost when I wasn’t paying attention.  I decided to request the book instead and am waiting for it.  How do people listen to audiobooks all of the time?

Current Shoes:  Still running in the Brooks Ghost.  So far I’ve run in them 230 miles.

2022 Running Goal:  My goal this year was to run 1,200 miles.  To date I’ve run 464 miles.  I am OK with not making this goal.  At least I am out there running whenever I can and want.  It will be interesting to see how many miles I end up doing this year.  I will keep you posted!

Injuries: I am still dealing with plantar fasciitis and hip pain.  My chiropractor said the hip pain could be from a tight hip.  He told me to stretch more.  I am trying.  It hurts to even do that.  My runs have been either 20 or 30 minutes but maybe I should stop running for a few days to get better.  And how could I still be dealing with injuries if I am barely running?

Blog: I had a folder on my computer desktop with ALL of my blog pictures.  I was organizing the desktop (I do not like it when it is cluttered) and I must have deleted it by mistake.  I searched for it but it was gone.  Then I remembered that I may not have all of my photos in a folder but they’re still on the blog.

I am not blogging much these days but am interested in 30-day blogging challenge in November.  Next month is National Blog Posting Month.  Can I do it?  I think that if I sit down and plan then I could come up with blog posts for each day in November.  Read more about it HERE.  Click here for best practices and here for writing prompts put together by our very own San who blogs at The in between is mine.  What makes me think that I can do this is when she says “Also, remember that not every blog post has to be a deep, long, elaborate piece of writing. Sometimes sharing a picture or some random thoughts is all it takes to engage your readers!”  Sounds manageable?

School:  As usual it is hectic and nerve wrecking.  As much as I tell myself that I need to focus on myself and not work so much, it just isn’t happening.  I am doing too much and there aren’t enough hours in the day to do it all.  It is very frustrating when there is a lot of work to be done to help our students in reading, writing, and math.  Surely it shouldn’t have to fall on all of us to help them with this.  What about the parents?

Health:  I have my days when I sleep OK and other when I do not sleep OK.  I don’t wear my Fitbit anymore and instead wear my Garmin.  The data shows that I sleep usually around 6-8 hours each night.  I don’t feel as tired as I used to but sometimes do take a nap on the weekends.  

Thanks for listening!  This is more like a coffee date than a monthly review.  😀 😀

Topic for next week – Tips for Finding a Running Group.  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 How will you celebrate Global Running Day?  It is on June 1st.  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 am deviating from this week’s topic to instead do a monthly review.  Global Running Day is on Wednesday and I plan to run that day.  I do not know exactly how long I will be running but I will be out there.

Another month/sheet to rip off from my wall calendar.  With May almost over that means we are almost halfway through the year.  And what a year it has been so far!

As you know I was excited to pack up and finish this school year.  I was moved to the classroom across the hall.  It faces east, bigger, and nicer layout.  I was actually excited about it – even if it meant packing EVERYTHING in my room.  On Friday we found out that the school will be closed for the 2022-2023 school year and I will be going to a different school.  Not only do I have to pack everything, but I need to bring my personal stuff home.  Why?  In case boxes get lost, misplaced, etc.  I have spent a lot of money on school stuff and I would be upset it I don’t see it in my room next year.  The good thing about it is that now we have until June 10th, instead of the 7th, to pack up.  But during that time I also need to set up my room for Summer School.  Sigh.  These next two weeks will be very interesting.

So let me tell you about how this month is going.

I was doing good in May with my run streak but halfway though the month I got a cold.  Once I was better, I got a fever.  It must have been too much for me because I took a week off to recover.  However, I wasn’t feeling it and took a few days off again.  I don’t think I’ll start a new run streak and I am OK with it.

Mileage:  I finished the month with 55.40 miles.  I am a bit disappointed because last month I ran 68.13 miles.  I know it is lower this month because I missed 10 days of running.  All of my runs have been easy runs with run/walk intervals.  Each day I run for a specific amount of time instead of miles.  No complaints there!

Highest Mileage Week:  18.16.  It was during the first week of May and it took me 3:49:15 hours.  

Current Challenge:  None.   😀  Any other ideas?

Current Book:  Finally reading “Falling”.  So far it is good.  I told my sister she could put the TV I had in my room in her room.  I told her I was planning to read more instead of watching so much TV.  Right now the only show I am watching is “The Golden Girls” and can watch it on my phone or my computer.

Current Shoes:  Still running in the Brooks Launch 7.  So far I’ve run in them 147 miles.

2022 Running Goal:  My goal this year is to run 1,200 miles.  I am 13% done with 163.80 miles.  Who knows how realistic this goal is.  There are 7 months left this year.  That means on average I would have to run about 148 miles each month.  Doable?

Topic for next week – What’s on your Summer 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 is your favorite race medal and why?  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 have run 168 races ranging from a 5k to a 50k.  I don’t know exactly how many medals I have but I know it is a lot.  I don’t have a medal for each race and I have received multiple medals for completing a series or challenge.  Thanks RnR and RunDisney!

Right now my medals are in a box.  I have one from the Shamrock Shuffle in the kitchen because it is also a bottle opener.  🙂  My mother liked one of my medals and put it in her walker.  When I ran the Shamrock Shuffle again this year I asked her if she wanted another medal and she said “Yes”.

However, of all of my medals, my favorite one is from my first 50k.  It is small and simple.  I worked hard for that medal.  I’ve run a few marathons prior to that race but to date it is the furthest distance I’ve ever run. 

Two years later I ran another 50k and got another medal.  Small and simple again.

As for my other medals, I don’t plan on keeping them.  I don’t have room for them anymore but don’t know what to do with them.  I know there is an organization to donate them but I need to fill out a form for each medal.

Topic for next week – It’s National Mental Health Awareness Week.  How does running help with your mental health?  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!

I know April is not over yet.  We still have a few more days left.  I am excited for this month to be over because then next month is May which then brings us closer to the end of the school year. 

After a rough start with running due to the weather, I am back at it.  I started a new run streak and am excited about it.  I am also planning to run a 50k this year.  Yikes!

So let me tell you about how this month is going.

At the end of April we’ll be 1/3 done with 2022.  Time is going by fast!

Mileage:  As of yesterday morning I’ve run 55.30 miles.  All of my runs have been easy runs with run/walk intervals.  Each day I run for a specific amount of time instead of miles.  I like it!  Each week I am slowly increasing my mileage and last week was 16.79 miles.  There are still a few more days left in April but I am guessing that I will have about 70 miles for this month.

Highest Mileage Week:  16.79.  It was this past week and it took me 3:45:46 hours.  

Current Challenge:  My running streak.  Yesterday was day #25.  Weather is so much better than a few months ago but still does not feel like Spring.  

Current Book:  Finally reading “When I Ran Away”.  It is taking me longer to finish reading it and I have mixed feeling about it.  I have my days when I like it and days when I don’t.  

Current Shoes:  Currently running in an “older” pair of Brooks Launch.  I’ve run mostly in the Ghost and kind of forgot how much I love this shoe.  I remember the first time I wore the Launch, my feet hurt, and I almost stopped wearing them.  Glad I didn’t.  I have a new pair of the Ghost that I am thinking of sending back and instead get the Launch.  But after that, no more shoes.  

2022 Running Goal:  My goal this year is to run 1,200 miles.  I am at 7% done with 95.57 miles.  Who knows how realistic this goal is.  I have a long way to go but hopefully the 50k training will get me to that goal or at least close to it.

What am I looking forward to next month?  Almost the end of the school year!  My last day of school is  June 7th.  😊

How is April going for you?

Topic for next week – Your favorite medal and why?  Feel free to write about this or any running related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!