This week’s Tuesday Topic:  Things I saw on my last run.  You can write about this topic or 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 didn’t run last week because of the weather.  I didn’t want to deal with it.  So this post is based on a run and walk I did this morning.  I ran for 20 minutes (walked more towards the end) and then walked for 13 minutes.  Below is what I saw.

I live very close to Midway Airport.  Every time I see an airplane, I wonder where it is coming from or where it is traveling to.  Makes me more excited about my trips this year.

I am not religious but I know many Mexicans love the Virgin Mary.  The statue is inside a glass cage with color-changing lights.

The stillness of the morning.  I love being outside and alone during this time.  Sometimes I think and sometimes I enjoy listening to Matty.  The photo includes the train (Orange Line) which goes downtown and then goes around a loop to go to the airport.

I love how festive they get for each holiday.  It is hard to see but they have red and white lights/arches for Valentine’s Day.

I didn’t see Mateo outside but I saw him as soon as I came home.  It looks like I interrupted his sleep.

Not very exciting right?  🤣 🤣

Topic for next week – It’s Valentine’s Day. Share why you love running. Feel free to write about this or any running-related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What are you looking forward to this year?  You can write about this topic or 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! 

A new year and a new word.  I am definitely looking forward to this year.  These past couple of years have been interesting; hopefully, things will pick up and become more exciting.

Here are a few things I am looking forward to this year:

❇️ Travel.  My last trip was in February 2020 to run the Publix Atlanta Half Marathon.  This year I am planning a trip to NYC and Washington, DC.  I am hoping too to travel to Mexico with my mom.  Once I get more information about a Summer program I did last year, then I will book our flights.  The plan is to stay there for 2-3 weeks.

❇️ Read more books.  Not because of my goal, but because I like to read.

❇️ Running more races.  Thinking about it makes me more excited.  I would like to run a race in all distances except the marathon.  Hopefully, when I finish my race in Washington, DC, I can start working again with a coach.  I would love to PR in one or two race distances.  

❇️ Doing more fun things.  It is all about balance.  I’ve been staying in touch with friends via text every day.  I know ideally, it will be best to meet in person but it isn’t always possible.  At least we are having some good conversations and laughs.  Anyway, going back to doing more fun things, I love musicals and would like to see 1 or 2 this year.  Chicago is a great city with many things to see and do.  This Summer I  would like to drive downtown or take the train to sightsee or just hang out.

❇️ The end of the school year.  Is it too early to think about it?  I do like my job.  Teaching is fun.  I enjoy my students, but everything else makes it so hard.  We give so many assessments and it is just ridiculous.  Our students are still behind (we do not need an assessment to tell us that) and that time could be better used for teaching.

Next week is a FREE topic.  Feel free to write about any running-related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What’s your plan to achieve your 2023 goals?  You can write about this topic or 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!

In December I wrote about my 2023 goals.  Let me tell you how I plan to achieve these goals. 

 Complete 500 Peloton rides.  To date, I’ve done 359 classes.  I need 141 additional classes which is about 12 classes per month.  It can be done.

 Run 800 miles.  It was tempting to make this number again 1,200 or 1,000, but who am I kidding?  I want to be a bit more realistic.  800 miles is about 67 per month.  I am starting slowly and hopefully can soon ramp up the mileage.  I know someone that has a goal of 2,023 miles, but it includes running and walking.  That is tempting too!

 Run at least 5 races.  I am signed up for two but have been eyeing a couple more: 4 on the 4th of July, Lakefront 10 Miler, and Soldier Field 10 Mile.  I also need to start looking into my goal of running a half marathon in each state.  I have 8 more to go: South Carolina, Kansas, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota,  Idaho, New Mexico, and Hawaii.

 Do one Peloton activity each day.  Many of you know this but there are many Peloton classes.  On the days I don’t run, I take either a walking or meditation class.  I know I can do more.  Once I figure out a schedule, I will add cycling, strength training, and stretching classes.  

 Read 12 books.  One book a month.  I am on book 2 and we are halfway through the month.  If you need book suggestions, definitely check out Wendy’s book reviews.  I’ve loved all of the ones I’ve read, some more than others.  

Topic for next week – What are you looking forward to this year?  Feel free to write about this topic or any running-related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What are your Winter running plans and/or race schedule?  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! 

❄️ Be consistent with running.  I am following Hal Higdon: Half Marathon Novice 2 Plan.  I run 4 days a week and I like it.  I do think I could have done his Intermediate 1 Plan but decided to play it safe.  I’ll see how I am feeling after week 6 and then see if I want to move up to the other plan.

❄️ Continue to use the Peloton bike.  I guess I should clarify and say begin instead of continue.  I haven’t taken a bike class this year.  

❄️ Run the NYC Half Marathon, the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle, and the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile. So technically they do not take place in the Winter but I am adding them here anyway.

❄️ Continue walking.  It isn’t so bad.  I am liking them more than I thought I would.  Did you know that I’ve done a few times the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk?  Yep, I walked for 3 days to raise money for breast cancer.  This was before I became a runner.

❄️ Stretch and foam roll.  I will admit that I am not doing it as often as I should, but I am starting little by little.  I bought a thick exercise mat at Aldi’s and have been using it to foam roll.  It hurts but also feels good.  I have noticed a difference in my plantar fasciitis, it isn’t as painful as before.

Topic for next week – What’s your plan to achieve your 2023 goals?  Feel free to write about this topic or any running-related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!