This week’s Tuesday Topic:  Where I’ve been, A-Z: Letters S-Z.  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!

Thanks for joining me again this week again.  Click here to read Part 1 for letters A-I.  Click here to read Part 2 for letters J-R.  

Thanks to my Race in the 50 States +1 running goal, I’ve run in 43 states.  I need 8 more to complete it.  Before I was a teacher, I worked at the American Bar Association.  Through this job I also traveled to various states for our Spring and Annual Meetings.  The traveling aspect was fun but the work itself was not.  I was ready for something different and more challenging and so I went back to school to become a teacher.  My job now is different and definitely challenging.

So, let me tell you where I’ve been.  Ready?

S is for San Antonio
I’ve been there a few times because my sister lives there.  Once I went there during the Summer and OMG it was awful.  Never again.  Also, during one of my trips my sisters and I were on a mission to find Sandra Cisneros’ house.  We found it!  I’ve also been to St. Petersburg (Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Petersburg Half Marathon), San Diego (Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon), St. Louis (Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Louis Half Marathon), and Seattle (Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Half Marathon).

T is for Tulsa
I went there to run the Route 66 Half Marathon.  It was a beautiful but hilly course.

U is for Urbana
I thought it would be a tough one but it wasn’t.  It seems that I ran there while running the relay portion of the Illinois Marathon and when I ran the half marathon.  At least I think I did.  Originally I had trained for the marathon but things didn’t go as planned and I ended up running the half.  Reading again the race recap brought back memories of training during the Winter since the race was at the end of April.  Almost all of my runs were done outside.  I was unstoppable.  I ran in the snow and in freezing weather.

V is for Virginia Beach
I went there for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon.  It was a flat course but that day was very humid.  Check out my Nike watch, armband for my iPod, and earphones with cords.  Very different with how I run now.

W is for Washington, DC
It is one of my favorite cities.  I’ve been there plenty of times and love it there.  A few years ago I ran the Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Nation’s Capital Half Marathon.  I remember we had good weather but will never forget that monstrous hill around mile 6.

X is for Xcaret
This was a tough one.  But it still counts, right?  I’ve also been to Xochimilco (Floating Gardens) in Mexico.  No pictures but I swear I was there in 1988.  I remember because it was after my nephew was born.

Y is for Yauco
Puerto Rico!  Don’t ask me what year it was because I honestly do not remember.  But I remember it was before 2009 because I was still working at the ABA.  

Z is for ?
Another tough one.  I know there is Zion, Illinois but don’t think I’ve been there.

These posts were so much fun to write!  It was great to look at pictures and read posts that I wrote years ago.  I may not have traveled much these past 2 years but overall have I done quite a bit of traveling.

Topic for next week – Share your favorite running item(s) you’ve tried this year.  Feel free to write about this or any running related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  Where I’ve been, A-Z: Letters J-R.  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!

Thanks for joining me again this week again.  Click here to read Part 1 for letters A-I.

Thanks to my Race in the 50 States +1 running goal, I’ve run in 43 states.  I need 8 more to complete it.  Before I was a teacher, I worked at the American Bar Association.  Through this job I also traveled to various states for our Spring and Annual Meetings.  The traveling aspect was fun but the work itself was not.  I was ready for something different and more challenging and so I went back to school to become a teacher.  My job now is different and definitely challenging.

So, let me tell you where I’ve been.  Ready?

J is for Jackson
I ran the Mississippi Blues Half Marathon.  Don’t you love it when in order to cross the finish line you need to run up a darn hill?  Despite the hilly course I ended up with a decent time (2:29:29) for me.  I’ve also been to Juneau where I ran a half marathon.

K is for Ketchikan
I had the option of running either a 5k or 10k.  I chose the former.  Nice course and the last race before leaving Alaska.

L is for Lima
Yes, Lima, Peru!  Our last stop before Machu Picchu.  We met up with another group and shared a big room in a hostel.  I’ve also been to Las Vegas (Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon), Louisville (Republic Bank Big Hit Half Marathon & Quarter Marathon), and Little Rock (Little Rock Half Marathon).  The medals for the Little Rock races are IMPRESSIVE!

M is for Machu Picchu
The trip of a lifetime!  After 3 days of walking we arrived in a hotel where we had electricity and running water.  It was wonderful.  The next day we took a bus to Machu Picchu.  We had the option of walking, but, no thank you.  I’ve also been to Manchester (Manchester City Half Marathon) where I met Katherine Switzer.

N is for New Orleans
I went there in 2012 for the Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Marathon.  This was right before my first 50k.  Then went back in 2016 for the half marathon.  I’ve also traveled to Nashville (Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Half Marathon).

O is for Omaha
I will never forget that time I tripped and fell while running the Omaha Half Marathon.  I’ve also been to Orlando to run quite a few RunDisney races.

P is for Philadelphia
I ran the Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon.  It was my 10th Rock ‘n’ Roll Race.  I’ve also been to Princeton (Princeton Half Marathon), Providence (Rock ‘n’ Roll Providence Half Marathon), Phoenix, (Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Half Marathon), and Portland (Rock ‘n’ Roll Portland Half Marathon and Shipyard Old Port Half Marathon).

Q is for Quito
It was my first time in South America.  It was also my first time staying in a hostel.  We went to a few places in Ecuador (Tena, Baños, and Cotopaxi) before going to Peru.

R is for Raleigh
I went there to run the Run Raleigh Half Marathon.  Another hilly course but at least the finish line was downhill.

Topic for next week – Where I’ve been, A-Z: Letters S-Z.  Feel free to write about this or any running related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  Where I’ve been, A-Z: Letters A-I.  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!

What a fun post.  I know several bloggers have done something similar and I got excited when Kim added it to our list of topics.

Thanks to my Race in the 50 States +1 running goal, I’ve run in 43 states.  I need 8 more to complete it.  Before I was a teacher, I worked at the American Bar Association.  Through this job I also traveled to various states for our Spring and Annual Meetings.  The traveling aspect was fun but the work itself was not.  I was ready for something different and more challenging and so I went back to school to become a teacher.  My job now is different and definitely challenging.

So, let me tell you where I’ve been.  Ready?

A is for Anchorage
I went there as part of The Great Alaskan Running Cruise.  I felt like I was in another country when in fact I was still in the USA.  I had a wonderful time!  I’ve also been to Atlanta twice.  The first time I was there was in maybe 1999 for an ABA Annual Meeting.  It was my first time traveling in my job and I hated it.  I was so tired and exhausted.  

B is for Boston
My first time there was when working at the ABA.  I loved it!  I went again about 10 years ago during the Summer.  The last time I was there was in 2013 when I ran the Boston’s Run to Remember Half Marathon.  I also traveled to Bloomington (Lady Speed Stick Women Half Marathon), Birmingham (Magic City Half Marathon), Buffalo (Buffalo Half Marathon) and Baltimore (Baltimore Running Festival Half Marathon).

C is for Cleveland
Cleveland reminds me of “The Drew Carey Show” where they are all singing “Cleveland Rocks!”  I went there to run the Rock ‘n’ Roll Cleveland Half Marathon.  It was the first time and maybe last a RnR race took place there.

D is for Detroit
I went there to run the Detroit Free Press/TCF Bank Half Marathon.  I was undertrained for this race.  It was a miracle I actually finished it and I was sore for days afterwards.  It was fun running in two different countries.  I even had to run with my passport!

I’ve also traveled to Dallas (Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon), Des Moines (IMT Des Moines Half Marathon), and Denver (Rock ‘n” Roll Denver Half Marathon).

E is for Elmhurst
I’ve been there mainly to run the 4 on the 4th race.  I’ve mentioned a few times that it is a fun race!  Does anyone remember the Mizuno Elixir?  They were great shoes and I was disappointed when they were discontinued.

F is for Florence
A few years ago I went on a cruise to Europe with a few friends.  It began and ended in Barcelona.  We went to various cities in Italy and France and had a lot of fun.

G is for ?
I am stuck here.  There are plenty of cities in Illinois but nothing worth mentioning.  Maybe Gurnee for Six Flags Great America?  I’ve been there plenty of times.  I remember my first time going when I was a kid but cannot remember how old I was.  My guess would be 9 or 10.  Many years later I would get a free ticket and go with my nephew, Ivan, as part of the Read to Succeed Program.

H is for Hartford
I’ve been there a few times to run the Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon.  I have a few friends that live in CT but haven’t been there in a few years.  I’ve also traveled to Harpers Ferry (BCT Harpers Ferry Half Marathon) and to Hubbard Glacier.  

I is for Icy Strait Point
Another Alaska picture.  It was the first and last time I’ve kayaked.  It was an experience but I was terrified!

Wow!  So many great trips and memories.  It’s been fun looking at the pictures and reading posts about the trips.  I can’t wait to get started on the next two posts!

Topic for next week – Where I’ve been, A-Z: Letters J-R.  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 wrote about my first experience with Inside Tracker back in March.  My results from that test were the following:

At risk: LDL

Needs improvement: Glucose, HbA1c, Hemoglobin, Iron, HDL, Triglycerides

Optimized: Vitamin D, Calcium, Folate, Creatine kinese, Total cholesterol, Magnesium

Each biomarker is categorized as optimized, needs improvement (could be low or high), and at risk.

I went again in June and got updated results.  I’ve made some improvements but still need to work on a couple more things.  It is always something, right?

At risk: Vitamin D (low), Glucose (high), Total cholesterol (high), LDL (high), 

Needs improvement: HDL (low), Triglycerides (high), Ferritin (low), Hemoglobin (low)

Optimized: Calcium, Magnesium, Creatine kinese, Folate, HbA1c

I made another appointment to get tested again in September.  However, I am also going to see my primary doctor for my annual physical test in September too.  I will talk to her about my results and ask her to order blood work.  Then I will skip the one with Inside Tracker.

I am aware I should be concerned about cholesterol and LDL levels, but I am more concerned about the ferritin and hemoglobin levels.  They’ve both gone down since March.  I sent a message to a sports doctor I’ve seen before hoping that I could see him and work with him sooner than September.  After going back and forth he ended with “Let’s start with your primary doctor first”.  I get it but still it doesn’t help.

What have I been doing? 

• Taking supplements but do not want to depend only on them.
• Trying to eat more iron rich foods but that isn’t always easy.
• Eating more quinoa, tofu, and red meat (the latter not too much since I don’t like it too much). 
• Cooking in avocado oil.
• Eating more fruit and vegetables. 
• Keeping up with running and Peloton bike classes. 

I feel like I am on the right path.  

School will start next month and the first few months stress me out – way more than the rest of the year!  I am known for eating a “not so healthy meal” from McDonald’s when I am stressed out.  😬 😬

Topic for next week – Where I’ve been, A-Z: Letters A-I.  Feel free to write about this or any running related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  Brag Time: Share some of your most popular running related blog posts!  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!

Last year I wrote a similar post – My most popular running related blog posts.  Today I am going to focus on only 5 Tuesday Topics posts.  It was so much fun checking out past posts from this linkup and others in general.  At one point I was writing about my training to get a BQ!  Ha, who knows if that is something I will consider again.

✸ I walked 610,966 steps in the StepBet Challenge!  Published on 2/2/2019.  It was a fun challenge!  I didn’t care too much about winning money but I also didn’t want to lose the $40 I paid.  I haven’t done another one of these again but now am thinking about it.  I will be going back to school next month and most likely will be walking a lot more.  Have you participated in a StepBet Challenge?

✸ Thankful for running.  Published on 11/24/2020.  I will always be thankful for this hobby of mine.  But it was during that year that I was even more thankful for running.  It has gotten me through some very tough times whether it was personal or work related.

✸ What I bring along on my run.  Published on 3/19/2019.  I have made a few changes since this post was published.  I sold my lightening layers and got the Noxgear vest.  Sometimes I forget my pepper spray.  I definitely run with my Road ID and a Koala Clip (instead of a running belt).  Depending on my runs I wear the Oiselle pocket joggers and I store my water bottles in the pockets.

✸ My cold weather running essentials.  Published on 2/19/2019.  Just thinking of cold weather makes me shiver.  Haha.  Last year I was outside running every single day during the Winter.  This year I was not brave enough to get out there.  I know the right gear makes a big difference.  I have added an insulated Vim jacket and fleece lined tights from Baleaf.  Let’s see if I will be brave again this Winter.

✸ Publix Atlanta Half Marathon Race Recap.  Published on 3/3/2020.  A HILLY race!  This race was after the Olympic Marathon Trials so it was a fun weekend.

Topic for next week – Ask someone who’s been struggling to share their story.  Feel free to write about this or any running related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!