Happy Tuesday!  Thank you for joining me and Jenn for another edition of Tuesday Topics.  Remember to link up with us!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Don’t forget to come back for later linkers!

In December I wrote my goals for this year.  Since we are halfway through the year, let me update you on how it is going.

• Read 24 books.  I am reading book #11.  

• PR in a race distance.  I’ve only run 1 race and skipped 3.  I am running a 4 mile race on Thursday and doubt I will PR.  I am running the Chicago Marathon in October and hoping to get a PR.

• Run a half marathon in a different state.  If I do run in a different state, it will probably be after the Chicago Marathon.  

• Don’t procrastinate (too much).  I am doing OK.  Sometimes I don’t think about it too much and just do it.  Other times someone else will “remind” me to do it.  One day my mom wanted me to clean the balcony and I told her that I was tired and that I would do it tomorrow.  She told me that I was going to be tired tomorrow as well.  She was right.  I got up and did it.

• Switch retirement plan and add more money to it each month.  I haven’t done this yet.  There are many options to choose from but I will do it.  I did open another life insurance policy.

So let’s review how 2024 is going so far.  

January-February

• Picked my word for 2024…Self-Care.

• Purchased my new domain for my blog.  I like it!

• Ran and walked 43.20 miles in January.

• Ran and walked 16.61 miles in February.

March-April

• Went to San Antonio for my aunt’s 90th birthday.  It was a lot of prep work for school but I had a good time in San Antonio.

• Ran the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8k.

• Ran and walked 15.65 miles in March.

• Ran and walked 33.17 miles in April.

May-June

• Ran and walked 36.20 miles in May.

• The 2023-2024 school year ended.  I had 5 days off and began teaching Summer School.  

• Ran and walked 49.01 miles in June.  It is the highest mileage to date.

• Finished reading 10 books.

• Summer School ended.

I truly cannot believe that we are halfway through 2024.  Let’s see how the rest of the year goes for me.

The topic for next week – How do you get through Summer 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 your Summer running plans or race schedule?  You can write about this topic or post any running-related blog post.  Remember to link up with Jenn and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

While it isn’t officially Summer here but it it feels like Summer.  This week we will have temperature in the 90s.  Thank goodness for AC!  I really don’t want to be outside in this weather.

This is what I have planned for this Summer – running and non running.

• Run the Elmhurst 4 on the 4th.  It is one of my favorite races and I cannot wait. This year the race will be on Thursday.  

• Train for the Chicago Marathon.  I signed up to train with a group.  The training will start on June 24th.  I am not a big fan of Summer running, but I know that it is the best time for me to train for a marathon.  I am off during the Summer and it is easier for me to rest and nap after my runs.  I do struggle when I go back to work because then I am tired from spending so much time setting up my room.  

• Walking more.  I haven’t been consistent with my walks.  I want to do a short walk after each run; longer if it is a longer run.  I still have that goal to run/walk 2,014 miles this year.

• Continue to relax.  Everyone has a different way to relax.  I like to read and watch TV.  My goal this year is to read 24 books.  I am reading my 10th book but need to read more to catch up.  

• Work on some school projects.   I know I shouldn’t be working on school stuff in the Summer, but I want to get a head start so that I am not doing this during the school year.  There aren’t a lot of Spanish resources and many times I have to translate them.  Now is the perfect time to do these things.

What I would love to do is create a few projects and sell them on Teachers Pay Teacher.   It will be a great way to earn some additional money.

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

Happy Tuesday!  Thank you for joining me and Jenn for another edition of Tuesday Topics.  Remember to link up with us!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Don’t forget to come back for later linkers!

Many of you know that I am a teacher.  This is my 15th year of teaching.  I am exhausted.  You also know that I like my job.  I don’t love it but I don’t hate it.  I do have my days when I hate being a dual language teacher, but that is a conversation for another day.

My plan is to retire in 10-12 years.  If I could, I would retire now.  Since I can’t do it now, I have to suck it up!  🤣 🤣 

So what is my plan while I wait for retirement?

• Save money in a 403(b) account.  I have been saving since my first year of teaching but don’t have enough for now.  I am looking into opening another account.  At the moment I cannot remember the name of it but it is an account similar to a 403(b).

• Continue to teach.  I already made a career change and don’t want to make another one.  So I will continue to make a difference in students’ lives.

• Work as a math interventionist.  It isn’t a career change.  I will still be working with students but in smaller groups.  I will work with only those students that need the extra help in Math.  The plan is to do this the last 4-5 years before I retire.  I want to spend my last couple of years “stress-free” and not have to deal with lesson plans, grades, or a classroom.

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