Happy Tuesday and welcome to another edition of Tuesday Topics!  Did you all have a nice Memorial Day yesterday?  I spent most of the day reading blogs and watching TV.  Oh, and staying cool since it got really hot too.

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What are some of your running hacks?  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’ve been running for over 10 years and while I am no expert, I have picked up a few things here and there to help make my running experiences a bit better.  Most are things things you’re already doing, but still I am going to share the things that have been working for me. 

• Lay out your running clothes the night before.  Some people sleep in their running clothes but I’d find that to be uncomfortable.  I am not big chested and do not sleep with a bra so I cannot imagine sleeping with a running bra.  I am sure I can sleep without it and then just put it on in the morning but I prefer to sleep in shorts and tee in the summer or long pants and long sleeve top in the summer.  Laying out your clothes the night before ensure you have everything ready the next morning and do not waste time looking for things you need.

• Schedule your workouts in your calendar.  I put everything in my Google Calendar.  I would be lost without it.  I also schedule my school meetings, doctor appointments, my mother’s doctor appointments, and everything else that my presence is required.

• Use an app to track the mileage of your shoes.  I have a Garmin and not only use the app to check the data of my run, but also to track the mileage of my shoes.  After each run, I check my splits, pace, etc., and I add the shoes that I wore.  This way I know when I can retire the shoes I am wearing and start using a new pair.  Right now I have the app set up to retire the shoes at 350 miles.  

• Vary your routes.  I usually run by my house.  I’ve been doing that for a few years now and like it.  There are days that I miss running by the lakefront.  Sometimes I want to see something different instead of the same thing.  I still run by my house but go a different route.  Sometimes I do a reverse loop.  

• Break up the miles.  This works very well for me when running on the treadmill but can also be done when running outside.  I remember one time I had to run 10 miles and was not looking forward to it (and I one that does not mind running on the treadmill).  I broke up the run into 2.5 mile segments, and taking a short break in between.

• Program your workouts in your watch.  This is perfect when doing intervals so you know exactly when to run and when to walk/recover.  No more guessing and running more or less that you’re supposed to.  I once had to do 30 second intervals and it was “hard” to do because I had to count in my head and pay attention to where I was stepping so as not to fall.  🙂

• Freeze your water.  I remember this from a few years ago that Judy either mentioned in her blog or she gave me that suggestion.  I remember it was for my hydration pack.  With a longer run and warmer weather, the water was not cold enough for me.  She told me to fill it halfway and then put it in the freezer the night before my run.  The next morning just fill it up with more water.  

• Have fun.  Seriously.  Running is a hobby and should not take control over us.  So what if a run did not go as expected.  Tomorrow is another day.  Life goes on.

Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Topics!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  Seriously, the days are going by so fast and June will be here soon.

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What was the worst thing that happened to you at a race?  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!

So many races and over time many of them sort of blend in together.  Thank goodness for my race reviews so I can go back and remember a few things about them.  For the most part each race has gone well.  Some were either too hilly, rainy, cold, etc.  These are things out of my control and not much I can do about it.

One of the whe worst thing that has happened to me was at the Omaha Half Marathon.  What happened you asked?  I fell.  That was the first time I’ve fallen during a race/run.  I remember feeling great and enjoying the race.  At this point we were running in the park.  It was shaded but for like a split second the sun appeared and blinded me.  I did not see the girl in front of me.  I must have bumped into her, and then tripped and fell.  It felt like I was in a slow motion movie.  I remember every single move I made before landing on the floor.  I was shocked and laid there for a few seconds.  The runners that saw me asked if I was OK.  I got up to scan the damage.  No bleeding on my knees but they were scraped a little.  There was blood on my left hand and a small scrape on my right hand.  I was OK and was glad that it was not worse. 

Now that I think about it, runners around me were concerned about ME but I don’t remember apologizing or being concerned about the girl that I bumped into.  I am assuming she also fell.  Or maybe she didn’t?  I don’t even remember.  

Years later I can laugh about it.  Now it is funny but at that time when it happened it wasn’t.  I was embarrassed.  Oh well.

I know weather is out of my control but is another factor into what makes a great or bad race experience.  I will always remember the RnR Nashville.  I did this race in 2013.  Not only was the course hilly but it rained the entire time.  It was raining while waiting in the hotel lobby for the shuttle bus and didn’t want to run anymore.  I was miserable throughout the race and just wanted to finish.  When I was done and went back to the hotel to shower, I had chafed in so many places and was in so much pain.  Surprisingly I did better than I expected and finished in 2:30:14.  I checked my race recap and I posted that I finished in 2:29:39.  Hmm, regardless still a great time.  🙂

Another race I vividly remember is the Walt Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon that I did in 2014.  The race started late because of the weather (there was a storm).  It was a night race anyway so now it started even later.  I was cold during this race.  It was dark and I just couldn’t make myself enjoy the race.  I finished with my worst half marathon time of 3:18:01.  Ha, and I hope it stays that way.  And that was my last Disney race for that year.  I ran 8 that year.  Just writing that makes me cringe thinking of how much money I spent.  

Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Topics!  Apologies for posting so late.  I have been behind on reading blog posts and needed extra time to catch up.  I like to read as many blog posts as I can and respond to every comment.

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  BRAG!  Tell us about your running PRs!  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!

This year was supposed to be THE year for me.  My goal was to PR in various race distances along with other non running goals.

The year did not start off too good.  I got a cold and was not feeling well.  Then I fell.  Due to said fall I was afraid to run outside.  Instead I ran on the treadmill.  I didn’t do any races either.  Actually the only race I did was the Publix Atlanta Half Marathon at the beginning of March.  Yep, this was right before everyone’s world changed because of Covid-19.

All of my PRs are OLD.  I mean years old.  Old enough that I am embarrassed to even write about them here.  But I will.  

Anyway, let’s reminisce a little.  The last time I PRed was in May 2017 for a 5 miler race.  It was an “easy” PR because it was my first race of that distance.  

This year I was looking forward to the Shamrock Shuffle 8k and the 4 on the 4th of July races.  They’re two of my favorite races.  My PRs are 48:38 (8k in 2014) and 39:39 (4 miles in 2014).  

My 5k PR is 29:48 from 2011 and my 10k PR is 1:04 from 2010.  That is a sign that I need to do better next year, right?

For years I’ve been wanting to get a sub 2 half marathon.  I am not even close.  My PR is 2:17 from 2013 at the ING Hartford Half Marathon.  I came close in 2015 when I ran the Covered Bridges Half Marathon.  My finish time was 2:19:51.  I was pleased with how I did because the course was hilly and I walked a few times.

The last marathon I ran in 2016 is my marathon PR (5:12:59).  I remember I was aiming for a sub 5 finish time and was doing really good till about mile 11.  My left hip was hurting and I really wanted to quit.  I didn’t.  I told myself I was almost halfway done.  Then I had 10 miles to go.  Then single digits.  Then a few more miles.  Now wasn’t the time to quit.  I was pleased with how I did and was happy to have bettered my time by 40 minutes from my first Chicago Marathon in 2006.  

I entered the lottery for both the NYC Marathon and the MCM but was not picked for any of them.  Could be a sign to instead focus on the other distances.  

The plan now is to run and train for next year.  Next year is when I will get some new and shiny PRs!!

Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Topics!  We are now in the last week of April.  Supposedly it is Spring but it does not feel like it.  Well, you know the saying “April showers bring May flowers”.  🙂

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!

Where did March go?  Hard to believe that April will be over soon and then May will be here.  Hard to believe that I’ve been home now for over a month.  Over a month of not seeing my students or going into work.  Each day this feels like a dream (or a nightmare) and I want to wake up and do my normal things.

I wasn’t sure what to write about for today’s post.  I have good and not so good weeks of running.  Each week is different.  I am not training for anything (no one is) and some days I run just because or to get out of the house.  I rarely see anyone while out on my run and if I do see someone, I make sure to keep my distance from them.

I made a list of a few thoughts from these past few weeks.  They’re in no specific order but just thoughts I had while out running, watching TV, writing lesson plans, etc.  I am NOT judging anyone nor intend to make anyone feel bad about any of their choices/decisions.

♦ Always save money.  Whether it is $1 or $2 each week or month, save it.  Jobs are never guaranteed and you want to make sure you have some money saved up until things are better.

♦ I am an introvert but now am not liking it anymore.  When things are back to being normal, I will make sure to do more things with family and friends.

♦ No matter what people are going to be extra nice or just plain mean.  We don’t know what other people are going through and it is best to just shut up and not say anything.

♦ Parent communication with my kids is SO important.  Well, I know it is but now more than ever.  I have 18 students and use Remind to communicate with them.  There are two parents that I either have to call or send regular text messages because for some reason I cannot add them to the app.  You bet next year I will make sure to add everyone the first day of school.

♦ Politics is ugly.  Now it is even UGLIER.  It is mind blowing how politicians are so selfish and greedy. 

♦ I need to get my students set up in Google Classroom and other technology platforms early in the year.  I wanted too long and had a tough time setting things up for them and their parents.  Many are still not doing all of the work (or any at all) but I don’t stress out about it anymore.  We’re all doing the best we can in this situation.

♦ Have fun.  No matter what always have fun.  

♦ Life is short.  Make the best of it.

♦ Running is more fun when there is no pressure.  As much as I want to run more like some of my other friends, I don’t.  There is no reason to.  

♦ Never judge.  Everyone reacts differently.

♦ Be patient.  Sometimes it is hard to do but there isn’t another option.

♦ When driving, why speed?  I am confused as to why drivers feel they need to speed.  I mean, why are they in a rush?  There’s been a few times in which I am behind a car that slows down because the driver plans to make a right turn.  I slow down too but the driver behind me is impatient and passes both of us on the left side and then moves over to the right lane.  Seriously?

What are some of your thoughts?