Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Topics.  This week we’re talking about what do you do with your race medals.  I am excited to learn what you all do with them because mine are in a box.

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What do you do with your race medals?  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 run 168 races and I’ve received a medal for almost every race.  I am sure I have over 100 medals.  There are a few races that in the beginning no medal was given (Shamrock Shuffle).  Nowadays even a 5k gets you a medal!

Right now the majority of them are in a box.  A few years ago (June 2013) I began making some holders.

Over the years I accumulated more medals but didn’t make more holders for them.  That is why I put them in a box.  I know I could have bought holders but told myself to wait till I had more room/wall to hang them.  I am still waiting for that day.  🙂

Marcia recently posted a picture of her medals.  I would love to do something similar.  Of course I need room to do something similar.

I would probably organize them by group/theme.  Below are the ones from the RnR races and the RunDisney races.

I would even organize them by state.  I like this holder.  Photo from Etsy.

I may even donate some to Medals4Mettle.  There is no need to keep all of them, right?

For now I will leave them in a box.  When I do move and have more space, I will decide what to do with them.

Do you keep your medals?  Do you give them away?  

Happy Tuesday!  Spring Break is going well.  Slept in a little bit yesterday and then watched “Cheers”.  Today I will spend some time calling the parents of my students.  I’ve been using “Remind” but have not touched based with everyone.  My principal asked us to now call them  Honestly, I wasn’t going to but who knows when I will see them again since our return date is still up in the air.

Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Topics.  This week we’re talking about what made you decide to start running.  Let’s discuss!

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What made you decide to start running?  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 started running in 2005.  I know this sounds silly right now but I did not know how to run.  Just writing it make me laugh.  I signed up for a Beginners Class with CARA.  I don’t think I finished the class because I ended up signing up again.  🙂

I know many people start to run for health reasons.  Not me.  I started running because I saw a much older man running along the lakefront.  If he could do it, so could I.  And I did.

Now I continue to run because I like it.  I don’t love it, I just like it.  I’ve had my moments in which I felt burned out and did not want to run anymore.  A break was all I needed in order to enjoy running again.

Other reasons I continue to run are:

♥ To feel good about myself
♥ Improve my health
♥ Improve my energy levels
♥ Train for a specific goal
♥ Gives me time to think and get ready for the day

Thanks to Wendy for letting me know about the Un-Canceled Project.  Click HERE to sign up.  It is FREE and it starts tomorrow.

How about you?  What made you decide to start running?

Disclaimer:  I received a free entry to the Fargo Half Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro.  Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!  

Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Topics.  This week we’re talking about your Spring bucket list.  I know many races have been cancelled (3 of mine).   For now there is no actual training for me.  No worries.  I won’t stop running.  I am following a plan but my main goal is to run mostly for fun and not worry about pace or distance.

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What’s on your Spring bucket list?  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 started writing this post early this month.  This was before the situation came to be the way it is now and before any race cancellations.  I was scheduled to run the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle (March 22), Garmin Oz Half Marathon (April 18), and the Fargo Half Marathon (May 8).  The last 2 were in two new states for me.  Actually the Fargo Half Marathon was rescheduled for August 29 and I am not sure if I will make it to ND.  The race will be right after the first week of school and I would have to take off on Friday (Wednesday is the first day with the students) in order to make it to the race.

With so many race cancellations who knows when my next race will be.  I haven’t signed up yet but I am hoping it will be the Elmhurst 4 on the 4th of July (I know it isn’t a Spring race but just go along with me).  I’ve run this race since 2013.  My PR is 39:39 in 2014.  One of my goals this year is to PR in all race distances.  <

I am also interested in the Wintrust Lakefront 10 Miler/5k.  This was scheduled to take place on April 18 but has been postponed to July 11.  I’ve done the 10 mile race before but racing in July is not something that I like to do.  I might be more inclined to run the 5k but that distance is also difficult.  

For the moment there are no plans to run in a different state.  There are a few I am looking into but won’t make any decisions till maybe this summer.  Hopefully by then things will be better and races will be taking place.

What are you running plans for the Spring?  What are your race plans for the Summer?

How is everyone doing?  I have been home since yesterday planning for 8 days of instruction for my students.  Definitely a lot more work than I anticipated but it needs to be done.  We were supposed to have an Institute Day yesterday and Parent/Teacher Conferences today.  That changed and conferences were changed to take place via Google Hangout.  Instructions and letters with the information were sent home on Friday.  Now, schools are closed as of today so no Institute Day nor conferences.  

Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Topics.  This week we’re talking about what you think about when running.  Anyone have any interesting stories?  Let’s discuss!

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What do you think about when you’re running?  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!

Lately I haven’t done too much running.  It’s been two weeks since my half marathon in Atlanta and I’ve done one run.  That is it.  I haven’t been motivated.  Now that I am not training for a specific race (my three races have been cancelled), I want to run just for fun.  

Social media sucks.  I understand it is a difficult time for many people.  I get it.  I had to unfollow a few people from Twitter because of stupid comments.  Some people are just plain selfish.  

Anyway, back to the topic.  Sometimes I listen to music while running.  I have a playlist that I like so music isn’t really a problem.  Other times I have too much going on and want to think things through. 

Below are some things I think about in no specific order or importance.  

√ My pace.   Lately I’ve been running slower than usual and I wonder why but at the same time know the reason.  Just running is not going to make me faster.  I need to do other things besides running.

√ My students.  Many times they do annoy me but they make me smile and laugh a whole lot more.  They’re kids.  They’re innocent.

√ A house.  I have mentioned a few times that I am looking for a house to buy.  In my head I have the perfect one.  Now I need to find it.  I have been looking for a few years and don’t understand why I haven’t found it.  

√ My mom.  Luckily she is doing better after her stroke.  Her doctor has mentioned that her glucose and cholesterol levels are under control.  What she struggles with is high blood pressure.  We cannot get that under control.

√ My cats.  They’re my babies.  I love them.  They’re so cute!  Right?  🙂

√ My job.  I don’t love it but don’t hate it either.  I like it.  Lately I’ve been struggling because I want to do so much for my students but then get frustrated because I don’t have enough time.  There’s been days that I stay at work till 5 or 6 pm a few nights a week.  It is frustrating because no matter how many hours I put in, I will never finish everything I want to do.

√ My family.  A few of us like to get together to eat, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company.  It’s been a few week since we’ve gotten together and who knows when the next time will be.

Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Topics.  This week we’re talking about trail running.  I’ve done a few runs here and there but nothing compared to what other runners do.  Trail running isn’t for everyone and that is OK.  Let’s discuss!

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  Trail running – yes or no?  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!

For years I’ve been a road runner.  Sometimes I drive to the lakefront and run there.  Sometimes I run by myself and other times with a group.  The past couple of years I’ve been running by my house.  To me it is much more convenient and easier.  

A few years ago I started going to Waterfall Glen.  It is perfect for hill training because as you know Chicago is FLAT.  I go there too to get a break from running on the pavement.  My favorite time to go is in the Fall.  Not only do I love Fall running but going there is beautiful.  The trees and the leaves give me a peaceful feeling.  Oh, and I also love going after it rains.  The smell of the dirt!!  There is something about it that I love.  I know, it sounds weird.

I realize it isn’t a difficult terrain.  It is still smooth.  The hills is what makes it challenging hence providing a great workout.  

Besides the softer terrain, other benefits of trail running include: strengthens the legs; it is quieter; reduces the risk of injury; high quality air; and improves your mood.

I am planning to run at Waterfall Glen more often.  These past few months haven’t been going well (running wise) and I hope things are better the rest of the year. 

If you need trail running shoes, Wendy wrote a great review of the Brooks Cascadia 14 XT.  Check it out!

Trail running might not be for everyone.  That is OK.  Now trail racing is something I don’t think I will ever do.  You?