Does it finally feel like Spring where you live?  Mother Nature is definitely cruel.  While we had some nice weather this week, Chicago got more snow on Saturday.  I was out of town but still couldn’t believe it.

On Thursday we went to the zoo.  Originally we wanted to go on Friday but there weren’t district busses available to take us to the zoo.  It was great on Thursday.  The weather was perfect and it wasn’t crowded.

I was EXHAUSTED by the time we got back to school. We didn’t walk a lot but still.  One of my students told me that it was the best day ever!  🙂  It was so sad to see the polar bears.  One of them was trying to sit but couldn’t.  Walking was another story.  The bear could hardly walk and it was sad. ☹️😞  My coworker sent me this article.  I think it was the bear we saw.  No pictures other than the bear and the gorillas.  Not sure why I didn’t take more pictures.

My best workout this week was on Wednesday.  It was 1.5 miles warm up, 5×2 minutes intervals with 2 minutes recovery, and 1.5 miles cool down for a total of 4.64 miles.

I got some new socks.  How is it that new socks make me happy?

As of Friday, we have 25 days left till summer break.  I am excited!  However, I will have one week off before I start summer school.  I am looking forward to it too.  The hours are great and my last day will be July 6th.

On Saturday I flew to Philadelphia and then took a shuttle to Wilmington, DE for the Delaware Half Marathon.  How is it that one can pack so much for a one day trip?

Once at the hotel, I picked up my bib and went to get something to eat.  The restaurant I went to was about 5 minutes from my hotel.  I had a chicken wrap with fries and a beer flight.  

My coach asked me to do a 20 minute shakeout run.  That didn’t happen.  I was too tired from the trip and the food made me sleepy.  After my nap I met Kim for dinner.

Time to run 13.1 miles!  I will have my race recap on Tuesday.

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

This week I went to work Monday-Wednesday.  On Thursday we had an Institute Day and Friday was Good Friday.  Even though it is a public school, we are always off on Good Friday. 

The 2nd grade students did another art project.  This time we did an Easter Egg Wreath.  It was more work and more supplies to buy but the students had fun!

https://iheartcraftythings.com/easter-egg-wreath.html

After Sunday’s weather fiasco, it warmed up to do some runs in shorts!  I was supposed to run 5 miles on Monday but had no desire to deal with the snow and did my run on Tuesday.

Thursday’s workout was 2 miles warmup, 6×25 seconds intervals with 90 seconds recovery, and 2 miles cooldown.  The warmup and cooldown felt more tough than the intervals.  I am pretty pleased with how I did though!

It did rain for bit while I was out there but I was home by the time it began to rain more.  While out on my run I saw a few male workers.  I moved to the other side of the street because I had no desire to deal with any comments/catcalls.  Would they have said something?  Maybe, I don’t know.  There have been a few times that some men have made some comments.  So annoying.

We also had some sunny but windy days where it was got cold.  On Friday I struggled just to run 3 miles.  I am loving again the Brooks Levitate 1.  Bought a pair at Nordstrom and purchased another pair from eBay.  I like those so much better than the 2s and definitely more than the Brooks Glycerin (sending those back).  

I procrastinated my run on Saturday.  I slept in till 8:30 and still did not feel like running.  I was on my computer for a few hours before deciding to get out.  I had to do 8 miles but did not want to do that with it being so windy.   I took some Generation UCAN and filled my water bottles with UCAN Hydrate.  

It was awful.  I was OK for 3 miles and then the wind sucked everything out of me.  I almost cried.  I wanted to quit.  The reason I didn’t is because of my race next weekend.  My coach wanted me to do some miles at marathon pace but I didn’t and I didn’t care.  The way I was feeling I just wanted to finish the 8 miles.

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

On Wednesday our school had our STEAM Family Night.  A coworker and I planned most of it and it was A LOT of work!  All of our work paid off because we had a great turnout that night.  We had about 20 stations/activities and they were managed by some of our students and from the junior high school. 

On Saturday I ran a 5K presented by the Illinois Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (IALAS).  I heard about this race from one the administrators and got two of my coworkers to sign up (one couldn’t make it on race day).  It was a small but fun race!  Proceeds from this race went towards the IALAS Scholarship Program.

It was a very casual race with no chip time.  I started right at the front but then many people passed me up.  🙂 5Ks can be fun but are also tough.  I never know how to pace myself.  The best part of this race is that my coworker won Overall Female!

I always complain about race swag but this time I actually like what was in the bag! 

I didn’t do good with my runs this week.  I had a great run on Monday and happily ran in shorts and a short sleeve top.  Then Mother Nature had one of her moods and brought back the cold weather.  Even though it did warm up a bit in the afternoon/evening, I had no desire to deal with the colder weather in the morning and definitely did not want to run after school.

Today we got more snow!  UGH!!

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

No, the baby shower wasn’t for me.  My niece (my brother’s daughter) is expecting her first child in July.  We had a small baby shower for her on Saturday.  I was in charge of the games and I was quite nervous because I was afraid that the guests wouldn’t like them.  🙂

We only had 1.5 hours for games which actually did not leave that much time (the shower was from 2:30-6:30 pm with dinner being at 4pm).  That was OK.  There were 5 games/activites and it seemed like everyone had fun.

She doesn’t have a name yet but we helped her out with some suggestions!

This week was also my twice a year haircut!  My hair is flat straight and there isn’t much I can do with it.  I will confess that sometimes I am lazy about getting a haircut.  I think one time I waited almost a year for a haircut!  My hair was really long.  This time I just wanted to cut 3 inches off.  The stylist asked me if I wanted layers.  At first I wasn’t sure but then told her to go ahead.  I was nervous but I was pleased with the results.  I do like it!

This week’s run were great!  Since I am on Spring Break, I loved not having to be out there very early in the morning.  I was able to run once the sun was out and didn’t need any reflective gear.  The weather has been OK but I want it to be warm enough to wear shorts and a tank top.

Sunday’s run felt tough.  The workout was 3 miles warmup and 3 miles at 10:43 pace.  The last time I ran 6 miles or more was on February 3rd.  I am surprised that I did pretty good.  I will admit that I did have to stop a few times because the pace felt hard.  I remember years ago when it was “easier” to run a 10:30 pace and now I am struggling.  I have a half marathon on the 28th and my goal is just to finish it and complete a half in another state.

Spring Break is over and it is back to work tomorrow.  No, I am not ready to go back.  One more day please.

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

How is it that another week went by?  How is it that it is also the end of March?  I am excited that I am finally on Spring Break!  Maybe now I will be able to start my runs a bit later?  Hopefully.  🙂

I have a few things I need to do this week.  We have our STEAM Family Night on April 10th (after Spring Break).   My coworker and I will meet to work on and finalize a few things for that night.  I also need to finalize some of the baby shower games for my niece.  My niece is expecting her first baby in July.  She lives in Denver and will be here on Wednesday for her baby shower on Saturday.  It will be in the afternoon with mostly family members.  Oh, and she is having a girl.  🙂 

This week was all easy runs for a total of 12.92 miles.  I moved my runs a bit but still got them done.  I confess that I have been running them faster than I should.  Yikes!  

Pleased with my 4 miles on Wednesday.  I was sweating!

Saturday’s run was 5 miles.  Almost negative splits!

Sunday’s run was (supposed to be) 6 miles.  It was sunny but still cold.  See the ice in the picture below?  I couldn’t finish my run because I had a family emergency and needed to get home.  I am hoping that I can still get a run later because today is the last day of Deborah’s RunBet Challenge.  I mean, I am almost done…just one more run.  🙂 <<For a run to count in this challenge, it has to be at least 30 minutes.

Overall, another great week.  Happy to know that this coming week it will be warmer again. 

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.