Tuesday Topics: My Summer 2024 running plans/race schedule

Tuesday Topics-234This 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!

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Fit Five Friday and June 2024 Ultimate Coffee Date

New Ultimate Coffee DateWelcome to the June edition of the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah.  It’s also time for another edition of Fit Five Friday hosted by My First 5K and More, Running with AttitudeRun Laugh Eat PieRuns with Pugs, and me!  

Now, grab a mug of your favorite beverage, and let’s chat briefly!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I found out I snore while sleeping.  This is new to me.  I realized a few months ago and my sister confirmed it.  Nothing wrong with it but just surprised.  

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I will be running the Chicago Marathon in October.  I was picked to be on the Team TCS Teacher.  While I am happy about it,  I was actually surprised when I got the email.  The last time I ran a marathon was in 2016.  My #1 goal is to finish but am wondering if I can get a PR (5:12:59 from 2016).

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that when I found out I was picked to run the Chicago Marathon, I downloaded an 18-week Hal Higdon training plan.  I printed it and added the week dates to it.  I was ready to start training next week.  Then I saw a post from Mary Johnson on Instagram for a group training program for the marathon.  I have worked with her before and signed up for the program.  I won’t be working with her, but am excited to work with a coach.

If we were having coffee…
I’d ask you if you ever saw the show “Desperate Housewives”.  I remember watching a few episodes but was never a fan.  Now I am watching it on Hulu and I am hooked.  It is a funny show but sometimes some of the characters get on my nerves.  I think Susan is the most annoying one.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you Summer Break is off to a good start.  It was nice to not have to work but it felt weird on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday not having the routine of going to work.  I am on the School Leadership Team and we had a meeting yesterday and have another one today so I’ve had to go to school.  However, no students!

The topic for next week’s Fit Fit Friday – 5 great fitness friendly meals.  Feel free to write about this or any fitness topic you’d like.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

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Tuesday Topics: May 2024 Review

Monthly Review-May 2024This week’s Tuesday Topic is a FREE topic.  Feel free to 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!

Let me tell you about how May went for me:

Mileage:  To date I’ve run 30.89 and walked 5.31 miles.  I ran everyday for 34 days.  Then one Sunday I skipped my race because I felt very tired.  I meant to run later that day but it was too hot for me.  I still haven’t run since then.

Run the Year 2024:  I signed up to run and walk 2,024 miles this year.  So far I have completed 144.65 miles (per the RTE Tracker).  I laughed when I saw the mileage because I have a LONG WAY to go.  But I am determined to not give up.   I will achieve my goal.

Current Book:  I finished reading “Doctors and Friends” and am currently reading “The Bad Muslim Discount”.

Injuries:  None.  My knees don’t hurt anymore and the pain with plantar fasciitis comes and goes.  It isn’t as painful as before so I am happy about that.  

Races:  None.

Health:  I am doing OK.  I am still dealing struggling with hot flashes.  The number is still on the high side.  My shorts and pants still feel tight.  I love wearing jeans to work but haven’t been wearing them because they’re too tight and I don’t want to buy new ones.  I am wearing black pants with an elastic waist to be more comfortable.

School:  The last day of school is Friday.  It was supposed to be Thursday but we used one snow day in January so we have to make it up.

What I am looking forward to next month:  I start Summer School on the 10th and finish on the 28th.  Then the real Summer Break starts.  Unfortunately this year we start the school year a bit earlier.  Many teachers are not happy about it for various reasons.  It doesn’t bother me because I don’t have kids and don’t have to plan back to school stuff for them.

The topic for next week:  How will you celebrate Global Running Day tomorrow?  Feel free to write about this or any running-related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

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Fit Five Friday: Tips for your first marathon

Fit Five Friday-11We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts My First 5K and MoreRunning With AttitudeRun Laugh Eat PieRuns with Pugs, and me for another Fit Five Friday link-up!

I ran my first marathon in 2006.  Since then I’ve run 7 more marathons.  Throughout the years I’ve learned a couple of things here and there about training and running a marathon.  

• Have fun.  Running a marathon is one big party.  Take in everything that the crowd offers – from fruit, water, candy, and maybe the alcoholic drinks.  Just kidding.  Maybe.  

• Be prepared for anything.  I prepare as best as I can but race day doesn’t always go as we expect it to go.  Things such as weather, feeling nervous, bathroom issues, etc. happen.

• Don’t stress too much about the weather.  There isn’t much we can do about the weather except to be ready for it.  I will always remember the hot weather at the 2007 Chicago Marathon.  It was so hot that the race was cancelled.

• Rest and recover.  Training for a marathon is a lot on the body.  The body needs to recover.  We need to sleep and rest to continue to run/train for the marathon.

• Do the long runs.  I remember Bart Yasso saying this one time I went to hear him speak a few weeks before the Chicago Marathon.  He said that if you are going to skip/miss a run, don’t skip the long run.

The topic for next week – Runfessions with Marcia.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

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Tuesday Topics: My career plan

Tuesday Topics-237Happy 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!

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