Tuesday Topics: My six favorite of 2021

This week’s Tuesday Topic is: Your six favorites of 2021.  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!

What a year 2021 was!  It was full of ups and downs.  I managed to find joy in various things and here are some of my six favorite things of 2021.

⭐ Favorite Day.  It was the first day of school for the 2021-2022 school year – August 25th.

I’ve written about how the 2020-2021 school year was awful.  I was beyond happy when I found out that teachers and students were going back to the classroom.  Remote learning is a lot of work and it isn’t fun for teacher or students.  I made welcome bags for my students and was happy to see my classroom with students.  

⭐ Favorite Group Run.  I hope one day I can run with this group!  Thanks to Kim for putting this collage together.  We may not all be running together but at the same time we are.  Right, girls? 

⭐ Favorite Cat Photo. So many to pick from since I take many pictures of them.

Love my fur babies!  A coworker has 2 male kittens and it is tempting to bring them home.  However, I have no room in this apartment and I think Lola will run away if I bring two more kittens.  She already has to put up with Mateo.

⭐ Favorite Run.  August 28th when I completed my one year run streak.  

Favorite Purchase.  The Happy Planner.  Years ago my coworker told me about it but I never looked into.  Last year I saw another teacher post about it on Instagram and immediately went to Michaels to buy one.  Then I bought another one.  Then another one.  I have about 5 different ones but only use one.  I know I went overboard.  I have different tabs to organize my papers and I like how I have everything that I need for school and my students in one planner.  Saves me time as I don’t need to look in different places for one piece of paper.  

⭐ Favorite Thing I Found while Decluttering.  Two Winter coats!  I cannot remember the last time I wore these coats.  I have a few black jackets but like adding a bit of color once in a while.  It was hard to get a good picture but the blue coat is gorgeous.  I thought about donating them but I like them and will try to wear them more often.  They do bring me joy!

This was another fun topic.  It was great going through my photos to remember the good and not so good moments of 2021.  

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

Tuesday Topics

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Fit Five Friday and February 2022 Ultimate Coffee Date


Happy New Year!  I am so happy that it’s Friday!  I stayed at home for two days due to remote learning.  I’d forgotten how exhausting it is.  How did it go?  Keep on reading and you’ll find out.  I’m starting off the weekend with a little catch-up over the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah.  So grab a mug of your favorite beverage and let’s chat for a bit!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I thought that January felt like a long month.  I cannot exactly put my finger as to why but it just did.  I went back to work on the 10th so that was almost halfway through the month.  Could it be that it had 31 days but actually felt like a couple hundred?  Who knows but glad it is February.  I will be even more glad when the snow melts and we have some nice Spring weather.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I still haven’t been running.  We got more snow on yesterday prompting us to have 2 remote learning days.  It is also cold.  No thank you.  But you bet I’m still on the bike!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I was EXHAUSTED on Wednesday after my first day of remote learning.  I took a nap after my building meeting.  It went much better on Thursday and we had a lot of fun.  It was 2:43 and I told the kids they could leave or stay.  One said that school doesn’t end till 3pm.  He then reminded me that that is what I wrote in the schedule (I jokingly told him that I was going to change it).  So we stayed a bit longer.  At 2:59 I told them it was time to go.  Another student said not yet because it wasn’t 3 yet.  💖 💖

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that even though preparing for two days of remote learning took a lot of time, a little part of me is happy about it.  Why?  It was wonderful to teach and talk without a mask.  I also got to see my students without their mask.  I saw all of their cute faces and listened to them talk and laugh. << Hearing children laugh is the best!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that lately I’ve been having dreams about water.  I dream about driving my car and ending up in water but having walking on the water.  I’ve also dreamed of leaky pipes with water all over the house.  Thanks to the Internet there are different interpretations which left me even more confused.  Or maybe it simply meant that I had to use the bathroom?

Thanks for linking up with us again this week!  We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts, and we are ready to link up every Friday to share YOUR weekly fitness favorites!  Join hosts My First 5K and MoreRunning With AttitudeRun Laugh Eat PieRuns with Pugsand Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday!  Please add your link below.  I am also linking up with Running with Perseverance and Confessions of a Mother Runner for the Ultimate Coffee Date.

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Tuesday Topics: What’s on your Winter bucket list?

This week’s Tuesday Topic is: What’s on your Winter 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 do wish I could tell you that I have signed up for a few races.  I have not.  I am still waiting for the weather to improve so I can resume running.  We are supposed to get more snow tomorrow.  🙄  One of my goals this year is to do 300 Peloton rides.  As of yesterday I am at 193 leaving me with 107 to go.  I thought about changing it to 400 but who knows how it will be once I start running again.  I know I won’t take a class everyday.  

These are not exactly bucket list items but they’re a few things I want to get done or continue this Winter.  

❄️  Continue to use the Peloton bike.  I know I’ve mentioned before that Camila is my favorite instructor.  I do prefer her Spanish classes than the English classes.  She has 85 classes and I’ve taken 35 leaving me with 50 more to go.  I cannot keep up with her!  Even if I take one of her classes per day I won’t be done till maybe May.  And then I also need to take into consideration her newer classes.  Why did I wait so long?

❄️  Look for another 50k.  I would like to do one in the Chicago area.  

❄️  Train and run the Fargo Half Marathon.  OK, so this one isn’t technically in the Winter but training needs to start soon (the race is May 21).  I am not signing up yet because I don’t know what the situation will be like in May.  I thought airfare would be more expensive but it isn’t.  I checked on Sunday and it was $318 roundtrip.  But add in hotel, a rental car, and race registration and I am looking at least $500.  I guess I shouldn’t complain since I haven’t paid for any races, lodging, etc., in 2 years.  My last race was in Atlanta in 2020.

❄️ The last item is this 🏠.  I know you are all tired of hearing me talk about it so I won’t.  

Topic for next week – Your six favorites of 2021.  Feel free to write about this or any running related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

Tuesday Topics

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Fit Five Friday and January 2022 Runfessions

It’s the last Friday of the month which means Marcia has opened the Runfessional!  It’s also time for another edition of Fit Five Friday hosted by DarleneRenéeJennMichelle, and me!  Let’s get started, shall we?!

I runfess…
That I am being a wimp with this weather.  I haven’t run outside since the 18th.  Only a week.  I thought it was longer than that.  But prior to that my last run was on the 3rd.  I do not miss running right now.  At first I did but now none at all.  I am still keeping active with the Peloton.  I’ve done a class everyday this month.  Sometimes even 2, 3 or 4 rides each day which includes a warm up and a cool down.  I am proud of myself!

I runfess…
That I am postponing my 50k that I was planning to do in March.  And I am OK with it.  What was I thinking when I agreed in October knowing that I would have to train throughout the Winter?  Our Winters here are horrible!  I know others have been running outside but I really do not want to.

I runfess…
That I do not understand the whole hype with Wordle.  I see people post about it on social media and some numbers with it but don’t know what that is about either.  Do you play Wordle?

I runfess…
That I saw a post from 3 days ago about one of my favorite races – The Shamrock Shuffle.  Registration was $40 (now it is $50).  I was tempted so sign up because I love that race.  However, who knows how things will be on March 20th?  Will the race still take place?  Will it be cancelled?  I know I can run it in the morning and still make it to my coworker’s wedding in the afternoon.

I runfess…
That for some weird reason I am obsessed with the song “Tennessee Whiskey”.  There is something about the music and the voice.  I find it very relaxing.  I’ve never heard of Chris Stapleton but that song I do love.  “You’re as smooth as Tennessee whiskey.  You’re as sweet as strawberry wine.  You’re as warm as a glass of brandy.  And honey, I stay stoned on your love all the time”.  🎵 🎵 🎵

Thanks for linking up with us again this week!  We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts, and we are ready to link up every Friday to share YOUR weekly fitness favorites!  Join hosts My First 5K and MoreRunning With AttitudeRun Laugh Eat PieRuns with Pugsand Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday!  Please add your link below.  I am also linking up with Marcia for Runfessions.

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Tuesday Topics: Finding Joy in 2021

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!

My word for 2021 was Joy.  As much as we were all looking forward to 2020, it did not turn out to be like we expected.  Now that it is 2022, will it be better?  Who knows but like everyone else, I am tired.  Simply tired of Covid and all of its variants (how many can there be?) and the effects on everyone.  I thought 2021 was a bit better but not all great either.  Still, I looked for joy in it.  While it wasn’t easy I did find it.

My health.  Luckily I did not encounter any health issues.  I am grateful that I managed to stay away from the doctor or hospital (I did go for my annual physical exam and mammogram).

My students.  It was a ROUGH year and I hated it.  I started off the year teaching in a semi-empty classroom to having 22 students in my room.  I did get frustrated many times but also had many fun moments.  No matter what, they’re still kids.  

My running.  The beginning of 2021 was nonstop with snow and I hated it.  However, I managed to still run everyday for my run streak.  Running is what got me started in the morning.  I love the solitude and being able to “forget” what was happening in the world.

Spending more time with my mom.  Growing up we weren’t close.  I never had that mother/daughter relationship that most people have.  However, it has been different ever since her stroke.  She is no longer independent and relies on her daughters to help her in many aspects.  We spent HOURS listening to music while enjoying the warm days of Summer, we also watched TV, and cooked a lot.  She now tells me that since I know how to cook, that I can get married.  🤣 🤣

My friends. Unfortunately, I did not spend too much time with them.  However, I was still happy to get a message here and there knowing they were doing well.

My coworkers.  I don’t know what I would do without them.  They are always there for me.  The 2nd grade team works very well together and we tackled many difficult tasks last year.  2021 was rough for many teachers but my coworkers sure made it a bit better.  We talked and laughed a lot and made the best of it.

My cats.  My fur babies!!  They are the best.  Too bad Lola and Mateo still do not get along.  They’re both very different.  Lola is more serious and loves following me around.  Mateo is the trouble maker but still makes me laugh.

My iMac.  It was the best thing I purchased for remote learning in 2020.  I hate the small screen on my work computer.  Last year I used it mostly to catch up on work.  Now I have it in my classroom and hope I don’t get in trouble.  No where does it say we cannot take our own devices but administrators like to make their own rules.

My Brooks shoes.  I spent HOURS running in my Brooks shoes.  I was done with my  run streak in August so I ran everyday in them for almost 8 months.

My Oiselle long roga shorts.  I love running in shorts and wear long rogas on all of my runs.  I also ran many miles in these beautiful shorts.  Another great pair are the Oiselle pocket joggers.  They’re great for also storing my small water bottles.  I’ve lost count but I think I have almost 30 pairs of the long rogas.

My MAC patent polish lip pencil in Ruby.  These were discontinued in 2020 and I bought a whole bunch of them hoping to wear them in 2021.  Unfortunately I didn’t because I rarely went anywhere and when I did I had a mask.  My lip pencils are still in two boxes (yes I bought that many) and hopefully soon I can wear them.

Cooking with my mom.  I’ve learned so much from her.  We spent hours together and cooked many meals together.  I do regret not doing this sooner but am glad I am doing this now.

My new car.  I still miss my old car but I do love my new one.  Now, if I only I can get it to stay clean.  One of these days I will take it to get detailed.  There is absolutely no reason why it isn’t clean inside.  The best thing about my car is the remote starter.  Though I did confess that I didn’t find out about it till months later.  Haha, better late than never.

My running playlist.  I love running with music.  My playlist consists of Spanish and English music.  Definitely a great combo!  I use Amazon Music for my playlist and like adding new songs to it.

Making apple martinis.  My favorite drink.  I honestly do not know why I did not make them more last year.  I did have a lot of wine.  

My pens and highlighters.  Ha, I have way too many pens but I use them a lot every day.  It depends on my mood but sometimes I use black ink, then switch to purple, red, or blue.  Oh, I also have those with glitter and those with a fruity scent.  

Working with my coach.  He is truly the best.  Very patient with me.  He has always been there for me when I have great and bad runs.  He was also very supportive during my run streak.  

My blogger friends.  They’re truly the best group of running friends.  Even though I haven’t met everyone (yet), I am so lucky they’re my friends. THANK YOU!

My family.  I am grateful for the great times we had together.  We ate.  We laughed.  We talked.  We celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations.  Hopefully we can continue to do that this year.

Topic for next week – What’s on your Winter bucket list?  Feel free to write about this or any running related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

Tuesday Topics

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