Training: WEEK 13

This past week was pretty rough with finishing summer school. Hopefully next week I will be able to get in some more miles!



Monday: 1.44 mile run (very hot outside)
Tuesday: Cardio Abs
Wednesday: 3.32 mile run (indoor)
Thursday: OFF
Friday: OFF
Saturday: 4.21 mile run(587 cal.)
Sunday: Golfed 9 holes (in 90-100 degree weather)

WEEK 13 TOTALS:

• _8.97_ miles (run)
• __0__ miles (bike)
• __0__ laps (swim)

1/3 Down....2/3 to Go!

Yes! I am officially done with summer school! I can't believe how much I learned this summer to prepare myself for the school. Between Assistive Technology, Behavior Problems, Behavior Management, Advanced Methods for Learning Disabilities, Special Education Law, Inclusive Methods, & Transition to Adult Life, I must have learned something! So I am 1/3 of the way done with graduate school! It's nice when you look at it that way!

Anyway. I have a couple weeks off, and then I start back up again. The way this program works is that I will be teaching during the day, with the help of a mentor teacher, and taking night classes! In the fall I will be taking three night classes on top of getting credit for being out in the field. I will be working at a small town k-12 school, so I will be able to work will all grade levels. I beleive I will have four or five students at the elementary level and four or five at the highschool level. It is going to be a busy crazy year and I know that it will be over before I blink!

With that note, I thought I would end with a great poem my Inclusive Methods teacher showed us. It couldn't portray teaching any better! Enjoy.

THE STARFISH POEM
Once upon a time there was a wise man
who used to go to the ocean
to do his writing.
He had a habit of walking
on the beach
before he began his work.
One day he was walking along
the shore.
As he looked down the beach,
he saw a human
figure moving like a dancer.
He smiled to himself to think
of someone who would
dance to the day.
So he began to walk faster
to catch up.
As he got closer, he saw
that it was a young man
and the young man wasn't dancing,
but instead he was reaching
down to the shore,
picking up something
and very gently throwing it
into the ocean.
As he got closer he called out,
"Good morning! What are you doing?"
The young man paused,
looked up and replied,
"Throwing starfish in the ocean."
"I guess I should have asked,
why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"
"The sun is up and the tide is going out.
And if I don't throw them in they'll die."
"But, young man, don't you realize that
there are miles and miles of beach
and starfish all along it.
You can't possibly make a difference!"
The young man listened politely.
Then bent down, picked up another starfish
and threw it into the sea,
past the breaking waves and said-
"It made a difference for that one."

That feeling

Over the past week, I have come to the realization of the importance of being active. For me. I am what some might call, addicted to exercising. In a good way. I find myself stressing, especially this past week, over the miles I didn't run, or the miles I didn't put on my bike, or how I haven't even touched my swim gear in two weeks. It is driving me crazy.

My schedule has been so out of wack, and I have been having a hard time changing MY sleeping pattern to get my butt out of bed in the morning to run a few miles. All while knowing that when I get home at 5 o'clock I am NOT going to want to venture out in the 90+ degree weather with the sun attempting to burn my poor shoulders and give my that wonderful raccoon look on my face from my shades.

I love the feeling after a NICE 3 mile run as well as the feeling after a hard 3 mile run. I love the feeling after 8+ mile struggle on the bike with the wind coming from all directions, except from the back. The wind is never behind me giving me that extra push. I love the feeling that leaves your legs shaking with exhaust when you jump off your bike and attempt to walk. I love the feeling of getting in the pool, when you know it is 90+ degrees outside, and you are submerged in a cool pool. The feeling after you do a lap and are sometimes so winded you don't know how you are going to do 8 or more. The feeling of accomplishment after completing 8 laps and then pulling yourself out of the pool and feeling complete exhaustion, as if you had just worked your body harder than you ever had before in the pool. The feeling that your body has reached a point of starvation becuase you had work pretty much every muscle in your body to a point of fatigue in that darn pool.

But....

I don't like the feeling of not being able to get out there and do any of those things. I don't like those days where you just can't seem to fit in that run. I know for a fact that if I am able to get my butt out of bed at 5:30 in the morning to do a few miles, I will be able to go the rest of the day without feeling guilty, feeling as if I cheated myself and my body, and feeling as if I DID accomplish something today. I don't like that feeling when I look at my training log and realized that I haven't been on my bike for over 2 weeks. Or I haven't swam in a week+.

I realized today, that I am not the only one that has that feeling. That feeling has most definitely turned into an addiction. This is an addiction for me. A good one, I suppose. But, sometimes it consumes my mind. I was reading TriSaraTops entry earlier while catching up on some reading of other blogs and I knew exactly what she was talking about. It was soo true. So true.

As for today, I didn't like the feeling that I couldn't get out of bed this morning to run 3 miles, even though it was a perfect 59 degrees outside with no rain (like yesterday). But, I am planning on hitting up the gym at 4 after class, hoping to run those three miles I didn't do this morning. And maybe...just maybe I will like that feeling so much that I will go further. Further than three miles.

Happy runnings, y'all!

Training: WEEK 12

Monday: 3.2 mile run, 20 min. ab & ab jam
Tuesday: OFF
Wednesday: 4.17 mile run
Thursday: OFF
Friday: OFF
Saturday: Turbo Sculpt (40min.)
Sunday: 2 mile bike

WEEK 12 TOTALS:

• _7.37_ miles (run)
• __2__ miles (bike)
• __0__ laps (swim)

Crap Week

It's been a while since I have blogged.


But, I have been busy.


It's definitely been a CRAP WEEK.


Just class, homework...and then stressing over this....









Yeah. That's my car. WAS my car. And now it's totalled. It's been an awful week. I am not too happy about that. The accident wasn't my fault. I was able to walk away from the crash with nothing but shock.

The interesting thing was, I was heading to the bank to deposit a couple checks and then off to put gas in my car, get a car wash, and then an oil change. Oddly enough.

So with all that, I haven't done much running. Only a couple times this week. Hopefully this coming week will be better.

Heat, heat, and more heat....

Well, I think I just ran at the worst time of day. EVER. What was I thinking. I just completed 3.23 miles at 6pm. I came home to turn the local news on and found that it was 84 degrees. Oops. It didn't feel that warm when I left class at 430, but it was warm when I ran. Atleast a lot of my path was shaded, and there was somewhat of a wind. Plus, I wasn't feeling too exhausted, and new better to turn around if I did. I knew if I didn't run now, I wouldn't be able to enjoy my evening with my homework! I should have just gotten up this morning at 530. Oh well. Tomorrow.

I was quite upset with my Garmin today. I actually had to keep myself from yelling profanities at it. Made me think of RR!! Hehehe. But I was upset. For the first time in a long time, I just ran out 1.6 miles and turned around. I guess it was my intention to really see how well this garmin worked. Well, on the way back, it said that it wasn't getting a signal....right after I had looked at it and it said my pace was 30:14. I DON'T THINK SO!! So, when I got back to my apartment, it said I had only got 3.08 miles! Ha! That is impossible if I went out 1.6 miles I should have been at 3.2 miles. How frustrating! Makes me wonder how many runs of mine in the past were actually longer than I clocked!

While out running, I noticed how so many of the yards around here are dryer than dry. Not good. ND could really use a good week of rain. With us being in a state of drought, it's not only our yards that are suffering.... so are our wheat fields! We all are wishing for rain...and lots of it!

Happy runnings, y'all!

8 Seconds, 6.2 Mile Walk, & White Wedding

8 SECONDS:

Friday night, Dad and I went to the PBR! Professional Bull Riding! It was my first time and I was so excited! I have wanted to go for quite a few years, and was excited to hear that it was taking place the weekend I was going to be home AND that my Dad was interested in going!

We went friday night and there were 43 bullriders. Only 8 rode in the long go, so they had to draw a couple more for the short go. Jason Bennett took the lead that night with riding in the long go and the short go, but he took third overall, after saturday night!

What was really exciting was to see Chris Shivers ride! He is awesome. He usually doesn't do these short shows, but did this one, becuase he likes ND, and was only able to ride in the long go. He is worth a lot of money people.

Another exciting thing to see was Little Yellow Jacket! The Bull. From Mandan, ND! Wahoo! He is one awesome bull, 1700 lbs. He is retired now. But, we got to see a bullrider attempt to ride his son Red Jacket that night! What a great experience!


6.2 MILE WALK:
Saturday morning we (Mom, Dad, Sis2, and me) got up early to do the 6 mile walk for the Prairie Rose State Games. We decided to head out early, since it was to get to 110 degrees that day! Yeeks. Boy, was it warm by the time we were done. I still forget how many hills are in Bismarck. Wow! What a workout!

WHITE WEDDING:
Last night we went up to Minot to go to a friends wedding. Beautiful. It was outdoors, at the park and was gorgeous. Fun times. Even in the hot hot hot weather! The bride was beautiful!


As for the coming week, I start a new session of two classes. They will go for the next two weeks from 8-5 and I am wondering when I am going to get my runs in. I hate to have to run indoors on the treadmill, but I will not be running outdoors at 5pm...yuck. Too hot!

Happy Runnings, y'all!

Training: WEEK 11

Monday: 4.1 mile run, 20 min. ab
Tuesday: 8 lap swim, 20 min. ab & ab jam
Wednesday: 1.5 mile run, cardio/ab
Thursday: 1.55 mile run, 8 lap swim
Friday: 5.56 mile run
Saturday: 6.2 mile walk (Prairie Rose games)
Sunday: body sculpting

WEEK 11 TOTALS:

• __12.8_ miles (run)
• _6.2__ miles (walk)
  
• _0__ miles (bike)
• _16__ laps (swim) (1/2 mile)
  

What the heck?!

First off, since I was scheduled to do 5 miles on wednesday and did only 1.5, I attempted to run at the gym yesterday before my scheduled 1/4 mile swim with my sister. Yeah, that was a joke. I figured I could get a few miles in, but when I showed up they said that they were probably going to have to close the gym due to the temperature in there. It was 87.5 degrees, and they close it at 88 degrees. 88 DEGREES! Good thing we are getting a new Wellness Center, this one doesn't have central air, I swear. So, I got on to run and was sweating in no time. She came to inform me that they were closing at 3pm, so I was just able to get in 1.5 miles. What a joke. Grr.

Sis and I swam 1/4 mile and were exhausted. It is so different when you HAVE to swim the whole length of the pool without stopping!

Well, this morning I had scheduled my long run since I was going to be out of town the rest of the weekend (wedding & taking part in the Prairie Rose games 6 mile walk on saturday). So, after a late night of volleyball, I got up at 5:20 this morning to run 8 miles. I ate a peice of toast, drank some water and hit the road. I probably made it to 3 miles and my left toes were bothering me. It was hurting so bad that I had to stop, take my shoe and sock off to see what was rubbing. Oh, just a blister. That had just POPPED. Plus, another blister was forming on another toe!

What the heck?! Why now? Why today, of all days.

So I struggled with that pain. By the time I reached 4.5 miles, I was really struggling with pain on my right shin.

What the heck?!

I figured, what is 3.5 more miles now, thinking I could just force myself to finish and be done with it. Nope. Did A LOT of walking. Too much to even mention. I was disgusted. I was upset. I had to turn home.

I did 5.5 miles and not a tenth more. I was not happy. So I numbed the heck out of my shins and knees. This is not looking good. I am starting to have a bad attitude about this training business. Why now? I ran 7 miles two weeks ago with barely a problem. Ughhh...

Maybe my next post will be a little more positive!

Oh, the humanity...I mean, HUMIDITY

I am getting really sick of the humidity. It wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't mixed with 80-90 degree weather and no breeze.

Last night as I was thinking about my 5 miler I had planned for the morning, I was watching the weather channel, hoping that at 6am, the weather was going to be somewhat cool with a little breeze.

Well, I got up at 6am, and was out the door by 6:30 ( I don't know what I did with that half hour), and off I went. Wow. It was already 68 degrees, sun was up and IN-CHARGE...

I felt a slight breeze, somewhat warm, when I started out. Until about I reached about .3 miles and I didn't feel it ever again. Nope. I was sweating profusely. It didn't help that I woke up this morning hot. You know those times you get up and you wish you would have had a fan blowing on your DIRECTLY, or slept under the air-conditioner....I hate that feeling...

So, anways.... I didn't make it that far. I knew before I left the apartment that I wasn't going to do my 5 miles, I figured I would split it in half between today and tomorrow. Well, I got to my 1mile and had to go to the bathroom really bad. I will spare you the details, lets just say I got home as soon as I could.

Tomorrow, I think I am just going to bike in the morning and maybe swim in the afternoon. We will be having our first volleyball game (of our second session) tomorrow night! I can't wait! We are getting t-shirts done, so watch for photos on my upcoming posts!

On a different note ---> WATER....

We all know what is good for us. And in my previous post I discussed an article I read in Runner's World on how much water should be taken in while running. I was doing so research today and came across some things that we all probably know already:

Breaking down body fat and body muscle during weight loss produces wastes that must be eliminated through the kidneys. Drinking enough water is important to keep the kidneys functioning to remove these wastes.
Drinking 500 mL of water (a half-liter or about a pint) increased the study participants' metabolism briefly - for about a half hour. In that time they burned an extra 25 calories.


They say....8 glasses a day! Wow...that is a lot. I know I drink a lot of water already, but some people just don't like it... how is a person to take in all that water in a way that they can enjoy it? Any ideas? Any thoughts?

Swimming & Reading

Swimming & reading today...not together, though...

Sis and I swam this afternoon.... 8 laps! Go us! They lengthened the pool (actually took out the pool divider) so we struggled with trying to figure out our actual difference... so we swam 8 full lengths of the pool, which we figured was 400 meters...equaling a quarter of a mile. Phew... that was a lot of work! 1 full length of the pull is a lot harder than half...no stopping...wow...

Earlier this afternoon, while sitting outside and enjoying the heat, I was reading. Yes. Fun reading. NO homework. I actually have some time this week to do some reading for fun! Oh, have I missed this favorite pass-time of mine. Unfortunately this available time won't last for ever...just a few days...

Anyway. I was reading. Runner's World. And there was a story in there about drinking water and running. I know for SURE that I am not the only runner out there that worries about NOT drinking enough water and drinking TOO much water while running. Here is the basic overview of the article....
You've got two terms ---> dehydration and hyponatremia (overhydration and diluting of blood-sodium levels)

• It used to be said that you could never get too much fluids while running. Then there were cases of hyponatremia where people died and that changed. But now, it basically stated that if you are thirsty, you should drink some, and if you aren't, don't force yourself to drink.
• No two people are alike. Listen to your body.
• Pay attention to the color of your urine (I know...gross). But, if it is clear, you are drinking too much; if it is darker, like the color of ice tea, you are NOT drinking enough

I just thought this was all very interesting and good to know.

Another question...I suppose I could just research it, but that wouldn't be like me...

What is lactic acid, and what causes it? I know people get build-up from it during running..but what really causes it??

Ha! I knew there would be atleast 1 Twins player participating in the All Star Game! JOE MAUER!!!! I was searching to find the AL and NL roster, but was unsuccessful...Now I guess I just have to watch the game!

Must get to bed, gotta get up at the b*tt-crack of dawn to avoid heat and humidity... 'cause when they combine, it can be miserable!

Happy Runnings!

RUNNING...and other stuff

RUNNING:
I haven't run since my long run friday morning. Here's the report:
Got up. Got ready. Drank some water. Stretched. Grabbed my Garmin, Nano, and Heart monitor. Out the door I went. USUALLY, it only takes a couple minutes for the Garmin to register. Nope. Not this morning. I sat in the grass for nearly a half hour waiting. Then I just decided to go. This changed my route completely. I had to go a way that I new were mile 1 and mile 2 were, so when my Garmin DID register, I could hit start. Mile 2, it was ready. So I am running. It is already after 8am. Very humid. Miserably humid. I am running. And running. I reach mile 4.5 and am dying of thirst. I take a detour and run through a park hoping to get water from the water fountain. I forgot that it wasn't working the last time Sis and I went through, so I hit up the sink in the bathroom. Gross. Warm water. And off I went. Now it was even hotter, about 8:30am...and more humid. Since I had to take a detour, my route was all messed up, and I ended up doing some running on a "highway". Yeah. then I finally found a path and was almost hit by a dirk truck. He saw me, I slowed down, he didn't move, then I passed him and he started to move. I almost CRAPPED my pants. Then I got close to my place and my Garmin said 7.4. My left upper thigh (probably a groin muscle) was hurting and I didn't think I could pick my legs up for another half a mile. So I got home at 7.5 miles. I didn't reach 8, but I did more than last week. Not the greatest run. Hopefully this week will be better.

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WEEKEND:
I was out of town this weekend. I hit the road after work on friday and spent a wonderful weekend with a couple of my best friends. Oh, it was so fun. Friday night we went out for dinner and then drank at their apartment while reminiscing over photos from our first three years of college. We laughed and we laughed. It was so much fun. Then we had some serious talks and that was good too! Saturday we slept in late, due to being up until 4:30 in the morning. We did a little shopping and then we had a nice homecooked meal and spent the evening watching some movies. So much fun! Thanks so much JDG and JTA for letting me stay! You guys are going to have to come up here some weekend!

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This week is going to be great. It is my last week of of classes for THIS six-week session. I am so pumped. I just have a few little things to do for my three class, and I am done. Then I start a new 2-week session next week. Yeah!
I am so sad. Summer is going to be over before I know it and I will be heading back into the classroom as a teacher and a student. Crazy!

So, this girl HAS to run in the morning, and I am looking for something different to do. Something besides running out 2 miles, and coming back. Any ideas? Anything fun that can still work as one of my shorter runs? I would love any ideas!

Well, I am off to finish my homework. Happy runnings y'all.

Training: WEEK 10

Monday: 4.4 mile run
Tuesday: went golfing, ab workout
Wednesday: 4 mile run, ab workout
Thursday: OFF, 20 min. ab workout
Friday: 7.5 mile run
Saturday: OFF
Sunday: OFF

WEEK 10 TOTALS:

• _15.9_ miles (run)
• _0_ miles (bike)
• _0_ laps (swim)

Anxious??...Nervous??...

Lately, I have noticed a reaccuring behavior before my long runs. Especially the last few weeks...

The night before, I usually find my mind wandering, thinking about my run the next morning..... and from there my stomach starts to turn with eeny weeny little butterflies. Just little ones.

Why is that?

Am I anxious? Am I nervous? What's the deal?

Tonight after my class got out at 8pm, I started to think about the things I need to do to get ready for my run in the morning:

Where am I going to find 8 miles of good ground to run on? (there are many different paths here, but none that are much longer than a couple miles).....
I need to remember to throw my powerade in the freezer (this way it is nice and slushy by the time I am done with my run).. . . ...
What time should I get up for my run, this depending on:

• when do I work tomorrow? 11am.
  
• What is the morning weather going to be like? rainy around 9am, must be done before 9am...

Is my nano charged?....I think so..
Did I drink enough water tonight? I did have to leave class tonight twice in three hours to go to the bathroom....
I should do some stretching before I go to sleep, can never stretch too much, right?
I need to put something in my tummy before I run, but not too close to my take off.
Then, what time should I hit the hay, so I get enough beauty sleep...? 10pm the latest...


I SHOULDN'T be nervous. My 7 miles last saturday went really well. I am sure that the paved paths (not cememt) along the beautiful Missouri River helped.

So.. ... my run tomorrow should go wonderful!

WHY DO I GET THIS ANXIOUS FEELING?

Could I really be that excited to run? Yeah. Maybe! I do tend to look forward to my long runs. I think I like the idea of seeing how far this body of mine can actually go! I have NEVER ran 8 consecutive miles before in my entire 25 years of living! EVER!

Wish me luck, y'all! I am off to bed...hoping to get a good 8 hours before my WONDERFUL 8 mile run! If I can find 8 miles in the darn town...

Special Education

So, tonight was the second to last night for my Special Ed Law class...Yeah! Due to the lack of participation in the class, I tend to get sleepy and find my mind wandering.. So, tonight during one of the many power point presentations, I found myself creating an acrostic poem... kinda.

Here it is:

Goals ... must be measurable, annually
Related services .. OT/PT
Accommodations & modifications
Discussions, discussions, discussions
Under pressure
Assessments
Time?.... time to do what?
Evaluations ... every 3 years or sooner

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Children are our primary focus
Highly qualified teachers ... it will never end
On the mind ....
Out the mouth - - > ADHD students
Least restrictive environment

Skimming...it's the new way to read in graduate school
Progress monitoring
Education, Free & Appropriate Public (FAPE)
Charting, charting, & some more charting
Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA 2004)
Alphabet soup ... ED, EBD, MR, DCD, HI, VI, OHI, ODD, OCD, ADHD, etc.
Laws ... regulations ... how do we remember them all?!

Eligibility
Discipline
Unique learners taught on an individual basis
Characteristics of services
Autism; 1 in 166 children diagnosed
Technology, assistive
Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
One percent rule for alternate assessments
No Child Left Behind. ... PERIOD.

4 miles

Jog/walked 4 miles this morning. Very humid...and warm already. Plus, my Garmin batteries went dead halfway through the run. Real cool. I think I was still tired from the weekend and golfing yesterday! Not the greatest workout today, but I completed it. I also did an ab workout. I am sure I will be feeling that tomorrow....

Happy runnings, y'all!

Happy Independence Day!

What a wonderful weekend. Full of fun times with family and friends.

Yesterday, after a nice jog with my parents, I spent some time at the "art in the park" with mom and came home empty handed! That's okay.

From there, SAS and I went on the river with her boy and some friends. What a beautiful time of day...

That was fun! After looking over some pictures, I wasn't too please with how I looked in a bathing suit....definitely going to work on that... eeks....

I spent the early evening playing catch with my Dad and my sisters...mom watching and taking photos..


As for this Independence Day, it's been a gorgeous day.

Got up this morning and went golfing with the family .... very interesting. I definitely need to do some practice before the family golf tournament the end of the month. Actually, we all do!

Then I spent most of the afternoon on the road back to GFK. Yeah. Not so much. I will be spending the next few hours trying to finish a couple assignments for class tomorrow...and hopefully view some fireworks from my lonesome apartment! Ha!

Tomorrow morning I will be hitting the trails for a nice run!

Happy runnings, y'all!

Monday Run

Went for a run this morning with my parents. By the time that we were finished, it was 70 degrees and the sun was hot.

It was a nice little jaunt, I kept it cool with some walking since I was somewhat sore from saturday's long run. I ran 4.4 miles today. I don't know how accurate this Garmin was, becuase it seemed like it took us forever to get our first mile down. I am going to blame it on the large trees surrounding us!

As part of our "after run" ritual...we are heading for coffee...I won't be having coffee, but will enjoy a nice frozen Berry Tea Blast...and then hopefully over to the "Art in the Park"!

Happy Runnings, y'all!

Training: WEEK 9

Monday: 3.5 mile run
Tuesday: 15 laps swim ( miles)
Wednesday: 3.14 mile run
Thursday: OFF
Friday: OFF
Saturday: 7.05 mile run
Sunday: OFF

WEEK 9 TOTALS:

• __13.66_ miles (run)
• __0_ miles(bike)
• __15_ laps (swim)

It's July and Beautifully Hot!

Quick post here.

I am on "vacation" in my hometown with my family ...fun times!

I just wanted to post my 7 miles I ran this morning. It was only 67 degrees, but there was 95% humidity and not a single breeze. Yikes. But, it went well! I for sure thought that I was going to end up taking an ice bath afterwards, but didn't need to. Nope.

Happy July y'all. Hopefully everyone wonderful weather like it! I am going to go and soak some rays now...