This and that

Lot's going on in my world:

• I finished another grad class. Half way there!!
  
• Passed a class to get my conceal and carry permit without shooting any innocent bystanders, myself, or the instructor.

• Today is my daughter's last day of 3rd grade.  Damn I'm getting old.

• Next week is our last week of classes.  BRING on summer vaca!!

• I recently signed on to be a Body by Vi promoter and I'm SUPER excited about it.  It takes a lot to convince me to take on such an endeavor so that should tell you how much I love their products.  I started the program myself about a month ago and am amazed at the noticeable difference in my energy levels.  I love being able to share my passion of living a healthy lifestyle with others!

• Sunday I'm running a half marathon.  That's right...me who was just recently worried about getting through a 5k without collapsing is running (wogging) 13.1 miles.  Who'd a thought?  I'm pry not as ready as I should be but so be it.  I've read the rules of race etiquette so I don't get mean looks from the fast ppl, given up (cut back) my beloved Ultra, charged my iPod and Garmin, drank so much water my phone calls are being forwarded to the bathroom, and  packed outfits for every weather scenario.  So, I'm as ready as I'm going to be!  

 Have an amazing weekend everyone!!

Denial

Houston, we have a problem....in the form of a shiny skinny can:

 

Went for a run this afternoon after the wind finally went down after blowing for what seems like a month.  To say I was sluggish may be an understatement.  I stopped several times to adjust my holster when really I was pry just looking for an excuse to take a breather.  

A lil nagging voice in the back of my head has been warning me of the dangers of over indulgence, but I've remained in a state of oblivious denial.  However, as May 5th comes upon me like a bad dream, I have to face the light and set some ground rules.  It pains me really to say this, but I'm enforcing a 2 can limit of my beloved Ultra.  Please don't judge me.

To further convince myself, I googled the effects of alcohol on athletic performance.  I found an interesting study published by Princeton University and the NCAA.  To summarize:

1. Alcohol use cancels out gains from a workout.

2. Alcohol causes dehydration and slows the body's ability to heal.

3. Alcohol use prevents muscle recovery.

4. Alcohol use depletes your source of energy.

5. Alcohol use constricts endurance.

In less than a month I'll be running a half marathon.   While I have no delusions of breaking any speed records, I would like it to be as enjoyable as possible and crawling across the finish line in front of the thousands that arrive before me does not sound enjoyable.  That being said, I'm going to need the support of each and every one of you.  Thanks in advance.  Sincerely, Me.

Sisterly Love

My sister and I do strangely same things on a regular basis.  It's embarrassing, really.  Our husbands call us Bipsy and Bopsy.  Annoying.

We frequently show up places wearing either the same outfits or the same but different outfits.  We coach and play various sports together, and I can't tell you the number of times we've showed up at practice wearing the exact same outfit.  Sometimes in different colors but sometimes the exact same.  Our players have come to expect it and mock us accordingly. 

 Last night we had a family birthday party for our oldest children, and she showed up wearing the exact shirt I had on only in a different color.  Beotch.  Funny thing is that no one even made fun of us.  That must mean we're getting predictable.  To be on the safe side, we now call each other before going to any major event so we don't look like we coordinated our outfits. I'm sure they do the same.

Last month, I wrote a blog about what a complete nerd I was.  On the exact same day she posted a blog about being a geek.  I quickly commented on her blog that I had not read it before people naturally assumed I'd gotten my great idea from her. 

Last week, I showed up at the local pub sporting a cute new top, and she informed me she already had it.  Note to self: call Heather before buying cute new tops in the hopes that she already has it, and I can just borrow it from her (and forget to return it). 

It's not always all bad being the younger sister (hey, if 2 random high school students assumed this then so be it).  Sometimes, when I go into the local grocery store in the town over they think I'm her and just assume I'll be charging 'it' to the ranch.  I'm thinking I could really take advantage of this situation.  Groceries and diesel are pretty expensive........

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy f'n Valentine's Day.  I'm not a fan.  Once Shane bought me flowers and I told him how silly it was.  I explained that that they just end up dying, and I could have spent that $$$ on clothes or beer or shoes, which is what I did yesterday.  

Yes, I have a problem.  Still searching for my soul mate of running shoes.  They are Mizuno Wave Riders.  After reading the reviews, I wanted to try the 15s but the sale price of the 14s lured me in.  I'll let ya know how they pan out.

Back to this sickening day of love.  I really don't "feel" it.  I tolerate love my friends and family every day.  Why do we need a day for people to post loving annoying tributes to their loved ones (which make me throw up a lil in my mouth) all over Facebook and desktops everywhere.  Ugh.  

Is it sinful that I'm not going to spend the evening professing my love to neither my husband or my kids but am instead traveling to a basketball game with friends?  Me think not.

Catch-up

While I haven't blogged for nearly a week, I have been writing intriguing exciting posts in my head.  I've also been racing around like a crazy woman and I think this is the first time I've had to just sit.  Ahhhhh.....

So, to play catch up:

Thursday - home with sick kid:(
Friday - SNOW DAY:)!!   Home with sick kid:(  Did get in a 4 mile run though.
Saturday - Met up with some friends and took kids snowmobiling/sledding.  Fun times.
Sunday - Ran SIX, that's right SIX miles.  Very big deal for me!!
Monday - Won first round of JH BB Conference Tourny.  Did hours of makeup homework with my daughter. 

Today - Won the second round of BB tourny.  It was a GREAT day.  The girls have made huge strides this year, especially in the mental aspect of the game.  Our goal today was to control the pace of the game.  We had our moments of getting carried away in the frenzy, but each time the girls calmed themselves and reaped the benefits!  Yay us!!  On the way home two girls told me that their favorite part of the game was looking over and seeing me smiling (and maybe jumping up and down).  Another girl, who is normally very quiet, told me that she was, "just happy".  It was for sure one of those coaching "moments" when you feel like all the drama, criticism, and self doubting that tend to go along with coaching adolescents are worth it.  We'll play our last game for this season Thursday and I'm super pumped.  The girls made a special request that I wear the exact same clothes Thursday that I wore today.  Apparently, Heather did that for them once so they expect nothing less from me.  

Gee, thanks.

Nerd Alert

I've come to the conclusion that I am a complete nerd.  

Allow me to illustrate:

•  I love getting new classroom supplies.  Books, pens, hand sanitizer (yes, that's right), calendars, etc...It's like my first day of teaching all over again.
  
• I love taking classes and adding to my endorsement.  The other day I was checking my grades during English 12 and was so excited to see I got a 50/50 on my first paper this semester that I shared my success with 12 seniors.  They laughed....and called me names.  I'm okay with that.
  
• I'm obsessed with data and charts.  I love hooking up my garmin and seeing my times and maps.  Same for daily mile.  It thrills me to know I've powered x number of tv's through running.  Really, sometimes when I'm debating whether to run or not, I imagine the thrill I'll get when I get to hook up my garmin and analyze my workout.  Also, I love to graph my students' test scores and use the data to pat myself on the back or kick myself in the ass, whatever is needed. 
  
• I love trying new software.  I recently switched from Quickbooks to Quicken (after trying out a handful of freeware offerings and spending hours making my ultimate decision).
  
• Today I spent two hours previewing a new textbook I want to use next year.  Once again, I expressed my excitement to my students and they laughed....and called me names.  Still okay with that.

I totally do this!

In an attempt to embrace my inner nerdiness, I consulted Google who pointed me to Urban Dictionary for further explanation:

Nerd

A person who gains pleasure from amassing large quantities of knowledge about subjects often too detailed or complicated for most other people to be bothered with. Often mistaken for Geeks, who aspire to become nerds, yet lack the intelligence, and end up giving nerds a bad name due to their poor social skills. Non-nerds are often scared of nerds, due to their detailed knowledge, and therefore seemingly high levels of intelligence - and subsequently denegrate them as much as possible as often as possible. Nerds exist covertly within the fabric of society, often choosing to 'nerd it up' in private or in the company of fellow nerds. It is for this reason they are feared the most - unlike geeks, who are easily identified, nerds can only be found out when casual conversation reaches a subject that they like nerding.   So, there you go.  Release your inner nerd!

Zero to hero

It's amazing how fast one can go from zero to hero.  Monday I ran with Tara and Katie and I sucked.....wind.  I was an utter failure.  Tuesday, Tara and I ran a shorter distance and it was OK.  Today I ran with Tara again and, BAM, went farther than I intended and wasn't scaring small children with my heavy breathing.  It's great to feel confident before my long run this weekend.  Thanks, Tara!!

On to total randomness.  For supper Tuesday night I ate a handful of fries, 2 bites of a cheeseburger, 3 bites of a grilled cheese and a bowl of cereal.  Tonight I ate 2 scrambled eggs, toast, 3 hershey kisses, and am now munching on dry fruit loops.   

Have I mentioned I have a student teacher this semester for 2 of my classes?  I should be loving it....  sitting around watching someone else do the work.  It's torture. She's doing a good job, but I'm so worried about scores and content and if she's better than me what they might be missing.  She is probably super tired of me looking over her shoulder all the time, so today I subbed for another teacher and got out of the room.  Not going to lie, though, I did stand outside the door and lurk out of sight several times.  Aside from the teaching aspect...I really miss those students:(  And, I might have a slight major control issue.

One last thing....Often during a run or workout, I feel as if I might die.  I've found a very simple solution to forging on.  SMILE.  Do you know how hard it is to feel miserable when you are smiling?  I'm sure I look like a complete idiot, but I'm fine with that.  Try it and let me know how it works for you.