I survived the first week of school. Can I survive 5 miles?

Last week we were supposed to begin school on Monday. But on Saturday, we had a nice little storm that knocked out electricity to 150,000 people in our city and a lot of the schools in my district. So fast forward to Wednesday, and we actually got to have the first day of school.

I have never felt exhaustion like I did this year. Even being in labor for almost 20 hours with the little one four plus years ago seemed easy-peasy compared to this week. This coming week will be an actual 5 day week, and I am wondering if I should take a sick day already! Seriously, though, I am going to be depending on caffeine and getting to bed early to get me through.

Because of this exhuastion, I have taken 2 rest days (Friday and Saturday). So that means today has to be the dreaded long run day. 5 miles. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

I'm thinking that I will do as much as possible on the treadmill (maybe 4?) and then head outside for about a mile. My last outside run resulted in muscles so sore I felt like limping all day. That's what I get for thinking I could run outside on concrete at 6 a.m. without warming up first. It was only a mile! I've ran much longer than that before in the afternoon or evening and not had any soreness. I'm almost positive that was my body's way of saying, "You don't need to run in the morning!" My thoughts all along. 

In other news, there is a small possibility that I may be teaching 5th grade this year. Yes, school has already started, I know. I am a special education teacher. I work with 4th and 5th grade. There is a 5th grade teacher that is going to retire in November. I would like to take her place when she leaves. The team of teachers I work with would like for that to happen too.

I am certified to teach both special ed and regular ed. I was always waiting for the perfect opportunity to move into regular education, and I think this may be it. Don't get me wrong, I love special ed. But in my school district, if you are a special ed teacher, you are expendable. Year to year it depends on our numbers of students with special needs as to whether I stay or go. And the numbers have been dwendling every year. Next year most likely I will lose my position at my school. So that makes this decsion easier. That and the fact that I will still get to work with the same kids and teachers I am currently working with.

So I may be updating soon about my principal's decision to either keep me where I am or move me to 5th grade. *Fingers crossed!*

Another Teacher Day And Why I Will Always Strength Train

Today I was in another lovely all day professional development session, but this time, no physical stuff. I really think these meetings where I sit all day are the worst. I cannot sit all day, I am a little ADHD (self diagnosed!). This was the first time I had to sit and focus in a long time, so I was really done by 2:00. And these little treats did not help the situation...

Don't get me wrong, it was a good session, just too long for me to sit. We did do some activities that were related to the new math standards that we will be teaching this coming year. Here's a sample of what my group did to show our strategies for solving a difficult math word problem:

This is what we would ask kids to do in a group to practice solving problems and having discourse about math with their peers. I love this kind of teaching. Inquiry based, student-directed and meaningful.

On to my running (or lack thereof). I have not ran since Sunday night. I took a rest day yesterday because of all the physical stuff we did in my training. I should have ran anyway, because today my glutes and hamstrings are screamin'!!! A little run will loosen them up, but Satan Jillian and her strength training is going to have to wait until tomorrow. I could easily do the upper body stuff, but lower body strength training is not happening.

Speaking of strength training, I read an article Weights Vs. Cardio: Your Guide To The Perfect Body (as if...). I have recently become aware of the need to strengthen my body by cross-training, which includes strength training. I have been injured in the past from just running and doing nothing else.

"It's not that running as an exercise is bad, but it puts a fair amount of stress on your muscles and joints. Recreational runners can have injuries caused by weakness in the core and hip-stabilizing muscles. The better plan is to take time to develop the muscles of your core and hips first instead of jumping off the couch and running three miles."

"For the hip stabilizers, start off with basic single-leg exercises like split-squats, lunges and step-ups. For the core, exercises like front planks, side planks and bird dogs will help get you stronger and more stable, making you much less likely to injure yourself when you do decide to run that 5K."

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/421082-weights-vs-cardio-your-guide-to-the-perfect-body/#ixzz1SbG8rwaG

I cannot say enough about Ripped in 30. Though I may complain, I love the way my body is changing. Running changed my body, yes, but not in the same intense way as a little strength training has. I look more toned, I am losing weight (which I have not from running) and I feel stronger. Holding my 4 year old does not wear me out in 2 minutes like it used to.

I am stronger at 32 years old than I have ever been in my life. I'm not saying you need to go out and buy Jillian's DVD's or even any workout "program", heck, you could strength train with some hand weights on your own and get results. But for me, I needed directions on what to do and how long to do it in order to be successful.

Running is definitely improving my cardiovascular health, as well as my mental health. But because I haven't been running extremely long distances, there hasn't been a whole lot in the way of weight loss or improve strength. Yes, my calves have gotten more muscular from running, but the rest of my legs and body have been lacking. Since I have been strength training, I have been able to run longer distances without walking, and I am improving my time per mile by a few seconds every time I run. I highly recommend strength training to anyone, runner or not, in order to improve your overall fitness, lose weight or to just feel better. I know I do.

A Weekend Trip and A Day Back to Work

I had a nice weekend with family. We traveled a few hours away to visit my sister-in-law and her fam for my nephew's baptism on Sunday. I forgot my camera, so all I got were these crappy iPhone pictures:

My nephew, daughter and niece

I mostly ate horribly. But I did have one really big, yummy salad. Sometimes I can make good choices when everyone else is eating burgers and fries...

 I was able to workout on Saturday before leaving, and then I ran a mile last night when we got back. I was literally running at 10:45 last night. Oh what I won't do to get a run in...

Then today I got a taste of what's to come. Back to work for the day.

I had a 7 hour "professional development" on Safe Crisis Management. This is what we use in our schools in any incidence where a student becomes physically violent towards themselves or someone else. Basically, if I have to, I can safely restrain a student to prevent  him or her from hurting someone. Everything from breaking up a fight to calming a kid down in a crisis situation. I work in a large urban school district with a large population of students that come from proverty, abuse,  and neglect and don't always have those coping skills to handle anger or other strong emotions.

Every year I have a 1 day "recertification" and then every other month I attend practice sessions. For the recertification today, I had to perform a lot of physical holds, first in practice and then for a test. It's almost like wrestling, only methodical and only used in an emergency. There is a lot of lifting, bearing another person's weight and moving up and down on the floor. My knees are sore and bruised. But I did notice that strength-wise, I am able to handle someone larger than me, which was really difficult a year ago. I guess all this strength training and running is paying off in more ways than one!

 My plan was for today to be a rest day. But I'm feeling antsy and really need to get back on the Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30 wagon. I am having a hard time lately taking a rest day. It's almost like I'm afraid I'll gain weight or lose some muscle tone if I don't. I feel lazy.

How many rest days do you take? Is it hard for you to take them?

Motivation on a Monday

I need some motivation to go run and do day 5 (week 1) of Ripped in 30. It all sounded so great last night at 2:00 in the morning. I could have ran for miles without any problem. Why didn't I get up and just run? Probably because I had to get up early this morning for a play date for the little one. I did get up and quietly roll the garbage cans and recycling out to the street because the dear hubs forgot to put them out again. Thanks, honey for contributing to my insomnia. As if your snoring doesn't do enough for that...

Yesterday was a eat every carb in sight and lay around, a.k.a. rest day. We had a church picnic, complete with canoeing in the 100 degree, 100% humidity weather. So needless to say, I ate a lot of broccoli salads, potatoes and cake. And then there was my husband's grandma's 94th birthday party. With Kentucky Fried Chicken. And cake, again. Other than getting up to refill my plate and a little rowing on the canoe, I was a big lump of lazy yesterday. At least I got some cute pictures.

Today's weather is even worse. It feels like it's about 5 degrees cooler than hell outside right now. We have another "excessive heat warning", so there is no chance I will be running outside today or tonight. I need to run, but not bad enough to die doing it. So my treadmill will be my best friend again today, like so many hot (and cold) days before.  I hope it is not as hot where you are...

Some Sanity on a Monday

Well, I am feeling a little more human today, but still not 100%. Wondering if I should try out a short run on the treadmill or just rest for another day. That would be 4 rest days in a row, thanks to the weekend trip and this wonderful stomach thing that is going on. I've got to do something, maybe a slow jog or even just walking?

It is SO humid outside already, there is no way I could run outside. Even on a healthy day. So call me a wimp. Or maybe a diva. Either way, I'm not sure anyone would want to run outside in this heat and humidity.

Anyone that has ever lived in or visited the Ohio Valley in summer knows that the humidity is what kills us. It is only 80 degrees right now, but with 76% humidity and no wind it feels closer to 90. I think our heat/humidity is similar to places like Florida. I'm sorry, but I don't like to run in a sauna, just sayin'.

Now, in honor of Cely from Running off the Reece's, here is my Magnificent Men of Monday...

			Feeling better already! Kind of motivates me to go run. Enjoy!

C'est La Vie!

Today I fell off the healthy eating wagon and had some Dairy Queen for lunch. Instead of ordering a salad (I knew I would have salad for dinner) I opted for a BBQ sandwich and some french fries. And then split a mini Reece's Blizzard with the little one. Maybe we didn't really split it, maybe I ate most of it, but still, at leas it wasn't the WHOLE thing!! Really, is it possible to eat healthy at Dairy Queen? Even their salads are covered in bacon, shredded processed cheese and high calorie dressings (I realize that's my choice, darn you honey mustard!).

Dairy Queen was our only option because we were stranded at the car dealership for several hours at lunchtime. It was the only restaurant anywhere near us. Excuses, excuses. Lack of planning on my part, should of ate lunch before we left the house, or at least got something healthier on the way there. C'est la vie!

After our long wait for the car to be fixed, we headed to a park so little one could play for a while. It was hot, but nice in the shade. I sat and watched as tons of people walked and ran past on the park's trails. I was so jealous. Should have brought my running shoes. Should have brought the jogging stroller. Again, lack of planning. It's summer vacation, what can I say...my brain shuts down as soon as school's out. So needless to say, today turned into a non-running, rest day. C'est la vie!

 Two of my main reasons for running

Finally, we stopped for dinner at a healthier place. Seriously, my favorite place to eat, and not just because of the sweet tea. McAllister's Deli is truly my saving grace some nights. Love their salads. I try to justify all the sweet tea I drink while I'm there by eating salads. I know, I know, eating a salad doesn't cancel out every bad food decision I make. A girl can dream, right?