This Week In Workouts

It feels really good to be active again! I mean, it feels sore, but good. A couple posts ago I reflected on my goals for the year and Janelle at Run With No Regrets brought up a great point - she grades herself weekly to kind of stay on top of how she's doing. That definitely goes along with the whole "timely feedback" thing we teachers are supposed to follow for student grades.

So I decided to grade this week, my first week fully back working out after my break, and see how it went.

Wednesday was my first run back. I worked Monday, and Tuesday we drove up to Orlando for dinner, so this was my first real chance to get out there. I did two painfully humid miles, but was totally happy to be RUNNING!

Thursday I used the Nike Training Club app to get in a full-body workout. I forgot how much I like the convenience of this app...but I do wish it worked on iPad so I would have a bigger screen to follow.

Yes, that medicine ball is 4lbs. Don't laugh at me!

Despite some major DOMS, I was determined to run Friday. I convinced Matt to run three with me. Again, the humidity was killer, but I already noticed some improvements in pace and breathing from Wednesday.

I stopped to take a runfie while Matt did pushups on this run! He caught video of us finishing, too, which you can watch here.

I rested Saturday, then dragged myself out of bed Sunday for my first morning run in a long time! (I can't call this a long run yet.) Kristin had 8ish miles to cover, so I met her for the last 3.3ish. Despite the cooler temperature (75), the humidity was no joke (92%!), so we took it nice and easy.

Runner milestone: a giant bug flew into my mouth and nearly down my throat! Luckily, I was able to hack it up. BLECH.

You have to start somewhere, and I'm very happy with this week. It set a good standard for my summer. I know my runs were painful and at times really slow, but that's just part of starting over. I'm still feeling confident that I'll be ready for marathon training in late July/August, and I feel like making progress slowly in the summer is best, so I'm really okay with keeping my runs short right now.

All things considered, I'd have to give this week an A! I fully completed every workout that I had planned and stayed positive despite the obstacles. I'd call that a success.

How is your summer starting out?

When do you officially begin training for your fall race season?

Would you rather run in heat or humidity? I prefer a dry, hot run to a super humid one!

ABK

All Star Reunion

When Chad, the All Star Teacher for the Nationals, posted in our Facebook group that he'd be in Florida for family vacation, I knew I'd try to make a trip to Orlando to see him. When it turned out that Paul (from the Red Sox) was also going to be in town for his 10th wedding anniversary, and that David (the Marlin's teacher) was willing to drive the four hours from Miami to see everyone, my mind was totally made up.

I never thought twice about making the trip.

We had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory at Mall At Millenia. It was awesome to see everyone; we caught up on school this year and life in general. It was like no time had passed! It's funny that just three days spent together over the All Star weekend last summer was all it took to create lifelong friendships. We're looking at planning a big reunion for everyone next summer when the All Star Game is in Miami.

Paul, David, me, and Chad - reunited!

Seeing everyone made me nostalgic for last summer. Some of my favorite moments were meeting Jill Biden, riding in the All Star Parade, and of course, being recognized on the field pre-game.

Meeting Dr. Biden!

Getting ready to lead the All Star Parade!

All 30 of us on the field pre-game as Idina Menzel sang "Forever Young."

Chad asked us how our school years went given that they began right after our big trip. I took a moment to reflect. I think the experience gave me a much-needed shot of adrenaline. I had just finished my 5th year teaching and was on the brink of wondering if I'd be staying in the classroom much longer. I came back from Minnesota refreshed and empowered; I felt like I wanted to make a difference and truly live up to the award I'd been given. I think being named an All Star Teacher really helped me make this year as positive and successful as it was.

To read the All Star recaps in full, click here, here, or here.

I still wish that every teacher out there could receive this kind of recognition; we deserve it, and it's rare. We work to secure the future of the country as a whole by supporting, motivating, and caring for our students...on top of teaching them all that's in the curriculum. I don't mean to toot our own horns or anything, but teachers are pretty amazing.

What is your favorite memory from school?

If you could nominate a teacher (or colleague) for a teaching award, who would you pick?

ABK

Running & Food

Wednesday, I ran for the first time since DC. It was my first outdoor run in three weeks. All the work I'd done in April to acclimate to the change in weather as Florida summer loomed was completely lost in that time.

To call Wednesday's run rough would be an understatement. My first mile wasn't bad - I actually ran it in 9:56 - but I walked quite a lot of the second. I had a side-stitch the entire time and had trouble breathing smoothly. I had a couple dizzy spells toward the end; my body seriously hates running in the summer.

At least there was a breeze...a really hot, aggressive breeze.

I know I'll get back in shape; in fact, I'm not at all discouraged! If anything, I'm feeling even more determined to get back to where I was.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying breaking out of the comfort-food-sleep-obsessed pattern I've been in since May. Being active, for me, naturally leads me to eat better. Honestly, I have the worst sweet tooth and would survive on frosting and cookies if my body would let me. Our meal at the Cheesecake Factory this week (when I caught up with some of my fellow All Star Teachers...more on that in another post) was my last hurrah...I'm finally junk-fooded out and ready to eat healthy again.

I've been adding egg whites to my oatmeal to add protein and substance, which keeps me fuller longer and helps me feel more satisfied.

Chocolate chips in my snacks/desserts help me feel like I'm indulging without totally destroying my hard work for the day!

I'm leaning toward vegetables and lean proteins for lunches, yogurt and fruit for snacks. I'm determined to learn how to cook tofu because some nights I just blanch at the idea of eating meat. (I go through cycles of being totally repulsed by chicken and beef. Isn't that weird?)

I'm feeling pumped and really optimistic about the next few weeks! I'm finally feeling mentally ready to run again, and I know physically I'll be there soon!

 How is your summer-acclimation going?

What is your favorite healthy meal?
Do you like healthy foods, or do you have to force yourself to avoid junk?

ABK