Week 4 is HAPPENING NOW!

 Check out what we are doing HERE

3 Weeks IN

 

Last night we sat around our backyard fire pit and just enjoyed the calm and quiet.   It was a PERFECT Saturday evening. After busy weeks and early bed times (seriously --- I have been in bed and asleep by 9 pm since August 31), it felt so good to sit outside and just enjoy.  I admired the trees in the backyard.  As I looked at the middle tree along our lot line, I couldn't believe that it was already beginning to change colors.

Tomorrow marks the autumnal equinox.  It's a perfect checkpoint for me to do some reflecting and planning for what's ahead.  It's also a good reflection time for me because I ran my September half-marathon yesterday.

Yesterday's half marathon wasn't like any of the others that I've run before.... There was no start line or finish line.  No fans cheering along the route.  No other runners to chat with before the National Anthem.  It was just me and the route I chose to run.

My race preparation included an 8 week training plan and coaching from The Radiant Runner. While I was hoping to run a sub 2 hour half I wasn't sure it would be possible.  On September 6 I did some goal setting/reflecting about what I should shoot for.  This is what I set out for my goals:  

Not sure a sub 2 is possible.  I haven’t run a 9:05 average on anything.

A goal:  2:05 (a little less than a 9:30 avg)

B goal:  under 2:10

C goal: finish

I knew that I had trained as best that I could. I was starting to think about how I could have eaten better, lost a few pounds, drank more water, strength trained,..... Those thoughts were not going to help me perform at my best so I turned my thoughts to how thankful I am that I get to RUN! I could not let fear win.

"Fear is gradually replaced by excitement and a simple desire to see what you can do on the day."
—Lauren Fleshman, American distance runner

Friday night I got to watch Will play in a football scrimmage and then it was a Happy Joe's pizza dinner (that's what we have most Friday nights) and then it was early to bed so that I could be running between 7:30 and 8:00 on Saturday morning. When I woke up on Saturday morning, my stomach was growling. I couldn't believe it. Could I really be hungry? I figured that if I ate anything it would throw off my run so I just ignored it. It worked out pretty well to do that. Here's what I did eat:

There were points of my "race" where I walked. By mile 10 I was definitely struggling. I was upset with myself that I had planned the route to go up pool hill after mile 10. What was I thinking? It may have slowed me down but I didn't stop. I finished my 13.1 miles and met my adjusted A goal!!!

The rest of the day was spent chilling at home. It was a perfect "celebration" of a race well run.

As I was watching a Hallmark movie yesterday afternoon we received the email about a positive COVID case at the middle or high school in our district. It was such an overhwelming flow of emotions. Fear, anger, disappointment were just a few of the feelings. I didn't let those live long. Instead I decided that I will continue to celebrate each day that I get to be in person with my 5th graders. We are having fun together and learning every day. I will not let FEAR win.

In this seasonal shift that marks the autumnal equinox, remember that we get a perfect split of half light and half dark. Choose to share the LIGHT!

All Set for Week 3

 Slides can be found HERE

Ready for Week 2

 Here are the slides for the week.  The plan is to use just one set of slides for the ENTIRE week.  

Friday's Goodies

 https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/15kvQBlnIEOyKXJ3iCEWhR7c-JxZy7_IzQgm0kafL70Y/edit?usp=sharing

All you need for today!

For Thursday

 I am going to try posting this a little differently....

Thursday's Goodies

For Wednesday, September 2

 Here are today's SLIDES

For Tuesday, September 1

This Week's Goodies