Catching UP!

 WOWSERS.  It has been awhile since I wrote anything here....

I could give you a million excuses.  That's all they would be.  Excuses.  

Instead I'd like to do a little brain dump of some of my recent events.

Yesterday was Will's baccalaureate.  I am not sure why, but I am not feeling sad at all....  I am proud. I am proud that the kid who cried daily in kindergarten and near daily in 1st grade is going to be walking across the stage at graduation with a National Honor Society stoll and gold chords.  He has done the work.  I often say that Will is my "me." He has the good and the not so good.

At the service last night, there were two excellent speakers.  The big message from both of them was, "Be a light."  

Here's what I will leave you with today:

"Remember, even the smallest light can brighten the darkest places. Your kindness, compassion, and positive energy have the power to inspire and uplift those around you. When you shine your light, you not only illuminate your own path but also help others find their way. Be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people. In a world that can often seem dim, your light makes all the difference. Keep shining brightly and let your light touch as many lives as possible."

What a Week - Part 2 (Thursday and Friday) - Saturday to be Shared Later

 Thursday morning was set to be a work day.  It was just what I needed so that I could be ready for a full day of students on Friday and the following week.  I was hopeful that I could everything ready for 5 days of instruction by the time Thursday's work day was complete.....FAT CHANCE.  

5 am alarm followed by a 5k before the sun was up, felt like a great way to celebrate the "Because I get to" mantra that continued to play in my head and my heart.  I decided to try calling Medical Associates before I went to work even though it was before 7:30 am.  I was thrilled when the receptionist answered and said that they had a 9:50 orthopedic appointment available with Dr. Rock.  That seemed perfect.  I could take the 8:00 class that my principal was leading in the library and then I could run Will to the doctor.  Everything seemed to be falling into place so nicely. 

Will and I checked in at the kiosk on the 3rd floor of the building and proceeded to the waiting area.  The nurse called us back and I began with the words, "We plan for Will to continue playing no matter what we find out today."  

The nurse did her fact gathering and then left the exam room telling us that Dr. Rock would be in shortly.  When Dr. Rock entered the room, I repeated that we were planning for Will to continue playing as this is his senior season. 

Dr. Rock gave us 4 possibilities of what he thought it was before sending us for an xray:  meniscus tear, broken knee cap, kneecap dislocation, or torn ACL.   Xrays showed no break so Dr. Rock brought in a model of the knee and declared the worst possible outcome:  NO SPORTS.

  We had been up front from the beginning.  Will had been playing and would continue to play.  I was mourning for my son as we left the office.   As we walked out to the car, I could tell that my 17 year old was processing big emotions.  As we drove out of the parking lot and stopped at the first light of te drive, I looked over.  Tears. I reached out and held his hand as he cried.  This felt surreal.  Hours earlier I had been celebrating getting a doctor's appointment so quickly and now I wanted to simply rewind time and never make the appointment.   While driving back to Lancaster, calls were made to the coach and the trainer.  We figured we had 2 options:  sign an AMA waiver or get a 2nd opinion.   With just 27 hours before the big game, it might be impossible to get a 2nd opinion.  

I returned to work and got things started for my school plans, had a grade level meeting, a health needs meeting, and tried to get a little more done while drafting a waiver saying that Will could play football.  By 6:00 I wasn't being very productive at school so I headed home.  I was WIPED out, drained completely.

It was now a waiting game for the legal team to either approve or deny our written request for Will to play that would override the medical note.

I rarely sleep well the night before a new school year and Thursday night had some extra worries so my sleep was nearly nonexistent (43 sleep score according to my Garmin).   

Thankfully, the excitement of the new year helped me rise and shine.  Welcoming the new crew of 5th graders was a great way to start the day.  I am also a huge believer in new beginnings, new months, and choosing JOY, so I let that lead my day.

By 10 am I got the news that the legal department wouldn't allow the waiver to be used.  On to Plan B.  Thanks to an amazing coach, an appointment was made for Will for 3:30 that afternoon.  Roger was able to pick Will up from school and I was able to meet them at the doctor's office right here in town.  There was a glimmer of possibility.

I was able to finish my 1st day of the new school year with the same positive energy that I try to use every day.  As soon as I had dismissed my students for the long weekend, I was moving to the doctor's office to be there for what we were counting on to be good news.

By 4:10 we had the 2nd opinion and we were going to make it to have Will at the football bus in time for the 4:15 departure!!!!!

While it seems like it would be the end from there, it wasn't. 

My nerves were bundled in my heart and my stomach.  With each offensive play, I was on the edge of the bleacher holding my breath until the play was over and Will was still standing on both legs.  Add to that the intensity of playing against a team that was ranked 2nd in the state....  We were first to score: 6 to 0.  Then Prairie was up 7 to 6.  With another score we lead 12 to 7.  The last 6 minutes of the game were intense.  The team pulled off a 28 to 27 win over Prairie du Chien!!!  It was the most exciting win I have seen in all of Will's years playing football.

I'm sure there are details I am forgetting.  I may even add some things later but for now we celebrate!

Our saga continues but I think we are on our way to good things.  

We continue to use lots of ice at our house. 

All of this is just another reminder to do things when you can.  Don't put things off.  

"Because I get to."

Passion!

#headupheartout

What a week! - Part 1

 Amidst the scent of freshly waxed floors and freshly sharpened pencils and the echoes of excited chatter, Day 1 of the new school year began, a blank slate filled with infinite possibilities.  Monday's chatter wasn't excited students.  It was the staff as we started the 2023-2024 school year with a whole district breakfast and meetings. It was a smooth start to the week with all the necessary things to get everyone on the same page about expectations for the school year.  After being at the high school for the first couple of hours, I went back to Winskill where our staff meeting began in the library.  My principal always leads with a strong vision.  His beginning of the year meeting was no different from others: high standards were set, sucesses were celebrated, and inspiration for the year ahead was created.  The morning was over quickly and I had just enough time to run home and get a few miles in before the afternoon work time.  Like with any first day, I came home from school at 3:30 exhausted but excited for what would come.  Quick clothing change and Roger and I went to Dubuque to watch Kate play soccer.  After the game it was a not so healthy dinner of Sonic---my first time!  Fried foods at 10 pm don't make early wake up calls for running easy.

Tuesday began in a similar way to Monday:  up and at school by 7:30.  Reading team and writing team meetings.  Breakfast while at school (thank you, Community First Bank, for providing it!).  There was a district lunch being provided at Memorial Park but I ran home to switch some laundry and get a few things done while I had the chance.  I returned to school for the afternoon and was able to get some things finished but I knew there was so much more to do.  I left at 3:30 but was able to convince Roger to walk back to Winskill Tuesday evening to complete just a couple of tasks with me.  We left Winskill by 6:45 and picked up Subway for dinner on our walk home.  As I was winding down for the evening I heard Will come in from practice.  It wasn't his normal entrance.  I could hear him bringing in some things.  He walked into our bedroom and I saw the giant, plastic wrapped, ice encased knee.  "I'm okay," he said.  I'm at a point in my life where I think when people say that, it means they really are NOT okay... just my opinion.  Apparently he had felt something during practice and gone off to the sideline for a little while.  The trainer had looked at him and worked with him to get the ice around his knee and his coach had sent home a cooler filled with ice to continue to 15 minutes every hour of icing. 

Made it to the mid week point and got outside for my morning miles! I knew that I needed to run because I COULD.  I have no reason not to be getting out for miles.  I am physically ABLE.  My 17 year old son can barely walk and I CAN RUN.  That was the push I needed to get out the door.

  It felt wonderful!  I knew I needed the day to start off this way because it was the day of the Back to School Bash which meant a little bit longer of a day filled with lots of EXCITEMENT.  I'd get to meet all my new families!  This was also the day of the active shooter drill at the high school.  Will was participating in the event.  I was walking to a 9:15 meeting when my cell phone started ringing.  I answered my phone to hear, "This is Brittany from Grant Regional.  I have WIll here.  Can you present yourself at the registration desk?"  My first thought was that something had happened with his knee and that he was at the emergency room.  

        "Yes.  I'll be there," I replied.  Then I realized that Will might have been at the active shooter drill.  "Is there about the drill at the high school?" 

          "This is Brittany from Grant Regional.  Can you present yourself at the registration desk?"   

         With that answer it felt confirmed that it was just part of the drill but I quickly grabbed my car keys and ran out to my car, drove quickly to the hospital, and entered the emergency room doors.  In those 2 minutes, I had to have been feeling and processing every possible emotion.  The biggest one being - What if Will's not okay?

          Once I saw him and hugged him, I drove him back to finish the drill, and I returned to Winskill to continue my preparations for the Back to School Bash.  Hours went quickly but I was ready when families began arriving at 4:30.  During the conversations at the school event I had the opportunity to talk with the school athletic trainer.  She recommended making an appointment with a doctor for Will's knee.  I was going to take him to acute care on Thursday but she thought trying to get him in with Orthopedics was a better idea.  That call went on my to do list for Thursday morning.  I finished the Back to School Bash and headed home to enjoy dinner and an early bedtime.  

I have so much more to tell about the week.  Part 2 coming soon.

Wrapping Up Another Month

 Bring on the month of GRATITUDE!    I have so much to be thankful for.

This past weekend is just a small dose of all the good things I have in my life:  family, friends, health.

On Labor Day 2014 I ran a sub 2 half marathon.  Since then I have run 28 more and always chasing a sub 2 hour finish.  Saturday morning it happened!  Let me rewind a bit...  In August, Michelle joined me in Dubuque for the Alzheimer's Half Marathon.  I hadn't been following a training plan and the  night before I decided I would try 1 mile/ 1 minute intervals.  I finished in a 2:09.  I was shocked at that and felt really proud of the under 10 minute per mile average pace.  At the end of September I ran the Quad Cities Half marathon in 2:03:+   

With the Galena River Fall Half Marathon just one month from the QC Half, I was curious to find out if I could break 2 hours again.  While I haven't been following a training plan, I have been getting in the miles and feeling really good while running.  My average paces have been just under 10 per mile.  It left me wondering, could I average 9:05 for 13.1 miles?  

In case you didn't know, it Halloween week (hahaha) and that can be crazy at any school.  Friday was a pretty crazy day with a cross country send off parade, a fire drill, and the Halloween party.  By the end of the school day, I was really wiped out.  After a 2 mile shakeout run and a solid dinner, I was feeling ready. My "race plan" was to run 2 miles/ walk 1 minute.  It seemed like a good way to step it up from what I had done in September.  

I thought for sure I would sleep well Friday night so that Saturday would be a well rested run.  NOPE.  I couldn't find the clothes I wanted to wear for the race.  I didn't fall asleep easily Friday night.  I was awake at 4 am on Saturday.  OY!   

As I was getting ready on Saturday morning, I got a notification on my watch that my poor sleep had increased my recovery time and that I needed to take it easy on Saturday.  That wasn't what I wanted to do.  I wanted to go for a sub 2 hour half marathon finish time.  We pulled out of the driveway pretty close to on time but as we drove up Alona Lane, I realized that I didn't have my phone.  Luckily we were still close to home and I was able to find my phone quickly.  

Arrival at the race and packet pick up was smooth and simple.  I used the porta potties quickly and headed back to the car to stay warm.  All the nerves hit.   I was in my head big time.  As I was lining up at the start, Michelle gave me a hug and I began to fall apart.   I cannot tell you how much it meant that Donna and Michelle were here with me this weekend.  They believed in me when I didn't believe in myself.  A thank you will never be enough to let them know how much I needed them in that moment.  It can seem easier to give up on goals at these moments but they didn't let me forget that I had it within me to hit the goal time.  

Michelle noticed something behind me and pointed for me to turn and right there was Roger and Kate.  They believed that the race would be a good one for me, too.  

With the strength of other believing in my, I was able to believe in myself.  I was strong and ran a great race.  When I came through the 11 mile mark, I passed my cheer squad and I wondered if I could hit my goal.  My watch wasn't reading overall pace and the GPS had gone a little wacky so I had no idea what my time was.  Michelle hollered, "1:39."    That meant I had 21 minutes to make the final 2 miles.  

At about 12.9, Donna and Michelle were standing and cheering for me.  I felt like I could do it.

When I saw the finish line, the clock was reading, "0:00:00."   That didn't help me...  I ran through the finish and stopped my watch:  1:56:40!!!!   I did it!  

Confidence does not come easily for me, but I am starting to see my potential again.

As November begins tomorrow, I am beyond grateful for all the connections that help to build me up. 

I met my step goall every day this month!!!  Hoping to do it again in November.

 

Gifts to My Heart

 August was a month filled with many blessings.  I am going into September with a full heart!  

I'd like to share with you some of  the gifts to my heart.

The last year and a half has really changed my connection to "my people"  but during August I had so many perfect opportunities to connect with some of my favorite people.  Those connections are so necessary and it truly was an important part of my month.  While there is a part of me that liked (maybe even loved) being able to be home instead of having plans, I have been seriously missing out on what used to be...

In August I got to run with some of my #FFCREW.  It felt SO good to see them and hug them and spend time catching up with conversations! 

And did I mention the Crumbl Cookies?  

That simple couple hours was so important to my recharging and it wasn't the only thing that was life-giving.  

I spent a few days that same week in Madison.  I tried new to me foods.  I spent time sitting....yep, just slowing down and sitting. Time walking slowly along the water of Lake Monona. It was a gift to my heart in so many ways.

I also got a new pair of running shoes from Movin' Shoes.  New shoes always make my heart happy!

And then I got to enjoy more time with Michelle as we ran the Alzheimer's Half Marathon.  We were 1st and 2nd in our age group!    

We got a medal for the run, a 2nd medal for placing in our age group, and the Made to Move Summer Challenge Finisher Medal.

This summer lover is just a little sad to know that tomorrow brings a new month filled with all the crazy of new school routines and stressors, but my heart is happy and full.

Don't for a minute think that there weren't really hard and stressful things in August, too.  I am trying to choose how I feel and what I focus on so you get to share in my blessings.  I hope you will take some time to count yours, too!

August Miles run:  120.3

August Step goal %:  29/31 - 94%

I started the month with a slow, steady 10 mile run and I finished the month with an early morning 4 miler at a pace I haven't seen in over a year.  That gives me hope for a sub 2 half SOON --maybe September, maybe October but definitely before 2021 ends!

Dreamer:  To embrace the challenge and welcome new beginnings.

Here's to all that the 2021-2022 school year will bring.  

Birthdays, Olympics, and Balance

 "A child whose birthday is coming up is so excited, they count down the days. But as we get older we seem to lose the excitement. We need to rethink and be happy we have reached another birthday."

                                                                     — Theodore W. Higginsworth 

    In the summer of 1982 (July 23 to be exact) I remember the awesome birthday celebration that started my summer tradition of amusement parks and sparklers.  I love that I have a summer birthday.  I always felt like the July 4th fireworks were like the kick-off to a major 3 week party that was just for me.  As I got older I didn't always celebrate quite as big as I had when I was in elementary school but summer birthdays were perfect for me.  I could do pretty much anything to celebrate myself.  

    Somewhere along the way I quit wanting people to know it was my birthday.  I don't think I was afraid of getting older because obviously that beats the alternative.  I just didn't want any attention.  I didn't know how to respond when I was in the spotlight.  

    This year I turned 45.  I didn't go out for a special meal with my family or even have cake or ice cream.  I ran 4.5 miles with my favorite running buddy and watched the opening of the Olympics.  I wish I hadn't ever lost the excitement for my birthday.  I hope I can change that in the years to come.

    Now let's talk Olympics!!!  I love to read biographies about the Olympians.  One of my favorite books of all time is In The Water They Can't See You Cry.  While I don't swim, I loved this memoir of Amanda Beard who competed in the 1996 Olympics at age 14.  Even as I was growing up I remember idolizing athletes like Nadia Comaneci (gymnastics) and Flo Jo (running) and more recently Deena Kastor for her distance running skill.  When I started running after Kate and Will were born, I loved learning about Kara Goucher and Sara Hall.  One thing that I really loved about Kara Goucher was that she had been from Minnesota.  I felt like her midwestern connection made her somehow more like me....

    When it was announced that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics would begin on July 23, I felt like it was the perfect birthday honor.  Kate and I would get to watch the US Women's National Soccer Team (USWNT)  together early that morning but my excitement for the Olympics was short lived.   I did not have the attention span for watching that I had previously.  Some mornings I check the medal count and some mornings I don't.  In the evenings when others are watching the events, I am choosing to read or scroll social media.  I've decided to change the focus of the Olympics so that I do get more out of them than I have been.

    I'm going to be paying close attention to the athletes in a different way because I want to be able to model the things they do that make them great.  I know that I won't be going to the Olympics but I can still chase some dreams!  If I want to be my own best, I need to pay attention to what the best do.  

    

This leads me to the final piece of what I want to write about:  BALANCE.  It is really easy for me to be obsessed with things.  When I have an interest, I think about it so much that I often have to devote time each day to doing other things so that things are in balance.  

    The gymnasts show us balance in amazing ways but the balance I am thinking about has to do with the mind more than anything else.   I think one of the most important balance lessons is the idea of knowing ourselves deeply enough to name our feelings and understanding the feelings of others.   I want to write more about this idea of balance but in an effort to quit rambling tonight, I will continue it another time.

Let's wrap up the fitness for July:

I met my step goal for 28/31 days in July!!!  That's 90%.  I'm super proud of that.  I currently have a 21 day streak going.   I don't know how much longer I can keep it up, but I'm going to shoot for 30 days....

I have 3 weeks until my half marathon in Dubuque.  I did 10 miles this morning and will do another long run of 13 miles on Saturday.  I'm excited to see what my August Made to Move race will be.

  

July Plans

 July is always a big month.  This year it's as big as always.  It starts out with all of the Independence Day Celebrations (which actually start with the Lancaster Jaycees Fireworks on the last Friday of June).

This year July marks my only vacation time.  I am on vacation through Sunday, July 25.  I thought 3 weeks would feel great but then I started putting things on the calendar and realized that there were really only 6 days that I didn't have something planned.   As I was working on filling in our family calendar, I decided to make a running calendar, too.  As part of the Made to Move Summer Challenge I will be running a half marathon in August so I need to follow some kind of a training plan so that I'm ready.

Running Calendar

Family Calendar

I completed 3 really successful weeks of summer school with some amazing kids in June.  One of the things we did during our last week together (20 minutes per day) was watch Luca.  Have you seen it?  It seemed like the perfect movie preparation for summer!!  Summer boredom causes the main character, Luca, to go to the surface of the water and explore farther than he should.  

Let's talk about boredom first, shall we?  I wish I could think of a time when I felt bored since 1994.  Seriously.  It just isn't something I ever struggle with.  I think it helps that I always have books I can read and household chores that can be done.  Even when I could be doing those things, I often do other time wasters instead.  Oh how I wish I knew what boredom felt like. 

Luca and Alberto grow a friendship and make plans with an Italian girl named, Guilia.  The threesome is determined to win a triathlon so that they can buy a scooter.  I love the events in their triathlon:  swimming, eating pasta, and bike riding.  While the movie is definitely made for kids, I am so glad that I got to watch it.  I took away so much for myself.  BE BRAVE, BE BOLD, BE YOU!  Luca, Alberto, and Guilia grow through their experiences in the movie and Luca finds the courage to be himself even if it means giving up certain hopes and dreams.  I'm coming away from watching this movie with the confidence to chase some bold goals---please know that none of my goals include swimming. 😜

I've also been reading some great books and I hope to finish 4 more books during July.  Two of the books I'm reading are Mere Christianity by CS Lewis and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie.  If you have some great book recommendations, please do share them with me. 

Wrapping Up June

While I didn't get as much running in during June as I had originally hoped, I did enjoy lots of time with my family.  My Garmin goals only hit 21/30 days.  I can do better in July.

My Made to Move 10K was pretty rough and so I am glad that my pace for our July 4th race was nearly a minute per mile faster.  

My 5th annual ICE CREAM STREAK was successful with 30 days of ice cream.  Culver's was probably the most popular ice cream I consumed followed by Phish Food from Ben and Jerry's.  3rd Place goes to Happy Joe's Feature Flavor and the close 4th place of Vesperman Farms.  I haven't had any ice cream in July but I'm sure that I will have some while I am visiting Virginia this week.

My final wrap up on June are 2 connections to my "professional life."  I finished Unit 2 of my LETRS training and have a pretty great score.  I also renewed my Illinois teaching license just to keep my options open.

Planning ahead and working toward goals is something I hope will help me.

Big goals require dedication and commitment not just interest....  Here's to chasing BIG Goals in July and August.