Running

Running in the snow

Wow!  I just finished my first cross-country 5k.  I didn’t mean to run a cross-country 5k…but the race director decided the roads/sidewalks were too icy (true!) so the course was rerouted through the grass.  The race was the “Reindeer Run.”

I had signed up to run it because it is literally right across the street from my house and I figured, hey, I’ll get in a good run on the morning of a busy day AND have the home field advantage (hoping for a personal record, or “pr” as the “cool kids” say.)

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The race started here at the Sons of Rest Shelter in Tower Grove Park (picture not from today—) and took me 38:49 to finish…a very long time.  At least, as I crossed the finish line the clock said 38:49.  Worst 5k time yet…but again, the snow, the grass, not tripping over tree roots, definitely slowed me down so I’m okay with it.

It is REALLY hard to run in the snowy grass and try not to fall.  In any case, I succeeded in not falling, I finished the race (maybe a few seconds faster, it wasn’t chip-timed), AND I tried out my new running tights, which were awesome.  It was probably 22 degrees outside and I thought I would feel much colder than I did, so evidently my layers paid off.

PSA:  My race bib (#82) didn’t have any sort of tracking device or chip to put on.  There was just a part that I could rip off with my name on it.  I assumed that was for the store to know who to give the bibs to…so I tore it off and left it at home (besides the bib was assymetrical with it on).  Evidently we were meant to leave them on and they were taken at the very end of the race.  Oops!  Other races I had torn that part off.  So, if there isn’t a shoe thing-y or a tracking device on the back of your bib, leave the name part on, just in case.  The word bandit was used by the volunteers taking the “toe slips?” (I think they called them that?) for me and several others—I’m betting that we all just didn’t know.  I was too exhausted at the time to say anything…I’m sure most people know this, and somehow I missed the memo.

HBBC:   I’m giving myself 4 points for the race/warm-up—it seemed longer, plus took me longer/more exertion, so I deserve it.  I’ll edit if I meet the f/v for the day!  total:  4 points

Random thoughts

Learn, change, and grow #reverb10

Prompt: Lesson learned. What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward?

reverb10.com

 

The best thing??  It’s so hard to come up with these things every day when I’m busy…I can easily think of good things I learned about myself, but the pressure of “best thing” is really tough! 

Good things:  I have more self-control than I thought.  I actually enjoy muscle soreness and sweating.  I can run.  I have infinite patience with small children in a one on one setting (though not in a group).  I will always be swayed by cuteness, particularly kittens and fat cats.  I love to learn, and have a constant sense of wonder about the world I live in.

So what is the best thing I’ve learned?  I will continue to learn, change, and grow every year, every month, every week, every day.  That’s the answer to both questions in one. 

Or I’m really tired.  Either way, that’s good enough for me tonight!

Christmas

Christmas Tree part 2 (but probably not last!)

I wanted to include a few more pictures of my ornaments so you can feel like you are in my living room with me (oh and it is nice and warm under my throw blanket).

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This guy is a s’more angel playing the trumpet.  I don’t remember where I got it, but how cute is he?

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My mother loves to give me violin ornaments—this is a creepy cat playing the violin.  Each year it grows on me though—by next year it might be my favorite!

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Here is a more normal violin ornament my mother gave me.  Tasteful Smile

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I wanted to get something to commemorate this year.  Those are real diamonds!  (not really).

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The tree with the lights on! 

In any case, I’m really enjoying my Christmas tree this year—it hasn’t fallen down at all, and it’s just beautiful. 

The only other Christmas décor I’ve put up is on the mantle in the living room.  I’ve got a few figurines and a bunch of cards on display. 

 

In other news:

Tonight is the last student concert!  My Child of God students are playing all the songs they know, accompanied by yours truly on the piano.  I’m sure they’ll be fantastic.

Tomorrow is a busy day:  a 5k in the morning (just across the street at the park) unless I deem it too icy (possible), a wedding, a mass, and a 4 hour Christmas party.  THEN—-VACATION TIME!!!!  (can you tell I’m excited????) 

HBBC:  1 mile walk: 1 point, workout with Mike: 4 points, 7 f/v: 1 point, total:  6 points.  Total for week of Dec 11-17: 36.4, Total so far (Nov. 20-Dec. 17): 149.5

Random thoughts

Friendship #reverb10

Prompt: Friendship. How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst?

reverb10.com

Okay, so I am a bit late on this one.  I procrastinated because I didn’t have a good response.

I have had to make new friends many times in my life, because I have moved several times, and because my friends tend to move as well.  One of these days I will be somewhere more permanently…perhaps I am even there now and just don’t know it.  But until then I will continue to make new friends, and struggle to keep in touch with old friends.  Facebook is a great help for keeping in touch with old friends—both acquaintances and the sort of friend who, if you end up in the same city with them for a few hours, you can pick up exactly where you left off and have a fantastic time with them. 

It’s harder to make friends the older I get.  Sometimes I just don’t want to make the effort to get to know new people and to let them get to know me…other times I meet people who I know would be great friends, but they already have a bunch of friends.  And then many people have children and don’t have time for friends, or have nothing in common with us non-child-bearing folk.

How has a friend changed me or my perspective on the world this year?   One of my new friends loves to try new restaurants—that is always fun.  Other friends encourage me to take classes such as pottery, yoga, or spinning.  I guess if I had to sum it up, my friends tend to encourage me to get out of the house and try new things…Chris and I are creatures of habit, especially if left to our own devices, so it’s good to have friends who push you out of your comfort zone. 

Change is a gradual thing—though showing up to a new class or restaurant is a sudden burst—but personal growth is gradual.  I love having a wide variety of friends with different interests and strengths, and I know they will continue to push me to grow as a person.

Christmas, Food, Teaching

Ice day

We had a bit of freezing rain…and no school today!  I am still teaching at home today, though a few students have canceled.  My “inclement weather policy” for my home students is that they can decide whether to come or not, with no penalty.  Most of the roads are pretty good by now, though the sidewalks are still slippery in places.  I really hate ice—give me a foot of snow ANY day.

I was glad they canceled school last night rather than waiting until this morning because I got to sleep in with no worries!  I do miss the students though—I won’t see them until January now.  I’ll also have to mail home some things I was going to hand out, but that’s probably better anyway because then the parents definitely get the memos.

Tonight we are planning to go to a friend’s holiday gathering.  I wasn’t going to go because I thought I would be exhausted after a long day of teaching, but I’m down to four students now (and we’ll see if they all show) so my energy should be high! 

I’ve decided to make a nice Christmas dinner for Chris and I before we go to Long Island.  I love making/planning big holiday meals and I don’t get to do that when I visit the “in-law’s.”  I don’t want to go overboard, but I have planned a menu of Ham  (not Ham Solo), Corn Pudding, Parmesan-Roasted Broccoli, Smoky Cheddar Loaf, and for dessert, Egg Nog Tres Leches Cake.  Sounds good?!?

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Ham Solo

After the meal we’ll exchange our Christmas gifts (and open any that were mailed as well).  Should be fun! 

HBBC:  5 mile run: 5 points

Random thoughts

5 minutes #reverb10

Prompt: 5 minutes. Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010.

What to remember?

How to make a proper meal and eat tons of veggies

How to work out and enjoy sweating

The green of Belize

The blue of Honduras

How tired I feel right now, to remember it’s ok to say no to stuff

The feeling of finishing my first race

That I don’t really care for bikram yoga, no matter how “good for me” it’s supposed to be

That I want to do another spin class

All the stuff I’ve learned about teaching…how high of standards I can hold a student to

That children love icing

That a purple reindeer sweater is a great idea

Knee socks are definitely best in the cold

Sticker charts are NOT a good way to motivate most students

Salmon is delicious

My hair looks best long

My next cruise will be on a different line than Carnival

Time’s up!

reverb10.com

thoughts about violin, teaching, running, life.