Almost There!

Just a few more days until my next half-marathon. The left Achilles tendon was tightening up yesterday, so I'm not going to run tomorrow. I might run Friday night in DC (if I can convince April for a quick 2 or 3 miles). We'll see.

I just checked the FAA regulations. I cannot bring the following:
1) gels or Gus (thank God there's an expo)
2) lipstick and mascara (my eye lashes will be au nautural)
3) My own bottle of water (darn it, I have to pay the exorbitant airport price)
4) sunscreen (thank God there's an expo).
5) Shampoo and lotion - I'll be using hotel shampoo (or April's)

I CAN bring the following:
1) My deodorant (yea!)
2) My cell phone
3) My Garmin
4) My running shoes

I'm still not packing a carry-on, since, in my state of everlasting travel paranoia, I don't want to check bags when my layover is only 30 minutes.

Well, I'm off. I hope everyone has a wonderful Labor Day!

Murphy's Law

Good news: I found the missing piece of my Garmin a/c-adaptor.

Bad news: I ordered another one two weeks ago (and have been using that once since).

Murphy's law states that as soon as you buy a replacement for something you've lost, you'll find the original.

Who the hell IS Murphy anyway?

My Running Story

I wasn't a runner two years ago. Although I lead an active lifestyle, I never wanted to run. I remember watching the 2004 Houston Marathon on tv from my gym's treadmill, where I was speed walking. I remember watching the winner run in and thinking, "Hell no." I was adamant about never wanting to be thin enough or in shape enough to run. I'd rather walk, thank you very much.

All of that changed in November 2004.

I began running in December 2004. I began running to one-up someone who hurt me very deeply. I began running for the wrong reasons. Sometimes acting on the wrong reasons, however, can provide the same results. 20 months later, I've outrun that person; he hasn't caught up with me and probably won't. Do I feel pleasure, knowing that I not only ran HIS marathon before him, but have completed three full marathons and will have my third half next weekend, whereas he's never completed anything more than a 10k? No. Quite honestly, I stopped caring about that a long time ago. I stopped caring about that after I ran my first marathon because I became hooked. I stopped running because of someone else.

I run for me.

I run for the endorphins.
I run for the opportunity to daydream.
I run for the feeling of pavement beneath my feet.
I run to feel young.
I run to enhance my earlybird routine.
I run to explore neighborhoods.
I run to sight-see.
I run to enjoy a guilt-free bubble bath.
I run to feel the muscle soreness.
I run for endurance.
I run to see cities and people wake up.
I run to see cities and people go to sleep.
I run to plan what to do with my lottery winnings (should I ever win).
I run to relieve anxiety.
I run to have "me" time.
I run to spend time outside.
I run to balance my checkbook.
I run to write shopping lists.
I run to decorate my apartment in my mind.
I run to keep up with my students.
I run to inspire my friends.
I run to travel.
I run to sweat.
I run for the pleasure of seeing my minutes shrink in the cool weather.
I run to slow down in the summer.
I run for new running shoes.
I run for the race expos.
I run to utlize all five senses: feeling the breezes, seeing the cities, hearing the animals, tasting yummy food after a long run, smelling the bacon and mulch and flowers.
I run to burn off the Mexican food I'll eat for lunch.
I run to burn off the cookies I ate yesterday.
I run for the t-shirts.
I run to have strong legs to support me.
I run because I refuse to believe fat people can't run.
I run to buy gadgets (I still love my Garmin).
I run so that I have a reason to be tired.
I run for the naps.
I run for meeting new people.
I run for the medals.
I run because I'd rather spend money on race registrations than junk.
I run to clear my head.
I run to listen to music.
I run to prove myself.
I run to never feel old.
I run to run a half/full marathon in each state plus DC.

I've run to see hot Marines (twice so far, one more time in October).
I've run to visit new states.
I've run to see elite runners.
I've run to make someone jealous.
I've run to spend time with that very person who doesn't hurt me anymore.
I've run to take pictures.
I've run as a new way to go down memory lane.

I will run to encourage a friend.
I will run to continue a tradition.
I will run to see new cities.
I will run to get thin.
I will run to become even stronger.
I will run to relieve my anxities.
I will run to complete a full marathon in 5 hours (someday).
I will run.
I will run

Geez Louise

Wow. I can't believe I haven't written since SUNDAY!! Wow. I've been busy. In fact, I've been so busy that I've been neglecting both myself and people I care about.

Monday: Woke up at 4:45 to go running. Promptly reset my alarm and went back to bed. Woke up at 6, got ready, went to school. Worked until 5:25, came home and went to round 2 of auditions (still haven't heard back from them... not expecting much at this point).

Tuesday: Slept until 6, at work by 7. Worked until 5:30, got stuck in 1 hour of traffic and arrived late to a Rodeo meeting. By the time I got there, my nerves were shot. Although I think that having a class of 43 students had something to do with that as well.

Wednesday: Woke up at 4:45 to go running. Promptly reset my alarm and went back to bed. Woke up at 6, got ready, went to school. Worked until 4:30. Sat in 1 hour of traffic (darn accidents). Went to Sugarland to spend time with the Sailor. Went to Baker Street Pub, and went back to his apartment, after which I fell asleep on the couch (was way to tired to even pretend to try to stay awake). Went home. Played Scrabble. Lost. Won. Won.

Today: Woke upt at 4:45 to go running. And I didn't go back to bed! I went running! I jogged 5 miles in the thick humidity. Went to school. Stayed there until 5:30. Played many games of Scrabble after school (while a student made up work). Won many. Left, grabbed sushi take-out and the new Runner's World and now I'm home with the intent of taking it easy.

I've had a hard week. School isn't that bad, but it's the beginning of the year and I'm writing the pre-AP curriculum, which is time-consuming. Between normal school, the pressure of leading the drama club, the pressure/stress of my classes being all messed up (three preparations is EXTREMELY HARD, plus the class with 43 students is really fraying my nerves), the pressure of needing Rodeo points, training for a half marathon in the insane heat, doing my mentor duties with TNT... I'm exhausted. Unfortunately I'm taking the stress out on myself. I'm looking a bit like Raggedy Ann. I went from doing very little to doing too much. I haven't been working out (I've been choosing sleep), which is affecting me psychologically, I'm tired, I feel guilty for having no me time, I am having an even harder time relaxing.

Whoosh. I need a day off already. But I won't have one for a while.

Tomorrow, I'm going to a professional development and then I'm back at school for a meeting. The Sailor and I are going out tomorrow and sometime during the weekend (but I have another professional development on Saturday, plus the drop-out walk on Saturday, running 10 miles with June Sunday and then a TNT function Sunday).

But none of that matters now. What does matter is that I have the 40th Anniversary issue of Runner's World (I know it's been out for a few weeks, but I haven't seen it yet) and I plan on laying in bed reading it. When I bought it, I had to smile. I have never owned ANYTHING that is sported on the front page of a magazine, but I have that exact Nike bra that the cover runner is wearing. I'm cool now, I guess.

Hmm. Maybe I'll have a glass of wine also.

Cheers!

Happy Legs

Yesterday I ventured out to do 9 miles. Once I started, I said I'd be happy if I stopped at 7. But then I kept going and did indeed jog 9 miles.

And guess what - I felt no pain! No twinges! Woo-hoo!

I averaged a 14 minute mile pace, which I'm ok with since it was in the 90s and my running hasn't been as frequent as it used to be. In fact, last night I felt no after pain or soreness, and today I feel the same! My legs don't feel as though I went 9 miles, which is nice because I really felt all 10 miles of the last long run I did (on that fateful birthday, when I so stupidly ran through my tendon pain).

Tonight is auditions! I hope I don't fall off-key!

Cheers!

Oh, Yeah...

Blog? What blog? I have a blog?

Home? What home? I have a home? I don't live at school? Really?

Yes, school has begun, and thus my life has changed drastically again. I've heard the first two or three weeks for teachers is always rough. I can't remember last year; not that it makes a difference because I had no life at the time. Now, I have more on my plate and am beginning to figure out how I can have my seconds with no room.

Why am I so stressed?

1) It's my nature. I've come to accept the fact that I can get stressed easily and I have a hard time relaxing. In fact, I was reminded of that yesterday and was advised to relax. The problem is, I don't know how to.

2) My classload. I have three preparations (pre-AP English I, regular English I, and pre-AP English II). I'm trying to convince the administration to drop my regular classes and add one more each of my pre-AP classes because they're getting full. We have a major Charlie Foxtrot in terms of scheduling (new system, not enough counselors, etc.) so the schedules are WAY out of whack. It'll take up to two weeks to settle, so I'm just going on a day-to-day basis, welcoming my new students daily and cringing when I hear about 10th graders trying to get into the class that already has 30 students.

3) Running. One - it's freakin' hot outside. Two - My half-marathon is coming up in two weeks. I've already accepted the fact that I will not be running the entire way. But at the same time, I don't want to be in major pain (even from the walking) when I'm done. But it's too hot to squeeze in last-minute miles.

4) The drama club. Yep, I am the drama club advisor and I have to put on some plays. I'm going to do at least two - a night of one acts (and then take one of those one acts to competition) and then a musical. The stress is that I have to start the drama club over from scratch, I have to find 4 one-act plays that my kids can do (assuming I have any kids with real talent) and then I have to do the UIL competition stuff.

5) Social life. I want one. I'm trying to have one. It was so much easier during the summer when I had time.

6) Novels. I still haven't finished "Crime and Punishment", plus I have to read (or re-read) three more novels by the end of November. I feel like I'm in college again.

7) Theatre. I'm auditioning for a musical Sunday. I know, I don't have the time and I probably shouldn't audition, but I've wanted to do another musical for years and I will gladly give up almost every aspect of my extra time (don't worry, it won't take up ALL of it) to do this show.

8) Clutter. My rooms are messes again. And after I worked so hard on them during the summer.

Tonight: clean (I'm having people over for dinner Sunday, which bumps that up on the list of priorities).
Tomorrow: "Crime and Punishment." I think a great load will be off of my shoulders once I finally finish that book.

Gotta run. Must clean.

And maybe squeeze a game of Scrabble in there somewhere.

Cheers!

Twinges

Central Park

Hmm. So the other day I jogged 5 miles and felt fine. Yesterday, my left achilles tendon started tightening up after 2.7 miles. Today, it was twinging a bit while on the elliptical machine.

I've already come to the conclusion that my long-distance jogging will have to take a vacation. I have a half-marathon, however, coming up in three weeks. This will be the first long-distance run that I won't be ready for. I will have to send April ahead of me and will walk most of the latter part. Oh, well, finishing is all that matters.

But it hurts my pride.

Random thought: People own guns that they have no use for. I went to an outdoor range in Fort Bend yesterday and was amazed at some of the rifles that some men had. Why on earth does someone need a sniper rifle? The answer: it's fun to shoot. I will not argue with the man with a scarey gun that looks like a paratrouper might carry.

Cheers!

HELP!!!

HELP, my fellow runners!!!

I've lost a crucial part to my Garmin - the black plastic thing that latches onto the Garmin that connects to the A/C adapter! I haven't charged it in a while, since I haven't been running as much, and now that I want to charge it I can't find it. I think it might have gone to NYC with me, but since I didn't charge it there, I don't know.

Anyway, I went to the Garmin site to order a new black plastic piece, but they don't sell just that tiny piece - I have to buy a whole new adapter. I don't need the piece that plugs into the wall, I just need the tiny attachment.

Any ideas on where I can get just that piece? And it's not on eBay...

Cheers!

I Swear I'm a Victim of Bad Luck

Hmm. I recall a previous blog poking fun at my travel luck - the fact that at times, my flight locations are struck with bad luck (9/11, flight problems, crazy stabbers, bomb plots).

It has happened again.

Today's news is plastered with the foiled bomb plot that was targeting US airlines (US Air, Continental, Delta, etc.) traveling to NY, DC, and somewhere else (I can't remember).

Remember folks, I'm running/limping the Virginia Beach 1/2 Marathon in three weeks. I'm flying into DC. And I'm flying via Continental.

Perhaps I need to vacation in Nebraska or Idaho. Nothing ever happens there.

Oh, and I ran 3 miles Tuesday and 5 today, which is the most I've gone in a week since the spraining. I'm slow, but not in pain. Saturday I'm going to resume my long run schedule, but go for 9. If that feels ok, then next week (before the race) I'll push it to 12.

Cheers!

Only in New York...

... can you eat dinner in Bed and look normal...



... or see...


Yes, there is a Naked Cowboy in Times Square.

I don't get it either. I just hope he wears sunscreen because I saw him two days later in the same spot.

Memories... And Things That Go Boom!

This weekend was a Life Flight weekend. My father was one of the original flight nurses there, and flew there for 19 years (up to his untimely death). Since he was there before I was born, and died when I was 16, I spent my childhood at the Life Flight offices. It was great seeing people from my childhood, but very sad that my father wasn't there to share in the celebrations.

So, Friday night was a big banquet and then yesterday was a family picnic. Both were fun, but the best part about the weekend was the fact that my godfather from Louisiana came in. He is kind of a subsistute father for me - he taught me how to drive, he taught me how to shoot, he was there for me when I needed him in college, he approves (or disapproves) of the men in my life. It was great spending time with him.

Unfortunately, that meant late nights and no room for running, since it's so hot that I have to run early in the morning (and we all went to breakfast this morning before Bill and another family friend, Barb, left town).

So, when will I run again? I don't know. I'm going to try to go 4 a day three times this week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)... unless it rains, and then 10 Saturday. I cannot wait until this heat stops!

I did go to the gun show today at GRB, which was my first. I had a good time and can't wait until the next one!

Back to school tomorrow...

Cheers!

Bye Bye Summer

Sorry for the lack of posting; I am no longer a summer bum.

Yes, school has started for me.

Yesterday, unofficially, I spent the day in my classroom.

Today was the first day of professional development, after which I stayed for freshmen orientation. I was at school for 12 hours. I'm tired. My feet hurt.

Heads are going to roll soon. There are some changes which may cause unhappiness, but I'm lucky to say that I'm the same, my classroom is the same, and everything's cool in the school-land of Erica.

Thankfully I ran this morning. 3 miles (once Rice), but it was a hot and muggy three miles. Tomorrow will be a 5am gym day. I can't wait for the weather to cool off; then I won't have to get up so early.

Oh, and tomorrow night is a Life Flight banquet, Saturday is the TNT kick-off, Saturday afternoon is a Life Flight picnic, Saturday evening looks nice and empty (relatively), and Sunday - after my 10 miler in the morning - is the gun show! Woo-hoo!

Cheers (imagine fatigue)!