May 2012
11 posts
Last Dayyyy!
At work. T-minus one hour (ish) before I’m out of here. And out of 9-to-5, sit-behind-a-desk jobs! Very, very excited!
The WOD Shop →
shortmom:
Online CF WOD generator.
Get yer WOD on.
I’ve been hearing too much about CrossFit to not be contemplating it.
Pumped!
So, I got into the teaching program, which I am very, very excited about! Excited to start a new career, to get back to school (both teaching and learning), and super pumped to get out from behind this desk. I know that this won’t be easy - and looking at my summer schedule, I’m going to be very, very busy. I’m done with work on May 31st, and the first obligation for teaching...
Yayayay!
I got ittt! A new chapter begins!
Now to tell work… the only dark cloud over this day.
Decision Day
Today we find out if we’ve made it into the teaching program. I haven’t been so anxious about anything in a really long time.
The interview Wednesday went fairly well, I think. The program needs more Math/Science people, so naturally they had more Math/Science candidates in. Only 5 of us were there for Special Ed. So if they really are taking 80% of us, that means 4 out of the 5...
Delaware Marathon
Aka that time I ran the first 20 miles, turned around to quit, and was found crying behind my sunglasses by two Marathon Maniacs from Georgia who made me turn back around and finish the damn thing.
It wasn’t pretty. And I took forever (7 hours and change…). But I did it. Valuable lessons were learned.
Now I’m ridiculously sore and cranky. And work is probably the last...
Door Closes, Window Opens
I’m glad I didn’t let myself get all too worked up about not getting the Teaching Fellowship, because another, possibly better in the long term, opportunity has presented itself.
In the same vein as what I wanted to do, but you take more time to actually learn how to teach, and you spend a year observing, tutoring, student teaching and working closely with another teacher. Which I...
“Be of good cheer. Do not think of today’s failures, but of the success that may...”
– Helen Keller (via kimijoy)
Sometimes all you need is a quote.
No Teaching Fellowship for me. What an excellent end to an otherwise okay birthday.
Back to the drawing board.
Things
1. We adopted a new kitten. She is tiny and adorable and very playful. We (I) named her Zooey, but I’m not super fond of the name. Maybe she’ll grow into it. Henry is warming up to her (he’s such a mush), Ellie just hisses at her and runs away.
2. It is my birthday. I wish I were excited about it, but I never am. Being the super negative emo that I am, all I can do...
April 2012
7 posts
T-Minus 2 Weeks
Til marathon #2…and my longest run has been 12.25 miles. This makes me quite anxious.
Also went to a ChiRunning talk on Friday. Very interesting discussion of running technique. I think I’m going to use their training plan for NYC Marathon. 24 whole weeks of training!
I swear to you all that Eric is a germ incubator. Illness number two in two months that that jerk has given me. He bought me Boston Market for dinner so maybe I forgive him.
Eating = fairly horrible.
Running = not so much these last few days.
We have squirrels in the ceiling which is more funny than anything else.
Had catch-up time with two great people yesterday and realized I am not...
9 Eastery Miles Done
Longest run of training so far… and they only get longer from here.
I am intensely proud of this run for some reason. My average pace was 12:49, which for me, on a long run is fantastic. And considering the mega hills in this neighborhood and the two mile climb from miles 4-6, that’s a really great pace.
Nothing really hurt, except the toes on my right foot around mile 7. Pollen...
Interview
The interview for the NYC Teaching Fellows was yesterday. I really, really hope it went well.
I can say with certainty that my lesson, which I was most concerned about, was good. Better than most of the others anyway (not to toot my own horn, but I had a clear, concise lesson, was engaging, was audible, and wasn’t confusing). And I really liked everything I had to do and the other people...
March 2012
22 posts
Another 3 Down!
And, might I add, getting pretty close to my pre-Disney pacing:
3 Miles in 36:26: 12:08-ish per mile!
I think that I’ve realized where I went wrong when I started this training cycle. I was pushing myself to go too far and do too much right up front. Knowing I only have to go out and do 3 miles when I get home. Knowing I have to come home and run 5 or 6 miles is a little daunting.
...
3 Miles in the Books
Really focused on form, posture, and “lean”. Must say it was one of my better runs in quite some time.
Although I really need to not eat (particularly things involving tomato sauce) before running. I always end up feeling ill.
Reading About Running
I always find it inspiring. This time around I’m reading this:
which I found at work, and really like a lot of what it has to say. I appreciate the idea of setting an intention for your training, and having a vision of what you want out of the whole process. It took me a little while to really figure out what it is that I want out of this second marathon. I’m still a little...
“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in...”
– Peter Marshall
Oh yes, Running.
Did that today…
Those slowish, wheezy, runny-nosey 2.9 miles have somehow brought my cough back from the dead. Joy.
And to bring up my (seemingly) favorite topic: I did not get the verbal lashing I fretted about all last night. Instead I was thanked for staying late and told not to worry about the thing I was worried about. This job woman is driving me a little insane.
ALSO attended a...
Want to cut your marathon time? Try running less! →
Any article that tells me I can improve my time by running less is worth sharing.
1 tag
How Many Times
Can I complain about work via tumblr post?
Anticipating getting a verbal lashing tomorrow. For probably not doing something that I didn’t know what/how to do… at 6:40 at night after working hard all day and scrambling to make up for the fact that everyone insists on doing everything at the last minute and dumping it on me.
I’m very tired of this shit. I’m more tired of...
Workout #2
Short but effective:
3 circuits of:
20 jumping jacks
20 knee highs
15 mountain climbers
20 butt kicks
I upped the counts by 5 on the last circuit. I feel so out of shape! Tomorrow I’m going to try going for a run. I still have a pretty bad cough, but it seems to be getting better.
Workout Logged!
My first Fitocracy workout has been logged! Be my friend?
5 sets of 5 push-ups
4 ses of 10 sit ups
3 sets of planks (30ish seconds)
3 sets of dumbell bicep curls (10 lbs)
3 sets of 10 Flat Knee Raises
1 set of 10 tricep extensions (10 lbs)
And some other things that I don’t know the real names of. The goal is to do something, anything walk, strength, dance, run, p90x workout,...
Time to Get This Shit Together
Need to reign in the crazy here and get my act together.
Marathon is in 7 weeks… The farthest I’ve run is 8.5 miles. I want to do better than Disney.
Now that I’m on the mend from illness, have a plan for the work situation (grin and bare it, while recognizing that a) this isn’t forever, b) they do not control my life nor me as a person, c) I am better than this...
March 31
Luck. All the luck is needed!
Also, any tips on teaching from those who may read this who also teach?? We have to give a 5 minute sample lesson and I have NO clue what to do.
Happy Ending to a Horrible Week
I made it past round one for NYC Teaching Fellowship and have made it to the interview stage!
To give you some stats: In 2011 8000 people applied, 4000 were called back for interviews, and about 450 got positions. SO I now have a 1 in 10 chance of getting this.
Now…to figure out my excuse for work on interview day…
Today
could possibly be one of the worst days I’ve had in an extremely long time.
Awful. Simply awful.
I’m trying to get perspective (it could be worse - it can always be worse). I’m trying to see the bright side (mostly everyone but my boss is pleasant). But I’m also trying not to leave and never go back. Trying not to quit via email.
It could in part be that I’m...
WIW
I am le sick with some weird chest cold/possible infection. We can thank Eric (and probably the emotional nonsense I’ve been putting myself through) for this.
Blessedly that meant yesterday I felt minimally guilty taking a sick day, during which I sat on my couch and caught myself on the current season of Biggest Loser. You know you’re not well when you cry at EVERY SINGLE EPISODE.
...
On My Way
Application = submitted. Do a little positivity dance for me please?
After using a running metaphor in one of my essays (on how running to a beginner can be as daunting as education is to a student, and the tools I used to train for my first half marathon can also be applied to the classroom…it made more sense than that I hope), I really can’t not run the 16 miles I said I’d...
“Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous...”
– e. e. cummings
4 tags
16 Miles On Tap For Today
Lately I haven’t been a good runner. Or dieter for that matter.
Or really, I haven’t been much good at anything.
And now for a non-running related rant:
Time to be honest on ye olde blog: I hate new job. Like dread going every morning kind of hate. Get an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach just thinking about going kind of hate.
I’m there until 6-6:30 every...
3 tags
“Whatever path brought you here
There is a reason why you came,
Though may not...”
– Ilchi Lee
2 tags
Plotting Some Life Changes...
Like big ones. Hopefully.
If things work out, which I have fingers, toes, arms, and legs all crossed, so they really should.
A little terrifying, a little exhilarating but I feel more excited and hopeful than I have in ages.
March Goals
Short and simple, because the more goals you make, the less likely you are to succeed (‘tis true, work initiative told me so):
Exercise more (minimum of 3 times a week, with one long run of 10+ miles).
Keep up the healthy eating (net calories under 1500, carbs under 150).
Don’t let work get me all riled up.
I’d love to be in the low 240’s by the end of the month, and...
February 2012
13 posts
WIW!
Moving right along:
TW: 251
LW: 254.5
Loss: 3.5
Total: 21
I was so happy to see that number on the scale this morning. For the last 6 days I’ve been floating between 353.5 and 254, leading me to think I was at a plateau. I feel awesome though, so I wasn’t too discouraged.
Since committing to low calorie, fairly low carb two and a half weeks ago I’ve lost 15 pounds! And...
That Time I Cried In Front of My Boss
Friday, at work, after a long day in which I did about a million things, I screwed something up. Reports that needed to be printed and organized by Friday at 5 were not done. Mainly because I didn’t know that they needed to be done by Friday at 5, and partially because the folks who needed to get me said reports by noon didn’t do so.
I thought I had until Monday afternoon to get...
WIW! I Remembered...
And had success:
LW: 260.5
TW: 254.5
Loss: 6 lbs
Total Loss: 17.5
Happily I have lost 11.5 pounds since last Monday (mostly water, I’m assuming). Things are slowing down a bit, as they should, but I’m trying hard not to lose my super focus.
At work we’re doing this corporate initiative project that emphasizes the importance of staying focused on a task and setting major...
“The tragedy in life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy...”
– Benjamin Mays
“Discontent is the first step in progress. No one knows what is in him till he...”
– Basil Maturin
The Official, For Reals Return of WIW
This is shameful to admit:
Today’s weight: 260.5
Last WIW (which was on 11/30/11, btw): 250
That’s a lovely gain of: 10.5 pounds.
Total loss since beginning this journey: 11.5 pounds
EVEN MORE SHAMEFUL? I previously weighed 266.
Since Monday, Eric and I have been attempting this super-strict low-cal, low-carb diet that sometimes I fall back on when I feel like eating has gotten...
“When a man is sufficiently motivated, discipline will take care of itself.”
– Sir Alexander Paterson
Now, to find my motivation.
Officially Registered!
For the Delaware Marathon.
Despite radio silence (and fall induced injuries), training rolls on. My usual speed is coming back, slowly but surely.
AND I’ve ordered new sneakers (same Asics I currently have, different color). And via the magic of good friends I got my $110 sneakers for $55. WHAT UP!
I SHOULD go do Ab Ripper X…buttt…