Posts

It’s Been a Journey! Life Update

Image
The last couple of years have been a journey, from leaping from the elementary school principal’s office to diving into the world of instructional design to where I am today. While I did not know what was in store, I’m glad I had the opportunities I experienced in the last two years. In January 2022, the idea of leaving the principal’s office started to form. I believe providence placed me in charge of the school community during the pandemic, and I was the person the community needed to keep everyone safe and learning. As we neared the end of the pandemic, I knew I needed a break after working continuously from August 2019 through June 2022. I could also tell that times were different, and it was an opportunity for the community to rebuild new traditions after the pandemic. Despite these feelings, I was prepared to start the 2022-2023 school year. An incident in March made me think hard about continuing as principal, and I decided to leave my position. During this time of discernment,...
Post a Comment
Read more

2025 Consistency

Image
Here’s a quick update from last week on my running goals. I ran another 7 days straight, keeping my goal of not taking more than 4 days off except for race recovery or injury. The silly Garmin Run Streak badge has motivated me to opt for the recovery run instead of the rest day the last two Thursdays. The Run Streak badge is for running 1 mile in a single activity every day for 30 consecutive days. It’s a repeatable badge, and I have never earned it. I’m also eligible for the 30 for 30 badge. It’s for recording an activity of at least 30 minutes every day for 30 consecutive days. It will be a first for this badge as well. I also made good on my second goal of completing strength and conditioning at least three times a week. I did S & C three days last week. There are days when I forget when I get ready for a run and need to do the S & C after my run. My takeaway from this week is that slow and steady wins the race. I feel like I am maki...
Post a Comment
Read more

No Quitters Day for Me!

Image
Here’s a quick update from last week on my new running goals. I’ve kept my promise from my first goal of not taking more than 4 days off. I ran every day last week (January 6-12). I currently have a 23-day streak if you include today. I also made good on my second goal of completing strength and conditioning at least three times a week. I did S & C for four days last week. I am starting to feel more stable as I do the bodyweight exercises. On January 3rd, I did some 10K pace work and questioned my 8:30/mi. goal pace. Since then, I have done pace and tempo work at 8:30/mi., and the pace is sustainable for 10K. I ran past Quitter’s Day. I hope that you have done the same. Let me know how it’s going in the comments below.
Post a Comment
Read more

December 2024 Running Update

Image
December, in terms of running, was awful. I ran the Zoom Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving and needed a few days off after the race. I ran on Sunday, December 1. Then, the girls had extra weeknight ballet practice for their Nutcracker performance. I got chased by a dog on December 6; please leash your dog in public or at least pick it up if it chases after someone and that someone stops so you can pick up your dog. After ballet, I was busy preparing for finals and then grading finals. After spending a Saturday decorating the church for Christmas, I finally had a chance to run on Sunday, December 22. I assumed the 12 Days of Fitness occurred during the last 12 days of the month (like in 2023). You need to record 10 20-minute activities for that badge. With a December 22 start date, I figured I could earn the badge by the skin of my teeth. Then I discovered on Christmas Eve that the window was December 15-26. Nonetheless, I decided to chase the other two December running badges, December Time ...
Post a Comment
Read more

2025 Running Goals: Consistency and S & C

Image
Last year, I made some long-term running goals that I knew were stretches. I got closer to my goal times but did not meet them. I plan to continue to work towards those times. However, I have two new goals to add for 2025. Do Not Take More than 4 Days off from Running Unless I’m injured or just completed a race, my goal is to not have more than 4 days off from running this year. In August 2024, I had 17 days off; in September/October, I had 12 days off; and in December, I had 13 days off. It’s too hard to return to running after so many days off. I’ve read it gets harder to return to running as you get older, meaning staying consistent is more important. None of these days off were due to injury. I need to ensure consistency with my runs because I don’t like starting three steps back after each extended break from running. Strength and Conditioning After fixing my form and injuring myself doing so last year , I noticed the toll running has taken on my glutes and quads. I need to give t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Replacing an Oil Pan Gasket Without Disconnecting the Transmission!

Image
Our 2004 Malibu LT had a slow oil leak. Over the Fourth of July, it progressed to a small puddle of oil in the driveway. It took some time to investigate the cause and a little courage to turn some bolts, but now the car is leak-free. Here’s a recap of what I did. The car was leaking on the front of the engine, which in this car means the passenger side. Observing the area by the crankshaft was difficult because the splash shield is a two-part component. Upon inspection, the front seal looked like it was leaking. I cleaned it up and the boss around the seal, and put the liner back in place. Cleaned front seal and boss. Almost immediately, the car started leaking again. A week later, when I re-inspected the front seal, it was clean, as was the boss. I thought it could be the oil pan gasket, the timing cover gasket, or the oil filter adapter gasket. I cleaned the area around the oil p...
Post a Comment
Read more

Using Energy Gels for Hard Efforts

Image
Fueling Whilst Running: It’s Not Limited to Long Runs I usually take fuel in the form of gels for long runs. I typically consume gels during (not before) runs that take me more than an hour and a half. In addition, I will take a gel before the race starts for half-marathons and marathons. Last Saturday, I had a 5K time trial scheduled as part of my training plan. After completing my warmup, which consisted of a 1-mile jog and four strides, I decided to consume a gel. Many factors worked in my favor that day. The weekly mileage was reduced like a cut-back week, and the weather was much cooler. I dialed in my time trial pace from my last attempt (8:20/mi.) and let it rip. I had negative splits and a 2024 PB! I was 5.5 seconds away from a true PB. I averaged 8:09/mi and ran 5K in 25:31. I am still determining how much the gel contributed to my physical performance and whether or not there was a psychological advantage. On Monday, 10x 1/4 Mile Intervals were on my schedule. This workout in...
Post a Comment
Read more