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It’s Been a Journey! Life Update

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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,...
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Still Streaking on One Goal (Barely)

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Although I only ran two times last week, since I am posting on a Tuesday, I can tell you that I did not break my first goal of taking more than four days off from running. Phew! Last week, the plan was to run an 8K time trial on Saturday. I completed a 15-minute tempo run on Monday. Due to my schedule, I had to skip 11x 1/4-mile intervals on Tuesday. Considering the remaining daylight hours, running a 5K base on Wednesday was better than trying the intervals. Thursday and Friday were set aside for rest days. However, life threw me a curveball, and I couldn't run on Saturday or Sunday. Thankfully, I managed to get out there on Monday. I did S & C on both run days last week (and yesterday), but since I did not try to squeeze in an extra session last week, I missed that goal for the second week in a row. It looks like this week’s plan will mirror last week’s. I can’t run today (Tuesday), but I can run the intervals I missed last week on We...
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Streak Lost, Lesson Learned

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There’s not much to talk about with my running week. I maintained my first goal of not taking more than four days off running. I broke my streak of completing strength and conditioning work three times a week. I ran four days last week; two were workouts (tempo and interval), a long run, and a base run. I tend to do S & C on base run and recovery run days. However, I only had one base run last week. I was crunched for time and never did my S & C. I learned that I need to plan to do my S & C on days I don’t run, especially if I skip a base or recovery run. Lesson learned, and on to next week.
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Dinosaur Brain Activated

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I reminded myself this week that I have a problem with pacing races and time trials. I let the reptilian portion of my brain take over and throw out any common sense. I assume I am in better shape and have gained fitness, and I try to run at a pace that is outside my abilities. It’s going all out to prevent leaving anything in the tank, only to consume the entire tank before the run is complete. I must train myself to take repeated small bites rather than bite off more than I can chew. Case in point: last Saturday’s 5K time trial. I did not have a clear goal time when I started. I noticed that my base runs had been getting faster at the same low heart rate, so I assumed my fitness had improved. My VO2 max, as reported by my watch, had also improved. The weather was cool (windy, but cool), and I run faster when it’s cool. I wanted to start where I left off in July 2024 and tried to run 8:20/mile, hoping to run a little faster to break my previous time. A little faster turned out to be 8...
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Garmin Badge Roundup

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Last week, I earned the Garmin streak badges I was working on. I earned my first Run Streak badge for running at least one mile 30 days in a row. I also earned my first 30 for 30 badge for running at least 30 minutes for 30 days straight. Then, I took my first rest day in 30 days. The schedule got busy, and Tuesday wasn’t a great time to run. The same busy schedule happened on Thursday, and I skipped running that day. However, I kept to my goal of not taking more than four days off. Speaking of badges, I thought there was a 15K badge for January. I ran 9.33 miles on Saturday, hoping to earn the badge, but I discovered that there wasn’t one. I also squeezed three S & C sessions in last week. Since I have historically not been good at doing S & C before a run, I sometimes forget and must complete it afterward. The rest days were good for me. After a day off, Wednesday’s base run felt strong. Friday evening’s run was speedy on the track. I...
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2025 Consistency

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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...
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No Quitters Day for Me!

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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.
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December 2024 Running Update

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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 ...
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