Learn | Make | Fix | Run

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...

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...

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.

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 ...

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...

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,...