Schedule

I have been meaning to put together a schedule of my workouts and running. I know that they motivate and keep me accountable for what I do. So, here is my schedule for the week:

Week of Feb. 27
Sunday: off
Monday: 100 push up challenge; 3 mi run (walked 4)

Tuesday: pilates (walked 4)

Wednesday: 100 push up challenge; 3 mi run (walked 4)

Thursday: pilates (walked 6)

Friday: 100 push up challenge; walk

Saturday: 4 mi run (ran a 5K)

Note: Because of my shin, I actually walked instead of ran this week, but still ran a 5K on Sat.

Saturday Field Trip

My husband rarely gets a Saturday off, so when he told me that he didn't have to work, I knew we needed to take a field trip - just to get out. We contacted our families to see if they would like to come and join us. My family had other plans, but Joe's family was available. We decided to go to the United States Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH. It was neat to see the airplanes and their advances throughout time. The base was huge - I did not realize that until we were there. I am grateful for the many men and women who have served our country and those serving now.

We even watched an IMAX movie entitled Hubble 3D. You can see a review of it here:  IMAX: Hubble 3D
It was incredible. I was so impressed by the beauty and grandeur of the pictures taken of our universe. We have so much to be grateful for to be here upon this Earth.

Do you take any Saturday field trips - just to get out?  If so, please share where you have been.

Blown Away and Broken Down

I want to say that this week has been great, but that would be a lie. It has gone by so quickly but hectic - another snow storm leaving school cancelled for a day, projects due despite the snow, meetings before and after school, relying on one vehicle between my husband and I, and worse -a sharp pain from my left shin shot up through my leg after running three miles. In fact, while at school teaching, just pacing from one end of the classroom and back was unbearable. Therefore, I have not ran this week. But, unfortunately, it has left me miserable and wondering what went wrong.

However, while at Kroger's today, looking through the magazine section, I noticed the Runner's World magazine and decided take a look. As I flipped through the pages of the March issue, I came across an article how to avoid common running injuries: The Big 7 Body Breakdowns. I was so elated - just what I needed! I read about shinsplints, thinking maybe that is what I am experiencing. I admit, I was confused while I read because I have been running for awhile and it mentioned that shinsplints occur when runners take time off and come back to it too quickly. They can also occur when wearing the wrong shoes or a pair of shoes with too many miles. In Sept. 2010, I got another pair of running shoes (Mizuno Wave Alchemy 9) from the Columbus Running Company. Do they have too many miles on them? Are they not effective anymore? Are my high arches making this worse?

Well, I will not ask too many questions, but will take the advice suggested in hopes to recover and avoid this particular injury again:

• Wear an appropriate shoe.
• Tape the shin with Kinesio Tex tape to alleviate pain and speed healing.
• Wear an air cast ankle brace.
• Instead of running, bike, pool run, or swim.
• Increase mileage slowly.

If you find yourself with any problems, be sure to check the article out. It was helpful for me.

A Week devoted to YOU!

I am writing to inform you that this week is National Eating Disorder's Awareness Week. Embedded below is a video that I found to be so true yet gut wrenching. It is an older video but its meaning and reality still applies today.



I encourage you to spend each day this week doing something special for yourself because you are worth it!
Here a few suggestions:

• Give yourself a hug
• Write a letter to yourself expressing all of your great qualities and attributes
• Write messages about yourself on a Post-It note and post to a bathroom mirror, wall, fridge, etc. such as I love my eyes, I am strong, or I am beautiful
• Go shopping for a new blouse or accessories (or a little black dress!)
• Get a manicure or pedicure
• Go for a run or walk with a loved one
• Treat yourself to dinner or a hot bubble bath
• Buy yourself flowers (even one will do)
• Read a good book or watch your favorite movie
• Just simply RELAX!

How did the video above impact you? What special things do you do for yourself?

Grateful Suggestions

This evening, I reflected upon a suggestion that my husband made concerning my blog. He stated that I have been writing a lot of ramblings but not much about my running. I decided to look for myself at older posts and realized that he was right. The idea of using my blog name as Ramble n' Run is because I love to do both. He reminded me that I need to focus on my running too - my schedule, training, upcoming races and recaps, goals, workouts, advice and etc.

So, beginning next week, I will write about my running experiences and share with you my love for it!

The Horror of Food and It's Processing!

I am an organic, all natural food eater. I enjoy shopping at local farmer's markets in the summer and getting our Thanksgiving turkey at a local turkey farm. I love reading about organic gardening (in hopes to plant our own this spring on our tiny lot) and being informed about ways to keep the environment healthy and clean. Recently, I finished reading Stirring It Up: How to Make Money and Save the World by Gary Hirshberg (Stonyfield Founder) and The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. I loved reading their books!

Well, last night, my husband and I rented the movie Food, Inc. (We were curious about it.) The movie quoted from The Omnivore's Dilemma and Fast Food Nation (which I have not read yet). The movie showed the horror that is invovled in the meat industry today and the control that a few business have over farmers in planting their crops. It was very informative, despite what I already knew, but it made me think.

My challenge today, for everyone, is to become more informed and help save our planet!

The Day after Valentine's!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's! I made homemade valentines for my students with wax paper and crayon shavings. I even made a few heart crayons from melted crayons put into heart molds for my husband! It was so much fun. (I much prefer handmade cards than store bought ones.) It was quite a surprise to get a heart-shaped waffle maker from my husband. I love how he always knows what to get. I love pancakes and waffles!

We had plans to eat out last night at La Piazza, a fancy Italian restaurant nearby, but the reservations were full. We went out tonight instead. The food was delicious. I ordered Chicken Mozzarella with pomodoro sauce. Yum, Yum! My husband's looked really good too. It was Smoked Chicken Ravioli.

It was a wonderful night, just to get away for the evening and treat ourselves to something great!

Little Black Dresses

I have always been fascinated by those who wear little black dresses. Especially, my three younger sisters. They all have one and look just divine in them. I do not have a little black dress. I never really felt as though I could pull it off, so I never bothered. However, until I found this beautiful poem written by another young woman on her blog, (http://wearelosingitblog.blogspot.com/), did I find myself thinking that maybe I should invest in a little black dress. It is as follows:

My Little Black Dress

The closet is a very personal place. Some like to keep it cleaned out while others choose to save a few pieces from every size they have ever been or hope to be.

Mine is of the "keep it clean" variety. Seeing sizes that do not fit only serve as a bitter reminder of what I am not. I get rid of them. Needless to say, the face of my closet has changed quite a bit over the years--an eerie reflection of the body whose clothes it contains.

However, through all the times I have pulled, donated and trashed, one article has remained. My little black dress. I have not worn my little black dress in 10 years, but I can never bear to part with it. It hangs quietly and humbly in the very back of my closet. It has never mocked me in the way the other garments did.

You see, the little black dress represents a hope. A small but promising hope that resides deep within my heart of hearts. A hope that has never given up on ME.

The little black dress is waiting on me, cheering me on--it always has been. Today it has moved from the deep, dark recesses of my closet and mind to the very front and center of the same. I will wear this old and faithful friend again--soon. And when I do, I may never take it off.

I hope that you have a little black dress. They say everyone should.

 I will have to save for this little black dress, but I am most definately sure it will be worth it!

New Widget: Daily Mile

I thought that I would upgrade myself by adding a widget to my blog - the daily mile. I was told that it is amazing and sure enough, I agree!  It is such an excellent way to record miles so I can share with you my progress. I wish I knew about this sooner. Oh well, now I will use it! (I have ran more than 4 miles just so you know :) This is just since Monday. I will have to include now Tues and today)

Spirit of the Marathon - Marathon Movie Trailer

I want to share with you this amazing trailer and website. It was inspiring to me. (I want to get a copy!) In fact, if you have not noticed, a lot of things are inspiring to me. I love to hear, view, and share stories that have strengthened and given me hope -acknowledging that all things are for our experience and good. I marvel at other's abilities to overcome trials, beat the odds, and accomplish tasks that were at first undefeatable. I think to myself if they can do it, why not me too?  I encourage you to take a look at it. You might realize that you can run a marathon too! (It is my goal for next year!)
Spirit of the Marathon - Marathon Movie Trailer

Cabin Fever!

Three consecutive snow days, at first seems so exciting, but I have a terrible case of cabin fever! I am sure that the students are loving it. However, I am aching to go back to school. I have a long list of things to accomplish but just have not been able to do them. I am not very good at completing tasks sometimes. I start three and get overwhelmed then do not finish any of them in the time I want. Then of course, I get upset at myself and the cycle unfortunately happens again. Ridiculous, I know. Any advice to organizing, please let me know!

It has been nice though to walk outside and try to run without killing myself on the icy and snowy roads. It has been difficult. My journey to the Cleveland 1/2 marathon has not been as successful as I would have hoped. I hope that I can keep going and not get too discouraged at my progress. Wish me luck!