Healthy Teachers - Healthy Schools...Picture!

The local newspaper interviewed us in regards to the Healthy Teachers-Healthy Schools contest. The reporter took a few pictures and congratulated us on our accomplishment. I wanted to share a picture with all of you. (Of course, I am the only one with a dress - cannot miss me, I guess.)

What a great TEAM!

What I once was...but can still be

Today this is all I could think about - wanting to be bold and strong.

But somehow, that did not happen. I wish I were that same girl (which is me as a child)- hands on her hips, confident, and brave to face all of life's difficulties with a smile, knowing that this is part of our mortal experience on earth. I hope that I can smile more often (which, my siblings are amazing at) when sore trials come upon me.

I need to tell myself that
I am CONFIDENT
I am STRONG
I am BRAVE
I am TRUE
I am VALIANT

Rain, Rain Go Away....so I can RUN!

It has rained for 7 days! The minute that I am gung-ho, ready to head out for a run, it begins to rain. This has happened everyday for a week. :( I have to wait until it stops, because I do not like running in the rain. Although, I have done it many times! I have felt discouraged because the Cleveland Half is in 17 days! I do not feel adequately prepared. I have never ran a half so I am not sure what to expect. I have thought that to run well you always have to go hard core. Well, I have not been running hard core. I was asked by my friend, who is also running in the Cleveland Half, if I had a time that I would like to finish in. I replied that I just would like to finish! My friend ran in the Columbus Half, so she has experience. She has been very helpful in deciding what to and not to bring. I will just have to do my best!

Do you have any suggestions as to how to prepare for a half marathon?

Healthy Teachers - Healthy Schools Contest Part III

We WON the contest! Our school team lost the most percentage of weight in comparison to the other area schools. I feel like I did not help much with my 15 pounds, but it was definitely a team effort. I am getting closer to my feel great weight - much to celebrate!

Muddy Trails!

This morning, I ran a 5K at a local nature preserve. This week has been very rainy so the trails were extremely muddy and swampy :( However, despite the mud, swamp, twists and turns, and steep hills I realized that I enjoy trail running. It was absolutely gorgeous - the smell of spring, blossoms blooming on the trees, a wooden bridge, a bird lookout, and the sun shining through the trees. I loved every minute of the race! Next time though, I will have to wear an older pair of shoes and a change of clothes just in case. I even placed 2nd in my age group for 25-29 year olds - uber elated :)

Well, off to finish packing to visit our families for Easter!

I hope you enjoy your Easter weekend with your family and friends!

5K Run to Empower Race Photos!

Thanks a MILLION Sarah for the pictures!

Getting ready for the race to begin!

These young women are amazing!

At last, the finish! It was an amazing race!

I Heart Races!

On Saturday, I ran in Columbus near the OSU campus in a 5K. It was sponsored by a college campus group for Run to Empower. At first, I did not know if I would even run because it was pouring down rain. The race was delayed a half an hour but so worth it. After the down pour, the sun was bright and warm! My sister Sarah was there with me. We had such a BLAST! I enjoyed every minute of the race as I saw her after completing each mile and finally at the finish. She is an amazing cheerleader. In fact, I received a personal record of 29: something. (They used very informal timing with their cell phones.) I look forward to seeing the pictures that she took of us and me running. So, hurry up Sarah! :)  I will definitely post them.

I Think I can, I Think I can....Almost there!

It has been a whirl wind these past few weeks. It is so hard to believe that the school year is coming to a close. The weeks are passing by faster and faster. I can hardly keep up! I have to tell myself I'm almost there! I will make it through - just like the Little Engine that Could.

Being a teacher is rewarding, but as the year draws to an end there is so much to finish - material to cover, prepare students for achievement testing, meetings to attend, asking questions like,"What more can I do that I have not done already?" and the list continues on.

I feel terrible that I did not take the time to share that my husband and I celebrated our first anniversary on the 2nd of April. Sadly, it came and went. The most important day of my life and I do not remember if we even did anything. Just pathetic :(

Somedays, I loose perspective. I forget to smell the roses, you could say. I need to STOP and just take a few moments for myself and my husband. I have opportunities to run, walk, read a great book, talk with friends and family, but get so caught up in what I am doing that I do not. I spread myself too thin.

I started an amazing book entitled Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand about a month ago. Have I finished it? No! Will I? Yes! It's my challenge for this month. Along with contining to run in preparation for the Cleveland Half; which is, by the way, next month!

Do you have moments where you spread yourself too thin and forget to "smell the roses"? How do you keep the balance between family/home and work life?