Fall Favorites!

I love everything fall! The changing of leaves to flamboyant reds, yellows, oranges, and browns; eating warm carrot cake muffins, pumpkin pie, and oatmeal;  wearing longer skirts, long sleeved blouses and riding boots (oh, also big, baggy sweaters too); running or walking through crisp breezes on early mornings or evenings; making piles of leaves and jumping in them; and snuggling up with a blanket and book.

I was reminded of my fall favorites today as my husband and I realized that on Friday we will be asked to park about three or four blocks away from our apartment to accomodate visitors this weekend. This weekend is Oktoberfest in our town. People come from all around to participate in the 10K race, eat good German food and drink lots of beer. My husband and I do not drink, but we enjoy participating in the 10K race that ends at the corner of our street. It is an incredible sight! This year, I will be running in the 10K race with a few friends. I am excited! I hope that my knee holds up for me. After running the Dayton Air Force 1/2 Marathon, it has not quite been the same. I am hoping it is just runner's knee. If all else fails, I can run/walk the 10K.

Summer is truly drawing to a close and fall is entering again for yet another season!

Fitting it all in!

Yesterday was a long day. Aside from teaching during the week, I have a part time job on Friday evenings after school and on Saturdays (unless, I ask for the day off). This Saturday I worked a double shift. What was I thinking? I was so exhausted and of course did not accomplish everything that I wanted to get done - run, lessons to plan, clothes to wash and fold, dishes to wash, and spend time with my husband.

I am in awe that some people are so organized, balanced, and just simply have it together despite hectic schedules or long days. They check everything off their list during the day and rest peacefully at night. I need to challenge myself to get more organized - prioritize my activities and responsibilities so I can rest peacefully. Because this morning, I woke up tired, rushed and scrambled; insomuch that my husband and I were late for church!

What do you do to stay organized?

Workout + Blue Skies = Perfect!

What a beautiful day! I took my bike out for a spin around the countryside. It was an incredible sight - the corn blowing in the wind, no cars on the road, and the sky was blue with fluffy, white, pillow clouds = perfect!
Enjoy your day :)

Heat Wave = Sweat'n

This morning I went out for a run and the moment I began, I was dripping in sweat. Some say that sweat looks as if you are glowing and maybe I was :) It did feel great!
Enjoy your Tuesday!

July Blues

Have you ever gotten a cold, let alone bronchitis in the summer? I never have until now. It has been two weeks and still no voice or any comfort. It is the strangest thing. I have not been able to run without my lungs almost collapsing but with the use of an inhaler it seems to be working. I am hopeful that it will not be too long until I can run full speed ahead.

In the meantime, I will take the doctor's orders to rest, rest, and rest.

National Running Day!

I hope you got your run in today because it is National Running Day! I know I did. I went out this morning before going into work (my new summer job while school is out).
Check out this great website http://www.runningday.org/site/  It even list 10 amazing ways to celebrate today!

It is not too late! Enjoy :)

National Bike Month

Two weeks ago, my husband bought me a commuter bike and since then I have been riding it everywhere! I love it! On Monday, we drove to Columbus to go to the Performance Bike shop to get a good helmet, a seat, and a lock. I prefer less chafing and a wider seat for comfort. We had a blast shopping and drooling over all the other cool things to get later; such as a trunk rack, seat post rack to hold baskets to get groceries in, and a bike and helmet for my husband too.

This morning, I was grateful that I have a bike to use. Our vehicle's brakes have not been functioning very well. We decided to take our vehicle into the local auto repair shop. My husband had to be at work at 7AM this morning. I dropped him off then drove back home to grab my bike so I could bike home after dropping the car off at the repair shop by 8AM. The repairman did not know how long it was going to take to find the problem and repair it. I am so glad that I decided to grab my bike and ride home. It was a beautiful morning and the mileage was not bad - 7.7 miles. Then I biked some more!

Thinking of bikes, this month (May) is National Bike Month. Cool huh? Also, May 16-20 is BIKE to WORK week. On the 19th, where I teach, I have professional development training. I will bike there!