11.29.2014

First Race

I got to see Allex - who works at OFC where the race was hosted
I officially ran my first race. I ran it!

Okay, so I didn't run the whole thing. I stopped a few times to walk... but I ran it!

I did a 4 mile run on Thanksgiving morning and made it in 44:24. It may not be the fastest ever - but its my own personal record from my "training" that I've been lacking on. My dream goal was do it in less an 45:00

It felt so good to get out there and do it. I wasn't even the last one in!

I think this helped give me the confidence I needed to know I can keep running. I made it and didn't die - even though it was cold.

So now I just need to get in a good rhythm of a schedule and then off I can go.

Umm. Wait.. What?!

So I had given up hope that I would get a classroom this school year and just put it in the back of my mind that I could get one, hopefully, in the fall.

Then I got an email from someone at the district.

They're opening a new classroom starting just after Christmas Break in January.

Of course, my first thought was that if they were expanding and needing a new classroom that it would probably not be close to home. I would have to really travel to get to it.

Then she said it would be in South Orem.
Um.. I live in Orem!

So then I started getting in contact with USU to make sure I would be able to get into the program.
Yep. They do it all the time - it would just take 2 1/2 years to do it instead of the traditional 2.

So now I'm preparing like crazy in case I actually get it.


I still have to interview. I still have to go up against teachers who are already certified.

But I'm hoping my 6+ years of experience can help set me apart. Hopefully.


So this Thanksgiving Break I've worked on creating and printing and sewing a calendar set, made a visual schedule (with a million options so I'm sure to have everything), and gathered some toys and things that would be helpful in my classroom. I also am in the process of making Rob help me perfect my resume & cover letter.

I want the job so badly and I feel like I'm so close but so far away. It terrifies me though that in a month I could have my own classroom. I'll be leaving the world of aides and actually be in charge.


I think the hardest thing for me that I had to do was let Maggie know. If I get this job I wouldn't be able to be her long term substitute. Of course this news came after I was all ready to be hired at any moment by the subbing company.
She's been supportive though and there to answer questions. It wasn't until after I told her that I was able to actually get excited about it.

So now in the next week I'll hopefully get all applied and interview soon.
Then I'll have two weeks over Christmas Break to get a classroom all ready to go.

[Two weeks is not enough time! Ahhh!]

11.01.2014

Half Marathon

Its official.

I have always hated running. Never could do it or get into it. Emily really helped me push to get into it and now I don't hate it quite as much.

I really love being able to say at the end of the day that I ran without stopping for __ miles.

I love it!


So I running a 4 mile run for Thanksgiving and by April I hope to be in shape enough because I'm running a half-marathon with my aunt and cousin.  I'm a little terrified.


I never thought I would want to run 13.1 miles. I never thought I would want to run 2 miles.

But the idea of completing it makes me feel so excited for my future self. I can do hard things!

Rob says I'm crazy and no one should ever want to run that far. But you know what - I want to!


I have a training plan in place and a couple motivators to keep me going. I no longer am worrying about how my body looks because I just feel better - I have more endurance to do more things.

April 25th will be here so fast but I will be ready and WILL run 13.1 miles in under 3 hours (or I don't get to finish or get a medal!). I will do it!

Goals

These were my goals for 2014.

Its officially November. How am I doing now that year is close to over?

ehhhhh....

1: Work out 4 times a week: I was horrible with this - up until the last month or so. I've been running usually 3+ days a week and have been motivated and excited to do more.

2: Run a 5k: I participated in 2 this spring but walked the majority of them. They each took me about 45 minutes walking. I really wanted to run a 5k. I will be running a 4 miler (just over a 5k) on Thanksgiving morning with Emily - so hopefully this will be successful.

3: Hike Mount Baldy: We tried - and never made it. But I did hike Angels Landing so maybe that counts? I still really want to do Baldy though ... maybe before it snows like crazy I still can?!

4: Eat Healthier: I definitely didn't start the year out great. I did pretty good for a while but have fallen back into not counting. I don't think I'm terribly over where I should be, but definitely over.

5: Drink 90 ounces of water a day: School days I do really good at this - but when I'm just hanging out around the house I am not so great at it. I get headaches very easily and if I could stay on top of drinking water I don't think I would get them nearly as much.

6: Only eat out once a week: Failure. I think a typically week Rob and I go out to eat at least twice. Its hard to keepup on having other things around to eat and its just so much easier to go out. We're usually going to winco to get some pre-made food in the deli so its better than like Wendy's, but I still have time to improve!

7: Be in bed no later than 11:00: I'm also slacking at this - Its hard to get to bed early when I come home and nap - then I end up not tired to go to sleep and just have formed a really bad cycle.

8: Don't sleep in past 11:00: so this may seem pathetic for a goal - but if I don't set an alarm, I do not wake up before like 1:00 in the afternoon. Seriously. I have actually done really good at this though! There have been a few times I've snoozed my alarm to 11:30 but for the most part I'm never still in bed past 11:00.

9: Make a budget every month: I started the year off great with this. It really helped me to see where I could be saving money - but slowly stopped throughout the summer when I made more money. Now I'm back to not having as much because of having to manage classes as well  and should get back into it but it kinda depresses me to look at it all.

10: Put 10% of money into savings: I was really good with this until the school year started. I have a hard time making it month to month without having to pull from savings right now because of my lack of hours. I know I could probably still make things work with being 10% less but I forget to take it out first and then just feel like I need that extra money for gas or something. Two more months and I can get more realistic with this.

11: Read one book for fun a month: I read a few new books this year but had a hard time getting into anything I really enjoyed. Any suggestions for me?!

12: Graduate: I'm on the track - two more months and I'm DONE!

13: Be Happy: This year has definitely made things a little rocky between my parents divorcing and having to sell the house. I have my moments of just wanting to curl into a ball but for the most part I feel I've been a happier person.


I'm starting to think of new goals for next year already and how I can help myself actually achieve them. I need to be more accountable and look at them often so I can remember where I want to be.