Kentucky Derby Festival Mini-Marthon

I've never really don't a race recap before, but I see lots of people that do. I thought I'd give it a go...

A little background...
This past weekend I ran a race that was pretty important to me. It was my 10th 1/2 marathon and second completed in the past 5 months. I began running for the second time about 8 months ago. I've had a few bumps, but I am really proud of the progress I've made. I've lost a little weight, but I'm still struggling in the food category. With long days and a few crazy weeks it's easier to grab something quick or to skip breakfast. This is an on-going battle that I will continue to work on! When I ran before (2008-2011) I battled with shin splints and not training to the best of my ability. This time around I have done a good job of easing into it. That has been a huge help with keeping shin splints at bay. I've set small attainable goals to keep motivation up. I've enlisted my sister-in-law (not sure she is aware) as my "coach." I talk about running with people. I keep a calendar hanging in my kitchen that I record all of my runs on. I overall feel like all of these things are holding me accountable and keeping my motivation up. Plus, I set a goal to run 650 miles this year. I'm determined to blow that on out of the water! It's also been a huge outlet for this tough school year. This race helped signify where I've been in my running journey and where I want to go...

The theme this year was "I Run Because..."

Who doesn't love race "swag?"

My tweet made the board!

 

Day: Saturday April 25, 2015

Time: 7:30am

Weather: 55 degrees and rainy (A range of misting to a few downpours.)

Total Participants: I don't know, I couldn't count that high. 16,000 maybe.

Oranges cut by the Weiter's: 4 cases with about 100 oranges each. Cut into 8 slices each makes about 3,200 oranges!!

Goal Time: 2:39:36
Finished Time: 2:48:20

The good, the bad, and the ugly...and a few funnies.

Good/ I finished.

Good/The temperature.

Good/I dressed perfectly.

Good/Vaseline works wonders on your toes and heals.

Good/I earned a pedicure. It was heaven.

Good/I slept well the night before.

Good/I wasn't stressed about time because I never knew what it was.
 
Good/Hearing all of the out-of-towners talk about our amazing city while running .It was so fun hearing about things they wanted to see and do.
 
Good/The two people dressed as ninja turtles.

Good/I felt comfortable most of the race.

Good/The support from my family.
 
Good/Running through Churchill Downs. So fun!
 
Good/Oranges right before mile 11 provided by the best family in the world.

Good/I added another awesome medal to my collection.

Good/Feeling confident in my abilities.

Good/The high school band playing around mile 4.

Good/The amazing spectators and awesome signs. Louisville doesn't disappoint even in the rain.
 
Funny/I totally missed the signs for miles 5 and 7.

Funny/A woman marathoner passed me TWICE!

Bad/I didn't have a watch on.
 
Bad/My Nike+ app didn't start.
 
Bad/I never knew what time I was at because of not having a watch and not having my app start. I had no clue as to when I crossed the start line either.

Bad/I missed my goal, but I blame it on mile 12 stomach issues and the fact that I missed two long runs leading up to this day.

Bad/RV music didn't make it.

Bad/Michelle and I didn't get to meet up before OR after to celebrate!

Ugly/the way my stomach felt at mile 12.

Ugly/crowd after the finish under the expressway.

Really...those "bads" are not that bad, but I really didn't like the way my stomach felt (thank God it passed) and I really didn't like the crowd either. Everyone was at a stand still. It wasn't bad running in the rain at all, but when I finished I was just ready to go home and it was the most difficult path to get out of the finish line area.

Michelle and I met up on Sunday at the park. We walked a little to stretch out our muscles. (It's key to keeping any soreness at bay and it really helps). I am a big nerd and totally made her bring her medal for a post-race selfie. I mean technically it was post race...who cares if it was 24 hours post race.

So proud of her!

We do it for the bling!

Dairy Castle celebratory shakes.

Should there be a 26.2 in my future? What do you think?

xoxo-Kim

{End of March and Beginning of April Goodness}

A good life is a collection of happy moments...

I'm continually adding moments...

I hope you are too...

 I had never been to Wild Eggs, but back in March Craig, Lisa, and Lilly invited me to go. Even though everyone always raves about it I was still a little skeptical because I am not a huge breakfast food fan. I'm not into the waffles, sausage, bacon, muffin thing. BUT...My first trip was delicious with some Mr. Potato-head hash brown casserole. I have no clue if that's really what it called. 

It was so yummy the first time, I met my friend Katie at the beginning of this week for brunch. Yes, I was that person that took a picture of their food. YUM! This was their version of a KY Hot Brown. Oh.M.Goodness! I'm definitely going back for some of this. 

Michelle and I ran the 2nd and 3rd leg of the Triple Crown! 

Always throwing up the L's!

Our surprise cheerleaders!

They had the start/finish line backwards. Such a tease!

Race 2!

Pre-Race Selfie! 10K

Gearing up for the 3rd race! 

10 Miler!

Our Papa John's 10 Miler Cheerleader!

Love finishing on the field! That turf is like music to your feet! 

Next up Derby Festival Mini-Marathon! 

I haven't been on a 5th grade trip since being at Gilmore. It was a nice day overall. The kiddos behaved for the most part and they had a really good time. That is what is most important. They were able to make memories that will last a lifetime. 

Cotton Gin at the Freedom Center.

Henry's Freedom Box

My Group! <3 her!

My teammate and I...

UL Wins! 

History Museum

I was able to complete my video taping for my National Boards entry. I wanted to take a pic of this all-boy group that worked really hard. 

UofL went to the Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament. Overall it was a good season. Next year is going to look a lot different. 

I am going to miss the Spring Game this week because I will be traveling home from my trip. Luckily I was able to catch a little practice time. I am on the hunt for a new favorite player this year.... 

Sweet baby Lillian was baptized on Easter!

I spent some time with my favorite little ladies. 

Went on my first zoo trip as an aunt! 

One of the most adorable books ever! I have a new love for gorillas. Ivan will definitely win you over. 

I CANNOT wait to share this with the kiddos in my class especially since so many of them LOVE basketball. 

The whole story is written in a series of poems.

Mixed in with some basketball "rules" that also pertain to real-life. 

I hope all is well!

Keep collecting those happy moments. 

xoxo-Kim

Favorite R's of Spring Break.

The Teaching Trio has a monthly favorites linky party. 

Here are my three favorite R's of Spring Break! 

Reading: There is just something about being able to plow through some good literature on Spring Break. By plow though, I mean being able to sit long enough to read an entire book in one setting. I know I am not reading super intense adult novels, but instead enjoying literature that I can share with my students. So far this week I have read The One and Only Ivan, The Crossover, and I am currently reading Paperboy. I already know what I am headed to the book store to get for my trip to Denver next week. I follow a few literacy teachers (I would LOVE to only teach literacy) on Instagram and look into their recommendations. So far, they have all been spot on!

Running: Running 2.0 is going great and it's nice to be able to walk out the door in the morning, afternoon, or evening. I would love to run every morning, but it just doesn't work out before I get to school super early. The Derby Festival Mini-Marathon is coming up. I am SUPER excited about this race. It's been too long since I have ran this one. 

221.3 ran...428.7 to go. Right on track to meet my yearly goal. I have a feeling April is going to be a break-out month. lol That sounds funny, but I'm excited to continue my 2.0 journey. 

Resting: This is an obvious one. Resting to me incorporates so much more than sitting on the coach relaxing. It includes going to brunch with friends, hanging out at the zoo, spending time with my nieces, hanging out with my sister-in-laws, sleeping in, blogging. You know anything besides school work. 

What are your favorite Spring Break activities?!?!

xoxo-Kim

Currently

Gosh, I've been pretty MIA again lately. So much to-do and so little time. I've always wondered how "real" bloggers actually keep up with things. It completely baffles me how teachers have the most up-to-date posts, TpT stores, families, lives ect. I honestly do not get it. Am I doing something wrong?!?!? Nope. My life is just different than theirs. :) I have a lot to share, but for now I'll stick with April's Currently linky partay with Oh' Boy 4th Grade.

Listening: We have had a lot of rain here lately in Louisville. So much, we had to sit in the hall at school about 30 minutes past dismissal last Thursday and school was cancelled Friday. There has been A LOT of flooding going on. It's rained every day this week and is expected to continue. That's okay...no rain can ruin this Spring Break parade. I've been to the book store multiple times and timed my runs to fit in-between storms. 

Loving: I really do not think that there is much more to explain past the two words....

Spring.Break.Period.

Thinking: As much as I try to be completely lazy it's hard. I like to be moving about and productive should be my middle name. I enjoy crossing things off of a good ole' to-do list. Tomorrow I do have to stop by school and finalize my sub plans for next week. I'll be in DENVER!!!!! So stoked! I am going to the dentist too. 

Wanting: I'm ready. I am not a fan of wishing time away, but spring break is such a tease for summer. It's what I'm living for this year. Not literally, but I'll be happy when it gets here. It really isn't that far away either. I CAN DO IT! 

Needing: AHHHHHHHHH! I am pretty good at NOT procrastinating and this procrastination really hasn't happened on purpose. It's just not at the TOP of my right-now list. I NEED MUST work on my entry tonight. I am meeting with my group on Friday and I need to be able to take something to the table. I have taught my unit, video tapped 6 lessons, collected all of my evidence. I just need to get everything on paper. Then I can focus on editing and revising to get it just right. THINK FOUR MORE POINTS FOR ME PEOPLE! 

EGGS-plain you name: Welp, it's pretty simple. I have an older brother and a younger brother. I am smack dap in the middle. Three years separates me from both of them. I am their rose and they are my thorns. HA! I really think that I am one of the most blessed in the sibling department. They are amazing in so many ways and I am thankful to have such a wonderful relationship with them both (and their wives too!).

What are you currently up to?!?!

xoxo-Kim

{Ten for Tuesday...I mean WIDW...Nope, It's Thursday!}

WOW! Time has literally flown by since last Tuesday, Wednesday, THURSDAY!  I have had something going on pretty much every night for nearly two weeks. Either something to attend or something that was a must do. 

I'm going to go for the trifecta and hit Ten for Tuesday, What I'm doing Now, and Three for Thursday....Let's see... 

10 Things that are on my mind...

1. I am so thankful that my brother and sister-in-law treated me to The Lion King for my 30th birthday. [Yes, I am aware that I am 31.]  IT WAS AMAZING! Lisa and I had a great time enjoying appetizers and drinks before the show catching up on life and it was a fun night out!

YAY! 

So excited!! 

Our traditional party pic selfie!

2. Pretty excited to get some new running shoes this week! I am glad that I was able to find and stick with a style and fit that works for me. I really love Brook's, but they always run a bit on the pricey side. Saucony's have served me well with an affordable price tag. This also means I get to now wear my old running shoes (that still look pretty new) as everyday shoes. I only wear my running shoes to run in therefore they do not get very dirty. 

3. I haven't been in my classroom since Tuesday and it's helped me free my brain.I internalize so much that goes on with my kiddos it breaks me down. My team had our all day planning session on Wednesday. It had to be rescheduled because of snow days. It just so happened to fall the day before (today) my KTIP intern and I scheduled her last in-class observation day. That just happened to fall right before the day I scheduled (about two months ago) a few doctor's appointments. It's been a pretty productive few days. 

4. I decided to eat lunch with the class that I was in today. First graders are way different than 5th graders. One told me all about how she calls one of my students "honey bun" because he is so cute. Then they thought it was hilarious that I could remember their names. They also tried to convince me that the barbecue sauce that I was dipping my chicken nuggets in was hot sauce. Such great lunch conversation!

5. I am in the middle of my Entry 2 for National Boards. I video taped 5, yes FIVE lessons over the course of five days. That's a lot to deal with. Fingers crossed that I will be able to find one good 15 minute section that I can highlight. My kiddos made it tough a few days.

6. I am being observed by my principal this coming Monday. I'm sure it will be fine, but the anticipation of an observation is never fun. 

7. I have to write a paper for my Bellarmine Literacy Class that's due next Thursday. 

8. I'm running a 10K on Saturday. My goal is to beat my time from the fall. 

9. I'm wanting to build my Spring Break reading list. I'm open to recommendations! Currently I only have The One and Only Ivan.

10. I really like March Madness, but I do not like the side it brings out of some people. Yes, I am aware that I should not (and I do not) take what people say seriously, but it stills says something about the type of person they are.  

What I'm Doing Now...

Wondering if Derek did or did not cheat on Meredith... #pleaseno

Three KP Quotes for Thursday...
1. "Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody."

2. "Be cool to people even if they are not cool to you, because somebody was probably not cool to them."

3. "Give the world a reason to dance. It's everybody's duty to do that." 

How are things in your neck of the woods?!?!?!

xoxo-Kim