Thirteen years ago, I was teaching at an elementary school is a migrant community. After the Columbine shooting, my school district put lockdown drills into place. We practiced those drills along with fire drills and tornado drills.
Sometime after that, the lockdown drill became a reality when a person ran through our school’s soccer field wielding a gun and shots were fired. We (the teachers) had to turn off our lights and hide with our students in our classrooms. We had to be brave for our students. We had to protect them and these students came from horrible homes and probably saw this type of thing regularly. School was their safe place, but not that day.
As an educator, I can’t even imagine how the teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School felt that fateful Friday last week. I can’t even imagine what went through their minds as they tried to be brave and protect their students who thought school was their safe place. As parent, I just want to hold my babies and never let go.
God bless the teachers, the survivors and the families as they deal with their loss. Hopefully, schools can be safe places again and maybe the powers that be will make common sense gun control as common place as lockdowns.
Also thirteen years ago, I married my best friend. It’s been a crazy, mad wild ride but I wouldn’t change one day of it, especially since my husband still has a few surprises up his sleeve. He bought me this mirror from IKEA that I’d been eyeing for the longest time and wrote a message on it that says, “Denise, Happy Anniversary. You are beautiful and I love you. xxxx ♥ ♥”
His present is…er…um….on backorder. Yep, that’s it!
Speaking of surprises, my husband pulled a doozy on me yesterday. He high jacked my email and contacted Joe of 10 News to ask if he would to announce our anniversary on the air during our Moms Squad segment. Watch it here and check out my totally surprised expression at the end.
On the subject of the Mom Squad, Joe has asked Marisa, Jenny and me to be his regular team every week, so we are officially The Mom Squad, which of course means we need our own coffee mugs since we’re part talk show television. Plus, if I was holding a coffee mug, it would keep me from speaking with my hands. Here’s last week segment.
I’m really struggling mentally with my marathon training. I’m just so tired lately and as a result, my training is suffering. Then, the Holiday Half didn’t go so well, but at least I beat my time from 3 years ago which shouldn’t been hard to do since I was pregnant then. (More about the Holiday Half tomorrow!)
I had a really tough time recovering after the half marathon. On Sunday I woke up with this horrible Charlie horse in my thigh I know it’s a direct result from not fueling properly after the race. Other than a few beers, I didn’t drink any of my usual recovery drinks such as chocolate milk or coconut and I didn’t eat for hours after the race. Stupid move, I know and I definitely paid for it in the middle of the night.
Since my Mondays are Mom Squad days, I’ve also had to readjust my whole marathon training schedule. But given the whole Charlie horse episode, I also decided against speedwork last week and just went for an easy 3 mile run.
3.1 miles
Time 31:25
Ave Pace 10:08
Max Pace 8:08
And that was the last time I ran last week, except for my 20 miler on Saturday. Again, not my proudest marathon training moment, but it happens. Last week was a really tough week for me emotionally and my training suffered. I honestly considered postponing my 20 miler until the following week, but my running partners talked me into it. Sometimes peer pressure does have its benefits.
So, I ran I went into my 20 miler with only 3 miles recorded that week and I was dreading it. I feared the worst and I warned my running partners that I would be all piss and vinegar and cussing up a storm.
After 5 miles, I had this weird pain in the top of my foot, like my shoelaces were too tight. I tried to loosen them but things still hurt. Overall it wasn’t my best, but we finished just under 4 hours and I could walk afterwards. 20 miles in the books! And even with all those weird foot pains, I found the energy to do a 5-10-15-20 dance with my running partners.
20 miles
Time 3:56: 35
Ave Pace 11:50
Max Pace 8:07
Today, I decided against speedwork but elected to do a 4 mile tempo run. I even threw some sprints in at the end.
4.25 miles
Time 40:46
Ave Pace 9:36
Max Pace 6:47 (0.25 sprint – 7:33)
According to variety of plans I’m following to make up my hybrid plan, this week is a step-back week to 12. I like the sound of that distance.
What’s you running plans for the week? Got some sprints to share? What other work-outs are you doing?
I am excited to announce a new Track Tuesday co-host! Meghan of runMeganrun will be joining me on the track for weekly speedwork. The “rules” are still the same, so link up and play along with us.
To join our Track Tuesday linky party, do your speed work (at least 4 quarter mile sprints) on Tuesday or any day you that works best for you, blog about your times and remember to add our cool Track Tuesday button to your post. Then, link up your post at either runMeganrun or Run DMT to share Track Tuesday Speed Work Sessions. To show support for our other virtual running partners on the Track Tuesday Team, be sure to visit the other blogs listed in the linky party. Give them a virtual high-five and leave some comment love too.
*Also linking up at*
You have inspired me to get off my booty. 🙂 My work has me exhausted and I have not been working out at all. I have just been darn exhausted. I’m suppose to be running the Disney Half next month. It will probably be more like run/walking at this point. 🙂
Are you coming to Florida next month? I’ll be running the Disney marathon! We need to meetup!
Yes I will be flying in on the 9th. I will be there for most of the month. I was just writing Steph from your blogging group that I follow most of the blogs from the Tampa Bay Bloggers. Maybe I can meet all of you. I will be home for most of the month. That would be cool. 🙂 I have your email so I will get you my contact details.
you’re a TV star!!!! i never knew that….
It’s all still pretty new and too soon to be carrying around 8×10 autographed glossy headshots of myself.
Ok..I haven’t read in a couple Weeks….boy did I just catch up!!! Bravo!!!! That word sums it up Merry Christmas!!!!
Nice workouts Denise! The Mom Squad thing is so cool! I need real life running friends!! I’m still trying to figure out if I can manage a little speed work with ultra training because I love it. Most training recommendations do not include speed work 🙁
Have a great weekend!
Yes, I was going to say that speedwork would not be wise with ultra training. So excited for your goal and to be joining your 13 in 2013!
Hey! You got it done and that’s all that matters! Do you have allergies like me? All those meds and post nasal drip make me so sleepy, so I feel ya!
I have horrible allergies and asthma. I’ve really been suffering the last couple of weeks. 😛
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