Motivated to Succeed

7:00 PM - Long day at school. Went last night to see Emmy's grandpa in the hospital. Was the first time I had met him even though I've known Emma for like 5 years. He is recovering from a heart attack and surgery. Good news is Emmy said she went today to see him again with her dad and he is doing better.

Even though I had "free" periods, I did a ton of planning, grading, and meeting. There is something new to learn every day and today was filled with learning opportunities. I left the school about 5:30pm tonight and got home around 6:00 pm. When my bed time is about 9pm at the latest, doesn't leave much time for anything. Still managed to get in a run.

Running is good for the mind. It cleans the conscience and relieves the stress.

Total Time: 50:34 Total Distance: 5.555 miles Average Pace: 9:06

"Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

5:15 PM - I really love this first full week at BArT. Times for smiling. Times for frowning. Times to learn from for the future. I really like the atmosphere of the school. It is all about the kids. It is centered around being the best we can to bring out the best in them. I am so glad to be a part of it.

Today at 1:30 was the recognition for the science fair projects. It was so great to see all of my 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders come together in the atrium. The high school is significantly smaller than the middle school, as after 9th grade you can't apply to get into the school. You have to be promoted. Well after the awards, we had about 10 minutes to kill and Ben Klompus (the principal) decided to have a community meeting where the students are given the opportunity to give "shout outs" to others that have helped them this year. It was great to hear the students thanking one another for being there for them through the good times and the bad. Students genuinely thanked their teachers for helping them progress from where they were at the start of the year to where they are today.

Well I was completely taken aback when TWO different students said that they wanted to give a shout out to Mr. Griffin. One said that he believed I deserved a shout out for, "coming in here so far into the year and actually teaching us history!" And another gentleman gave a shout out for Mr. Griffin having 'the best beard in the school!'. Haha. It made me laugh :D.

I drove home a little early. It was pay day! And even though I only worked 4 days last week I had a paycheck that equaled the biggest paycheck I've gotten at the bookstore (which was when I had 10 days of 8 full hours of work!). Granted a lot more goes into teaching and there is a lot of outside prepping, etc. that the bookstore doesn't have.

Emmy and I went jogging on Cadwell Road, running from the Causeway (Dan ___ Memorial Drive) at Onota Lake. This was the first real run outside I think that I've done this year since my injury). Phew. My quads are shot! I can't wait for the tired feeling tomorrow morning. Mm. Ran down to the end of the road and back. I ran the first 3 miles with Emmy, and then I sped up and ran 2 miles of tempo. Then I circled back to get her, but found she was only .10 miles behind! She is a trooper! She was really hammering the downhills too! We finished up together to the car and ran a loop of the causeway to get her to 6 miles. Felt good! I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE RUNS IN THOSE SHOES.. She runs in a pair of just lounge around Pumas (Pumma Pumas!). Splits were:

• Mile 1: 9:44
• Mile 2: 9:22
• Mile 3: 9:07
• Mile 4: 8:06
• Mile 5: 7:38
• Mile 6: 9:13

4:15 PM - I went running at the same place that Emm and I went running at on Friday after school. I did a faster paced run. My legs were still sore from Friday. I was going to go longer but it was really windy and nippy out there. Decided to do a harder shorter run than an LSD today. Hoping to get back to 25 or 30 miles soon. It will be tough with all the work I need to do however. Slow and steady.

Yesterday after work went to Fleet Feet in Albany. Really love this store. They actually know their running stuff. I bought a pair of Injinji toe socks for my Vibrams and stocked up on HAMMER Gel. (They're the only place that has HAMMER products). I also tested out a pair of Adistars and a pair of Reebok shoes which I ended up buying. I was going to get Brooks's Beasts, but they don't sell them. And rather then get another pair of Addictions since I still have some life on the ones I have now, I opted to try another pair. I am really tempted to get those Adistars though. They would be nice for the road, though they would get ripped apart on the trails I think. (Added in .30 miles that I ran yesterday testing out 3 pairs of shoes into today's mileage.) 

Saw one other runner out there today on the causeway. It was way windy though. Getting ready for my next work week. I put in another notice at the bookstore. After next Saturday I am going "contingent". :( They will miss me and I will miss them. Splits today were best this year so far:

• Mile 1: 8:34
• Mile 2: 8:31
• Mile 3: 8:31
• Mile 4: 8:33
• Mile 5: 8:36
• .22: 1:53 (8:44)

Total Time: 44:37 Total Distance: 5.22 miles Average Pace: 8:33

7:00 PM - Long day at work. Happy Monday! Mondays are always the worst because I only have 1.5 hours the whole day without a class or supported study to oversee. Got out around quarter to five and made it home by about 5:20. Had dinner with Emmy and then decided to go jogging while she did the elliptical. Had to wear the new shoes because I must've stepped in some dog business while running yesterday. Washed my other shoes and now they are drying downstairs.

New shoes feel pretty good. I like the way the Reeboks feel. These are the first pair of Reeboks I've ever bought. Always time for something new. That is after all the essence of the long distance runner. Trying new things to see if they work. Keeping those that do, tweaking and adapting for those that don't. Only time will tell what might come.

Total Time: 30:02 Total Distance: 3.26 miles Average Pace: 9:13

4:50 PM - One thing is for certain - working at a charter school sure makes you sleep at night. I got home exhausted but knew I had to go for a run. Today was crazy busy with near-riots, a fire drill caused by a burning bagel in a toaster, and students all over the place. Somehow got through it. One thing is for certain, the week seems to fly by when you have a busy job!

Went running from the Causeway again. Emma had gone walking with her dad 4.5 miles earlier in the day and then also went along with me. She is such a trooper. I ran the first mile with her and then sped up, turning around at the 2.6 mile mark. Came back and picked her up around the 2 mile mark and then she ran with me a bit. The 5th mile I sped up again, though she is fast going downhill! Emm really knows how to throw on the afterburners going downhill whereas I am pretty slow and steady. Cooled down around the Causeway which stunk because all the snow is melting and it reeks of old goose poop. Splits were:

•  Mile 1: 9:22
• Mile 2: 8:36
• Mile 3: 8:38
• Mile 4: 8:22
• Mile 5: 7:56
• Mile 6: 8:03

4:40 PM - Cloudy and overcast. Windy. Had a 1/2 day today but then a 1/2 day of training for MCAS. Wanted to go home before going back to the school for the high school dance. Ben asked if any teachers would make an appearance as a chaperone and only 1 or 2 ladies raised their hands. So I said I would be there :D. It was a lot of fun to see the kids after school and I even got dragged out onto the dance floor and danced for a couple minutes doing the "Mr. Griffin Dance" (which closely mirrors Kevin James's character's dance from the movie "Hitched"). Went jogging along the causeway. It really stunk like low tide and goose poop! But most of the run was good. Saw a guy walking and said a friendly Hello. Trying to get better about taking gels, so I had a Hammer Gel halfway through, even though I was only running like 45 or 50 mins today. Experimenting with different flavors.  Splits were good.

• Mile 1: 8:46
• Mile 2: 8:28
• Mile 3: 8:16
• Mile 4: 8:49
• Mile 5: 8:33
• .5: 4:08 (8:16) 

5:55 PM - It has been quite the week. I haven't been able to get a run in. Saturday was my last day at Borders. Now I'm going contingent. In addition it has been one monster of a week. Struggling right now because I thought I was doing the right thing assigning a take home final project since I was only there for a couple weeks at the end of the trimester. However, very few students "delivered". There were the few exceptions including one student who did a newscast on Shay's Rebellion. There are quite a few 0's going out. No matter how much I stressed that it was 25% of the trimester grade, they didn't seem to care. I also have stayed after school until 5pm four out of five days every week and very few students show up. I feel a bit dejected and let down. Oh well. Monday starts a new trimester. 

In addition, there is a lot I have to do now in charge of 11th grade advisory with SAT Prep, college visits, portfolios, etc. Oi. I am exhausted at the end of the day. I am essentially working from 5:30am to 9:30pm every week day. I can't wait to have weekends to hang out with Emmy! One fun thing was I did get to go to the museum with her last Sunday and we got to dress up in knights's gear and stuff. It is a History of War exhibit :D.

I went running with Emmy at the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail starting from Lanesborough. There were a lot of people out. Perhaps because it was so warm? It has been in the high 50s and low 60s for three days and projected to maybe hit 69 on Sunday! Ran 3.05 miles with Emmy and then she turned around. I kept going to LuLu on the Lake and turned around about 3.6xish miles in. Splits got progressively faster on the way back including a pick me up last mile.

• Mile 1: 8:55
• Mile 2: 9:00
• Mile 3: 8:44
• Mile 4: 8:19
• Mile 5: 8:16
• Mile 6: 8:24
• Mile 7: 7:48
• .28: 1:49 (6:27) inc. max pace of 4:44 a mile!
  

Total Time: 1:01:15 Total Distance: 7.28 miles Average Pace: 8:25

5:30 PM - Sunny and temperature around 65 at the start! It's crazy how warm it is! Running date with Emmy to end the week and then back to her house to hear about her grandpa. He is not doing well. He had an operation to put in a new pacemaker but then he got sick and the new pacemaker isn't working either. He is back in the hospital and he signed a DNR order and they took him off the ventilator. :-\. It has been hard for her. He is the first grandparent that she is old enough to remember losing. I have already been through this 4 other times as I remember all my grandparents dying. It is always a sad time. I secretly hope that he pulls through, but it's not looking too good at the moment.

We went running on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail again. It's amazing how much ice melted on the lakes in just the last day! A lot of people out. Just wanted to go nice and slow. I ran 19:59 out with Emmy and ran back in 19:49. Wasn't really pushing it. My legs were super sore from yesterday. Taking just a week off really does a number on you! I have to make the time to get in runs. Felt good though except for the end of the run almost stepped in a fresh dog pile. I hate how people walk their dogs on the bike path and then don't even pick up after them. I'm pretty sure I know what dog it was too.

I have to try to get some long runs in if I really think I might do the 50k on Fourth of July weekend. At this point I don't know. I still want to push for a 24 miler on my 24th birthday, though it's on a Friday and I work. Speaking of which I finally got my first official full time work check! I knew it was going to be big when I saw that I had lost $340 just to taxes! It was the first time I ever had a comma(,) in front of the decimal point(.)! But as Emmy pointed out, "[I] definitely earned this paycheck." All I have done is eat, sleep, and breath charter school. I kind of miss the book store only because when you clock out you know you're done and can go do whatever. Though the pay is atrocious. Oh well. Maybe the summer will be better!

Forgot GARMIN watch.

Total Time: 39:48 Total Distance: 4.3 miles Average Pace: 9:15

12:00 PM - Sunny and gorgeous. Projected high of 66 today and maybe 67 tomorrow! Feels like late June. So many people out today. Usually as you drive past the bike path you are lucky if you see 1 or 2 people on it every couple of miles. Today it was madness. We stopped by Walmart to buy a new bike pump. Emma rode her bike today while I ran. I ran from Lanesborough to BArT in Adams and then finished up with ~1.25 miles or so of cool down around the parking lot and up and down the main drag Rte. 8. Felt good today. Surprisingly well actually considering how tired my legs were after the run on Thursday. My legs ached before the run, and they most certainly ache now! This was my longest run I think since Thanksgiving! Woo Doggy! 

Oh and the "Woo Doggie" is also what Emmy said as I crammed my smelly clothes and CamelBak into the washer after my shower. I stank something fierce! Muahaha. Took a ClifBar at 5 miles about 45 mins in and then did a GU at the 1:30 mark. Also saw one of my freshmen biking the other way on the trail and I waved as she went by listening to her iPod. She looked at me weirdly and kept riding either because she didn't recognize me in non-teaching attire, or more likely she DID recognize me and was mortally embarrassed that her history teacher runs in short shorts. LOL Splits were nice and even and consistent.

• Mile 1: 9:05
• Mile 2: 8:58
• Mile 3: 9:07
• Mile 4: 9:09
• Mile 5: 9:13
• Mile 6: 9:16
• Mile 7: 8:54
• Mile 8: 9:17
• Mile 9: 9:12
• Mile 10: 9:13
• Mile 11: 9:23
• Mile 12: 8:58

4:00 PM - Sunny and temperature was in the high 50s. Cooler than yesterday and more clouds in the sky. Today was a good day. I helped Emmy and Sky-boy plant some seeds to start some seedlings for our garden while I watched a stream on the computer of the L.A. marathon. Pretty cool stuff. We had a little fire to get rid of the brush from the winter and then took Skyler to go get ice cream on the way to drop him off at his mom's. Afterward we went over to the bike trail and went jogging. Ran most of it slow, but then the last mile or so started to pick it up. Emmy totally called me on it and we were clipping along at about 7:30 pace. Well she really took off after that though she said she didn't even notice. By the last 300m we were cruising at 5:57 pace. This was a good run, especially on tired legs! Yesterday's long run kicked my butt (in a good way though!). Now time for a shower and some prepping for tomorrow's classes. Man the weekend sure goes by a little too fast for my liking! Splits were:

• Mile 1: 9:34
• Mile 2: 9:24
• Mile 3: 9:29
• Mile 4: 8:42
• .70: 5:22 (7:42 pace)
  

 Total Time: 42:31 Total Distance: 4.70 miles Average Pace: 9:03

5:30 PM - Long day at school. Got to see Emmy when I got home though and the Ruby Gato. That made it better. I was able to talk about Obama's Health Care bill with my 4 classes today. However most of my classes are shot these next few days because there is MCAS state testing for my kids in the morning. Legs are still shot from the long run 12 miles this Saturday. Going to focus on building up the long run so that I can hit my 24 miler on my birthday and finish the 50k on July 3rd. SO, the question is now, when to fill out and send in my application!?!

Total Time: 30:00 Total Distance: 3.30 miles Average Pace:  9:05

Registered for my first ULTRA today! Out in Fabius, NY. I was going to do the Finger lake 50s however there are no hotels near there and the B&Bs cost a bit too much. We found a Comfort Inn for only $68 bucks and plus this race is only $10. It is earlier than the FL50s. This one takes place right around my birthday, Saturday MAY 29th. It is put on by the Syracuse Chargers Track Club and is called the:

HIGHLAND FOREST 1-2-3 Trail Race.

 
Runners can choose to run 1, 2, or 3 laps. Oh, and you can switch on the day of the race. I am going to gun for 3 laps. However as per the race site I have to start the 3rd lap before the 4.5 hr mark. So I have to push it the first 20 miles to make the cut off methinks. Check out the website!

http://www.syracusechargers.org/highland123/index.html

This is the training plan it drew up for me. I am in Week 3 I believe right now. I only have 10 wks to train. From what I've read the Saturday and Sunday runs are the most important so they are the ones I need to MAKE sure I do! Do you think this schedule will be adequate to finish? I have 4 x 20+ long runs and considering I ran 2 marathons on runs never exceeding 15 miles, I think that this would be more than enough? Thanks!

Week Of Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Miles Mar 1 1 CD 0 2 2 2 0 8 6 20 Mar 8 2 CD 0 2 2 4 0 10 6 24 Mar 15 3 CD 0 2 2 4 0 12 8 28 Mar 22 4 0 2 4 6 0 14 8 34 Mar 29 5 0 4 4 6 0 16 10 40 Apr 5 6 0 4 6 6 0 18 10 44 Apr 12 7 0 4 6 8 0 20 10 48 Apr 19 8 CD 0 4 8 6 0 10 8 36 Apr 26 9 0 4 8 8 0 22 10 52 May 3 10 0 4 10 8 5 12 10 49 May 10 11 5 4 10 8 0 24 10 61 May 17 12 CD 0 4 10 6 0 10 8 38 May 24 13 4 3 2 0 0 50K ultra 0 55

Something that I have learned this week is that we cannot always control our lives and our training. However what we CAN do is control the quality of it. I have spent a lot of time with Emma this week. She lost her grandfather on Wednesday morning and I have spent a lot of time with her just sharing time with one another. I went to the wake yesterday after school. The funeral was today but Mary Rose (Emma's mom) said it was probably better if we did not go to it. I know I have a hard enough time going to a wake. It was the first time for me anyways and I didn't want to tell Emma how much it made me anxious. Ever since my own Poppy died when I was 9 I have had a really hard time dealing with death. 

10:00 AM - Went jogging on the treadmill as I watched an episode of "Dirty Jobs". I'd been up since 6am and really needed to get a jog in. Was going crazy not running this week.

Total Time: 30:00 Total Distance: 3.30 miles Average Pace: 9:05

3:30 PM - Today was pretty cool. I loved it however. I always feel and run better in the cool spring and late fall weather because I sweat less. I always sweat profusely when running, but I was able to run relatively comfortably at the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail with Emmy this afternoon after lunch. Despite only being 40ish out, it was sunny so there were a decent amount of runners and bikers out. We ran out to the duckpond where the guy has built a mini condo for his geese and ducks and stretched. Emma wasn't feeling too hot on the way out, however she felt better after stretching. We really started to pick it up on the way back. This was the longest continuous run outside in my Vibrams. I did buy a pair of those Injinji socks but did not think to bring them for the run today. Will try that next time. Felt good. We were flying as usual at the end. Splits were:

• Mile 1: 9:08
• Mile 2: 8:27
• Mile 3: 8:34
• Mile 4: 8:22
• .7: 5:30 (7:54 pace) 

8:00 AM - Overcast, windy and cold. Saw some snowflakes. Temperature was about 30-31 when I started with a 12-15mph wind. Going out along the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail wasn't that bad. However coming back I really hit the wind. Experimented with a new technique for long runs using the 25:5 (minutes of running: minutes of walking). I found that I was able to maintain a consistent and faster pace during the runs and my 5 minute walking stints were a welcome break. It breaks the long run up and I only slow to about 14 minutes per mile pace when walking so it's not bad. Felt pretty good. Opted out of the 5 minute walk at the end and just pushed to the car. Finished the run just under two hours. Listened to two old CarTalk podcasts. I love NPR!

 Total Time: 1:58:11 Total Distance: 12.50 miles Average Pace: 9:27

RUNNING (25:00)	WALKING (5:00)
2.81 miles (8:54/ mile)	.34 miles (14:36/ mile)
2.78 miles (8:59/ mile)	.31 miles (15:51/ mile)
2.80 miles (8:56/ mile)	.35 miles (14:24/ mile
3.11 miles (9:03/ mile)	N/A

2:30 PM - Emmy wanted to go for an exercise date so I hopped on the treadmill while she was on the elliptical. I did another 3.60 miles while we watched a little bit of "Superbad" on FX.

Total Time: 33:33 Total Distance: 3.60 miles Average Pace: 9:19

6:00 PM - I hurt all day yesterday after the 16+ mile Sunday. Felt good though. Longest run I think since at least September, if not longer. I feel stronger, despite still being "heavy" and about 196lbs. As Emmy points out, maybe I'm gaining muscle instead of fat. Who knows. Had a long day at school and really needed to destress and take some "me" time. I hopped on the treadmill when I got home after picking Emma up because it has been raining the last two days. I ended up feeling pretty good. The plan said to shoot for 4 so that's what I did. Looking forward to this weekend where they said we could be in the upper 70s!

 Total Time: 38:00 Total Distance: 4.12 miles Average Pace: 9:13

6:20 PM - Yet another morning of torrential rain. There are a lot of towns and cities in New England that are flooded. Thankfully we live on a hill! I tried to get to work early. Lots to do today. Had four classes to prep for, as well as several meetings at the end of the day. I managed to forget my lunch and Emmy drove it up to me in Adams! She is a sweetheart. I was go-go-going all day long! Have several hours of homework still to do tonight. It is terribly hard work and the week goes by fast! However, I feel that it is worth it and if I can even impact one child in one way then it is a worthwhile investment. Teaching is very much a performance and by the end of the day I am spent like an off- Broadway actor! Emmy went hiking earlier today and bonked her knee up good so no Ashuwillticook Rail Trail for us tonight. Instead I ran in my Vibrams on the dreadmill. First run with Injinji socks. I love them! No hot spots at all!

Total Time: 40:00 Total Distance: 4.34 miles Average Pace:  9:13