Slice of Life - Lessons from a Run

Yesterday I woke up with a groan – I’ve committed myself to running every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday this summer. Most days I’m excited about it, I’ve actually been enjoying the low-key runs I’ve been completing. I’ve tried hard not to exert too much pressure on myself, just get out there and run. For some reason I woke up yesterday and just did not want to run.

I’ve never been what you call a speedy runner. In middle school I joined the track team and quickly was assigned the mile. I would never be a sprinter, but I could hold a pace pretty easily. Then I ran about eight and a half minute miles – a time I found slow, but I’d love to be able to run now. I enjoyed running, but was more attracted to the social nature of practice than really caring what my times were.

As an adult I’ve often turned to running to get in shape. I love the peace of going out by myself, the ease of equipment needed. I like that no one is relying on me, I am out there for myself. And yet, I’ve found myself growing frustrated. My pace is much slower than it was twenty-five years ago. When I ran a 5K in town a few weeks ago my time was around 47 minutes. Granted, the majority was walked, but I had students who were at the race that could have finished it twice in the time I completed it once.

So I’ve committed myself to running once again. Three times a week I find myself lacing up the shoes and heading out the door. While my time hasn’t improved enough to win any races, it has improved each week. Why wasn’t that enough?

I realized, upon finally getting out the door today, that I was tired of being slow. I didn’t like always being at the back of the pack. It is frustrating to run with friends at races that have done little to no training, but can easily lap me. My attitude was pretty poor as I jogged out of my driveway today – as you can see here.

And as I moved up my street and across to the next neighborhood, I realized that I’ve had plenty of students like this over the past few years – students who are tired for being noticed for their slow reading, who practice and practice but their fluency is always at an “easy” pace. I’ve had many conversations with them, saying I’m not concerned with speed, I’m more concerned if they are enjoying the text, understanding it, and actually reading each day. Several of these students have more of a laid back personality; they will never be speed-readers. I encourage them to embrace their speed and find joy in reading.

Let’s just say that was a bit of a realization as I turned the corner to head home. I need to enjoy my runs for what they are: time on my own, peace and quiet (other than my music), and something I’m doing just for me. In the four weeks since I started committing myself to running again, I haven’t missed a run. It’s time to ease up on myself and remember the reason I’m doing this. Life is a journey, and I intend to enjoy every bit of it. 

Slice of Life is sponsored every Tuesday by Stacey and Ruth from Two Writing Teachers

Kirby Derby

A little over a month ago my students and I were talking about a local race, the Kirby Derby –a 5K or a 10K. I mentioned that I had participated in the past and they asked if I would again. Quickly agreeing, I wrote up a note to send home with all fifth graders suggesting that if anyone was participating, we could meet up. Note, I had not even ran a block since August. Not sure what I was thinking.

The day of the race dawned and it was beautiful out. No rain – which was remarkable considering how wet it has been here lately. I journeyed across town to join my students. Another teacher on my team joined me, as did our principal, and then so many students. My Babymouse shirt was one topic of conversation – I had said they’d know whom I voted for in Mr. Schu’s Road Trip Mascot Contest by what I wore to the race. Go Babymouse!

Some of the group before the race

And too quickly, it was time to go. I told the kids I’d be at the back of the pack, I had run one mile – twice – since signing up. That does not qualify one to actually run the 5K so walking would be my friend. Unfortunately, adrenaline does something to me and I found myself running at the start. I quickly slowed down after about half of a mile, my shins were screaming. Saying that I was, indeed, a fool.

Former students on the right - flying by me!

For the rest of the first mile I happily walked a few blocks, ran a block, talked to some people along the route I knew, listened to some music. I was beginning to think the race would take FOREVER when I heard someone shout my name. Two students, Maya and Piper, came flying up behind me. They ended up joining me for the rest of the race.

There is nothing like eleven-year-old kids to keep your mind off of the pain in your shins. J The rest of the race route is filled with fun memories – the high school Jazz Band and Drum Line stationed along the route to give us some energy, Maya cartwheeling through the street at one point, seeing so many former students along the way and chatting for a few seconds.

My favorite moment, by far, would be when a runner I didn’t know came along side us. She cracked a joke about Katniss from The Hunger Games. Maya and Piper’s heads whipped towards her and asked her if she’d read it or just seen the movie. She replied that she loved to read books geared towards kids and teens so yes, she’d read it. Holy smokes, these two girls started peppering her with titles to see what else she’d read, reminiscing about their favorites, and so on. She looked at me in bewilderment at one point and I explained I was their reading teacher and they liked to read. She asked if I had any recommendations for her. After finding out that she loved fantasy and dystopian books, I recommended Divergent, book talked it a bit, and we parted ways. The girls laughed – said that only I would find an adult to book talk to on a 5K as I ran. Had to remind them that they had just done the same.

We turned the corner and headed the last half-mile to the finish line. Turning into the park you run through the tunnel of folks cheering. It was awesome to see so many of my students still there, yelling for all of the remaining runners. I glanced up at my time and laughed – 47 minutes. Slow, but not horrid. I had actually trained last year and ran it in 44. Lordy, I am a turtle.

Several kids came up and gave me a hug. Piper got some water and a bagel for me. So kind. Photo op under the tree and then I headed home. For the rest of the day I alternated between smiling while thinking of the morning and this amazing group, and on the verge of tears thinking of this post HERE and what it means. Fortunately, I have so much to look forward to this summer, but it can hold off as long as possible. Until then, I look forward to many more memories such as the race yesterday. It will certainly be one I treasure.

Some of our group, post race

Gearing Up

Today I visited my room for about an hour. Glancing around I tried to ensure that I was, for the most part, ready to begin. Tomorrow we’ll have meetings all day and then the fun begins! Tuesday the students will come for ½ of the day and then Wednesday we’ll begin for good.

I love this time of year. To me fall is the start of everything new. New classes, new students, time to start fresh. I know most of the world looks upon January as the New Year, but August has always been for me. And just as I do in January, I make resolutions for my year.

My main resolution this school year is to put things in perspective. To not over devote myself to school but live a balanced life. This is my first year in three years that I won’t be attending grad school two or three nights a week. That should help. But after reading Franki’s blog HERE, I am typing up what I will feel is a balanced life. I plan on reflection on this list each week and see if I can say, “Yes” to the following questions. If I can look back around NCTE in November and see that I’ve done the following, I think I’ll be feeling pretty good.

Did I exercise five times that week? (Goal – three runs, two “other” workouts)

Did I get a good amount of sleep five nights of the week?

Did I carve out time to do what Luke and Liam wanted to do?

Did I try to go out with Chris once every other week?

Did I find time to read and write each day?

Did I make cooking a great dinner a priority five nights of the week?

Did I feel good about my role in the classroom that week?

I can easily devote myself to teaching and the rest of my life will take a backseat, especially in the fall. I’ve worked out zero days this past week, a first since January. I have spent hours in my classroom and very few at home reading, writing, hanging out with my children. I am hoping that this week I can turn it around. My room feels good, my plans are written, I’m ready to teach and return to a schedule. 

Slice 28 - Running in circles

Slice of Life is sponsored every Tuesday by Stacey and Ruth from Two Writing Teachers. For the month of March we are challenging ourself to write a Slice A Day. Here we go!

Today I took off school for the afternoon and went to a doctor’s appointment to be fit for custom orthotics. I’ve been trying to train for a 5K and my shins are so tight when I run it is painful. I stretch them my putting my foot flat on the floor and trying to elongate the muscle. It is painful but not usually too horrible. The doctors think it is due to my flat feet. Hopefully the orthotics will help; I won’t get them for three weeks.

So, I headed home from my appointment and thought I’d run outside, maybe the treadmill is exacerbating the problem. Started off and went way too fast. My plan has me running for four minutes today, walk for one. I usually run pretty slowly, about 13.30 minute miles. My first four minutes were around 11 minutes. Oops. When I went to walk I could barely even step, my shins were so tight. Stop, stretch. Try to walk. Stop and stretch some more. Tried to run for the next five minutes. Gave up, stopped and stretched for about four minutes. Began to be able to walk but was in pain. Continued my walk for the next twenty minutes and the only reason I didn’t burst into tears was because I kept running into students.

I got home and sent Franki, my running friend, these texts:

And then I put ice packs on my legs. And I realized something, as frustrating and disappointing as today was; I’m not giving up. I have great support in this running plan – Franki, my trainer Tonia, friends in the area, Chris and the boys. I’m four weeks into this new lifestyle and some stubborn shins are not going to hold me up. Cheers with a glass of ice water, Thursday will be a better running day for sure.