2014 Reflection, 2015 Goals

2014 treated me pretty well.  No need to go month-by-month with a reflection, but I'd say some highlights are definitely in order.  (If only because I like to go back and reread them later on.) :)

In 2014, I took a trip to Texas, two trips to Florida, and a ridiculous amount of trips to Wisconsin.  

Trail Running in Austin, TX

I finished my 5th year teaching and kicked off my 6th. 

All packed up on the last day of school--5 years down!

I managed to get a little bit faster and set a whole bunch of PRs--5K, 8K, Half Marathon, Sprint Triathlon, and of course Marathon.  Phew.  

Just yards away from PRing at the Chi Town Half Marathon

 I raced my first Olympic Triathlon, and while I didn't love the bike leg, I still loved the distance.

I closed out the year having run 12 races and a total of over 1,000 miles which is definitely a new record for me.  2014 for the win!

I set a few goals for 2014 this time last year--let's see how I did!

Goal 1: Continue learning sign language

Outcome: Pass! I had a great time continuing to work on improving my signing this year.  I worked with interpreter friends, signed with my Deaf and hard of hearing students daily, and took a community college class in ASL this summer.  I've truly loved the experience, and I can't wait to continue learning in 2015!

Goal 2: Finish my second marathon and set a PR

Outcome: Pass!  Running the Milwaukee Marathon in October and setting a 50 minute PR was definitely one of the highlights of my year.

Goal 3: Complete an Olympic Distance Triathlon

Outcome: Pass!  I completed the Pleasant Prairie Olympic Triathlon back in July and had a great race despite the less than ideal weather conditions throughout the first two legs!

Goal 4: Incorporate EdModo and/or Blogging into my classroom

Outcome: Partial Pass  I did use EdModo in place of my reading response journals throughout the second half of last year, but I got frustrated that I kept losing our laptop computers every time we completed school wide testing.  This year I never implemented EdModo because of the same situation.  I liked it, but it felt like it wasn't worth the trouble and inconsistency.  If I had more consistent computer access, I would definitely try it again.

Goal 5: Try 12 new recipes

Outcome: Partial Pass  Almost every year I set a cooking related goal, and almost every year I abandon it.  I didn't keep track of all my new recipes this year, but I did try at least a handful of new things.  Mostly soups and chilis. :)  Oh well!

I did cook a few times this year...does that count?

Goal 6: Run a trail race

Outcome: Pass!  I ran the Frozen Gnome 10K trail race last January, my 4th trail race.  During the race I learned both the importance of trail shoes and that I never need to do another winter trail race again.  (The other trail race I did, Cross Country Challenge a few years back, was also in Winter.  What is wrong with me?)  I had a great time, though, and it made for some good memories!

Goal 7: Try clipless pedals on my bike

Outcome: Pass!  I got my new pedals and shoes in April, and I love them!  I didn't even fall once getting used to them.  (Although I did have a few close calls!) 

Goal 8: Persevere!

Outcome: Definite Pass. :)

I really only have one goal for 2015, and it's a big one.  Are you ready for it????

I am simultaneously ridiculously excited and scared out of my mind.  

Good bye, 2014!  2015--BRING IT ON!

Happy New Year :)

30 Before 30 Update

So you guys, I have a confession to make.  Right around my birthday this year (I turned 27 in April), I started feeling a little bit...old.  I'm not sure why 27 felt so much older than 26, but it did.  Now I realize I am definitely not old, but 27 at least felt close to thirty!  In any case, it prompted me to take a look at my 30 Before 30 List.  I made this list a few years back, and when I did so I gave myself permission to edit it at any time.  I figured as my goals changed over the years, there was no reason to keep items on the list I was no longer interested in.  In the past two years or so, I've been able to cross off quite a few items...

I finished my masters and learned to apply eye liner (yeah, I know...took me long enough, right?  I blame this on not having a sister)...

I set my 5K and half marathon PRs, finished my frist tri (and second, third, and fourth!) and my first marathon, and raced for charity...

I started a running club at school and took a sign language class...

I got Lasik and got a tattoo...

This past weekend my brother helped me cross off two more items.  The first item on our agenda: Learn to Parallel Park.  I know, this is another thing that I am late learning.  Whoops.  Blame it on growing up in the suburbs and literally never needing to parallel park in my first several years driving.  However, when I find myself in any city, things can get dicey.  I frequently have friends hop in the driver's seat and park my car for me when a parallel parking necessary situation comes up!  My brother is not always patient, but he is knows how to give clear directions and definitely tells it like it is.  He was also the first person who ever took me out driving, so it was fitting that he would continue my driving instruction 10 years later!

I did great with him in the passenger seat talking me through things, but not so great my first few independent tries.  However, after a few practices, I was able to successfully parallel park!  Sloooowly and nervously, but I did it.  We'll see if I ever actually try this "in the wild," but I think I can cross it off my list!

After our driving lesson, we headed down to my parents basement to watch Schindler's List.  This was another weird item on my list, but I had never seen the movie.  I had been talking about wanting to watch it for years, but really there is never a "good time" to sit down and watch three hours of the Holocaust.  That being said, it's an important movie, and I felt like I needed to see it!  Dave and I put a date on the calendar and finally watched it together.  Yes, we were both sufficiently depressed after, and no, I probably never need to see it again, but...wow.  What an amazing movie.

I have three years and 10 items left on my list...I think I can do it!

What's on your 30 before 30 list or Bucket List?

Reflection on 2013, Goals for 2014

Happy New Year's Eve!  In keeping with my tradition from the past few years, I'd like to look back on my goals for 2013 and set some new (big!) ones for 2014.  Here's how I did this year:

2013 Goal: Finish Grad School & become a licensed reading specialist

Outcome: Partial Pass!  I "graduated" (aka got my diploma in the mail) with my Master's degree in May from Olivet Nazarene University.  In July, I passed both tests necessary to get my reading specialist license.  I never actually applied for the license...mostly because it just doesn't seem super urgent!  I will get around to it...one of these days!

Studying away for my tests!

2013 Goal: Stay uninjured (minus lingering ITBS) and foam roll like a crazy person

Outcome: Pass!  I managed to make it through marathon training without any real injuries.  Sure I had aches and pains, and I had a little bit of plantar faciitis, but nothing out of the ordinary for that volume of mileage.  

Foam Roller + Chocolate Milk = Happy Muscles.

2013 Goal: Run a race for charity

Outcome: Pass! I was so pumped to get to run for Autism Speaks during the Chicago Marathon.  Making the commitment to the charity and running for a cause I believe so much in was a huge motivator during training.  I was able to raise over $3,200 for Autism Speaks, making my marathon experience that much more special and meaningful!

 2013 Goal: Apply to have a Girls on the Run site at my school for Spring 2014

Outcome: Partial Credit.  Two other teachers and I talked a lot about GOTR with our principal, but in the end we decided it wasn't the best fit for our school.  While I LOVE GOTR, the financial committment is steep for girls who participate.  In the end, we decided to use a different program, Fit Girls, that focuses on healthy living, running, and also reading/literacy.  We will be starting the program in March and choosing a local 5K to run with our girls.  I'm looking forward to figuring out in more detail what this will look like when we return to school!

2013 Goal: Spend less and save more

Outcome: Pass!  In July when I decided I wanted to have Lasik, I went into full-on budgeting mode, FINALLY creating that budget I've resolved to do for years.  I stuck to it, too--at least long enough to save enough to make Lasik happen for me!  (Worth. Every. Penny.)

2013 Goal: Blog more

Outcome: Eh--partial credit.  I definitely went through phases of blogging more, but there were also phases of no blogging.  In the end, I don't really care.  This blog has always been adn will always be a fun outlet--if it ever feels like a job, I won't post.  I already have a job. :)

2013 Goal: Try to find a bigger apargment

Outcome: Partial credit.  I tried...and then decided that any improvement I could find without destroying my budget just wasn't worth the effort.  Maybe next year...

2013 Goal: Donate my hair to Locks of Love for the second time

Outcome: Fail.  I became completely attached to my hair this year (probably in part due to the fact that I fell in love with my curling iron), and will not be parting with it any time soon!

I got attached to my long hair...

2013 Goal: Run a marathon!

Outcome: PASS!  Woohoo!  This was the big one, and I couldn't be prouder that I accomplished it!

Look how scared I was this time last year!

In 2014 I will...

*Continue learning sign language*

*Finish my second marathon and set a PR*

*Complete an Olympic Distance Triathlon*

*Incorporate EdModo and/or Blogging into my classroom*

*Try 12 new recipes*

*Run a trail race *

*Try clipless pedals on my bike*

*Persevere.*

That's about it!  Short, sweet, and to the point. 2013 was a beautiful year filled with beautiful memories.  

2014--bring it on!

New Year, New Goals!

I'm not much of a resolution girl, but I love the idea of setting goals for the year.  I just looked back over my goal list from 2012, and out of 11 goals (school, fitness, etc.), I accomplished 7.  I did the triathlons, set the half marathon and 5K PRs, embraced the early morning workouts.  The exit slips I commit to using in math every year never happened, and neither did the budgeting or the cooking.  Oh well!

Anyways, here goes...In 2013 I will:

~Finish grad school & become a licensed reading specialist

~Stay uninjured (minus this lingering ITBS) and foam roll like a crazy person

~Run a race for charity

~Apply to have a Girls on the Run site at my school for spring 2014

~Spend less and save more (totally vague and broad, but I'll figure out a more specific plan soon!)

~Blog more :)

~At least try to find a bigger apartment that doesn't break the bank

~Donate my hair to Locks of Love for the second time

And last but not least, the big one...

Do I look scared?  Well, that's cause I AM!  

My 2013 race calendar...

February: Disney Princess Half Marathon

May: Chicago Spring Half Marathon

June: Esprit de She Sprint Triathlon

July: Schaumburg Duathlon

September: Apple Cider Century series 37 mi ride

October: Chicago Marathon!

I am super duper terrified about even ADMITTING that I want to run a marathon.  See I'm not a big fan of admitting I want something that is really far from my reach with the possibility of failing at it.  On my 8 mile run today, I couldn't help but think, "How will I EVER be able to run 18 miles MORE than this?!"  But then I shut down that thought and reminded myself that just a few years ago, I never ever thought I'd be able to run 8 miles.  This time last year, I never thought I'd be able to swim THEN bike THEN run.  But I did!  That's what training's for, right?  Anyways, this should be an eventful year, and I can't wait to share my journey with you.  

What are your big scary goals for 2013?