Race Recap: SheRox Sprint Triathlon

First, thank you for the awesome support you guys have provided as I trained for my first adventure into the crazy world of triathlons!  You are the best, seriously. :)

The day started bright and early with a 4:30am wake up call...ugh.  I grabbed my gigantic pile of gear, tossed it into the car, poured myself yet another water + gatorade cocktail in preparation for the 90 degree temperatures ahead, and hit the road with my dad.  When we got to the race site, I headed over to the transition area to set up my bike and gear.  I'd read a ton of different people's strategies for setting up their transition area, and to be honest, all of the crazy tips for speed people had kind of just freaked me out! Since I had no time goal in mind, I decided to just go with what made sense to me and laid out my things...

I finished setting up around 6:15.  The race started at 7...but my wave of 23-25 year olds didn't start until 8:44!!  Needless to say there was PLENTY of time to apply sunscreen, wait in line for the rest room, walk the swim in/bike out route through the transition area to get a feel for things, etc. etc. etc.  Around 7, Dad and I found a great spot to stand to watch the early swim waves.  The swim was a little unique, as it was in this weird lake/pool hybrid.  It had zero depth entry and a sandy beach, but also had chlorinated water and brick sides.  As we watched wave after wave of swimmers, I realized that TONS of the women doing the race were swimming breast stroke, back stroke, dog paddling...one woman even had a snorkel!  That definitely made me feel better about my own swimming skills (or lack thereof!).  Eventually, I decided it was time to head down to the beach and find some other swimmers from my wave.

We swam in a zig zag up and down the pool/lake, around the orange buoys.

 

My wave start!

When it was time for my wave to start, we waded into the water until about our thighs and waited for the countdown.  It was already so hot out that I was excited to get in the cool water!  Before I knew it, it was go time!  I have to be honest, I had a tough time with the first chunk of the swim.  I couldn't seem to catch my breath and get into a groove.  Thank goodness I had done a couple of open water swims, so I knew I would probably get a little panicky/struggle breathing at first.  It was way tougher than my lake swims the past two weeks, though, just because there were so many more people starting together and that stresses me out!!  I don't even particularly like sharing lanes at the pool...  Being a women's race, there was no intentional kicking or swimming over each other, but it just freaks me out to have people so close to me.  It took me a good third of the swim to stop panicking/breathing crazy, and up until the last third to actually get into a groove!  I knew my parents and my cousin would be watching from a hill at the end of the pool, so I treaded water and waved to them at the end of one of the lanes, per their request. :) 

"Look!  I haven't drowned yet!"

As scary as it was at the beginning, the 1/2 mile swim was over before I knew it!  Swim time: 16:08.  I jogged up the beach and into the transition area for T1.  I had no trouble spotting my bike, probably because I'd taken the time to walk through the the route for Swim In before the race and new right where to look.  I dried myself off, pulled on socks and shoes, bike gloves, sunglasses, and helmet, sprayed my neck with icy hot and hoped that it wouldn't kill me on the bike, grabbed a gu, and walked my bike through the transition area and out the other side.  T1 time: 4:46.  The race was super well organized, and there were volunteers to tell you exactly when to mount your bike.  I finished my chocolate gu and hopped on.

I'm no great cyclist, but I hadn't been super worried about the bike leg during my training until my neck cramped up last week and had been killing me on a couple training rides.  Thankfully the adjustment my dad made to my seat height combined with some tweaking to my posture seemed to do the trick!  The bike leg went GREAT!  I was totally loving the cool breeze and the slight hills that were just big enough to give me a chance to coast a little bit.  There were tons of hybrid and mountain bikes on the course, but I was super glad I had splurged on a road bike last fall!  Like I said, I'm not a great or particularly fast cyclist, but I was able to pass other women like crazy during the bike leg, mostly because of having a lighter bike than a lot of others.  The bike course was 14.2 miles consisting of two loops.  Bike time: 50:47.

I'm 99% sure that I'm waving at a little kid in this pic and totally missing my dad standing on the opposite side of the street!

After a nice downhill into transition, I hopped off my bike and hustled back to my gear area.  I racked my bike, exchanged my helmet and gloves for a hat and my IT band straps, grabbed another gu, and headed out to the run.  T2 time: 3:31.  (Note to self: Work on transitions for Tri #2...)  It was hot hot hot by the time I started on the run course, already close to 90 degrees. I expected the run to be MISERABLE because of the heat, but I was actually pleasantly surprised.  There were 3 water stations on the 3.1 mile course, plus a few spectator groups with hoses, sprinklers, ice, and even wet towels.  That definitely helped!  It's been so long since I've run a 5K that I couldn't believe how quickly it went by!  I remember passing the marker for mile 1 and thinking, "Whoa, we're already a third done!"  Oh the magic of a short running race. :)

Usually I am stopping my garmin in the finish picture--broken watch FTW!

Most of the run leg was through neighborhoods and had just a handful of spectators, but when we got close to mile 3 we turned back into the central race location and there was a ton of great crowd support (plus shade!).  I ran past my cousin and mom around mile 3 and kicked it into high gear for a strong finish.  Run time: 30:22.  (Side note: There's no way that course was a full 3.1 miles if that was my chip time...that would be over a 1 minute PR for me, and I walked way too much for that to be the case!! Oh well, I'll take it!)

Total Finishing Time: 1:45:31 (and still smiling!)

I felt SO good after this race!  Not only was it an awesome feeling to finish my first TRIATHLON, but I felt awesome about how strong I felt during the entire race (minus the first couple hundred swim yards...).  Plus, I couldn't believe the difference in how my body felt between this race and a half marathon.  Yeah, I was tired, but I wasn't sore at all and had no problem walking around town to find a place for breakfast with my family.  Pretty awesome!  Before we were even in the car to head home, I was already planning my next tri!

 Overall thoughts on the SheRox race series: AWESOME!  I would recommend this race without hesitation to any women thinking about doing a tri, especially first timers like me.  There was so much support from race volunteers, including "Swim Buddies" paddling around the entire swim course and encouraging athletes. It was well organized, efficient, and just plain fun.  It was exactly what I was looking for in a tri!

Now, it's onto the next 2012 Goal: Sub-30 5K.   BRING IT!

Triathlon? CHECK! (+ Sprigs Giveaway Winner!)

Who's a triathlete??

This girl!!

Check back tomorrow for a full race recap. :)  Can't wait to tell you all about it!

Also, thank you for entering my Sprigs giveaway!  The winner of the infinity scarf is...

 Kindergarten Teaching Goddess Kelly from Busy in K!

Kelly, email me your address at juiceboxesandcrayolas AT gmail DOT com!

Twas the Night Before the Triathlon...

And I'm turning from my usually compulsively organized self into a completely comically over-the-top version of my compulsively organized self.  I get like this before every race, but I've been an extra special version of my Type A self lately because there is just so much gear you need for a tri!!!  I have made packing list after packing list, have divided transition gear into ziplock bags to keep it together for now, and meticulously gone through my bag to make sure I'm not forgetting anything...

My biggest worry is the heat.  It's currently 90 degrees out and tomorrow will be even HOTTER.  My wave of 23-25 year olds doesn't start until 8:40!  That means by the time I get to the run leg it's going to be scary hot.  YIKES!  I'm gulping down glass after glass of my trusty water + fruit punch G2 cocktail...

Oh well, if anything I will be super slow on the run especially and will have to do this race again next year and CRUSH my time. :)  Tomorrow is just about FINISHING!  My second biggest concern is that my neck has been killing me on my bike.  My dad and I have been tweaking my seat height to get it the right height for my legs, but now my neck is in serious pain so obviously something is wrong (with the height, or my posture, or both...Note to self: take a trip to the bike shop after this race to have the bike refitted!).  We lowered the seat a tiny bit yesterday, and I'm hoping that helps.  Even if it does, though, my neck is already sore so I think it would be hurting regardless!  I've got the tylenol and icy hot packed...

And now I'm off to take a nap, then it's pasta, a quick appearance at a bachelorette party this evening, and checking over my gear ONE LAST TIME before crashing at my parents' tonight so my wonderful dad can drive me to the race in the morning.  Thanks, Dad!  One last FEARLESS thought to leave you with...

He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.

Muhammad Ali

The miracle is not that I finished.  The miracle is that I had the courage to start.

John Bingham

 BRING IT ON!!!

Three Things Thursday: School's Out For Summer Edition

Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a beautiful infinity scarf from Sprigs!  


1. School is OVER.  I packed my boxes, purged all of the unnecessary books and files, and said goodbye to my coworkers and students.  When I told my students that I was moving schools, I surprised myself by getting choked up.  I was definitely not expecting that!  I am SO ready to leave...but the truth is, I am attached to this group and will definitely miss them next year!

I was inspired by a similar picture on pinterest and had to recreate it with my own class.  I love the diversity you can see in this picture!  I seriously love these kids.  Might have to print and frame this one... :)

On the last day of school, I like to have the kids spend a few minutes reflecting on the year and writing me a letter.  I ask them to include something they liked this year, something they were proud of, etc.  Many are rushed because it's the last day and the kiddos are ready to be DONE, but there are always a few in the bunch that make me really remember why I do this...Highlights from this year...

Love the "your student/friend" signature :)

Love.

2. I spent the day with my new team doing some initial planning yesterday!  We had a great meeting and did some general curriculum mapping for science, social studies, and writing.  Literacy is pretty much mapped out for us (as is math), so we have a skeletal structure for our curriculum already!  And on the first day of summer too. :)  Speaking of being unable to turn my school brain off, I am already brainstorming my room layout and decor for next year!  In comparison to my current room, my new room is TINY.  Yikes!  That will be an adjustment for sure!  I will just have to be my super organized self and arrange/unpack carefully!  Right now I'm planning on ditching my teacher's desk for something much smaller from IKEA.  It will mean spending my own $$, but will save me SO much space!  And, as I learned in my packing/moving process, that desk was a magnet for JUNK.  There was stuff in the back of those deep drawers that I shoved out of sight during the first weeks of my first year! Maybe this little guy...

Also, in the spirit of making next year POSITIVE and HAPPY (as opposed to the nightmare of this year), I think I may ditch my sports theme and go with a classroom decor in pretty, calming teal blue with black and polka dot accents.  Why?  Because I love teal blue and black and polka dots.  They are pretty.  They will make me happy.  Happy Teacher = Happy Students.  :)  I'm bringing home a little bookshelf and my "teacher stool" to give teal and black makeovers to this summer!  I also hope to recover file cabinets in contact paper to give them a little face lift too and hopefully make some sheer curtains for the windows.  Is it sad that summer just started and I already am dreaming about my new room?  Can you tell I'm excited for a fresh start next year???

3. On a final note, we are T minus 3 days away from my TRIATHLON!  AHHHH!!!!   The good news is that I had a brick workout Sunday that was pretty near the distances I'll be taking on in the tri, and I survived.  Plus I did another open water swim at the same lake as last week, and it went great!  I finished in pretty speedy time (for me)!  The bad news is that my calves have been cramping up this week.  I haven't had calf issues in over a year!  Where is this coming from???  I suspect biking...time to roll out big time and pull on my compression sleeves...I'm going to do one more short bike/run workout this evening to stay loose, then it's 2 rest days followed by the race!  Woohoo!

What I'm Reading Wednesday

Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a beautiful infinity scarf from Sprigs!  


I haven't been as book crazed this week as I was last week, what with the madness of packing up my classroom, but I am OFFICIALLY on summer vacation now!  Let the nonstop reading begin!!  I do have a few titles to share with you though, don't worry!


Scored by Lauren McLaughlin


Summary from goodreads.com: Set in the future when teenagers are monitored via camera and their recorded actions and confessions plugged into a computer program that determines their ability to succeed. All kids given a "score" that determines their future potential. This score has the ability to get kids into colleges, grant scholarships, or destroy all hope for the above. Scored's reluctant heroine is Imani, a girl whose high score is brought down when her best friend's score plummets. Where do you draw the line between doing what feels morally right and what can mean your future? Friendship, romance, loyalty, family, human connection and human value: all are questioned in this fresh and compelling dystopian novel set in the scarily forseeable future.


My thoughts: Yes, I know, another dystopian teen fiction...what can I say, they are my crack.  :)  This book was definitely no Hunger Games or Divergent, but it did set an interesting scene for what a technology-gone-too-far world could look like. The start of the book was a little slower than most reads in this genre, but I found myself genuinely intrigued by the idea that kids and teens were "scored" based on their actions and words by "eyeballs," or cameras dangling everywhere that monitor their every move.  The point of these cameras isn't to create a police state, but rather to provide opportunities for the underprivileged to find opportunities based on their scores, and "even the playing field."  For example, Imani is from a low income community, but if she rises up to a certain score, she will be guaranteed a scholarship to college and will have secured an advantageous future.  The thing is, though, that not only do the scores create a completely creepy big brother state, but they also create an every-man-for-himself mindset, with kids focusing on one thing--improving their score no matter the cost.  Interesting, right?  The story was a little slow at first, like I said, and I wasn't thrilled about the ending--it seemed to end way too suddenly with many things still unresolved.  That being said, it definitely offered some food for thought!

Dear Bully: Seventy Authors Tell Their Stories compiled by Megan Kelley Hall and Carrie Jones


Summary from goodreads.com: YOU ARE NOT ALONE.  Discover how Lauren Kate transformed he feeling of that one mean girl getting under her skin into her first novel, how Lauren Oliver learned to celebrate ambiguity in her classmates and in herself, and how R.L. Stine turned being the "funny guy" into the best defense against the bullies in his class.  Today's top authors for teens come together to share their stories about bullying—as silent observers on the sidelines of high school, as victims, and as perpetrators—in a collection at turns moving and self-effacing, but always deeply personal.


My thoughts: I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one after I heard about it via goodreads awhile back.  Bullying is one of those things that is a reality in every classroom in every school (not to mention many adult environments too).  I don't know about you, but I am constantly unsure of how to handle bullying.  I've tried a variety of ways to address it with my full class and with individuals, but it seems like there is no one right answer.  That doesn't mean I will give up trying, but it's hard to see kids being bullied and feel powerless at times.  I haven't read the whole book yet, but the stories I have read are powerful and beautiful.  Some are deeply sad, others are hopeful, but all ring loudly with messages from the authors about what they've learned, how they've changed, and how they've grown from their experiences.  I actually read one story, the R.L. Stein one, aloud to my 5th graders last week.  Most were too graphic or mature for 10 year olds, but this story had enough innocence and humor in it that it was appropriate, while still sending a message about bullying.  (We did a little activity while reading as well that I'll share more about another time...)  Anyways, I can't wait to continue reading this book, and it would definitely be a fantastic resource in high school classrooms I'd think.

What have you been reading this week?


As usual, all cover photos and italicized summaries are from goodreads.com. :)

Triathlon Training Tuesdays: Open Water Swimming

Or, The one in which Amy faces her fears of drowning, getting kicked in the face, and being laughed at for being the only triathlete swimming breast stroke...

First, a big thank you to my triathlon inspiration, Lauren, for holding my hand through my first group open water swim last Wednesday!  When I messaged Lauren a few weeks ago saying, "Help! I am freaking out about the swim leg for my tri!" she offered to talk me through open water swimming and even accompany me to a group swim.  You rock, Lauren!  (Be sure to check out her blog, forwardisapace.com)

 Like I said, I have been terrified about the swim leg of my triathlon.  But, since my training motto for 2012 is "BE FEARLESS," I figured I should face those fears head on!  (Also, I figured that it probably wasn't a good idea to have my first group open water swim be DURING my first tri...see, I'm a thinker like that...or at least Lauren is because it was her idea...)  So, Wednesday evening last week I found myself driving out to  meet Lauren and a bunch of crazy triathletes, all of whom looked way more hard core than myself, at a beach on a little lake. Even though I tried to assume a "BE FEARLESS" attitude, my good friends, Doubt and Anxiety somehow managed to sneak into my car with me...Sources of Doubt and Anxiety included, but were not limited to, the following: 1. Drowning.  2. Freezing (Did I mention that it was 64 degrees outside?? Yup, truth.)  3. Getting far away from the beach and being too tired to swim back (see #1).  4. Being the only inexperienced swimmer and sticking out like a sore thumb. 5. Looking dumb for swimming breast stroke.  6. Realizing I'm totally not ready for my tri and that I have no business even attempting one.  (Mostly this one...)

Lauren promised she would be right there and that I could do it.  She let me know that it was 100% okay if I wanted to just swim a couple laps along the shore for today and promised that I could absolutely swim breast stroke.  I was all set to agree to laps along the shore when something in my mind said, "No way, Amy.  You are doing a triathlon in a week and a half.  Do you really want to just do LAPS ALONG THE SHORE today?  You are fearless.  You are getting in that water and swimming the half mile course."  So I did. :)

When we first stepped into the water, it actually didn't feel super cold!  Maybe because at 72 degrees it was 8 degrees warmer than the chilly windy air!!  However, the second I put my face in and tried to swim, I started hyperventilating.  I'm telling you, it is not easy to swim in cold water, guys!  My body was just saying, "NOO!!  Are you crazy???"  I immediately lost my confidence and thought, "There is NO way I will make it around the course!"  Lauren told me to just breathe and try again.  So I treaded water for a minute, took deep breaths to get my breathing under control, and tried again.  It still sucked at first, but I just focused on swimming towards the first buoy, one stroke at a time.  Then when I made it there, I just focused on the second buoy, feeling more and more confident.  There were definitely a few times when I thought, "Man, I could use a wall to kick off of right about now!" or "That sun sure is bright and glaring on the water like crazy!!!" or "What, did someone just grab my foot??" or "It's hard to see through lake water when it's full of bubbles from other swimmers..."  But I just kept on swimming and before I knew it, I was heading back into shore!

Half mile swim in open water--DONE!  I am SO glad I did this swim and feel SOOO much more confident and prepared about my tri now.

Things I learned:

1. It's okay to let the other swimmers in the group get a head start :)  Stick to the back of the pack...

2. Remember to look around for the buoys and other swimmers...there are no black lines along the bottom of lakes like in the pool!

3. Breast stroke is a-okay.  Any forward motion counts!!

4. Treading water for a second is a-okay too.  So is grabbing onto a buoy or guard to rest!  While I didn't do this, I did see others resting like this.  (And no one pointed and laughed!  Obviously...)

5. If the water is cold, you may hyperventilate.  Just take deep breaths and try again!

6. Don't be afraid :)

What fears have you crushed lately??

Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a beautiful infinity scarf from Sprigs!  

Running: A Give and Take Relationship

Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a beautiful infinity scarf from Sprigs!  


One of my 2012 resolutions was to continue making time for exercising and training in the midst of beginning grad school on top of everything I am already doing.  My cohort meets Tuesday nights, so this means that if I’m going to get in a workout Tuesdays, it has to either be ridiculously early in the morning or ridiculously late at night (by school night standards at least).  It’s been…challenging to say the least.  It is so hard to drag myself out of bed on those days when I know I have to get that run or bike or swim in before school, otherwise it’s definitely not going to happen.  I’m not a morning person to begin with, so getting up at 4:30 or sometimes even earlier is capital-P-Painful. 

Here’s the thing, though—it is always, always worth it.  The other day was one of those days.  I did all of my night time rituals to make sure my morning would be as seamless as possible—you know, sleeping in my running clothes, laying out socks and shoes, packing my lunch in advance, laying out an outfit for school…every second of sleep counts!  But when my alarm went off at an ungodly hour, I immediately thought, “Maybe I can just skip it…” and “Is this REALLY worth it???”

Is this really worth it?

When running is hard, or painful, or exhausting, it’s easy to catch yourself wondering those very words.  Why do we put ourselves through this?  I’ve definitely said them quite a few times and have had them said to me by non-runners when I’m dealing with an injury or getting up early for a race or dragging myself through a long run in July sun.  Is it really worth it?  This week, though, when I did hit the roads around 4:45am, the answer came to me almost immediately.  Running through my head on repeat was this phrase:

Running never, ever, ever takes back more than it gives.

I’m not sure where it was that I first heard this mantra (maybe it was from this nike ad, but I have a feeling it was before...), but it just fit this particular run.  

My legs were heavy, my body was tired, it was 4:45 in the freaking morning…but that was all okay.  Because of all of the things running takes in my life, it gives so. much. more.  It’s true, running takes away my sleep between the 4am and 10pm workouts, the early race start times, and my ongoing race to beat the sun in the summer.  It also takes time, plain and simple.  Time training, time racing, time icing, time foam rolling, time thinking about running, making training plans, browsing races online, buying gear…time in physical therapy even.  It takes money.  Money for shoes, gear, gadgets, books, magazines, and race entry fee after entry fee.  Running takes energy.  Does it ever!  How many times have I spent a Saturday or Sunday morning out for a long run or a race, only to find myself collapsed on the couch (or floor...) with no energy left to do ANYTHING else that day?  Running can take away Saturday nights out with friends.  “No thanks, I’ll just have water,” and “Sorry, I can’t, I have a long run tomorrow.”  Running sometimes even takes away my peace of mind when it slams me with another injury or just the anxiety about another injury. 

Running takes, and takes, and takes.

But I will say it again: 

Running never, ever, ever takes back more than it gives.

Running gives me strength.

Running has made my body STRONG, stronger than it’s ever been.  But more importantly, running gives me mental strength and toughness.  Running makes me realize that my body can truly do anything when my mind commits and believes.  Running gives me the strength to not give up when I’m hot or tired or feeling lazy.  It forces me to dig deep inside myself and pull out the strength that was really there the whole time.

Running gives me courage.

It gives me the courage to set big goals, goals so huge they leave me shaking.  Courage to aim high, to dream, to go for it, to chase something new and exciting and intimidating. 

Running has given me the knowledge that, without a doubt, I can do ANYTHING.

There is a certain pride that comes along with conquering new distances and crushing old PRs.  In my 5^th grade classroom, the kids are constantly setting small goals and big goals.  Goals about how many books they will read this month, how many points of growth they will make on our reading assessment, how many facts they will answer correctly on a time test… In the “Grown Up World,” these concrete assessments are fewer and further between.  Running gives us a chance to set goals, big goals, to work hard to attain them, and then to leave them behind in the dust as we race to chase our next star.  Running gives us a special pride and feeling of accomplishment with each milestone (and mile) we carry ourselves through.

I don’t know about you, but I like to flip back through my training log or early blog posts and race recaps and think about how far I’ve come as a runner. I will never be fast or have good form or win a race even if my life depended on it, but my gosh have I come far.  And if a girl like me who cried and walked during the mile in elementary school can take on half-marathons and triathlons, I truly must be unstoppable.

"You've got this.  Keep moving."

Running has given me a healthy relationship with food for maybe the first time since childhood.

As someone who struggled with an eating disorder and body image issues for years, I can honestly tell you that few things have helped me see my body and food clearly like running has.  Even though I’d considered myself recovered for a few years when I started running on a regular basis and training for races, when food became fuel, things changed for me.  It was like something finally clicked—there is no good and bad.  It’s not about calories or about low fat, non-fat, blah blah blah.  It’s about, “This is what my body needs to reach the goals I am chasing.”  It’s about, “My body works hard and deserves good quality fuel.”  My body is not perfect, but when I look at it I no longer see imperfections and flaws and a useless thing that I am stuck with.  I see a powerful, strong body that can carry me through miles and miles.  I see beautiful muscles, powerful feet, strong bones, and I am grateful for it and love it in a way I once never thought I could.

Running gives me new friends.

There’s that great moment when you meet someone and find out that they’re a runner—“You’re a runner?  Me too!”  Then there’s that moment when you convince one of your friends to start running, my personal favorite.  

There’s also that great moment when you’re standing around at the starting line of a race, realizing that you are surrounded by “your people” and that you are all bonded together by that common experience.  There’s that moment when you find a new buddy to run with and discover you make a fantastic team.

Running friends are just special friends, plain and simple.

(That being said…)

Running gives me time alone with my thoughts.

Life’s busy.  It’s noisy, stressful, and full of distractions.  In the classroom, I am pretty much being pulled in 20 directions at any given moment.  At home, there is always a phone or a computer or a TV show or a book to grab my thoughts.  Few times during the day am I as alone and quiet in my own mind as on a run.  Whether it’s with music or just with nature, running is my own special time to myself. 

Running gives me adventures.

I’m a sucker for a themed race or a race that gives me an excuse to travel.  In the past two years, running has taken me on some fun adventures.  It’s taken me to Atlanta and through a former Olympic mountain biking course and a giant mud pit with my best friend in the Atlanta Muddy Buddy.  

It’s taken me to Disney World, giving me a wonderful race and weekend with my dad and brother.  It’s taken me to Kentucky and through Churchill Downs, giving me an excuse for a girls weekend with a friend I hadn’t seen in years.  It’s even taken me onto the field in a professional football stadium.  It’s taken me down roads and trails that I’ve lived near for 20 years but never explored.  But probably the most important adventure has been the adventure of running itself—of becoming a runner. 

It turns out, at the end of the day, running may take, take, take…

but then it turns around and it gives, gives, gives, gives, gives….

What has running given you?

Sprigs Review + Giveaway!

I am so excited to share a couple of great products with you today!  Julie from Sprigs, the awesome company that sells Banjee bands, contacted me awhile back and asked me if I'd like to try out a couple of other Sprigs products.  After browsing their website, my response was something like, "Umm can I try out ALL of your products???"  Seriously, Sprigs makes some awesome things in addition to Banjees, which I love.  I wore my Banjee for the Soldier Field 10 Mile race, and it held a Gu perfectly!  I also love it for holding my keys when I'm running.

Check out my Banjee!

Julie sent me two items: a pair of yogi arms and an organic cotton infinity scarf.  Let's start with the "arms," which are basically a stretchy little shrug designed for yoga.  I was given a pair of Bliss Stitch Yogi Arms in black, size M/L.  (I am 5'7" and fairly slim/athletic, and this size fit perfectly.)  I loved the embroidered design on the back, except it was a little bit scratchy.  Other than that, the arms are comfy!  They are made of organic cotton and are nice and stretchy, making them great for yoga.  

I tried the arms for a vinyasa yoga class.  They were a perfect little "cover up" to wear to the gym, and I kept them on for the first half of the class while we were warming up.  They fit great and were comfortable to wear as I moved through flows and poses, no adjustment necessary.  After about a half hour, I was sweaty and took them off.  The nice thing is that they are easy to get on and off quickly during a class as you start to warm up.  

I also got to try out the Organic Infinity Scarf, which is 42" long looped scarf made from organic cotton and hemp.  I love this scarf!  The feel and weight of the fabric is so soft and light, while at the same time you can wrap it around a few times and get a cozy warm scarf for cooler days.  I absolutely love the color options too--I have a turquoise scarf, but there are many other choices.  I had a tough time making up my mind!

There are so many different ways to wear this scarf.  I typically loop it around twice, but you could for sure loop it three times for a warmer fit for fall and winter, or knot it for a different look: 

Sprigs generously offered to provide me with an extra scarf to give away to one of my fabulous readers!  I will be giving away one turquoise organic infinity scarf from Sprigs.  

Here's how to enter (leave a comment for each)...

+1: Become a follower of Juice Boxes & Crayolas, or let me know that you already are one! (Mandatory)

+1 Like Sprigs on facebook

+1 Follow Sprigs on Twitter @SpriGsville

+1 each: Post this giveaway on your blog, twitter, or facebook and leave a comment to let me know that you did!

This giveaway will end at midnight on Friday, June 8th at midnight.  Good luck!

Disclaimer: Sprigs was kind enough to send me one pair of yogi arms and one infinity scarf to review for my blog, as well as one additional scarf to give away to a reader.  I received no additional compensation for this review, and all thoughts expressed reflect my own opinions.

Boxes, Packing Tape, and Where's My Sanity?

Oh I know, it's probably shoved into an altogether too small cardboard box in between some paperback novels, index cards, and unifix cubes...That's right, you guessed it folks.  I spent my day today knee deep in the dreaded job of packing my classroom.  After my first year teaching, I complained about having to clean out the room, cover book shelves and bulletin boards with butcher paper, and cram all of my "stuff" into cabinets and closets.  I LONG for a job that simple right now!!!

Last year's "packed" classroom (aka bookshelves covered with paper...)

Since I am moving schools next year, I was faced with the GIGANTIC task of packing every single item from my classroom into cardboard boxes and garbage bags.  Those of you who are not teachers may not understand the hugeness of this undertaking.  It's just one room, right?  HAH.  Let me paint you a little picture.  There are well over 1,000 books in my library.  I have at least 50 storage bins and crates, of course of a variety of shapes and sizes so they can't even be stacked.  I filled two boxes with math manipulativesalone, in addition to the two plastic tubs I just taped shut (I left several boxes behind, btw).  I have an entire box of just random crap from my teacher desk, and another of shared supplies like markers, highlighters, spare glue sticks, etc.  I have a box that is filled entirely with rolled up bulletin board boarders and craft supplies for goodness sake, and I have hardly any of either of those things in comparison to other teachers!

Lucky for me, though, our district gives us a beautiful gift each year: Records Day.  It's basically a no-kids administrative day for us to fill out info in the kids' cumulative folders (aka PERMANENT RECORDS) and take care of other end of the year tasks, part of which includes the dreaded packing of the room.  Today was that day.  Now setting up the classroom each fall can be overwhelming and a general pain just because of the sheer amount of work involved (x 100 if you are crazy detail obsessed and organized like me...), but the end of the year just sucks because not only is it the same amount of work (more if you're moving schools!), but add in about 10 pounds of dust that somehow managed to collect in random nooks and crannies in the room, plus the general depressing nature of taking a warm, inviting classroom and generally nice place to be and stripping it to the bones of all of its "niceness."  Yuck.  I'm sorry, but this pretty much sucks, you guys.

Before:

I spent close to 11 hours in my classroom today, most of which was spent packing.  By the end I was so exhausted that I would sit on a desk between boxes, gaze around the pathetic, depressing mess that was once my wonderfully bright and warm classroom, and figure out which corner I should tackle next.  What a terribly depressing day!!

 After:

 Oh, and don't worry--at one point, I got a phone call from a school in Boston asking me to interview for a 5th grade position.  Remember how my #1 choice for next year was teaching in Boston?  And how not a single public district had called during my search?  Yup.  It felt just *awesome* to tell them I had already accepted a job and couldn't interview...I know that I technically could, but I would feel wrong about backing out of this job now since I already have a relationship with the principal.  After I hung up the phone, I immediately burst into tears and sat sobbing in my neighbor teacher's room about how unfair things are.  I know, I was definitely acting like the youngest child baby I am--but seriously.  I was bummed.  Don't get me wrong, I am excited about my new school and new job, and I know that I am SOOOOO lucky to have had multiple offers for next year.  I don't mean to sound ungrateful and like a brat, but it's just frustrating, you know?

Definitely needed to stop for one of these on the way home after that day!

After packing my teacher life into 45 boxes and garbage bags, the couch and TLC are calling my name...Last brick of traithlon training tomorrow, better rest up!