So I get home from work and was telling my mom a story about something that happened. As I was doing this I noticed there was a ziploc bag with a bunch of pieces of Lindt dark chocolate in it. I love dark chocolate. And I was starving. So as I was telling the story I start eating one of the pieces. My mom is smiling and slowly laughing which confuses me because the story really isn’t all that funny. I start to notice that this is the strongest most bitter chocolate ever. Oh well…
And then I start to realize something tastes totally off. Then my mouth starts burning at which point my mom is cracking up and I’m spitting it out in the trash.
Apparently my parents have a new found love forchilli pepper infused chocolate. I rather unexpected surprise. I’m not amused.
I like spicy and I love dark chocolate. But I’ll keep them separate from now on. My sinuses are still searing.
Yes I’m corny. So anyway…for the past couple of weeks I was sad that I would be missing this year’s Disney Princess Half…aka like my favorite half marathon of all time. All about ladies feeling like Princesses! It’s a race with all different shapes, sizes, ages, walks of life, etc. and it is perfectly acceptable to wear a tiara and frilly dress. But alas…Disney is pricey. I just couldn’t justify it.
Well clearly runDisney realized that this race just wouldn’t work without me being a part of it. That ray of sunshine would be missing at 3AM in the morning of race day! Because today I got an e-mail. It went a little something like this:
Yep. Go run the Princess Half? Let them put me up at a Disney Resort? Paid meals and hang out with other awesome ladies? And blog, tweet, fb, and write the whole time! Okay Okay, you win. If I MUST, I guess I’ll go.
ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME! I literally squealed out of excitement! I love runDisney. Like its a real, true, deep love.
Thank you to runDisney and Fitfluetial, Inc. for this awesome opportunity! Can’t wait to share the adventure with you guys! So what if I’m in no shape to run distance right now (the longest I’ve run since Goofy is 8 miles…like once). Oh well. The real question…WHAT WILL I WEAR???? Gotta pull something together quick! Are you running Princess? Let me know!
Valentines Day is like freaking Christmas for elementary school kids. I mean I remember getting excited to pick out my class Valentine’s every year…and I remember the year my brother’s teacher said all Valentines had to be hand made…my mom just LOVED that. But seriously. This is craziness. Bags and bags and bags of stuff were brought in today! But oh well…let them have their fun while they still all like each other right? Because I have been with these kids since August and grown pretty attached to many of them, I decided to take the time to right a personal note to each of them on giant foam hearts I found super cheap at Target. Seemed like a good idea…24 hearts later? Not so much. But I’m glad I did it…they were so excited!
By the time my planning hour rolled around I was ready to take a deep breath. Oh goodness…24 sugar fueled second graders. I was excited to send them to art by noon! I started walking down the hall toward the copy machine and the hallway was mostly quiet. My classroom is on the very end of a hallway and I saw someone walking down toward me on the opposite side. Someone with roses. I thought that was super sweet that someone had come to deliver flowers. But as I got closer…the more familiar the “delivery guy” looked. Then I realized that the familiar looking delivery guy just happened to be my boyfriend. At first I was super confused and then I was so excited. I was completely surprised! Apparently he had called the school the day before asking if it would be okay and what would be a good time. He managed to come by between classes. And he was even dressed up in a tie. It was so incredibly sweet and meant so much to me. Presents are nice. The roses were beautiful. The card was perfect (he managed to find a running oriented Valentine’s card!), but him taking time out of his busy day and putting the effort into surprising me like that meant everything. I even got a bit teary eyed when I realized it was him just because it was so unexpected and so sweet. I’m a total routine person so I was a bit overwhelmed by being taken by complete surprise but it was a wonderful feeling. Thank you love! You made my entire month!
my view for the rest of the day : ) sitting on top of my planning binder
And tonight I had a wonderful track workout with some of my favorite running people! It was a wonderful day : )
Hey all! With Disney Princess right around the corner I realized I never finished my recap of this year’s GOOFY Challenge! I am currently working on that because as always, Disney does you RIGHT and I have a lot to share. But for now I am recapping last year’s Disney Princess Posts. I am signed up for this year’s but let’s just say hotels are expensive and I just don’t have the funds for it at the moment so doesn’t look like I’ll be going : ( Super bummed but of course I will continue to sign up for runDisney events because well…they are amazing. If you are contemplating running one of their events…check out these posts and DO IT! I had one of the best weekends of my life last year at Princess. You will too!
I promise this isn’t turning into a teaching blog…its just happens to be what has taken over my life the past few months. I have another week after this week with my current class. I’ve been with them since August and truly, they are such a great group of kids and I am really going to miss them! I hope my next class will be just as awesome although I’m jumping from second grade to fourth grade which is basically dog years. HUGE change in those 2 years. But more on that as that comes…the good thing about switching schools is I have a TINY bit of down time (as in I obviously can’t just jump right into a new class and teach full time…although I will be doing TONS of portfolio work and work in the classroom, I won’t be responsible for as much of the curriculum as I currently am). So maybe…just maybe I might be able to talk about something different…but for today, this is what I did.
We are working on an engineering/technology science unit. I’m piloting the program AKA no one else in Baltimore County as ever taught this unit and I basically get to be the guinea pig to test it all out. Without going all primary teacher on you…what these engineers who designed the program thought would take 6 days total has already taken 10 and we have yet to start the final lesson. They have SECOND GRADERS learning about force, work, energy, etc. It’s awesome but obviously takes some time to stop, slow down, and try to explain these concepts in ways they can understand. So the past few days they have been designing sails for a model raft. Their goal was to make a sail that would make the raft move the furthest on a set track. AKA I get to set all of this up.
I got to school super early in order to get this set up.
those white rectangles are the "rafts" I got to make suspended on fishing line tracks. Don't try to understand. It made my head hurt.
Anyway I realized the actual design for the rafts weren’t as sturdy as I’d like (have 24 second graders use them to test their sails meant they need to stand up to some rough 8 year olds!) so I mad to do some last minute “surgery” on the rafts to reinforce them.
And it resulted it this.
Yep. I sliced my finger open…with a pair of safety scissors…while constructed “rafts” out of Styrofoam trays and straws.
But that’s okay because we are also reading “Officer Buckle and Gloria” this week (AKA a story about a police officer and his dog who do safety speeches at schools). This little mishap will lend itself well to our “Safety Tips” lesson tomorrow…
And that my friends…if my life at the current moment.
One of my students broke her arm a couple of months ago. It didn’t heal right so she went to the doctor to get it checked out. When she came into school later that day she told me she was going to start therapy for her arm. We talked about how I used to go to a PT and even though it can sound scary, the therapists makes you feel much better.
Fast forward to recess.
This same girl is noticeably upset and I ask her what’s wrong. She tells me she’s upset about therapy. I, thinking she’s still nervous about having to go, reassure her. She says, “yes I know but _______ told me I’m, wrong!”
Me: Wrong about what?
Student: Therapy.
Me: What about therapy?
Student: __________ says that therapy is only for moms and dads who fight a lot!
Well that wasn’t the playground discussion I thought I was going to have but something about the innocence of kids is do sweet. And well ___________ I’m sure mommy and daddy really appreciate you sharing that insight with us.
Just had to take a second away from lesson planning and watching silly TV shows to share a quick story from my second graders today.
We are currently working on word problems in math. Today we were working on eliminating unnecessary ( <– OH MAN I just spelled unnecessary right on the first try! Small victories) information from the problems in order to solve them. One of the problems went like this:
There were 50 slices of pizza at the Super Bowl Party. There were also 50 chicken wings. 37 of the pizza slices were eaten. How many pizza slices were left over?
When I asked them what part of the question they don’t need one kids said, “get rid of the chicken wings!” to which I replied, “Yes! But who can tell me why?”. Another little girl raised her hand tentatively and said, “well…my mom says they are fattening?”
Moments like that…it’s hard not to laugh out loud : )
I was recently offered the chance to try out as new workout program. Usually I jump at these chances and go for it. But this one I was a little hesitant about. The program isTracy Anderson’s Metamorphosis. I’ll start with what I think are the positives of theprogram.
It is not a one size fits all program. There are for different programs based on 4 different body types. These include, what Tracy calls abcentric (those who tend to gain in their midsection), glutecentric (those who tend to gain in their backside), hipcentric (those who gain in their hips and thighs), and omnicentric (those who gain relatively equally all over).
There is a questionnaire, The Body Type Calculator, that helps you decide which program is right for you. According to it, I am Abcentric, which I agree with but because I prefer an all over workout rather than a targeted program and honestly I think my upper arms are my greatest “trouble area” I chose the Omnicentric program.
It incorporates both strength training and cardio
It is something new. A lot of her moves are dance based and body weight based, both things I am a fan of. She has a background in professional dance and incorporates those principles (focusing one small muscle groups, not just the larger groups)
Not much equipment required. Just a mat and small dumbbells (although more on that in a bit)
There is an onlinecommunityincluding forums and discussion groups
Now here’s the parts I’m hesitant about.
Tracy Anderson is pretty controversial for a few reasons. She has created what she calls “The Tracy Anderson Method” which includes a diet regimen that I am far from fond of. She is most notable for training Madonna (although they have parted ways), and Gwyneth Paltrow (getting her back into Hollywood shape after both of her pregnancies). However she is noted for a few other things that I don’t love. For one…she said that she “wanted to have an eating disorder but couldn’t”. Check out around 1:06 on this video:
And she claims “no women should ever lift more than three pounds” because it adds bulk and causes injury to the joints. Watch this video around 0:48. In fact, in her book she claims, “If you want to look tight and toned, you need to stop every other kind of exercise and only do my workout.”
She is also against forms of cardio such as running, the elliptical, cycling, stair stepping, etc. because she claims that the repetitive motions make women bulky. Obviously I’m not a fan of this part. And according to the many many reviews I’ve read, people either love or hate her dance cardio. It appears that she really doesn’t cue anything and just kind of goes from move to move without any direction. I tend to pick up choreography quickly but I can see how this could cause issues.
Another big issues…her diet is lacking in MANY areas. And considering she has no accreditation in nutrition or dietetics I’m not sure why she is making these diets in the first place. While doing my background research I came acrossthis articlewhich I found very interesting. The author followed the diet program and reported the results.
She goes on to explain the next phase:
“But then with the onset of week two the diet only got harder and had me yearning for the good old days of pureed spinach.
Breakfast is two eggs (boiled or poached) or turkey bacon with a small amount of fruit.
Lunch is a protein bar. Dinner is a small amount of protein and veg. For example, I could have half a chicken breast with a handful of spinach. I would go to bed so hungry that I could hardly sleep.
I feel faint on several occasions and in the middle of Oxford Street everything starts to black out.
Thankfully, week three goes back to the blended foods-only phase.”
“Everything is grilled, steamed or poached. There seems to be a ban on starches in general. No bread, potatoes, pasta or rice. There are no fats, no dairy, no salt and no red meat…My skin is terrible and my nails are flaking and weak. And - how can I put this - my system has become, shall we say, somewhat sluggish. Normally I’m as regular as clockwork. Not any more.”
This all sounds a bit worrisome to me. Now what can all that restricting do for you? Well the author took the plan to a registered nutritionist who analyzed the program and reported the following findings.
“She told me I had existed on less than 700 calories a day for the past two months - no wonder I felt terrible. Catherine was extremely concerned.‘I see patients suffering with anorexia nervosa and now I’m reading their diet in pamphlet form,’ she says. ‘It’s immunosuppressant due to its lack of calcium, iron, carbohydrates, proteins and salt.
‘If you followed the regimen you would risk developing hyponatremia (low sodium levels in the blood). The diet is also very low in iron, which could lead to anaemia and problems with balance, muscle strength and exhaustion.
‘The lack of absorbable calcium (less than 300mg - the body needs 800mg a day) means you risk earlyonset osteoporosis and osteopenia too - something that Gwyneth has been diagnosed with.”
A bit scary. This diet can lead to osteopenia because of the lack of calcium and Tracy’s #1 client was actually diagnosed with it.
Tracy is also notable for creating the “baby food diet” involving eating 14 servings of babyfood a day with an “adult dinner”. Read more about thatHERE.
Needless to say, I will be ignoring the entire diet program and will not be giving up all other forms of exercise. So I don’t know if my eventual review will be all that accurate considering I doubt I can resist using greater than 3lbs, I will keep doing the cardio I enjoy, and will continue my weekly sessions with my trainer. Although Tracy worries me in many aspects, the exercise program has gotten a lot of wonderful reviews for the uniqueness and effectiveness of the movements.
Ultimately, I’ll give it a chance and see how it goes. I’ll be reporting back soon.
Having worked in the running industry for almost 2.5 years now, I have heard my fair share of barefoot lectures. Not that I completely disagree with some principles of minimal running (I have plenty of minimal pairs), but we all have met that “preacher” that feels the need to shove it all straight down your throat and preach the evils of running shoes and the joys of barefoot running. This totally cracked me up. Enjoy! And know, I don’t think ALL barefoot runners are like this…just lots of them ; )
1. Post these rules. 2. You must post 11 random things about yourself. 3. Answer the questions set for you in their post. 4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer. 5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them. 6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people.
11 Random Things About me…
Everyone in my direct family (parents, brother) has blue eyes except me. Mine are green.
In my first year of college, I had 3 different majors. And took classes in all of them.
I have super sensitive skin, that doesn’t tan, and gets freckles. Oh well.
I went to the same school from Kindergarten through Senior Year. Different buildings, but same school, same campus. Our campus was bigger than many college campuses and it was always interesting watching 5 year olds walk around with 18 year olds. I loved every second and I still consider it my second home. A big part of me wants to get married in the campus chapel
I was in last August’s Runner’s World (Stunner/Fastinista article). It was super awesome
I have about 10 pairs of running shoes (probably three of which I really run in). Working in running specialty will do that to you.
I haven’t run in shorts in 2 years. Skirts all the way.
I really love reading historical fiction and watching historical movies and shows. I always hated History classes in school simply because I hate the whole “memorize and regurgitate information” testing aspect but I love actually sitting in class and hearing about it. Military and political history…not so much, but anything social or cultural fascinates me.
I adore dogs. Don’t like cats at all. And don’t like little tiny dogs that look like cats.
I’m pretty sure there are only two green foods I like. That includes RAW spinach (cooked is disgusting), and mint chocolate chip ice cream.
Katye isn’t short for anything. My legal name is simply Katye Mateer. I’m named after my dad’s aunt and my mom’s grandmother. Fun fact…my mom really didn’t like the name Katie at all but my dad insisted so she had to quirk it up somehow.
Amanda’s Questions…
Favorite race/event & why? New York City Marathon. I have so many races I really really really love and will do again and again but something about this race is so magical and powerful. There’s really no words to explain the experience and I think every marathoner needs to experience it at some point.
Were you a Princess or TomBoy? Princess. Still am in many aspects but I do love a good sweat fest and have no problem leaving the house without makeup.
Who or What inspires you & why? Oh goodness. My family in general but particularly my brother who has faced hell and back and over come so much and come out so strong. Also, my two lovely friends G and Erin who are kicking cancer’s ass as we speak inspire and motivate the hell outta me.
Do you have more “online” friends or real life friends? Online. Yes…I know.
20 Year Class Reunion….Are you going, legitimately busy or you wouldn’t be caught dead stepping in the door? I’d like to say I’d go! But I’m only 23 so 20 year reunion is a bit a ways out there…
Do you prefer Flowers or Candy from the significant other or should they save the $? Flowers. I really love yellow roses and bright gerber daisies. But the grocery store ones are just fine with me. Don’t need the overpriced expensive ones.
If you were rich and famous and had the balls guts to name your kid something outlandish, what would that be? First and Middle name, please! Oh gosh…I mean I have a few names that seem a bit out there but that I would totally name my kids. But I think Ireland would be a pretty cool name! Hmm…maybe Ireland Greene ; )
You’re in a marathon, in first place, on world record pace…..You have to “go”. Do you stop for a port-o-pot, and possibly lose the race and miss the world record or do you go in the street for the world to see? Hold it?
Why do you run? Because it taught me to love my body for what it can do, not what it looks like or what size it fits in!
Favorite type of run: Group, Solo, Tempo, Long Run, Speed Work? Group! Although I do love a good treadmill speed session
Most adventurous “out of character” thing you’ve ever done? Does take up running count? If you would have asked ANYONE who knew me (or me for that matter) 5 years ago and told them one day I’d be running marathons, we would have laughed. Hard. It took a huge leap of faith to put myself out there and so far out of my comfort zone. So incredibly happy I did!
Okay now I get to come up with some!
If you absolutely had to change your first and middle name, what would you change them to?
If you could just drop all responsibilities for a week with not negative outcomes, what would you do with that week?
What pattern best fits your personality and why? Animal? Stripes? Dots? Plaid? Paisley?
If you could take up any career for a month, what would you pick?
Trendy or timeless?
Are there any brands (can be any kind of brand) that you just can’t live without?
If you could create your own endurance event, what would it be? Place? Time? Event? Prize? What else?
If you are running out the door and can only tag one bag with you for the day, what would it be? Gym bag? Purse? Mommy Bag? Brief case?
What was one article of clothing from your childhood that you distinctly remember and what makes it so memorable?
What’s your bedroom look like? Do you love it or would you change it up?
Just for the hell of it, what Chinese Zodiac year were you born in? Google it if you must ; )
Okay time to tag 11 people…I’m trying to tag people who I haven’t seen tagged yet to spread the randomness and fun:
