Blog Slacker

Okay, the last time I posted was August 9th. What a slacker, BUT I have been busy with going back to work. It's hard having 6 weeks off and then having to get back into the swing of things. Oh yeah, and I was also teaming for an ACTS retreat with SJB. I swear if I am not doing a million things at one time, I feel like I am a slacker. It has always been my problem. I try to tackle too many things at one time. Anywho, here we go.

August 12th - Didn't make it to mid week practice, because I was trying to prepare for the weekend retreat. I had to get the dogs ready, clean the house, and pack.

August 15th - Didn't make it to Saturday practice, because I was on retreat. My intention was to try to go to practice and make it back to the Grotto by breakfast, BUT I remembered how I felt after walking 10 miles and I knew I would be wiped out the whole day. (Which is not a good idea for a retreat - especially on Saturday.) The retreat was difficult and eye opening at the same time. The good thing is that the retreatants had a great experience, despite the behind the scenes problems and really that is all that counts.

August 19th - Once again didn't make it to mid week practice. I had a fundraiser at Chili's the whole day. Thanks to Chili's South Park Mall, Manager Dan Vertiz. Chili's is one of those fundraisers where you are lucky to make $50. Basically you make up this flyer, people come out and eat, they give the flyer to the waitress with their bill, and the fundraiser gets 10% of the receipt. Well, I made over $260. AWESOME. What was really awesome is that so many people from school and around the district showed up. I had about 20-30 people from my campus support me. Then Coach Serna's husband (Reggie), who is a coach from the high school brought at least 15-20 people with him. (Great Guy!!) The librarian from Benavidez (Melanie) brought about 10 people with her. You have no clue how much it means to me when you'll come out to my events. It's just amazing. Well, after work I went with the Springharts for dinner and drinks and quietly passed out flyers to people finishing up their dinner. After dinner I stuck around because some of my friends from elementary/middle school showed up. It seemed like I was at Chili's the whole day. LOL

August 22nd - Finally made it back to La Cantera for practice. I had eaten so much crap this whole week that I knew today was going to be rough. (Hold on let me explain - teacher inservice week = going out to eat EVERYDAY!!!! It is a treat for us to be able to eat out and not have to eat in 20 minutes so we tend to go overboard LOL) I tried to eat chicken or not eat bread or cut back somewhere during lunch time, but it took it's toll and I could feel it on Saturday. I decided that I was going to do half the mileage. I turned around at 3 miles with Angela. Angela is a runner and she hurt her knee. She shouldn't have been out there and we were all getting after her. She has amazing determination and was still out there as hurt as she was. (Sidebar note- I havent' seen her, so I hope she is okay and just resting these few weeks.) Well, as I turn around I see Ashlee one of the mentors. She looks at me with a surprised look and says "Why are you turning around? Get over here and walk the full with me, I'm sweeping today." So, I turned around again. I walked with her and a couple of other girls. The full milage was supposed to be 12 miles, but we didn't go all the way. So we did almost10 miles.

August 24th - Started working out with the girls at work. Always have a good time (yes, we gossip).

August 25th - DJM = AH Had a bad day. But extremely thankful that this chapter in my life is finally closed for good.

August 26th - Almost positive that I didn't make it to practice, but I have no idea why. At first I thought it was because I went to see Jr in the hospital, but that was Friday. Jr is amazing. He is trying new medicine to destroy this horrible stomach cancer.

August 29th - Last practice at La Cantera. Thank God!!! The hills are killer. I think that is why I have been having trouble with my calf and hamsting feeling pulled. It is only on my right leg. Go figure. We were scheduled to complete the half marathon today, 13.1. I had eaten better this week, gone to the gym quite a bit and prayed alot. :0) I was feeling pretty confident that I would finish. I had gotten to mile 9 and was feeling the tightness on my right leg, I told the coaches and they kept asking if I wanted to quit. Stubborn as I am, I didn't. Coach Marissa cracks me up. She told me she was going to follow me in her car and she would take me back when I was ready. I kept walking and every half mile she would pop up. "Hi, it's me again. Are you ready to go back." I kept declining When I finally knew I wanted to stop, no Marissa. I finally made it to the last water stop (Mile 11), and my pace had dropped down to a stroll. Amanda at the water stop, took me back to the parking lot. Feeling pretty frustrated and disappointed that I didn't finish. She told me don't worry 11 is great. I later found out that Coach Jennifer was about to come out and finish the 13.1 with me. I probably could have pushed thru had she been there. Rhonda, Marissa, and Jennifer are amazing coaches and women. They are so supportive and make practice endurable, especially at those moments when you think you can't go one more step.

Sidebar Note- Spent the afternoon celebrating my Dad's 70th birthday with my sister Rachel her husband and the boys. Dad wanted 70 candles, so we lit the bonfire around 5:00.

August 30th - Signed up for a Sam's club date with Tom (mentor/runner). Our goal was to ask every person leaving Sam's for a donation. We arrived around 10:30am and set up shop. Tom was wearing his purple hat with the green feathers (people should give just to see that). Well, we did very good. We made $576.00 with a total of $286.00 each. So let me tell you about the $100.00. I ask this gentleman if he would like to donate some of his small change to the Leukemia Society. His reply is "I don't have and small change." I jokingly say, "Well would you like to donate any large change." He says, "How about a check?" I say, "Sure we take those too." Tom gives him a pen and the gentleman starts writing. I thought I saw a $100, but it could have been $10. He gives the check to Tom and sure enough it was $100. Yay!!! Amazing!!! We closed up shop about 5:30 and went to Chili's to count the money. This is when Tom finds out I am a Germaphobe. I ask Tom if he wants to eat first or count the money first. He says why can't we count while we eat and I respond "UMMMM Germs!!!" We counted while we waited for our food and after we ate. Maybe because I am a teacher, but you got to have clean hands. :0)

August 31st - My Dad's official birthday. Spent it with my parents, sister, nephew and his girlfriend.

September 1st - Had a training session with a new trainer to finish out my sessions. I have seen Darryl out on the gym floor for over a year. He is a goodlooking guy and doesn't look mean, but has this look like "Yeah, I'm a trainer and what?" So I was a little nervous, because I had such a great relationship with my former trainer Matt (who is going to be a Fireman, YaY!!) and it's hard switching to someone new. However, Darryl is goofy funny and made the hour enjoyable. Idon't know if I will continue with training, because of the money issue and I am saving for bigger things in my life.

Set up a fundraiser with Augie's BBQ. Wine Tasting October 3rd. More details to come.

September 2nd - Finally, made it back to midweek practice at Brack. Walked 3.5 miles with Flo Jo and Roni. Practice was not bad. It was a cool night and the company was good. The coaches, walked with us the end of the 3.5.

September 3rd - Went to Aldaco's for Happy Hour with some of the team. Met and had conversations with other members of the Nike Team. Which was really good. Usually conversations consist of
"What event are you doing?"
"Rock N Roll"
"Okay Team Let's Go!!"
"Talk to you later."
"Bye"

September 5th - First practice at HEB Basse. Nice change of scenery. Beautiful houses. Mileage for the day 14 big ones. Walked with Roni and another girl and Andy (the sweeper). Andy is a runner and he met up with us about mile 5. Us girls felt like we were really pushing to keep up a good pace, Andy looked like he was strolling. LOL Such a difference. I felt a little tension on the side of my legs, but that went away around mile 3 and my calf and hamstring felt good. Around mile 7 we stopped for a potty break at Trinity (Thank God!) It's the turning around that is hard. You just keep thinking "Seven more, ughh" I felt pretty good, but my pace started to slow down around mile 11. Mile 12 at the last water stop. My legs were saying WTF JoAnn, what do you think you are doing. For some reason Roni got a burst of energy and took off. Andy walked behind me which really pushed me to keep the pace up. Rhonda, came by in the car and said she would finish with me, but she had to pick up the signs first. Yeah Rhonda finished with me as she sat in the car. LOL She drove by screaming Woo Hoo, JO ANN!! We finally got to the intersection of Basse and the HEB. It was the longest light ever!!! We stood on the corner for about a minute looking at the team sitting in their chairs. Wishing were across the street. We waited and waited and waited, when the light finally changed my feet could barely move. I swear, if you stop for a minute, it's pretty much over. LOL Rhonda gave me a big hug, Tom gave me a high fine and Scott said congratulations. I at least know now that I can complete the half. Just 12 more miles to go. Next week our mileage is 16. Doesnt' seem possilbe, but neither did 14 when I first started this journey. I am so grateful to the coaches, staff, mentors and honored hero's who give me the motivation to keep going.

Ate with Kitty at IHOP. I had a hard time getting out of the booth. But the Spinich/Mushroom Omelet was so worth the embarressment of walking around like an old lady in public. Went to the movies with Kitty later. Same embarressment. There was an older couple (60 or 70ish) going down the stairs in the movie theater. I was right there with them. LOL


Oh yeah Rhonda and Pat keep telling me to smile more...like I haven't heard that before. LOL