My History with The Devil Part One: Running

Here's a little background story for you:

All through my life I had always thought of running as a disgusting habit that some people just couldn't seem to get rid of.  I thought it was a terrible way to work out.  Who wants to go from A to B by running?  Can't they take up a sport or dance or something to get exercise?!  I know I'm rambling and my thoughts are not justified, but it's true.

Well, when I was a sophomore in college, I really started to get in shape.  I would go to WVU Rec Center and take lots of zumba and pilates classes.  I was really enjoying the weight loss that came with it and started getting into the hang of working out.  I had this friend, we will call her L.  She loved to run.  She also went to zumba with me.  One day she says, "Maria, would you like to run a mile with me after zumba?"  "Sure, L!"  (Mostly just to make her happy, but also to see if I could do it).

Well, I went on that mile run and it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.  It just confirmed all of my thoughts about the nasty habit.  It was hard, I couldn't go fast, and it made my legs, heart, and lungs hurt.

But... I really felt like I got a good workout.  I just as soon forgot about it.

I continued my zumba and pilates classes until BAM! Summer break.  I can no longer go to the Rec Center for free because I am not currently a students.  Well crap.

What choice did I have?  I had to try running.

I went to the rail trail every morning that summer in Morgantown, WV and ran.  I would only go about a mile a day.  I started by running a quarter of a mile, then walking a quarter of a mile.  I would do that, then turn around and do it again.  I eventually increased my distance to two miles.  Then I would run for a half mile, walk a half mile, run, walk, etc.  And by the end of the summer, I could run an entire mile without stopping to walk.  I wanted to die and it sucked, but I could do it.

Then school started again, I got busy, and I didn't run again for about 6 months.

Part Two is yet to come!

Mmmmm... apple pie.

I am currently enjoying a hot piece of apple pie.  My second of the night.  And I am pairing it with a nice glass of red wine.  Not sure if they go together or not... they do in my book :-)

I had a very loonnnnggg Monday and Tuesday at school and today after work I made dinner for josh and a new friend :-)  Jenny is the elementary music teacher in Josh's district and came over to talk lessons.  We had chicken carbonara, rice pilaf, and steamed broccoli... and homemade apple pie.

This past weekend we took a trip to Cumberland to visit my family.  Here are the details of the last few days:

Friday: Go to work early and teach all day.  Get off at 4pm.  Go home and pack the car.  Drive 5 hours to Cumberland.  Get there and bake a cake.  Go to bed.

Saturday: Wake up at 5:45am, pack the car, drive to Morgantown for the game.  Pick up my sister (yay!), tailgate, game, birthday for step-dad and brother-in-law, go to dinner with Josh's family, drive back to Cumberland by 9pm, have a campfire with grandma, go to bed around 12.

Sunday: Wake up, do laundry, have breakfast/lunch at mom's house, pack the car AGAIN, drive the 5 hours back to Salisbury, unpack, get ready for school on Monday.

Monday: Wake up as usual for school, get ready, get in the car and.... it won't start.  Dead battery.  Call a taxi.  Late for work.  Get there flustered.  Teach 10 classes.  Go home.  Go to the gym for a class.  Have dinner.  Go to the grocery store while Josh goes to get me a new battery.  His Check Engine Light lights up on the way.  Replace the battery. Go to bed.

Tuesday: Go to school. Teach a bunch of classes, come home, start dinner, have dinner, talk about school stuff, eat apple pie, drink wine, blog.  Tonight I will pass outtt.......


Goodnight, world :-)

It's Been Too Long!

Apparently I have been busy!  I haven't been on Blogger in over a week!  Here are the things that are going on in my life right now:
1.  Rita's is closing for the winter this Friday.  :-(
2. I am applying for grad school soon at the University of Illinois.  And I'm really excited.
3. My classroom is too loud because it is connected to the cafeteria.
4. I have been taking Tai Chi, Yoga, and Pilates classes at the gym.  I have always known that I love pilates.  Still true.  I have never taken yoga, but I am loving it despite falling over occasionally due to lack of balance.  Tai Chi is a whole new story.  I think I like it, but it is kind of weird for me.  We will see...
5. I am a mentor at my school to a 2nd grade boy who really needs a buddy.  He is like no other 7 year old I have ever seen before.  Already getting ISS on a regular basis!
6. I really like my job.  But it is SO exhausting.
7. I think Josh and I are planning on an addition to our family this coming summer... no baby... maybe dog?
8. We would also love to own a home.  Foreclosed homes are looking really nice right now.
9. We are going to a WVU this Saturday.  It is homecoming.  The alumni band is going to be there.  It is my step-dad's birthday.  And my brother-in-law's 21st birthday.  The people that we are going with: mom, step-dad, brother, other brother, sister, grandma, step-grandma, step-grandpa, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law, and family friends: mom, dad, daughter, daughter's friend.  WOW.  I am so excited.