Day 1

I recently completed a 20-day no alcohol challenge, put forth by Rudi. That went from Nov 1-20. It went so well that I've decided to do it again for December, starting today. It will be a 21-day no alcohol, workout extravaganza! It will culminate on December 20th with a few beers while watching the Bears kick the Vikings butt on Monday Night Football! I had toyed with the idea of buying tickets, but I thought my money would be better spent at a bar and a cab ride home. It would be a lot cheaper, at any rate. 

This morning I weighed in at a puffy, post-week off 164.2. Last week I was 162.2 so that needs to be recovered this week. My goal is to be in the 150s by Dec 31. 

I was not looking forward to today. It was the first day back after a week-long break from kids, but it went well. I was observed in one of my 7th grade PE classes and the kids were awesome. There's supposed to be some yucky weather moving in, but I have yet to see it, which is good. It's still currently 38 degrees, as it's been most of the day. I DID NOT want to go to the gym, but I hauled my butt there anyway. It was beyond packed in the parking ramp. I went all the way to the tippy top and only saw 2 empty spots. I decided to go home, take a nap, and then try again. The second time around was much better and I got to see Westbrook score his first touchdown as a 49er! 

Tomorrow's commute looks to be a bad one. I'm off to shower so I can just get up and go tomorrow morning. Tomorrow is going to be another long one - teaching, lifeguard, and then work "security" for the judges' table at the high school dance competition. I'm assuming it will be a pretty easy job... 

Fun Facts Friday

1. I prefer the Arial font.

2. I have my first pre-observation meeting with my principal in 10 min.

3. I gave my first pop quiz today. It was in my fitness fun class and it was a 10-frame bowling sheet. They had to add up the numbers correctly. It didn't go well.

4. Today is day 19 of Ru's 20-day no alcohol challenge. I haven't had any alcohol for 19 days and I plan to celebrate on Sunday while watching the Eagles-Giants game (and perhaps the Vikings-Green Bay game).

5. Ru didn't do so hot on the 20-day no alcohol challenge.

6. I organized a game of snow football with my fitness fun boys this morning. They had a lot of fun and it reminded me of high school.

7. I'm excited for Thanksgiving. I have a fun day planned - 5k, lifeguard from 10:30-1:30, and then Lund's mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie w/ a good beer while watching football!

8. I did two loads of laundry this week. Still haven't really made a dent in Mt. Laundry.

9. I was supposed to have a date from Match tomorrow night, but he canceled. One of Ru's dates canceled on her this week too.

10. Don't really care about the canceled date. I'm more interested in working out and losing weight than boys recently. I know. Who am I and what I have done with Allison??

Happy Weekend!

Wordless Wednesday

I've been riding the high of the Eagles' win all week.

Let's kick some NY butt on Sunday!

Base Camp and 5k PR

It's been awhile since I've posted. I've been busier with school than I ever have been before. On top of an extra health class full of papers and projects to correct, I have an entirely new class to prepare for - fitness fun. This week past week I took my kids on a field trip to Base Camp, an interactive learning center run by the Boy Scouts of America. The kids get to go for three days from 8:10-9:15. They rotate through rock climbing, archery, and COPE, a high ropes course. Base Camp has only been open for a month, but the staff is great and the kids are really into it! Monday and Tuesday this week are their last days and then we go bowling until Thanksgiving. I've taken some pictures to display for parents during conferences, which are Nov 18 and 22.

The rock wall is made to look like Taylors Falls, MN. This is the front section and there are two more walls behind.

Archery

High Ropes/COPE Course

Yesterday I woke up and decided that I needed to start practicing my 5k again. I've signed up for the Lifetime Fitness Turkey Day 5k in downtown Minneapolis. It was 41 degrees when I left the house and 48 degrees when I returned. It was sunny, but windy. I decided to chart a flatter course, as the downtown course will be fairly flat. I decided to start by Caribou Coffee at the corner of Eagle Street and Shepard Road, down by the Mississippi River in St. Paul. Starting a little east of the parking lot and jogging to Randolph and back is 3.1 miles. I did the first half, to Randolph, in 19:38 min. My lungs felt like they were going to explode so I stopped my HRM for about four minutes and then started back. Oddly enough, with the wind to my back, I recorded 20:01 min for the return trip. I felt better though and almost felt like I had rhythm to my jogging. I was so excited to PR at 39:39 min!! My best 5k time to date before yesterday was around 42 minutes at the James Page Blubber Run. 

Today I returned to walk the 3.1 mile route and did it in 45 minutes. My legs and lower back muscles are sore, but I feel good. I also lost 1.6 lbs this week. I'm on a roll! 

After PRing on 11/7/10 - wearing my new "wicking" long-sleeved running shirt!