inspired

This past weekend I was in awe...in complete awe of the 45,000 runners from all over the world who chose Chicago as their location to run 26.2 miles (a.k.a. the Chicago Marathon).


Here are some of the most memorable parts of viewing my 6th Chicago Marathon.


*Standing at Mile 1 of the 26.2 mile race to watch...

     -the wheel chair athletes

     -the set up of the official race clock

     -the official start of the marathon with police motorcycles and pace cars

*Watching the elite runners race by mile 1 4:30 seconds after the race started.

*Cheering on my friend Thomas at 5 different beautiful Chicago locations

*Runners helping each other finish the race (check the middle of the photo...the guy in yellow is being helped by the lady in white)

*Carnival acts...juggling and costumes!

*Behind the photos of the ever popular Marathon Photo guys who happen to be at EVERY race.  Smile at mile 21!

10.10.10 was a great day!  Congratulations to all of the runners who trained for weeks and weeks and gave it their 100% best.  You have all inspired and motivated me to want to be a better person.  There were certain moments during the race where I almost teared up a little and other times in the race where I realized that I can no longer say that I can't do something.  Oh yeah...and a shout out to Thomas who raced the marathon in 3:26:and change :)

thankful praises

...sometimes it's nice to get recognized...

"Hello Specials Team,
I just wanted to send a huge thank-you to all of you for the great job you are doing! It was brought to my attention this morning that during teen challenge yesterday the students were asked to share a high and a low for the past week and for many of the students their high point for the past week occurred during a specials class. The students in teen challenge are struggling on a variety of fronts and it was great to hear that specials is the outlet that is meeting their needs. Keep doing what you're doing!


Kristin" (a.k.a. the boss)


"Hi Anne,



Forgot to tell you that it was great to see my kids using a rubric to evaluate their peers during art today! I don't do that with them as much as I'd like, but I think it's really important! Thanks!



Kelly" (a.k.a. awesome 1st grade teacher)  


...remember to thank or recognize the people in your life...you never know...your positive praise might make their day :)

back into racing shape

well...almost :)


Bucktown 5K


Place in the women's age group 24-29
372 


Time
32:16


Pace
10:23


not too shabby for the first 3.1 miles run/walked since June...

day one and two

well, here we are...31 hours and 23 minutes into Paleo and still going strong!  Fortunately, I have a couple wonderful people supporting me...including one great cook...


last nights meal: chicken breast, spinach with garlic, roasted tomatoes


today's breakfast: 3 egg whites, raspberries, blueberries


today's lunch: pastrami rolls (slice of pastrami wrapped around broccoli slaw...yummy and crunchy!), celery with sun butter, apple slices, broccoli and cauliflower


today's after school snack: whatever I don't eat at lunch and almonds


lbs dropped to date: 3 (it's early...probably water weight :)

paleo what!?!

Who's your friend that loves to try crazy fad diets...yep...that would be me :)

New diet challenge...the Paleo diet! In other words, for the next 30 days, I will only be eating things that were around 10,000 years ago. (Yes, I can eat bison...this little guy better watch out ;)

After a bit of preparation, some suggestions, and googling (is that a verb now?) I have a Paleo shopping list and a weeks worth of lunches.

This diet is interesting in that it wants you to completely strip certain elements from your diet...elements like grains, dairy, and legumes that are possibly having a negative effect on your body and energy levels without us even knowing! For 30 days, I will be cutting out all of the "inflammatory, insulin-spiking, calorie-dense, nutritionally sparse food groups" to let my body "heal, recover and reset from whatever effects those foods may be provoking."

Reasons why this may be a good idea for me...? Why not?!? During the week/month of my 29th birthday I realized a few things:

1) I tend to eat healthy but am always willing to make exceptions with reasoning such as "you only live once" or "well...it is Wednesday :)" or "we don't have birthday breakfast at school everyday" or "it would be rude to not eat this wonderful spread of Portillo's."

2) I am the happiest that I have been in a long, long time...possibly ever. I'm in love with an incredible man, one who makes me want to be a better person yet also embrace all of the wonderful things about me that already exist. Not his fault but sometimes I would prefer to hang out with him drinking beer or red wine while watching football, 30 Rock, and/or Glee than head to the gym.

3) I love working out and really want to be able to call myself a runner. Lately with this ever growing happy belly (a.k.a. spare tire) it's much harder to run/workout and feel confident seeing that I am lugging around extra lbs.

This is not a punishment rather an exercise to prove to my body that it is worthwhile and that I would like to keep it happy and healthy for as long as I can...not to mention to feel comfortable and confident in my own skin :)

Exhibit A: Check out the two girls...one who looks like she may or may not be in an adventure outing ad (not me).  Then check out the girl with the cookie in her mouth (me).  Hmmmmm...

Exhibit B: Awesome bike ride. Beautiful view. Tight clothes that show off an interesting and ever growing belly bulge. Not a baby...well, kind of...a food baby.

Looking forward to showing off some Paleo sized results!!!  Stay tuned...better yet...follow the blog!