Getting Old and Learning to Run Again

You know how, as a kid, you run to and fro, over hill and dale, up and down the stairs, etc. and don't have to consider your breathing technique, possible joint pain, or try to transport your mind elsewhere to keep on running? Yeah, running for me isn't like that anymore.

I'm training for running Bloomsday in Spokane on May 2nd (it's a 10K run) and I haven't been running this week because of knee pain. It's been hurting to walk down stairs and it twinges when running, so I've been trying to be pre-emptive by taking this week easy. Sure I've enjoyed the break, but I've also been cringing because of the progress/time I'm losing to prepare for Bloomsday. I'm pretty sure that, at this point, it will be more of a walk than a run, but I want to do the best I can (and any time I log will be a personal best since I've never run in a 10K before, or a 5K for that matter, but that's neither here nor there).

So I told my older sister, Susan, who is training for Triathalon Sprints (hoping to move up into regular Triathalons next year) and is running Bloomsday with me, and she suggested I try Glucosomine/Chondritin (G/C) pills. One of the effects of G/C is to "lubricate" joints so that pain is minimized and you can increase your range of motion (it's a main component of joint supplements). She swears by them, as do the older guys at my brother-in-law's job who work out constantly. So I went to Costco and bought a bottle. You know what, that stuff really works! I started yesterday, but this morning I felt a definite difference in that I didn't have pain when I walked down my stairs this morning. I'm so impressed, and because the internet mentioned how the same stuff has been used for dogs, cats, horses, etc, that I got some tablets for my 7 year old Chocolate Lab, Sage, since she seems to be moving slower and will sometimes limp after getting up from laying down until she's been moving for a bit. We'll soon see if it works for her as well.

So that's my latest  update. I'm getting older (bring on the electric shopping carts at the grocery store!) and I'm learning how to run again. Now if I can just get my breathing under control (less gasping and more "even") and get some really good music with a good beat to run to...

The Freshmen are KILLING Me!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know the overabundance of exclamation points in this header is overkill, but that's how I feel right now. Honestly, I want to throttle a couple of college freshmen right now...good thing it's Sunday and I'm secluded in my office grading papers with no juvenile students within arms length.

That's the crux of my frustration: I'm grading papers. -sigh- I honestly don't understand why students are sooo lazy. I have them turn in rough drafts for each of their papers (they have to write five papers this semester) so that I can give them feedback and let them know where they need to make corrections, clarify, etc. before I give them a final grade. I cannot count the number of papers I have graded so far that I've stopped and thought, "Hmmm...I thought I mentioned to the student that this was a weakness." So I go to my computer and see the electronic copy of the feedback I've given the student and WHAMMO! Yep, I told the student and, hmmm...it doesn't look like the student MADE ANY CHANGES!!!

Why do I try? Why do they even turn in a rough draft if they're not going to take my advice? I know that ultimately any changes are up to them, because it's their writing. But seriously? Your punctuation still isn't correct, you still have incomplete sentences, and I'm still confused as to what you're saying. I assume any reasonable and sane person would try to correct those areas before their teacher (who was the first person to suggest the changes initially) grades you on the paper. You'd think.

(Big Sigh). I just had to vent before I exploded. This wasn't the post I planned on writing today. Maybe I'll write the more upbeat and optimistic post tomorrow.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Let me first start off this post by saying if you called me yesterday, February 5th, to wish me Happy Birthday (and I know Mom and Dad did), I'm sorry I haven't returned your call because I left my phone at work...I hope. Argh! Who knew I'd feel so disconnected without that persistant little phone attached to me?

Okay, onto the festivities!

I had a really good birthday yesterday. I had to teach and take classes, so it wasn't ALL fun and games, but I tried. Do you remember in elementary school when you would bring cupcakes for your class on your birthday? Yep, I did that this year. My students in my English 101 class (the one I teach) got reallly excited when they saw the cupcakes. I got a whole lot of "Happy Birthdays" and one student asked me how old I was--and then he remembered his mom told him to never ask a girl her age. : )  I honestly don't mind saying my age (33 years old, by the way), because I know I don't look that old. Everyone says I look like I'm in my mid-20's (thank's for your genes Mom!). So the freshman munched, I lectured, answered questions, we watched some Hulu.com/YouTube videos and got out of class early. Then I went to my graduate level Chaucer class (which I LOOOOOVE--but I think it's the teacher and his ability to make Chaucer accessible and interesting more) and had cupcakes for them too! - Good times -

I have a bunch of papers to read and give feedback on, homework of my own to do, a house to clean, dog to play with...and I didn't do any of that last night. My roommate (Christiana - who is awesome) and I decided to go out and celebrate my birthday instead. So we started our "wild and crazy night" by painting pottery. I honestly wasn't sure how much fun it would be, but it was a blast! We spent about two hours just chatting, painting, and having a good time (I'm happy to say the place has a throwing wheel so I can go anytime and create something from start to finish. Bliss!) Then we went out to dinner at Gambino's and found out they have the best and biggest salads--for a reasonable price! We were home by 7pm (did I mention I'm getting older?), watched "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" (fun flick) and I was in bed by 10:30pm. Don't judge. It was my birthday and I wanted to get into bed before midnight sometime this week. And then -- here's the best part -- I didn't get up until 8:30 this morning! Yeah! I finally slept past 5:30am.

Yep, it was a good birthday.

Ode to my dog

Sage you're wonderful and a boon to my soul. You're always excited to see me, even when my day has crapped out with teachers laying on the homework and students complaining about their grades on papers.

When I feel cold you happily warm my feet. When I need a hug you cuddle up to me and beg to be petted. You're not a big licker--and for that I'm grateful--but you do have a big heart that loves all God's creatures, even Lexie the onery cat and squirrels who run away from you when you just want to play.

Who needs an electric blanket when you're around Sage? You gladly warm up my side of the bed before I crawl in and willingly move over when it's my time to dream. And when it's cold you spoon me--or at least make sure you're touching me all night.

You're full of life and energy, even when you sleep. You growl and moan and bark and run while you sleep--maybe in the land of nod a squirrel stays to play and Lexie doesn't swipe at your nose.

Whatever it is, Sage, you are a wonderful dog and you're definately this woMAN's Best Friend.

New Year, New Semester

I'm back at school and I've successfully completed the first week of classes (successful in that I didn't kill anyone or get eaten by zombies).
        Aside: I don't understand the whole fascination with zombies and vampires that's going around
                  right now. I will admit I've read the Twilight Series (nothing more than mind-candy that
                 doesn't require any deep thought or thinking to follow), but the near obsession with
                 vampires or zombies baffles me. 'Nuff said.

After spending nearly a month visiting family (I was with Susan and her family until around the 23rd of December and then went to Idaho Falls to visit Becca until the 9th of January) I was excited about getting back home. Being surrounded by your own things and sleeping in your own bed are wonderful--and a sign of getting old if my younger sister Cathy is to be believed.

This semester I have a bit harder class load, but I'm only teaching one freshman English class. I'm excited about my own classes because I'll be studying Chaucer, American Gothic literature (Poe, Hawthorne, Emily Dickinson), Rhetoric/Composition (how to design a new class, paperwork, teach more effectively), and taking German again. Okay, so I lied. I'm not too excited about the German, but it's a necessary evil to fulfill the foreign language requirement for my degree. Such is life.

Since it's so early in the semester I don't really have a lot to relate or tell you, but it does look like I may be going back to Alaska this summer. Yeah!!!! I loved my time in Valdez two years ago and was bummed I couldn't make it back last summer. It's still in the discussion/planning phase right now, but if I do go back I'm looking forward to reintroducing myself to the gorgeous glaciers (bring on the ice climbing), black bears/grizzlies/wildlife, and whales as I paddle my kayak between the floating ice. -cross your fingers-