Monday, October 7, 2013

And Then I Ran!

I have to admit that over the last two weeks, I've been anxious, stressed, short-tempered, and easily irritated.

I realized today the reason why. It's report card time.

I'm always in an awful mood leading up to the report cards, but I hadn't even realized they were looming! It's like my body went into stress-mode without my brain even knowing why.

Anyway, I made a decision this weekend to make a change to that, and what better way to improve my mood than through exercise? First, I went paddling on my new board twice.
Sunday we paddled through the backwaters and enjoyed the scenic mangroves.
 Sunday we saw a mama and baby dolphin just 10 feet from us. At the time I was in the water cooling off and eating a snack, and I immediately leapt onto my board. I wish we'd had time to get pictures, but they disappeared into the mangroves.
Just after seeing the dolphins swim by...I was seeking refuge on the board.
After 3 miles of paddling, running errands, and having dinner, I got in a nice 2.5 mile run. It felt great to get back out there. It was way more humid than I expected, but with such a short distance I was happy to find that my cardio hadn't deteriorated too much, and my pace was right where it usually is.

My legs felt great and fresh. It was just what I needed.
Super sweaty and super happy!
With my focus now readjusted to the 10k in two weeks, I feel like "running less" (as per my podiatrist) is going to be doable without guilt or stress.

I had a dream last night that I tried to call a friend and accidentally called my grandparents, which seemed to me like a sign. I gave them a call tonight and enjoyed hearing all about how my love of reading has come to me through the lines of my mom's family. We are a family of readers, for sure.

Tonight calls for loads of yummy snacks and a grading marathon. I'm definitely looking forward to the end of the quarter and a clean slate.
Peaches, strawberries, and whipped cream...the perfect after-work snack.
What are your favorite things about fall?
Are you planning anything fun for Halloween?
Are you watching the Division Series in baseball right now? The Rays are making my heart hurt, for real.

ABK
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16 comments:

  1. Girl Goes RunningOctober 7, 2013 at 3:40 PM

    I always get super anxious and stressed during report card season!

    Your 'Fall' looks a bit different than my 'Fall' here in Nova Scotia, CAN...LOL. I probably could wear a bikini, but I'd freeze! Haha.

    I'd love to try paddle boarding sometime.....how fun/cool does that look?! :)

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    1. Ali K.October 7, 2013 at 4:07 PM

      I wish my fall were actually cool...I remember last October being a bit chillier than this, but it's pretty usual for us to see the 70s and 80s in the fall. It's been in the 90s!

      Paddling is so fun, and a great full-body workout if you do it right. Definitely great cross-training!

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  2. Kristina @ Blog About RunningOctober 7, 2013 at 4:49 PM

    Your bowl of fruit matches the top part of Archie! :)

    I have no favorite things about fall because we don't really get that season! Boo! So unfortunate because I love looking at pictures of people who live in states where the leaves change and everything turns into an orange/brown/yellow wonderland!

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    1. Ali K.October 7, 2013 at 5:39 PM

      Oh my gosh, you're right...Archie is totally fruit-colored. He also matches rainbow popsicles.

      I miss "real" fall, but I do love November in FL. And at least we still get pumpkin-flavored-everything, Thanksgiving, and an end to rainy season!

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  3. NotRachemOctober 7, 2013 at 6:07 PM

    This entire post is making me completely jealous! DOLPHINS 10 FEET AWAY!?! I'm coming to visit. And that fruit snack.....looks AMAZING! I am so glad you had a good run, and I hope your grading goes well. I'll be thinking about you.

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    1. Ali K.October 7, 2013 at 6:18 PM

      Haha! Glad I can provide a little well-intentioned jealousy!

      Delete
  4. UnknownOctober 7, 2013 at 6:14 PM

    So glad that your run went well!!! :)

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  5. emma @ a mom runs this townOctober 8, 2013 at 3:27 AM

    Report cards already??? Crazy! Glad your legs are feeling fresh and it looks like you'll be finding a renewed sense of love towards running! I definitely wore that pink zebra headband at my DIVA race last month!

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    1. Ali K.October 8, 2013 at 3:53 AM

      Yeah, somehow it's already halfway through the first semester!

      Seriously nothing beats the first run after an injury. Everything feels so shiny and new!

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  6. RunnerGirl_FitnessOctober 8, 2013 at 3:39 AM

    Still jealous of your fall weather. I love running in our trails this time of year...but hate that I need to wear extra layers to do it.

    Love the pic of your dessert!!!!

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    1. Ali K.October 8, 2013 at 3:54 AM

      I wish I could run trails this time of year, but that means running when the sun is up!

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  7. HeatherOctober 9, 2013 at 7:00 AM

    I'm coming to visit!
    The water looks amazing there, plus we can run together :)
    YAY for an awesome run! :)

    I am planning a pumpkin craving party this year! So excited!!!

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    1. Ali K.October 9, 2013 at 2:41 PM

      Haha, you're more than welcome! JG can show Matt some new lifts at the gym, and we can run and enjoy some paddling!

      I love carving pumpkins...nothing beats fresh seeds! (I love pumpkin flavored everything, too!)

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  8. AnonymousOctober 11, 2013 at 2:08 PM

    Is this--> "I realized today the reason why. It's report card time." a common teacher thing because I've been feeling the exact same way and its report card time for us too. Seriously hate this time of the year (all four times).

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    1. Ali K.October 15, 2013 at 2:41 PM

      We are definitely not alone in this. I think every teacher I know from here to Timbuktu is in full stressed mode at RC time.

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