Kent and I have been members of a running group in Penticton for the last year or so (me more peripherally than Kent, who is a regular). The group meets every Sunday to run, drink, and generally carouse. Every time we run, one member runs ahead to lay the trail and plan the route, while the rest of the pack follows flour marks they left behind. This feels like a big responsibility because the marks must be intriguing enough to entertain, but easy enough to follow. That, and the pack usually complains loudly about it nevertheless.
Last Sunday (St Paddy's Day) was my first turn to plan and lay the course. I had prepared some activities and refreshments to delight the attendees, and was proud of the results. I may do another one before the year is out.
To read their account of how it went, visit: http://shiggydusters.com/?p=2891
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Here's a recap...
I know. It has been SO long since I posted. And it was pretty long before that too. But what can I say? I've been busy. Here's what I've been up to:
Last September I embarked on the short but intense adventure of getting my CEA certification at Okanagan College. It took 5 months, and I finished fully qualified at the end of January. The course was very interesting, and refreshing even; after more than 10 years since I had been in school. I made some good friends there, learned a lot, and tried my hand at actually studying for tests and preparing for assignments in my wise old age.
When the door hit my backside on the way out after my last day of classes, it was time for The Job Hunt. I applied for the casual CEA list in our district, hoping against hope that I would be hired and could then start the slow-but-steady process of full time employment here. This took longer than I had anticipated but many weeks, and more than a few anxiety attacks later, I was hired! Hooray! They way it works is this: as a newbie, I will cover sick days and med leaves for CEAs in any school in the district. When I have enough seniority, I will be able to bid on continuing positions (someday). For now, though, I am getting familiar with the on-call automated phone system, and have worked every day since I was hired. I am loving the work, and being on call isn't as bad as I had feared.
School/practicum/work full time this year has been busy. The kids are all still doing their regular stints at Tae Kwon Do, skating, drawing, playdates, etc. There have been bake sales, recitals, pot lucks, and special events. Some days I feel like that circus act where the woman spins all the plates on all the different poles and has to keep them all going at the same time. The housework has fallen by the wayside of late, but no surprise there.
In my few spare minutes per day, I have been slowly ramping up training for the Tough Mudder event in Whistler this June. This is more than just a distance event, with challenging obstacles along the way designed to put teamwork, physical and psychological strength to the test. I am squeezing in a few runs a week, nothing too long or grueling - this is not a speed race. I have also added 3 days of upper-body strength (though not regularly enough to brag) per week, and have continued with regular TKD classes. Closer to the date, I will hopefully do some trials and simulations, but for now I'm just trying to hold my ground without going backwards fitness-wise.
What's up next? Tough Mudder - June. TKD testing - April? Autism course in the LML - Also June. Madison's birthday party - May. Kent's marathon (and his birthday) - May.
Last September I embarked on the short but intense adventure of getting my CEA certification at Okanagan College. It took 5 months, and I finished fully qualified at the end of January. The course was very interesting, and refreshing even; after more than 10 years since I had been in school. I made some good friends there, learned a lot, and tried my hand at actually studying for tests and preparing for assignments in my wise old age.
When the door hit my backside on the way out after my last day of classes, it was time for The Job Hunt. I applied for the casual CEA list in our district, hoping against hope that I would be hired and could then start the slow-but-steady process of full time employment here. This took longer than I had anticipated but many weeks, and more than a few anxiety attacks later, I was hired! Hooray! They way it works is this: as a newbie, I will cover sick days and med leaves for CEAs in any school in the district. When I have enough seniority, I will be able to bid on continuing positions (someday). For now, though, I am getting familiar with the on-call automated phone system, and have worked every day since I was hired. I am loving the work, and being on call isn't as bad as I had feared.
School/practicum/work full time this year has been busy. The kids are all still doing their regular stints at Tae Kwon Do, skating, drawing, playdates, etc. There have been bake sales, recitals, pot lucks, and special events. Some days I feel like that circus act where the woman spins all the plates on all the different poles and has to keep them all going at the same time. The housework has fallen by the wayside of late, but no surprise there.
In my few spare minutes per day, I have been slowly ramping up training for the Tough Mudder event in Whistler this June. This is more than just a distance event, with challenging obstacles along the way designed to put teamwork, physical and psychological strength to the test. I am squeezing in a few runs a week, nothing too long or grueling - this is not a speed race. I have also added 3 days of upper-body strength (though not regularly enough to brag) per week, and have continued with regular TKD classes. Closer to the date, I will hopefully do some trials and simulations, but for now I'm just trying to hold my ground without going backwards fitness-wise.
What's up next? Tough Mudder - June. TKD testing - April? Autism course in the LML - Also June. Madison's birthday party - May. Kent's marathon (and his birthday) - May.
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