Dingoes LOVE to RUN through February! - Page 6

[sparkletruck]

Originally Posted by Geofizz 



Ok, the swimming thing makes sense, though the whole "intervals before distance" seems wrong to this dingo. I'll keep at it.

I read an article in Outside recently where the writer trained fro a marathon by doing crossfit (short, intense workouts). I cant remember what his long run was, but maybe 13. He's 42 and has too many injuries to pile on distance so he was trying this method advocated by the crossfit inventor. he PR'ed

mamajb - wisdom of menopause is the one i always hear about. i also posted this awhile back and found it very helpful to re-read this time...

although I have to admit, I havent even thought of TCM (however, ive had spotty results with it in the past, and I dont want to wait 3 mos to "see what happens"...)

[mommajb]

The JCC was incredible -the whole place not just the gym. The preschool list of special features includes a choice of Russian, French, Hebrew and Chinese. All preschool students participate in music, PE, and Spanish. The list of special classes, enrichments, specialists on staff was amazing. Too bad I don't have a preschooler, but the classes for older children were equally impressive. The membership is a bit out of range financially, they have a smith machine but not a squat rack, and they do not open until 6am which is the time I aim to be home so it won't really work. Also, they had full length mirrors. My mom told me the ones I have are very 'kind' and I didn't believe her but now I do. I obviously still have work to do figuring this one out. And if a gym has fun house mirrors I want them to make me look good!

MelW, that is the author I have seen on shelves too and it looks like the book was re-released last year. It is something to think about. Maybe I need to look at things from a new direction as I do know I would be young given my family history. It this change moving younger like the onset of menses? Maybe I am just losing my mind?

I hope the fiddling was enjoyable!

[1jooj]

Sore legs.

After running and then also biking yesterday, this morning I opted for walking on the beach. Good enough. Rode bikes the 5 minutes to the beach club in the afternoon and didn't even get my swimsuit wet.

Just having a doozy of a homeschooler day. Maybe it's the rollercoaster that took me most by surprise--how my kids can blow me away with their brilliance in the morning, and in the afternoon, prove that they are capable of entirely avoiding thought altogether. Or vice-versa, PM to AM, or one day to the next. Even within subjects. Dd can write a brilliant poem one day, and the next, a sentence instead of a paragraph, within which there are not less than 5 spelling errors, all of which she has proven in multiple aced spelling tests that she knows how to spell.

Don't get me started on ds.  Quit talking about it and write the damn paper, child.

So I called it at one o'clock and the kids did some swimming. But I honestly can't stand the sound of their voices anymore today. And I still need dd to read to me. 

At least I am back on my normal sleep schedule, so I hope to cram in a quick run before we try to see the big show dh has been at all week. Any school done over the next two weeks is gravy.

sparkle, I know I could probably research to find out, but how does hrt differ from bcp in terms of the hormones? Just wondering. I really did seem to (mostly) get my mind back (but frankly could stand to have access to some zoloft, which is too hard to get here). Anyway, I will be reading this piece you linked.

MelW, the Corniche is really gorgeous. Thanks for the reminder. I realized this morning that, right in line with other symptoms of "time to get the heck outta Dodge for a while," I am not seeing all the beautiful stuff anymore, or appreciating what's special here.

mommajb, that JCC sounds awesome. It blows my mind what people pay for health clubs here. OMG, what they pay for the beach/health club we use! And then they have to pay for classes on top of membership. It's seriously insane, esp when our Y back home cost us $65 a month for the whole family. Including some classes. Are you just looking for a place where you can lift? And I know the mirror thing. We don't have a single full-length mirror in our house. My mom has a really friendly one. I avoid looking at all the building windows here. 

Going to do my bench dips on that early run tomorrow. Promise.

[sparkletruck]

jo - bcp's have a higher level of hormones than hrt, and you dont have the option of what kind of hormones (synthetic or "natural" - natural being a synthetic match of your hormones. For example, in my reading it came up that the type of progesterone (progestin, also called MPA, standing for a long word you dont really need to know) is not the type you want for various reasons, so I would take prometrium, which is what your body makes. Ditto for estrogen, whose name in bcp's i cant remember, but I wanted estradiol b/c it acts differently, and then there's the timing of when you take each, in your cycle and in your life, and so on

mamajb - I think perimenopause can actually start in subtle ways a lot sooner than most people account for. I just got bloodwork back from the doctor and everything is completely normal, so are my moods in fact hormone related - the only sign I have is the timing of them, which is pretty lock-step. So I think maybe our systems get more sensitive as we near it. My dear friend IRL is my age (Ill be 43 in 2 weeks) and noticing changes, and she is someone who never had/has an off day But I also think having older kids is more draining than younger - I am way more active with them, way more strung out trying to keep on top of all their needs/fights/melt-downs/schedules, etc. Add 2 dogs, and stick a fork in me!

NRR : so my bloodwork shows that despite taking 800mg of vit D and taking a ton of fish oil daily, I am way low in vitamin D! wtf? So Im gong to start taking more and see if THAT helps the mood. Onward and .. onward

[bec]

Sparkle - Do you think you could find that article about the crossfit?  I would be interested in that as a strategy and I have a good friend who would as well. 

Jo - I had to laugh at the crazy extremes of the skills that kids demonstrate at any given time.  My kids do that ALL the time.  I really try to document their brilliances thoroughly, so I can be sure I wasn't making it up when they do something on the other side of things.  And also on the hearing of their voices.  I can relate. 

Mamajb - I have a good friend who sent her kids to a JCC for preschool and still has a membership at their gym.  She loves it.  The preschool was amazing for her kids.  But, yeah, on the pricey.

[sparkletruck]

Bec - yeah, Ill look, I will say that the guy was barfing in the crossfit work-outs, so Im not sure what a great trade it is

Here it is: http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/running/The-Agony-and-the-Heresy.html

[bec]

Ok, not a real fan of the puking, but I think the premise of shorter, more intense workouts is a philosophy that I could get behind.  I do, however, agree with the mental benefits of being able to just head out and run.

On that note, 7x800 repeats on the mill, for a total of 5.75 miles.  Tri class tonight.  10 minute swim timed trial, followed by a bike timed trial.  I guess it's a day for speedwork!

[mommajb]

fly by update: 3 miles last night as dusk turned to evening. I was faster than than the traffic but that is not saying much.

I need to braid some hair (not mine, it will involve fussing some from me and some from her), brush some teeth (same story), go to the orthodontist ( I like this one and it is not as inconveniently located as I fear) and then
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I am meeting plady at the beach!

[loftmama]

Originally Posted by mommajb 

I am meeting plady at the beach!

This makes my so happy! Have loads of fun, ladies!

Doc visit today. Discussed bleeding problem (over 5 weeks now. Heavy and continuous) Took blood to check hormone levels. Biopsy was normal so scary stuff is ruled out. He says my "cervix is dying." :headscrach Okay? And he thinks my estrogen levels are way low. Could be polyps. We'll know more when the bloodwork results are done and we meet again in 2 weeks. I'm 45 and my cycles dropped to 3 weeks about 2 or 3 years ago. So it's perimenopause but really it looks like it's the real thing - menopause. Which I guess means I'll lose my cycle in the next couple of years. Yes! Mainly, I just feel SO RELIEVED - like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. In the meantime, I have to M-A-K-E myself go outside and exercise. So tomorrow, weights and a run, though I will probably take it easy so I don't spend the rest of the weekend knocked out sleeping. Steak and wine for dinner to celebrate.

Sparkle, I'll go read that article. I don't know what any of those abbreviations y'all are throwing around mean. Yet.

Mel, Christine Northrup? I'll look for that book, too. Any other suggestions?

MommaJB, what does JCC mean? I've been to a Chipotle twice and loved it. Did you like it?

Kerc, love the swim description. Makes me want to be in water so much. I agree with what you said about the school issues. Lack of accommodation was was my number 1 reason for not putting ds1 in school. I say this as a teacher who saw all around me the results of those not being accommodated and I say this as a teacher who created an individual lesson plan for almost every single student - including going to most of their houses for a visit. Like an old-timey dr visit. Because they would not/could not come to school. I also am not sure I could've continued to put my heart and soul and mind and life into the profession after I had kids the way I did before I had kids. And knowing me, I would not have been happy doing a job that wasn't up to my previous standards. This is why I wish there were schools where you could teach part-time. Seriously. Could I have a half-day every day with half the kids and give them the above and beyond treatment? Why can't teachers share a job? One take mornings and one take afternoons? And what about even having an evening school to accomodate those parents with evening night shifts who can only hang out with their kids in the mornings when they're getting off work? I really thought by now schools might have evolved to accommodate more diversity of family needs. They are evolving; it's just too slow for my generation. I digress. I look forward to being back in the classroom.

Yikes, my hormones may be getting the better of me. I'll go read that article now.

In other good news, I made my first batch of hummus and it is insanely delicious.

eta: okay I see menopause means after cessation of cycles. Got it now. That article is excellent, Sparkletruck, though I am only about a quarter of the way through it. It takes a lot of concentration to read and I keep getting interrupted. Onward.
Edited by loftmama - 2/21/13 at 4:55pm

[sparkletruck]

Lofty - you describe exactly what has kept me from going back to teaching, even when the logistics could be worked out. I always think that what made it so fun was pouring myself into it, and now it would just be ... work. The reason, in fact, I'm back in school is to try to get a part-time position at the community college teaching writing when done...

on that note, I got a formal offer to TA next year. Not a huge deal, but my first paycheck in more than 10 years, free tuition and health care ... not that I need any of those practically, but psychologically it sure feels like getting some of my Self back which is gratifying (oh Self, I missed you so). meanwhile, Im terrified

[1jooj]

mommajb and Plady, have a lovely visit! I hope the weather cooperates too! 

lofty, I am happy you have at the very least ruled out the scary stuff.

sparkle, I read the article. I so ID with the mind-losing, self-losing part. And it is true, the kids get more demanding. Our connection with them seems more personally demanding. It does seem to me that a 5-year gig somewhere between 40-something and 50-something is a whole different ballgame than 60-something to 80s. Lots of questions, but it's a survival question. I'll be hoping for you at the sidelines.

We spent yesterday (all day) at the show dh has been working all week. Saw some VIPs, watched a crazy defense simulation show, collected swag, got a blister, met dh's boss's boss for the first time, helped clean up the mess. I'd hoped to spend an evening with dh, since I think he has to fly out today (unless he didn't get to order tickets yesterday), but he had to spend the evening with the work team again. Anyway, he was supposed to take the next 2 weeks off, but it looks like he will be out of the country for the better part of a week starting today or tomorrow. Am trying to be patient and hoping all his busy-ness brings good later. I think dh will start to feel summer looming once Mom and Dad's visit is over; he gets depressed thinking about spending summer alone, but I think he might spend summer in another country this year, anyway. If I thought dh was busy before, I am afraid we have maybe seen nothing yet. 

Today we're going out for breakfast because there's no breakfast in the house. We're watching our homeschooler friends' musical theatre production--MelW, I think you have experience with the teacher (she's from Canada) who runs these workshops? They've been rehearsing all week.

Commence school break! 

[Realrellim]

Originally Posted by loftmama 

This is why I wish there were schools where you could teach part-time. Seriously. Could I have a half-day every day with half the kids and give them the above and beyond treatment? Why can't teachers share a job? One take mornings and one take afternoons?

We have one classroom like that at R's school. I don't know if they do half days or alternate some days, but I believe they've job-shared their second-grade class since R started kindergarten. I agree, we need more job flexibility like that.

Hope you get answers about your extra-long cycle soon. That's more than anyone should have to deal with.

sparkle--congrats on the TA gig.

Too tired to post more tonight, but I'm reading along and appreciating the perimenopause discussion. I'm on the younger end 'cause I won't be 39 until June, but I was having symptoms even before I got pregnant with J.

[Geofizz]

We have three classrooms with team teaching at our school. It's easiest in the kindergarten program, but it seems to work well at the other grades, too.

"snow day" here today. Too bad it's just ice.
Edited by Geofizz - 2/22/13 at 5:22am

[bec]

Congrats, Sparkle on the TA gig!  I know how even just a little thing can totally change your perspective on self.  My little mall job was not a huge money maker and it didn't carry any benefits, but it had a good impact on me. 

Lofty - I hope they get to the bottom of your cycles.  And I'm glad the scary stuff has already been eliminated.

Mamajb and Plady - Have a great time!!!!  I'm so jealous!

RR: Well, we got the promised snow, and I just don't have the heart for running on the treadmill all day, so I'm going to save my long run for Sunday.  This is not ideal as I am going to be out with my two younger girls on Saturday at a dance competition.  The awards ceremony doesn't even start till 9pm, so there will be dinner out (not ideal, but will hunt up some pasta or something) and it will be exhausting wrangling them that late.  Oh, well, it is what it is.  I will make sure to sleep in on Sunday and get a bit of a later start on the run.  At least I don't have to work later that evening!

[kerc]

my leah has a job share for first grade. It works great -- each has a clearly defined role, they planned out how to do stuff like conferences, etc.  There are a few drawbacks (from the working end of things) -- the teachers both need to be there for conferences and training. So that means they each work a smidge more than 50%. In our district you can job share but only one person can draw health benefits.

but overall, I support it. I don't like her teachers less because they are a job share. (one of the teachers might be the best teacher in the school, but the other one is just average).

I'm super duper tired. I've been sleeping like crap. I (think) I bailed on a ski today because I literally feel like I ran ALL night. But in reality I was in bed early and my dh doesn't report me kicking all night.  What's the deal?

[loftmama]

Kerc, I hope your need for extra sleep passes. I've been needing extra sleep for about 6 weeks now. I feel like I'm losing my days.

Love that some of your schools have teacher-share classes. I loved my job very much. I was so torn between staying home and working. I talked to them about a half-day job but at the time no one in the district was doing it. I'm pretty sure no one does it still. Instead, I picked up a night job teaching high school sophomores, juniors & seniors prep work for the SAT, which I also loved! Having a part-time job really helped me transition from full-time teacher to new mom. I taught the SAT up until the year we moved. I think it's great schools are doing allowing job-sharing now. Any one discover if you can job share in high school yet? Job sharing for teachers is such a great way to keep experienced teachers with good skills and brain power in the classroom.

Jo, love that you've got a hs group to hang out with. I can't believe how busy your dh is. Hope it's paying off in spades. Have fun with your mom & dad.

Sparkle, fascinating article. TA sounds great! I think about doing that next just so I can work part-time. Again, it seems a shame the only way to participate in the educational system on a part-time basis is at the college level (or K-2?). I'd love it but why not at the high school levels, too, kwim? Good luck!!

RR: No run - it's raining again, dang it! 4" rain in the last 2 weeks. In Jan, we had 5". In Dec, 7". I don't think we've had 2 days in a row without rain. As a present, we were given an overnight stay at a nearby resort. Every few days, we look up the forecast for 2 sunny days in a row. We've been looking for 2 months now without luck. Two days ago, we heard two more trees fall nearby. The ground is so saturated it's just a mosquito-breeding sanctuary. I hate to complain knowing that we might have a drought come late summer, but I'm just so over the rain.

[tjsmama]

Yep, DS's teachers last year in kindy job-shared. One taught M/W, the other T/R, and they alternated Fridays. They were fabulous, we loved them to death. I thought it was a terrible idea before he actually started school, but they worked together so well, and were both such wonderful teachers that it turned out to be a great experience.

sparkle~Congrats on the TA gig! You'll rock it, I'm sure!

Jealous of the mommajb/plady beach meet-up...


As for me, I've been (kind of) reading along, but drowning a little in work and life. No workouts since Monday, and I skipped today to go skiing instead. I mean, it's kind of a workout, just not quite like running several miles. It was fun, though! Back to work tomorrow night for three in a row, and hoping to get the office/playroom cleaned out a little tomorrow so that the cable installer can actually get to where the cable outlet and modem are....

[1jooj]

sparkle, did we cross-post? Because dang, lady, you so rock. I am thrilled for you, and I have to laugh at the fact that you're terrified. You are doing fabulously, and you will be great in the role.  So awesome. Say hi to your Self for me. 

Wanted to mention and seemed to forget (surprise surprise) that I've seen in the local papers that there is a school in this country with an evening shift. And I believe it is a public school, for less fortunate locals (UAE nationals). I don't know any details, but I think the school operates on two shifts.

Dd treated me to breakfast this morning and then we met friends at the beach (friends! beach!) while the boys had a paintballing party. A great time was had by all, and then there was lunch, and then I took the car and drove for the first time in several months to a supermarket (and decided I will stick to my walking routine). I had the best intentions, but it turns out I am still crowd-averse so we came home not empty-handed but not successful, either. Bright side, I got the jitters out and am ready to drive to the airport tomorrow. 

[Geofizz]

Went swimming. I did the 100 yards and breathe routine, and it wasn't horrible. I did a total of 1100 yards, mostly with flippers. Only 400 of which with the kickboard. I am planning to be sore tomorrow. DD got in the pool with me and swam. After I was done, I told her we'd gone more than half a mile. She took that as a challenge, and finished a mile in about 45 minutes, the last 600 yards without stopping. She's rightfully proud of herself. I'm humbled.

[loftmama]

Wow, Geo, impressive dd! Nice job, mama!

Tjsmama, so cool to hear about the team sharing! Hope the cable thing gets worked out and you make it through those shifts sans problems.

Jooj, yay for driving! And for being treated by dh!

The rain stopped for 2 days in a row! So we grabbed a gift certificate we received to a nearby resort and I got to swim today!! Woot-woot! Tomorrow, we're hitting the indoor gym AND the hiking trail AND the pool if the weather holds. I am working really, really, really hard on finding a new normal which and changing my attitude seems to play a big role. I will find a new balance!

Mommajb & Plady, have you had a chance to hang out yet?