Severe Blogging Hiatus

My apologies for the lack of posting in the last month! Life has been wonderfully busy.

In the past month, I have spent my time running, running and running. I have also been knee deep in Girls on the Run "stuff", which is a wonderful thing. In addition, I have been preparing to change schools, grades, and subjects! Life is good, friends!

In the last month, I have put in a good amount of miles, and it sure did pay off! I ran my PR at the Indy Mini Marathon this Saturday. I beat my last PR by just 4 seconds. I was so excited! It was a cold, windy day, and the beginning was crowded and slow. Now, I am moving on from 13.1 to 26.2 and I am excited. I usually finish a half and feel like, "there is no way I can do 13.1 more", but this time I didn't feel like that. So, bring it on 26.2!!!

Girls on the Run is going great, and I am absolutely in love with what I am doing! I don't have any problem spending time working on getting our programs going, which has been a lot of time, and I am so thankful to have such a patient husband. We have began to raise funds, we have a restaurant night with Texas Roadhouse in two weeks, and I have my first meeting with a principal for a fall program. I feel truly blessed with the opportunity to bring this program to the girls of my community. Sometimes it is a little overwhelming because the growth already is more than anticipated, but it's okay, I can take it. I am so happy to be following my dreams!

As for school, that is right I am changing schools. I have been blessed with the opportunity in moving to our brand new intermediate schools. With all of the budget cuts, we have closed two schools and made all elementary schools k-4. Our middle schools will now be two schools within one; this means the intermediate schools on the lower level and middle schools on the upper level. I will be teaching 5th grade general education. That's right, I am not only switching schools, but I am getting out of special education. I am excited to be able to impact more children and still teach student with special needs in an inclusive classroom. I definitely needed a change, and I am very excited about it. There are only 9 more days of school left and then summer is here; I can't wait!

My 8 weeks of summer will be spent working on Girls on the Run, teaching kids group exercise classes, and beginning the training for my marathon. I am also excited to read a lot! I also hope to keep up with my blog better!

Well, that is about it, I will be back within the next week!

Until next time,
H =)

Florida

Well, today is my last day in Florida. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. It has been such a relaxing, and much needed trip. I have been able to spend some much needed time with one of my greatest friends. I even got in a couple of good runs while I was here. I ran on the bay, and it was absolutely beautiful. We went to the beach and also laid out by the pool at her house; I am definietely sunburnt... boo! In addition, I began and finished Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah, which was WONDERFUL!

I depart this evening at 7pm. While I am not ready to leave the warm weather, I am ready to see Mr. Hoosier. Not to mention, I am looking forward to the 80 degree weather I will be returning to tomorrow. My family will also be coming into town for Easter weekend. Saturday will be filled with pedicures for the girls and the Final Four tourney downtown.

I hope everyone is enjoying their week.

Until next time,
H =)

Crazy Week

I have been absent from the blogging world lately... it has been a crazy last ten days! Last Thursday, Mr. Hoosier and I left for Chicaog to go see my brother graduate from Navy Basic Training; he is officially a Sailor, and it was an amazing experience, and oh so great to see him! We spend the weekend there with my family, which was so fun. We returned home to get inducted into our church. Monday was my birthday... 26... YIKES!!!! This one hit me hard! Yes, I celebrated all week. Now it is Saturday, I am going on an 8 mile run, and then catching a plane to Florida. I can't wait! I will be spending Spring Break in Tampa with my good friend, Liz.

Have a great week.

Until next time,
H =)

Book #5- Check

Hooray!!! I completed book #5 last night, however, I am paying for it today. Yes, I stayed up past 1am to finish book #5; it was an excellent read. I read Jodi Picoult's Harvesting the Heart. Jodi is one of my favorite authors and she often times writes about very controversial topics that "hover the line". However, this book was perfect- now probably second behind My Sister's Keeper.

Now, I am on to book #6 of my 20 for the year 2010. I am thinking I will definitely surpass 20 for the year, especially with my relaxing Spring Break in Florida just two weeks away. So, I now have 3 books sitting on my kitchen table, and can't decide which to open up first. All of my three books are reccommendations from blogging friends or facebook friends, so thanks, friends!

Well, I am off, to read one of the three books. Mondays are my rest day from workouts... ahhh!!!

Until next time,
H =)

I Did It

That's right, friends, I registered for the 2010 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. I can't believe it! This will be my first ever marathon and I am excited. The marathon is October 10th (a day after Mr. Hoosier's birthday). I thought October would be a perfect time to run a marathon: the weather (let's hope) will be mild, I won't have to deal with snow for my training, for the majority of my training I won't be in school, and I will already have a solid base from the half marathon. So, with all of this being said, I have no idea what to expect while preparing for this race. I don't even have a time goal set for myself. I know it's my first and I should just be concerned with finishing, however, I am much more motivated when I have a time in my head to shoot for. I can run a half marathon in under two hours (about 1:55), so for all your vetran marathoners out there, what would be a good time goal to shoot for?

I will be running it with my good friend and running buddy R. I am so excited she decided to do it and that we are going to be able to train together. I am not confident I would have been able to make it on those long runs without someone else.

I will be happy to take any tips and advice while training for this race. I can't believe I am doing it, but am so excited.

In addition, R and I will both be running this marathon as a Girls on the Run SoleMate, which was actually the determining factor in me choosing to actually do this. As a SoleMate, we will be running to raise money (at least $262) for Girls on the Run of Hamilton County. When I found out that the Chicago Marathon was the official partner of Girls on the Run SoleMates I decided that I must do it, so here we go! As I am training, my motivation will be that this is not just for me, but also for the girls of my community. I am doing this to provide them with the opportunity to "live a life full of self respect and healthy living".

So, please follow and support me on this journey to not just 26.2, but also $262 for Girls on the Run of Hamilton County! If you would like to donate to my efforts, follow this link- any donation is greatly appreciated and will be applied to efforts to continue to offer Girls on the Run to the girls of Hamilton County.

http://www.active.com/donate/SoleMates2011/HNichol44

Until next time,
H =)

A Sunny Snapshot Saturday

That's right, it is FINALLY sunny in Indiana, and the snow is almost gone! I think Spring is really trying to come to stay. What better way to enjoy the sun this morning than with a 6 mile run on the Monon.

But before that, here is my snapshot Saturday....

Boy, oh boy do I ever miss these two! Just two more weeks and we wille watching my brother graduate from Bootcamp and spending the weekend with him in Chicago. I am so excited! I have the best siblings!!! (This picture was taken last year at my sister's birthday)


I know I look disgusting in this photo, but it's okay, I love the memory AND I love her! This picture was taken as my sister and I were driving to Georgia for spring break- safe, I know!!! Last year, we took a "sisters trip" to Georgia to visit my Aunt and cousins. We made it in the car together for 12 hours! It was a wonderful bonding experience. We planned on doing the same this year, but our dreams were shot when we found out we had different spring breaks (sad face).

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend! After my run, maybe Mr. Hoosier and I will take Bailey for a walk and put some chicken on the grill... sounds like my kind of day!

Until next time,
H =)

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Yes, I know, I haven't written anything with substance lately, nor have done any Snapshot Saturdays. I am boring, I know, but maybe that is just how this overdue winter has me feeling. In fact, that must be it. I am over this weather. I am tired of being indoors, I am tired of long pants that must be worn with closed toe shoes, thick sweaters, and my long, heavy coats. I am ready to be able to run outside, take my dog for a walk where she isn't filthy when it is over, be able to walk to grab dinner with my husband, and sit out on our deck. I am also ready to get up in the morning and NOT think, "what can I wear that will keep me warm all day," and my only options being thick sweaters. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE sweaters, but it is almost March, so I am over them. I am ready to wear no socks with my shoes, my light weight jackets to work (hey, I am okay with wearing a jacket still), and short sleeve shirts. So, my request is Spring, please GET HERE SOON!

Besides the weather, here are some more of my rambles:

- These girl scout cookies need to leave our house pronto. They are doing nothing positive for me! Nothing at all!!!

- I have done a horrible job of A) tracking my running on my little gadget on here and B) actually getting all of my miles in. 10 weeks until the mini marathon and I have to "kick it in gear" this week and hit all my training days!

- DAIRY is the DEVIL! (minus eggs and cheese they have been okay so far) So, I had to leave work at about 1:30 yesterday afternoon. We had a pitch-in lunch and someone brought in some apple crisp. Well, for all of you that don't know me, any dessert with APPLES is my absolute favorite and especially when it is warm with some ice cream. So, I ate some with, I promise you, only a small spoon full of ice cream. Oh, well about 30 minutes later, I was in the library with my students when I had to dash to the restroom because I had such a pain in my stomach and all I could do was bend over. The pain continued and I couldn't even stand up straight. Little to say, I am 99% sure I can't have dairy. I haven't been able to drink milk or eat ice cream in large amounts for awhile now, but this was so small I didn't think it would have an effect. I am so sad... I LOVE ice cream. Mr. Hoosier and I love to walk to the little ice cream shop near our house in the summer =( For those of you that are non-dairy eaters, what do you eat for ice cream replacement??? As for the milk, I have tried soy, and YUCKKKK!

-ISTEP testing beings on Monday and I am ready to scream! For those of you that do not live in Indiana, ISTEP is our state-wide standardized tests that the students have to take. I feel so sorry for my poor kiddos- it bores me, can you imagine how they feel?

- I received yet another letter from my brother this week. He has been so great about writing me! My mom also received a call from him. He is doing wonderful! It has actually gone by so fast and in four weeks we will be watching him graduate! I am so excited to see where the Navy takes him and what it has in store for him. I am such a proud big sister!

- California Dreaming! That's right, Mr. Hoosier and I will be going to Carlsbad & San Diego, California for a week this summer! Mr. Hoosier's cousin is getting married out there and we are turning it into a week long vacation after the wedding festivities. Last night, we planned out the things we want to do and looked into the condo we want to rent. I can't wait!!! We plan on going to a Padres game (our goal is to visit every MLB stadium), visit the San Diego Zoo, take a trip to Southern California wine country (Temecula- this is going to be my favorite day, I just know it), take a whale watching trip on a sail boat, and do some hiking & kayaking. We also plan on spending some time at the beach, taking a trip to the farmer's market, and exploring the different restaurants of the town! I can't wait! I haven't been to California since I went with my mom in third grade. This is going to be a wonderful trip!

- What is a post from Mrs. Preppy Hoosier without talking about Girls on the Run? I have been very busy with preparing things for our 3/11 "Interest Meeting", meeting with a variety of people, and working with the attorney on our bylaws. It is difficult to do all this with a full-time job, but I absolutely LOVE it- I wish it was my full time job! We are having an interest meeting to recruit board members and coaches. I am also going into the third week of the season I am running at my school and loving it. I received 10 shoe scholarships this week, which was so exciting! This means that 10 of my girls are going to receive a pair of brand new New Balance shoes. New Balance is an official sponsor of GOTR. I am thinking I need to switch to New Balance as well. I am an Asics girl now, but if they NB supports GOTR, then I should support NB. Anyone run in New Balance? What are a good pair of shoes? Molly, I know you do!!!

Well, I am off to head the library to pick up another book, and go for a run when Mr. Hoosier gets home from work. Have a great weekend, friends!

Until next time,
H =)