This post has been on my mind through miles of running and was written in my head long before I had the chance to sit down and purge my thoughts.  A lot has happened since the start of the school year, so as I continue goal digging I need to archive everything.

I’ve had the opportunity to go back to school for a second masters degree thanks to a C.A.R.D.S. (Competency, Awareness, and Responsiveness to Diverse Students) partnership between JCPS and the University of Louisville to meet the needs of our diverse school district.  I will earn Rank I status along with a MEd in teacher leadership and a diversity literacy certificate.  Fall semester wraps up next week with a 10 page paper and video taped lesson plan project.  JCPS awards me a tuition reimbursement each semester since I teach in a priority school.

Speaking of class, I earned my CCDW permit and purchased a 9mm.  I don’t want to use it, but I will “double tap” someone like my instructor taught me for self defense.

I turned the big 40 in September and celebrated by attending the Bad Boy Reunion concert in Cincinnati.

Bad Boy

DMX

Faith Evans and P Diddy

Lil’ Kim

MA$E and Puffy

Turning 40 meant moving up to the 40-44 age bracket, and I was itching for a race.  On October 15th I placed 1st place overall female in the Hurstbourne Hustle 5K.  It was a small crowd of maybe 100 runners.  My time was 23:00.  The sponsors gave me a gift certificate for a Road ID.

After the boost of age confidence, I needed to be a kid again and found an old cheerleader uniform in one of the back closets to wear for my school’s Halloween dance.

Mr. McGinnis and Smoot

During the weekend of daylight savings I went to WV to visit my Grandma.  We had a nice time shopping and she ate at IHOP for the first time.  Breakfast for dinner was my pre race meal for the Marshall University Half Marathon.  Prior to my trip, I checked runningintheusa.com for races and lucked up on the MUM.

My fitness goal is to be half marathon ready at all times.  On the weekends, I try to get in longer 7-8 mile runs.  This go around, all I had time for was a 9 mile training run about 4 days before the race.    I registered in person as soon as I got off I-64 in Huntington.  The race swag consisted of a Marshall University bag and tech shirt.  Early registrations came with a jacket, but I missed them.

Race morning conditions were foggy and chilly around 37 degrees.  I went out and tore it up with a half marathon personal best.

Finish Time:  1:42:20

Age group:  2/94

Gender:  11/574

Overall:  75/1,005

What I liked about this race was the course, being thrown a football to run the last 50 yards to the end zone, the cookout post race food, Blenko Glass Company awards (they have pieces in the White House), easy parking, and free race photos.  My strong finish made me almost think about jumping back into marathon training again, but that thought left my mind as soon as it entered.  The Flying Pig was my last 26.2.  I need my joints intact.

After the presidential election, it was refreshing to see a diverse turnout for an Angela Davis lecture at U of L.  She was correct when she said, “Freedom is constant struggle.”

Lastly, I got the chance to check out my parent’s new home in Florida.  We went to Ruth’s Chris in Tampa for Thanksgiving dinner and had a great time.  My Foster Daughter and I stayed at Lake Buena Vista Resort for a two-day Universal Studios and Island of Adventure experience.

I normally do not ride rollercoasters, but I was talked into riding the Hulk ride and the Dr. Doom Drop.  I voluntarily rode one of the Harry Potter rollercoasters.  The weather was perfect for the parks and the crowds were really low.  I was happy to experience Characters in Flight at what used to be called downtown Disney and is now Disney Springs.  I was unable to ride the last 3 times due to high winds or lightening.

I can’t believe we are one month away from 2017.  Please excuse me while I get back to my goal digging.

KelsieLou