This time tomorrow I'll be boarding my flight to Miami. You have no idea how excited I am! And yes, I have been jamming to this constantly.
I will be visiting two of my friends from high school, Jennifer and Arielle. We have known each other since sixth grade. Both of them went to school in Florida while I stayed here. Arielle was at Florida State and Jennifer at University of Miami. They both came home for the summer but Jennifer went back to work and take another class she needs for dental school. Arielle is leaving today. She was in New York for the past month looking for a job. Needless to say we are all excited to be reunited!
Some of our plans include South Beach, seeing the Everglades, shopping, a weekend in Key West, and of course celebrating their birthday! On Thursday we will be going to the Yardhouse for dinner and going out to a place called the Grove. It's like downtown Colorado Springs but better.
Anyways, I just checked in for my flight online and I still need to finish packing!
Arielle, Jennifer, and I over winterbreak on the Incline. Oh yeah, they are twins so I'll be twinning!
On Saturday I raced my first 5k since March. This race was done through Panera Bread so I knew there was going to be good food at the end. It was a last minute decision since I registered last Wednesday and the deadline was Thursday night.
One of the biggest reason I wanted to do this race was because it was on a trail I train on (Santa Fe). I even pass the Panera on my longer runs or start by there. I felt like I could pace myself well and get a new time.
I had my hesitations since I was not getting my timing chip till race day and they did not include safety pins in my race bag. I like to have things prepared before the race. The race goodie bag was okay, had stuff I would use and the bag it's self is reusable. Another worry was strollers and dogs. Every race I have ran before this one prohibits dogs and strollers so I was worried about them getting my way. Most of the people with strollers or dogs walked and were behind me.
The race it's self was not that bad. We started near Panera and ran to the trail. This is where I probably lost the most time since they had the 5k and 10k start together. We split off but it was congested. The first part of the 5k was uphill and I knew I should take slow until the turnaround. I was passing people for the most part and found two girls who were keeping a decent pace. The turn around came at a mile and a half so I picked my pace then and passed the girls. I knew it was downhill so I used the hills to my advantage. When I came off the trail to Panera there was a hill and usually when I'm done with my runs I walk up that hill as a cool down. Since I knew I was close to the finish, I was able to pass people and keep a good pace. Once I was off the hill it said 3 miles and I picked up my speed to kick the .1 miles in the butt! I passed two people at the finish with my sprint with my dad and sister cheering me on.
After the race, Panera had sandwiches, baked goods, and bagels for the runners. Of course I refueled and enjoyed my reward.
The results were just posted and I had some idea of how I did. My Nike+ was acting up so it did not accurately record my time. I guessed 27 minutes but I did better! My time was 25:23, 40th overall finisher, 11th female, and a new PR :) I'm so excited I did well and hopefully I'll start racing more 5ks.
When I started working out at the rec center at UCCS, I never brought an iPod. I had a friend I'd workout with but when she wasn't there, I was bored and listened to the crap on the radio. First off, the radio plays the same song 200 times. Secondly commercials. Last but not least, I couldn't choose what I wanted to listen to. I'm not a fan of heavy metal and that was a popular request. I didn't want to go ask the front desk to put it back to Magic FM so I could jam to the Britney.
To have options, I started taking my iPod with me. Over time, I started making workout playlists to keep me going. I need music with good beats to pump me up and keep me at a good pace. So here are current songs that I have been jamming out to.
Till the World Ends-Britney Spears. This is my summer jam as well. I like the beat and it's great to get my run started. Since I know all the words I can focus on that and forget about the pain.
I Wanna Go-Britney Spears. Yes, another Britney song and I'm not complaining! After hearing this song on Bravo to promote their summer line-up I wanted it. (I'll do another post about my Bravo obsession) The fast beat keeps me going and it's catchy. I like the whistle part :)
Where Dem Girlz At-David Guetta feat. Flo Rida and Nicki Minaj. David Guetta has grown on me after his hit with Akon. I'm digging this song because it's catchy and I sing along to it in my head.
Give Me Everything-Pitbull feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer. I first heard this song in my friend's car and have been blasting it on repeat ever since. Whenever I'm at a house party or out with my friends we are jamming to this song. It's great for running since I can pace myself to the beat.
On the Floor-Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull. This song has a slower beat so I tend to start my runs listening to this song or Till the World Ends. I loved Jennifer Lopez after her first hit so I'm partial to her. She makes good music to dance to.
Thriller/Heads Will Roll-Glee Cast. I'm a huge fan of Glee so of course there would have to be a Glee song on here. I'm a fan of their mash ups and this one has been my favorite by far. I like both songs and would never thought to put them together. It's a great pump up song.
These are just a few songs to get me going. I'm currently working on a playlist for my 5k on Saturday and these songs will be on here :)
This summer has been treating me very well! I have ran the Bolder Boulder and I'm doing another 5k on Saturday morning. I wanted to run more races this year but student teaching wrecked my immune system so my training was off this past winter.
But I try to get in a few miles every morning to start my day. It's been nice running outside and exploring the trails. I like to mix things up since I tend to get bored easily. I found a trail that runs beside Ute Valley and leads back into the park with a huge hill. This is my hard day workout which is easily 3 miles and then some.
Besides running I have been enjoying my first summer being 21! I have seen Colorado Springs in a whole another light. I learned roof top decks are a fun place to hangout and Thursday night is the best night to go out since it's always ladies night lol.
This is probably one of my favorites photos from this summer. My friend from Canada came and I showed her a good time at Copperhead Road.
As a kid, I used to love Valentines Day! It was an excuse for a class party, eating candy, and giving everyone cards. I used to save all my cards that I got in class since I thought it was so cool. My parents always got me a little something (and still do). I remember getting a Lip Smacker thinking it was so cool.
Now that I have gotten older, Valentines Day has been a bust. I never do anything exciting or have plans. Last year, my mom and I had takeout since my dad and sister were gone. My mom did buy me the Lady Gaga lipstick from MAC :) The year before that, I was dog sitting and made myself a lovely dinner. I did end up seeing some friends which was a nice.
Today was different. I was spending it with the second graders. They were so excited and it made my day. I had so much with them and it reminded me really what the holiday was about, having fun with your loved ones. We played games and passed out cards. One of the boys gave the teachers flowers which I thought was cute. They are tulips, my favorite! Another girl gave me a Starbucks gift card. Of course there was a ton of candy :)
When I got home, my mom made a lovely stake dinner. I had too much fun with my family. It was nice to enjoy dinner with them.
Overall a great day, as my student Jack said "Valentines Day is all about peace, love, and eating sweet candy!"
As I mentioned in my first blog, I student in a second grade class. Despite doing a healthy habits units, having a nurse come in and teach us how to wash our hands, and my lesson on how not to spread germs, I still end up getting sick. I have been dealing with a cold that I caught from the kids.
As cold and flu season progresses, I have gotten sick a few times this year. The first teacher I worked with, was sick the first week of school and I stayed clear of her germs. Then I ended up getting sick near the end of September with a throat thing. I lost my voice and could not talk at all! The second time I was sick was right after my birthday. I had a sinus infection. Once I was over that, low and behold I was a sick two weeks later!
Now I have had this cold for about two weeks but today I'm finally starting to feel better. Being sick while teaching is tough, but you tough it out. However, I am glad to finally get better!
I finally done, I started a blog. I've been wanting to for awhile so here it goes! I guess this will be my about post.
First off, I'm Charlotte, but most people call me Char. I live in Colorado and have been here for about ten years now. Its a fun place to live and has great things to do outdoors. However, I do miss Toronto and the fast pace city life. Also, living near the subway was a plus, you didn't have to drive anywhere!
I currently attend UCCS and I'm majoring in Geography Environmental Sciences and Elementary Education. Right now I am student teaching in a second grade class. The kids are great and I love the teacher I work with. She has taught me so much and helps me along the way.
For fun I like to run, hang out with my friends, and read. Of course I love to shop and be outdoors. I like to ski and someday would like to learn how to snowboard. Living in Colorado you have to head up to the mountains at least once a year! I wish I could go more.
