Reader, Welcome Back

So...no posts for me in 2021 (not even my annual National Parks road trip)?...Interesting...

Who knew that being a principal during a global pandemic would be so time- and energy-consuming?

Reader, don't answer that.

The good thing is that while the work has been seemingly never-ending, there has been time to take breaks - morning weekend runs, Broadway in Chicago shows & the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, binge watching "All Creatures Great and Small" and "The Mandalorian," prayer/faith groups at church, visiting my sister and brother-in-law, holiday light shows, old roomie catch-up evenings, weekly family FaceTimes...

It's important to take time for the things one enjoys. Because Reader, guess what? The list will always be there, staring back with a growing amount of checkboxes on any given day. The emails will always be there, asking you to do something or complaining about a new policy, or asking important questions. Each of us is only human. Each of us needs boundaries. Otherwise, each of us won't make it till 2023...or possibly even to next week.

Now that we're in 2022, I hope to do a lot more of the aforementioned activities as well as bust out of my Chicago bubble to see some friends I haven't seen in awhile and *fingers crossed* to finally make it to Acadia. Reader, wish me luck.

I doubt my blogging will be regular moving forward - most days I find my brain gets to empty around 4pm, and any insight or wisdom I may have had vanishes. But, we'll see what happens.

Until next time, dear Reader, be well.

A long way to go

As I went for my weekly long(er) run, I felt an urge to go past the lakefront path and to the lake itself, where I was rewarded with a beautiful view of downtown:

That's a long way to go. And it's not that it was going to be a longer run than usual...I just hadn't seen the view from there before - truthfully, it looked daunting. Nevertheless, I put one foot in front of the other and made my way south, downtown growing ever larger in my field of vision. Amazingly, I got pretty close - something that seemed not as likely as when I first stood looking at the scene captured in the picture above.

And it got me thinking. That's what 2020 has seemed like too - as we experienced the start of the pandemic in our country and more immediate cities, the end/cure/vaccine seemed so, almost impossibly, far away. But now, nine months later, we're closer to a vaccine, to "normal" than we've ever been. While patience and hope are still required, the efforts taken by everyone but most especially our healthcare professionals, fire/police, teachers/schools have not been in vain. If this were a race, it would be the time when it's most daunting and challenging to keep going...until the runner thinks of the DNF that would go next to his/her name. The last push to the finish is always the hardest, as it requires you to dig deep and really kick it into gear, giving it your all, even if you feel you have nothing left.

So, as we go into another holiday separated, at least for many of my own friends and families, from those we hold most dear, we need to hold fast to hope that, God willing, we will be together in the future. And, while it's painful now, the time with loved ones when we are able to gather in the future will not and cannot be taken for granted. Every gathering will be revealed as the gift it is.

As 2020 draws to its end, I wish you joy and peace for the new year ahead and added love for times when you are feeling lonely or disheartened. This year since March has truly sucked - and it's ok and important to acknowledge that. In fact, I think my annual Christmas letter (well, this is the musical part of my Christmas letter) sums up my experiences and feelings of this pretty well, at least to some degree. (I sometimes process my experiences in unusual ways, so I'm grateful to friends and family who were supportive in putting up with my letters each year.)

Take care everyone. And keep running the race - it's been a long one, but we have the end in sight.

Running for (and with) others

Less than one week out from my marathon, I can't help but reflect with gratitude on the people who have helped support me along the way (and those who will be with me on race day). This post is for them...

*Mission OLA - This place and its wonderful people (the religious men and women who serve there as well as those whom they serve through their ministry) are the reason I am running this race and the reason I reached out to family and friends to help me fundraise over $1000. Their presence/ministry in the Humboldt Park neighborhood is a true gift from God, and I am fortunate to be a part of their efforts in a small way on a somewhat regular ongoing basis too.

*My fellow runners - Whether it was a quick text, email, or phone call/conversation to check in and see how the training was going, it meant a lot and it kept me going. It's such a blessing to know that others are cheering along the journey and praying for me and a strong race. Knowing that someone is a long-distance runner forms an automatic bond for me with that person - they just get it. And for that I am grateful.

*My sister - Believe it or not, this is the first marathon that my sister is not running with me. (Well, Disney still counts because we were in the same race - she was just 20 minutes faster so we weren't technically running together.) Therefore, it's going to be different - I'll have to be the one to push myself, especially when I get to the end and always want to wimp out; I'll have to imagine her there telling me to keep going and that I can rest when it's over. (She also got me a goody bag full of important things like chocolate, throwaway gloves, and a portable roller for sore muscles after the race. That was pretty great.)

*My parents - They have always been my biggest cheerleaders. My dad even wrote me a short (inspirational) poem when I sent him the runner tracking information. :) They've been to several of our marathons (Disney, Chicago, Detroit, & Cincinnati), jumping around at different points of the course to take photos and watch us run by. They won't be at this race, but I know they'll be praying and tracking from afar.

*My race weekend buddies - Ok, so they're running the 5K, but they are still giving up their weekend to come support and cheer me on. They will be subjected to my early morning race day hours (so I can get my coffee in ahead of time), pre-race meal dietary restrictions, and random agitation of crowds/inefficiency at the expo. But it will be great. And we will get to celebrate the rest of the weekend.



Running is something that has always been a part of my family's lifestyle, even if it was just holiday 5Ks (Turkey Trot & Jingle Bell Run) growing up, and it is something that truly became part of my identity in college. Our running group ("Bull Run") was filled with awesome people who helped me go from barely being able to run 3 miles to running a marathon in under 4 hours. I still think of them in my training and racing to this day and try to take their advice to heart.

Even when I thought I'd have to hang up my long-distance running shoes when I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, my physical therapist and doctor helped me get back on my feet (literally) and build my running stamina back up to what it once was, with my first marathon back at it being a PR by over 5 minutes.

God is so good, and He has blessed me with this opportunity to race next Saturday with the support of my family and friends. If you think of it, please say an extra prayer for me (and for all those running) on Saturday. It's going to be a chilly one, but I hope it will be precipitation- and wind-free! Let's go!!

"And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

I will run the rACE

March is a long month with no spring break. Just throwing that out there.

Luckily for me, I had a perfect get-away: the annual ACE marathon. In and of itself, anything ACE-related usually proves a pretty good time. Couple that with the backdrop of Oakland, CA (and the fact that a handful of friends live there/nearby), and I was golden.

I don't think my heart could have been any happier. (You can ask my sister - I was literally jumping up and down at some points with joy.)

I have been so fortunate in regards to my health (especially in being able to run with plantar fasciitis) and with the support and prayers of my family, friends, and coworkers. I was extremely sad to leave Oakland and the people there, it's true; yet, I am now filled with what I believe I need to get me to spring break. And for that I am extremely grateful. We all need to take time to refresh and hit the pause button...sometimes we don't realize just how much we need it until that time is upon us.

For good measure, here are some pictures from the weekend - fair warning: there are a lot, so I'll leave you to it. :)

Even though our flight was initially cancelled, we adapted and made it to Oakland!

Ended up bunking at the ACErs' house/convent one night - they weren't messing around. They were ready for the crowd!

We stayed right near Old Oakland...and they had a farmers' market and umbrellas.

Made it to daily Mass at Cathedral of Christ the Light - beautiful church!

This is not a hologram - it's made from the natural light. So cool!

We carbed up...while making sure we were meat-free on Friday :)

We wandered around Lake Merritt and found lots of neat little places to visit, such as the Bonzai Garden.

You bet we run this town!

Per a recommendation on Atlas Obscura...

One of my classmates came to visit on Friday night!

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

The weather was unreal - even though it was a little on the warmer side by the time the marathon rolled around, we couldn't have asked for better weather!

ACE housemates and classroom neighbors, carpool buddies, etc. (Basically this guy is the brother I never had and it was SO good to see him!)

Twins with matching shoes...that happened.

Go ACE, go!

26.2 miles later - woo hoo!

Made the choice to walk around San Francisco post-marathon - we were able to stretch the legs, but holy cow were there some steep inclines we walked up and down.

More RLP love!

The answer is ice cream. Always ice cream.

Bay Bridge from afar

Golden Gate Bridge (up close) - it was such a perfect sunset!

Scored some serious leg room on the way home (after our plane made a stop in Seattle).

These ACE people made my heart very happy - together the team raised over $10,000 for the ACE school this year. What troopers! And so much joy!!

Ready or Not, Here We Run!

Text message thread from today with Remick classmate:

Friend: You're going Thursday to the ACE thing, right?

Me: I can't go anymore. I had to change my flight.

Friend: Oh boy, where are you going?

Me: California for the ACE Marathon :)

Friend: Ohhhhh, right. OMG, I can't believe that's here already.

Me: You're telling me.

And later, this conversation:

Roommate: You're gone all weekend?

Me: Yep, California...for the marathon.

Roommate: Are you ready?

Me: Haha. I hope so.

Roommate: I can't believe it's already here.

Me: You can say that again.

This school year has gone by so incredibly fast, especially since turning the corner on 2019. The marathon isn't the only thing that crept up on me surprisingly fast - my birthday, other people's birthdays, each new trimester. It feels like I'm living in fast forward...and everything starts to blur together. Yet, I don't feel rushed or uneasy or pressed for time, for the most part. On the contrary, I've found myself to be very much at peace since the start of the school year (and especially since the start of Lent thanks to a few prayer practices I've taken up).

Still, the marathon is here. My body feels good. My training (running and biking-wise) has been consistent and solid, even though most of it has been indoors (including many of my long weekend runs). Some mornings I literally have to give myself a pep talk to roll out of bed at 4:45am, but if I don't go to the gym first thing I won't end up going at all, as there is usually some kind of evening commitment or entertainment multiple days in any given week. I've learned over the years that there are no shortcuts in training for long races - cutting corners makes race day less than what anyone could hope for. 

In college, when my sister and I ran our first marathon at Disney, the friends/mentors we ran with advised us to make three goals: 1) finish, 2) realistic time, & 3) ideal time. In thinking about this marathon and how I've done in the past, my three goals are the following: 1) Finish the race; 2) Realistic = Finish in under 4 hours; and 3) Ideal = Finish in under 3:50:00 (as the last marathon was 3:50:51). I'd love to PR, of course, but it all depends on factors like weather, health, temps, and if I can finally run a marathon when I kick it the last mile. (I've really failed at this in the past, but in my training this time I've worked on always finishing strong, so I hope that helps!)

No matter how the race turns out, the weekend (and trip to CA) will be worth it - we'll be celebrating with current and past ACErs, Fr. Lou is coming to celebrate the Mass, I am meeting up with one of my ACE housemates who lives in San Jose, and I am hanging out post-marathon with one of my Remick classmates who lives in San Francisco. 

My heart is so ready for this!

Hold On (& Slow Down)...It's Sunday

Sundays have a way of reminding me to slow down.

Ok, so I got up at 6:45, but that was because I wanted to sip my coffee slowly and read my book before it was time to go to Family Mass across town where I teach. The sun wasn't quite awake yet, and everything in my apartment was quiet...except for the hissing of the radiators. Soon, I had the coffee percolating, my breakfast ready, and my book open. I was drawn into the author's portrayal of her family's experience as Jews in Poland during WWII, not wanting to believe the horrific acts done to innocent lives by those in positions of power. Still, I read on...

Mass wasn't till 10am (though, I knew I would have to leave at 9:15 to err on the side of caution), so I was able to take my time getting cleaned up and ready, listening to one of my favorite podcasts on low so as to not disturb my roommates.

I took a quick stroll up to the corner to drop off a few birthday cards in the mailbox, and then I was off to church. The sun was shining, my podcast was playing, and there weren't too many cars on the road. (Though, some of the cars I found in front of me were moving along rather slowly.) I must admit, it's quite a difference to head to school on the weekend, without having the immediacy of a school day's tasks looming in front of you.

The parking lot was relatively empty - that was probably because I arrived 15 minutes early. As I stepped out of my car and started walking toward the church, an elderly woman asked if she could borrow my arm to cross the street over to the church side. I obliged, introducing myself and telling her that I work for the school. She then introduced herself, explaining how she is a retired teacher and now does tutoring and consulting in education. It was, all in all, about a three minute interaction, but it brought a smile to my face to have that conversation.

I was surprised to see so many students at Mass, many of whom waved or came over to say hi. Most of the school families present had a child (or two) in our upcoming school play, and those children had parts at Mass today as ushers and greeters. During Mass, our pastor prayed a special blessing over those students and wished them well for their performances this weekend. I love seeing so many kids at Mass - it's truly getting to see them in another light besides the hustle and bustle of the school day.

On my way home, I spoke to my parents on the phone. They've been pretty busy recently (as have I), so it had been awhile since we talked. As I drove down Lakeshore Drive, I looked out and saw several runners and walkers on the trail, and I decided a jog in this weather might be a good decision. So, after I hung up with my parents, I put on my running gear, protecting my hands and ears from the cold, and headed out the door. It was meant to be a short three miler, but it was such a beautiful day, especially with the sun shining and only a light breeze (not a driving force of wind) that I ended up going about five miles instead. It felt good, even the parts when I had to run through the snow, where the trail had not yet been shoveled/plowed. 

As I sit in my living room, having just finished some leftover shredded chicken and cheese tacos (and a little bit of dessert), I am ready to pick up my book again and relax until my women's prayer group tonight. 

There is a lot going on at school these next few weeks as we get ready for Catholic Schools Week, so there is probably something I could/should be working on to prepare...but for now, it's Sunday, our day of rest. School, worries, and other tasks can wait. For today, I can be content to take it slowly.

Al Amanecer...At Sunrise

Al amanecer.

(At dawn.)

Sounds so beautiful in Spanish, doesn't it?

In any language, though, sunrise is a beautiful sight to behold. I have had my fair share of incredible sunrises on my way to work since the start of this school year - they are especially breathtaking when the clouds do their magic, causing purples and golds and scarlets to dance across the sky.

While I love my daily commute sunrises, what I love even more is getting to the lakefront just as the sun breaks over the horizon during my weekly long runs. Last week's in particular caught me by surprise, and it made me believe I was like Bert (the chimneysweep) and Mary Poppins jumping into one of their sidewalk art pieces...

Kind of takes your breath away, doesn't it?

Getting up a few minutes earlier than is reasonable for a weekend to see something like that is well worth it. But I guess I have always been an early riser - who can sleep in when such beauty and potential awaits for those ready to begin the day?

Speaking of beauty, I ended up going to the Chicago Botanical Gardens with my sister and brother-in-law last weekend, and many flowers were still in bloom. Here are some photos from the day...and from the trip directly after to Graeter's --> 

The weather was beautiful this weekend for yet another run, but the winds are blowing in now, and it looks like it will be a chilly adventure to meet up with my sister and some friends downtown in just a little bit. Our days can't always be picture-perfect, but our hearts can always be full of gratitude for the gifts we receive every day and the people we share our days and time with along this journey of life.