Saturday, January 07, 2012

You Gotta Do What You Can

Dear Diary...

I'm feeling pretty good this morning.  My mind is a whirlwind of things I want to do today, and that makes me happy.  I also realize that no matter how much I want to get away from planning out my entire life, I can't help but wake up each morning with a to-do list.  Rather than to talk about my to-do list, and then having to recant if there's something on it I didn't get to, I'm going to try and do stuff and then post about it the next day.  That way, I don't have to look at what I didn't get done.  Did any of that make sense?  Moving on.

I've been trying to come up with ways that I can get in a little exercise while I'm at work.  Trying to find a way to exercise at work is almost impossible.  Almost.  I walk up and down hallways many times a day, but I can't call that exercise.  It's what my body is used to because I've been doing it for almost 6 months now.  It's not exercise, it's daily life.  But there are the occasional times where the opportunity arises for me to do a little extra.

Thursday was my day for recess duty.  Recess duty usually consists of me standing in a spot watching the playground, watching the soccer field, and watching the walking track.  I stand there and watch, doing nothing but talking to my kiddos.  Thursday, I decided that I had the perfect opportunity to get some exercise in.  Now, I was in a dress, leggings, and boots.  Hardly the attire to walk around the track.  But play soccer?  Apparently so.  There are a bunch of 3rd grade boys that like to play soccer.  No, they LOVE to play soccer.  Before Christmas, as a treat, I had a game of soccer with them.  All this week, they'd been trying to get me to do it again.  So, Thursday, I figured why not?

I love soccer.  I played it when I was a kid, and watched it growing up.  It's a British tradition, I suppose.  It is also very big among the Hispanic population.  So, being in a highly Hispanic population at school, I can join in with a game that was a part of my childhood.  Despite being in a dress, I still got out on the field and played soccer.  However, I decided to be the goal keeper.... not really much exercise to be had there.

Yesterday, I decided to up the ante just a little.  While Fridays are not my recess duty days, I asked my counterpart if he'd like me to cover his recess duty.  He didn't mind.  So, I took another opportunity to get out with the kids and play.  This time, however, I was NOT playing goal keeper.  I got out there and I ran with those boys.  By the time the 25 minute recess was over, I was pretty sweaty.  Not exactly professional, but it was Friday...I was in jeans and tennis shoes.... the kids would be OK with meeting with a sweaty teacher, right?  Not only did I get that 25 minutes to play soccer, but I got an additional 20 minutes an hour later.  One of my classes earned an extra recess, so back out there I was running up and down the field.  That time, I was even more sweaty because I pushed myself much harder knowing that the day was almost over and not many people would have to see me dripping sweat.

The principle caught me out there.  I was a little nervous at first, but she thought it was great that the kids had earned such a great reward.  It's those kinds of situations that makes me want to stay at my school forever. I took a chance getting out there and playing with the kids, but it seemed to get the OK from the principle - so that I'm very happy about.  The kids get such a big kick out of their teachers joining in with stuff like that, and I get just as much of a kick seeing them so happy that their teacher is willing to run around with them.

I was very surprised at how well I did.  Stamina wise, I mean.  I was able to run up one length of the field, and there were several situations where I sprinted for the ball.  I was completely winded by those sprints, but I was still able to do them.  Running the length of a soccer field is no comparison to the almost 3 miles I was able to run a year ago - but at least I know I can still run a little.  A little is better than none.  I won't have to start completely over building up my stamina from a fast walk to a slow jog to a faster jog.  I should be able to start right at slow jogging... but I'm getting a head of myself....I'll just have to see what I'm capable of once I get out there.

OK, I need to start working on the stuff I have planned for the day.  I'll share it with ya tomorrow.  I know you can't wait.  HA!  I'm going to enjoy my Saturday, and see what happens.

Till next time.  ;)
Photobucket

3 comments:

  1. "Rather than to talk about my to-do list, and then having to recant if there's something on it I didn't get to, I'm going to try and do stuff and then post about it the next day. That way, I don't have to look at what I didn't get done." Makes PERFECT sense to me!!!

    Also, how about marching in place when you're standing around at recess? I do it when I'm watching TV and it's just the simple act of keeping my body moving that keeps my blood running and it does count for the 10,000 steps that we're supposed to get each day. Eh?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Joanna, that's so great! When you play with the kids, I think that's one of the greatest gifts you can give them. And that's something you got in better shape! Way to go!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've heard of soccer moms but not soccer teachers. LOL I bet the kids bragged about you coming out and playing with them. Fun for everyone. :)

    ReplyDelete

Tell me what's on your mind - I love to hear from you!