It’s been a while, again. Blogging hasn’t been high on my priority list lately, largely because I’m still slowly recovering from injury, and it’s hard to write a running blog when I’m running so little. I haven’t been reading other running blogs lately, either, because seeing other people having fun and success running makes me jealous and a little sad. Selfish, maybe, but that’s the truth. But here I am again, promising again to start blogging more regularly… but honestly, with school starting this week, “regularly” might be a generous adverb to use. Bear with me.

A coffee-date post seems like a nice way to fill you in on what I’ve been up to lately, although I’m actually drinking green tea right now, not coffee. Grab your caffeinated beverage of choice, pull up a chair, and let’s catch up.

First, look at this adorable calf with a crew cut, because he’ll put you in a good mood.

If we were having coffee, we’d start by talking about my injury, since that’s my excuse for not chatting with you lately.  Slowly but surely, I’m getting better. My physical therapist is wonderful, and she’s good at keeping me reined in so that I don’t go out and run 10 miles as soon as I feel kind-of okay, then reinjure myself. Not that I did that repeatedly for a year before I started seeing her or anything. Oh, wait. That’s exactly what I did. I have permission now to run up to 5 miles and up to two days in a row, along with squats, jump squats, lunges, etc. I’m feeling a little more like myself all the time.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I’m trying to start a running group in Johnstown/Milliken (where I live now). Our first meet-up was yesterday. It was just me and an old man, but at least someone else showed up! Hopefully it’ll grow. If you’re local, please come!

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I’m super excited to be volunteering with Running Start, a nonprofit that pairs women who run with women who want to run but have barriers.  My “partner” is Kate, and she’s delightful. Running Start is a wonderful organization that I’m  thrilled to be volunteering with; if you have a minute, read more about them here.

If we were having coffee, I’d apparently be dominating the conversation. So I’d just keep talking and tell you that while I’m a little sad that summer’s over (I officially started work Thursday; kids come Tuesday), I had a wonderful summer, involving more mountains that any year since college. Moving was a good choice.

That little story about summer would inspire me, if we were having coffee, to tell you that I’m excited-slash-nervous for this school year. Excited to get to know a new group of kids, to improve on some things I didn’t do well last year, to get myself more integrated into my new school, now that it’s not “new” anymore. Nervous because I’m teaching an intense AP course and teaching in a mobile while they build a new wing right outside my window. It’ll be an adventure, but I like adventures.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that we are getting new windows installed starting tomorrow. Yay home ownership. Once they’re in, though, we can start painting, which we’ve wanted to do since we bought this house a year ago. Now, to find the time to paint…

If we were having coffee, that “time” statement would make me want to share one of my big goals for this school year: having a better work-life balance than last year. Balance should be a little easier than last year, since it’s my second year here, but there’s always a LOT to do and not enough time in which to do it. But I know that to be a good teacher and a good person, I need to make time to read and write non-school things, to sleep 7-8 hours a night (I don’t do well on less, and I know this), to see family and friends, and to do things I love (hello, mountains).

If we were having coffee, you’d probably be REALLY tired of listening to me talk, and a little offended that I haven’t been around just because your blog maybe makes me jealous. So I’ll act like a grown-up and not get jealous, and you catch me up: what have I missed?