Ack! It’s 9:17pm on Friday evening and I still haven’t posted. An NaBloPoMo almost-fail! It’s late and I’ve just finished a ton of mundane chores, and I’m itching to sit on the couch with a little drink, so let’s bang this out, shall we? I wanted to circle back on a couple things I wrote about earlier this week, because I’m posting every day this month and I have the “time.”
I did work out last night! I did two Jess Sims Flash 15’s back to back. It was fun and quick and made me out of breath and sweaty. Speaking of which, JJ took issue with my not considering our hike tomorrow a workout. I explained that I don’t consider a hike my kids might enjoy a real workout, and that I have to sweat to feel like I’ve properly exercised. I only shower when I workout, but what that really means is I only shower when I sweat. And since I sweat easily, and copiously, this has always been my metric for what to consider “working out.” I’m curious if others agree, or think I’m batty. Would you consider a five mile hike with your kids a workout? How do you determine what is a workout and what is other kids of moving your body?
I have NOT been getting more sleep this week and I’m super bummed about that. I really thought I was taking advantage of the time change to get to bed earlier, but my FitBit is not nearly as enthusiastic about my efforts. I’m still averaging about 6.5 hours a night this week, instead of 7 or the highly coveted 7.5. Alas, I guess 6.5 hours is the most I can hope for on a work night. I guess it’s good that I seem able to function at that level of sleep. Also, it’s getting dark so early now. I forgot how disorienting that is at first, especially when the temps are low enough to feel like it’s actually winter.
I got the last two reading responses scored! And I downloaded some examples of work that is Approaching, Meeting and Exceeding on the rubric so they can see examples of what I’m looking for when I say “details from the novel.” I do have some planning to do this weekend, but I have NO GRADING and I’m so thrilled about that.
As soon as I posted my “Hopes for November” post I wanted to edit it because I totally forgot to include NaBloPoMo and my hopes to build community through my own posting efforts, and everyone else’s. If I were to rewrite that post, I would put “Calendar” and “Work” stuff together into a “Stay ahead of deadlines” section, because I DON’T want to keep pushing things back to the first few days of the Thanksgiving Break when I know they won’t provide the time or space necessary to get all the stuff done. Of course, this coming Tuesday will ALSO not provide the time or space to complete all the tasks I currently have slated for that random mid-week holiday, so I need to start being more realistic about how much will get done that day.
As you probably figured out from above, we are still planning on hiking by Mt. Tam tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to a Saturday away from the dojo, and out in the sunshine (and it looks like the weather will cooperate!) My kids are already complaining about it, but I think once they get started they’ll be okay. I hope to post some photos in tomorrow’s post.
I kind of hear both of your perspectives on the hiking being a workout. I usually write it on my weekly workouts list after the fact, but I still do all my other workouts because the pace of walking is very slow with kids. On the other hand, I do spend a lot of the hike carrying a 25 lb toddler, so it is definitely hard work.
Um, if I were carrying a 25lb toddler I would definitely consider it a workout! 100%!
I think 5 miles counts as a workout. Usually hikes with my kids are more like 1-2 miles. I don’t do much hiking but a brisk walk would have to be at least three miles for me to consider it a workout.
I would normally consider a hike with kids to go in the category of “being active”, rather than a workout. I guess it depends on the intensity though- kids don’t usually plow ahead at a pace I would need to consider it a workout. But- five miles is pretty far, so if you want to call it a workout, I won’t argue!
I hope you’re out right now having fun, and I hope we get to see photos!
5 miles is a hike. It is not the same as lifting weights or doing muscle building walks unless it is going up a real hill ….as opposed to a gentle mild incline. But it counts for exercise of your body and is good for you. How fast you walk and what your heart rate is does make a difference but just doing the steps of a 5 mile hike is real and important. Less obviously at your age but in another 30 or so years such a hike makes a difference.
So you decide what counts for you, no one else’s opinion counts. Beside you may meander for 5 miles…… or discover your kids are ahead of you and running.
THANK YOU for posting regularly. Hugely helpful and also I am impressed by your effort and managing to fit it in somehow.
Congratulations on the grading being caught up really helps. How is yearbook progressing this year as opposed to last year. You had hoped to preload some of the job into the fall (Which I also think is a super busy period for you with Day of the Dead and Holidays Galore.) Is it working to get that project father underway earlier? Hope so.
Hope you really enjoyed the lovely day today!
First of all, that’s fantastic that you did two (!) Flash 15s! Those are killer and they definitely get me to sweat! I also agree with you that I only feel like I got a real workout when I sweat… (and I also sweat easily). I would probably label a hike/walk as being active, not really a workout, however, I am trying to move away from the mindset that every workout HAS TO BE sweaty because a lot of strength workouts are very good for you and effective and I don’t always. really break a sweat.
I hope you enjoyed being active today 🙂 always remember that the hike is always good for our mental health!
The hike today was pretty intense. I definitely was a little sweaty, and out of breath on some of the steeper hills we had to walk up. My husband was going to work on when we got home, but half way through I asked him if he was still planning on that and he shook his head vigorously NO!
I definitely consider a five-mile hike a workout! But then again, I sweat at just about anything so I’m nearly always working out according to your metric!
A no grading weekend sounds fabulous!
LOL! K – I hope you didn’t think I was calling you out in a negative way! I was just laughing because it’s crazy to me to NOT call a 5 mile hike a workout. To each their own. 🙂 I guess maybe that’s b/c I live in Colorado and people routinely hike as their workout/activity of the day here.
Also – I guess I also feel like strength training, yoga, stretching, etc. are all workouts, and I’m not necessarily sweating after them. Doesn’t mean they’re not good for me, though!
At any rate, kudos to you for getting it done as always!
I’m a little late, but I think I’ll be forgiven for a late post. I laughed at you trying to hammer this out so you could go relax. I’m here for that. Totally agree. Coach gets grouchy if he thinks we’re gonna have some down time when kids are in bed and I head to my computer. Anyway, I think a 5 mile hike is a significant distance and therefore can count as a workout. I tend to workout in the mornings and I get really sweaty and I shower right after – or as soon after as is possible. My kids complain if I start doing something else and I still smell. Hooray for no grading work to do. That would wear on me. I remember helping my mom grade 4th grade stuff after I graduated college and I lived at home for a year.
Also, meant to say – I’m also looking to expand my community through NaBloPoMo, and I’m already thrilled to have found your blog.