First Day of School ….Jitters

This is my first year of not having a "first day of school."

WEIRD.

Let that sink in for a second. First year of no nerves that the kids won't like me. First year without a trendy new back-to-school outfit. Definitely no back-to-school breakfast today. New pens, highlighters and updated software? Not for school.

I keep asking myself, Do I miss the first day of school? Should I want to miss the anxious and excited feeling of meeting my new group of students? 

I do not miss the first day of school. The strict, no-smiles first weeks of school are not my style. Printing and copying enough paper for a bonfire is not environmentally-friendly. Lunch is 20 minutes, but really 5 minutes after the last student leaves, I run to the bathroom for the first time in hours, and I say HI to other teachers, past students, and then sit down. 5 minutes to eat. 

What I love about the first day of school? The kids. That is why I taught for 5 years. Those darn teenagers cast a line and I grab the bait. Every time. Each student has a dream and a passion and I act as an early investor in the business of their goals. Plus, I can make a math-hater convert to a numbers-lover in just a few months time. 

I love hearing on the first day, "I don't get math." "Math is my worst subject." or, "Miss, I don't like math and never will." HAHA

Not when I'm done with you. 

That is what I love about the first day of school. 

Do you think my new English clients in Santiago will tell me that their English is horrible? 

Discipline

How are you disciplined in your life?

I run. 

Lacing up my shoes and bouncing through the first few steps on a run is a freedom I hope to enjoy until I croak. How many people spontaneously go from sitting on the couch to running 15 miles? Not many. I've done it a few times and it HURTS the next day. Walking backwards or crawling down my stairs could be an SNL commercial for an arthritis medicine.

Breck bike trail for a long run at the start of spring

I can go out and run 10 miles after not running for a few weeks or months because my body is conditioned and trained to run.

When I hear, "How can you run that much?" or, "I could never do that. Why do you run for so long?" I am instantly turned off from anything else you will say to me. Seriously? Can I ask you, "How do you stay healthy, fit and happy?" Oh, you don't work out. You are probably not healthy or fit. That is why you don't get it.

My body endured miles of sprints, long distances, timed practices and yelling. Yelling to go faster, to kick sooner, to kick later. Yelling to sprint to beat someone or cheering because I took the lead. Encouragement from strangers at Mile 18 or Mile 25 to kick in, stick with it or remind me I look good with salty skin. 

True discipline is the product of passion and grit. Running, for me, is powerful and relaxing, competitive and exclusive. I want to be the best I can be, every time I run. I hate the feeling of a slow run or a shortened run. The grit comes from a balance between demons and hopes. They battle on the same road, to finish a race with my hopes in first and the demons long diminished. My life has a rhythm to it because of running. Time on the road leads to a clear vision and new goals, a renewed spirit, a healthier body and long-lasting positivity.

Days and weeks go by without lacing up. Sometimes, I just don't feel motivated. And that is when discipline must rule my heart+mind. What happens when we lose our discipline for the things that mean the most to us? 

I am publicly sharing my struggle with discipline. Running frequently and consistently takes discipline and I slip up. I can be I get sucked into feeling lazy instead of inspired. Days in the gym seem easier than a day on the road.

Lacing up my shoes and taking off gives me great joy.

First marathon in 2006, Chicago Marathon training group 

Who wants to clock 8-minute miles for a few?