Oh, Fine...Yes, It Hurts!
I am a driven person, especially when it comes to achieving my goals. I worked for five years on a picture book that will be published next year, supported two charities in back-to-back fundraising campaigns while training, and ran three marathons in just over a year, improving my personal marathon record by almost two hours in that time. I've come within five minutes of qualifying for the Boston Marathon, and I am determined to get that Boston Qualifying time.
Driven, however, can be disguised as stubborn in some cases, which is where I find myself at the moment. I've been so driven to achieve my BQ goal that I've been a little stubborn in shrugging off this pain in my left leg that's come and gone since just before the NYC Marathon. It's a weird calf/ankle/foot pain that I'm finally conceding may very well be an actual injury. Truthfully, I don't think it could be too bad, considering it's never prevented me from finishing 26.2 miles when I've set out to do so, but I've finally accepted that it needs to be addressed. I've got an MRI scheduled for Friday, and the Pollyanna in me in optimistic that whatever is going on can be rehabbed quickly. I still have my sights set on a BQ in September, but in reality, I know that whatever comes of Friday's test, I'll bounce back when my doctor says I'm ready. I'm all about balance, and there's value in not only training hard, but also training smart and listing to your body.
Inspired Everyday
One of the best things about my school is that it is filled with people who inspire me every single day. Creative lessons, kind gestures, sincere smiles....I could go on and on. I watch how hard they work, how good they are at working with our kiddos, and it makes me want to be the best administrator I can be for them.
The end of the school year is always a hectic mix of events, plays, and presentations, and this year is no exception. Add onto that my efforts to begin transitioning to the role of principal, and you can imagine what these last few days have been like. All great stuff, but busy isn't even the right word. Today, in the midst of all the activity, I was stopped in my tracks by a project one of my teachers presented to me. I wish she could have seen my face when I read the email about what she was doing, because my smile was ear-to-ear.
Children are held to high standards in school, right from the start, and I wholeheartedly believe in the rigors of our curriculum. I also know, however, that kids need to move, and that focus doesn't come easy to all of them, especially the younger ones. This second grade teacher did some research and found these devices that look like bike pedals, and they are placed under the kids' desks. As they are sitting and listening or working, they have the ability to pedal with their legs, expending energy and helping them to focus on the task at hand. She knew this was something she wanted to try, but knew there was no way our budget could support it, no matter how creative or fabulous. So, she took it upon herself to start her own fundraising campaign.
As I sit here, I am still smiling. It warms my heart to see people as passionate about doing what's best for kids as I am, and I am so proud of her and the effort she's put into achieving a goal that will benefit her students. I encourage you to check out her project page and consider a donation. Every donation made through this Saturday, June 6th, will be matched, and I would love nothing more than to see these pedaling beneath the feet of her students in the fall.
Pedal Your Way to Success
Kelly, it appears as though you are surrounded by creative, uplifting, empowering, happy people. So is the focus of life. Rock and Roll!! Great post!
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