Back to School, Back to School

No posts for awhile from me because...well we've just been too busy. It's nearing the end of my second week of school with students (3rd week total) and I haven't had much time to blog. I've been getting up at 5am to run a few miles in the neighborhood with Chloe so she gets some exercise every day. She's up to just over 3 miles a day (~15 miles per week) and for the most party she's doing great. We have "issues" when she spots a cat or when we're approaching one of two houses that has dogs that bark like crazy when we pass. I've enrolled us in a "Basic Obedience" dog training class and I think it will benefit us. This Saturday is the first class and it's just for owners. The weekend after Labor Day we start the 7 week class with a group of 6 other dogs and owners. We'll see how she does.
Last Saturday, Keeper and I hit up Play It Again Sports in Tempe and bought him a used bike. It should be noted that the salesman (after K had gone for a test ride) informed us it was "technically" a girl's bike and Keeper said, "I'll take it anyway". Yes, my husband rides a girl's bike. Now all we need is a basket and some streamers and he'll be good to go. The point of the bike purchase was so I'd have some protection (and company) on my long runs. Phoenix has a canal system with paved and gravel paths on both sides that make for great long runs, but I wouldn't go there by myself. Last Sunday K and I did just under 9 miles. We started at 6:30 in the morning and it was already nasty out. It was just brutal by the time we finished. I want to do a 10 miler this Sunday, so we'll be getting up earlier, for sure. K has also started accompanying Chloe and I on the morning runs (he rides alongside of us).
Because I have been base building my running mileage since we got here, the 3 mile morning runs aren't enough for me so I've been heading to the gym after school each day to get the rest of my miles finished on the treadmill and then do strength training 3 times a week, and a little biking and swimming thrown in for good measure.
My school is pretty good so far. The staff and administration has just been amazing. The students are cooperative for the most part. The class size has taken some getting used to (these classes are twice as big as at my old school), but I'm getting the hang of it. That being said, grading takes so much longer! As I type this I'm thinking of the 160+ lab books waiting for me to finish grading them tomorrow. I am coaching the JV Girls' Soccer team at North Canyon and we had our pre-season meeting yesterday. Tryouts aren't until the end of October and the season runs November-January. I am also the adviser of the National Honor Society and will hold my first meeting with them next week.
We are anxiously awaiting Labor Day weekend and Corbin's upcoming visit next week. It will be nice to see a familiar face!