This was only the second half marathon that I have ever run. I enjoy running and like a fun shirt that I saw someone at the run wearing said, "I run so I can eat!". Now, while running 21 km is not for everyone, I must say that I really enjoyed the event and the many kms I had to do for my training. I had set goals for myself in terms of finishing times. I like to give myself three times to shoot for; one that would be an excellent run, one that would be a good run, and the third that is usually a realistic time.
The run starts on "the mountain" in Stoney Creek and proceeds down the Red Hill Parkway towards Lake Ontario with a few bends, turns and straightaways. It is known to be one of the fastest courses around because of its downhill nature. The crowd got moving and the hype of the run set in. I was really enjoying myself. Checking my watch at every km marker was telling me one thing...I was going too fast. Now too fast for me is not too fast for everyone...just me. At the 10km marker my time was just over 53 min. I expected this to take a little longer but I was also excited because I was on pace for a phenomenal run for me. And then I hit it...the wall. I started to slow down a fair bit and tried to coach myself through the next 11 kms. I started making deals with my legs that if they would only run for the next 2km then they could have a 1 min walk, a drink and maybe my Power Gel energy pak. This coaxing didn't really work as well as my mind had hoped. I ended up finishing the run in 2hrs and 3 mins which is a few minutes faster than my other half marathon, which was 8 years ago. I achieved my realistic goal...you can see me cross the finish line at the 12:30 mark of this video.
Reports cards were sent home today and I just emailed copies out a little while ago as well. I like to think of the courses that I teach to be a bit like a run. Most students to the "wad-ja get?" routine as the see other classmates get reports. I don't like it when students right away compare themselves to others but I am not sure how can avoid this.
I chatted with my grade 9 students and mentioned that some of them were likely hoping for better grades, some got the grades they thought they would, and some may have achieved higher than expected. However, I cautioned, congratulated and encouraged them and reminded them that in our course we are only at the quarter term for grade 9 computers with a long ways to yet go. My wish for them is that they continue to be steady throughout the year and that more importantly than a number located on the top right of a piece of paper, I wish for them to have open minds that critique and investigate the material that we cover.
God has granted us a number of special gifts. A couple of weeks ago for myself it was a wonderful chance to run, this week God has granted me the opportunity to more fully help my students as they work through a high school computer course and for me to more fully understand my students!
I chatted with my grade 9 students and mentioned that some of them were likely hoping for better grades, some got the grades they thought they would, and some may have achieved higher than expected. However, I cautioned, congratulated and encouraged them and reminded them that in our course we are only at the quarter term for grade 9 computers with a long ways to yet go. My wish for them is that they continue to be steady throughout the year and that more importantly than a number located on the top right of a piece of paper, I wish for them to have open minds that critique and investigate the material that we cover.
God has granted us a number of special gifts. A couple of weeks ago for myself it was a wonderful chance to run, this week God has granted me the opportunity to more fully help my students as they work through a high school computer course and for me to more fully understand my students!
As I continue to blog, I am attempting to make some posts a little more interactive. The first activity that you can help me with it to choose a more exciting name for my blog - Mr. Blyleven's Blog - well, it just isn't that exciting. Therefore, please take a moment to vote on possible new names for my blog. If you have another suggestion for a name please leave a comment after this post. Please also feel free to leave comments after a post to provide feedback, give more info to the topic, or to ask a question.
Class Updates
ICS 3U - Grade 11 Computer Programming
Mr. Wensink, from Redeemer, continues to work with the class as they are now practicing loops, and how to use and breakup information into more meaningful pieces (string manipulation for you programmers out there). If you are a parent of a student in this class then by now you are probably aware of the real life problem and the real solution that this class was a part of recently. This class did the preliminary work to find the online solution and bookings for Parent Teacher Interviews. Mr. Todd has congratulated and rewarded us with some tasty donuts - I think he called them Duncan Donuts! It is estimated that this new method of managing interview bookings will save the office staff about 40-60 hours throughout the year!
BTT 1O - Grade 9 Computers
This class has been busy working on their final assignments for the spreadsheet unit. We also had the opportunity to discuss and work on our yearlong electronic waste project. This project will have student events such as an electronic waste collection day, screening of videos to raise awareness of ewaste, unveiling of posters, small electronics collections, battery drop off centres, publication of letters to various people and organizations and the list goes on. I will continue to fill you as this list gets to be more complete. Starting next week Monday the grade 9 BTT classes have our rotation. Mr. Brink's classes and my classes switch. My classes will be creating movies and learning about video production with Mr. Brink. Mr. Wensink and I will be working with the other classes as we do spreadsheets. (for the record I enjoy spreadsheets and think that spreadsheets are the best business application out there!)
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