Oklahoma Public School Administrator Sharing Some Thoughts

I really do believe public education is at a crossroads right now. Does it continue down the current road of high stakes testing and slow takeover of corporate America. Who wants to move it all online and privatize it for a profit. Or do we move away and follow countries like Finland or other examples of a more holistic child view and try to give our children a great well rounded educational foundation. One on which each child can choose his or her own path and have the skills needed to pursue it and be successful.
Outside groups have turned to governments and friendly leaders for ways to get their hands on public money. For every scholarship, voucher, or waiver that is issued it takes money out of classrooms. For every dollar we give to testing companies we increase class size and shrink class offerings. Every decision to shrink the tax base just further erodes the funding for schools. It's time for each state to stand up and make a decision.
My sincere hope is each one will choose children not CEO's. It's my sincere hope that parents, teachers, support staff, administrators, retired teachers,and patrons will get together and take schools back to where its about the students and their future, and not the future of some for profit company!
I'm Jason L. Midkiff and I approve this message

1st 10K Race Today

Today was my first attempt at a 10K race. I found it to be a successful day. I was able to keep a good pace today. So obviously I was super happy about that accomplishment. The race was in Norman, Oklahoma and the course was around the beautiful campus of Oklahoma University. It was a balmy 37 degrees at the start of the race. I was in cold weather garb that admittedly I don't normally wear because when its cold I venture inside. The sun did come out and although it never got warm it did get warm enough to take off my gloves and ear warmers. The only negative out of the race is that my right calf is a little tight so will be some icing for it tonight. Guess it was a no pain no gain day today.

I was really wanting to race at this distance as it is the run distance of an Olympic Distance Triathlon. Now all I have to do is get in shape to add a 1500 meter swim and 24 mile bike ride. I sure look forward to training for it and giving it a tri.

Next up for me is the A2A race in Ardmore, Oklahoma on April Fools Day. What I am hoping for in that race is that my sister completes her first 5K. She has started doing the couch to 5K. I will be super proud of her is she goes through with running. It is also a for a wonderful cause to help fund the Ardmore Cancer Center. Which I have unfortunately have had to use in the past. The new center looks unbelievably nice and it is a blessing to the area.

Happy Fitness Everyone

Can't Shed the Extra Pounds?

I know I have wrote on here before about wanting to get down to a certain weight. In wanting to do that I have done quite a bit of research on different diets and foods. One thing I have come across is eating more natural foods. Trying to avoid chemicals that companies put in food to make it last longer before spoiling or to enhance color or taste. I came across this article today from Men's Fitness that explains chemicals and their possible side effects very quickly, which I like when I am reading

http://www.mensfitness.com/nutrition/what-to-eat/obesity-linked-to-food-chemicals

By no means is this article exhaustive or meant to be. Having done some self studies I have started to eat more natural and organic foods. The two things I think are the biggest hurdles so far are price and quantity of foods that are organic or natural. But I am hoping that a few changes here or there will lead to overall gains down the road. I try to remember that nothing substantial happens over night. Well happy eating!!!

Triathlon Tips and Advice

Just wanted to post some places that have been really helpful for me as I have begun the journey in becoming a triathlete. The list is not all encompassing by any means just sites and different avenues I have used to get tips and learn more about the great TRIATHLON.

First some websites that I utilize:
bengreenfieldfitness.com- Ben has amazing information on fitness and nutrition. One smart sucker. He also has developed a product called Tri-Ripped if you want a plan laid out for you no matter what distance you want to pursue.

beginnertriathlete.com- Has a lot of good information for beginners as the name would suggest. Also has a training log you can utilize.

trifind- This site lets you find the triathlon you have always been looking for. Search by state and then the site can take you right to the events website. How I found my first race.

usatriathlon.org- This is the official site of USA Triathlon. Most races are sanctioned by them and required a card or one day pass. Also has good articles and emails plus equipment.

active.com- This site has races on it but has articles to help with all three phases as well. Can get email updates or just use as a reference. Members can get $10 off of some races and can sign up for some races through website.

triathlon.competitor.com- This is Triathlete magazines website. I like it for articles and gear review.

last but not least ironman.com- If its your dream you might as well bookmark the website!! Info, update, and merchandise. Have to get the tattoo somewhere else though.

If you are on twitter I follow these people, companies, or groups. They offer articles or advice on a number of topics. Most are on Facebook as well. Just search for them
Ben Greenfield
Inside Tri
Triathlete Magazine
Men's/Women's Health
Active. com
USA Triathlon
Lava Magazine

Hope this list gives you a place to start. Whether it is your first race you are looking forward to your 50th, all these sites have helpful tools and tips.

Have a great day!!

Jason

Exciting News!!

I interrupt this blog to announce that on Friday night as the sun was setting I asked my then girlfriend Katie to marry me!! She said yes!! Truly one of the happiest days of my life and I look forward to spending the rest of my days with her. Now all we have to do is plan a little beach wedding for the summer.

Hope everyone has a fit and fabulous day!!

Proud Daddy

Well have had a few recovery days and am back to work on the training. Went for a nice easy jog on Wednesday. My son, Dakota, decided to go along. He has been wanting to do a triathlon and we are going to try to find a kids one for him to participate in this summer. He ran a little over 2 miles and I was super proud of him. He was wanting to take a little walk break and offered him to stop and he chose to finish up at the stop sign. Then at the end of the run I picked the pace up a little and he wouldn't let his daddy win. I was super proud of him showing those characteristics. Anyone who has competed or ran knows there are those time when you just have to push a little or go just a little farther than you think you can. For some of us those are our biggest accomplishments. So to see those characteristics in my son was really a proud moment for me personally. 


Well enough of the mushy stuff. lol Next event for me should be the Spring Fling in Norman, Ok on March 10th. It is a 10K and will be the first race for me at this distance. I have covered it in in training sessions so I am looking forward to this next challenge. Not a lot of days to get ready though!! Hope everyone's training is going well!! Feel free to comment if you would like to ask me a question or talk about a certain subject. I hope to get into specific subjects and what I have learned as a newbie triathlete in the next few articles.


Have a great day!! 

Triathlon Results

Well the triathlon went well!! Katie, my lovely girlfriend, got 3rd in her age group and I got 2nd. Although somehow it seems Angelina Jolie's leg has garnered more press than our results currently. I obviously was pretty excited with the results of the offseason training. I also logged my fastest 5K time to date. As a novice triathlete is was very rewarding yesterday to see the hard work pay off and know that my training is working.

The swim was still the most difficult part for me. Light years better than my last one though. Never fails something will not go as planned and mine was water in my goggle about 100 meters into the swim. I managed through though and just figured there will always be something not go as planned and its how you react to it that matters.

Well I am going to see about training for a 1/2 marathon first of April. I have really trained for Duncan "Give it a Tri" so not sure if I have enough time to do 1/2. But I will give it a Tri, pun intended, and start getting some long runs in. Will do a 10K run on March 10th to see how it is going. So stay tuned!!!