Jump In...Jump Out...Introduce Yourself

One of the most annoying things I can remember about school was having to stand up in class and say your name, where you were from, and one interesting thing about yourself. As the years have progressed, I still don't really like this because I don't feel like you really get to know a person in two or three sentences. When I was in freshman in college, it was my first week on campus and we had to introduce ourselves, however instead of the typical state your name, etc we had to SING! The song was pretty simple and went like this:

 "Jump in, jump out, introduce yourself. I said jump in, jump out, introduce yourself. My name is                             . (Yeah) And I                                                    . (Yeah) So                                                   (Yeah)  And check me out.  (Yeah check her out!)"

After some quick thought, this is what I came up with.

"My name is Jana. (Yeah) And I can't drive. (Yeah) So get off the sidewalk. (Yeah) And check me out. (Yeah check her out!)"

While this was fun and entertaining and certainly let everyone on campus know to avoid me on the road at all costs, it still didn't quite do the justice of the actual introduction I would want to do for someone I was just meeting. So while I know most of us are into the short version, I'm here to give you the most accurate depiction of me. :)

My name is Jana and I'm from Jackson, MS. (Originally from Loxley, AL) I'm a 28yr old school teacher. (I teach 5th grade math and science.) I'm a proud graduate of Robertsdale High School in Robertsdale, AL (2004) and Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, MS (2008).  I am an authority on 80's music and culture...it's more like an obsession...and I honestly wish I could have been a teenager during that decade. I love all things beach related and could honestly never get tired of lying on the warm sand and listening to the sound of the waves as I read a paperback book. I have a very small group of close friends that I wouldn't trade for the world and an amazing boyfriend that has tolerated me and my craziness for the last 8 years. I have two pet turtles that my students rescued from certain doom from the walkway at school and I have no kids and have never been married. In my free time I enjoy painting, reading, and running races with my college roomie, Brittany. :)

This blog was created so Brittany and I could chronicle and document our progress to completing the Walt Disney World Princess Half Marathon that will take place on February 22, 2015. Brittany and I will be taking turns posting our workouts, ideas, thoughts, and overall experiences as we train for our very first half marathon ever! Considering two years ago we made the decision to start running, we have been looking for ways to push ourselves and grow as runners. I know that personally I'm slower than a turtle trudging through peanut butter, but I'm still running and I have found that it is addictive. I'm looking forward to seeing where we go and how much we can do. :)

We walked a 5k today called the Cotton Row 5k, which was held in memory of those who gave their lives for our freedoms, and was a great start to our training season! We have 13 weeks to get to 13 miles and I'm looking forward to sharing it with you here.

That's all for now!

Until we meet again,

Jana