I started the weekend off right....with a clean house.
As stated in the previous post, we had some friends over last night...kind of welcoming a new couple into the neighborhood, and we prepared by vacuuming up all the dog hair and dusting and mopping all the surfaces. Actually, we didn't do all that; my husband and kids did all that. And all the surfaces weren't covered, just the ones that the guests would see. But I digress.
When I got up this morning and walked into the family room and saw, well, nothing, it was an amazingly peaceful feeling. No one had left their shoes out. No mail stood unopened on the table. No ice cream bowls littered the coffee tables and no dust bunnies scurried after me as I padded to the kitchen to make coffee Talk about bliss. To a mother of 2 teenagers and 3 canines, this is absolute, unadulterated heaven. I got up before anyone else and was able to enjoy the quiet just as the sun was starting to peek over the horizon. It was just a marvelous start to a great day.
The fact that the house was already (mostly) clean energized me to do more. I cleaned the master bathroom (that didn't get cleaned yesterday because the guests wouldn't see it), dusted the master bedroom and cleaned my silver jewelry. I even switched out some pictures in frames to some more current ones. Then I took a nap. Isn't that what most industrious people do on Saturday afternoon?
The waning hours of my SaturDAY involved running 3 quick errands (delivering SBR clothing) and dropping off jewelry to be repaired, and a great swim. I worked in sets of 300's. In the off season, it's fun to mix things up - still getting in some good yardage, but not worrying about doing any really long sets. I did a warm-up, some drills, some strength work, an intensity set and a cool down. I felt wonderful! It's amazing what swimming 3x/week can do for your swim confidence. I even dabbled with a bit of backstroke and fly. (I know, who feels good enough to tackle fly if you don't have to.)
Now I'm back home. I'm hoping to enjoy a quiet evening, a home cooked meal and an early bedtime. I have an 8-mile run planned for tomorrow and it better go well. This is kind of the benchmark run for my half marathon in December.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Up Early
It's shortly after 5 AM Eastern time. I wish I could say I was industrious enough to be up to work out, but the truth is, I'm up for work. Working in healthcare necessitates some crazy hours. Sometimes getting up hours before the sun, sometimes leisurely getting up as the sun is cresting the horizon.
It's all good though. Going to work early means getting off early too. That's the part I like. It's like having 2 days in one: The work day starting while most people are hitting their 2nd cycle of REM sleep and the 2nd day starting just as folks are getting back from lunch. Most of the time, my '2' days are separated by a nap. When you get up at 4 AM, you need a nap!
Today I'm excited about being done with work early because we're having friends over for dinner. We used to entertain a LOT, but in the last year or so, I've let it take a back burner to the raising of 2 teenaged girls. But, the girls are out of school today, so I'm using them as slaves, er, enlisting their help, to get ready for company. Their lists are made out and the vacuum is ready! When I get off work, I'm headed to the store for fresh veggies and maybe some shrimp. I'm hoping I'll come home to find shiny floors and uncluttered surfaces. We'll see. I don't think kids today are required to do as much at home as I was in the '70's. My mom left me lists almost every day. I guess that's my fault for not requiring more from my kids, but honestly, I'm happy with the fact that they're good students and both have paying jobs.
So if you're an athlete that gets up and out early, kudos to you today! If you're a person that has a demanding job, kudos to you too! But if you're a person who has friends that you're entertaining or are the friend being entertained today, just have fun!
It's all good though. Going to work early means getting off early too. That's the part I like. It's like having 2 days in one: The work day starting while most people are hitting their 2nd cycle of REM sleep and the 2nd day starting just as folks are getting back from lunch. Most of the time, my '2' days are separated by a nap. When you get up at 4 AM, you need a nap!
Today I'm excited about being done with work early because we're having friends over for dinner. We used to entertain a LOT, but in the last year or so, I've let it take a back burner to the raising of 2 teenaged girls. But, the girls are out of school today, so I'm using them as slaves, er, enlisting their help, to get ready for company. Their lists are made out and the vacuum is ready! When I get off work, I'm headed to the store for fresh veggies and maybe some shrimp. I'm hoping I'll come home to find shiny floors and uncluttered surfaces. We'll see. I don't think kids today are required to do as much at home as I was in the '70's. My mom left me lists almost every day. I guess that's my fault for not requiring more from my kids, but honestly, I'm happy with the fact that they're good students and both have paying jobs.
So if you're an athlete that gets up and out early, kudos to you today! If you're a person that has a demanding job, kudos to you too! But if you're a person who has friends that you're entertaining or are the friend being entertained today, just have fun!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Good swim....and then good run!
I am happy to report 2 consecutive days of fulfilling workouts....following 3 days of extreme fatigue and crappy workouts. It's nice to feel normal again.
I think this weekend, I must've been fighting some sort of bug. I had to take an additional rest day on Saturday and my 5-mile run on Sunday felt like 15! I was so sore! Thankfully, I seem to be over what it was and yesterday's swim went great, as did today's run with strides.
I love feeling strong. (Who doesn't, right?) There's something so ego-boosting about feeling long and lean in the water and feeling like every stride counts on the run. No dragging my feet today! I really felt my feet almost spinning under my hips. Very cool indeed.
Sometimes we athletes have good days and sometimes we have bad days. Having 2 or 3 bad days in a row really sucks. It's enough to shake your confidence. I feel on the road to recovery and hoping to have more strong workouts to come. I'm really working hard towards a half marathon PR. This weekend is an 8-mile run. Wish me luck!
I think this weekend, I must've been fighting some sort of bug. I had to take an additional rest day on Saturday and my 5-mile run on Sunday felt like 15! I was so sore! Thankfully, I seem to be over what it was and yesterday's swim went great, as did today's run with strides.
I love feeling strong. (Who doesn't, right?) There's something so ego-boosting about feeling long and lean in the water and feeling like every stride counts on the run. No dragging my feet today! I really felt my feet almost spinning under my hips. Very cool indeed.
Sometimes we athletes have good days and sometimes we have bad days. Having 2 or 3 bad days in a row really sucks. It's enough to shake your confidence. I feel on the road to recovery and hoping to have more strong workouts to come. I'm really working hard towards a half marathon PR. This weekend is an 8-mile run. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
A New View
Once again, I got minimal sleep last night, but I'm determined to keep a positive attitude. Hubby is getting better; he couldn't help being injured and I should be more empathetic.
As a type 'A' person, I demand a lot out of life. I'm constantly looking for something new and/or exciting. That's not to say I'm an adrenaline junkie, but I do like a challenge.
In these trying economic times, I've decided that maybe instead of trying to do or buy things new and different, I should just change my view. I'm reading the old classic 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn'. The time frame is the early part of the twentieth century and the setting is one of the poorer neighborhoods of Brooklyn. Through its pages, I'm looking at my own (sometimes mundane) world in a different way. In the book, the young central character, takes great pleasure in the simpleness of reading a book and consuming her prized penny candy on Saturday afternoon. I find that I need to take pleasure in the simple task of making dinner or going to work or watching the changing leaves flutter to the ground.
Work for me, is a constant give and take of emotions. Sometimes I feel proud of what I do and thrilled to be in the business of helping people. But sometimes I get bored and just plain annoyed at the whining people (both coworkers and patients!). At those times, I try to refocus on the fluttering leaves (metaphorically speaking). During the boring periods, I daydream about going on an exotic vacation but I think that maybe I can have just as much fun in my own backyard! Once our eyes are opened to the beauty of simplicity, the possibilities for happiness are endless!
As a type 'A' person, I demand a lot out of life. I'm constantly looking for something new and/or exciting. That's not to say I'm an adrenaline junkie, but I do like a challenge.
In these trying economic times, I've decided that maybe instead of trying to do or buy things new and different, I should just change my view. I'm reading the old classic 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn'. The time frame is the early part of the twentieth century and the setting is one of the poorer neighborhoods of Brooklyn. Through its pages, I'm looking at my own (sometimes mundane) world in a different way. In the book, the young central character, takes great pleasure in the simpleness of reading a book and consuming her prized penny candy on Saturday afternoon. I find that I need to take pleasure in the simple task of making dinner or going to work or watching the changing leaves flutter to the ground.
Work for me, is a constant give and take of emotions. Sometimes I feel proud of what I do and thrilled to be in the business of helping people. But sometimes I get bored and just plain annoyed at the whining people (both coworkers and patients!). At those times, I try to refocus on the fluttering leaves (metaphorically speaking). During the boring periods, I daydream about going on an exotic vacation but I think that maybe I can have just as much fun in my own backyard! Once our eyes are opened to the beauty of simplicity, the possibilities for happiness are endless!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Sleep.....or lack therof
Yesterday, I called my husband from work to ask him about his schedule for Wednesday, only to find out that he had 'thrown his back out'. This is not alarming because it's happened before.....in fact, we can count on an episode every year or so since he had back surgery in 1993. I felt really bad for him, but didn't think too much about it until I got home from work and a workout. I worked the weekend also, so by Monday evening, I was pretty tired...and slightly annoyed that my Masters swim workout was mediocre at best.
Poor thing, he was laid up in the bed, moving gingerly. I willingly played nurse and at bedtime, I offered to sleep in another room. Now, I can count on 1 hand the number of times we've slept in the same dwelling but in different beds, so I was astounded when he said yes, that would be nice. Dejectedly, I gathered my pillow and decided to sleep in the 'little' bedroom, instead of on the couch. After I got over having my feelings hurt (silly, I know), I was fine....for about 30 minutes....just enough time to fall asleep. By this time, the dogs had figured out that I wasn't in my usual spot and they came sniffing. Lo and behold, this is also the same time that the thunder started rumbling. 2 of my 3 dogs are terrified of thunder. My 2 daughters sleep with their doors closed, my husband was out cold via muscle relaxers so the canine contingent sniffs me out...I don't know what I smelled like but they smelled like fear. So I get up and mill about a bit and urge them to their dog beds, which are stationed in the bedroom with the hard-sleeping husband.
The remainder of the night was uneventful, but restless. We awoke with a start this morning; since no one had set a clock, we were all late. Even at lunch time, I feel hung over. Not from a drop of alcohol, but from disrupted sleep.
But like I good athlete, I proceeded with my workout plans (careful to listen to my body in case it went really poorly) and thank goodness, my tempo run went well. Whew! What a confidence booster. Now, if I can just get the Hubs feeling better, all will be good.
Oh, and it's my baby's 15th birthday today. Happy Birthday Caroline!
Poor thing, he was laid up in the bed, moving gingerly. I willingly played nurse and at bedtime, I offered to sleep in another room. Now, I can count on 1 hand the number of times we've slept in the same dwelling but in different beds, so I was astounded when he said yes, that would be nice. Dejectedly, I gathered my pillow and decided to sleep in the 'little' bedroom, instead of on the couch. After I got over having my feelings hurt (silly, I know), I was fine....for about 30 minutes....just enough time to fall asleep. By this time, the dogs had figured out that I wasn't in my usual spot and they came sniffing. Lo and behold, this is also the same time that the thunder started rumbling. 2 of my 3 dogs are terrified of thunder. My 2 daughters sleep with their doors closed, my husband was out cold via muscle relaxers so the canine contingent sniffs me out...I don't know what I smelled like but they smelled like fear. So I get up and mill about a bit and urge them to their dog beds, which are stationed in the bedroom with the hard-sleeping husband.
The remainder of the night was uneventful, but restless. We awoke with a start this morning; since no one had set a clock, we were all late. Even at lunch time, I feel hung over. Not from a drop of alcohol, but from disrupted sleep.
But like I good athlete, I proceeded with my workout plans (careful to listen to my body in case it went really poorly) and thank goodness, my tempo run went well. Whew! What a confidence booster. Now, if I can just get the Hubs feeling better, all will be good.
Oh, and it's my baby's 15th birthday today. Happy Birthday Caroline!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Changing Seasons
Well, we're in the midst of football season now and I must admit that I love it. Nothing suits me more on a Sunday afternoon than gazing out the window at the fading and falling leaves and hearing the shrill sound of the referee's whistles on TV. I haven't been a huge football fan since childhood; I followed it loosely with my mom in the 70's...she was a big Dallas Cowboys fan. As an adult, a vague knowledge of football affords me conversation points with my guy friends and it entertains me on weekend afternoons when my runs and swims are done. (I'm not riding right now; just focusing efforts on running and participating in and helping to teach a Masters' swim program).
I love Fall in general, although this year, I've felt that it's been slow in coming. Why are we still having 85+ degree weather mere days before Halloween? Running is the best in Fall. I don't feel as scant of breath and I can wear more clothes than what is merely modest. I've really been running quite a bit in recent weeks and am quite proud of my efforts. I'm running 4 days a week - 1 pool run, 1 interval day, 1 long run day and usually one run to preface my strength training. Sounds good, huh? Yesterday was a 'short' long run and it went horribly. I felt like I must've had lead in my shoes. Even today, my quads are sore. What's up with that? Well, I hope it gives way to great strength for my swim workout tonight with the Masters and my tempo run tomorrow.
I love Fall in general, although this year, I've felt that it's been slow in coming. Why are we still having 85+ degree weather mere days before Halloween? Running is the best in Fall. I don't feel as scant of breath and I can wear more clothes than what is merely modest. I've really been running quite a bit in recent weeks and am quite proud of my efforts. I'm running 4 days a week - 1 pool run, 1 interval day, 1 long run day and usually one run to preface my strength training. Sounds good, huh? Yesterday was a 'short' long run and it went horribly. I felt like I must've had lead in my shoes. Even today, my quads are sore. What's up with that? Well, I hope it gives way to great strength for my swim workout tonight with the Masters and my tempo run tomorrow.
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