Sunday, November 13, 2011

On Ambition, or the Lack Thereof

Tree and Library

Tree and Glasscock Building

A Favorite Bag

Week of November 6, 2011:

Bike: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday

Run: Wednesday

Yoga: Monday and Thursday

Oof, it was a busy week!  Between the election on Tuesday, bike repairs, a department meeting on Thursday, planning a work-related social event, research, and oh yeah, trying to get back into my running habit, I feel like the week took off with me like a band of horses.  I just tried to hold onto my hat (my metaphorical hat, that is—it’s not quite cold enough for hats around here.  I’m a cold-weather hat person.).  

I wanted to get two runs into my week, but I only managed to run on Wednesday evening.  I did choose the longest version of my favorite neighborhood loop, so that’s something.  I thought about trying to squeeze in a run on Saturday, but I decided against it because I wanted to do a long run on Sunday.  I suppose when it comes to running, I choose quality over quantity: if doing a Saturday run means my Sunday long run is going to suffer from the fatigue following Saturday’s run, then I’ll just pick Sunday.  I sometimes worry that I’m not ambitious enough in my life and in my running in particular, but I think it’s more complex than that.  I am ambitious about maintaining balance in my life, both in my fitness pursuits and in balancing all the parts of my life against each other.  Still, I really hope I can get back into a running routine or else I am going to have to concede that the 2012 Armadillo Dash is not going to happen for me.  I have a few thoughts about that particular race that I hope to share with you soon in another post.

Dear readers, how do you plan your running schedule?  How do you find a balance between building endurance and/or speed and keeping your body healthy and injury-free?

2 comments:

  1. Balance is such a struggle, isn't it? I had another 60 hour work week this past week and am feeling really burnt out. I 'm truly hoping that the brief Thanksgiving break next week gives me a respite that will get me through finals without pulling out my hair. Right now I'm trying to run 3 days a week and cross-train 2 days a week. Because I'm coming back from injury and because I have been working so many hours, 2 rest days makes a lot of sense for me right now. I'm hoping that in December, I can alternate an extra running day and extra cross-training day in each week and get back to one day of full rest.

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  2. Oof, I can understand why you are feeling burnt out! I am also hoping Thanksgiving gives you a breather and enough rest to finish your semester on a good note. I think 5 days of work-outs sounds very good, and I'm happy you are taking 2 rest days. Between your work hours, injury, and the importance of not getting sick, rest is really important right now. So take good care and rally to the finish line of the semester! :-) You can do it.

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