August - July Resolutions

Nothing like stress to make you forget any good intention you ever had.  Worry and stress can rob a human of a life.  The funny thing is that most of what we stress about are things that we can't even control.  Even knowing that and rationalizing this I still battle it.  I'm a teacher so new year resolutions often come in August.  I plan to stop worrying about things I can't control.  Yes, I know, the Serenity Prayer.  I think it's being a A-type personality.  When my running isn't working I can fix it.  I just execute a plan.  When my boss is acting like a &8!#$% I need to just let it go.  I can't control bosses, impending tropical storms, a cat that won't come out from under the house, irresponsible ex-spouses, etc.  So this year I'm done.  Type A girl will continue to run and organize on a schedule but not be derailed by things I just simply can't control.

Solitary Running

I know, I know everyone touts how great and motivating running with someone else can be.  Your "sole sister." I don't have one of those.  I have a husband, 3 kids aged 14, 11 and 8, 1 labrador retriever,  and 2 cats.  I'm also a high school math teacher that teaches roughly 110 students per day.  Even when I'm showering my dog presses his nose up against the frosted glass willing me to come out and give him a bone.  In other words, I'm never alone.  I lace up my shoes many a day just to spend some time alone.  My husband and son are runners but blissfully, they are faster than me and take off at the end of our street.  I treasure that solitude and those few minutes to listen to my 80's music or self-help book on my Ipod.  It's my choice.  I review my day and contemplate my future.  It's wonderful and the only time of day I feel absolutely in control of my destiny.  I break this solitary confinement only a couple of times per year:  the annual turkey trot and a Christmas Lights Run that is run as the whole family minus the pets.  I know that there is nothing more motivating than looking at my run as a treat than a have to do.  So, the group track work outs will have to wait.  At least until my youngest is in college.

A Day Off (sort of)

I'm a teacher so no work today.  It is looming on the horizon though.  Didn't run today, a planned day off.  I spent today cleaning and scrubbing.  I did those dark corners of the house and spaces behind the couch that most will never see.  I have to do those things now as once work starts again, all those spaces will be neglected.  I sat on my couch today knowing the space underneath was sparkly clean.  Have a 7 mile run planned for tomorrow.  Not an easy feat for me now.  My 20 mile runs are a distant memory.  I'm just now trying to claw my way back up to thirteen miles.  I have a September 17th deadline as I've signed up for the Asheville half.  My husband and son are running it too so there will be witnesses if I fail.  I still say that there is no better motivation to run than the chance you might embarrass yourself publicly