While using a leaf blower.
Thanks, Linda. That cracked me up yesterday. I can see how that could turn out badly.
On the theme of learning lessons, it's time to start my resolution review. The last time I wrote about this was way back in July, but the nice thing about having a blog is that you don't actually have to remember things, you can just search for and re-read them. Today I'll start with the ones that have been most successful:
1. Put things away - I'm giving myself a B+ for this the whole year. Not having a sink full of dirty (or clean for that matter) dishes or a pile of clothes on a chair goes a long way to making a home feel cleaner and more relaxing. I haven't been perfect at it, but it's been enough of a reward in itself that I've been pretty motivated to take the 30 seconds to put things away rather than plop them down. YAY!
2. Focus at work - Podcasts + work that doesn't take my full concentration = success! Rather than being tempted to open my web browser when something takes a long time to run, a whole hour can go by without me feeling bored or frustrated. And if I actually need to concentrate (like if I'm writing or trying to figure something out) I can just pause it. It's the perfect balance of working and not working.
3. Push myself beyond my comfort zone - I'd say this was also a success. I tried new things- some worked and some didn't- but I think being more flexible has allowed me to learn a lot about myself and come to a place where I'm happier and more successful with my running and eating. I love lifting two mornings a week. I tried doing it after work, but that didn't fit as well so I stopped. I do like doing yoga after work. I enjoy doing speedwork, and I want to take that to the next level, but after this week I'm getting the feeling that will have to be modified somewhat for the winter. I ran 10 races. A few were great and some were not so great, but in the end I PRed at every distance except the half marathon. I think I'm best at the 10k. I've experimented with a "non-traditional" diet for a runner (that gets it's own post). All good stuff.
In a few minutes I'm headed back to the gym for another treadmill run. It's actually not that cold out (it's 3 degrees), but there are still a lot of sidewalk glaciers out there. Tomorrow, though, I can run when it's light out and I have no excuses! Plus when I was doing my running log a few weeks ago I realized that if I stay motivated I can hit 1800 miles for the year. Right now I'm at 1733. With two+ more weeks to go in 2010, it's totally do-able.
One last day of work (where podcasts will definitely be needed) before the break. First order of business: Ugly Sweater Party tonight. We don't have our sweaters yet, but pictures will follow. Have a great Friday, all. Stay warm out there!
