A couple of people have told me lately that I've been bitten by the cycling bug. They are correct. Two or three have said they are proud of me for sticking with it and confessed they didn't think I would have.
I took smoking cigarettes and replaced that activity with another. First was walking and then trying to run. Second was cycling. The walking/running slowly faded as my enjoyment with cycling increased.
I love to ride. It's hard stuff. I said in my last post that I need more rural rides with hills. I rode a club ride last night that was fantastic and a couple of hills were very hard. I arrived at the ride start about 45 minutes early. It was in Southern Indiana and I was unsure of the total time it would take me to get there from work at the end of the work day. The temps were in the low 90s and had an air quality alert. This was the first time I did this ride and began to worry about the heat and such. What I found out is that 85% of the ride was in the shade and the temps dropped by at least 10 degrees in the shade and more at the bottom of the valleys. I managed to bugger my other knee, not as badly as I was on the left one, but got some nice road rash.
Riding these hills are hard for me. But I don't want it to be easy. I want and need a challenge right now. I've set goals of averaging 100 miles a week on the bike. Now I'm thinking that needs to double next spring. But I have to figure out how to do that and still get my work done and not upset my husband even more by not being at home much.
Dixie rode with me last night. She's close to my age, single, and is from Illinois. She raced quite a lot until last summer. She has been coaching me, giving me tips and helping me on the hills. I mentioned to the ride captains last night that I suck at hills and Dixie said, "I'm gonna kick your butt! You are doing great, but need to be positive about yourself." I am working on the positive while trying to maintain my realism. I told her that I won't quit and I won't.
Rode Monday and Wednesday. Had long work day on Tuesday and I didn't get home until 11 pm. Temps were 95F today and not so good air quality. Thought I'd ride tonight, but this ride would not be shaded and cool like last night. I'm not sure my asthma would do well on a day like today. I'll do an easy ride tomorrow. Then 50 on Saturday morning. I think I'll limit my urban rides to 2 a week max. Too many traffic lights. One fellow cyclist said that those rides are when I need to do my sprint workouts - race to the next light when the current one turns green. Sounds like a plan!
I want to do a century in September. I need to get more miles. I want to race in the spring, so I hope I'll have enough base and time in the saddle that I can be somewhat competitive (age group).
Showing posts with label run. Show all posts
Showing posts with label run. Show all posts
17 July, 2008
04 February, 2008
Is it from years of smoking or Murphy's law?
Or both? I went out to do a run yesterday. I did my 5 minute power walk to warm up and started the run. During the walk I noticed that the muscle to the outside of my left shin bone was tight and it kept tightening the entire time I was walking. Once I started running, my right achilles started hurting. In no time I was limping. I won't limp and run. so I stopped and walked home. I kept the walk as brisk as possible, but it was uphill most of the way and still painful.
I hadn't been inside anytime and began sneezing my head off. My nose dripped. This went on for 30 minutes or longer when I noticed that my chest was rattling with fluid. Damn! I had just mentioned that this was the first time I haven't had bronchitis in years. We watched the SuperBowl and my chest just kept getting worse. I found some OTC medicine for allergies at half time. I fell asleep not long after the game was over. Made my upstairs and slept until 4 at which time my brain turned on. I then tossed and turned off and on for hours. Slept til after 10 and my chest is still raspy. So, did I pick up a bug this past week meeting and socializing with so many people? Or is this due to the years of smoking and my ride on hills that caused it? Or is it just 'cause Murphy heard me say the bronchitis thing?
I've missed a day's worth of work. It was beautiful today and I would've loved to ride again or at least run, but you can't do that and miss work. Damn! Maybe i'll put some time on the trainer. :-(
I hadn't been inside anytime and began sneezing my head off. My nose dripped. This went on for 30 minutes or longer when I noticed that my chest was rattling with fluid. Damn! I had just mentioned that this was the first time I haven't had bronchitis in years. We watched the SuperBowl and my chest just kept getting worse. I found some OTC medicine for allergies at half time. I fell asleep not long after the game was over. Made my upstairs and slept until 4 at which time my brain turned on. I then tossed and turned off and on for hours. Slept til after 10 and my chest is still raspy. So, did I pick up a bug this past week meeting and socializing with so many people? Or is this due to the years of smoking and my ride on hills that caused it? Or is it just 'cause Murphy heard me say the bronchitis thing?
I've missed a day's worth of work. It was beautiful today and I would've loved to ride again or at least run, but you can't do that and miss work. Damn! Maybe i'll put some time on the trainer. :-(
03 February, 2008
Hills!
Maybe I shouldn't get too excited too soon as there are lots bigger hills in this world and my local vicinity than the little bumps I rode today. I'm definitely in need of a lot more work and need to focus on wattage (somehow). I think that means either increase resistance on my trainer or weight training. We'll start with the former before considering the latter. :-)
I took off on a very nice sunny Sunday afternoon that started about 50F and by the time I returned was it 55F, but starting to cloud up. I decided that I could ride Routte Road end to end for my first attempt to attack a few hills. I realised on my way up the first decent incline (my definition which most seasoned cyclists would smirk about I'm sure) that I should've spent at least 10 - 15 minutes of riding some flat just to get everything warmed up instead of the 5 it took to get there. Live and learn! I tried to make sure I was planning ahead for my gears, I tried to remember what I've read and been told about climbing. I worked to keep my cadence up, this is going to take plenty more hours of training to improve. The closer I would get to the top of a hill the slower and slower my cadence. This is so very frustrating! But reinforces that I just need to train harder.
What did I enjoy? The downhill run. Oh My Goodness what a thrill! I crammed my sunglasses against my face, crouched down with hands on drops and my butt slightly off the saddle tilted facing anything following me. I have no idea how fast I was going, but if I had hit any gravel and wiped out I would be limping by now. So now, my inspiration is to work very hard to climb taller hills just so I can scream down the other side. Yeehaww!
The route is right at 7 miles from my house to the end of Routte Rd at Taylorsville Lake Rd. (http://veloroutes.org/bikemaps/?route=7446). I had some disappointment on the way back. There's a nice one that I could not keep going all the way to the top. I got off and pushed the last 100 yards. I was so PO'd at myself. But it is what it is and each time I 'hit a wall' it's that much harder that I'll work for the next time. If I stop and think about this past week and how light the training regimen was, I guess that contributed to my less than stellar performance. (is that rationalising?) I decided to stop at the Pantry and get a banana and power bar. I needed to take 5 (more like 10 - 15) and catch my breath after 14 miles. I was feeling great, the sun was still shining, so I took off down King's Church. Then I got totally psyched! I was averaging 100 rpm the whole way, which is 4.3 miles. My total ride time was an hour and 15 minutes. Total time out was about and hour and 45 I guess.
Well, now to get out and run in a little while. I've not done enough of that either and the 5K is going to be here in no time. My bff has been training on her new treadmill and did the full 3 miles early this past week. I am so proud of her! I'll get back in time to clean up and get ready to pull for the NE Patriots. I love Tom Brady!
Tomorrow and Tuesday are supposed to be 65F with rain. I wish I could work from home. I'll have to check and see what I can work out. It does look like the next 10 days of weather will be at least in the high 40s except for Wednesday. Yoga is Tuesday! I am definitely hitting the trainer tour on Thursday this week. This is the last month to take advantage.
Oh yeah, I found this triathlon/duathlon event the weekend before my birthday in June. The duathlon is a 5k, 40k, 10k. I've got until March to sign up and I'm thinking this could be a fun thing to do. A nice accomplishment before hitting that half century mark.
I took off on a very nice sunny Sunday afternoon that started about 50F and by the time I returned was it 55F, but starting to cloud up. I decided that I could ride Routte Road end to end for my first attempt to attack a few hills. I realised on my way up the first decent incline (my definition which most seasoned cyclists would smirk about I'm sure) that I should've spent at least 10 - 15 minutes of riding some flat just to get everything warmed up instead of the 5 it took to get there. Live and learn! I tried to make sure I was planning ahead for my gears, I tried to remember what I've read and been told about climbing. I worked to keep my cadence up, this is going to take plenty more hours of training to improve. The closer I would get to the top of a hill the slower and slower my cadence. This is so very frustrating! But reinforces that I just need to train harder.
What did I enjoy? The downhill run. Oh My Goodness what a thrill! I crammed my sunglasses against my face, crouched down with hands on drops and my butt slightly off the saddle tilted facing anything following me. I have no idea how fast I was going, but if I had hit any gravel and wiped out I would be limping by now. So now, my inspiration is to work very hard to climb taller hills just so I can scream down the other side. Yeehaww!
The route is right at 7 miles from my house to the end of Routte Rd at Taylorsville Lake Rd. (http://veloroutes.org/bikemaps/?route=7446). I had some disappointment on the way back. There's a nice one that I could not keep going all the way to the top. I got off and pushed the last 100 yards. I was so PO'd at myself. But it is what it is and each time I 'hit a wall' it's that much harder that I'll work for the next time. If I stop and think about this past week and how light the training regimen was, I guess that contributed to my less than stellar performance. (is that rationalising?) I decided to stop at the Pantry and get a banana and power bar. I needed to take 5 (more like 10 - 15) and catch my breath after 14 miles. I was feeling great, the sun was still shining, so I took off down King's Church. Then I got totally psyched! I was averaging 100 rpm the whole way, which is 4.3 miles. My total ride time was an hour and 15 minutes. Total time out was about and hour and 45 I guess.
Well, now to get out and run in a little while. I've not done enough of that either and the 5K is going to be here in no time. My bff has been training on her new treadmill and did the full 3 miles early this past week. I am so proud of her! I'll get back in time to clean up and get ready to pull for the NE Patriots. I love Tom Brady!
Tomorrow and Tuesday are supposed to be 65F with rain. I wish I could work from home. I'll have to check and see what I can work out. It does look like the next 10 days of weather will be at least in the high 40s except for Wednesday. Yoga is Tuesday! I am definitely hitting the trainer tour on Thursday this week. This is the last month to take advantage.
Oh yeah, I found this triathlon/duathlon event the weekend before my birthday in June. The duathlon is a 5k, 40k, 10k. I've got until March to sign up and I'm thinking this could be a fun thing to do. A nice accomplishment before hitting that half century mark.
20 January, 2008
Never get too comfortable - it's all gonna change again
That's the fun of it! This is the adventure of life.
Found out this week I get to move to a new place in the office, but no one can tell me exactly where, yet. I was asked my preferences, which was good. For this I am grateful. I requested a window and cubicle with tall walls. I could be put on any of 3.5 floors that our group occupies. As long as I have a place to call home in the tower I will be happy. I like the flexibility of working remotely, but wouldn't be good if it was 100% of the time.
The weather! It has been cold, it's winter time and it should be cold. But it is detrimental to my work-out agenda. I'm losing time to get my training for the 5K. Today's high got to 18F I think, wind-chill was bitter.
I'm still learning and increasing my vocabulary. Balaclava is something that keeps coming up when I read about cold weather fitness. It's on my list of items to purchase.
It's been a good weekend. I rode 50 minutes Saturday. Oldest daughter came by and spent some time visiting and doing laundry. Hubby fixed a big pot of cabbage, potatoes and kielbasa. YUM! We watched my Cardinals lose. :-(
Today, I simmered a pot of white chili (http://www.courier-journal.com/features/food/requests/recipes/timothys_white_chili.html). I've used this recipe for years, always with modifications. Remember to soak your dried beans overnight, this helps reduce gas and cook time. I get a little more generous with garlic. If you like it with more heat, increase the cayenne or better yet, have a jar of jalapenos handy.
I rode the trainer for an hour and a half today. I didn't use a workout. I decided to spin and just have some added Time In The Saddle. I ran through 3 gears with a warm-up and cool-down around 85RPM, cruised the rest of the time between 95 and 105. Watched New England win again during my ride! I love Tom Brady. Hubby rode yesterday and today during the times I was riding. He's said that he's sticking to 25 minutes easy minutes. My reward was a great big bowl of chili, with jack cheese, sour cream, salsa and tortilla chips. I treated myself to a Mountain Dew! (first one in a quite some time). After finishing off the last drops, I ran a tub full of hot water and sat with the jets on for 30 minutes. Guess I'm gonna spend the next little while watching Green Bay and New York.
Have you noticed the longer days? I know it's not much, but it is enough to be encouraging!
Tomorrow we'll see 42F, that's a heatwave! Plan on doing a run, gotta get one in! We have more cold days ahead. But change is always a day or two ahead. Keeps me on my toes!
Found out this week I get to move to a new place in the office, but no one can tell me exactly where, yet. I was asked my preferences, which was good. For this I am grateful. I requested a window and cubicle with tall walls. I could be put on any of 3.5 floors that our group occupies. As long as I have a place to call home in the tower I will be happy. I like the flexibility of working remotely, but wouldn't be good if it was 100% of the time.
The weather! It has been cold, it's winter time and it should be cold. But it is detrimental to my work-out agenda. I'm losing time to get my training for the 5K. Today's high got to 18F I think, wind-chill was bitter.
I'm still learning and increasing my vocabulary. Balaclava is something that keeps coming up when I read about cold weather fitness. It's on my list of items to purchase.
It's been a good weekend. I rode 50 minutes Saturday. Oldest daughter came by and spent some time visiting and doing laundry. Hubby fixed a big pot of cabbage, potatoes and kielbasa. YUM! We watched my Cardinals lose. :-(
Today, I simmered a pot of white chili (http://www.courier-journal.com/features/food/requests/recipes/timothys_white_chili.html). I've used this recipe for years, always with modifications. Remember to soak your dried beans overnight, this helps reduce gas and cook time. I get a little more generous with garlic. If you like it with more heat, increase the cayenne or better yet, have a jar of jalapenos handy.
I rode the trainer for an hour and a half today. I didn't use a workout. I decided to spin and just have some added Time In The Saddle. I ran through 3 gears with a warm-up and cool-down around 85RPM, cruised the rest of the time between 95 and 105. Watched New England win again during my ride! I love Tom Brady. Hubby rode yesterday and today during the times I was riding. He's said that he's sticking to 25 minutes easy minutes. My reward was a great big bowl of chili, with jack cheese, sour cream, salsa and tortilla chips. I treated myself to a Mountain Dew! (first one in a quite some time). After finishing off the last drops, I ran a tub full of hot water and sat with the jets on for 30 minutes. Guess I'm gonna spend the next little while watching Green Bay and New York.
Have you noticed the longer days? I know it's not much, but it is enough to be encouraging!
Tomorrow we'll see 42F, that's a heatwave! Plan on doing a run, gotta get one in! We have more cold days ahead. But change is always a day or two ahead. Keeps me on my toes!
07 January, 2008
I am blessed
I can't believe how lucky I am! My job affords me the flexibility to work remotely. They provide me with a laptop and a long distance calling card. My role is global in nature and I work with people around the world, so I am on calls at 9 pm with Asia or 6 am with India. (I try very hard not to work between midnight and 5am - I don't function well during those times.)
There is some construction happening on my floor in the office. It was loud and very dusty and dirty last week, so I worked from home on Friday. I chatted briefly with a colleague Friday and was told there were fumes like paint thinner throughout the floor. So happy I worked from home!
I had a late call with Asia last night that ended just past 10pm. I decided to work from home today, due to possible construction stuff, late night, and the fact that the temps pushed 70F today! I rode my bike during lunchtime - I was slow - only 8.2 miles in about 33 minutes. Guess I could blame the headwinds gusting to 25 mph, but won't. The tops of my thighs at the knees burned on those slight inclines. They keep telling me hills are great, geez I hope I find out one day soon! I'm too much a big chicken and outta shape still. I took this picture while riding today. Green grass in January, you just never know what to expect here.
This afternoon I wound up scheduling an hour call with Australia that lasted til 6, so I took off about 4:30 and put in workout #2 of week #2 for my Couch to 5K. Now, the low tomorrow morning is supposed to be 57F. I'm contemplating getting up and out for a run.
I love the feeling at the end of a ride or run. What a good feeling - to really sweat - and those muscles that start to ache, then tighten up and then warm up and feel really good. The low tomorrow morning is supposed to be 57F. I'm toying with getting up and going downtown early to wrap up
This sounds so stupid, 'cause I know what I'm doing is so minute [mi noot] in the grand scheme of working out and JFT. I just want to run 5K by March 1! If I can make that goal, then I'll set another one.
I think this could turn into an illness. Does that happen often?
Ya know what? It's a good kind of illness to have. I know my heart and lungs have taken decades of abuse. I know I could be pushing the limits of what they will take. I'm breathing, sweating, living, and loving it.
So happy I tried the Chantix and kicked the tobacco habit!
There is some construction happening on my floor in the office. It was loud and very dusty and dirty last week, so I worked from home on Friday. I chatted briefly with a colleague Friday and was told there were fumes like paint thinner throughout the floor. So happy I worked from home!
I had a late call with Asia last night that ended just past 10pm. I decided to work from home today, due to possible construction stuff, late night, and the fact that the temps pushed 70F today! I rode my bike during lunchtime - I was slow - only 8.2 miles in about 33 minutes. Guess I could blame the headwinds gusting to 25 mph, but won't. The tops of my thighs at the knees burned on those slight inclines. They keep telling me hills are great, geez I hope I find out one day soon! I'm too much a big chicken and outta shape still. I took this picture while riding today. Green grass in January, you just never know what to expect here.
This afternoon I wound up scheduling an hour call with Australia that lasted til 6, so I took off about 4:30 and put in workout #2 of week #2 for my Couch to 5K. Now, the low tomorrow morning is supposed to be 57F. I'm contemplating getting up and out for a run.
I love the feeling at the end of a ride or run. What a good feeling - to really sweat - and those muscles that start to ache, then tighten up and then warm up and feel really good. The low tomorrow morning is supposed to be 57F. I'm toying with getting up and going downtown early to wrap up
This sounds so stupid, 'cause I know what I'm doing is so minute [mi noot] in the grand scheme of working out and JFT. I just want to run 5K by March 1! If I can make that goal, then I'll set another one.
I think this could turn into an illness. Does that happen often?
Ya know what? It's a good kind of illness to have. I know my heart and lungs have taken decades of abuse. I know I could be pushing the limits of what they will take. I'm breathing, sweating, living, and loving it.
So happy I tried the Chantix and kicked the tobacco habit!
11 December, 2007
We were blessed with a beautiful day!
Now, there's something not quite right about having a 72F day on December 11. But Mother Nature smiled on us and that is exactly what we had today. The sun came out, though we still had clouds, those rays of light were glorious hitting my skin and eyes.
I've been trying to be very focussed on my new bike, on the trainer, and put down 60 minutes a day for Saturday, Sunday and Monday. This is after spending quite some time at 25 minutes, building to 30, 35, and finally 45 on Friday last week. I plan to stick with a minimum of 60 going forward, unless something prevents it. I look forward to this time. It's all mine. I can think or not. Mostly I get lost in the ride, is that meditation?
Today, I came home right after lunch, thinking I would put an hour on the open road. I was so excited! I've only been outdoors once and that was just the subdivision. Put the first 2.6 miles behind me and was feeling great. Turned back and found a 12 - 15 mph head wind in my face. Geez, it was difficult! I worked through the gears and found a comfortable place for the flat spots. As I began to come to the end of the second 2.6 I started to think I was just gonna head home. But thought I didn't want to quit yet. I hadn't been out that long and the day was so nice. I took Dawson Hill to the big bend and back for another 3 miles. Now the wind was blowing across me from side to side instead of at my face or back. I've never had the wind blow me around on a bike like that before! It was a bit scary! Like driving a high profile vehicle. Difference being, I didn't have any protection around me. :-)
I wasn't happy about the speed or how difficult it seemed. But, I had only gotten 4 hours sleep last night and ate a bologna sandwich for dinner. Don't think that was enough rest or fuel to have a great performance.
I think I'm hooked on this. When I finish a ride or a run (that's been too long now), I completely relish the burn I have in my legs. It feels so invigorating. Think that's the endorphin buzz that athletes get addicted to. You know what? I'm thrilled at being addicted to a naturally produced substance by my body. It's so much better than tobacco and nicotine.
We get rain for the next few days, so I'm sure we won't get much sunshine. That's okay, I know it'll be back soon and I had a wonderful time in it today!
I've been trying to be very focussed on my new bike, on the trainer, and put down 60 minutes a day for Saturday, Sunday and Monday. This is after spending quite some time at 25 minutes, building to 30, 35, and finally 45 on Friday last week. I plan to stick with a minimum of 60 going forward, unless something prevents it. I look forward to this time. It's all mine. I can think or not. Mostly I get lost in the ride, is that meditation?
Today, I came home right after lunch, thinking I would put an hour on the open road. I was so excited! I've only been outdoors once and that was just the subdivision. Put the first 2.6 miles behind me and was feeling great. Turned back and found a 12 - 15 mph head wind in my face. Geez, it was difficult! I worked through the gears and found a comfortable place for the flat spots. As I began to come to the end of the second 2.6 I started to think I was just gonna head home. But thought I didn't want to quit yet. I hadn't been out that long and the day was so nice. I took Dawson Hill to the big bend and back for another 3 miles. Now the wind was blowing across me from side to side instead of at my face or back. I've never had the wind blow me around on a bike like that before! It was a bit scary! Like driving a high profile vehicle. Difference being, I didn't have any protection around me. :-)
I wasn't happy about the speed or how difficult it seemed. But, I had only gotten 4 hours sleep last night and ate a bologna sandwich for dinner. Don't think that was enough rest or fuel to have a great performance.
I think I'm hooked on this. When I finish a ride or a run (that's been too long now), I completely relish the burn I have in my legs. It feels so invigorating. Think that's the endorphin buzz that athletes get addicted to. You know what? I'm thrilled at being addicted to a naturally produced substance by my body. It's so much better than tobacco and nicotine.
We get rain for the next few days, so I'm sure we won't get much sunshine. That's okay, I know it'll be back soon and I had a wonderful time in it today!
15 September, 2007
I haven't taken any Chantix since Wednesday
I was taking half a pill Sunday thru Wednesday and missed Tuesday completely. Maggie mentions that you can buy a pill cutter, I didn't and probably should've. But I got frustrated and very tired of taking the Chantix anyway.
So Thursday was the best day I had experienced to date. Met with my boss over lunch and discussed mid-year (I know we're way past mid-year). All in all it was a good conversation. I had located a client facing opportunity in Europe and he agreed! Several people providing feedback on my strengths and opportunities stated I needed exposure to clients outside of the US. I was on cloud nine! (Prior to lunch I had convinced myself that there would be one reason or another why there was somthing else that would be more appopriate.)
I had dinner with my boss and a former boss Thursday evening. She is my favorite person I have ever reported to. She's a wonderful mentor. We chatted, told stories, ate sushi. It was a great time!
I got home and had a blast online with a few friends. My quit buddy tells a terribly funny story on herself about falling during her run/walk. (Sometimes I have a hard time believing her stories). She wound up peeing her pants after her dog trips her and she takes a hard fall on hands and knees.
Two other friends are in Dallas for a client meeting. I get this email with a picture attached. K took a pic of J following a dinner theatre. An actress is hugging and kissing all over J. What a hoot!
Then, outta the blue I hear about mid-year promotions that came out. I reacted badly, very badly. Didn't sleep all night and dwelled on it way too long on Friday. I puton my workout clothes, packed my work clothes and left for the office at 5:20 am. I plugged in and took off about 6 am for a run/walk to the riverfront. Wish I had run longer and walked less, but I didn't stop even at stop signals. Plan on doing this at least twice this week coming up.
I wanted a cigarette more on Friday than I had for the last 2 weeks. My quit buddy was in meetings most of the day. I walked the block around our building 3 times, by myself. It worked. I didn't want that cigarette because of the physical addiction. I wanted it, because that what I've always done in stressful situations; I've smoked like a freight train.
I wish I hadn't done that. I wish I hadn't found out about the promos. But you know, could shoulda woulda is always the easy rationalisation.
I was wrong, very wrong. I am a hard worker, and I know I have areas for improvement. We all do. I want to be promoted, but wierding out and getting pissed doesn't do anything but make it worse. I hate it when I act like a child. ARGHHHHH!
Stressful times are unpredictable and come in varying degrees of stress. I can get through them without a cigarette. I can, I have, I will not smoke tobacco again. This is my promise to myself. Hell, if I'm lucky, no matter if I ever get another promotion, I live longer. I'll be able to breath, walk, run, ride my bike and enjoy myself.
I got out on my real bike today. I am so freakin' outta shape! I need to learn patience. I went around the neighborhood circle including 2 cul de sacs. I made it with no stops, but my heart was pounding and I was breathing so hard! The front tire is low and I couldn't get the seat adjusted to the right height. Gonna get out on it again tomorrow and try again. About an hour later, I rode my stationary for 15 minutes. I made a conscious effort to work harder than ever.
So Thursday was the best day I had experienced to date. Met with my boss over lunch and discussed mid-year (I know we're way past mid-year). All in all it was a good conversation. I had located a client facing opportunity in Europe and he agreed! Several people providing feedback on my strengths and opportunities stated I needed exposure to clients outside of the US. I was on cloud nine! (Prior to lunch I had convinced myself that there would be one reason or another why there was somthing else that would be more appopriate.)
I had dinner with my boss and a former boss Thursday evening. She is my favorite person I have ever reported to. She's a wonderful mentor. We chatted, told stories, ate sushi. It was a great time!
I got home and had a blast online with a few friends. My quit buddy tells a terribly funny story on herself about falling during her run/walk. (Sometimes I have a hard time believing her stories). She wound up peeing her pants after her dog trips her and she takes a hard fall on hands and knees.
Two other friends are in Dallas for a client meeting. I get this email with a picture attached. K took a pic of J following a dinner theatre. An actress is hugging and kissing all over J. What a hoot!
Then, outta the blue I hear about mid-year promotions that came out. I reacted badly, very badly. Didn't sleep all night and dwelled on it way too long on Friday. I puton my workout clothes, packed my work clothes and left for the office at 5:20 am. I plugged in and took off about 6 am for a run/walk to the riverfront. Wish I had run longer and walked less, but I didn't stop even at stop signals. Plan on doing this at least twice this week coming up.
I wanted a cigarette more on Friday than I had for the last 2 weeks. My quit buddy was in meetings most of the day. I walked the block around our building 3 times, by myself. It worked. I didn't want that cigarette because of the physical addiction. I wanted it, because that what I've always done in stressful situations; I've smoked like a freight train.
I wish I hadn't done that. I wish I hadn't found out about the promos. But you know, could shoulda woulda is always the easy rationalisation.
I was wrong, very wrong. I am a hard worker, and I know I have areas for improvement. We all do. I want to be promoted, but wierding out and getting pissed doesn't do anything but make it worse. I hate it when I act like a child. ARGHHHHH!
Stressful times are unpredictable and come in varying degrees of stress. I can get through them without a cigarette. I can, I have, I will not smoke tobacco again. This is my promise to myself. Hell, if I'm lucky, no matter if I ever get another promotion, I live longer. I'll be able to breath, walk, run, ride my bike and enjoy myself.
I got out on my real bike today. I am so freakin' outta shape! I need to learn patience. I went around the neighborhood circle including 2 cul de sacs. I made it with no stops, but my heart was pounding and I was breathing so hard! The front tire is low and I couldn't get the seat adjusted to the right height. Gonna get out on it again tomorrow and try again. About an hour later, I rode my stationary for 15 minutes. I made a conscious effort to work harder than ever.
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