Friday, November 28, 2014

Finding balance

I have tons of this same photo but this view of the reservoir at night never gets old
This post has been a long time coming.  It's been bouncing around my head for about the last month as I went from trip to engagement to trip all fall and thought it was time to get it down on paper.  I apologize in advance because this post is kinda a giant wandering thought train for me (it was the easiest way for my to get it down).

Let's start with the obvious: this fall has been insane for me.  There were lots of races on the schedule plus I had family events going on.  I mean, I traveled 3 of the 4 weekends in October.  Seriously, 3 out of 4!  I felt like I was never home (which really, I wasn't) and am now completely drained.  A busy couple of months at work didn't help either.

With being gone so many weekends, my weeks became packed.  I was still running (trust me if I didn't run, mentally I would have been worse) and trying to get everything else done - seeing friends, laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning, etc.  It was go go go until I went to bed.

Clearly I have trouble with balancing everything I want to do with what I should to do to stay sane.  I think most of my problem comes from not looking at a calendar when I agree to things.  I say yes (and outside of checking to make sure nothing else is scheduled that day), I am committed.  Then, when I finally actually look at a calendar, I realize it's back to back weekends or 3 out of 4 weekends a month.

I also have trouble saying no to things.  I want to do everything and travel and see my friends and or course, don't forget about work.  I don't know why I have trouble saying no.  It's not that I have FOMO (fear of missing out) because I absolutely love staying home and being a homebody.  And trust me, I have been known to do it on more then 1 occasion.  I think it's just that I want to do everything.  Why do I think I can do that without it catching up to me?  Do I think I am Superwoman?

I am now done with all travel (except for heading home at Christmas) until the Disney Half in January.  I am looking forward to a month of being low key and recharging the batteries.  The holidays can be packed with parties and seeing friends, but I am really going to try and make sure I don't over commit myself.

As the end year approaches and it's time to start finalizing a race calendar for next year (I want to get another 5 states done, plus I have runDisney races scheduled), I am really trying to look at my calendar holistically.  Make sure I look at the other races and travel I have planned before committing to anything.  I also want to make sure I don't travel more then 2 weekends a month.  It might not be possible every month, but that is going to be my goal.  Of course, less then 2 weekends is even better!

I know it's not New Year's yet, but that is going to be something I work on in 2015.  I have to say, I already feel better getting it off my chest and sharing with all of you.  It feels better just putting it out there and acknowledging what I need to work on.

With all that said, how to you find balance in your life?  I am open to any tips or ideas you have!

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!

Source 

I just wanted to take a minute and wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!  As is my tradition, I am doing our local Turkey Trot 5K this AM.  It's a great way to burn some calories before I consume insane amounts of food.  My brother cooks and it is always delicious!

Before I go run, I wanted to take a few minutes and share what I am thankful for:

- My family: they are supportive of my crazy running habits/insane running goals and the best family a girl could as for
- My friends: they say friends are the family you pick and that could not be more true of my friends
- My health: I really am lucky that I have had no major health issues or running injuries.  I really have been fortunate not to get injured and be able to go out and run.  If I couldn't run, I think I'd have some really expensive therapy bills!
- My job: I don't talk about my job a lot on here (since this is running blog and all) except to say when it keeps me from blogging, but the truth is I really do love my job.  I enjoy what I do and I work with some world class people and industry leaders.
- You!  I know it sounds cheesy, but thank you readers for stopping by and being a part of this.  I read all your comments and truly appreciate you all for sticking around when I'm not able to post as much as I'd like to.

Now it's your turn - let me know what you are thankful for!

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Training recap week of 11/17 (Philly Half Week 2)


Let's just say I'm already over winter.  It's dark at like 4:30 now and cold for almost all my runs.  This past weekend was the Philadelphia Half Marathon and (almost) the end of a fall full of travel.  So much travel on top of a busy couple of months at work do not lead to a happy Sarah.  After Thanksgiving this weekend, I will be home until Christmas which is much needed.

On that note, how is Christmas already a month away??  I realized it late last night and then had a bit of a panic attack that I haven't done any shopping yet.  Hoping to get a lot done while I am home this weekend.  Anyone else feeling like Christmas has sneaked up one them?  This year has totally flown by.

In terms of training this week, it was a bit of a down week with the race.  After the Baltimore Half Marathon, I thought possibly about trying to race and PR during this one, but it just wasn't my day.  I was feeling really exhausted from work and travel and my body just wasn't having it.  I promise a full recap is coming (as well as all the others I have pending, I promise!!!).

Monday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest

Tuesday
Scheduled: 5 miles easy
Actual: 5.07 mi, 47:28, 9:22 pace

Wednesday
Scheduled: 5 miles easy
Actual: 5.00 mi, 48:01, 9:36 pace

Thursday
Scheduled: 5 miles easy
Actual: Rest

Had a work function so I skipped this one.  Definitely needed the day off from running!

Friday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest

Saturday
Scheduled: 2 miles shake out run
Actual: 2.00 mi, 20:52, 10:25 pace

Sunday
Scheduled: Philadelphia Half Marathon
Actual: 13.24 mi, 1:59:14, 9:00 pace

Total miles: 25.31
Total November miles: 89.41
Miles until goal (1,250): 105.92

Monday, November 17, 2014

Training recap week of 11/10 (Philly Half Week 1)

 
Well, winter has finally arrived here.  It started getting colder on Thursday and just continued.  I went for my run on Wednesday night in shorts and by Sunday was back in tights and a winter running coat (it was only 36 with a 'real feel' of 28).

I also realized I have forgotten how to dress to run in cold weather.  I had waaayyy too many layers on for Saturday's run.  The first mile it felt nice, but mile 5, I was sweating profusely.  It always comes back to me, I was better dressed on Sunday's run. 

Monday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest

Tuesday
Scheduled: 4 miles easy
Actual: Rest

Since I was still in Disney, I skipped this run and did it on Sunday instead.  I did lots of walking around the park though!

Wednesday
Scheduled: Speedwork: 3 mi @ Half Marathon pace (8:20-8:30), plus warm up & cool down
Total Mileage: 5.73
Paces: 8:42, 8:24, 8:17

Thursday
Scheduled: 4 miles easy
Actual: 4.07 mi, 39:21, 9:40 pace

Friday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest

Saturday
Scheduled: 11 miles long run
Actual: 11.05 mi, 1:46:02, 9:36 pace

Sunday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: 4.07 mi, 39:36, 9:44 pace

Total miles: 24.92
Total November miles: 64.10
Miles until goal (1,250): 131.24

Friday, November 14, 2014

Training recap week of 11/3 (Wine and Dine Week 5)

Hello everyone!  I am alive!  Hope you've been having a good week.  I am very happy it is Friday, let me tell you.  I am hoping to be back to regular blogging next week, but in the mean time let's do a quick training recap.

This past week included Wine and Dine in the rain - not ideal conditions, but we perserved!  This upcoming weekend, I have nothing planned.  After the craziness of the past couple of weeks, I am looking forward to a solid weekend home.

Monday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest

Tuesday
Scheduled: 4 miles easy
Actual: 4.00 mi, 42:02, 10:30 pace

Wednesday
Scheduled: Speedwork, 3 x 0.5mi @10K pace (7:50-8:00)
Total Mileage: 5.08
Paces: 7:47, 7:46, 7:44

Thursday
Scheduled: 4 miles easy
Actual: 4.00 mi, 40:44, 10:10 pace

Friday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest

Saturday
Scheduled: Wine and Dine Half Marathon
Actual: 13.36 mi, 2:06:07, 9:26 pace

Sunday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest

Total miles: 26.45
Total November miles: 39.18
Miles until goal (1,250): 156.16

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Training recap week of 10/27 (Wine and Dine Week 4)

Another week of training in the books.  This week went better and my runs were good.  Sundays long run got cut a little short because it was insanely windy (20+ mph) and I couldn't take it anymore.  Sometime it happens!

My Saturday run was a meetup run with the Oiselle Flock followed by lunch.  It was nice to meet all the team and Sally (the CEO) was there too!  So much fun!

Otherwise I didn't do much this weekend.  It was nice to be lazy and catch up on some DVR.  It's off to Disney again for Wine and Dine, which makes me very happy.  Just need to get through this week!

Monday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest

Tuesday
Scheduled: 4 miles easy
Actual: 4.11 mi, 40:25, 9:49 pace

Wednesday
Scheduled: 5 x Harlem Hill at 10K pace (7:50 - 8:00 pace)
Total Mileage: 4.63
Paces: 8:05, 7:52, 7:50, 8:17, 7:57

Thursday
Scheduled: 4 miles easy
Actual: 4.13 mi, 40:26, 9:48 pace

Friday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest

Saturday
Scheduled: 3 miles easy
Actual: 3.08 mi, 29:21, 9:31 pace

Sunday
Scheduled: 10 miles long run
Actual: 9.65 mi, 1:30:59, 9:22 pace

Total miles: 25.60
Total October miles: 97.57
Total November miles: 12.73
Miles until goal (1,250): 182.61