Priorities

What to do when there is too much to do?

It's a known fact that I am an overcommitter and it would seem that I'm not happy unless I'm overbooked. But the truth is: when I'm doing all of the things I want to do, I'm daydreaming about doing nothing! Okay, maybe not nothing, but seriously just one or two things.

My problem seems to lie in managing priorities. What is it that's important to me? In no particular order:

• Loving my work
• Having fun
• Spending quality time with Casey
• Playing with my puppies
• Learning Portuguese
• Keeping up on my Spanish
• Setting aside time to connect with friends (both near and far)
• Visiting my family
• Going new places
• Taking time for a budget
• Meal planning and actually meal doing
• Cleaning and organizing at home and at work
• Relaxing

I wish I had infinite time to do a couple of these things at once but still have enough time to get to them all. When I try and tackle everything, some things get done, some fall through the cracks, and others just get done halfway. 

Take my Portuguese learning process as an example. I'm going to class, watching Brazilian flicks, trying to fit in studying vocab where I can. But somehow it turns into a big mess - like my notes from today. I can't even decide which language to take them in (there are three here, for the record). I'm not sure whether I am impressed or confused.

As much as I'm longing to do absolutely nothing, I'm sure the second things slow down I'll be signing up for something else. 

I guess the grass is always greener on the other side.

Bear Chasin': 13x13x13 - 4

Every current or aspiring half or full marathon runner from Dallas to Houston should take part in the Davy Crockett Bear Chase. It may not be large or fancy but it is all kinds of awesome. Example #1: sweet shirts.

There are no timing chips or fancy signs, only people who ask, "whereabouts y'all from?" And when you reply "Houston" they will tell you, "sure is a good place to be from." Then, they will make you PB&Js when you're done running.

The morning started at 3:30 and we hit the road at 4:00 for the 120 mile drive to Groveton, TX. We parked in the high school parking lot and walked all of 200 feet to pick up our packets right before the start. 

The weather was absolutely perfect; not too hot and not too cold, not windy and just cloudy enough not to bake in the sun. The route was beautiful and I'll say the only down side was a few uneven surfaces along the way.

I also met a lovely man who I would guess is in his late 60s or early 70s. He loved the new year's resolution displayed on my shirt and he was sporting a 50 States Marathon Club jersey. When I asked if he was working on all 50 states, his response was "Oh, I'm done. This is my 92nd marathon." He has trained both his wife and daughter (who was running with him today) for their first marathons and ran it with them. He said they were the most fulfilling experiences of his life. The secret to success according to him is to take it slow - both in training and in running. Take your time, stop to walk every once in a while. Your goal should be to be able to run the next day. We passed each other again as I was approaching the finish line and they were going back for their second lap of the course. He gave me a high five and from the most genuine place I can imagine said, "You're doing great - I am so proud of you!" When I am considering whether or not I want to run a full marathon in the future, he will be a voice in the back of my head telling me I can make it.

The other runners totally blew me away. Let me tell you, this course did not need spectators cheering runners on because the runners themselves took care of it. If I passed someone or if I was being passed, the other person was cheering me on telling me how great I was doing.

And the aid stations. Oh the Aid stations! This gem was at the half-way point, right next to the orange cone with a paper sign taped to it: "Turn Around!"

Here we have and extremely cheerful volunteer with bananas, oranges, pickles (only in Texas would this happen), candy, pretzels, water and powerade. And please notice the lack of line at the port-a-potty.

Final time: 2:37:19

This is almost a PR. My fastest time is 2:37:18, which is so close. Let's just chalk up the difference to the fact today's race only had a gun time and not chip times.

Cory and I before the run

My loot after the run:
medal, bear, and popsicle

Workout Buddies

Working out with friends is a concept I had to let grow on me. It seems most people prefer to grab a buddy before trying a new class or pounding the pavement, but I would much rather iron out the kinks without witnesses. I'm still a little weird about it since I'm often slower and less coordinated than many of my friends, but there's something to be said for pushing yourself and not going it alone all of the time. I mean, if I'm going to spend all of that time running, it's nice to have some company every once in a while!

If they're really awesome, they will also
coordinate accessories. Too cool for school.

My suggestion is to get yourself some good storytellers so that if you are a little on the slow side (like myself) it levels the playing field a bit. My ladies are awesome and super speedy, so if they do most of the chatting, I can focus on trying to keep up! I pipe in occasionally, but when I do decide to talk it comes out in three-word bursts between huffs and puffs. It's probably good for me, but for the sake of survival, I like to keep it in moderation.

So, this morning we go on a six mile run, at a clip a little faster than I'm used to (at least for that distance), but probably on the slower side for my running mates. Niece, easy jaunt for them and a good challenge for me. Laila needed a bit more a challenge, so she incorporated some frolicking moves as well:

A workout and a show!

Here's to good times with good friends! And seeing my tiny CrossFitter for the fist time in ages. Don't be fooled by her petite size, she's a total badass.

Looking Up: 13x13x13 - 3

Three half marathons down, ten to go. We're nowhere near the end, but it would seem that I am coming to the end of  the unprepared = injury = time off = unprepared cycle when it comes to running these things. I haven't had any serious injuries, but I'm not looking for any, so I err on the side of caution when it comes to pushing my body.

I ran half marathon number three on March 30th and it was an on my own run with a route that went from home, around some neighborhoods, up to Rice University and back. It's probably my favorite route so far - minus the sidewalks obstacle courses along the way. I have to admit, I'm astounded I ran over 13 miles in the city with some sort of sidewalk effort the entire way.

At least I get to practice agility too!

This wasn't my fastest or best run, but it definitely wasn't the worst. That's a win in my book! The final time was 2:42:59. Here's to hoping for a better time and recovery on the next round. I'm Davy Crockett Bear Chasing next weekend!

All done and back home!

Some of the views along the way