Random Thoughts [And Upcoming Acts of Kindness]

Gahhhhlee.  I don't know what has happened to me this past week.  My focus has shifted from all things athletic and productive, to work and...well...obsessively looking over budgets and finances.  Harry and I have big plans in the next couple of years, and looking at every single penny was apparently more important to me than many other things, like my training.  (FYI:  This blog is the BEST financial inspiration I've ever seen!)  I have been excessively tired this week, mostly in the early evenings, barely making it home by 6:00pm some nights, and even slept almost 12 hours Friday and Saturday nights.  I skipped all but one run last week.

What I can't tell is if it's just a simple miscalculation of focus and priorities, or if I just got burnt out.  One could have caused the other for all I know.  What I do know is that I have to *wake up* at some point, and come back to reality.  The reality is that I have a half marathon in Austin in a week, and I cannot simply ignore my training and let my fitness go seven days out from an event.  I decided long ago that I would not go for a PR, neither course nor time, for the Austin Half Marathon, but the hills alone are going to be the biggest challenge.  I'm not going to lie, I'm frightened.  All I can do is get out there and have fun and smile; and who wouldn't in my hometown?!  Harry and I have a very iffy plan.  He is a much more experienced racer and runner than I; he definitely has his ducks way more in a row than I do.

While discussing this very loosey-goosey plan, I realized something that was even more disheartening:  I do not know what my pace is right now.  I have been going from the treadmill (which I loathe) to the icy, snowy sidewalks.  I have done some speedwork outside; running over the ice makes me pretty conscious about my footfall, which I'm sure has altered my stride.  Believe it or not, I think that this is messing with me!

Source

My only solution to this?  Blogging all of these thoughts out, talking things out, and being honest with myself.  I have a better chance of realizing what my problems are by typing this crap out and observing through type as to what I'm going through.  I refuse to let a lack-of-training induced case of ennui tear me down at this point.  I have better things to worry about.  I think that there are heavier things that I'm slowly processing, but being able to see things typed out on this blog helps me organize and prioritize.  Here's to putting the "GRRR" in gratitude again!

Now that I've gotten that off my (lack thereof) chest, this week is Random Acts of Kindness Week!  The Social Worker at the school I teach P.E. at organized a sort of "Secret Santa" type activity for us for this week.  I'm super excited about the teacher I got!  I have so many ideas that will hopefully put a smile on her face.  :)  Can you think of anyone to do kind things for this week?  It doesn't cost a dime to make someone smile...be inventive!

Check out the website above to get some ideas, and put a smile on someone's face this week!