Saturday night on the way home from my 3 miler, I was thinking about how people find time to run and train. I thought about Christy and Barbara who don't just juggle career, family, school, church, and fitness but excel at them. How do these superwomen do it?
I guess it really comes down to setting priorities. For some, its God, family, career, then running. For others, it's career, education, family, then running. For others, it's running, running, running, and then more running. What a life!!!
For me, I look at running a little differently. I think it goes back to my mantra, a kind of mission statement if you will where running is concerned. I'm most successful when running is woven through ALL my priorities as part of "a healthy lifestyle with running as a key component." Where my spiritual life is concerned, running equips me for His service. Also, I see caring for my body as an act of thanksgiving for the gift that God has given me. Running makes me a better employee. I have more energy and think more clearly. It affects my family as I have more energy when we are together and am setting a good example for my kids. Not to mention the fact that I'll probably live a lot longer as my health improves and running is key there. Socailly, I have created and developed many real and lasting relationships through running and have so many fond memories and shared experiences with friends. Running makes me more patient, more calm, more thoughtful.
This framework seems to work well for me. I'm afraid that if running was an item on a list of priorities, I would end up at one of two extremes. I'd either be obsessed with running or I wouldn't run at all. It's just how I'm wired. Looking at running and a healthy lifestyle as a consistent thread that affects all my priorities works well for me. Now, that's not to say that I'm not goal oriented. I have lofty goals when it comes to running and on any given day, to be able to reach those goals, I'll certainly have to prioritize. But by keeping my eye on the bigger picture, it's been easier for me to find that balance.
Ok, on to business. This last week didn't turn out like I had planned.
I'm not making excuses but I was single parenting last week (wifey was working out of town) and for Thurdsay and Friday was fighting the crud.
.This week looks good. I'm going to tackle a 6 miler this evening after work. I'm going to have to slow down and get 'er done. It's hard to run >14 min pace. It feels like such a regression but I've got to start back somewhere. Maybe a manly sub-13, back-to-the-barn mile 6 will make me feel better after 5 at 14:30 or so. Anyway, we'll see. For now, I'm just planning on pulling out the old slow and steady for tonight's run.
Here's what the rest of the week looks like.
Later!
5 comments:
Well, ya know Vic....I'm a big planner. You may have guessed that if I plan my workouts each week, I probably also plan out the rest of my life.
If we have a musical we'd like to see for instance, I'll schedule it for Saturday matinee because I already have church planned for Sunday morning.
If someone wants to get together in the evening, I'll suggest a day that doesn't already have a brass concert or karate practice at the same time.
I keep a big calendar on the garage door that lists 6 weeks at a time where we track all of our daughter's upcoming tests, holidays, etc.
....And.....I get up at 4am so I can get the fitness in. Honestly, I think that's half the battle (but then again I'm definitely a morning person!).
I really like your thinking. I am one that tends to obsess a bit about running and it's nice to read about the balancing that I need to be shooting for. Thanks for the reminder. :>)
If nursing school has taught me anything these past few months it's that life has to be in balance. I make time for what is important and the rest simply must be put aside for a while...be it a little while or a long while.
You have an excellent attitude, and I'm going to remember it when I miss a run here and there.
In the whole scheme of life, I'm simply thankful to put one foot in front of the other and call it 'running'.
Thanks for the reminder, Vic. :)
I would just like to say that while you make some valid points indeed, single people have just as much of a busy, hectic life as those with families.
Last time I looked no one person has a monopoly on a busy lifestyle.
I go to school, I work, I have family, I have friends, I have relationships, I have hardships, I have loads of homework, I have a household to keep up, I have bills to pay; I could go on and on.
I dont have a support system either, i.e. a husband who can take on 1/2 the responsibility. Its just me. And somehow I get it all done and still find time to run. I just adjust here and there.
But yes, I find a balance and there IS a balance to get it all done and then some.
If that means getting up at ungodly hours when I could lay in bed or at a time when I could be doing nothing at all because I'm tired...well then so be it.
A person CAN have it all, they just have to WANT it all. Like Barbara I am a planner, and I ALWAYS make time for me.
I agree June, I was always busy as a single person too (and as a married, kiddo-free person).
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