5 miles in 49:41 and an attitude adjustment

After a rotten day at work, I had a great run. 

I put in 5 miles in 49:41 on the RPAC indoor track.  After running an initial sub-30 minute 5K, I walked 2 minutes and then finished the last 1.8 miles running.  I didn't use the run-walk-run pattern today.  I ran most of the workout, thus creating a tempo run, I think.  For those of you who know, do I seem to understand the concept of a tempo run?  It's shorter than a long run, faster than an easy run, but not an all-out effort.  Right?  Well, that's what I did today.  And it wasn't terrible.  It felt pretty good, actually.  I could have run more if I had walked a minute or so and then kept running.  I wasn't straining to hold on to the pace, but it was a quick tempo for me.  I could have sprinted the .1 or so, though I didn't.

Prior to the run, I was stressed about work and very disappointed in the outlook for resources in our department.  I was overwhelmed with the work I have to do and tired of beating my head against the wall.  I didn't have much desire to run and thought I'd rather have a drink and try to relax.  Needless to say, I had pretty low expectations for the run. 

So why did the run go well?  Hmmm, well, I chose to run with a new music playlist I created over the weekend (using several songs from my daughter's new play list).  Choosing positive, uplifting music over informative podcasts was a very good choice today.  I was also able to distance myself from work and gain some perspective. 

Post-run, I have a better outlook.  No longer overwhelmed.  A bit tired though.  That's pretty much the status quo for me lately, though.

Cuts everywhere

At work, we have many major events going on:

• The budget looks bleak next year and everyone expects significant layoffs.
• We are undergoing and efficiency study by a consultant group.
• We are about to undergo a significant reorganization organization-wide just months after we started (and have not yet completed) our own reorganization internal to our VP unit. 
• Our VP is leaving.
• We have been doing more with less for so long, we cannot continue on that path.  We now ire to do less with less. 
• Even before budget cuts, I'm now required to prove I need to keep any position that becomes open.  And this isn't just a simple study to see if we can do without positions, this is as big of a deal as if I'm asking for a brand new position.

I can't keep up the pace I've been running at work and remain healthy.  I'm going to have to start doing even less myself and I'm already not doing much of the job I know I should be doing (because I'm doing jobs others should be doing). 

In the kids' school district, they also have major cut backs due to the operating levy not being passed.  I can't believe the selfishness and clueless of the citizenship in our suburb.  This dire situation will decrease housing prices and make our area much less desirable for new businesses and families.  I haven't read the full list of expected changes, but some of them are below:

• School day starting later (shorter school day) - and our kids live too close to bus - how will we get them there when weather is bad?
• No physical education
• No music
• No art
• Lots of administrative positions cut

All that said, I'm not overly stressed about it all.  It's just the way it is.  I'm too busy to keep up the pace, but if it doesn't get better soon, I will just stop being as effective.  I'll still be an important contributor but I'll quit pretending I can do all that I'm currently doing.  I can do it in a sprint, but not a marathon.  It's time to insert some walk breaks.

So the running analogy brings me to my run today.  I got to the gym a full hour later than expected (due to work) but I decided to try to get my full run in anyway.  The kids had to wait for me for a few minutes after swim practice.  I did 5 miles in 51:40.  My miles were 10:36, 9:25, 10:10, 10:52 and 10:43.  I followed the run by a 3 minute walk and then hit the showers and rushed to get the kids. 

What a whirl-wind day.  I'm very tired.  I'm going to bed now and will get up tomorrow and do it all over again.

Motivation

Well, I didn't get to run on Monday as I would have liked, but I got out there today.  It was an incredible day, sunny and 67, and it felt good to be out there again because it's been almost a week since I last ran.

The run itself wasn't much to write about though.  I felt like I weighed 20 pounds more than I felt last week.  I was just pulling myself along and getting winded quickly.  I did the run-walk-run method with 3 minutes running and 1 minute walking pretty much throughout the run.  My miles were 10:39, 10:35, 9:59, and 10:14.  The 5K was 32:00.  I followed the run up with a 10 minute walk and put in 4.5 miles overall.

Work has been very busy and no end to the craziness is in sight.   I've got a lot on my plate because of a reorganization which resulted in 2 new manager positions that are unfilled and much transition work between staff members who are changing roles.  Until the new managers are in place and the staff is trained on their new positions, I'll be providing direction, supervision, training, and doing much of the work that others will eventually take independently.  In the meantime, I also need to be doing my Director job which has significant responsibilities and expectations.  Obviously, I won't be able to do everything well.  I'll just have to do what I can and hang in there until we can get past this transition.

I've been a bit stressed about it all and want to relax when I get home, but things are busy here too.  The kids both have swimming, church school, and regular homework.  Jason is also starting basketball.  I feel much more relaxed and on top of it all when I can get out to run regularly.  Since I know that's true, why is it so difficult to force myself to take the time?  A friend told me today that I need some motivation for running.  With no races or challenges scheduled for at least 6 months, and then it's only a 5K, I'm not really training for anything right now.  I'm afraid to commit to anything, though.  However, maybe that's exactly what I should do.