Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire!

Brilliant.



I've been switching over to measuring by weight as opposed to volume, particularly because I am the QUEEN of getting far more to fit into a spoon/cup than the laws of physics should allow. It's seriously impressive. I think it's a girl thing (like getting the rest of the dishes to fit into the dishwasher). It's a tough switch, because you just wind up getting so much LESS food. But really, who are you fooling by calling it a serving when it's really 1.5? Sure enough your body knows the difference. Why lie to yourself?

Perspective

It's that time of year for me when everything outside of the radius of my desk seems to vanish.  The days no longer have names. They all run together, punctuated by the few hours I spend at home.  Sleeping.

Everything I do seems to take forever.  For instance, it's now after 6 pm and I started to write this post sometime after noon.

I alternate between slap-happy giddiness and being the biggest biatch in the world.  The smallest things will set me off - I left the gym one day in a vile mood because the music was too loud.  In my defense, it's a stretch to even call such noise "music" :)

In the past month, I have eaten perhaps 5 meals with my husband.  Or at home, for that matter.

I have worked without a day off since Sunday, February 28th.  I will continue to do so until Thursday, April 15th.  

Oddly enough, I'm OK with all of this.  Once the initial shock of the schedule passes, the rhythm of ceaseless work takes over and you just flow with it.  I think it's similar to the start of an ultra, when you stand at the start withover 30 miles ahead of you.  Once you begin to move, and the miles begin to add up, the task ahead becomes less daunting and you simply accept your path.

Of course, ultras have much better aid stations than tax season.

Hmm, that's definitely something to consider for next year....

Running in Circles

This past weekend, it seems as though everyone I knew was running a race!  My ultra buddies were down south running the Umstead 100 (and 50M) Endurance Run, while my NYC peeps were in Central Park running the Colon Cancer 4M and 15K.

Me - well, I was at the gym and at work.  

It's been strange this winter, stepping back from running.  But I think it's been good for me.  I've taken time to train, get stronger and leaner, and really figure out what I want from my athletic endeavors.  

I still haven't figured out exactly how to have my cake and eat it too, but I haven't given up on that yet :)


Umstead 100

Sending out some Happy Hundred Vibes to all my friends running the Umstead 100 Mile Endurance Run this weekend - I wish I were out there with you!  Maybe next year.....

Calling Captain Obvious

March 23: A new study suggests that without making changes to their diet, women need exercise just to keep their weight stable--but exercise alone won't lead to weight loss. 

Captain Obvious strikes again!

Watch the "news report".

Lullabye

I miss sleeping.  A sleep free of stress, a sleep that recharges, energizes, invigorates.  A sleep that comes after unwinding at home, talking to loved ones, playing with pets.   A sleep that greets the morning with a smile and the beauty of the day yet to unfold.  

OK, I'll be honest - I'm rarely smiling in the morning.  But that sounded better than "cranky".

Lately, my sleep is nothing like this.  It is a sleep borne of exhaustion.  I come home, throw my stuff down wherever I can find a free spot, sit on the couch for about an hour and then trudge upstairs to collapse into bed.  The day's clothes lay at the side of the bed, piled up and cushioning my feet when I finally drag myself out of bed in the morning.  Still exhausted.  Body tired and stiff from waking in the same position as when I passed out the evening before.  Depleted.  Today, even my shower did little to awaken me.  I stepped out of the shower and toweled off (barely).  As I stood there, I spied my husband's towel hanging on the door.  So soft.  Inviting.  I stepped forward and leaned my head on it, sure that I could catch just a few more minutes of precious sleep.  Then I realized that it's unlikely I'd stay standing if I were to fall asleep and that I'd wind up with a busted head.  

But, I digress.

I'm getting about 6 - 7 hours of sleep a night.  Not over training. Yet still I'm simply.....beat.  What is odder yet is that it really only affects me during the bookends of my days.  I'm fairly functioning during the actual day.  Really :)  The gym energizes me.  I can remain focused on work.  I have yet to truly bite anybody's head off.  But why can't my mornings and evenings be smoother? 

How about you?  Do you sleep well?  Do you sleep soundly?  And if not, how do you handle less than optimum sleep patterns?


26.2 divided by 2 equals 13.1

Best of luck to everyone running the NYC Half Marathon this Sunday!  I'll be with you in spirit!