Sunday, November 30, 2008

Update from the personal development front...

I know I know this is shocking. Once again it has been 3 weeks since I've posted and I haven't even caught up on everyone else's posts either. It's all happening guys - I will catch myself up (coming the other way probably but hey).

And where have I been? Gazing at my navel in self-contemplation? Reading through such eminent tomes as I'm Okay, You're Okay and The Power of You? No don't fret - I haven't completely gone over the cliff of that place called "myself, and what I'm feeling right now". No chance for that anyway - life is a 10 ton truck racing along at the moment. Hurtling like madness towards Christmas - which is also going to be FULL-ON!

I have been trying to stick with "the opposite of me". Not so much with being counter-intuitive (that wouldn't really be the point) but more trying to break with certain self-destructive knee-jerk reactions. Apparently it takes 3 weeks (though some say 3 months, and others say a lifetime - I'm sticking with the optimists here) to change a bad habit. So far ... well, I'm on my way. After my initial success in resigning from those parts of my job that I didn't want to do any longer, my boss (remember, a friend? A fairly manipulative, lovely one?) is choosing to ignore my leaving and is just pretending it's not going to happen. So I'm once again bracing myself to go and speak to him once again, clarifying further what I will continue to do on a freelance, working from home basis for them, and what I will no longer deal with. I'm having to be more persistent than I hoped to get the message across. In the meantime, the job is busy and full-on, family life is busy and full-on, December is THE social season in the countryside here and there are constant parties and nights out. Great stuff but busy and it gets in the way of blogging, posting, commenting and occasionally running.

Although, so far, so good. My weekly mileage is not very impressive - anywhere between 20 and 25 miles per week - but I'm managing to keep one 9-10 mile run in there each week as well as a few shorter runs and I've never maintained as well as this between race training. I'm looking into training schedules and training goals and will reveal when I know.

Sorry for this boring post - but I thought I'd update, let you know I'm still running and that I AM still here. And rooting, this weekend for Lizzie Lee and next weekend for the amazing Charlie who is going to run Las Vegas - this only weeks after running Chicago. And of course Jen and Aron who will be running the California International Marathon together.. Respect to you all and good luck!

And finally - because I really do feel bad about contributing NOTHING of any major import in this blog post (nor - and I do realise this - am I doing this in my comments..) I will add some photos to make this slightly more interesting..
Me after running 9M last Saturday morning (before 8:30 am and it was chilly hence that weird hat on my head..)

Slightly mortifying in so many ways but this is us before going out to a St. Andrews Ball on Friday. I have a poodle on my head and my husband - has Scottish origins. I'll leave it at that..

11 comments:

Irish Blue said...

You guys look awesome! Who can resist a guy in a skirt...lol.

You've been doing great with your mileage. I've run zero miles in the last two weeks. ZERO! This is disasterous, I know. Never fear, I'm about to kick myself in the big arse this week.

Glad you are back, sorry it's so crazy, luv ya!! (BTW - I feel pretty frazzled too. I mean, where the heck did November go?)

Marathon Maritza said...

I absolutely LOVE the photo!!!! You guys look great and may I add, your husband looks quite dashing and handsome in the kilt! And that is a gorgeous dress on you!!

Don't get too frazzled that you don't enjoy every moment of the holidays...I always feel they are over much too soon!

And with work, stick to your guns and do what's right for you!

P.S. LOVE that your son is my birthday buddy!!!

ShirleyPerly said...

Great photo of you two!! My husband is 1/2 Scottish but wouldn't ever don a kilt. And he hates bagpipes too, go figure.

As usual, it sounds as if you've got so much going on. Good for you maintaining a nice running base. 20-25 is much more than I've run the past couple months except for the weekends I've run marathons. But soon enough I'll be back to running more regularly again.

Hope your boss gets the message this time!

Susan said...

I can't even see the poodle -- so all I see is a beautiful (and oh so slim!) woman and her loving man in a skirt. Enviable photo!

I'm glad to see your blog post. I know how busy this time of year gets... so I am just grateful!

Aron said...

thanks for the shout out!!! AHHH i cannot believe its getting so close :)

i love the pics!!!!

lizzie lee said...

No boring at all, and very nice pix.... I am glad you are back and enjoy the SOCIAL season....

Thanks for the support last week

sincere-lee
lizzie lee

jen said...

Awesome pictures Petra! You look gorgeous in that dress. I'm glad you're handling the holiday season so far- and it sounds like you are going to make it through without too much stress. Stay positive and have fun! :)

thanks for the shout out too. :)

peter said...

Nice pictures! The holiday season is always so frenetic when changes are going on. At least you're keeping your weekly miles up. My one long run each Satruday anchors my week, no matter what else unexpected happens.

Drusy said...

Hey Petra 20 miles a week and a long run is not easy in the frazzled overworked time of year with parties too. I know my mileage has suffered. But hey, at least you look really good!

CewTwo said...

I think you guys look great!

I am running 3 miles or so a day, but I am running in the warmth and comfort of the basement and the treadmill. It is a good thing for me and offers me comfort after so much training.

I am glad you are doing your miles.

It is an amazing time of year and everyone wants to celebrate with family, friends and neighbors! It is a good thing. The Winter solstice allows us to slow down and think about life. It is good to share with our chums!

Have a great holiday season, my friend! I'll be thinking of you!

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