Monday, January 07, 2008

It Sure Is Monday

Christmas vacation is over. Everyone's decorations are put away (hopefully) - NO, I do NOT leave my christmas lights up on my front porch all year long. I may know all the words to every old Bocephus song, but I draw the line with Christmas lights. They come down before the New Year. The kids went back to school this morning. I'm back to work for regular, instead of abbreviated, weeks(even if my regular week is only 4 days). It was a fun holiday season, but there's something to be said for a routine. And something to be said for a new year that will eventually bring my coveted Spring weather.

The sad part is - J.T.'s grandmother passed away Friday. So it's been a hard weekend for J.T. and his family. She was a very sweet lady, and she's going to be missed badly. Much could be learned from the way she lived. Especially for someone who tries to go 90 mph all the time, trying to get ahead, then trying to stay ahead, but sometimes allowing the really important things to fall behind. The reality check revealed that I am far from what I want to be. If you guys think I keep all this supermom/superwife, corporate computer programmer, swimming/biking/running, cooking/cleaning, teaching/loving/praying-with-my-kids, helping-the-world-be-a-better-place all balanced - I have mislead you. I am the master of convincing myself that I am snorkeling along a beautiful tropical reef and swimming along with exotic fish, while the truth is that I am just barely keeping my head above water. My children should be glowing like the exotic fish in the tropics, but I'm afraid the hustle and bustle and general disorganization of our everyday lives is hindering that. Time for change.

Change is good. The little voice in the back of my head keeps saying it won't last, but it's not going to keep me from trying. I bet if I go back to last January's archives on this blog I'd find that I talked about getting organized and balanced then, too. I guess you could lable me a New Year's resolutionist in that department, but that's okay. I was once a New Year's resolutionist for exercise just like all those others you are seeing at the gym right now, but I kept the promise the last time I made it. That's why I don't knock those people giving it another shot for the New Year. Hey - atleast they are trying. I know some of them won't be there 4 months from now, but one day they might keep the promise, too. This might be the year. I want to walk up to everyone one of them and say "Hey, I'm proud of you for being here. You can do this." And that's what I'm telling myself right now, as I vow to keep my home organized, the green veggies on the table, the Bible study and prayer time, the lending a hand to my neighbor, and still leave enough time in between the many other activities we have to stay sane. Or perhaps cutting a few of them out in order to stay sane.

Anyways.

I ran 13 miles Saturday with H.D. and Tim. Final "long" run before RNR AZ. I didn't feel great, but I didn't feel bad. Average pace was 9:01. Tim had run 20 miles at an 8:25 pace just the day before, so we were actually able to keep up with him! Can you believe someone would want to run 13 miles the day after running 20? The guy is a machine. I haven't been following Pfitz's tapering plan so well. I honestly don't think it tapers enough for myself. I'm not going for any records in Phoenix anyway, so why not?

You guys have a good week. Train hard, tell your family you love them, don't sweat the small things, and have some fun.

11 comments:

SingletrackJenny (formerly known as IronJenny) said...

Lana - I'm sorry about J.T.'s grandmother.
You are keeping your head above water and sometimes that's all we can do... maybe that IS the balance - that when you're not under the water, all is good.
Love you, and I'll see you in Phoenix this weekend!
email me at jennymoore@mchsi and we can exchange cell numbers.
See you at the expo at 10am!
Jenny

Lisa said...

I'm sorry about your husband's loss.

Good Luck in Arizona and just have fun! :)

Brooke said...

I too am sorry for your husbands (and your) loss.

You brought up a good point about those january gym goers. Although I'm sure some of them will fade, a few will make it and may someday become future running-blogger-friends....

My Life said...

I'm sorry your family's grandma passed away... and I hear you on just about every point in this post! It's too easy to get caught up in the rush-rush-rush, let's do it all!

So you'll be in AZ this weekend? 1/2 or full? A group of runners/bloggers are getting together for dinner Saturday night - if you'd like to join us, send me an email! I hope I'll get to meet you!

IronTriTim said...

Totally understand the routine thing, Gemmas parents went home just before New Year and all the lights and tree came down straight away. Sooner to get back into a routine the better.
Sorry about JTs grandmother.
Good luck with AZ.

Tri-Dummy said...

Sorry about JT's Grandma!

See you soon. Get some rest.

Cliff said...

Sorry to hear about the grandma passed away. The Bible study and prayer are definitely important.

Part of this year is to focus on those two and continue to renew myself.

Marathoner in Training said...

Sorry to hear about the passing of JT's Grandma. Found your blog from Tayran's blog. Hope to meet you at the RNR. Have a safe flight.

Christine said...

Sorry to hear about your loss!

Also glad to hear that you aren't supernatural and able to keep up with everything! haha. Although I still envy you with all those triathalons under your belt!! haha

Darrell said...

We are only human. Keep fighting the good fight, you're not alone in the "keeping your head above the water" category.

Have a gone run at RNR AZ!

jahowie said...

I'm sorry for your loss.

Have a great run in Arizona!! I'll look forward to reading all about it.