I find myself in somewhat of an academic rut. It’s nothing serious, but I once again have a load of work to plow through over the next few weeks and at times it feels like an insurmountable obstacle, to the point that I’ve spent more time worrying and procrastinating than I have actually working. I’ve been good about doing not doing this recently, and now is not the time for my old habits to resurface. After the hellish April I had coupled with my proposal defense and recovery from surgery, I feel like I haven’t taken a full breath in quite some time. I really won’t have a break until mid-late July, and even then, I’ll likely be busy packing. A busy life is better than the alternative, but when you’re in the thick of things, it sure doesn’t feel that way. By the end of next week, I need to pound out 3 conference proposals and finish up my analysis so I can get my presentation ready by the end of the following week. I’m really chomping at the bit now, but I’m feeling impossibly lazy and unmotivated at the present.
My reformation plan is going quite well. I’ve been running, going to the gym, and monitoring my eating habits a little more closely, and it’s paid off! I lost about 4 lbs over the past 2 weeks in part because I’m consuming less salt and way more water, and I’ve taken an inch off my waist, which is a welcome development. Tomorrow is my first long run (I’m training for a marathon and have one “long” run per week.) If all goes well, I’ll peel off 6 miles, but even 5 would be OK. I’ve never done more than 5 before in my life, so I’m curious to see whether I can even do it. Each week my long runs get successively longer until I’m able to do 26 in one try. I don’t see how I can’t substantially shape up when I’m running no less than 12 miles a week, and up to 32 miles in the later weeks.
Good work keeping up the running in the midst of your chaotic schedule. That’s never easy, and I for one let the running habit completely slide during second sem this year. Definitely paying for that right now, when I find that my endurance is totally shot. A marathon is a great goal to have…do you have a race picked out? Using some sort of training plan? I’m curious…I had grand ambitions to run a half-marathon last fall, but school ate me alive.
The exercise gives me more energy so that I’m more productive, and hence have time to exercise. I do a lot of thinking when I run, too.
I’m using the Galloway training method, which is great for people who want to avoid injury. There are a few races I have in mind, but I haven’t committed to one yet. There’s a feature on the NYT blog “Well” where you can get marathon training guidance customized to your needs and fitness level. It’s really pretty awesome!