Variety and Balance
22 Jun
Well hello there. I think it’s about time I get this blog going again after my little hiatus. Its been way too long, and I’m sorry its taken me until now to get my thoughts together. The best way to describe the last few months is, well to be brutally honest, HARD. But in the hard times, you find out a lot of things about yourself. I’m still sifting through the job markets, trying to make it as a freelance graphic designer, but keeping my eye out for a position that fits me. Not a lot of positions out there period. So I’m taking it one day at a time, earning a bit of money here and there and letting myself daydream about possibly writing a book. I figure I better get blogging if that is ever going to happen. Nothing makes you a better writer like doing it every day.
In the past few months since losing my job, running has been my release. I’m still running four or five days a week, like I was when I was marathon training but now my motivation is completely different. Running is a little vacation from anxiety. It’s the one thing in my day that always leaves me feeling productive and proud of myself. I love getting into a rhythm with my music, and letting my mind float away. I love it when I start to feel that runner’s high, and I kick in a little more speed with my favorite upbeat song. I love feeling my lungs working harder and my legs burning. I love finishing a run and feeling like I’m floating around for a while, free from my worries, happy, if even for a short time.
But unfortunately, I’ve let my little addiction get a little out of control as of lately, and a few close friends have brought it to my attention. Yes I’m desperately dependent on those little endorphins to get me through the day. Not enough time off and a lack of an appetite has caused me to lose a bit of weight which I need to gain back. Running 30-40 miles per week makes that pretty difficult. So I’m planning to tone it down in the next few months. The summer temperatures are creeping up here, and I suspect in a week or two even the early mornings will be too hot to run comfortably.
Summer is my off season anyways, so this could not have been timed any better. It’s too hot here to do long runs so marathon training is out until September. In the next few months I’m planning to try a bunch of cross training activities and report on this blog about my adventures (and probably mis-adventures) with them. I’m open to suggestions about what to try. I need to feel active on a daily basis, but running everyday (especially if I’m not training for a race), could be detrimental. I don’t want to be out of the running game before I’m 50, and without cross training, I could be setting myself up for injury.
I’m planning on swimming, biking, weight lifting and trying some of the classes at my gym. Maybe I’ll throw in a swing dancing class, and some hiking in there. I’m not going to stop running by any means, but hopefully, back it down to a few short treadmill interval runs a few times a week. I say hopefully, because I’ve been saying this for the last month and a half and I haven’t been too successful with backing down yet. I blame it on the weather, we’ve had an especially cool June and I couldn’t see letting it go to waste.
All of you, my wonderful blog readers can hold me accountable to my new goal: variety and balance. I invite you to join me on my running and cross training adventures this summer. Hopefully by September I will be a stronger more well rounded runner because of it. Maybe I’ll be ready to attempt a Boston qualifier. Who knows what the future will hold!
Happy running!
Photo copyright Alissa Costello. Click here to buy a poster or card of this image and support this blog!
I’m glad that you are trying to recognize the areas where running is helpful and where it may not be as beneficial. Keep taking care of yourself, keep looking for the bright side in life and hopefully everything will work out. I realize the economy is still rough and it’s hard to seek out employment; but you’re smart, talented and kind… things will eventually work out.
You’re such an inspiration to me, I hope you will continue writing throughout the summer! I look forward to reading about your cross-training experiments!
Finding that perfect balance is never an easy thing – but it is so wonderful once you do. I’ve been putting running into its place lately as well. It’s a great way to stay in shape and relieve stress, but it’s nice to not be a slave to a training plan.
I’m really excited to hear about your plans for writing a book. As an aspiring novelist, I can tell you that you are absolutely right – nothing helps your writing more than writing. Good luck!
Oh, and by the way – it’s nice to have you back in the blogosphere!
this heat is pretty killer! what a ‘treat’ to yourself to take it as your off-season. some swimming would be pretty good…. mmm.
sorry to hear things are still kinda rough in the job realm, but glad you are continuing to look for opportunities and figuring out what you’d like to do for your career. hang in there, you’ll find something amazing!
First of all, so glad to have you back, Alissa!! I really missed you and your blog during your hiatus!
Also, I for one know it can be REALLY tough to find that balance; but you are strong and smart, and I know you can do it! I’m really excited to read about your adventures this summer!!
Hey there, lady, welcome back! And nice picture by the way – those few months have been very productive, I see! I knew you’d come back eventually, and that the hiatus was probably due to work. I’m glad your friends were paying attention to your addiction. And if anyone will hold you accountable and say “um, Alissa, your life is getting out of balance,” it’s the bloggers out there.
And about writing, yes, blogging does help. There are days that I do less fiction writing, but more blogging. Anything you’re doing helps, and keeps the creativity alive.
And good God, woman, 30-40 miles and not training! That is too much, definitely. I keep reminding myself lately – am I running for this race, or for life? For life sounds better to me.
Glad to have you back.
Thanks everyone for welcoming me back. I was afraid I might not have any readers after such a long break. Thanks for all the encouraging comments, they all mean so much to me. Balance is certainly not an easy thing, I don’t pretend to be an expert in it. But I’m trying to get there. That’s all we can do, is try our best everyday.
Welcome back! I was so glad to see new entries in my Google reader from you.
I am very glad that you have friends that care enough to tell you that you are doing too much. I really hope that you listen to their (and your own) advice. Take it easy for a while. The cross training sounds like fun.
I hope that things look up for you job wise.