At midnight of a New Year we got sick...
Well, come to think about it, we didn't feel all that good on December 31st. And no wonder. That "Last Supper" at Russian place was following a 90 min Bikram yoga class, a shower, and a 30 min wait at the MonoRail station, wet, off hot room, at 30F and in North wind - and with no good clothing worn. It was bound to happen, and I would have been really surprised if it didn't.
We didn't meet the new 2013. And not even because we didn't feel all that wonderful. With both of our kids being away, we planned - for the first time for me in my 43 years - to not sit and wait till midnight, and rather go to sleep. This holiday, which had been THE most awesome and important one since my baby-hood back home (don't you love that a number on a calendar has no attachment to neither religion nor political affiliation or race or gender and so on?), and the most FUN too, had gotten away since the times I am not surrounded by Russian friends and family. Here it seems to be celebrated by young adult population, and some others who manage to get together and sit through the ball drop in Big Apple. So, we figured, might as well...
At 12:45 am, on January 1st, I woke up because I couldn't swallow, my throat hurt and my nose was stuffed. It took me a few tries to get sarcastic with myself (I knew I had to be sarcastic, but couldn't remember why off the sleep): "Happy birthday? Merry Christmas? Oh, yeah, Happy New Year to me!". Eventually, I fell back asleep.
The morning of January 1st wasn't much better, add on Larry's illness and the fact that he was into Whole30 and having sugar lows all around.
I was determined not to let it rule my entrance into new year.
I went for a run.
You see, I had some goals set for the month of January. I know, we are too old and too smart for all that "resolution" stuff, and yes, I don't really believe we should make a whole year's worth of resolutions. I don't think a normal person with normal life can keep a resolve going un-wavered for the whole year. I was reading a blog of someone and that person for last year had goals for each month. I thought - brilliant!
First of all, making through 30 days is not scary at all, anybody can do it. Secondly, since I always seem to want to do lots of things, but feel overwhelmed, focusing on a smaller number of new additions (or returns to old things) seems to be wiser. And then, practice shows that it takes 30 days to develop a habit - thus there is hope that if you achieve something in a month as a resolution, may be you carry it on to the next month(s) and just keep on adding new things. Or, at least, you get a chance to try something and see if it fits you.
That said, one of my January goals was to run every day (pre-set as 2 miles minimum). It might seem silly (not like I am just beginning to run or something, and even though my training suffered for the last few months, I never stopped shuffling), but I had never "ran" as a streak, regardless of effort, just for a pure reason to run as a streak. And since January I (we) have entered a Whole30 (second cycle for me), and I already knew it would mean some energy sag for a bit, I wanted to run for a different reason - a.k.a. silly reason of a streak.
So I ran, while trying to draw air into my scratchy throat or through my running nose. And with temperatures in Austin at night and in the wee hours of the morning in low-30's, it's kind of not the smartest idea to be running sick, but it makes it some kind of sick (no pan) fun.
Still sneezing and coughing, I ran on on January 2nd, and even went through the motions of hill repeats this morning, January 3rd, all 10 of 1 minute hills (which I am certain on a normal day can be done in 40 seconds). Don't worry, if you know me, I won't fall off this streak:)
What are the other silly things I came up with for the month of January? Lets see.
1. Run every day (already discussed)
2. Do home-set "Almost CrossFit" every day for 5 minutes (a set of 8 weeks exercises stolen from some other blog I stumbled upon, something like 5 rounds of 10x push ups, sit ups, squats type of things). I am not sure why I am doing this stuff either, but after completely not doing anything for 2 weeks in regards to weight training, all those things left me sore on day 1.
3. Gym 4 times a week. Here is why. Both Larry and I got a bit fed up with 24 hr Fitness gym where we'd spend lots of time, and we quit. I did sign up for the University gym, but since it's during work hours (and I despise being at work any more than 8 hrs total), I can only commit 20 minutes to the gym. So, I thought a combination of that 4xweek and my daily "whatever exercises" will keep me somewhat fit enough before I figure out if I need it or want it or want more or less.
4. Whole30, of course. Now, with Larry (a world-known sugarholic) on board, I actually cook more or less complicated meals. When I did it in October, since I am a very simple person (and not a foodie), I could just go on eggs and bell peppers non-stop, throwing some chicken and tomatoes in there from time to time. My man will not sustain on it, and I want him to succeed in this experiment. So, I am using all the gadgets I was so lucky to get as Christmas gift from my in-laws and husband. So far it's been fun.
5. Drink 40 oz of water a day. Yeah, I am really bad at it. I don't drink water. I don't drink much, period. And that includes drinking while exercising amounts, even in Bikram yoga class! Unless it's summer in Texas, I don't carry a bottle on the runs. So, I set a 20 oz bottle at my work desk and drink it through. If I take a few sips over that (at home, after a run, after dinner) - it's a bonus.
6. Put a cream on my face and hands every day. You know, aging is no fun, and I need to take some kind of care of my skin (I don't do sun protection either). That will be a start.
7. Finish all my knitting projects with yarn that's already in the house (one is done over break, one will be done by the weekend, but the last one has been sitting since last Spring, so I need to get on it!).
8. Let go (some) of trying to control my two sons. There are things I can't do and they will do anyway, and I don't like it, but trying to pull my hair out is not doing good to anyone - neither them nor me (or my husband). I had already gotten on this wagon in December, slid a bit over the holidays, and need to recoup back.
9. Run a 5k race (again, from the series I did last summer), despite not being prepared. Just because of the fear I have of 5k races.
10. Help Larry with attic project.
Umm...seems like more than I thought it would be when it was just in my head. But at least not as much as already swirling in my thoughts for the reminder of the year.
Lets make this year happen.
"There are Two Types of Pain in this World: The Temporary Pain of Discipline, or the Permanent Pain of Regret". Navy Seal quote.
If you want to stop a habit, or begin a new one, stop feeling sorry for yourself. Just deal with stuff and keep moving forward.
Well, come to think about it, we didn't feel all that good on December 31st. And no wonder. That "Last Supper" at Russian place was following a 90 min Bikram yoga class, a shower, and a 30 min wait at the MonoRail station, wet, off hot room, at 30F and in North wind - and with no good clothing worn. It was bound to happen, and I would have been really surprised if it didn't.
We didn't meet the new 2013. And not even because we didn't feel all that wonderful. With both of our kids being away, we planned - for the first time for me in my 43 years - to not sit and wait till midnight, and rather go to sleep. This holiday, which had been THE most awesome and important one since my baby-hood back home (don't you love that a number on a calendar has no attachment to neither religion nor political affiliation or race or gender and so on?), and the most FUN too, had gotten away since the times I am not surrounded by Russian friends and family. Here it seems to be celebrated by young adult population, and some others who manage to get together and sit through the ball drop in Big Apple. So, we figured, might as well...
At 12:45 am, on January 1st, I woke up because I couldn't swallow, my throat hurt and my nose was stuffed. It took me a few tries to get sarcastic with myself (I knew I had to be sarcastic, but couldn't remember why off the sleep): "Happy birthday? Merry Christmas? Oh, yeah, Happy New Year to me!". Eventually, I fell back asleep.
The morning of January 1st wasn't much better, add on Larry's illness and the fact that he was into Whole30 and having sugar lows all around.
I was determined not to let it rule my entrance into new year.
I went for a run.
You see, I had some goals set for the month of January. I know, we are too old and too smart for all that "resolution" stuff, and yes, I don't really believe we should make a whole year's worth of resolutions. I don't think a normal person with normal life can keep a resolve going un-wavered for the whole year. I was reading a blog of someone and that person for last year had goals for each month. I thought - brilliant!
First of all, making through 30 days is not scary at all, anybody can do it. Secondly, since I always seem to want to do lots of things, but feel overwhelmed, focusing on a smaller number of new additions (or returns to old things) seems to be wiser. And then, practice shows that it takes 30 days to develop a habit - thus there is hope that if you achieve something in a month as a resolution, may be you carry it on to the next month(s) and just keep on adding new things. Or, at least, you get a chance to try something and see if it fits you.
That said, one of my January goals was to run every day (pre-set as 2 miles minimum). It might seem silly (not like I am just beginning to run or something, and even though my training suffered for the last few months, I never stopped shuffling), but I had never "ran" as a streak, regardless of effort, just for a pure reason to run as a streak. And since January I (we) have entered a Whole30 (second cycle for me), and I already knew it would mean some energy sag for a bit, I wanted to run for a different reason - a.k.a. silly reason of a streak.
So I ran, while trying to draw air into my scratchy throat or through my running nose. And with temperatures in Austin at night and in the wee hours of the morning in low-30's, it's kind of not the smartest idea to be running sick, but it makes it some kind of sick (no pan) fun.
Still sneezing and coughing, I ran on on January 2nd, and even went through the motions of hill repeats this morning, January 3rd, all 10 of 1 minute hills (which I am certain on a normal day can be done in 40 seconds). Don't worry, if you know me, I won't fall off this streak:)
What are the other silly things I came up with for the month of January? Lets see.
1. Run every day (already discussed)
2. Do home-set "Almost CrossFit" every day for 5 minutes (a set of 8 weeks exercises stolen from some other blog I stumbled upon, something like 5 rounds of 10x push ups, sit ups, squats type of things). I am not sure why I am doing this stuff either, but after completely not doing anything for 2 weeks in regards to weight training, all those things left me sore on day 1.
3. Gym 4 times a week. Here is why. Both Larry and I got a bit fed up with 24 hr Fitness gym where we'd spend lots of time, and we quit. I did sign up for the University gym, but since it's during work hours (and I despise being at work any more than 8 hrs total), I can only commit 20 minutes to the gym. So, I thought a combination of that 4xweek and my daily "whatever exercises" will keep me somewhat fit enough before I figure out if I need it or want it or want more or less.
4. Whole30, of course. Now, with Larry (a world-known sugarholic) on board, I actually cook more or less complicated meals. When I did it in October, since I am a very simple person (and not a foodie), I could just go on eggs and bell peppers non-stop, throwing some chicken and tomatoes in there from time to time. My man will not sustain on it, and I want him to succeed in this experiment. So, I am using all the gadgets I was so lucky to get as Christmas gift from my in-laws and husband. So far it's been fun.
6. Put a cream on my face and hands every day. You know, aging is no fun, and I need to take some kind of care of my skin (I don't do sun protection either). That will be a start.
7. Finish all my knitting projects with yarn that's already in the house (one is done over break, one will be done by the weekend, but the last one has been sitting since last Spring, so I need to get on it!).
8. Let go (some) of trying to control my two sons. There are things I can't do and they will do anyway, and I don't like it, but trying to pull my hair out is not doing good to anyone - neither them nor me (or my husband). I had already gotten on this wagon in December, slid a bit over the holidays, and need to recoup back.
9. Run a 5k race (again, from the series I did last summer), despite not being prepared. Just because of the fear I have of 5k races.
10. Help Larry with attic project.
Umm...seems like more than I thought it would be when it was just in my head. But at least not as much as already swirling in my thoughts for the reminder of the year.
Lets make this year happen.
"There are Two Types of Pain in this World: The Temporary Pain of Discipline, or the Permanent Pain of Regret". Navy Seal quote.
If you want to stop a habit, or begin a new one, stop feeling sorry for yourself. Just deal with stuff and keep moving forward.
7 comments:
There is nothing you can't do when you set your mind to it. You are Olga ahhgggrrr!
There are two types of pain: Champaign and real pain (I'm assuming that joke works). Three of your goals are automatic for me; I checked and found I drink an average of 160 oz. of water per day!, my skin's so fragile I bathe in creams, and I love 5K races. The others... well, not so much.
Your meals look delicious! I need to add the cream and sun protection to my little goal list as well. And drink more water.
Running full out and fast for 3.1 miles strikes fear in my heart..5K's hurt! Good for you Olga, those all sound like do-able, healthy goals. Happy New Year!
Also, I LOVE the picture of you at the top of your blog in the orange jacket. Beautiful!
I'm with you...why make all your goals for the year in January? I have some silly ones too - like read....actual books...ultrarunner magazine doesn't count. And wash my face at the end of the day. :-)
Sarah, I am with you on reading - started (over again) at the end of last year! Can't put books down, Larry lost me:) Also, on face washing in the evening - might be my next one of the month' goal, I am doing good by using a special facial wash in the shower in the morning...one step at a time!
Great goals, Olga. I agree that it's almost impossible to keep those year-long resolutions. I'm still trying to figure out what my short- and long-term goals are for this year. Too many things to do, and not enough time :)
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