If you're lucky enough to be in the mountains, you are lucky enough.

When something bad happens, you have three choices: let it define you, let it destroy you, or let it strengthen you.

Wednesday, March 04, 2015

The new (and improved) life.

It's been a long month since the last post, as I worked hard establishing my new position as an LMT for more hours at Massage Envy and Myo Massage, as well as doing 50 hrs a month of Yoga teacher training. Basically, I didn't have a day off since I stepped out of UT on January 16th (or, rather, came back from Russia and went to work on January 1st) until Monday, March 2nd. While I love my new life so much, I am learning to fiddle with what we call a "golden medium". Apparently, being a massage therapist for 6 hrs a day is a physical job. Ha. Who would have thought? And since I tend to maximize time I am away from home, I ask for "no breaks", meaning I have client after client with barely a breath in-between. This has to be adjusted in the future (we submit schedules 2 months ahead, so I can't move much until May), to figure out where I am comfortable financially, feel like I fulfill my duty as a member of a family as well as a healer to people, yet don't break down. Sometimes the physicality of it runs me so that I fall asleep way before 9 pm, and even miss a run or a gym. I don't really feel worn out while doing massages, it's the "whoosh" that comes once I am home.

That said, and since I managed to strain hamstring-overcompensate with right hip flexor-still dealing with left foot (never-ending injury from 2011), my attempts of speed work and somewhat faster-paced runs went to zero. I strap my Garmin and go without looking until the end of the run. I did manage to put a progression of longish runs - 14, 16, 18 - all on roads, as time is just an issue (and seems to be even more so) as it was when I worked at UT. Driving 20+ minutes each way to the trailhead, which (the trails in Austin) do not inspire me in a big sense anyway (though still much better than roads, indeed) can't fit into my schedule, and being so slow these days means same 6-10 miles will take me close to 40% longer staggering on rocks and roots. So, I keep circling the neighborhood(s), being happy if I pick the hillier area, for the better views and more muscle fun. I did go to trails once (like, in many months!!) though, and it was absolutely beautiful and awesome, and I am trying hard to re-write my schedule so I can make it a habit at least once a week!

That said, I took out the Idaho 50k I tentatively wanted to do in June (I still feel bad I won't get to visit the area and some of my friends!), and have no clue if it also means I'll be chasing cut-off's at Smith Rock 50k on Mother's day (or bail out so my speedy friends don't have to wait for me). Since I do not intend to not go to Oregon in May, I will play it by ear. So far I took a back-off week last week, and the runs picked up some overall pace. Smart coaching, huh? :)

Because of said injury and the road running making me stiff (and massaging affecting my back and shoulders), my yoga practice hasn't made progress as I anticipated (in terms of, no, I am not doing splits, or hand stands, etc.), but learning all the little details did help me with a much better alignment. Also, the training part of being a teacher is fascinating, I missed that since my 10+ years ago Bikram teaching stunt. We are all getting better, with my usual feedback including a positive or two (I know my stuff, have energy, fill the room) and a not-so-much (I talk too much by giving too many cues!). I got to teach Sun A series (about 7 min of the class) last Sunday and it felt so real.

And I did finish a dress I was making! 50% yak wool with 50% merino wool, yarn I bought as a shopping therapy back in November with no clear idea, used to make a sweater during Thanksgiving trip to Estes Park, then decided I didn't like it one bit, and re-made it into dress with creativity being born as the rows were stringing one on another. Used every inch of that yarn! That was close!



Well, back to that day off I had - since it was Monday, and I rarely see my husband these days between working into late evenings and all weekends being either at work or yoga training, I begged Larry to take a day off his job and have a one-day get-away.

We drove to Kerrville, TX (about 2 hrs SW of Austin), stayed in a nice place, ate in a great Mexican restaurant (says me who really doesn't like any kind of Tex-Mex rice-beans combo!), and the next day drove to Lost Maple state park and made one big loop (10 miles) to utilize very trail they have there. The park took our vote for being the BEST Texas state park (besides Guadalupe, which is a National park, and is basically in NM) for the variety of trails, flora, grand views (yes, the hills were beasts and very pretty). Despite the weather being foggy and cold, we enjoyed the hike and being outside immensely.

No trips planned until May (Oregon). Gotta buckle down for 2 more months.:)

Below are pics from the Lost Maple hike.










5 comments:

Alicia Hudelson said...

Standing on your feet for 6 hours a day is a hard workout on its own, not surprising you'd be a little tired after that!!

Your mini-getaway sounds great:)

Olga said...

Thanks! Did I congratulate you on your HURT, you crazy woman? :)

wildknits said...

That dress is impressive! Great use of the yarns.

Glad you were able to squeeze in a mini-vacation to what appears to be a beautiful State Natural Area. Even a short break in the woods can be an effective reset.

And yes - your new job(s) are physically demanding (as well as emotionally I would think). That can make it hard to get out the door. I was just telling my daughter, who interviewed for a hospital job, that the nice thing about evening shift is being all to get your run in during daylight and before work. Easier then trying to get out after 8+ hrs on your feet caring for patients.

Olga said...

Totally agree on "emotionally" as a) I give my heart out, and b) most of my regular clients talk and use me as a therapy session (what I love!). So yes, that drains, regardless how awesome it is.

Thanks on the dress remark, I know you understand!

Alicia Hudelson said...

Thanks but sadly that must have been someone else! I've never done HURT (and probably never could!)