I start, sort of, my new job today. While it's in bad taste to celebrate my good fortune right now, at a time when so many of my friends and family in Spain are either out of work, or working harder than ever for much less money, I must say I am very, very happy to have the opportunity to write, research, travel, and basically work my ass off for the next few years. However, all big running plans (and other life plans: children, thesis) have been put in a weird holding pattern. I know I have to keep up with running in order to stay healthy and sane while working for my new boss, but I also know that planning is now out the window. (Why, suddenly, when you realize you can't start a family or train for a marathon or start cooking vegan food , you really, really want to?) I will basically be on call for the next four years. But my running shoes will be in my desk drawer awaiting any free moments and, also, can't you run with a Blackberry?
I have to take things step-by- step and week-by-week. Oh 16-week-Excel plan, I already miss you and all the control you provide me! This week I'll be straddling both jobs: starting to go to meetings at newbie and trying to train my replacement at oldie. Actually, they still don't have a replacement, but that's a whole other train of thought.
For now, I'm just concentrating on getting enough sleep to be able to do another half on January 30th. Last Saturday I had a beautiful long run: first half up to the Montjuïc castle with Charles (see pic) and the second half solita along the beach. Up to the castle was tough and I had to walk on the last set of stairs. Sunday I rested, so this morning I'll head out for 10k before embarking on a marathon day of meetings. This week I want to get in 55k and next week I'll taper for the BCN half marathon, which I really haven't trained for. In between meetings, I'm also going to sign up at the gym next to my new office. It's small, it's dirty, it stinks, but I must have a shower on hand for those upcoming lunch runs. I'm back to my dream job, a very high pressure job, after four years, but this time I'll be a better worker because now I'm a runner.
Does running make you more a more productive worker, a sharper thinker, more patient?
Do you run at lunch?
