Thursday, October 5, 2017

Over scheduled?


Do you ever feel like your schedule is out of control?

My fall schedule is a bit outta whack this year, and it's throwing my "usual" fall routine for a loop. Can we talk about this? You know, over a mug of coffee, a cup of tea, or a hefty glass filled with the beverage of your choosing.


So, what are some things that are "off?"

1--Too much time blogging (but seriously, is that even possible?)
I have always had a fondness for writing, and blogging fits that need 1,000 times over. The past couple of years or so, I've settled into a pattern of writing three posts almost every week. As we all know, some posts are easier to write than others, so the amount of time spent varies each week (depending on how easily the words flow or how stubbornly they remain at a stand still). And, most of us know that blogging is a 2-way street....if we're taking the time to put all (or most) of our thoughts to words, we (usually) hope that someone will read it and find inspiration within those very words. Conversely, we also should be reading other blogs and reciprocating the love.  That's a lot of time spent reading! Maybe that's why the growing pile of junk mail on the counter is threatening to takeover the kitchen...

2--Transitioning back to being a runner.
Many would argue that once a runner, always a runner...but they probably haven't had the opportunity to take a (forced) 3-month sabbatical. At first, I had the challenge of accepting that I would not be able to run for a couple months, and had to figure out a way to stay active (thank you, Daily Early Morning Walking for filling that void!). Now that I've been given the green light to gradually resume my running, I'm in a different state of fitness confusion. Those early morning walks are now in complete darkness (except for on the weekends), but they feel like a part of me. I'm reluctant to give them up...but do I really need them everyday? Maybe just do those walks on the non-running days? Or should I allow myself some recovery time between the running days (since over-doing things would not be wise). Too many decisions!
Run? Walk? Rest?
3--Where are all the races?
Yep, the racing calendar has never been so bleak. Last year, I had a late-season marathon (remember that ordeal? ...Route 66, November 20th?), and I'll probably never do that again...it was just way too long to be training SO hard in the late fall. Maybe that's why this year seems so "empty?" Just last weekend, though, I pinned on a race bib for the Kickoff to Kinnick 5K (recap). It was my first race since Grandma's Marathon (recap) on June 17th, and did it feel ever-so-great! I also have a 5-miler on tap next weekend (IMT Des Moines Marathon-Mercy Live Up Loop), and the Las Vegas Rock'n'Roll Half Marthon is on the roster for November 12th. But that's it. I saw a 10K pop up on my Facebook news feed this week for November 4th, and that grabbed my attention. We'll see....a 10K would be a fun distance to run (not race) a week before Vegas....(stay tuned)...
Back in a race bib...
4--What happened to monthly goals?
My monthly goals for September kind of fell by the wayside. Well, I did keep up with some of them...just not as consistently as I'd hoped. In my defense, I could go with the excuse that I returned to running...and that was a major distraction...right?

Here's what I'm working on for October. Nothing too crazy or intense, but hopefully just enough to keep me somewhat active on my rest/recovery days. As for running, I'm doing (usually) just a 1-mile #nevermissaMonday run, short runs (2-4 miles) on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and a "longer" run (5-7 miles) on the weekend.

5--Oh, yeah....we have a high school senior, and the school year is already whizzing by.
Our plans fell through on this weekend's trip to Florida (due to the tropical depression storm possibly changing into hurricane status). The photographer (a family friend, whom we used for the other kids' senior pictures) relocated there recently...so we have to figure out another option for that undertaking. Our daughter has numerous deadlines coming up for dance (costume deposits, senior solo choreography/music selection, etc.) all in preparation for the recital (late April). There's probably going to be a few college visits thrown into the mix (she's been accepted to three schools thus far). Oh, and we'll have another graduation party to prepare for in late May. Yikes! Stop the world, I want to get off (or, at least savor these fleeting moments before they're gone).
Fun times with "little brother," Max
I probably should mention that I also have a house that desperately needs a major overhaul in terms of cleaning and de-cluttering, a garden that needs all 1,000,001 remaining tomatoes/peppers harvested soon, and my part-time job (approx. 30 hours/wk.) doesn't exactly work itself. As I have said numerous times, "Sleep is SOOO over-rated!"

So, that's what I'd share with you over coffee (and it better have plenty of caffeine in it). How is your fall shaping up? Busy? Back in a routine? Or, a change in routine?

I'm linking this with Meranda and Lacey and Rachel for the Friday Five 2.0. Please join us!!

And, since it's the first weekend of the month, I'm also linking with Deborah and Coco for the Ultimate Coffee Date. What would you share, if we were having coffee?

46 comments:

  1. This is such a busy time of year but I just want it to slow down so I can enjoy it! I feel like when Im not running, I just want to be running or blogging. So I don't really do much of anything else! The only part of my house that really gets cleaned regularly is the kitchen.

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    1. Ha! My kitchen is a near disaster...the hubby has TOO much mail piled up and I don't know where to put it...

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  2. I can't believe it is already October. I do have 2 races coming up this month so I'm sure this month in particular will go super fast. You always think you have so much time to train for races, but they are here in a blink of an eye. Other than this month I do not have any other races on my schedule for the year which is kind of nice.

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    1. I need to try to find something for December, and that's hard in Iowa.

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  3. I'm definitely feeling over-scheduled and trying to cut back on everything except sleep! I'm sure you'll be back in a groove with your schedule soon.

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    1. It's a catch-22 really....I miss having a busy race schedule, but I also know my body is not quite ready for it yet...

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  4. Blogging - so true how time consuming it can be at times, but then other times it's no big deal.

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  5. I am a little over scheduled right now as well. I like to be busy but I have to manage it a little better. Blogging does take a lot more time than I always think it will. I try to stay at 7 1/2 hours of sleep or I am not happy. Have a good weekend and see you for coffee tomorrow

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    1. My sleep is really lacking...and I am starting to notice...

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  6. After many months of hard training and a lot of stress the last couple of years, it is finally time for me to rest up and go with the flow. And I haven't run a step this week. Still not feeling 100% but pretty sure I won't actually get sick, knock on wood.

    I'm very religious about walking the dogs -- ask anyone! I really think it's so important for their mental & physical health. Running around the backyard just isn't the same thing. And they ran around it like nuts yesterday!

    It isn't easy, but I truly believe when we adopt dogs, that's part of what we sign up for. I also think it's actually good for us.

    But yes, it can be a total PITA sometimes squeezing everything in!

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    1. Well, walking Max is a no-brainer. He LOVES it, and I know it's good for him. He's really enjoyed some of the recent early morning outings with the hubby and me, which have been a good 90 minutes earlier than usual LOL

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  7. I feel you on being overscheduled! Actually, for me, I just feel overwhelmed.

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  8. Fall is shaping up to be pretty busy for me! I'm starting IVF, trying to keep up with running, planning a huge work event, having a birthday and life in general! I'm glad you are back into running. I totally know how it feels to take a lot of time off and come back to running. I had to take almost a year off to have my daughter and getting back in to was SO HARD, especially when I compared myself to my previous times. I've been really good about getting 7 hours of sleep a night... but I don't have a life sooooo lol

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    1. Fortunately my time off was "only" three months....but still. I can tell I won't be running my "previous time" for awhile, but I'm alright with that. I'm just thankful to be running again ;-) Good luck with IVF...I hope it goes well for you ;-)

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  9. Blogging has taken a back seat for me lately! After Chicago I have a half at the end of the month scheduled then nothing until January... I'd like to get another half on the schedule for late Nov - early Dec.

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    1. Blogging is definitely a time commitment! I've worked hard to buildup my following, and hate taking time away...so I tend to sacrifice other things (like sleep LOL).

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  10. I absolutely feel you on the blogging! I would rather read 30 blogging post than the news any day! There is so much positivity and great running women out here!

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    1. Oh gosh...I don't even watch or listen to the news. Too much negative crap and people bashing.

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  11. The entire year has gone by way too fast. I'm already buying gifts for October/November birthdays, and I'm searching and bookmarking things for Christmas gifts. Training definitely helped September go by quickly, and I think the same will happen in October. I'll take my usual break after Vegas, and I hope things slow down then.

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    1. I have not even thought of holiday shopping....I'm the queen of procrastination

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  12. I feel you! Life has been pretty crazy lately. I'm constantly trying to remind myself that I don't have to do it all at once, and when it comes to the blog, I'm being pretty good about letting life come first. I hope things slow down a bit!

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    1. I think sleep is the first thing I sacrifice when I'm busy...somehow. I tend to get a lot of things done more efficiently when I'm cramped for time (???)

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  13. I'm often over scheduled :( usually blogging is the first thing to go when I get so busy but then I missed it when I take a break.

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    1. I really miss it when I take a break (which is not very often)...I like staying in touch with everyone

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  14. I feel less stressed now that my trip/marathon are over. That said, there are big changes ahead for me. Stay tuned!

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    1. Marcia...you can't just leave me hanging like this????? ;-)

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  15. Im so overschedualed, maybe everyone is at this time of year.

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    1. Over-scheduling is SO easy to do...I think I under-estimate how much work the various tasks will take, and then I get trapped in a crazy game of playing catch-up

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  16. I can certainly empathize (though I don't have a high school senior, thank God). Just meaning that would probably double the work! Even though I've had a lot of time off this summer, I still feel like I can't catch up. Too much time blogging (reading other blogs, commenting, social media, etc...I know you get that). Oh, and a husband to keep happy (and he definitely thinks I spend too much time blogging!)

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    1. Oh, yes, the husbands definitely don't get the blogging gig LOL

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  17. I am *right* there with you on the blogging thing. I love blogging but it can be such a huge time suck. But I love it so I continue to do it. I also like reading my friends' blogs so there's that. I'm nosey and love to know what y'all are up to. :)

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    1. ha ha ha...at least blogging is not dumb ;-) (It's not like a marathon or anything)

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  18. Sometimes I feel like I spend too much time blogging, but I love it so can you really spend too much time doing something that you love? Nope!

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    1. The hubby definitely thinks I spend too much time blogging as well...but I really enjoy it, too. I've got a lotta friends to keep tabs on LOL

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  19. I hear you on feeling over scheduled - there's just not enough time! My blogging slowed way down this summer and I've been struggling to find the time to ramp it back up. The only thing not taking up time this fall is racing - for the first time in years my race calendar is very quiet...and I'm kind of ok with that... for now.

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  20. I can definitely relate, haha. My schedule pretty much always feels like it's out of control! :P I hope you have fun with your 10k, and best of luck to you with your schedule!

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  21. Can you tell from all the blog posts I'm catching up on today that I'm a bit over scheduled and behind as well? Like you, I only work part-time (about 25 hours with clients and then behind-the-scenes session planning). I don't know how bloggers who work full time do it...

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  22. I sure just about every other person who commented can relate to this post! Sometimes you feel like your all alone but it's nice to know others have the same issues. Blogging and running always seem to find the back seat in my busy times! Which is the worst because they are two things I love!

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  23. I TOTALLY agree with you on #1. I really fell out of blogging this year because honestly, I work SO DAMN HARD on it and I get a whole lot of nothing in return. I quit reading many of my favorite blogs and basically fell off the blogging bandwagon over the summer. I'm hoping to give it one more go before throwing in the towel. Good luck with your October goals!

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  24. I can so feel you here! Congrats on having a senior, but I would be trying to get in all the time now too! I am looking for a race this fall too- always harder past October, but I am feeling the need however short!

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  25. lately, im struggling with responding + reading others blog too and i dont like it. i like old blogging days where people connected more instead of marketing..and about once a runner, i love running but i go through phases where i dont run for 6 months and then get back (and wonder why did i stop).

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  26. Oh my gosh I most certainly feel your pain. I have so many things pulling for my attention, and far from enough time. Ugh! My blogging has definitely been pushed to the side in order to make time for other things, and I hate it. I definitely need more hours in the day and the week.

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  27. I'm constantly over-scheduled and overwhelmed! People always ask me how I do it all. I usually say, 'ineffectively'!

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  28. Wow! You do have a lot going on. :) We're in the midst of a road trip right now, which has been more fun than we thought it would be. My routine doesn't change too much from season to season, probably because we don't have kids. Blogging does take up a lot of time! I try to read as many as I can - especially if they've commented on mine - but it can be so overwhelming at times!

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