New Job, New Rec, New ‘Do…

On the bright side, my new job rocks a mean bag of pretzels. Cool people, awesome projects, killer opportunities. And there’s nothing quite like feeling respected for the person you are and the things you can do. Rock on!

The only not-so-sunny side is the new commute: I’ve gone from a 40-minute roundtrip to a three-hour roundtrip. Yick. There won't be able bike-riding from these spots. While the first week had me pretty mopey, I’ve gotten over it and learned to better manage my time (which includes hours dedicated to rabid, desperate house-hunting!). It helps that my department allows me to have flexible hours—I get in early and leave early to make the best of low-traffic times—around which I’ve managed to fit 5:30 a.m. aerobics and 5:30 p.m. runs. I might just make it after all…

Once I get down my rhythm, I’d like to take advantage of this university’s rec. center, which is located right next to my parking garage. I ran for 35 minutes last week on the 1/8-mile track, but have been trying hard to keep my runs outside. Plus, it's a little less orderly on this new track. The track team seemed to be running against the traffic whenever and wherever possible. What gives?

While the single-digit temperatures haven’t exactly been helping the outdoor effort, I have managed to run 2-3 times each week for around 30-40 minutes. Because I’m just ramping up the new season o’IronG, I’ve been taking it pretty wimpy. Believe it or not.

But today will be different. This side of winter is kind of nice: it’s face-chapping cold, but at least the days are getting longer. It’s supposed to be in the 30’s and 40’s for the next couple of days, so I’m going to run my butt off while I can do it without making my fingers freeze off.

I’ve really missed this energy brought on by the excitement of imminent running. Not only am I pumped for this week’s weather, but also the upcoming season. I already have on my calendar Tackle the Tower on Feb. 9 (that’s right: Landon convinced me to do it; I don’t know how…) and St. Malachi 5-miler on March 15. Let the training begin!

It tickles me to think that this time last year I had just reached my 30-mile dessert goal and wasn’t even counting down to my first race. I remember fretting late each night that I wouldn’t be able to finish the five-mile race. Hee hee.

And I’m headed into this race season a little lighter. No, I’m not talking about weight; I donated my hair! For anyone who knew me in person, you’ll know I had long I’ve mistreated for the past 5-6 years. I had been trying to care for and condition it lately in preparation for donating it “some day.”

But when I went to my hair stylist last week, I had planned to get a chunk chopped and that chunk turned into 12 inches (I was only 4-5 inches away from donation length with my original plan, so I just went for it; what’s 4-5 inches anyway?). It was the least remorseful haircut I’ve ever had. And it’s nice to be short again. Now I just have to figure out how to run with this thing…