Are goal setting and fun mutually exclusive?

Today was the culmination of Duluth's best-known weekend and I finished the Half Marathon, which was the first I've completed in several years. While I felt more prepared than I ever had for a race before, the last two weeks were stressful--physically and emotionally. I was gone at a work conference and came down with the flu. Then I found out I had strep so the grossness that usually plagues me in the winter was now occurring in June. Special. Although chilly, for the first 4 or 5 miles I was sort of floating around, feeling very zen. I was also caught up in the excitement of it all and was going WAY too fast for my pace. Then I had to go the bathroom...really bad. I should have just gone before the start time but the lines were so long. I thought about just peeing down my leg...but I REALLY like my running shoes and don't think a long-term pee smell was very pleasing. So at mile 9 I had to wait in line for the biffy (there were no bushes/wooded areas around) and that took about 4.5 minutes. Annoying. Thank goodness I came upon some familiar faces that popped up a few times and braved the cold.

What I find most irritating about myself is I was so consumed with not meeting my goal time and having to stop at the bathroom that I was kind of in a bad mood when I finished. I was crabby about my time instead of reveling wholeheartedly about my accomplishment. What a dumb reaction, but when you work hard at something you have expectations that can distract you from all the good stuff. Last night after picking up my race packet, I thought I could put a full marathon on my "Complete before 35 or 40" List. Then about 1 mile from the finish, I decided maybe I didn't need to do that... : ) I was also thinking about some new workout plans that were briefer and potentially more effective.

Am I the only one who sabotages a fun moment? Why do we let our expectations get in the way? I will relax about it tonight as I have a steak or cheeseburger and some wine.

Back from obscurity

I had perused my blog a few times over the last six months or so, and really didn't feel like I had anything particularly monumental to say. I've kind of returned to the belief that it's rather narcissistic of me to think anyone wants to read my thoughts, but I suppose it's more personal than FB, right? I completely forgot to read others' posts, so I'm sorry if there was a major life event that occurred and I didn't ask you about it--again, unawareness of others' lives due to my not posting. But on the flip side, hopefully I've seen you during this interim and the power of our personal conversations have far exceeded technological communication!

A few weeks ago, I was approached to be one of the faculty/staff/students to be profiled in a new ad campaign, which will include a weekly blog post from yours truly. I mentioned to the account manager from the ad company that I blogged personally (which was a quick note to self that I should make this site private) and she wanted to not only know my url but also my blog mantra. I suppose my title should allude something about the "message" I'm trying to portray (whether or not anyone's reading, right?) and honestly, I wasn't sure I'd really live up to that. Okay, enough ranting about quality. Quantity works, too.

Since my last post the greatest shift has been moving to a new job. I am busier than ever and professionally happier than ever. I'm challenged and energized every day by meeting and collaborating with new people outside of my comfort zone, by working in a field that I didn't have a lot of experience in, and by sharing my time and ideas with very supportive colleagues. It's challenging, busy and lots of fun. I'm thankful for all of it. And although this time of year is draining for teachers, I'm glad I'm sticking with it. My students make me laugh and challenge me to keep my lectures minimally boring. It keeps me on my toes.

Highlights: suddenly, my world is a little less boring (and grey hairs are suddenly undetectable). I learned (at 31) how to curl my hair. And it stays. Amazing.


Reveling and embracing the following:

Traveling: Booked two trips with my husband. One large and one small. I'm happy that we're planning ahead this year! Usually most of my travel is away from him, but every year for our anniversary we try to plan time away together. It's gonna be good...I passed on a last-minute trip during this (extended) winter, so I'm really looking forward to this.

Wine: Love it. A lot. Planning a tasting with a friend. Accompanied her to a massive wine sale and all of the staff knew her. The sommelier was giddy to help us find bottles.

Running: Shockingly, yes. I told someone yesterday I didn't like running, but I liked goal setting. I certainly don't live and die by it (I bailed on a 5K today because of the wind and the snow) but it does make me feel good. It's really cheap therapy: it only costs you a pair of shoes! I've never considered myself a competitive person, but I've surprised myself and want to continue to build up some distance before the half. I'm sure my typical habit of inconsistency will allow me to forget about this come June 19. Corey wants to get a road bike (even though he informed me that he'll be going at his own [much faster] pace), so yay for outdoor activities.

Decorating: As I write this, I'm waiting for the spackle to dry so I can paint our bedroom this lovely periwinkle blue. My husband picked it out. I've had my idea for this room in my head for about two years and I'm finally getting it done. I'm sick of walking in there and thinking how sad the lack of decor is. I'm going for a serene, hotel-ish type of space. I found a very cool faux leather headboard

spied this modern duvet cover

and have some wall-mounted lights for reading. We painted our living/dining/entryway this summer and hung some shelves


but I have no idea what color or layout I want for the last room, the office. Any recommendations?

I'm working toward the following:

Remaining grateful: We are lucky. I try to remind myself of that every day.

Consciously picking the positive: Life is short. Surround yourself with supportive individuals. Thank them for their gifts.

Expanding my comfort zone with music: I didn't like Cee-Lo's song until I heard it with explicatives. Liz gently reminded me that my singing tastes matched her parents'.

A good thing for the long haul but I need to broaden my horizons. My current faves are this little ditty (for running) and the more mellow genre (for working).

How's that for long-windedness?

I may keel over from lack of exertion

Last week I was riding high, thinking I might be able to cram for the half marathon by getting a significant amount of miles in during May. Like physical activity is a quiz in geometry. Second day in a row of running a very impressive 3 miles, feeling quite brazen, I convinced my friend we should run outside. All was lovely amongst the peaks of secluded hills. Then we turned the corner, into the busy thoroughfare, and the wind hit us like a wall. I can only imagine how stupid we must have looked, practically moving in slow motion. Here's to the overnight study session I'm about to endure.