Prioritizing

I sent out an email to my new boss, as well as her boss, right before leaving the office last night. I wanted to be sure that everyone was aware of the three projects that were all on the newly accelerated timelines. My email was written more as a FYI, with the request for assistance in prioritizing which project was of higher priority.

My cry for help did not go unanswered. We had a morning teleconference to discuss all that was being asked of us and in the end the projects were shifted around. I ended up keeping the project that I most wanted to be rid of, but figured that I’d be thankful that much of the other work was being shifted elsewhere.

I immediately filled my morning scheduling meetings and sending emails to inform everyone of the reassignment of projects. I spelled out the list of additional concerns with the timelines. I managed to dig up some positive wording on the email stating that the newly identified logistics might play a role “in the success of achieving the task set before us.” I guess my blogging hobby is providing me with some valuable skills for the work place.

The lunch hour was nearly gone when I finally grabbed my bag to head for the fitness center. I was satisfied that I had set things in motion on the project. It was now in the hands of others to respond. Hopefully, they would do so by the time I returned. I was only running 4 miles, so it wouldn’t be long.

I started off nice and easy at 6.5 mph (9:13/mile) for the first mile. The ‘mill was set to a 2% incline. My conscious told me to take it easy, but that was just too boring. I did an 800 at Yasso pace, recovered for 3:50, and then did it again. By the time I was beginning the 3rd mile, it was time for the next 800. I was torn between cooling down and trying to do one more 800. I decided to do the 800.

I set the ‘mill at 8.5 mph (7:30/mile) and began my 800. About half way around the virtual track, I could feel the fatigue really setting in. My body was telling me to stop. I grabbed the metal plates that all the user to check their pulse. My pulse had climbed to 175. I backed off the speed to 8.0 for the remainder of the 800 and then backed it down again to 7.5 for the rest of the mile. My heart rate came down a bit but stayed in the 170s. It had been 150 when I started out.

I guess, I hadn’t been as diligent as I usually am about drinking fluids. In fact, the only drink that I’d had was my morning latte. When my work out was completed, I walked at 3.5 mph. My heart rate fell nicely; within 30 seconds it was back in the 130s. I dropped the incline, watched it drop some more, and then the speed again. By the time I had walked a single (1/4 mile) lap, my heart rate was about 100.

I wasn’t pleased that my heart rate went up so high today, but I wasn’t surprised either. I was pleased that it came down quickly.

My scheduled strength and stretching work didn’t occur until long after I left the office. I hit the critical areas in my work out, but didn’t do too many repetitions. I am still sore from Tuesday’s strength work out.

For more reasons than one, I am really looking forward to the upcoming weekend. I just need to make it through Friday. Depending upon how things go at work, I will either take my scheduled rest day or do Saturday’s pace run early. I figure it out tomorrow as my day unfolds.