Getting over the mid-week hump was just one of my hurdles for the week. My new job means a different route to work, a new habit of packing a lunch, new duties, new people, new regulations to learn, and so much more that is NEW.
A bigger issue for me has been my running routine. I’ve been struggling with resuming my lunchtime training runs since started the new job. It wasn’t such a big deal to run after work, on the treadmill, during my taper. Now that I am re-ramping for a December marathon, I need to utilize my lunch break to run. I don’t have a lot of other free time to do it.
The problem is that I have yet to see a single person going outdoors to run. At my previous employer, many people were grabbing their workout bags and heading to either the fitness center or to the outdoors for some sort of exercise. Additionally, the lockers/showers are in the bathrooms by the executive offices. I have been apprehensive about standing out.
This week was a time to put that all behind me. The path to change was paved for me in an odd way. I found that I did stand out, after my boss introduced me (the new girl), at the All Hands Meeting. She made a point to share that I had just run the Chicago Marathon. Well now that I already stand out, I guess I’ll get over my reservations and just hit the pavement.
That was just what I did. I got over my fears and walked right past those offices with my bag hung over my arm. After locating the bathrooms with the showers, I changed into my shorts, pony’d up my hair, and headed out the front door.
My next hurdle was to figure out where to go. It didn’t seem like I had a lot of options. Every direction that I could go involved running along busy streets. I made a right from the driveway and ran along the road facing traffic. There wasn’t any sidewalk for most of it, and the shoulder was narrow.
My breathing did not feel natural. It felt like I hadn’t run in months rather than days. The hill early in the run did not help either. But as soon as I had a safe sidewalk to get me away from the cars, my breathing eased up.
I was soon crossing one of the busiest streets which took me into a quiet neighborhood. I welcomed the empty streets. Unfortunately, my neighborhood stroll came to an end as quickly as it started. The road ended at a school.
Here I made a left and continued onward. The road was busier, but I knew that it would eventually meet up with a familiar road that would take me back to the office. I figured that my run would end up being about 4 miles.
To my surprise, I arrived at the main road quickly. It was right at a popular running path, which I had thought, was several miles away. It turned out to be only a mile from the office, making my run 3.5 miles. Since my run was schedule as 4-6 miles in length, my miscalculation made today’s run miss the mark. It did, however, give me a new place to explore during the coming months of training.
I am glad that I got past my apprehension and made today’s run happen. I’m on my way again, and a little excited about having more options than I had previously thought.
I had the same apprehension about running on my lunch break. Fortunately for me, the gym is in another building and, as of now, I have only been able to walk — and only on “good days.” But I’ve discovered a nice running trail in that time that keeps me motivated to heal and then head over to it.
Good luck with the new job. I know that feeling of overwhelmness…and excitement.
How long of a lunch break do you get that you can run 4-6 miles and still have time to shower, eat, and get back to work? At my last job I had 25 minutes to eat lunch. I can’t figure out how I’d have squeezed a run in!
Sounds like you get to be a leader and set the example! Primo cool!! Maybe you can get those execs to join you!
good job getting over your apprehension and heading out!!!!
Amy:
– I was only planning for 4 miles. I figured that was a reasonable lunch “hour.”
– I eat at my desk (regardless of if am running meaning on non-run days they get an hour extra from me).
– I am a very quick shower-er because I don’t wash my hair, and just rinse off the sweat and go.
– At my previous company, I would try to arrive early & stay a bit late to allow for the longer runs.
– I am not sure how I will manage runs longer than 4-5 miles with this job.
– I may have to ask Jeff to give me an extra run day to get the miles in OR I’ll just have to plan for the treadmill after work.
There’s a tone of excitement in your post that is good to see! New jobs can be so stimulating, and it’s really cool that you figured out the lunch time run. Even better that you found a running path!
WOOHOO!!! Glad you squeezed it in!! I bet they will be impressed with your dedication!