Was it just last week I claimed to be ahead of my workload? After I worked on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to get caught up, my assistant (secretary) worked last Saturday to clear out her backlog—passing a lot of it on to me. With another towering stack of things to do, it’s no surprise I was burning the midnight oil again, but it cast enough light to keep me looking at the bright side.
My team thinks it funny to stack files higher than I can reach ….
Looking At The Bright Side
Even under pressure, I’m a glass-half-full person, always looking at the bright side. No matter how busy I am, I will take time to enjoy a gorgeous sunrise.
This barely captures how gorgeous it felt.
Over coffee, I shared an as-yet-to-be-resolved on-line shopping snafu (notice the optimism in that phrasing?), but last week also brought an on-line shopping win. I’ve had a favorite sports bra I bought at Athleta years ago, but haven’t been able to find since. I know I looked for them on-line a while ago, but when I noticed the website still barely visible on the faded tag (yes, I’m still wearing it), I decided to give it a try. I was thrilled to see the website still worked, had an on-line store, and had the model I was looking for.
Maybe the first time I checked they only did B2B sales?
I love that they fasten in the back (no overhead gymnastics), fit well, and, obviously, stand the test of time—including many long runs and trips through the washing machine. I happily forked over $ 74 each, opted for free shipping, and was pleasantly surprised when they landed on my doorstep two days later. They have a lot of different styles and colors—check them out at Anita.com.
At first it was hard to see the bright side when I arrived for my 5 am Orangetheory class on Friday only to be reminded that I was still on the waiting list. But while I was waiting to see if there would be any no-shows, I realized it was my chance to try on the tank I’ve wanted for ages but wasn’t sure of the size. It usually catches my eye after class, when I’m way too sweaty to try on something I might not buy.
I didn’t make into the class, but there was a bright side to that as well, which I’ll share in my Weekly Run Down.
As I was writing this post, my local NPR station started airing this episode of This American Life. It made me realize I don’t tend to use “delight,” but it probably does capture how I felt when I saw that sunrise, found those sports bras, and finally got my OTF tank.
Weekly Run Down
It was a hard week, and on Thursday I had to choose sleep over yoga, but on Friday I snuck out of work early for a sports massage, which felt great and left my legs primed for a great long run on Saturday.
Monday: Strength workout
I focused on upper body moves, but still did banded side steps from last year’s PT program.
I was working out by the glow of the t.v.
Tuesday: Cyclebar
Some days I pop out of bed eager to get to class. This was not one of those days. Even after I was up and dressed I wasn’t feeling it, but I knew it was the one day this week I could get to Cyclebar, so I went. Of course it ended up being a great class, and I even did my post-ride stretching and planking.
Wednesday: 3.5 Scooby Miles
I had stayed up late Tuesday night working, but since I was working at home before a morning meeting I was able to sleep a bit later than usual and still have time for a short run. Maybe the shorter distance made it feel sweeter, or maybe I was just glad to be away from my computer, but it felt fantastic.
Rose-colored glasses aside, it was a great run—
even Scooby finished smiling!
Thursday: One mile walk with Scooby
Wednesday night I was up too late again, partly due to a hectic day but also due to procrastination. I chose sleep over yoga, and got up with just enough time to take Scooby for his 1 mile morning walk before heading in to work.
Friday: Orangetheory fitness Strength Workout
Oh the irnony! Thursday night I thought about cancelling my OTF class, but I decided I’d feel better if I went and needed to get an early start on my Friday anyway. If I’d even checked the app to debate cancelling, I would have seen I was just on the waiting list.
After there were no no-shows at OTF, I headed to my office gym where I had the place—and all the weights—to myself. I’ve been feeling ready to use weights I don’t have at home, and sucessfully used a (single) 25 lb weight for French presses and 12.5 lb weights for lateral arm raises. I also had much more room for walking lunges and banded side-steps than I have at home. It wasn’t as fun as Orangethoery, but it was a good workout.
Saturday: 8.15 Scooby Miles
This was one of my best runs since I’ve been treated for hyperthyroidism. Maybe my legs were paying it forward after yesterday’s sports massage?
I know it’s out of focus, but I love his silly face!
Sunday: Orangetheory Fitness
I was looking forward to a bike ride, but just when I was about to get ready, the sky turned dark and dumped a “scattered shower” on us. Luckily the OTF near me had an opening in the next class, so I signed up, changed for that, and dashed out the door.
It was a fast-paced class with three trips around the room, spending 3:30 at each station each time. On the rower, we repeated 350M row + 10 squats. On the floor we did two different exercises the first two rounds and then three core exercises the last round. On the treadmill, we started each round with 2 min at “push” pace, and then recovered at “base” pace for 60, 45, or 30 seconds, followed by “an all” pace for 30, 45, or 60 seconds. The total workout time was shorter than some classes, but my calorie burn was at the high end of usual, because of the intensity.
Thanks to Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down link up
–join in for motivation and encouragement!
Did anything unexpected delight you this week?d
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
Love your glass half full attitude! I would have freaked out being on a waiting list for a 5am class. Good for you for using the time for a workout at the office gym.
My delight will happen tomorrow: instead of working in the morning, I can go out for a run!
I hope your run was delightful! 🙂
Hold up–a waiting list for classes at OTF? I can’t even imagine not being able to go to classes at CrossFit. As far as I know, they never turn anyone away. I’d be so upset if I had to miss a planned class. Heck, I was upset that I couldn’t run yesterday. No one’s got time for that!
Oh, yeah. The max class size is 39 if all equipment is working (there are13 treadmills, rowers, and weight stations) and if I forget to sign up for my 5 am classes a few weeks in advance I’m usually on the waitlist, but usually get in. It was a bummer for sure!
Sorry to hear you have been so slammed at work lately! Really hope that lessens up for you soon. Great job on that 8+ mile run. Maybe I should take Scooby for runs 🙂 Today was so weird it was like a frozen rain or sleet or something while we were running.Thanks for linking up!
He does help me up the hill sometimes. 😉 That weather was so odd!
Delight is such a fun word.
I totally feel you on space for walking lunges, side steps. I love the gym for that alone
Yay on the sports bra find
I’m tempted to buy some for every day wear, since they are “normal” and fit well … and machine washable.
I actually went sports bra shopping yesterday and sadly didn’t find anything suitable, but will keep my eye out. Not desperate yet, but would love something that doesn’t involve “gymnastics” moves to put on and remove, LOL! Love your positive attitude – I have a mountain of work too at the moment – but just taking it a file at a time.
Yeah, I looked for some at the running store when I was show shopping, but they didn’t have styles that fastened in the back.
Sorry that your workload is never-ending! You have the right attitude though. Its great that you can still keep up with your workouts when you are so busy!
Hah, it will end and then I will stress over not having enough to do. 😉 My workouts are the oxygen that get me through the day.
You’ve been such a trooper lately handling all that work. I’m so glad you could shift your perspective and focus on the “delights” the week brought you. I am guilty as charged for not rotating my sports bras the way I should, although I’ve gotten better. Haha!
I have to quickly toss them in the trash before I can have second thoughts!
I can totally relate to how you’re feeling about work – I hope that things slow down for both of us soon.
That’s a bummer that you werent able to get into the OTF class during the week but you definitely made the best of the situation and got in a great strength workout!
It was nice to have the gym by myself. It’s a big space but still can be awkward if two people are using the free weights.
Another solid week for you! I love all those Scooby post-run smiles. My big unexpected thing was how great I felt after my short run yesterday, and how brilliant the sunshine looked!
Nothing beats the feeling of an unexpectedly fantastic run — it’s like the endorphins are extra strong. 😉
Thanks for sharing that episode of This American Life! I’ll have to check that out. And that’s great that the Saturday run felt so good!
It was a fun episode. I really loved the zoo segment.
Oh, no! You just got rid of so many stacks of files! Boo!
I love your Scooby pics. He’s the cutest! Also love that OTF tank! Super adorable!
Great job fitting it all in, even though you sometimes didn’t want to.
I know it comes with the territory, and while it’s hard, I have to admit I enjoy the challenge and still love my work. <3
love your optimism 🙂 and I will be checking out that podcast! I use to listen to This American Life but haven’t in ages. Good week of workouts, even with no no-shows!
I’d say nothing unexpected happened last week. That’s ok, my glass is half-full enough 🙂
It’s an interesting podcast — it covers so much territory/topics. I need to find a link to send you but this weekend’s travel section in the Washington Post featured Utrecht.
I’m chuckling about your bra find because my mom’s name is Anita. 🙂
You definitely made some lemonade this week!
Nothing super special this week. And sometimes that’s just fine.
After the past few weeks/months/year you’ve had, a quiet week sounds delightful.
Yes, it was nice to be home and relax!
My goodness I really hope you get a break at work son. You really have been burning the candle at both ends for a while. You’ve done a great job of keeping your workouts up despite your schedule!
I suck at taking breaks during the day (or night!) but know I NEED to move at least in the morning.
It’s always exciting when you can bump up to the bigger hand weights! 🙂 Hope your busy work schedule quiets down soon.
I have some bras from Victoria’s Secret that I love but haven’t seen them on their site at all. I know I should replace them because I’ve had them for years.